DreamWorks, Telemundo, CNBC, MSNBC, Universal TV And Studio Universal May Have To Undergo A Name Change Under Comcast's Spun Off Company

As some readers are aware, NBCUniversal similar to Disney is looking to reducing its linear portfolio in the coming years with NBC, Telemundo and Bravo being what's left of the company alongside Peacock. As E!, CNBC, MSNBC and Universal TV are all being spun off under a separate company which will be financed by few shareholders at Comcast.

MultiChoice currently supplies channels like Universal TV, E!, Telemundo, Studio Universal, DreamWorks, CNBC and MSNBC from NBCUniversal. With this separation, these channels will look unrecognizable in the coming years not only by what it chooses to air but also by name.

Comcast plans to retain the studios used to produce the content viewed by these channels and if we're reading between the lines E! won't own The Real Housewives as much as DreamWorks won't own Shrek. Yes, it's likely that when this spinoff occurs they'll try to retain as much of their former selfs but overtime it will change.

Considering these aren't members of Comcast, what is likely to transpire now is that the latter will have to undergo a name change or close altogether. This is what happened when Disney acquired FOX it had to remove the FOX trademark from various properties while it's linear channels either closed or rebranded to FX/Star.

It will be interesting to see what identity these channels take up once this whole ordeal unfolds by 2025 as Comcast holds the NBC, Telemundo and Universal trademarks. What I imagine them doing particularly with Telemundo is dissolving the brand as SpinCo doesn't own the content and is likely to prioritize on their "more broader channels".

DreamWorks, another TV channel like Telemundo is the broader channel and SpinCo could try to capitalise on its success. NBCUniversal has always been a local when it comes to its linear portfolio, internationally this was also spearheaded by what is known as SpinCo but this time it has do it without these studios in its pocket.

"SpinCo": Comcast Unveils Spun Off Company Home To Brands Like MSNBC And E!

The company announced a plan Wednesday that will offload the bulk of NBCUniversal‘s financially challenged cable portfolio — excluding Bravo — into a new entity owned by Comcast shareholders. The thinking is the new company will be positioned to acquire other media and digital properties, to gain greater scale in an increasingly streaming-focused landscape. Alternatively, the separation of the NBCU cable group would make it easier to sell the business.

The spin-off company will house MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and Golf Channel. In addition, the company will include digital assets including Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, online golf-course booking service GolfNow and youth-sports platform SportsEngine. Comcast said it is structured as a tax-free spin-off.

The new NBCU cable TV company — currently dubbed “SpinCo” — will be led by CEO Mark Lazarus, who has served as chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group since July 2023, overseeing the company’s TV and streaming operations.

“When you look at our assets, talented management team and balance sheet strength, we are able to set these businesses up for future growth,” Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said in a statement. “With significant financial resources from day one, SpinCo will be ideally positioned for success and highly attractive to investors, content creators, distributors and potential partners.”

Comcast stock was up about 2% in premarket trading, to over $43/share, off its 52-week high of $47.11.

Post-spin, NBCUniversal will comprise the NBC broadcast network and stations, the Peacock streaming service, Bravo (the reality TV powerhouse seen as a key to Peacock’s success), NBC News Group, NBC Sports, Telemundo, the Universal theme parks and resorts, and NBCU’s film and television studios. The “new” NBCU will be led by Matt Strauss, who will become chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group overseeing Peacock, NBC Sports, ad sales, distribution, research and affiliate relations; and longtime content executive Donna Langley, who is assuming the role of chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios, expanding her purview to include full oversight of all entertainment programming and marketing across Peacock, Bravo and NBC (including primetime and late night).

the role of CFO and chief operating officer.

Lazarus commented: “As a standalone company with these outstanding assets, we will be better positioned to serve our audiences and drive shareholder returns in this incredibly dynamic media environment across news, sports and entertainment. We see a real opportunity to invest and build additional scale, and I’m excited about the growth opportunities this transition will unlock.”

The article was originally published by Variety 

Comcast Plans Massive Cable Spin-Off, Separating USA, MSNBC and More From NBC, Theme Parks

Comcast is planning to spin off most of its cable television networks, including MSNBC and CNBC, into a separate publicly traded company, according to executives with knowledge of the plan.

The spinoff is expected to be formally announced on Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the impending announcement on Tuesday evening, said the involved channels also include USA, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and Golf Channel.

Comcast’s NBCUniversal division is keeping Bravo, the NBC broadcast network, the Peacock streaming service, and all of its other assets, like NBC Sports and the Universal theme parks.

The separate cable channel company will have the same sort of ownership structure as Comcast, but will have its own management team, led by NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus, who will become CEO of the new venture.

While observers may view the spinoff as an attempt to shed cable channels that are losing value in the streaming age, the channels still contribute strong profits to Comcast’s bottom line. The company’s executives are expected to portray the spinoff as a growth opportunity for an industry in transition, with an eye toward acquiring other channels in the future.

