Double vision
Former TV3 boss changes face of Nigerian TV with three new entertainment shows – and they’re similar to Irish favourites
FORMER TV3 boss Andrew Hanlon is now heading up one of Nigeria’s biggest television stations.
Since leaving his role as Group Director of News at Ballymount two years ago, Mr Hanlon has been given the task of changing up the face of Nigerian TV – with shows that bear a striking resemblance to successful formats used here.
Mr Hanlon was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Continental Broadcasting Service (CBS) Limited, owners of Television Continental (TVC) and Radio Continental (RC) last year.
And under his auspices the station has enjoyed a major revamp with light entertainment shows taking centre stage.
Three programmes in particular are similar to Irish TV shows that have stood the test of time, including Xposé, Ireland AM and The Elaine Show.
Younger audiences in Nigeria are being enticed to tune into an Xposé-type show
Even their set looks much the same
called Entertainment Splash. This fashion and showbiz-led series is very similar in tone to the Irish version and even their set looks much the same as that found at the rebranded Virgin Media Television headquarters.
E-Splash is presented by a host of glamorous and lively presenters and anchored by Nigerian personality Honey Pot – all bringing the latest showbiz gossip and music news to Nigerian audiences.
Likewise, Wake Up Nigeria resembles the Ireland AM studio and format.
Last year, just after Mr Hanlon took up his new role at TVC, the station announced that they were launching the ‘country’s first all-round entertainment breakfast show, Wake Up Nigeria’.
The show is anchored by acclaimed Nigerian presenters, Abayomi Owope and Titi Oyinsan, and is broadcast weekdays between 7am and 9am.
Like Ireland AM the show promises ‘something for everyone to enjoy on the show – celebrity interviews, cookery, live music, fashion, health, celebrity news, showbiz gossip, stand-up comedy and more. All of this will be interspersed with news headlines, sports and a quick look at the front pages of national dailies’. Indeed the Nigerian set also includes a couch and cookery station – both similar to the one that has been occupied by Ireland AM hosts for two decades.
TVC also airs a mid-morning show called Your View. Again, this has a very familiar formula to that of The Elaine Show, which was formerly called Midday. The Elaine Show has proved hugely popular for afternoon audiences here as they tune in to listen to Elaine and her panel of female guests chat about varying issues and have some light banter on air. Your View is hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown along with a panel including BeeCee Ugboh, Tope Mark-Odigie, Jumoke Alawode–James and Nyma Akashat Zibiri, and the women discus issues of the day in Nigeria. niamh.walsh@mailonsunday.ie