The Story⚡
After struggling to find a home on prominent streaming platforms, “The Smart Money Woman” series boldly debuted on YouTube. Now that the season has concluded, it has posted impressive performance metrics. But what do the numbers reveal about its success, and what lessons can be gleaned from its unconventional journey?
Tell Me More
The Smart Money Woman is a television series based on a 2016 novel of the same name by Arese Ugwu, who’s also the creator of the series, which premiered on Africa Magic Showcase in September 2020. The series was created specifically to bring the novel’s story to life on screen.
The series, originally broadcast as a 13-episode season on Africa Magic, was re-released on Netflix as a condensed 7-episode season on September 16, 2021. Co-written by Pearl Osibu, Jola Ayeye, and Arese Ugwu, it was executively produced by the novel’s author, Arese Ugwu, alongside producers Isoken Ogiemwonyi, Akintunde Marinho, and Kemi Lala Akindoju.
It stars Osas Ighodaro, Ini Dima Okojie, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Toni Tonesm, Ebenezer Eno, and Timini Egbuson, among many others.
The show follows the story of Zuri, a woman living two contrasting realities. One moment, she’s thriving—great car, stylish apartment, dream job. The next, she’s grappling with a broken-down car, unaffordable rent, and looming unemployment. With her loyal yet diverse squad—Tami, the impulsive fashionista; Lara, the fierce oil exec; Adesuwa, the grounded lawyer; and Ladun, the glamorous homemaker—Zuri embarks on a journey of growth. This show delves into debt, spending habits, societal pressures, and cultural norms. Each episode brings relatable drama and a “Smart Money Lesson” to empower viewers to build financial success.
In 2022, the show was nominated for the Best Art Director, Best Costume Designer, and Best Television Series categories at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Revenue and Longterm Prospects
Unlike the first season, which ran on the streaming platform Netflix, the latest season premiered on YouTube. This is contrary to the anticipation of the viewers of the show who were looking forward to seeing the series return on Netflix. There are speculations that the streaming giant did not accept the series for the second season because it was not considered standard or mainstream enough. Notwithstanding, season two of the show debuted to the audience’s acceptance, even though it launched on YouTube.
In the end, the decision to release Season 2 of The Smart Money Woman on YouTube proved to be a winning move for the audience. Despite initial anticipation for a Netflix premiere, the show’s impressive viewership numbers demonstrate that the audience has ultimately benefited from the change in platform. And that’s all that matters for the IP – the audience’s love and engagement are the greatest measures of success, and The Smart Money Woman has undoubtedly achieved that.
While the release of Season 2 on YouTube has been successful, the show’s producers may have lost out on a lucrative deal with Netflix. The creator and Executive Producer made remarks at AFRIFF 2024, revealing that she had raised funds in dollars to make the show bigger and better, implying that the production costs were substantial.
Without the financial backing of a major streaming platform like Netflix, the show may have missed out on a significant revenue stream. However, as the IP continues to grow in popularity, monetization opportunities may arise in the future, making the investment worthwhile in the long run.
The Smart Money Woman Season 2 Metrics
With its engaging storyline and talented cast, the show has garnered impressive viewership numbers.
As of November 29, 2024, which is 24 hours after the release of the season finale, the views for each episode are as follows:
Episode 1 (October 31, 2024): 633,121 views
Episode 2 (October 31, 2024): 482,618 views
Episode 3 (November 7, 2024): 434,109 views
Episode 4 (November 7, 2024): 390,868 views
Episode 5 (November 14, 2024): 330,657 views
Episode 6 (November 14, 2024): 379,030 views
Episode 7 (November 21, 2024): 330,480 views
Episode 8 (November 21, 2024): 291,136 views
Episode 9 (November 28, 2024): 226,501 views
Season Finale (November 28, 2024): 181,305 views
As of December 2, 2024, here’s the metric for each episode of the season:
Episode 1 (October 31, 2024): 676,377 views
Episode 2 (October 31, 2024): 518,062 views
Episode 3 (November 7, 2024): 468,341 views
Episode 4 (November 7, 2024): 422,247 views
Episode 5 (November 14, 2024): 357,301 views
Episode 6 (November 14, 2024): 410,103 views
Episode 7 (November 21, 2024): 364,971 views
Episode 8 (November 21, 2024): 327,309 views
Episode 9 (November 28, 2024): 330,680 views
Season Finale (November 28, 2024): 290,357 views
The Smart Money Woman Season 1 Metrics
Despite the fact that the first season of the show was originally broadcast as a 13-episode season on Africa Magic and was released on Netflix as a condensed 7-episode season on September 16, 2021, it premiered on YouTube in 7 episodes on the 22nd of September, 2024. Here’s the metric for each episode of the season:
Episode 1 (September 22, 2024): 461,611 views
Episode 2 (September 22, 2024): 246,302 views
Episode 3 (September 22, 2024): 232,712 views
Episode 4 (September 22, 2024): 220,505 views
Episode 5 (September 22, 2024): 215,021 views
Episode 6 (September 22, 2024): 189,339 views
Episode 7 (September 22, 2024): 154,796 views
Despite not premiering on Netflix as anticipated, the show’s impressive viewership numbers demonstrate the audience’s love for the IP.
Key Background
The show is produced by Azuwa Studios (formerly known as Smart Money Arese). AZUWA is a dynamic entertainment media company dedicated to sharing authentic African stories that spark meaningful conversations. Its operations span Film & TV, digital media, audio, and entertainment marketing. As a financial empowerment brand, AZUWA emphasises that everyone deserves access to tools for life-changing personal finance education.
Through engaging content, merchandise, events, partnerships, and educational initiatives, the company focuses on fostering financial literacy, especially among African women. By blending storytelling and financial lessons, AZUWA aims to transform how Africans approach personal finance.
In Summary
The decline of major streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime acquiring and developing new Nigerian content has left creators seeking alternative distribution channels. As traditional buyers have “dried up”, producers are now forced to get creative with distribution, with platforms like YouTube serving as a stopgap measure.
This shift raises pressing questions about the future of Nigeria’s film and television industry: can it survive without the financial backing of major streaming platforms? What new business models and distribution strategies will emerge to fill the void? Only time will tell if the industry can adapt and thrive in this new landscape.
