BBNaija: We’ve Not Broken Any Rule, Says Mabutho

TAIWO ADELU

Martin Mabutho, Chief Customers Officer, MultiChoce Nigeria

 Despite some criticisms that have been trailing the popular Africa reality TV show, the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), organiser of the show, the MultiChoice Nigeria, has insisted that for all these criticisms, the show has its bright and positive sides

The BBNaija, which has its debut on Africa Magic in March, 2016, is a reality show in which contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted by viewers.

There have been diverse views on the moral justifications of the show, many Nigerians have observed that the show has been characterised by alcoholism, nudity, sex, fun, entertainment and vulgarism.

Both Christians and Muslims condemned it that it has pornographic contents; the moralists wouldn’t want to see it because it was against Nigerian cultures and value.

Martin Gaone Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Africa’s largest cable television service provider of DStv and GOtv disagreed with the negative views of some Nigerians about the contents of the BBNaija.

Mabutho had in a chat with P.M.EXPRESS during the flag-off launch of the 2019/2020 football season in Lagos on Sunday that “Big Brother Nigeria is such a content that has polarised views among Nigerian public. Some people will say the show allows people to fight for foods. Why are they fighting for foods? For us we believe this portrays a certain aspect of African life. Apart from this, some people will talk down on the aspect of nudity in the show.

“The fact still remains however that the content of Big Brother Naija is well within the guidelines laid down by our regulator. It is allowed by the regulator when we give subscribers option to block the channel if may be the channel not good for certain age category in the family so that they don’t watch it at home. There is always consent bar on the channel that reads Rated 18. This means viewers must be above 18 years.

“For BBNaija, we have not broken any rule, if there is any objection, our regulator should have informed us. I can say so far, we are operating within the guidelines,” he insisted.

Revealing what could have been achievement the show has recorded, Mabutho said: I think it is important to say that we are so proud that the first time we brought the Big Brother show to Nigeria, the show is already broken all existing records. I must confess, we are happy for that.”

Commenting on the impact Nigeria market is having on MultiChoice Africa Group, Mabutho disclosed that “Nigeria market is a critical one for us at MultiChoice Africa Group. We’re operating in 49 countries on the continent, but Nigeria remains importance to us, that is the reasons the level of investments we have here is very huge, not only in sports and entertainment, even in physical infrastructures. If you see the structure we put in place for the Big Brother Nigeria, it is a multipurpose edifice containing never used anywhere equipment in the world. So, Nigeria remains very important to us.”

Alternativeafrica.com reports that the first season of the Big Brother Naija first was aired on DStv Channel 37 from March 5 to June 4, 2006. The voting results were verified by the auditing company of Alexander-Forbes. The second season was premiered on January 22, 2017, while the third season was premiered on January 28, 2018.

Twenty six-year-old Katung Aduwak won the first edition, Efe Ejeba emerged winner of the second season in 2017 with Miracle Igbokwe from Imo State winning the third season in 2018.

The fourth season of Big Brother Nigeria, which began with 21 housemates, was premiered on June 30, 2019. Unlike previous years, which were held in South Africa, the stage for the fourth season was set in Abuja, Nigeria.

MultiChoice had since disclosed that the winner of the ongoing season of the reality show will be given N60 million worth of prize.