Julius OkorieFrom available record, reality shows have actually been around for over seven decades. The hidden-camera show Candid Camera, often identified as the first reality TV show, premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC network) in 1948 with the title Candid Microphone, reflecting the show’s roots as a radio program.
Afterwards, various versions of the TV show aired from 1948 to 2014.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHowever reality show gained popularity in Nigeria in 2003, when Bayo Okoh, a Nigerian, featured in the first season of Big Brother Africa (BBA), which is an adaptation of international version of the Big Brother series.
It had 12 housemates from 12 different countries and the fact that they are coming from different countries instantly gingered interests from viewers with every viewer having first and foremost soft spot for his or her compatriot in the race before any crush for other housemates.
Although Nigeria’s Alexander Adebayo Adetomiwa Okoh, then 28-year old Economist did not win haven been evicted on the 91st day of the 106 days contest, his performance fired a lot of interest in most Nigerians and desire to participate.
By the time Cherise Makubale, a Procurement Officer from Zambia eventually emerged winner of that maiden edition of BBA, the interest and desire to participate in reality shows had reached fever pitch.
In Nigerian it gave birth to other reality shows with each having its concept, reward pattern and sometimes target audience.
At the last count, over 20 reality shows had emerged in Nigeria though some have gone under the radar due to financial constraints brought about either by rising cost of production, reduced sponsorship or complete absence of sponsorship.
However, seven well known heavy weight reality shows have made one form of impact or the other on the society over the years.
Some of these heavy weight reality shows unfortunately have faded into oblivion and are being missed by their die-hard fans. Here are some of the well-known reality shows in the country:
Big Brother Naija
This is currently the highest and most talked about reality show. It just concluded the Season 9 edition that saw Kellyrae emerge winner after 71 days in the Big Brother House at the expense of 23 other contestants. He went away with N40m SUV car and N60million Prize money.
It viewership continues to increase with every edition since the first season in 2006 with estimated viewership and online engagement in the past year with over 14.6 million mentions from over 4.9 million fans It is however believed that the viewership and engagement has gone way beyond 200 million.
The Voice Nigeria
The Voice Nigeria is one of Nigeria’s most popular music reality shows. The show, which is an offshoot of the global music reality TV show, was created by Jon de Mol and takes its playbook from The Voice of Holland. It debuted in Nigeria in 2016. It screens dozens of contestants before whittling them down to the last 6 or 8 for the final weekend where viewers will decide the eventual winner. This show has produced several artists in the country’s music space. It was hosted by IK Osakioduwa in the first and second seasons. Ik also hosted it this year. Toke Makinwa was a co-host in its season three with Nancy Isime as the main host. Top-tier Nigerian artistes have been judges on the show, including recurring stars Waje and Yemi Alade. 2Baba appeared in season one; Patoranking and Timi Dakolo in the first two seasons, with Darey and Falz joining the recurring judges for the third season. Although it kicked off in 2016, the show took a break after the second season in 2017 and returned for a third season in 2021.
Nigerian Idol
Is one of the most followed Music reality shows. When the first edition of the show was hosted in October 2010, it was opened to all Nigerians between the ages of 18 – 28. It garnered fame and acceptance as it was aired across Africa with over 15 channels. The first winner of the Nigerian Idol show was awarded the sum of N7.5 million, a recording contract with Sony, a car, and an all-expense-paid trip to South Africa. Now in its 9th season, this year’s edition saw Chima Udoye emerge winner to cart away a grand prize of N30 million, a brand new SUV, music deal, music video, and DStv explorer one year premium. This of course is expected to come with life changing recording deals.
Maltina Dance Hall
The Maltina Dance All also known as “MDA” existed as a medium for talented dancing families to showcase their skills. It was aimed at celebrating families with talents. It was first held in Nigeria on September 1, 2013.
