FilmBox Vs. M-Net Movies: Who Is Likely To Survive Canal+ Acquisition Of MultiChoice?

During the year, Canal+ expressed interest in acquiring pay-tv giant MultiChoice after gaining small stakes in the company and working closely on several shows. They're currently in talks with Patrice MotsepeIs in an attempt to increase their bid in MultiChoice. 

If Canal+ had succeeded in their first attempt at acquiring MultiChoice they'd have to grow through legal procedures who could have prevented this from moving forward. Now that talks of an SA player enters the equation they're likely to succeed. 

Canal seeks to merge their assets with MultiChoice making their portfolio accessible to over 50 million subscribers in Africa. Since talks of a possible takeover has taken place there's been various questions as to how this may affect the current offering. 

Canal+ owns various properties in Europe and one of which SPI International has garnered an international presence. This consists of various FilmBox entertainment channels alongside Gametoon, FashionBox, FightBox and DocuBox. 

As some readers are aware, these channels particularly FilmBox are already viewable in Africa and were basically a rival offering to M-Net Movies. Should the acquisition move forward these brands are likely to get merged if not restructured.

It's not only the content that bares various similarities but also the formatting of these brands. M-Net Movies 2 is basically FilmBox Action while M-Net Movies 3 and 4 have FilmBox Africa, FilmBox Family and FilmBox Stars.

Ideally, M-Net Movies could fold under the FilmBox trademark considering its presence in Europe but there's also chances that they may have a future. M-Net Movies 3 & 4 alongside various DStv channels are seen on Canal+ platforms in Africa.

If M-Net Movies wasn't that much of a priority they could have opted for FilmBox. It's likely that FilmBox could be phased out in favor of M-Net Movies but questions amount to whether Starsat and various other platforms would/are willing to include them.

MultiChoice is StarTimes biggest rival as it offers a diverse lineup of local content and premium sports. Of course, the mere thought of M-Net Movies possibly being added to these consumers would lure exiting DStv consumers to StarTimes for its affordable rates.

In Nederlands, Film1's offering compensate for FilmBox films movie channels with the main channel being what's left of the trademark.

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