Chinese pay per view television, StarTimes, has announced that it now has about four million customers on the network.
The figures were given by the Vice President of the company, Mrs. Guo Zi Qi, at the Chinese New Year and Animation Festival in Abuja.
Guo said that the digital TV operator, which partnered with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in 2009, also has over 170 channels and 50 actors on the network.
In addition, she said StarTimes has invested over $200 million in Nigeria in the past nine years in the development of different television contents for its viewers.
StarTimes is collaborating with the Chinese Cultural Department and the Embassy of China in Abuja to promote Chinese animation films in Nigeria.
Eight of the Chinese companies specialising in cartoon character production are in Abuja to market their products.
The firms include Blue Arch Culture, Toonmax Expo Ltd, Fantawild Animation, Left Pocket Studio, China Literature, 2:10 Culture Communication, Migland Film and Television and National Animation Park of Tianjin.
“The collaboration is to allow Nigerians know more about Chinese culture and animations. We want to import the cartoons to Nigeria because of their educational and entertainment benefits to the children,” Mrs. Guo said.
One of the producers, Xin Yu, the
President of Leftpocket Studio, makers of Emma and Gooroo, said the company was exploring the Nigerian market in search of talented artists with potential for partnership for something different and special.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Adedayo Jones, has appealed to China to assist in strengthening the Nigerian film industry by curbing the influx of uncensored and unclassified films imported through China from being distributed to Nigeria.
Jones made the request at the launching of the Chinese Animation Festival.
He described the trend as a huge development that is impacting negatively in intellectual property for both countries.
According to him, Nigerian producers and Chinese film makers stand to benefit more if that aspect is improved upon.
He said the animation industry has always fascinated everybody because of the interest it has generated, notably the contents produced in China.
“Animation has contributed to the Chinese economic growth. While Nigeria and China are the biggest trading partners in goods, there are many opportunities between both countries if Startimes and the Chinese partners can collaborate with NFVCB to develop the film industry,” Jones said.
The Cultural Attachee, China Embassy, Li Xuda, described the festival as an opportunity for children to learn more about animation. He added that the festival will now be held yearly.
