By Priscilla Osaje
Mararaba – Association of Compact Disc Sellers (ACDS) in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, says the digital switch over and proliferation of digital satellite television providers, has affected patronage of movies on digital versatile disc (DVD).
Mr Uche Ugato, Chairman of ACDS in Mararaba, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Ugota also appealed to movie producers in the country to collaborate with them in the area of movie distribution and sales, in order to boast their business.
“Unlike when films were advertised, movie enthusiasts would come in search of the films and eventually patronise us; now is no longer like that.
“The seasonal film has made everything to be bad, complete series of season films are aired and people will not come to buy such films from us, ” he said.
He said that some of their colleagues were leaving the business, because the business was not profitable any longer.
Ugato said that if movie producers engage them directly in distribution of movies, it would go a long way to help them in the business, adding that the current situation is not encouraging
Mr Ezekiel Nwaokor, a dealer at the Mararaba market said that with the proliferation of these satellite TV, the patronage on DVDs and VCDs had drastically reduced.
“Most people prefer to buy the satellite dish, mount it in their houses, in order to watch any movies of their choice.
“The people do not care if the movies were either old or new, as long as it was entertaining and interesting.
“Some lovers of Nollywood and Hollywood movies have resorted to Startime or Gotv, some prefer to go to cinemas to watch latest movies,” he said.
He noted that it had affected turnout in their business, adding that business was no longer booming locally.
He said that when movie producers collaborate with them in distribution of movies to consumers, it will go a long to encourage them continue in the business and take care of their families.
Similarly, Evans Madu, a dealer, said that most dealers have opted for other business.
“As you can see, I sell other items apart from films in order to meet up with the standard of living, because if I depend only on films, I may not meet up with my financial responsibilities to my family”.
He therefore appeal to film producers, to partner sellers of DVDs and VCDs in the area of distribution so that their business would not go into extinction.