On Christmas day 1941, a singer and actor named Bing Cosby debuted a song called “White Christmas”.

As he approached the microphone in the radio studio, he could not have known that he was about to make history, one that would take 53 years to be scratched.

“White Christmas” was written by Irvy Berlin and recorded as part of the soundtrack for the movie Holiday Inn which starred Crosby and tap dancer Fred Astaire.

That song would go ahead to sell 50 million copies, win the Oscar for Best Song in 1943 and remain a staple of the Christmas season until 1994, when a woman named Mariah Carey released an upbeat easy-to-sing song called “All I want for Christmas is You.”

It was featured in the hit movie Love Actually, has set a record as the longest-running number-one and returning single on the Billboard Hot 100, is the best-selling Christmas song of all time in the US, is certified Diamond in Australia, Canada, Sweden, and the US, has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and earned over $100m in royalties.

For years now, Globacom, Nigeria’s beloved telecom brand has spread the Christmas cheer with its annual Glo Festival of Joy through which the company rewards and empowers customers for their loyalty while making dreams come true and spreading joy across the nation.

In 2024, the company offered its subscribers a Toyota Prado, five Kia Picanto cars, 15 tricycles, 150 power-generating sets, 200 sewing machines, and 300 grinding machines.

As subscribers and potential subscribers await the 2025 iteration, Glo is not leaving their joy in abeyance. On Wednesday December 3, 2025 Glo came bearing gifts in the form of four never-before-seen movies scheduled to stream on its premium entertainment platform, Glo TV.

While the Three Wise men from the East brought three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, Glo is upping the ante with four brand new movies set to stream absolutely FREE for all its subscribers - Johnny Just Come (JJC), Eko Vibes, Bound, and Shifting Desire.

The company described the major content rollout as a reinforcement of the brand’s unwavering commitment to enriching the digital viewing experience for millions of Nigerians.

It is also in alignment with Globacom’s decades long focus on not just supporting the Nigerian creative industries but also empowering actors and actresses by celebrating and supporting their craft.

The company was instrumental in introducing old household name actors like Ibidun Alison aka Amebo, Wole Amele aka Councillor Balogun, Kofoworola Abiola Atanda aka Madam Kofo, Dejumo Lewis aka Kabiyesi, Chika Okpala aka Zebrudaya and many more to a new generation of audiences via its hilarious and topical television commercials. That tradition continues.

The brand-new movies according to the company “feature some of Africa’s most celebrated actors and storytellers, delivering a vibrant blend of comedy, romance, drama, cultural richness, and emotional depth.”

“Each of these movies has been carefully selected to showcase diverse African narratives while delivering world-class entertainment unavailable in cinemas, on YouTube, or on any other VoD platform. Viewers do not need to purchase any subscription or pay any fee, access is completely FREE,” the company stated.

First up is Shifting Desire, which stars Lilian Afegbai and Ghanaian actor Majid Michel and which has been described as “a gripping romantic drama exploring marriage, intimacy, betrayal, healing, and the transformative journey of a couple undergoing therapy to rebuild trust. Shifting Desire premiered on Glo TV on December 2 and is currently streaming for FREE.”

The second feature is Johnny Just Come (JJC), a cross generational movie starring legendary actress Patience Ozokwor alongside the charismatic Nancy Isime, in a hilarious cultural crossover comedy that follows an American man navigating love and marriage within an African household and capturing themes of identity, family, culture, and coexistence.

The third title, Bound, stars Rita Dominic and Eyinna Nwigwe, in an “emotional family drama centered on a career woman grappling with deeply buried personal secrets and the ripple effects on her relationship.”

Eko Vibes, features laugh merchants Broda Shaggi and Josh2Funny, alongside Nkechi Blessing. “The movie captures the pulse and hustle of Lagos youth culture, showcasing ambition, humour, and the energetic spirit of young Lagosians striving to rise to the top.”

To watch these movies, subscribers can download Glo TV app, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Shifting Desire was first to stream while the other titles will premiere FREE during the Yuletide season via the app.

Speaking to the significance of the releases, Globacom noted that “with these never-before-seen titles, Glo TV is redefining digital entertainment in Nigeria by offering fresh, premium movies unavailable anywhere else. We remain committed to expanding our catalogue with culturally rich stories that celebrate African creativity at its finest.”

As subscribers stream these original series thanks to Globacom, it will be no surprise if the song on every lip this Christmas is – “All I want for Christmas is Glo!”

•Toni Kan is a former head of PR at Globacom.

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