Of course, the standalone cable network venture could also attract buyers as well as sellers. Wall Street analysts are predicting further consolidation of major media companies in the years ahead.

Comcast president Mike Cavanaugh foreshadowed the spinoff during a conference call with investors last month. He said the company was going to study whether it was a good idea to create “a new well-capitalized company that would go to our shareholders” comprised of “our cable portfolio networks.”

The study evidently did not take long.

Craig Moffett, an analyst with MoffettNathanson, told Variety that “investors have yearned for exactly this, or at least something close to it, for years.”

Notably, the spinoff will cleave MSNBC and CNBC, two profitable parts of the NBCUniversal News Group, away from the core news-gathering operation of NBC News. In recent years NBC has tried to bring its broadcast and cable news operations closer together. Now they may be peeled back apart.

Maxime Saada On The Attempted Takeover Of MultiChoice And Canal+'s Rise To Global Dominance

The irony that a French company is set to become the largest flotation in London for more than two years, a time when homegrown corporate successes have shifted to the US, has not been lost on bankers in the City. 

Canal+ is not just any French company, but one that carries deep “cultural significance” across the channel, according to Maxime Saada, who heads the streaming giant and film producer that is part of Vivendi, the media conglomerate controlled by the billionaire Bolloré family. 

Coming just weeks after Canal+ put on the Paddington in Peru premiere in London, the UK stock exchange has rolled out its own version of a red carpet after ministers overhauled and streamlined listing rules for the first time in 30 years this summer. Saada said that London’s markets revamp “to make it as easy, as smooth as possible” was a major factor in picking the UK capital.

Canal+, which has a book value of close to €7bn, is expected to have a market capitalisation of between €6bn and €8bn, said people close to the listing. This would make it the largest primary listing in London since Haleon was spun out of GSK in 2022 at a market valuation of about £30bn, during a period of remarkable drought for a global stock exchange that led to concerns over its rules and lack of domestic UK investor appetite. 

Canal+, which has produced hits including Versailles, is the largest of three businesses being spun out of Vivendi. If a $2.9bn deal to acquire South Africa’s MultiChoice completes early next year, the combined business could be worth as much as €10bn, according to those close to the deal.

With the Bollorés having long argued that the French market’s valuation of the Vivendi business is less than the sum of its parts, the split will test how much more the company’s divisions will be valued separately.

Saada now needs to convince UK investors that Canal+ — like Paddington — has found its right home in London, with plans to use the country as a launch pad for global expansion that he hopes could double the size of the business.

There have been just over a dozen primary listings in London this year, according to data compiled by MKP Advisors, the biggest of which was Raspberry Pi at about £540mm. Bankers struggle to remember the last time that a major French company has crossed the channel for London.

Speaking in an office in the Parisian suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux that will continue to be the headquarters for Canal+, Saada admits that the decision to relocate the company’s ownership to the London stock exchange disappointed some in the Elysée.

He has sought to allay concerns in France — where it will also continue paying tax — but has also made it clear that the future of the company lies elsewhere, with London bringing greater visibility as a global company and access to international investors. 

“I believe [the French authorities] are relieved that the company headquarters and tax structure is [in] France. We’re not the first French company [to list elsewhere]. Of course, there are some adverse reactions and some people are disappointed. But when we tell our story . . . they understand.”

Canal+ has close to 27mn subscribers to its streaming and TV platforms across 50 countries, of which about 60 per cent are outside France, alongside a TV and films studio arm. In the first nine months of 2024, the company reported a 3.2 per cent rise in revenues to €4.72bn.

“When we look at the path for the future, the partners, the competitors, the markets, the investors, almost all of them are English speaking,” said Saada.

“We used to be a French company, completely relying on the French market for its revenues, its profits, its rights and most of its stuff. And we have transformed into a company that is now international. I cannot say global yet, but that’s the plan.”

M&A will form part of this plan. Adding MultiChoice’s African business, Canal+ will have more than 40mn subscribers; Saada wants to take this to 100mn.

“We don’t want to overextend ourselves, and we’re very careful on the way we spend money. But we need scale. At 27mn [subscribers], you are already a sizeable player. At 40mn/50mn, you are definitely a contender. Higher than that, it’s interesting. That is the only topic.”

Canal+ is already considering taking a majority stake in Asian streamer Viu, while Saada says that Viaplay, the Scandinavian steaming service, could be another potential target. 

Vivendi became the largest shareholder after an emergency recapitalisation of the Nordic media company this year, although it has signed a standstill agreement with the second-biggest investor, the Czech group PPF.

“It’s a possibility. And there are others. If you look at significant pay TV players in the world, there are others. I want to be in a position where we can be a consolidator,” said Saada.

He says that the company was attracted by the new flexibility in rules for the London stock exchange, with the company in effect set to operate a hybrid of French rules allowed under its incorporation in that country and London’s regime.

