Encomium
THE much anticipated 2015 edition of one of the biggest reality shows in Africa, Big Brother Africa, will not hold this year.
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s findings revealed that this year’s edition was cancelled due to financial limitation from the stables of Endemol and MNet, organizers of the show.
Speaking with ENCOMIUM Weekly about this development, the Public Relations Manager of Multichoice, Caroline Oghuma said, “Yes, it is true. This year’s edition of Big Brother Africa has been cancelled. As a result of some business decisions, the show will not take place this year.”
We also spoke with the Public Relations Manager of MNet, Mr. Efosa. He, however, promised to get back to us but didn’t as at press time.
Information pieced together by ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed that, producers of the much acclaimed show couldn’t get a sponsor to throw its weight behind the big budget project, hence its cancellation.
However, fans, lovers of the show have reacted negatively to this development saying, they find it ridiculous that MNet couldn’t get a sponsor for this year’s edition.
Big Brother Africa made its debut about 12 years ago, precisely in 2003. The show kick started on May 25, 2003 and ended September 7, 2003. Housemates spent 106 days in Biggie’s House. Mark Pilgrim was the host of the first edition. 12 housemates from 12 countries namely South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi participated. Cherise Makubale from Zambia won the first edition taking home all of USD 100,000.
The Endemol produced show returned to the screen on August 5, 2007 and ended on November 11, 2007, four years after it was rested. The season lasted for 98 days with K.B Ngakane hosting the show.
12 housemates slugged it out for the USD 100,000 that eventually went with the winner, Richard Bezuidenh from Tanzania.
In 2008, the third edition of the show was premiered on August 24, 2008. As usual, 12 housemates spent 91 days in the house. K.B Ngakane also returned as the host of the show. Richard David Ferreira Venancior from Angola emerged the winner taking home USD 100,000.
The fourth season was tagged, The Revolution. This time around, 25 housemates from 14 African countries came on board. The show premiered on September 6, 2009 and it ended on December 6, 2009. Housemates spent 91 days on the reality show. For the first time, Nigeria’s OAP, I.K Osakioduwa took over as the new host. Two additional countries, Ethiopia and Mozambique participated and two contestants represented a country. Nigeria’s diminutive housemate, Kevin Chuwang Pam emerged the winner, taking home USD 200,000.
On July 18, 2010, Big Brother opened its doors to 14 housemates in a 91-day secluded reality show. The fifth edition was tagged All Stars. It featured 14 former Big Brother Africa contestants. The show was also hosted by I. K. Osakioduwa.
For the second time, a Nigerian housemate came back with the prize. Uti Nwachukwu emerged winner bringing home USD 200,000.
Big Brother Amplified was the sixth edition of the show. It started on May 1, 2011. It ran for 91 days and ended July 31, 2011. 26 housemates from 14 countries came to live together under Biggie and Africa’s watch. For the first time, MNet co-partnered Coca Cola to sponsor the show. It was the first series to have two winners. Nigeria’s housemate Karen Igho and Wendall Robert Parson from Zimbabwe emerged the winners. They also took home USD200,000.
Big Brother Africa 7, Star Game started on May 6, 2012. Housemates spend 91 days in South Africa. It ended on August 5, 2012. This time around, the prize was increased to USD 300,000. Sierra Leone and Liberia were two new countries represented in the show while Ethiopia was dropped. Housemates partnered other people to enter as a pair. Seven celebrities were introduced to the game as well. 35 housemates went into Biggie’s House. 14 pairs called Big Brother Friend and seven VIP celebrities. Keagan Pieterson from South Africa was pronounced winner of the show.
The Chase returned to the screen on May 26, 2013. It had 28 housemates from 14 African countries spending 96 days in Johannesburg, South Africa. The show ended on August 25, 2013 and Airtel took over as the headline sponsor.
The Chase had two houses, Diamond and Ruby. Dillish Matthews from Namibia was crowned the winner with gift of USD 300,000 cash prize.
In 2014, the ninth edition of the reality show tagged, Hot Shots was to hit the screen on May 26, 2014, but an unfortunate fire incident made organizers shift it to a later date. The show returned to the screen on October 5, 2014, having 26 contestants who stayed for 63 days. Tanzania’s Idris Sultan emerged the ultimate hot shot taking home USD 300,000.
ENCOMIUM Weekly spoke with past Nigerian winners and housemates on their opinion about the cancellation of this year’s show.
KEVIN PAM
“I am just hearing it for the first time that the show has been cancelled. That is the prize of doing business in Nigeria. We don’t actually know why it was cancelled but I believe, it will come back stronger and bigger.”
MELVIN ODUAH
“It is a disappointment to a lot of fans across Africa. I have been receiving a lot of calls from fans all over. They are eager to know when Big Brother Africa is taking place. A lot of Big Brother Africa fans will be disappointed that it is not taking place this year.”
KATUNG ADUWAK
“I didn’t know about it before now. It is the quickest way to be a super star. I wouldn’t say I am disappointed anyway, we will just have to look for another entertaining programme to watch. I will say Big Brother is entertaining.”
-SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