The Maltina dance all team had its tentacles across the six geographical zones of the nation, searching for the best talent in dance, along with a supportive and equally good dance family. The show is all about celebrating happiness and unity in Nigerian Families, as well as bringing unlimited fun to our television screens. It has a unique reward system that guarantees the winning family N10m runners up N3m and third placed family N1m. This many say can be described as family empowerment program aside from its ability to bind the family together.
The Ultimate Search
Gulder Ultimate Search (also called GUS) is a Nigerian reality television series, created and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc to promote its flagship Gulder brand. The first season premiered in 2004 and became an instant hit because it related with the viewers, showcasing the importance of endurance.
It was once said that anyone who watches and learns from the GUS will not have a problem in the NYSC orientation camp. The GUS series is also the very first 100% local content reality television programme in Nigeria and it is a survival- centred reality programme that highlights the struggle of Contestants against themselves and the forces of nature as they search for a hidden treasure that brings instant fame and fortune to the last person standing. The Winner of the last season in 2012 took home a 10 million naira cash prize and an SUV. The Ultimate prize for the last man standing in the Gulder Ultimate Search is always an attractive and alluring prize which includes a huge amount of cash and a brand-New car.
Popular producers of the series include Olakunle Oyeneye and Executive Producer Oluseyi Siwoku of Jungle Filmworks, with the legendary baritone voice of Femi Sowoolu hovering like that of Big Brother you know. When the show was rested, many expressed disappointment even as promise to return it due to popular demand has not been met. And with economy biting harder and companies leaving the country due to high cost of production thus managing to meet challenges, its return some say will be a miracle.
There are other reality shows like the Nigeria’s Got Talent launched in 2012 with its unique side being that auditioning take place in front of judges and live audience, The X-Factor which had massive support from telecom company Glo, and which had N24million prize money plus international music contact attached but which unfortunately did not last the distance, Knorr Taste Quest catering reality show among others, but the top four above appear to define reality shows in Nigeria and used to measure their positive and negative impact alike.
The Verdict:
While the defunct Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), resonate among those who believe in developing strong spirit to face challenges, the kind that most Nigerians require now to stay alive, Mlatina Dance Hall is it for those who believe it is better to teach a man to fish than giving him fish.
READ ALSO :How BBNaija Season 9 Abolished Timidity For Good In My Life -Kellyrae
Family empowerment while catching fun and ensuring family bonding at a time when most families are in disarray due to hardship and lost values is considered a plus for MDA. The BBNaija on the hand viewed as a mixed bag empowering contestants on one hand and encouraging moral decadence on the other. Many query while so much money will be pumped into a reality show that allows indecency both in language and in action while as getting little sponsorship for Inter School debate and Quiz is like squeezing water out of stone.
Some will tell you there is room for parental control so you can activate same if you don’t want U 18 to view the show.
Most underage in this Gen Z era are far ahead of their parents in coding and pass wording. The few that choose to obey the rules and just stay away because the program is not for them are doing so out of respect for their parents and perhaps out of personal choice to stick to good morals, otherwise neutralising the parental control they will tell you is not impossible.
Realities shows no doubt have become a form of empowerment as most winners have used the proceeds to better their lives and their career. Moralists however say realities shows must not be used to advertise immorality and in fact make it look like acceptable way of life.
There Is Money In This Business:
Granted that some reality shows have gone under due to cost of production and lack of sponsorship, however it may interest you to know that the most popular ones actually garner a lot of money through fans participation aside from company sponsorhips.
For instance 40 million people reportedly voted in the last Nigerian Idol. Assuming each fan spends N1, 000 to participate in the show while it lasted, it would amount to N40 billion.
No matter the sharing formula adopted with the telecom companies and other stakeholders, it’s safe to say that there is always enough inflow to cover the winner’s largesse and other sundry expenses with profit also assured.
Some will say the fan who stayed awake to vote with his money is the loser but that is not true, the entertainment he gets in the course of the show may not be quantified.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
