Yesterday, January 6, 2016, the popular International streaming service, Netflix, was launched in Nigeria, and of course we are all excited.
What can hinder the success of Netflix in Nigeria?
Just as a high percentage of Nigerians are not ready for the cinema era, we are also not ready to be a part of the 'Netflix and Chill' gang. So, is the Netflix launch in Nigeria a waste of time?
Reed Hastings, co-founder and CEO of Netflix, delivers a keynote address at the 2016 CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada January 6, 2016. REUTERS/Steve Marcus
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Everyone is talking about how it would work, what it means for Nigerian streaming platform iROKO TV, how it would affect MultiChoice, and more.
While I'm excited about the recent launch, I also think Netflix would be fun for only a few percentage of Nigerians, and here's why;
1. Bad Network: Sometimes opening just google.com can be so much hardwork, how much more streaming a movie or series for over 45 minutes.
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Let’s be realistic, this would be a major issue, as users might get frustrated waiting for a show to buffer.
So, yes, the bad network connection would give Nigerians the perfect definition of “Netflix and Chill.”
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2. Expensive data plans: If only we had bad network but cheap data plans, then one could afford to spend the whole day battling with the bad network, without thinking of how fast his data is being exhausted.
But in this case, you would have to subscribe for Netflix, and then spend an exorbitant amount subscribing for a monthly plan that could be exhausted within a twinkle of an eye.
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If only Telecommunication companies would step up their game, then we could all ‘Netflix and chill’ in Nigeria.
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3. Poor Electricity supply: Can we go back to the early days of Buhari’s administration, when Sodas in the freezer became so frozen that they couldn't be drank?
Unfortunately, we are way past those days, and back to days when you not only lack electricity supply, but also not certain of getting fuel for your generator.
How then are you going to Netflix and really really chill?
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Is the Netflix move a total waste of time? There would definitely be people who would get to really chill and enjoy the platform, but if the above factors fails to get better real fast, then a high percentage of users would find even an attempt at streaming via ‘Netflix' a total waste of time.
Also, Nigerians are so used to piracy. We are talking about people who are yet to embrace the idea of patronizing cinemas. A higher percentage of Nigerians are used to downloading via torrent, O2cinemas, FZTV series, and the rest.
We take advantage of every free Wifi (especially at work), download our favourite series and movies, save them for the weekend since we can't while away time at work, and have the perfect kind of 'chilling.'
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This morning, Jason Njoku, the founder of iRoko TV reacted to internet users writing obituaries for his platform. According to him, US and UK represent a higher percentage of his subscription base. Why am I not surprised?
Most Nigerians would want to know why they should spend their hard earned data to watch a 'Nollywood' movie - Why can't they wait for Alaba boys or the original movie to find its way to the market?
Netflix and iRoko TV are two different worlds apart, with different target audience, so indeed, the entrance of Netflix into Nigeria, doesn't affect Njoku and his platform.
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Does the Netflix launch affect DSTV in any way? No! Let's even ask ourselves how many Nigerians are enlightened when it comes to Internet streaming.
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A higher percentage of Nigerians still prefer their televisions to online streaming. DSTV still has Africa Magic and EPL to offer, and Nigerians aren't letting go of these anytime soon, irrespective of how expensive we all say DSTV subscriptions are.
While the hashtag #NetflixinNigeria might be trending on various social media networks, I can confidently say that 70% of them wont be subscribing.
Just as Nigerians are not ready for the cinema era, we are also not ready to 'Netflix and Chill.'
While most Nigerians (myself included) would love to be a subscriber, the network and data plan available in Nigeria, is enough reason to discourage one from 'chilling' with Netflix.
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