How to get your music video on Trace TV

The document, which was sent to Music in Africa by the company, reveals how Trace TV, which owns several stations including Trace Naija, decides which music videos will reach its many viewers.

As headed by Sam Onyemelukwe, Trace West Africa says artists are never asked to pay to submit their videos/ “There is no one individual at Trace who can get your video played on the channel by saying so,” it said.

“DO NOT PAY ANYBODY WHO SAYS THEY CAN ADD YOUR VIDEO," the statement continues. "There is a clear and transparent process and a committee makes selections. This statement is to explain the process and selection criteria. Please share this with any and everybody, post it, email and if you have comments or questions about it please let us know, so we can answer anything not addressed here.”

It appears the company's management feels that statement is necessary after certain individuals, including pop artist Dammy Krane, accused the station on social media of demanding money for airplay.

In a separate document, the company explains that it offers artists a package called Zoom. This package, it says, “is a 20-second programme on the channel which focuses on upcoming artists and also gives an opportunity for exposure".

The standard fee for Zoom is N350 000 [about $1 000]. However, this does not guarantee that your video will be selected to air on the channel,” it said.

The problem might have come from this package, as at least one social media user gave that figure—350 000 naira—as the supposed fee charged by Trace before a music video could be aired.

To read the guidelines on getting your video on the Trace TV network, please see the attached document below.