WATERMARKED LOGOS - The New Trend Sabotaging Nollywood’s YouTube Viewing Experience

 

There’s a noticeable trend on Nollywood YouTube channels lately: large, bold watermarked logos taking up prime space on the screen. Not the subtle top right or left corner logo we’re used to, but oversized branding that almost competes directly with the film itself.

The intention or strategy is obvious. Piracy remains a significant challenge, and producers seek to protect their intellectual property. But in reality, this approach takes a lot away from the viewer’s experience. With a giant watermark and heavy subtitles layered together, staying engaged with the story becomes harder than it should be.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that this is less about artistic presentation and more about revenue protection. For many creators, especially those who act, produce, and upload their own, monetisation has become the driving force behind these strategies, even if it comes at the expense of quality.

And that’s where a bigger conversation needs to happen.

If YouTube is now one of the major platforms shaping how global audiences engage with Nollywood, then there’s a real need for stronger regulation and guidance from home institutions, including Nigeria’s Censors Board and related bodies. Clearer standards around watermark size, placement, and viewer-friendly practices could protect both creators’ rights and the audience’s experience.

Because at the end of the day, Nollywood deserves to be protected—but not at the cost of making its films difficult to watch

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