Africa’s Netflix, iROKOtv, has today launched its global content distribution and licensing division, iROKO Global, at DISCOP. with a dedicated team to license its extensive library of Nollywood films and TV series to both on and offline, across Pay TV, Internet TV, Inflight and YouTube channels.
The London-based arm, iROKO Global aims to partner with media outlets in key markets, notably the UK, US and France, to license Nollywood films and TV series and develop iROKO branded channels. The arm will be led by newly appointed Senior Vice President, Justine Powell, who has recently joined the company from Associated Press, where she was Director of Sales for Europe & Africa.
Powell says iROKO Global will be making the best content the industry has to offer available to its largest audience yet.
“African entertainment has, for too long, been undervalued. However, as audiences look for more diverse content, demand for the continent’s most popular form of entertainment has increased, and with this new distribution division, we are bringing the best of Nollywood to millions more fans around the world, across all platforms.”
The firm says the new venture is already generating seven-figure revenues for the company and follows on from the success of iROKO’s move into Linear TV, with the launch of two new TV channels on Africa’s StarTimes earlier this year.
iROKO Global has already signed a number of deals with partners, including Star Times, Canal, Nollywood TV, Lebara, Vox Africa, Zuku, British Airways, Emirates, The Africa Channel, South African Airways and The Nollywood Channel.
In a statement, Jason Njoku, iROKO Founder & CEO said: “Since 2011, we’ve connected with hundreds of thousands of Nollywood fans through our consumer platform, iROKOtv.com, but now is the time to extend our reach and showcase our content to millions more.
“Having forensically tracked the growth of interest in African content across the globe, we predict that iROKO Global will generate a strong revenue stream for us and will help cement our position as Africa’s leading entertainment brand.”
