Liberalise video content streaming for revenue generation – Ex-NBC boss
Published by Borderless Media
Ex DG, NBC, Mr Emeka Mba
A former Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Emeka Mba, has advocated for the liberalization of video content to generate more revenue for the government.
Mba made the call at the launch of Ibakatv and telecommunications provider, Globacom’s partnership, which seeks to provide “Free Data Product, held at Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ibakatv, in partnership with Globacom, launched a Video On Demand OTT streaming service that offers a library of premium Nollywood movies.
The new product, according to the partnership, provides subscription with free Data and is a no restrictions offering with Glo Nigeria.
Mba said that content creators had moved away from analog system to the digital space which was more convenient and less expensive.
“I can say from the report that 70 per cent of the data consumed in Nigeria are spent on watching videos created by the content providers online.
“People in the creative sector are moving so fast in the digital world to create content, but the challenge is that the data price is still very high.
“The smart way to go is affordable devices to the people, how to integrate payment platforms to the people and ease of use, especially among the people.
“The policy makers should engage more in liberalizing the digital content creators to generate more revenue for the government,” he said.
Mba noted that government had not done enough to properly understudy how the creative industry works, adding that there were many contents that could be explored for revenue generation.
“Government needs to create policies to secure the future, conversation around where we want the creative industry should be a major concern.
“There is for everyone to come together to define the creative industry collectively and shape the industry.
“Film industry is the only sector that allows quacks. It is when you create a content that you become a film maker.
“On the content and connectivity, it is true that content will drive the future and there is a need for content within the digital space to make things relevant, he said.
Mba added: “Whoever that is able to understand and bring content and connectivity at the right place wins the lead.
“The right thing for the government to do is to encourage the content creators and make sure that more people have access to data because if it is cheaper, it will at the same time brings high return.
“The creative industry can be rightly positioned and emphasis should be made on prime contents and exclusive contents, he said.
The Managing Director, Ibaka Entertainment Limited, Blessing Idornigie, noted that the laudable initiative would allow new and existing Glo subscribers to download Ibakatv mobile app from google play store or apple store.
“The subscribers will have to sign up using their Glo line and enjoy an amazing free data offer that allows users to stream, download movies and surf the internet with no restrictions.
“The subscription on the Glo line goes as little as N600 a week that gives 3GB of data for free without restriction, or N2000 per month to give 4.1GB for free.
There’s also a subscription plan of N5000 that gives you 13.25GB data for free, also without restrictions, and more offerings like that; this is what we are offering, he said.