“We started speaking [with the LSE] about what it means to be a company headquartered in France and listed in the UK. We are the only of our kind, I believe. So it means that not all rules will apply to us.”

These include London’s rules that board members be subject to re-election annually, he said, with Vivendi instead implementing the French standard of more than three years. The Bolloré family will also retain a stake of about 30 per cent in London-listed Canal+, equivalent to what it owns in Vivendi.

As a result, Canal+ is unlikely to be eligible for inclusion in the FTSE 100 rankings. But Saada said that the company was already attracting interest from investors in the UK, even if the company was still not clearly understood by all in the market. He pointed to the need to show the capabilities of the company’s streaming platform, which bundles together content from most of the large US streamers as well as hundreds of live channels and sports. 

Not all existing investors are happy, however. Paris-based asset manager CIAM has raised concerns that minority shareholders will take a hit and that the plan will not close the conglomerate discount. It also warned that the family could also increase its stake without launching a full takeover.

Vivendi declined at the time to comment but a person with knowledge of the situation said the group’s plan “was built on shareholder democracy”.

Saada added: “My focus is, and I believe that is what the Bollorés have proven in the past, to increase the valuation of the company for all shareholders.” 

The decision to split Vivendi is subject to a shareholder meeting on December 9, which requires two-thirds of votes to pass. Saada is confident that it will.

By mid-December, he hopes to be at the front of London’s stock exchange to celebrate its first day of trading. And, despite requests, he says Paddington and his marmalade sandwiches will not be with him this time.

This article was published on Financial Times

"Time Is Of The Essence": Canal+ And MultiChoice Are Rushing To Finalize Acquisition Terms With Local Legislation

MultiChoice continues to struggle financially, and while there are some green shoots, the company is relying heavily on its deal with Canal+ as its future.

However, this deal faces several hurdles, and if it can overcome these challenges, it will take years to go through.

MultiChoice’s results for the six months through September 2024 revealed that the DStv-owner’s struggles persist.

Revenue for the six months declined by 11% to R24.8 billion, operating profit declined by 49% to R2.5 billion, and its loss increased by 102% to R1.8 billion.

The balance sheet also worsened, with MultiChoice remaining technically insolvent. The company’s negative equity increased by 155% to R2.7 billion in the six-month period.

In addition, MultiChoice’s DStv and other subscribers plummeted from 16.7 million to 14.9 million over the last year. This includes a 5% reduction in South Africa and a 15% decline in the Rest of Africa.

MultiChoice has identified some silver linings, and plans are in the pipeline that could improve this situation.

For example, the company is set to close a deal with Sanlam soon that will significantly improve its balance sheet and wipe out MultiChoice’s negative equity.

MultiChoice expects to recognise an accounting gain of R2.6 billion to R3.3 billion from this deal.

In addition, the company said Showmax has reached its investment peak and should soon start to make a positive contribution to the group’s results.

MultiChoice’s streaming platform has been a drain on its results for years, and its recent rebrand saw the company burning cash to make it happen.

In this six-month reporting period alone, MultiChoice invested an additional R1.6 billion in Showmax, even though the streaming platform has yet to break even.

Another major concern for the company is its declining DStv subscribers. For years, MultiChoice has seen its pay-TV subscribers dwindle.

MultiChoice CFO Tim Jacobs told Daily Investor that this was largely driven by pressure coming from the middle market.

This segment has been significantly strained in recent years, as the high cost of living left them little discretionary spending. This saw thousands of households dump or downsize their DStv packages, hurting MultiChoice’s income.

Therefore, MultiChoice needs to make significant changes to remain sustainable, much less return to profitability.

Luckily for the technology giant, it has a potential lifeline – French media giant Canal+, which has offered to buy MultiChoice for an estimated R55 billion.

Canal+ is a significant MultiChoice shareholder and has steadily increased its stake over the past few years.

The company hit the 35% shareholding threshold at the beginning of this year, triggering a mandatory buyout offer. 

After some back-and-forth, Canal+ offered MultiChoice R125 per share, valuing the company at around R55 billion.

Due to its already substantial stake – Canal+ currently owns around 45% of MultiChoice – the buyout will cost Canal+ an estimated R30 billion in cash. 

This cash injection would not only solve many of MultiChoice’s financial woes but also leave the company with a significant sum of cash to reinvest in its business.

In addition, the synergies between Canal+ and MultiChoice’s operations could see the companies rule pay-TV in Africa.

MultiChoice already has substantial reach in Africa, and Canal+’s presence in the continent’s Francophone countries would allow them to essentially control Africa’s pay-TV market.

MultiChoice and Canal+’s current reach in Africa can be seen in the image from The Outlier below. This makes it clear that combining their forces would make both companies the undeniably dominant provider in Africa’s satellite TV market.

Therefore, this Canal+ deal presents a lifeline for the struggling MultiChoice. However, making this deal happen is easier said than done.

