LIV Golf Joins Forces With SuperSport And Canal+ Group To Transform Golf Broadcasting Across Sub-Saharan Africa

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LIV Golf, the global golf league blending world-class competition with entertainment and culture to grow the game worldwide, has announced the renewal of its broadcast partnership with SuperSport, the largest sports broadcaster in Africa and a subsidiary of MultiChoice, a Canal+ Group company.

The partnership allows SuperSport to deliver comprehensive live coverage of the 2026 LIV Golf League season, featuring 14 events across 10 countries and five continents, including events in Adelaide, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, and additional international destinations.

The broadcast agreement follows SuperSport's broadcast of the five-part docuseries, Greens & Gold, which chronicled the on- and off-course performance, team culture, and competitive mindset of Southern Guards GC, providing fans with behind-the-scenes access to the all–South African team and its journey within the LIV Golf League.

Golf fans can look forward to the League’s first-ever event in South Africa, LIV Golf South Africa, taking place 19-22 March 2026, at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg.

The South Africa event has already emerged as one of the fastest-selling events across the 2026 LIV Golf season, reflecting strong demand from fans and underscoring the momentum surrounding LIV Golf’s arrival in the region.

This historic milestone for LIV Golf is a testament to the passion and national pride of the League’s South Africa–based team, the Southern Guards, captained by major champion Louis Oosthuizen , alongside multiple LIV Golf event winner Branden Grace, prolific global performer and LIV Golf Chicago 2025 Champion Dean Burmester, and Open Champion Charl Schwartzel.

“SuperSport is proud to once again be at the forefront of bringing innovation in the sport of golf to Africa,” said Rendani Ramovha, CANAL+ Director: Sport, Content (English & Portuguese-Speaking Africa).

“This partnership with LIV Golf is a credit not just to the broadcast capabilities of SuperSport in bringing the world’s finest golfers in immaculate broadcast quality to viewers across Africa, but to South African golf as a whole. As part of our integration into the global Canal+ Group ecosystem, we are committed to leveraging our best-in-class production and technical facilities to showcase the South Africa event to the rest of the world. This will pave the way for developing golf further in Africa.”

Örjan Olsson, SVP, International Media Rights at LIV Golf, added: “We’re delighted to reaffirm our partnership with SuperSport and the Canal+ Group, which has been a cornerstone of LIV Golf’s journey in South Africa and across the region. Africa represents a strategically important growth market for LIV Golf, and SuperSport’s scale, production excellence, and commitment to premium sports storytelling make it an ideal partner. As 2026 marks a defining chapter for LIV Golf on the African continent, we believe that SuperSport is the ideal broadcast partner to once again deliver unparalleled coverage of elite competition.”

Via the new rights agreement, golf fans across Sub-Saharan Africa can consistently follow a premier global field spanning the sport’s most elite competitors and iconic figures beyond South Africa’s Southern Guards roster - including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson , Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, and more.

LIV Golf’s competition format, with events contested over four rounds and 72 holes across many of the world’s most iconic courses, is anchored by the League’s signature shotgun start.

The League’s innovative broadcast approach accelerates pace and enhances both individual and team storylines, delivering a dynamic, action-dense viewing experience with significantly more live action than traditional golf broadcasts - all within a four-to-five-hour window.

LIV Golf’s South African Team docuseries, Greens & Gold, is available on DStv CatchUp. 

Love Nature Expanding To More Canal+ Markets, Still No Word On MultiChoice's DStv?

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Love Nature is a factual channel operated by Blue Ant Media with content focused on environmental appreciation and conservation. Based in Toronto, it features a range of wildlife and nature documentaries.

Following it's inception on Canal+ Polska, the French broadcaster is looking to expand Love Nature to all its French territories in France, Europe and Africa.

Programming set to be included at launch include Big Cat Country, Malawi Wildlife Rescue, Wildlife Icons Seasons 1 and 2 all of which are filmed in Africa. It seems kind of odd that a channel featuring this much local content is not as yet on DStv.

We've shot up a couple of theories as to why this may be the case as seen with the WBD deal. MultiChoice's contracts was aligned with that of Canal+'s operations in Europe so talks are likely still underway as the deal was said to unlock synergies.

There's no reason to think otherwise as Canal+ had promised that the buyout would include increased content for DStv consumers particularly local. Since last year, MultiChoice had stated they were in position to allocate more content and channels.

If I had guess where Love Nature would be placed probably in People's Planet former space which was channel 180. 

Is Canal+ Looking To Sell Showmax?

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Last month, Canal+ held a media briefing discussing various details about MultiChoice after completing it's acquisition of the company in late 2025. It was revealed that Showmax was losing a lot of money and are exploring options for the brand.

Canal+ is also looking at possibly launching its self titled streaming service in MultiChoice markets which would bundle Netflix and Apple TV.

The problem part as outlined would be Showmax and during that briefing it was revealed that Canal+ would be reducing its investment toward the streamer. They've even held various talks with Comcast about the future of the brand.

One of which could include a possible sale of the brand to Comcast's NBCUniversal after acquiring a 30% stake. Another could be Canal+ acquiring the remaining stake and phasing it out for its self titled streaming service although it may seem unlikely.

