On April 11, 2024, Multichoice’s Local Content Manager, Brian Mulondo, announced that Pearl Magic Loko and Pearl Magic had been merged into Pearl Magic Reloaded. Brian made the major revelation during the 2024 MultiChoice annual showcase, stylized by the hashtags #McShowcase and #McuShowcase. Prime has been made available to DSTV customers from Access upwards, and GOTV Plus.
MultiChoice Holds 2024 Annual Showcase
The event was held at the Multichoice headquarters in Kololo, where several stakeholders gathered, along with representatives from the Uganda Communication Commission. The emcee of the corporate event was radio host Malaika Tenshi Nnyanzi, professionally known by her mononym as Malaika.
How Zahara Toto, Biina Baibe and Etania took center stage
To kick off the party mood, Malaika welcomed DJ Zahara Toto to mix some music for the guests. Indeed, the self-titled 5-star Field Marshall did her thing, and before we knew it, everyone had arrived. One of the most prominent guests on that warm evening was Dembe FM’s Biina Baibe, as you will find out later in this article. Speaking of prominent faces, Etania was in the building, and yes, she stole the show. She was also invited to showcase her DJ skills.
Is Sanyu the biggest TV series in Africa?
The Managing Director of Multichoice, Hassan Saleh, was the first official speaker. “First of all, I need you to know that I have an office where only Ugandan content is watched,” he said. Saleh thanked the customers for supporting Multichoice for decades. This year, 2024, Multichoice will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Uganda. Hassan Saleh also added, “Today, Sanyu is one of the top 3 ranked series in Africa. We’re ensuring that we invest in young talent like writers, actors, and even camera crew.”
What happens when people pirate TV content in Uganda?
We also heard about piracy from the PR & Communications Manager at MultiChoice, Rinaldi Jamugisa. Jamugisa told Edge Times, “When you go out there and watch DSTV content from illegal sources, you’re depriving the creator of their income. We all love different sports, especially football, and enjoy all these programs. However, if you access it from other sources or for free, you’re going to make us fail and stop producing it. The best you can do is report any site or person providing DSTV content illegally. Piracy is illegal!”
Why are you investigating all this in Ugandan content?
Malaika then asked Jamugisa a crucial question: Why is Multichoice investing so much in providing quality content for Uganda? “A lot of the time we have watched content from abroad,” he explained, “and we shall still provide it. But there was a need to have people we know on TV. People need to watch stories they can relate to. On the other hand, creators were hungry to showcase the talent they have, but there was no platform.”
Rinaldi Jamugisa then talked about the Multichoice Talent Factory. He said, “There are 4 talent factories in Africa: Zambia, Nigeria, Nairobi, and South Africa. We have trained over 300 MTF alumni. We take these young people and fully pay for their studies wherever they go, like the New York Film Academy. For Uganda, we’ve had 24 students currently in Nairobi. They usually come back, and they have quality work.” Samuel Mafayo is one of the alumni of MTF 2023. He was one of the best students in MTF and was given an opportunity to go to Zee World.
Other notable speakers of the day at MultiChoice 2024 Showcase
Etania said she is not broke anymore since she joined Kampala Creme.
Lois Kwikiriza, Head of Marketing DSTV, said parents should always change passwords of their DSTV because kids are smart. She said it's necessary to protect children's minds from adult content.
Julian Mwehire, Director of Local Content at UCC, said as a regulator, they are going to do everything possible to help creators commercialize their content.
Which New Series are on Pearl Magic?
Brian Mulondo, the Multichoice local content manager, said that the Sanyu series is coming to an end. It will be replaced by a new Ugandan TV series titled Crossroads on 25th June 2024. “You guys think Sanyu is the best TV series? Anyumiza Gwe yaakowa! We’re bringing a new series titled Crossroads, and we estimate it to be the biggest Ugandan TV series ever produced in Uganda,” exclaimed Brian.
He also announced a new TV show titled Mum vs Wife, which will air starting April 14 2024, Sunday, at 8 pm. The show replaces Kampala Creme. The main character and moderator of the show is Bina Baibe. According to Mulondo, this TV show will steal the attention of both husbands and their wives. The show revolves around a mother and the wife of a man. The man is blindfolded, tastes the food, and decides which of the two is delicious. Bina Baibe is the moderator. Jerry Ssesanga is the producer of Mum vs Wife. He has worked with Maisha Magic. Brian Mulondo also announced another new local show called Zensega.
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