How I launched MTV in Africa- Alex Okosi
Alex Okosi, creative force behind the MTV Africa Music Awards featured on the last episode of MTV Base Behind The Story.
The long time media executive opened up on how he built the Viacom business in Africa on the show, hosted by Pearl Thusi.
Okosi, is the driving force behind ViacomCBS Networks Africa, home to Powerhouse Entertainment Brands BET, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Base, MTV Music, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and NickToons in Africa, as well as BET International with channel brand businesses in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
On the launch of MTV in Africa, Okosi said the goal at the time was to have Africans appreciate Africa.
Okosi, who achieved a personal and industry milestone when he identified a business gap for youth music and lifestyle channel in Africa, developed the business plan and launched Viacom’s first localised channel in Africa, MTV Base in 2005.
Alex Okosi shared some exclusive stories about the early days of MTV in Africa, the challenges faced in building the business and the people behind the scenes that have made the company successful.
With entertainment experience amassed across three continents in over 21 years, Okosi also spoke about his humble beginning in Enugu, his family, and how travelling to America at the age of 12 in pursuit of academic excellence changed the course of his life for the better.
Sharing details of his early days in America, living in a gang-infested neighbourhood, Okosi said: “It was like the wild wild west out there”, and he had to move out of that neighbourhood after the death of his friend.
Further, he revealed his love for basketball, living with a foster mother, and how a knee injury ended his dream of playing in the NBA.
YouTube made this known in a statement made available in January, 2020 noting that the appointment takes effect in April 2020.