In the event, NBCUniversal does look to acquire the remaining 70% which seems possible as Canal+ talked about selling none-core assets. It's likely that a licensing agreement between them and MultiChoice would be put in place for local content. 

Canal+ plans to sell MultiChoice content even to the likes of Netflix which they deem a partner. Under the Nasper era, 

What to me would be unknown is whether Showmax as a brand would continue to operate in Africa under that trademark or fold under Peacock as seen in the US and select international markets.

There's literally nothing stopping NBCUniversal from retaining the Showmax trademark as Canal+ has already begun the due diligence. Several original shows like Youngins and Die Kantoor their windows between DStv has been shortened.

Another is the international deals, Canal+ got out of renewal talks with Warner Bros. Discovery which saw consumers lose out on HBO content. If I had to guess, the next victim to all of these cuts within Showmax will be that Premier League subscription.

Canal+ could redirect this efforts back to DStv Stream.

If NBCUniversal is looking to acquire Showmax, HBO may not be the only thing to get reduced even content from Sony, Paramount and AMC will see radical declines. As NBCUniversal can use this buyout to expand its own catalogue instead.

Blue Ant Media Makes French-Language Debut For Love Nature on Canal+

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Milestone deal grows Blue Ant’s partnership with CANAL+, extends the reach of Love Nature’s wildlife and nature content for French-language audiences across several territories on CANAL+

Blue Ant Media, a global streamer, production studio, and rights business, announced today from NATPE the launch of Love Nature on CANAL+, in which the wildlife and nature brand will enter French-speaking markets in EMEA for the first time on CANAL+ to its francophone audiences. Beginning this month, the high-profile launch will see Love Nature roll out on CANAL+ in France, Africa, and several French overseas territories over the next three months. CANAL+’s French-speaking audiences will have access to Love Nature’s newly launched dedicated linear French-language PayTV channel. Additionally, CANAL+ will offer a Love Nature VOD hub featuring 150 hours of regularly refreshed content. The deal, overseen by Chiara McKee, VP, EMEA Global Channels & Streaming at Blue Ant Media, grows the company’s partnership with Canal+ and builds on Love Nature’s growing momentum across Europe, significantly elevating the brand’s visibility and industry standing in one of Europe’s most influential pay TV markets. 

“CANAL+ is a prestigious partner and signals the appeal that Love Nature’s award-winning wildlife series and documentaries offer in today’s competitive TV market,” says Carlyn Staudt, President, Global Channels & Streaming, Blue Ant Media. “This landmark agreement represents a major strategic milestone for Love Nature and completes the company’s partnership with CANAL+ across all CANAL+ EMEA markets, with Love Nature now available across the group’s full regional footprint.” 

Programming highlights for the launch of Love Nature on Big Cat Country (6 × 60’), which follows the dramatic saga of three lion prides that collide and battle for supremacy in the heart of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley; Malawi Wildlife Rescue (6 x 60), a touching docu-series that follows a veterinarian team at the country’s only wildlife rescue center, as they care for injured and abandoned animals before they are released back into the wild and Wildlife Icons Wildlife Icons Seasons 1 and 2 (14 x 60) a look at the lives of some of Africa’s cutest, coolest and hairiest animals

How Canal+ Might Rollout A Sports Only Package On DStv?

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Canal+ managed to complete it's acquisition of MultiChoice by late 2025 and since then had been undergoing some restructure. This includes scaling back on services such as Showmax and renewal of WBD channels in Europe and Africa.

Prior to the takeover, MultiChoice was exploring possibly offering sports on a separate package with another package offering local entertainment, movies and news.

It should be noted that this isn't the first time they explored such an offering and they've been very skeptical about separating SuperSport. This is because it wasn't deemed as viable as seen with Showmax PRO another had to do with the pricing.

In MultiChoice's first test run, consumers would have been given the option to pay a monthly rate of R300 for Mzansi Magic, Discovery Channel and Cartoon Network. This excluded the AddMovies offering which comprised of M-Net Movies 1 & 2.

SuperSport's offering on this package was divided between two the first would consist of PSL, La Liga and Premier League while the other featured Tennis, Rugby and Cricket. Both of which were also priced at R300 and those opting to pay both got a discount.

As seen with AddMovies where consumers aren't paying for this as a standalone the same is likely to await the sport's offering but under Canal+'s influence they could find some workaround.

A majority of Netflix subscribers are less likely to subscribe to the sports offering if MultiChoice were to tell them they needed to pay for the general entertainment package. This is what MultiChoice wanted to burden onto these clients in its drafts.

Under Canal+, these clients may be given the option to include SuperSport in their Netflix subscription. For those using Showmax, Canal+ could give these clients a discounted rate by bundling this service with SuperSport.

Netflix and Showmax are basically the OTT counterparts to this general entertainment package from DStv so the idea of them bundling SuperSport onto these services wouldn't seem far fetched.

SuperSport Will Not Be Broadcasting The Winter Olympics Which Is Taking Place From 6 To 22 February 2026

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This year, SuperSport will not have any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, which are taking place from 6 to 22 February 2026.

