Entertainment

Mixed Reactions Trail Zee World Cable TV Channel

Published

10 years ago

February 26, 2016

The Zee World Indian en
tertainment channel, 166, has attracted many viewers since its inclusion in the bouquet of Multi-Choice’ Digital Satellite Television (DStv) services.
One year after the introduction of the channel, a cross section of Abuja residents told reporters how its viewing has affected them negatively and positively.
I separate interviews, some agreed that the channel has put to bear the real essence of drama – to entertain and teach morals- many said that it has negatively affected their homes. The report states that Zee world, created by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) was launched in February 2015 providing drama, particularly soap operas and other entertainment shows to viewers.
Dramas like, Saloni, Destiny, Married Again, The Promise, Sacred Ties, Fear files and more, are said to have captured the ‘interest of viewers, causing them stay glued to their TV set. Our Mr Chibuzor Mbanefo, a secondary school teacher, told our reporter he regretted installing DStv because the zee world channel has brought problems to his home.
“This is a serious matter. I will be happy if the channel is removed from the cable because it has brought me serious discomfort. “I come home from work expecting my wife to have cooked a good meal, instead, I have grown accustomed to managing burnt food or a late meal because my wife always forget her duty while watching zee world. . “Even my daughter bums food and her mother will support her because they are both addicted to watch burn this zee world. ‘If care is not taken, this channel will bum down my house one day,” he said. A Pharmacist, Mr Chris Okeke, said the channel is causing disaffection in his relationship with his wife.
“My wife has been complaining to me that I am not loving and affectionate enough. “She believes I don’t show her enough love and I know it is that Indian channel she is always watching that has caused this.
“She knows I love to watch football matches. Yet, she will argue and quarrel with me that I am distracting her from watching zee world
“We had this argument again last Saturday and she made me to understand that Super Sports channels are for men and the equivalent to women is the zee world,” .
Speaking in same vein, Mr Sammy Oyebanji, a legal practitioner said that the channel has contributed to the depletion of his pocket financially. Oyebanji said because of the frequent quarrels over which channel to watch among his family members, he has to buy three DStv decoders.
“My wife is addicted to zee world while the children will, at a slightest opportunity change the channel to Cartoon Network or Nickelodeon, inviting the wrath of their mother.
“They will not allow me to watch the news and sports channels which are my favourite. “Most times, the children will go and hide the remote of the decoder after setting their cartoon channel on auto tuning.
“I have replaced DSTV remote for about two times now, before I decided to buy two extra decoders; one in the children room and the other in the bedroom.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.

Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.

Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.

Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.

What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.

Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.

Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.

Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.

Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.

And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.

Entertainment

Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.

The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.

“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.

While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.

Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”

The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.

Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.

The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.

The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.

Entertainment

Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito

Published

3 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.

Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.

“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”

The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.

Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.

Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.

The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.

“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.