Afolayan, however, asserted that YouTube can never be on the same level as Netflix and Prime in terms of movie streaming.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nollywood actor and film producer Kunle Afolayan has traced the current patronage of YouTube as an alternative streaming platform by Nollywood producers to the disparity in the dollar and naira exchange rates.
He made this known recently during a candid interview with Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.
According to Afolayan, YouTube can never be on the same level as Netflix and Prime or come close to them as a movie streaming platform.
“Nollywood producers rushing to YouTube is not the way to go. YouTube can never give you what Netflix and Prime would give you,” he said.
Despite his claim, the Nigerian filmmaker admitted that the social media platform is a good starting point for beginners and producers who do not have the resources and leverage to put their films on streaming giants such as Netflix and Prime, or even in cinemas, asserting that YouTube “is the most flexible” and that “it is for everyone”.
Afolayan added, “It is like a starting point. If you don’t have the strength to negotiate or access to the big players, you open an account and put your movie there. If people watch, you get your money.”
He further argued that the reason Nigerian producers are embracing YouTube is because of the current high dollar-to-naira exchange rate.
He predicted that they would abandon the streaming platform if the dollar-to-naira exchange rate crashed.
“Nigerian filmmakers are rushing to YouTube because of the dollar exchange rate. At ₦1,400 to $1, they celebrate one million views because it can bring in about $10,000. But if the dollar falls to ₦200, everyone will run away from YouTube. I pray the dollar-to-naira exchange rate comes down,” Afolayan said.