A spokesperson for MultiChoice, now owned by French media giant Groupe Canal+, told sources that there wouldn’t be live coverage or highlights on Catch Up.

There is currently no official media rights holder for the event listed on the Olympics website. It merely states “TBC”.

After not sending a team to the Winter Olympics since 2018, South Africa has sent its largest-ever winter sports delegation to the games this year.

South Africa has five people competing in the Winter Olympics this year: two in alpine skiing, one in cross-country skiing, one in freestyle skiing, and one in skeleton.

Lara Markthaler has made local headlines as one of the youngest women in the field, celebrating her 19th birthday when she competes in the giant slalom on 15 February. She has also qualified for slalom.

Nicole Burger is the first South African woman to qualify in Skeleton, while Matt Smith qualified for cross-country skiing in just two years.

Malica Malherbe will represent South Africa in freestyle skiing, and 17-year-old Thomas Weir is another up-and-comer in alpine skiing alongside Markthaler.

Dropping the Winter Olympics from DStv means Canal+ is starting to weaken its SuperSport offering to save money, which points to serious trouble for the pay-TV operator.

DStv Premium subscribers are willing to pay over R1,000 a month for a decoder-based package because of its exceptional SuperSport offering.

Streaming-only subscribers on a month-to-month plan pay R799 per month for DStv Premium. On contract, streaming-only DStv Premium packages are available for R699 per month.

Whether it is rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, boxing, golf, motorsport, or athletics, if there is a big sporting event, it is sure to be on SuperSport.

However, MultiChoice has now broken the trust of DStv Premium subscribers for failing to show the Winter Olympics with a historic South African team representing the country at the games.

KykNet Is Widening The Reach Of M-Net's International Dramas Following The Closure Of Me And 1Magic In 2024

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A few years ago, MultiChoice and M-Net made the decision to yank away both Me and 1Magic from the DStv platform. These endeavours were consolidated under M-Net and Showmax, the company's struggling streaming service.

Since then, viewers of these brands had to resort to Universal TV, Comedy Central and Bravo to get access to The Real Housewives alongside older seasons of Chicago P.D. and The Equaliser. 

The problem part to this rearrangement dealt with the fact that M-Net curated local content like My Kitchen Rules SA and Summertide. With the closure of Me, this offering wasn't being allocated on Mzansi Magic as seen with Showmax's Youngins.

It had even been speculated that Compact+ and Compact's decline in subscribers stemmed from the closures of these brands. While it doesn't seem like MultiChoice or Canal+ could launch something along the lines of Me in a near term.

It seems like under Canal+, they have begun reintroducing these shows or at least to KykNET starting with American drama, Landman.

After KykNET & Kie decided to ramp up international telenovelas similar to what eMedia Investments had been doing for their linear platforms. The brand appears to be broadening this lineup with Landman.

It's likely that more dramas will receive the same treatment as Landman or in this case Summertide, Recipe For Love And Murder and King & Conqueror.

Based in France, Canal+ had been dubbing shows distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney and Paramount in that market. There's no reason to doubt that a similar outcome is awaiting DStv consumers in Southern Africa.

Canal+ Looking To Launch It's Own Streaming Service In Place Of Showmax

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Canal+ SA is considering deploying its streaming app, which includes deals with Apple TV and Warner Bros Discovery’s HBO Max, to clients of South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice Group, which the French firm bought last year.

“All of the content is embedded on the Canal+ app, and as a user, you do not have to go on another app,” chief financial officer Amandine Ferre said in an interview on Thursday.

Canal+ gained control of MultiChoice — part owner of streaming service Showmax with Comcast — late last year in a deal that valued the African platform at about $3 billion.

The Johannesburg-based firm’s operations are mainly in the south and east of the continent, as well as Nigeria and Ghana, while the French company already has a presence throughout francophone western Africa.

It hasn’t taken a final decision on what to do with Showmax — MultiChoice’s streaming offering — or on the roll-out of the Canal+ app to countries where MultiChoice operates, Ferre said.

Canal+ shares surged as much as 15% in London on Thursday and are at a record.

The combined entertainment platform will likely deliver more than €400 million in earnings before interest, tax and amortisation, and about €300 million in free cash flow cost savings by 2030, it said in a statement Thursday.

Canal+ is working to start growing MultiChoice’s subscriber numbers after the company lost almost 3 million customers over the past two financial years.

It has already renegotiated a contract for set-top boxes and has provided cheaper units since November, she said.

“We are really working on the entry ticket and the best packages, and making sure we have the best price,” said Ferre.

The combined entity has returned National Basketball Association content to the SuperSport offering after an eight-year break, and also added French Ligue 1 football matches to its platform.

MultiChoice was created by Cape Town-based Naspers.

In 2019, the company was spun off from Naspers and in 2024, Canal+ made a takeover approach. Its premium service is priced at about $60 a month.

Showmax Has Been Deemed As Unsuccessful, Canal+ Looking To Wind Down On Investments

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Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada says MultiChoice’s streaming platform, Showmax, was not a commercial success and that the company will cut further investments into the service.

Speaking during Canal+’s presentation on cost-cutting targets following its acquisition of MultiChoice, Saada was asked about his company’s plans for Showmax.

