Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid has become the first African artist to surpass 11 billion streams on Spotify across all credited appearances, according to data released by Charts Africa. Charts Africa stated that Wizkid remains the first African artist to reach one billion, two billion, 10 billion, and now 11 billion cumulative Spotify streams. This milestone follows the release of State of Mind, Wizkid’s recent collaboration with DJ Tunez, which reportedly generated more than 685,000 Spotify streams globally within its first full day after release on May 15, 2026. Wizkid’s international streaming success has been linked to several landmark moments in African music history. He featured on the global hit One Dance alongside Drake and Kyla, becoming part of the first Spotify song involving an African artist to surpass one billion streams. Other African artists, including Rema, Tems, and Tyla, have recently reached major international streaming milestones. Meanwhile, some music industry analysts and artists continue to raise concerns about streaming royalty structures, arguing that African musicians may still face challenges related to earnings distribution, ownership rights, and dependence on foreign digital platforms. Despite these concerns, streaming growth has increased international visibility for African artists and strengthened the global commercial position of Afrobeats.
Nathaniel Bassey becomes first Nigerian gospel artist to surpass 400M Spotify streams
Popular Nigerian gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey becomes the first Nigerian gospel artist to surpass 400 million streams across all credits on Spotify.According to The Debut Hub, this feat makes him the 43rd Nigerian artist overall to reach that streaming volume. The achievement closely follows the conclusion of the 2025 edition of his globally acclaimed online worship movement, the “Hallelujah Challenge” (held from October 7th to October 31st).Bassey is recognized as the leading gospel artist in Nigeria to achieve this level of streaming success, making him one of Africa’s most influential gospel figures.His popularity is driven by widely streamed worship songs like”Onise Iyanu,” “Adonai,” “Imela,” and various “Hallelujah Challenge” medleys, which have inspired millions of listeners globally. Nathaniel Bassey is equally famous for pioneering the Hallelujah Challenge, an annual, global online worship and prayer movement. It began unexpectedly as an Instagram Live session from his living room in 2017 but quickly grew into an inter-denominational movement uniting believers worldwide. The challenge typically runs for one hour daily, from 11:59 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Nigerian time), across social media platforms. The event is strictly a spiritual exercise and is not for commercial purposes. Bassey reportedly rejected an estimated ₦1.4 billion in potential YouTube revenue by choosing not to monetize his channel specifically for the Hallelujah Challenge.The spiritual exercise centers around the theme “Olowogbogboro”,a Yoruba term meaning “The One whose arms are broad or outstretched”, or “The outstretched arm of God”.
MultiChoice slashes decoder prices in Nigeria
MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of the popular pay-TV services DStv and GOtv, has announced a further reduction in the cost of its decoders, effective November 1. The price of a DStv decoder package has been cut from ₦10,000 to ₦7,900, while a GOtv decoder is now priced at ₦6,500.This is the second time MultiChoice is reducing its decoder price in recent months in order to increase accessibility to its services and reverse the decline in its active subscriber base.MultiChoice, is currently facing a challenging market environment, particularly in Nigeria, which is one of its largest markets. The company reported a loss of $1.2 million active subscribers across its African operations in the financial year ended March 31, 2025, bringing its total base down to $14.5 million. The company attributes this downturn to macroeconomic pressures, specifically the depreciation of African currencies against the US dollar, and intense competition from global streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.This latest price cut, coinciding with the launch of the company’s Festive Campaign, after an earlier, substantial price adjustment in June, where the DStv decoder price was slashed by 50%.The Executive Head of Marketing of MultiChoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye, stated that the decision to slash decoder prices is aimed to keep entertainment within reach for all Nigerians and is an attempt to win back its lost customers.The strategy is focused on attracting new users and retaining existing ones by emphasizing affordable access to premium content, including popular live sports like the Premier League and AFCON.
YouTube Music testing AI-powered radio hosts feature
YouTube Music has launched testing of a groundbreaking feature that introduces AI-powered radio hosts. The platform wants to transform music streaming experiences with personalized, interactive audio curation instead. This pilot program was first announced by YouTube on September 26th and is currently being trialed with select users in various global markets. YouTube Music’s AI radio hosts use advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to interact with listeners, suggest songs, share contextual commentary, and create a continuously engaging radio-like atmosphere. Unlike traditional user algorithmic playlists, these AI hosts simulate a DJ experience, adding personality and dynamic conversation between tracks. This is similar to Spotify’s two-years-old in-app DJ X. A YouTube spokesperson stated, “Our AI radio hosts are designed to make music streaming more immersive and enjoyable by blending technology with human-like connection.” This new feature reflects a broader industry trend where streaming platforms leverage AI to enhance user engagement. The use of AI in media curation is no longer limited to recommendation engines but now expands to interactive hosting roles – offering fans a more tailored and vibrant listening experience. Early testers praised the AI hosts for their smooth transitions and seeming ‘personality.’ One participant reported, “It felt like having a knowledgeable friend guide me through a music journey rather than just hitting shuffle.” YouTube’s development team also hinted at plans to integrate voice recognition, allowing listeners to request specific songs or genres conversationally.
MultiChoice secures approval to transfer spectrum licence to Canal+ in $3.17 billion takeover
MultiChoice Nigeria has received official clearance to hand over Orbicom’s electronic communications and radio frequency spectrum licences to Canal+. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) on August 28, 2025, approved the transfer, with the announcement made public on September 18. Orbicom, MultiChoice’s signal distribution arm, had applied to shift control of its Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS), Individual Electronic Communications Network Services (I-ECNS), and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences to Canal+ back in November 2024. The licences enable the holder to build and operate electronic communication networks, provide services via owned or third-party infrastructures, and utilize specific radio frequencies within designated areas. Icasa conducted a thorough review focusing on consumer interests, sector competition, and compliance with ownership regulations involving Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs), who are set to hold 40% of Canal+’s shares. This milestone clears a major hurdle in Canal+’s planned R55 billion (approx. $3.17 billion) acquisition of MultiChoice, which currently owns a 45.2% stake. To align with local Empowerment rules, MultiChoice is restructuring by creating LicenceCo, a separate entity that will be majority-owned by HDPs and employees. This move ensures adherence to the 30% Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) ownership requirement and includes a special dividend payment of R1.375 billion to HDP shareholders.
Circuits TV hits 1.3 million streams, launches new FlexiWatch for African film lovers
Circuits TV, Nigeria’s popular streaming platform, has reached over 1.3 million unique streams across 170 countries, boosting its status as a leading home for African movies. Circuits TV has cemented its place as Nigeria’s biggest virtual cinema and one of Africa’s top transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) services. The company is changing how people everywhere can watch African stories, using clever technology to make streaming simple and enjoyable. One of the newest features, FlexiWatch, is set to shake up the movie-watching experience. With FlexiWatch, viewers can pay once for a 7-day or 21-day “Flexi Pass,” giving them unlimited access to a handpicked set of African films, no more waiting for fixed showtimes, and no limits on when to enjoy a movie. This comes alongside Circuits’ Pay-Per-View Premium option, where users buy timed access (from 8 to 48 hours) to exclusive new releases for as low as N1,000 or $1.99, much cheaper than regular cinemas. In a push for inclusion, Circuits now offers not just Nollywood favorites but also movies from Francophone Africa. French-speaking film fans can now stream award-winning films like Souleymane’s Story, part of a growing collection aimed at building a truly Pan-African streaming library. Circuits says it’s not slowing down anytime soon. The platform’s team is working to add more independent films and blockbuster hits. Users can already access Circuits TV on their phones, smart TVs, or directly through its web app.