For one, Canal+ is a French company, which triggers specific concerns under South African law.

Specifically, the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) is the most important regulatory hurdle that has plagued Canal+ since it started buying up more MultiChoice shares.

The ECA limits foreign control of commercial broadcasting services through strict ownership rules

- A foreigner may not, whether directly or indirectly, exercise control over a commercial broadcasting licensee.

- No more than 20% of the directors of a commercial broadcasting licensee may be foreigners.

Previously, MultiChoice and Canal+ have been able to work around these restrictions through a Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI), where voting rights for foreigners collectively are limited to 20%.

However, a complete takeover of the kind MultiChoice and Canal+ are looking to make happen is an entirely different story.

While not insurmountable, the ECA presents a significant hurdle for this deal.

Another hurdle for this deal will be convincing the Competition Commission that it would not hinder competition in South Africa’s pay-TV market.

MultiChoice has already submitted its application for this deal to the commission.

Jacobs told Daily Investor that MultiChoice is also now in the process of working with Canal+ and the Competition Commission to submit applications in other jurisdictions where this deal would apply, mostly in Africa. 

“There’s no overlap in many of the markets that we operate in. So, we’re not anticipating this being anticompetitive, but we also are aware that the CompCom process takes quite long,” he said.

Looking at previous similar deals that have been through the Competition Commission, it could take years for MultiChoice and Canal+’s deal to be approved or rejected.

Earlier this month, Vodacom received a blow when the Competition Tribunal issued an order prohibiting its investment in Vumatel and DFA-owner Maziv.

While there is still a possibility that Vodacom may appeal this decision, just reaching this point took the competition authorities three years and several hearings spanning 26 days.

This long waiting time is also the case for deals that are not considered anti-competitive.

Heineken’s acquisition of Distell, one of South Africa’s largest alcohol producers, was a major deal that took about two years to gain full approval from the Competition Commission and Tribunal. 

The transaction was first announced in November 2021, with Heineken planning to buy Distell and Namibia Breweries and then merge these assets into a new joint venture. 

After detailed scrutiny and several rounds of negotiations, the deal was finally approved by the Competition Tribunal in March 2023, and the deal finally closed in April 2023.

Therefore, even if MultiChoice and Canal+’s deal gets the green light from both a foreign ownership and competition perspective, it will take years to reach that point.

However, Jacobs said the companies are working with CompCom and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to streamline the process and try to close the deal as quickly as possible.

“We don’t think that we need to do any approvals through ICASA, but we are in discussions with them to bring them along the journey and make sure that that their understanding and our understanding are the same,” he said. 

“So, we’re basically working with with both sets of regulators at the moment and just making sure that that everyone is comfortable with what we’re doing.”

Regardless, until this deal is approved or rejected, MultiChoice will need to ensure that its financial position is more sustainable than shown in these latest results since its lifeline may take years to arrive.

This article was originally published by Daily Investor 

MultiChoice Working On Getting Deal With Canal+ Approved

 MultiChoice Chief Executive Officer Calvo Mawela is preparing to take on US streaming giants as the African TV company works to get its approximately $3 billion deal with Vivendi SE’s Canal+ over the line with regulators. 

“A combination gives us a better chance to compete against the global giants,” Mawela said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. “Scale matters in this industry, then you are able to negotiate better rates for content and you are able to generate more revenues, especially with one party operating in French-speaking Africa and one in the English speaking part of Africa.” 

The company has been losing subscribers and struggling with currency depreciation across many of its markets, especially Nigeria, that’s hitting profits and customers’ spending power. A deal with France’s Canal+ would help scale a combined entity to better compete for content and technology needed when going up against dominant platforms like Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., Mawela said. 

While the companies have been in talks with regulators in South Africa, where local ownership rules may prove to be a serious regulatory hurdle to the deal, the French broadcaster has continued to slowly up its stake in MultiChoice. 

“We put something together that should be acceptable for the regulators, and engagements are ongoing,” he said. “We believe it’s a good story for Africa.”

Africa has a young and fast-growing population that’s an attractive market for streamers, although the continent also struggles with uneven internet access, low incomes and currency volatility. A combination of Canal+ and MultiChoice would create a group with nearly 50 million subscribers and the resources to invest more in local content and sports. 

Multichoice is already working with Canal+ on new productions and the South African company, known for its sports content, is providing its partner with access to English Premier League football matches, said Mawela. The company hopes to boost its sales to $1 billion from its Showmax service in the next five years, he said.

French billionaire Vincent Bolloré’s Vivendi is the a process of breaking up his sprawling media and entertainment empire, and Canal+ is actively preparing its own listing in London. The newly spun-off company may also have a secondary listing in Johannesburg. 

