Long gone were the days when entertainment lovers could only get content in the form of compact discs. With the proliferation of the Internet and various social media platforms, people can now access whatever content they want at the click of a button.
The emergence of audio streaming platforms such as Spotify and Audiomack; and their video counterparts such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, have further made access to premium content much easier.
Nigeria (and by extension, the African continent) is also not left behind as there are a couple of homegrown streaming and video-on-demand platforms that are providing such services.
However, for many entertainers, Accelerate Plus, stands out because of the emphasis it places on projecting and promoting African culture.
In an earlier interview with Sunday Scoop, the Chief Executive Officer of Accelerate, Colette Otusheso, stated that Africans must tell their stories through filmmaking. She said, “For us, Accelerate Plus is more than a platform for African content. It serves as a catalyst for highlighting and promoting an undiluted African narrative in the face of global misconceptions.
“For this purpose, we have taken deliberate steps to curate authentic and exciting content for Africa by Africans, as well as to create a portal for the rest of the world to access premium African content from anywhere in the world. Indeed, we are determined to create a hub of positive entertainment and empowering content where diverse stories and experiences can be shared to spark meaningful and transformative conversations.”
Otusheso also maintained that subscriptions on the platform were intentionally made to be affordable, so that as many people as possible can have access to quality African entertainment content.
Some of the popular shows on the platform are The Shade Corner, Visa on Arrival, and The Olive, which feature actors such as Joke Silva, Gloria Young, Bovi Ugboma, Akah Nnani, Tunji Sotimirin, Temisan Okoro, Real Warri Pikin, Shaffy Bello, Dat Warri Girl, Mawuli Gavor, Theresa Edem and Bolaji Ogunmola.
In an interview with Sunday Scoop, an actress, Theresa Edem, who acted in one of the series on the platform noted that it gave her the opportunity to explore her art. She said, “The platform has impacted my career positively. The Olive, by Accelerate TV, was my first ever web series. The show gave me a platform to explore my art, and for my art to be seen by millions online. The reach is undeniable and I am thankful for that. The platform has contributed tremendously to the entertainment industry in Nigeria, empowering young people in all spheres of entertainment to fulfill their dreams. Also, I can honestly say they have empowered many women and are doing a lot to bridge the gender gap.”
On his part, actor, Akah Nnani, who also has work on the platform, said, “My work with the platform was very important and pivotal for me because it helped me to be more confident, and also made me believe that I can be anything I want to. I recall working with the platform as the news anchor for some months right before we started Shade Corner. It was not easy but I really needed the money. At that time, I was broke.”