“Showmax is not a commercial success. It’s quite obvious. There were a lot of dedicated investments on the marketing side, on the content side, on the technology side,” the CEO said.

“We are in a position to reduce those investments. They are included in the synergies. I won’t say how much, but it is significant.”

However, he explained that their strategy was all about growth. So, when making these decisions, Canal+ will be very careful to avoid losing potentially valuable subscribers.

“Although we are very quick at assessing the investments that we believe are required and those that are not. We are also very cautious not to negatively impact the top line,” Saada said.

“Otherwise, it would be like a bandaid we could rip off, but we are not going to do that. There was so much investment there that we had a lot of room to improve the situation.”

Groupe Canal+ gained control of the MultiChoice Group in September 2025, following a lengthy mandatory buyout process. The final phase of the transaction commenced on 13 October 2025.

MultiChoice first launched its Showmax streaming platform in 2015. However, it received significant upgrades and relaunched as Showmax 2.0 in February 2024.

The DStv-owner had high hopes for the revamped platform, pinning its entire future on it and telling investors that it expected to generate $1 billion (R15.7 billion) in net revenue in five years.

The first indications of MultiChoice’s plans for Showmax surfaced in March 2023, when it announced a deal that would give its streaming service access to the technology behind NBCUniversal’s Peacock.

The deal’s terms stipulated that MultiChoice would sell a 30% stake in Showmax to NBCUniversal and Sky.

Showmax 2.0

MultiChoice invested in marketing, technology, and new content for Showmax’s relaunch. MultiChoice announced three subscription plans for Showmax alongside its relaunch.

These are Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Entertainment Mobile, and Showmax Premier League. The latter is a mobile-only subscription providing access to all 380 English Premier League matches.

Showmax Entertainment offers content like series, movies, and kids’ shows. It is also available in a mobile-only format for a lower monthly fee.

Showmax’s relaunch included an expanded local catalogue, including 21 Showmax Originals from four African countries. It promised that 1,300 hours of new Showmax Originals would be released in 2024.

The company’s strategy aimed to leverage the African streaming market entering an anticipated boom phase, and position Showmax to become the continent’s leading video streaming service.

It highlighted that Africa is home to more than 450 million smartphone users and 250 million football lovers, which MultiChoice saw as a significant untapped market.

“It is critical that we make our move now before others reorganise themselves and make a play for Africa, which is seen as the last remaining growth market,” MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said.

A year after Showmax’s relaunch, MultiChoice said it was seeing significant growth in its subscriber base, with the number of paying customers increasing 50% year-on-year by September 2024.

“It was a landmark year for Showmax, which grew its paying subscriber base, excluding discontinued services, by 50% year-on-year,” it said.

In its results for the period, the broadcaster said it expected the growth to accelerate as its strategic initiatives start to bear fruit.

“Showmax streamer was named Best Television/Streaming Network at The National Film and TV Awards South Africa and Entertainment App of the Year at the Stuff App Awards,” it added.

While the streaming platform recorded further year-on-year growth in the 2025 financial year, it hasn’t been the success that MultiChoice had envisioned.

The streamer recorded 44% year-on-year growth and said the number of Showmax Originals offered on the platform had increased to 89.

The revenue it generated during the financial year was approximately R750 million, and MultiChoice said its revenue growth was impacted by discontinued products, like Showmax Pro, ahead of the relaunch.

MultiChoice initially projected that Showmax would make trading losses, which would begin decreasing by the 2025 financial year. However, the opposite happened.

MultiChoice’s latest annual results showed that Showmax’s trading loss had worsened by 88% from R2.6 billion to R4.9 billion. At the same time, revenue also significantly declined.

“The increased trading losses reflect the start-up nature of the business, with a step-change in content costs and increased platform costs,” MultiChoice said.

“Its results were also impacted by discontinuation of the Showmax Pro and diaspora packages in 2H FY24, prior to re-launch.”

The Group also recognised a R1.5 billion net loss from Showmax in its bottom line for its last financial year. Considering it owns 70% of the platform indicates that its overall net loss was R2.15 billion.

Canal+ Expects Billions In Savings After MultiChoice Deal

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Canal+ expects to generate more than €400-million (R7.5-billion) in annual earnings “synergies” from its acquisition of MultiChoice Group, underlining the strategic importance of Africa to the French media group’s long-term growth ambitions.

In a statement released on Thursday, Canal+ said the combined group is targeting run-rate cost synergies of more than €400-million at earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (Ebita) level, and more than €300-million in free cash flow, from 2030 onwards.

The group said the acquisition, which gave Canal+ effective control of MultiChoice in September 2025, had created a “unique global entertainment platform” anchored in Europe and Africa, with increased scale allowing it to optimise costs across content, technology and other group functions.

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said the deal positioned the group to capitalise on Africa’s long-term growth potential, while also delivering substantial efficiencies. “Our increased scale will enable us to generate substantial synergies, particularly across our cost base,” he said.

Africa is central to Canal+’s growth plans. The company said a combined management team is now responsible for all African markets under the leadership of Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot, bringing together executives from both businesses.

