MTN One TV Releases First Original Series
The Lagos-set drama 100 Ways to Stay Single debuts on the platform while Nigeria awaits a release date.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Television
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MTN One TV released its first commissioned original production, 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos, which premiered in Cape Town alongside MIP Africa. The series is currently available in South Africa, Ghana and Zambia, and Nigeria was excluded from the initial rollout.
Why it matters
The release marks MTN's move from distributing content to commissioning its own programming on a platform launched across 16 African markets. Viewers in Nigeria, where the series is set, have no announced access date.
The platform's footprint spans 16 African markets, drawn from MTN's parent base of 307.2 million subscribers at the end of 2025. MTN has not disclosed subscription pricing for any launch market, and no Nigerian release date has been set.
The players
MTN Digital Services
MTN Digital Services is the unit of the South African telecommunications group MTN that operates the MTN One TV streaming platform.
Burak Akinci
Burak Akinci is chief executive of MTN Digital Services, overseeing the company's digital entertainment business.
Mimi Bartels
Mimi Bartels is a Nigerian filmmaker who produced the series 100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos.
MIP Africa
MIP Africa is the African edition of MIPTV, the international television content market, where the series premiered.
The details
100 Ways to Stay Single in Lagos was produced by Nigerian filmmaker Mimi Bartels and premiered in Cape Town alongside MIP Africa. Customers can pay for MTN One TV through mobile airtime and mobile money, and MIP Africa hosted a producer pitch session connecting prospective suppliers with the platform's content team.
Timeline
June 2026: MTN One TV launched across 16 African markets.
2025: Synamedia partnership with MTN One TV established.
30 October 2026: MTN media release announced the original commission.
4 November 2026: Broadcast Media Africa published the article.
Platform Evolution
The first commissioned original arrives after MTN One TV was built on a 2025 partnership with Synamedia, extending the service from distribution into first-party production. This follows the pattern of African telecom operators using their subscriber bases to enter local content commissioning.
Viewers in South Africa, Ghana and Zambia can watch 100 Ways to Stay Single on MTN One TV now, using mobile airtime or mobile money to pay. Viewers in Nigeria have no announced access date for the series.
The takeaway
Local commissioning is becoming a feature of African streaming platforms, but availability still varies by market. Readers in markets not yet listed should check MTN's official announcements for release dates.
Further reading
Explore more Television coverage for context on how streaming platforms are commissioning local originals.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadcast Media Africa.
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