At DISCOP Africa 2015, which runs until 6 November at the Sandton Convention
Centre in Johannesburg, African internet TV innovator iROKO officially launched its
global
content distribution and licensing division, iROKO Global. The dedicated team will
license its extensive library of Nollywood films and television series to both on and
offline, across pay TV, internet TV, inflight and YouTube channels.
From its headquarters in London, the iROKO Global team will be partnering with
media outlets in key markets, notably the UK, US and France, to license Nollywood
films and TV series and develop iROKO branded channels. Leading iROKO Global’s
worldwide licensing division is senior vice president, Justine Powell, who has
recently joined the company from Associated Press, where she was director of
Sales for Europe and Africa.
Speaking on the official launch, Powell says: “The gains Nollywood has made in the
last five years has been staggering. Building on this momentum, and giving
Nollywood the international platform it deserves, iROKO Global will be making the
best content the industry has to offer available to its largest audience yet.’
“African entertainment has, for too long, been undervalued. However, as audiences
look for more diverse content, demand for the continent’s most popular form of
entertainment has increased, and with this new distribution division, we are
bringing the best of Nollywood to millions more fans around the world, across all
platforms.’
Jason Njoku, iROKO founder and CEO adds: “Leading viewers to what they love is
our
ethos and what has underpinned this decision to move into content distribution. As
the very nature of home entertainment and content consumption is changing, so
must content distribution. Since 2011, we’ve connected with hundreds of thousands
of Nollywood fans through our consumer platform, iROKOtv.com, but now is the
time to extend our reach and showcase our content to millions more.
“Having forensically tracked the growth of interest in African content across the
globe, we predict that iROKO Global will generate a strong revenue stream for us
and will help cement our position as Africa’s leading entertainment brand.’
The new venture is already generating seven-figure revenues for the company and
follows on from the success of iROKO’s move into linear TV, with the launch of two
new TV channels on Africa’s StarTimes earlier this year. iROKO Global has already
signed a number of deals with partners, including Star Times, Canal, Nollywood TV,
Lebara, Vox Africa, Zuku, British Airways, Emirates, The Africa Channel, South
African Airways and The Nollywood Channel.