The group cited favourable long-term trends on the continent, including rapid population growth, improving economic prospects and rising electrification and pay-TV penetration. Canal+ said its African subscriber base grew from 400 000 to nine million between 2010 and 2025, while MultiChoice’s customer base expanded from 3.9 million to 14.1 million over the same period.

Cost base

Together, the combined group has more than 40 million subscribers and operates in more than 70 countries. Canal+ said it is targeting between 50 million and 100 million subscribers over the longer term.

The company added that work is already under way to return MultiChoice’s African operations to growth following subscriber pressure in recent years. Further details on its plans for MultiChoice markets will be shared alongside Canal+’s full-year results in March.

Canal+ estimates the combined group’s 2025 cost base at around €8-billion, split between content costs of about €4.6-billion and technology and other costs of roughly €3.4-billion.

Cost synergies are expected to ramp up steadily, with more than €150-million in Ebita and free cash flow benefits targeted in 2026, rising to more than €300-million by 2028 and reaching full run-rate levels from 2030.

The group said more than €80-million of free cash flow synergies for 2026 have already been secured, including through new content partnerships, renegotiated hardware prices, optimisation of broadcasting and technology infrastructure, and the refinancing of MultiChoice’s long-term debt.

Implementation costs linked to the integration are expected to total about €35-million in 2026, rising to €40-million in 2028 and then declining to €20-million in 2030.

To support delivery of the synergies, Canal+ has centralised key group functions, including sports and entertainment content acquisition, technology, and procurement. It has also established dedicated governance structures to track and manage integration and cost savings.

Canal+ will provide further detail on the combined group’s strategy when it publishes its results for the year ended 31 December 2025 on 11 March 2026.

More Mergers And Acquisitions On The Horizon

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Since last year, MultiChoice now forms part of the Canal+ ecosystem after the French company managed to acquire full ownership of the brand. This has led to various enhancements like NBA on SuperSport and the expansion of Zacu TV to DStv.

Now, all eyes are on Warner Bros. Discovery whose entangled themselves in a feud with Paramount as Netflix serves as frontrunner for its streaming and studios company. 

Paramount wants to acquire the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery who plan to form Discovery Global which houses all the cable networks. At the moment, we're just standing in the sidelines waiting to see how this matters continues escalating.

Below is other deals I believe consumers should be on the lookout for some could be speculated 

Warner Bros. Discovery

During the bidding process, Warner Bros. Discovery had stated they've got several solicited offers from potential buyers some like Netflix are in it for the studios. Then Paramount wants to buy the whole enchilada which would risk over $50 billion in debt.

Would you believe me if I said that shareholders at Warner Bros. Discovery can do without Paramount's offer?

Even if the Netflix deal fails, Warner Bros. Discovery can continue to split the company and look to sell the split parts and still make as much as Paramount's current offer which is $108 billion.

According to some insiders, Starz Entertainment and Standard General have both been eyeing Warner's cable networks. It should be noted that there's barely any overlap in assets making approval chances a lot higher.

It's clear here that both companies similar to Canal+ are trying to increase scale in a landscape ruled by social media and YouTube. They both lack broad appeal and Discovery Global gives them that advantage.

At the time news of their bids were made transparent it was stated that it was not applicable. That doesn't mean they're not interested, they're probably focused on the Netflix deal and will explore this at a later stage.

Paramount/NBCUniversal 

If Paramount is able to own CNN and Cartoon Network expect massive cost synergies amounting to possibly $5 billion. They'll be wasting over $100 billion to get what they want and in most M&As the acquiring company tries to recover those funds.

Some sources have indicated or speculated that if their bid fails to garner traction. The other option would be a possible buyout or merger with either Lionsgate and NBCUniversal.

NBCUniversal's owners Comcast served as another bidder for Warner Bros. Discovery whose plans included merging it with NBCUniversal. This was the only way they could get clearance for the deal as Trump dislikes the company's CEO and CNBC.

Since then, various media outlets long predicted that Comcast could explore a potential sale or partnership for the brand and who better than Paramount.

Before Skydance acquired Paramount, they were talks of the two potentially merging and in Europe the two are basically partners with the rollout of SkyShowtime.

A+E Global Media

Starz Entertainment which had already made a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery's cable networks had also explored acquiring A+E Global Media. They'll probably be more updates on this during the year as of right now it's kind of quo.

A+E Global Media is responsible for the distribution of Lifetime and History channels in the US while in Europe those rights are held by Sky Studios.

Canal+

MultiChoice isn't the final pitstop in buyouts for the French broadcaster as they acquired majority stake in a MC Vision. A Mauritius based broadcaster operating in French speaking Africa.

They also have stakes in VIU which is based in Southeast Asia and Viaplay in the Nordic regions. All of these the French broadcaster could look to gobble within the year as they aim to reach 50 million to 100 million subscribers by 2028.

Another buyout that wouldn't surprise me for the year would be for Senegalese based production company, Marodi TV.

ITV

A few years ago, ITV Choice was yanked from DStv consumers and since then the channel's owner ITV plc had been undergoing restructure. This included and was not limited to a sale of their company.