Harry Potter, Wizards Of Baking: Spellbinding Confectionary Creations Come To Life This Holiday Season On Food Network AFRICA

Food Network viewers and legions of Harry Potter fans are going to have an extra special holiday season this year with the premiere of the brand-new series, Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, on Wednesday, 4 December at 5 pm on Food Network Africa. Capitalising on the enduring love for Harry Potter – a global phenomenon that continues to captivate people of all ages around the world – the ground-breaking series blends legendary storytelling and fantastical edible creations in a never-before-seen competition that will have audiences at the edge of their seats.

James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) bring their exceptional charm and behind-the-scenes anecdotes as hosts of this most magical series, joined by esteemed culinary judges Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef. Across the six-episode season, they will also be joined by special guests Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), who will help in evaluating the competitors’ showpieces and also share their own film stories.

The competition kicks off with a super-sized episode in which nine teams of pastry chefs and cake artists are tasked to craft massive, spellbinding edible showpieces inspired by moments and themes from the Harry Potter saga. Each week, the culinary artists will design eye-popping creations not only to tantalise the taste buds but also to offer surprising and enchanting visual elements. Fans of Harry Potter will recognise many iconically familiar places, as the series was produced at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, including amidst the backdrop of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, on some of the original sets where Harry Potter's journey was brought to life on screen. Contenders will have the unprecedented opportunity to present their creations in famed locations such as Platform 9¾, The Great Hall, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Diagon Alley, The Forbidden Forest and more.

“With Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, the confectionary magic coming to Africa this December is splendidly real and unlike anything seen before,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “By tapping into the incredible fandom of Harry Potter, as well as that of Food Network’s holiday programming, it is a culinary competition that delivers on multiple levels with elevated culinary craftsmanship executed in an enchanted setting and airing during the most wonderful time of year.” 

A group of lucky fans will have the opportunity to taste some of the competitors’ handiwork, and then, in the finale, the team that wins the competition will be awarded the first-ever Wizards of Baking Cup and will have the opportunity to appear in a new Harry Potter cookbook.

Harry Potter fans can follow #WizardsOfBaking on social to chat with fellow fans and watch tons of videos from behind the scenes in the wizarding world. Plus, hear from the Phelps brothers as they return to Hogwarts, meet all the special guests stopping by and get to know the teams competing in this magical baking extravaganza. Fans can also get Harry Potter-inspired recipes, like Sorting Hat Cupcakes and Invisibility Cloak Pumpkin Pie. 

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is produced by Warner Horizon and theoldschool for Food Network. Warner Horizon’s Bridgette Theriault and Dan Sacks serve as executive producers with theoldschool’s Robin Ashbrook and Yasmin Shackleton. 

Don’t miss the spellbinding magic of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking when it premieres on Food Network on Wednesday, 4 December at 5 pm. Tune in to see which team claims the first-ever Wizards of Baking Cup and takes home the ultimate prize!

New Show Alert: Jamie: Fast & Simple Serves Up Good Food for Busy People on BBC Lifestyle AFRICA

Seasoned chef Jamie Oliver is coming out with a brand new show, Jamie: Fast & Simple, exclusive to BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) this November. The new series aims to prove that good food doesn’t need take hours to prepare – all it takes is a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes.

 

Jamie: Fast & Simple explores the best ways to make the most of our time in the kitchen, so we get more time back in our busy lives while still whipping up delicious food to put on the table.

 

Recipes include:

• Midweek meals, which are quick on prep and cook for speedy dinner ideas.

• Cupboard love, for when there’s not enough time to get to the shops.

• Weekend wins, for batch-cooking hacks that will see you through the rest of the week.

• Trusty traybakes, which lets the oven do all the hard work.

• Perfect puds – genius dessert hacks that can be used for all occasions.

 

25 years after The Naked Chef, Jamie is once again stripping cooking back to its bare essentials, but this time, he’s brought things bang-up-to-date with new ingredients and flavours to save you time throughout the rhythms of your busy week.

 

Inspired by how he cooks at home, recipes include:

• Gochujang Chicken Traybake

• Cheesy Bolognese Buns

• Banoffee Fro-yo Tart

• Tin-raid Fishcakes

• Jarred Red Pepper Pasta

• Strawberry Balsamic Tart

• Smash Burgers

• Tinned-fruit Granitas

• Roasted Veg with Camembert Fondue

 

In addition to all of this, Jamie’s also showcasing delicious recipes from his friends Ravneet Gill, Julius Fiedler, Gennaro Contaldo, Ixta Belfrage and Meliz Berg, which are all quick, simple and tasty dishes that go down like a treat in their own homes.

 

Jamie says, “I can’t wait for you to watch my new TV series, Jamie: Fast & Simple, on BBC Lifestyle. Life just seems to keep getting busier, so I’m here to give you easy ways to hack your time in the kitchen. I wanted to address those barriers to cooking – things like a lack of inspiration or challenges on the time front – and create recipes that will inspire everyone to give them a try. This is cooking stripped back to its bare essentials to make mealtimes faster, simpler and even more delicious than ever before.”

