Details of Citizen TV's Pay Deal for Lulu Hassan's Maria Show

a
Citizen TV anchors Lulu Hassan (left) and Rashid Abdalla (right) in an Instagram photo on Saturday, October 17, 2020
Instagram

The 40 percent local content demand has contributed to the growth of filmmaking in Kenya. 

Producers and directors thus sell content to TV stations that have to adhere to the required standards to entertain, educate and inform the Kenyan audience. 

A producer privy with the details of how TV stations purchase content disclosed that Citizen TV pays the highest amount for local shows. 

The producer who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke disclosed that Royal Media Services purchases local content at between Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000 per episode. 

Citizen TV's Maria series cast post for a photo in 2019
Citizen TV's Maria series cast post for a photo in 2019
Instagram

That is Ksh 150,000 more than KTN, NTV, K24 and KBC's rate. The four stations purchase content at around Ksh 100,000 per episode. 

Citizen TV power couple Lulu Hassan and Rashid Abdalla are one of the beneficiaries as their series Maria is among the most-watched shows in the country. 

Maria cast and other Citizen TV actors are better paid in the industry, earning between Ksh 10,000 and 25,000 per episode depending on the roles they play as compared to Ksh 5000 - 10,000 actors at NTV and KTN earn. 

Lulu and Abdalla also produced Moyo and Aziza drama series which aired on Citizen TV

Their other shows, Maza and Huba premiered on Maisha Magic East and Maisha Magic Bongo on MNet.  

According to the producer, MNet purchases local content at between Ksh 400,000 and Ksh 500,000 per episode. 

"MNet pays for content depending on colour grading, sound engineering, ambience, theme, adverts that will be aired therein and whether the content matches international standards," the filmmaker said. 

Citizen TV News Anchors Lulu Hassan (Left) and her husband Rashid Abdalla.
Citizen TV News Anchors Lulu Hassan (Left) and her husband Rashid Abdalla.
File