CVC Capital Partners, TF1 Group, RedBird Capital Partners, All3Media, Mediawan and KKR had been linked to as potential buyers. Even Comcast's Sky had entered talks to acquire only the linear networks and ITVx.

M-Net Acquires Rights To Historical Drama King & Conqueror, Canal+ Will Launch It Simultaneously In Over 40 Countries

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CANAL+ announces the exclusive launch-window premiere of the historical epic series KING & CONQUEROR starting February 12 in over 40 countries across Europe and Africa where the group operates. This large-scale, simultaneous multi-territory launch is a first for a series licensed by CANAL+ and illustrates the group’s global strategy in licensing and launching content.

Following Canal+'s takeover of MultiChoice in late 2025, this deal has been extended to include M-Net. This serves as one of the various enhancements the French company told regulators to expect on DStv.

The inclusion of King & Conqueror comes after the company announced it no longer has rights to premium TV series from HBO and Warner Bros. content. With HBO Max, that might be gearing up to rollout in Africa sometime in the year.

KING & CONQUEROR is the story of the clash for the English throne between Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy (who would become William the Conqueror), portrayed respectively by James Norton (HAPPY VALLEY, PLAYING NICE) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (GAME OF THRONES). The cast also includes Emily Beecham, Clémence Poésy, Juliet Stevenson, Eddie Marsan, and Jean-Marc Barr.

KING & CONQUEROR

British series – 8 episodes of 52 minutes

Created by Michael Robert Johnson

Executive produced by Michael Robert Johnson as well as James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky for Rabbit Track Pictures, Baltasar Kormákur and Magnus Vioar for RVK Studios, Robert Taylor for The Development Partnership, Dave Clarke and Richard Halliwell for Shepherd Content, Ed Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and CBS Studios’ Lindsey Martin.

Directed by Baltasar Kormàkur, Balint Szentgyorgyi, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Erik Leijonborg

Written by Michael Robert Johnson, David Mar Stefansson, Sam Hoare and Rachel Kilfeather

Produced by The Development Partnership, Rabbit Track Pictures, Shepherd Content, RVK Studios and CBS Studios in association with the BBC.

International distribution: Paramount Global Content Distribution

Starring James Norton, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emily Beecham, Clémence Poésy, Juliet Stevenson, Eddie Marsan and Jean-Marc Barr.

When King Edward dies in 1066 without an heir, Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy engage in a fierce struggle to seize the English crown, culminating in the Battle of Hastings. A clash between two dynasties that defined a country – and a continent – for centuries.

DStv Needs To Be Restructured

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Rationality is realising that gone are the days when DStv could offer a bouquet of entertainment from across the world. As suppliers and consumers shift their focus to online viewing further reducing the portfolio for linear consumers.

In general, there's nothing wrong with DStv if it offered more Zee World than HBO content as that's where most consumers reside. It's not that House Of Dragons and The White Lotus aren't superb but most would rather pay for this if it were on Showmax.

If Canal+ is hoping to scale up on subscriber count through its MultiChoice buyout the only best option would be rethinking how content gets packaged.

The premium market needed to be restructured even before the pandemic. Consumers haven't gotten anything worthwhile outside of sports and what little is left is being duplicated and becoming more accessible on cheaper packages.

MultiChoice initially offered DStv Select 1 and 2 in South Africa and from what I recall it's active in few African markets. Think of DStv Easyview but with only the must haves of DStv but expensive which is M-Net, KykNET, BBC Earth and SS Grandstand.

This is something I believe needs to be revived somehow then there's the other which is a standalone sports package or add-on.

SuperSport takes a very large audience share within DStv while eMedia, SABC and even Netflix can offer select sporting events. SuperSport continues to offer the whole enchilada from Premier League, NBA, La Liga, WWE and Moto GP.

Canal+ you could try to offer a promotions to consumers who wish to see select sporting events.

Getting back to the packages, MultiChoice had explored an entertainment only package maybe split this offering into two separate packages. One package carries premium networks like Mzansi Magic while the other has Mzansi Wethu.

Were Mexican Imports On TLNovelas A Miss On DStv?

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As I've reported, TLNovelas will be going dark on DStv in the coming weeks likely as part of Canal+'s aggressive cost cuts at MultiChoice. The channel is on track to wrap up Love To Death and It Had To Be You as Fall Into Temptation concludes this week.

Fans of the shows feel like MultiChoice's response is vague because often when a channel is removed the same statements. All consumers want is some clarity and what led TLNovelas to become an afterthought as Telemundo lives another day.

Over the years, Telemundo had seen a major drop in primetime and TLNovelas was regarded to some of these viewers as their holy grace. It features content from Mexico's biggest broadcasters Las Estrellas with Rubi, Love Spell and A Woman Of Steel.

What went wrong?

Firstly, we live in a market which is dominant by African stories and this content takes up a 40% audience share in primetime. TLNovelas was most likely not pulling up those same numbers making it vulnerable to potential cuts.

As for Telemundo, this is basically the HBO of Spanish television with shows like Iron Rose and Queen Of The South commanding a wider audience. It wouldn't be something you'd just let go despite Canal+'s scrutiny.

TLNovelas entire existence was solely based on archived Mexican telenovelas and those can often lead to low viewership.