 

Jamie: Fast & Simple airs Tuesday, 19 November at 20:00 on BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) and was commissioned by Tim Hancock, commissioning editor for documentaries and factual entertainment.

 

Graham Norton On 30 Years Of Laughs, Behind The Sofa Magical Moments, And His Dream Guestlist On BBC Brit AFRICA

 

Graham Norton is back, ready to dazzle with his signature snazzy suits and infamous red sofa as The Graham Norton Show returns to screens.

 

 

 

 

For almost 30 years, Norton has been a fixture in British television, offering up the perfect blend of wit, charm, and cheeky humour that keeps his audience — and his star-studded guests — coming back for more.

 

With nearly two decades of hosting on the BBC alone, Norton has established himself as a maestro of celebrity banter. His ability to create a relaxed atmosphere on set is unmatched, effortlessly drawing out amusing anecdotes from the A-listers who sit elbow-to-elbow on his sofa.

 

As Norton puts it, the show is like a TV party that gets the weekend started with a swing — and it's one he’s still delighted to host after all these years.

“I’ve been doing this for so long, yet every time I sit in that chair, there’s still a buzz,” Norton shares. “It’s like riding a bike — familiar but exciting at the same time.”

 

Now celebrating the release of his fifth novel, Frankie, which he calls his "most ambitious yet," Norton continues to surprise audiences with his versatility. With four bestselling books already to his name, his success as a novelist shows he's just as talented behind the keyboard as he is on camera. But it’s his role as the host of one of the UK’s most beloved chat shows that keeps fans flocking to their screens.

 

Back to the Studio Magic

 

After a six-month break, Norton is set to return to the studio, and while it’s business as usual, there’s still a spark of excitement for the seasoned host. “On that first day back, it’s strange but exhilarating. There’s something about being on that set — it’s so familiar, yet the energy is always fresh. The audience arrives, the guests sit down, and you never quite know where the night will take you.”

 

Norton’s ritual before the show is refreshingly low-key: a simple routine of seeing familiar faces, donning his suit, and enjoying a pre-show glass of wine. “I used to have superstitions back when I was doing stand-up — same shoes, same routine — but then I forgot one day, and it turned out fine,” he says with a laugh. “Now, I just focus on the people around me and getting into the zone.”

 

Star Power and Dream Guests

 

Over the years, The Graham Norton Show has been known for attracting some of the biggest names in the industry, but even for a veteran like Norton, there are moments of awe. One such moment came last season when Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts finally graced the red sofa after being on Norton’s dream guest list for years.

 

“Booking Julia was a huge moment for everyone on the show,” Norton reveals. “It was like we finally caught the legendary catfish we’d been chasing. And she didn’t disappoint — she was lovely, down-to-earth, and the audience couldn’t have loved her more. She brought the whole group together, even with giants like Cher, Tom Hanks, and Timothée Chalamet on the same sofa.”

 

While The Graham Norton Show has long been a hotspot for established stars, Norton and his team also take pride in spotlighting rising talent. “Sometimes, I’ll see a name on the guest list and think, ‘Who’s that?’ But then I’ll chat with the team and realise I’ve seen them in the latest buzzworthy show. The beauty of the format is that even if the audience isn’t familiar with someone at first, the energy of the sofa brings everyone into the fold.”

 

The unique vibe of the show is something that even Hollywood heavyweights appreciate. Timothée Chalamet, when seated next to icons like Cher and Julia Roberts, described the experience as “such a trip.” Norton agrees: “That sofa just turbocharges everything. After bringing it back post-Covid, I’ve realised how much of a difference it makes.”

 

A Taste for Risqué Humour

 

Norton’s show is also known for its boundary-pushing moments, with guests often venturing into cheeky or even risqué territory. Last season, for example, Alan Cumming riffed on scrotal ageing, and Michael Fassbender discussed a sex aid.

 

Though Norton admits that at times he finds himself thinking, “Do we really have to go there?” the BBC has rarely cut anything for being too bold.

 

“If the audience finds it funny, it stays,” he says with a smile. “And honestly, that’s the essence of the show — it’s a reflection of the fun we’re having in the studio.”

 

Looking Ahead: More Laughs, More Stories

 

As Norton celebrates three decades of success, he’s not slowing down. His fifth novel Frankie — which spans from 1950s West Cork to 1960s New York — represents his most ambitious literary work to date. “I had to do research this time,” Norton says of the book, which blends real and fictional characters. “It’s different, but I really enjoyed the process.”

 

On the show front, Norton is still hoping to land Brad Pitt — another name that’s been on his dream guest list for years. “Brad doesn’t really do talk shows, especially in the UK, but you never know. Maybe if I say it out loud, like I did with Julia, it’ll happen!”

 

As for the future of The Graham Norton Show, Norton has no immediate plans to step away from the swivel chair. “I feel lucky to still be enjoying it and to have an audience who wants to watch. I don’t see why I’d stop while it’s still so much fun.”

