NAN-ELS-4
Cable TV
Omu-Aran (Kwara) July 12, 2017 (NAN) Omu-Aran (Kwara) July 12, 2017 (NAN) Some films and video rental operators in Omu-Aran, Kwara, have complained that they are going out of business due the emergence of more cable television services.
The operators in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday said that most of the cable TV services have designated channels that broadcast local and foreign dramas, films and soap operas in different languages on continuous bases which in turn had reduced patronage.
They said the development had forced some operators to close down their businesses.
NAN investigation further revealed that aside the cable TV issue, film renting operators in particular have been at loggerheads with actors and actresses over intellectual infringement and copyright.
They accused the operators of lending out films in return for peanuts.
Mr Philip Deji, a once popular video/CDs rental operator in the community said he had to abandon the business for farming due to low patronage and income.
“Before these recent problems, we usually make a lot profits in the business through renting out of CDs, especially newly released.
“If I buy 20, 000 worth of new films I can recoup the money within two weeks and still make some profits through renting on a daily basis.
“But as many customers now have a better alternative in cable TV, it becomes very difficult to maintain the business and I had to look for another alternative to feed my family.
“In fact, it got to a point I had to sell all my CDs at a give a way prize to start my farming business,” he said.
Mr Adelodun Azeez, also a businessman, said he had to combine being a video rental operator to a dealer in stationeries to remain in business.
“The initial problem has to do with the constant harassment from film makers and we at various times had to contribute money to pacify security agents from confiscating our CDs.
“If you are talking of about 10 to 15 years ago, the business of video/CDs rentals was very lucrative.
“But with the advent of cable TV, designated channels like African Magic in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo on DSTV, Orisun on Startimes, e.t.c., the reverse is the case nowadays,” he said.
Mrs Felicia Ajiboye, a video/CD retailer claimed she once executed many tangible projects from the proceeds accrued from renting of video/CDs before she later ventured into selling of films.
“I bought my first land from the proceed of video/CDs renting when the business was booming but apart from the issue of economic melt-down the business is now faced with a lot competition lately.
“Some people now prefer watching and downloading films from cable TV networks to renting or buying films,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Adeniyi Dan-Kazeem, the Governor, National Association of Theatre Art and Movies Practitioners (NATAMP) Kwara chapter, said the association still maintained certain level of synergy with the operators.
“We realised that there is no way we can do away completely with those who rent out films, the association still need their services in the area of promotion of our films and sales.
“So we have to at times meet them to discuss and iron out some grey areas to move forward,” he said.(NAN)
ISHO/EAL
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Edited by Edited by Abiodun Esan/Ekemini Ladejobi