Another problem stems from TelevisaUnivison, they had existing agreements with other local broadcasters for these shows. TLNovelas was basically another Discovery Family or Nicktoons funneled with repeats for some viewers.

Could Canal+'s MultiChoice Look To Expand Novelas TV's Operations To DStv?

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As reported, MultiChoice will be axing TLNovelas after 5 years from their platforms by the end of January. They haven't given a reason to the sudden reason for the exclusion of the channel but several theories enter the mount.

Firstly, Canal+ has been slashing costs at MultiChoice and TLNovelas happens to be the first victim in this pursuit. Other cuts ranged from sporting events seen on SuperSport such as Philly Games and World Darts Championship.

Another theory to various DStv consumers is that the French broadcaster has plans to possibly possibly ramp up another TV channel, Novelas TV.

Novelas TV is the go to destination for French dubbed Latin American and Turkish telenovelas for consumers in France and Africa. A Polish version known as Novelas+ is being broadcast on Platforma Canal+ in Poland.

In technicality, it would be rivalling with both Telemundo and eExtra's existing offering on DStv.

MultiChoice had mentioned that they plan to enhance consumer's offering with more content and channels. To some, this could as well imply possibly reverting further content from TLNovelas onto Novelas TV or whatever the French prefers to call it.

It's less likely to be referred to as Novelas TV seeing as there's already one in Africa but rather Novelas+ as seen in Poland seeing as there's no overlap.

Novelas TV being a localised brand with both French and Polish audio could signal that a speculated feed will be in African languages.

KykNET has been distributing Afrikaans dubbed Turkish telenovelas like My Naam Is Farah and Kind Van Die Noodlot. Oddly enough, it had even been picked up by Maisha Magic which is based in East Africa so don't be surprised if that got slotted in.

Canal+ currently has a 37% stake in the Asian based streamer VIU and is looking to acquire majority stake. They've followed a similar route as Zee TV and KykNET with localised dubbing to international dramas again could be slotted in.

Teresa, Love Spell and the funnel of content viewed on TLNovelas again might as well garner some new life on Novelas TV.

Channel Closure: TLNovelas Will Stop Airing On DStv And GOtv From 31 January 2026 Due To Canal+'s Cost Cutting At MultiChoice

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MultiChoice in a statement:

We regularly review our channel line-up to ensure we offer customers the best in local and international content. This is done to ensure we deliver unbeatable content and that our DStv services cater for the needs and viewing requirements of our customers. As part of this ongoing process, some channels may be terminated. 

After Canal+ managed to forge an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery for MultiChoice operations in Africa. A notice was sent out informing subscribers of TLNovelas's departure from DStv on 31 January 2026.

Not long ago, Paramount had claimed the lives of CBS Reality, CBS Justice, MTV Base and BET. Now consumers have to sayanara to TLNovelas which serves as the first victim in Canal+'s cost cutting.

TLNovelas was added to MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv platforms across Africa in September 2020 as a pop-up channel. StarTimes offered it as a permanent addition in a separate agreement when it launched in May 2020 - no longer available.

For DStv consumers, this was accompanied by two other pop-up channels, Timeless Dizi Channel and ZooMoo. Out of the three, MultiChoice had opted to keep only TLNovelas while removing ZooMoo and Timeless Dizi Channel. 

After five years, TLNovelas will take a bow on 31 January 2026 with Love To Death and It Had To Be You airing in double bill form. MultiChoice has no plans to replace the channel leaving Telemundo as the only other alternative on the platform.

Telemundo will be launching a new female led drama The Woman In Charge which serves as a reboot to Woman Of Steel. This will be followed by the romantic drama Love Of My Life in the month of February.

Canal+ Inks New Agreement With Warner Bros. Discovery For It's Operations In Europe And That Of MultiChoice In Africa

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MultiChoice owner Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery have announced that they have signed a multi-year, multi-territory agreement.

“This expanded agreement covers both the distribution of HBO Max and the renewal of several Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across numerous regions in Africa and Europe,” Canal+ stated.

This resolves the uncertainty over 12 DStv channels that would have gone dark at midnight, had Canal+ not secured a renewed channel carriage agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Home Box Office (HBO), a longtime partner of MultiChoice and the inspiration for the original M-Net channel, is part of Warner Bros. Streaming.

HBO is home to hit franchises and shows such as Game of Thrones, Band of Brothers, The Sopranos, The Wire, Sex and the City, Veep, Six Feet Under, True Blood, and The Last of Us.

Warner Bros. Discovery also owns DC Comics, the film rights to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and New Line Cinema, which is known for its Lord of the Rings movies.

The company is currently in acquisition talks with Netflix and Paramount Skydance, with Bloomberg reporting Tuesday night that Warner Bros. is expected to reject Paramount’s offer next week.

Amid the trillion-rand corporate action, Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery were negotiating an agreement to replace one it had with MultiChoice, which expires at midnight.

Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery said their new agreement marked a major milestone in the development of their collaboration on an international scale.

“It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024 — including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France.”

The deal also includes the integration of HBO Max within select Canal+ group offers, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels and 4 free-to-air channels.