 

The Graham Norton Show airs Tuesdays at 20:00 on BBC Brit, Channel 120 on DStv.

Comedy Central Will Stop Airing In Ukraine By 1st January 2025 Due To Low Ratings

After shutting down in Russia in 2022, Comedy Central was made available through the Ukrainian media group 1+1 replacing Paramount Comedy. The channel is aimed at viewers aged 18-49 and reaches around 300 million households in more than 150 countries with shows like Two And Half Men, Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory.

Commenting on its launch in Ukraine, Oksana Petryshyn, general producer of the TET TV channel and Comedy Central, said: “The content of the Comedy Central TV channel has been proven over the years and has made Ukrainians fall in love with it. Therefore, the launch of the TV channel is a response to the request of viewers who, more than ever, need positive and life-affirming content”.

Now the channel is said to be going dark in the region by January 1st 2025 with sources siting poor reception which has led to its downfall. This was one of the few services to have been offered by Paramount Global following Russia's invasion into the Ukrainian market by 2022.

Although Comedy Central would cease to exist in the Ukraine, the channel is still available in Latin America, United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, India, Middle East and Africa.

Paramount Global which serves as the parent company for Comedy Central is in the process of being acquired by Skydance Media which is awaiting approval with the deal set to be finalised in the first half of 2025. The company is looking to form "New Paramount" which ventures into revenue streams while winding down on costs.

Could Canal+'s Potential Listing On JSE Have Any Implications On MultiChoice?

As some readers are aware, Canal+ is currently finalizing their transaction with MultiChoice after the independent board within the company accepted their transaction to acquire remaining shares of the company. Vivendi, which serves as the parent company to the French broadcaster is looking to divest from the brand by the end of 2024.

Canal+ had promised MultiChoice shareholders an opportunity to invest in the combined entity if their transaction is approved by local legislation before the split occurs. Basically shareholders will be given an opportunity to make more money outside of the Randburg based company which does bring up another agenda - MultiChoice.

If shareholders are able to invest this combined entity with a secondary listing how is one sure that the current structure of MultiChoice will be preserved. Aside from DStv, there's also gambling (BetKing), insurance (NMIS Insurance), streaming (Showmax) and cybersecurity (Namola) and as we all know they're technically insolvent.

Let's say they do end up getting their money's worth through this secondary listing and similar to what Naspers did with MultiChoice by given them an independent listing on the JSE. Whose to say that these investors won't want to reduce their losses.

Canal+ is acquiring MultiChoice and this secondary listing could as well be one way to align M-Net, SuperSport and DStv to the services of its pay-tv operations in other countries as well as StudioCanal. They made it evident since this transaction came forward that they're putting their focus towards content.

Shareholders being investors in the combined entity I doubt they'd object to a merger as Canal+ is putting 45% of their investment towards MultiChoice and also shareholders are making money which is the whole point to all this. 

Die Agentskap 2nd December 12PM

MultiChoice Facing Challenging Period Ahead Of Canal+ Takeover

South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, itself now considerably under the influence of Canal+, has admitted it is facing financial headwinds. It will publish its full numbers on November 12th, but in a trading update issued on November 7th it said it has moved from a profit at the same time last year to a loss now.

The first half of the 2025 financial year, it said, was “negatively impacted by severe pressure in the macroeconomic, foreign exchange rate and consumer environment in key markets, most notably Nigeria and Zambia”. Those headwinds include the pay-TV streaming efforts of Netflix, Prime Video and other on-demand rivals.

MultiChoice, which owns the DStv portfolio of channels as well as SuperSport and Showmax options, described the operating environment as “the most challenging” in the group’s history. Adding to the financial pressures is the huge investment the group has made – and continues to make – in Showmax, its streaming competitor.

“MultiChoice has entered the peak investment cycle of Showmax and expects losses and headline losses per share to increase as a result of the early life cycle of the Showmax business,” it said in the trading update.

Canal+ currently owns a 45.2 per cent stake in MultiChoice and will take full control once the take-over is approved. and is backing the plan to use a combined MultiChoice/Canal+ to create a programming power-house for Africa and beyond.

Canal+ and MultiChoice made a joint ‘merger control filing’ to South Africa’s Competition Commission in October and are discussing the merger with the country’s Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and other regulatory authorities.

The article was originally published by Advanced Television

December 2024 On History Channel AFRICA | Channel Premiere: Holy Marvels With Daniel Quaid | Returning Shows Including Mountain Men | More

HOLY HISTORY 

Starting 22 December – 9 February 

Sundays From 20:15

‘Holy History’, every Sunday starting 22 December, explores the profound intersection of sacred relics, 

revolutionary histories, and personal narratives that shaped the most transformative figures in religious 

history. Journey through legendary artifacts like the Holy Grail and Noah’s Ark in Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid. Then we uncover the intense political backdrop of Jesus’ life in Jesus Crown Of Thorns.

