Pearl Thusi and D’Banj to host Lip Sync Battle Africa
Viacom International Media Networks Africa has announced that actress Pearl Thusi and Nigerian music icon D’Banj would be the hosts for Lip Sync Battle Africa.
Senior vice president and managing director, VIMN Africa, Alex Okosi said: “We are thrilled to translate this global hit franchise to Africa for the first time. With huge personalities such as D’Banj and Pearl Thusi at the helm, Lip Sync Battle Africa cannot fail to emulate the success of the franchise in the United States, and spin-offs in other territories such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Chile.”
Lip Sync Battle has garnered record ratings for American cable and satellite chanel Spike and over half a billion views online. The US version of the award-nominated series can be seen in more than 120 countries.
Thusi and D’Banj will host Lip Sync Battle Africa, while Thusi will serve as all around host and “master of ceremonies”, and “D’Banj will step up as the “colour commentator”, according to VIMN.
Lip Sync Battle Africa will premiere in April 2016 on MTV (DStv channel 130), MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and e.tv.
Head of MTV & VH1, Africa, Dillon Khan said: “With great chemistry between our hosts and a fantastic line-up of contestants from across the cultural spectrum, Lip Sync Battle Africa is guaranteed to capture the attention and affection of our audience in Africa.
“Whether you are 15 or 55 years old, you’ll be ‘lip syncing’ in the car, with your friends, or in the shower. We hope and expect that people will take to social media and tag each other to start battling each other with #LSBChallenge.”
The format of the show is also under license in more than 30 countries, most recently debuting in China, where 30 million people viewed the programme online in its first weekend. The UK version launched in January 2016 on Viacom’s Channel 5.
Head of Local Productions at e.tv, Keshni Rajoo, said: “The high-energy format of the show will be complimented by the two hosts who are massive stars of the entertainment industry on the African continent.
“Our home-grown talent will be given the opportunity to show off their lip sync skills alongside some of the biggest names in Africa. e.tv is proud to be a partner of Lip Sync Battle Africa and we cannot wait to see Pearl Thusi and D’Banj on e.tv screens.”