Canal+ confirmed that the agreement includes the renewal of the distribution of 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across MultiChoice Group territories, with some offered exclusively.

The channels concerned are:

• CNN International and Cartoon Network — exclusively in South Africa, and non-exclusively in other territories.

• Cartoon Network Porto — exclusively in Angola and Mozambique, and non-exclusively in other territories.

• Cartoonito, Cartoonito Porto, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Real Time, ID, TLC, HGTV, Travel, TNT Africa, Food Network — non-exclusive.

“This agreement enables Canal+ group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offering in African markets,” it said.

Canal+ said its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery is also being extended and strengthened in Europe through several strategic renewals and expansions. These include:

• Renewal of Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and CNN International in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

• Renewal of Warner TV in the Czech Republic.

• Renewal of HBO Max, HBO, and Cinemax in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.

• Expansion of HBO Max distribution via Canal+ to two new key territories: Belgium, and Austria.

“This agreement enhances access for Canal+ group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s iconic content via HBO Max and select channels,” it said.

“The access includes premium series and films that contribute to the studio’s international reach.”

Dark Days Could Be Lurking For TNT Africa

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As advised, MultiChoice will be shuttering Warner Bros. Discovery's 12 channels on the DStv platform due to pricing problems. Channels like Food Network qnd Discovery Family will cease to exist in Africa as MultiChoice was the only provider for them.

Another channel that could be joining Food Network and the other channels in a not so distant future would be TNT.

TNT is ranked as the #1 international movie channel in Africa offering action based films and various content from wrestling promotion AEW. It was only last year when StarTimes opted to discontinue carriage of the channel for similar reasons.

Unlike Cartoon Network and a fleet of channels that are packaged on StarTimes, Zuku TV and Azam TV. The only other means of viewing TNT would be through Canal+ Afrique's operations in Rwanda.

The problem part, Canal+ Afrique and MultiChoice are owned by the same company meaning TNT Africa's days in the market could be numbered. It's less likely to be revived on another platform as StarTimes and the latter already have alternatives in place.

Unlike Cartoon Network and TLC where the content can't simply be replaced with an alternative. Outside of AEW, TNT uses the same catalogue as ST Movies, Studio Universal and M-Net Movies.

How Azam TV And Canal+ Afrique In Rwanda Are Impacted By DStv's Closure Of Cartoon Network And Cartoonito?

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With a few days left in 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery and MultiChoice are set to close 12 channels on DStv and GOtv platforms across Africa by 31 December. Talks between the two have stalled due to pricing and might continue into 2026.

This means DStv consumers will be losing out on shows like Teen Titans GO!, Bugs Bunny Builders and Mr. Bean. Whatever alternatives MultiChoice's new owners have in store is less likely to include these shows from Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.

Cartoon Network would be exiting DStv platform after 30 years serving as one of 15 channels alongside CNN and Travel Channel when DStv launched in the market.

As advised, the exit of Cartoon Network means the only other way consumers can view the brand would be through Azam TV which is located in East Africa and Canal+ Afrique in Rwanda.

The problem part is that majority of Cartoon Network and Cartoonito's consumers were on DStv meaning most of their revenue resided with MultiChoice. If that space is closed, Warner Bros. Discovery will most definitely scale back on its operations.

Cartoon Network had been dubbing Teen Titans GO! and The Wonderfully Weird Of Gumball to Zulu that could as well get the boot. They had produced local series like Woola for Cartoonito which too is at risk of cancellation.

MultiChoice's cancellation of these brands could impact Canal+ Rwanda's existing agreement seeing as they're both divisions of Canal+. Warner Bros. Discovery might not deem Africa as viable for these networks with only Azam TV.

If Warner Bros. Discovery were to charge more to Azam TV, they may follow the same strategy as MultiChoice and severe its ties.

This is why the new management at MultiChoice doesn't feel threatened by their possible exit as the only other means for Regular Show would be streaming. Compared to South Africa, there's a lot of constraints to that in other parts of Africa.

Could Canal+'s MultiChoice Give HGTV The Boot?

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With only a few days left in 2025, MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery have yet to come into an agreement over the fate of its 12 channels. These include Discovery Channel, TLC, TNT, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, CNN, Travel Channel and HGTV.

If these brands do get removed from DStv, some brands like Discovery Family for instance is less likely to resurface on another platform. As I mentioned, further content is on Discovery Channel.

There's also a possibility that this may extend to include HGTV.

HGTV was launched in South Africa by July 2019 and since it's inception it isn't viewable in most parts of Africa in which MultiChoice operate. Part of the reason is similar to what happened to BBC Earth's operations in these markets - it was just not viable at the time.

Now that Canal+'s is looking to slash costs at the company it's very likely that if a new agreement is reached some brands may not form part of this offering. In this case, it could as well be HGTV not because of consumer preferences but cost cutting.

MultiChoice had lost close to 3 million subscribers in the past two years and as a result they're operating income had plummeted.

Under previous management, they would have fought for HGTV but under Canal+ pricing is another factor. And if HGTV were to shutter it's less likely that StarTimes would snatch those rights and they could as well opt for alternatives e.g. Real Time.