Television production can be defined as the creation, development, production, management and distribution of commercially innovative and original TV content and properties across multiple delivery platforms and channels. An individual or company may well supply a blend of content and associated services to its customers, clients and broadcasters.  Today this includes also the opportunities the telecommunication industry presents to content providers.

When I first got involved in TV production in Nigeria many years back broadcast content was mainly produced by broadcasters for their own channels, there was minimal independent production in the country and this was mainly focused on TV commercials and the odd drama production.   That has changed and over the years many local independent producers have started creating, developing and producing content off the back of sponsors who seeking customized solutions of high quality to leverage their brands commission these independent producers.  More recently in the broadcast channels sector this role has mainly fallen to the likes of MNET and to a lesser extent Hi TV who see the need and viability of commissioning local independent producers to generate content, viewers and advertising revenue for their channels.  Local broadcasters are yet to develop business models that make this type of commissioning possible; creating products that deliver viewers and advertising through commissioning their own proprietary content.  The inability and short-sightedness of local channel owners to develop business models that enable the commissioning of Independent production for their channels remains a strategic roadblock to the development of the Nigerian TV Industry.  How local broadcasters, especially those in the terrestrial domain innovate and react to this dilemma in their business models is something that should give all Nigerian independent producers sleepless nights. Continue reading →