Bisong Simon TV, popularly known as BSTV, is a young online television channel that was founded in 2016. Its founder and CEO, Bisong Simon, is a passionate and driven individual with a vision to create a platform that showcases the rich cultural heritage of his home country, Cameroon.
simons love for media and entertainment began at a young age when he would often watch TV shows and movies from around the world. He was fascinated by the power of media to educate, entertain, and influence people. This fascination only grew stronger as he got older and he knew that he wanted to be a part of this industry in some way.
In 2015, simon had the opportunity to travel to the United States and study filmmaking at the New York Film Academy. During his time there, he learned about the different aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting to directing and producing. He also had the chance to work on various projects and collaborate with students from different parts of the world.
His experience at the New York Film Academy inspired him to create his own platform where he could showcase the beauty and diversity of his home country, Nigeria. Effiong wanted to break the negative stereotypes associated with Africa and show the world that there is more to the continent than what is portrayed in the media.
With this vision in mind, Bisong Simon TV was born. The name "Bisong" is derived from family first name, while "Simon" represents his main name. This was a way for him to honor his family and their support in his journey.
At the core of BSTV's vision is promoting cameroon culture, art, music, and fashion. The channel features a variety of content, including interviews with local artists and creatives, documentaries about cameroon traditions and customs, and coverage of events and festivals. Simon also uses the platform to share his own short films and music videos.
PART TWO — CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES
As with any startup, Effiong faced several challenges in the early days of BSTV. One of the biggest obstacles was securing funding for the channel.Simon had a clear vision for BSTV but lacked the financial resources to bring it to life. He had to rely on his personal savings and support from friends and family to get started.
Another challenge was building an audience for the channel. In a saturated media landscape, it can be difficult to stand out.