Brand New 

HOLY MARVELS WITH DENNIS QUAID S1

22 December

Sundays 20:15

The new non fiction series Holy Marvels with 

Dennis Quaid illuminates the remarkable history, 

perplexing mysteries, and legendary journeys behind some of the world’s most sacred and holy relics 

including objects of immortality, holy riches, revered 

monuments, and more. The series shares incredible 

tales of faith, devoti on, and divine intervention tied 

to coveted objects such as the Ark of the Covenant, 

Noah’s Ark, the Holy Grail, the Fountain of Youth, the 

Mayan Calendar, the Philosophers Stone, the Crown 

of Thorns, and more. Hosted, narrated, and executive produced by the Emmy® Award-nominated and two time Golden Globe®-nominated multi-hyphenate superstar Dennis Quaid, each episode combines immersive storytelling with recreations, archival footage, and expert interviews to delve deep into the enigmatic origins and profound power behind each artifact. Historians, authors, and professors of archeology and religious studies will shed light on the impact of these blessed belongings from cultures and religions around the world and the compelling stories each item and its location hold. 

Repeat: Saturday 21:05

Brand New

JESUS CROWN OF THORNS S1

22 December

Sundays 21:05

This brand-new docuseries shines a new light on the

life of Jesus. The series sets Jesus’ life and mission in the context of the intense political backdrop of the time in which he emerged as a revolutionary figure who dared challenge the status quo. Born into a divided land, Jesus and his family are forced to flee a bloodthirsty king, but when they return, Jesus falls under the spell of a charismatic rebel leader ready to risk everything and inherits his radical mission.

Repeat: Saturday 21:55

Brand New & Exclusive

MOUNTAIN MEN S13

5 December

Wednesdays 19:25

The latest season of Mountain Men brings together the cast from Mountain Men S12 and Mountain Men: Alaska, creati ng an all-star cast that spans the wildest places the US has to offer. Fan favourites, like Tom Oar and Marty Meirotto, return as do relative newcomers, like Lauro Eckland and Ray Livingston, to showcase the incredible skill and grit needed to forge a life in America’s vast wilderness.

Repeat: Next Day 11:45

Brand New & Exclusive

DICTATORS’ HIDEOUTS

28 December

Saturdays 19:25

Horohito, Hitler, Ceausescu, Tito, Stalin…no dictator

could function without impressive headquarters...and without a hideout. They sowed terror and for fear of their own safety and power they built well-equipped and protected headquarters. Sumptuous palaces hiding splendor and secrets, secret underground bunkers full of modern and unique solutions for survival. Costs did not matter, only the whims and security of the tyrant. Dictators’ Hideouts is a new fresh approach to telling the stories of some of the world’s most known evil men…Each episode will explore the minds of these men and discover what drove them to build their secret hideaways. Venturing deep into their tunnels and secret chambers, we will get to know their darkest thoughts and motivations.

Repeat: Sunday 18:40

Brand New & Exclusive

HITLER’S BRITISH ISLAND

28 December

Saturdays 20:15

This revelatory two-part documentary reveals

for the first time ever that thousands of people – mostly Jews –died at the hands of the Nazis on British territory. Uncovering newly discovered mass graves, revealing leaked classified documents detailing evidence of a government cover-up and identi fying victims for the first time, this is a devastating and prescient story of WW2 persecution on British soil, hidden until now.

Repeat: Sunday 19:25

December 2024 On The Home Channel | Channel Premiere: Rich Listers | Returning Shows Including Restoration Australia | More

Channel Premiere

Rich Listers

Season 1

Monday, 09 December 2024

15:00

Sunday, 02 February 2025

PRIME: Mon 20:00 & Wed 19:00 | Mon 15:00 & 20:00 | Tue 08:00 | Wed 12:00 & 19:00 | Thu 16:00 & 22:00 | Fri 11:00 | Sat 08:30 | Sun 07:00

Rich listers is a real estate series set in Auckland and Queenstown - the two most valuable real estate markets in New Zealand - a real estate market where homes regularly sell for well over the asking price, making the vendors and agents a small fortune. In this aspirational series we follow 8 real estate agents who are at the top of their game, selling a billion dollars’ worth of property between them each year.

Our agents live in a world where money is no object, and the sky is the limit for their millionaire clients who expect the very best service and the absolute best price! The real estate is the co-star of this hot format - mansions with views over the Haruaki gulf, private islands, stunning clifftop homes overlooking Queenstown with a backdrop of snow topped mountains, vineyards and multimillion dollar penthouse apartments are all up for grabs in this hot market and this hot new tv series!

Returning shows

Restoration Australia

Season 4

Monday, 02 December 2024

12:00

Sunday, 19 January 2025

PRIME: Thu 20:00 & Fri 19:00 | Mon 12:00 | Tue 10:00 & 16:00 | Thu 20:00 | Fri 08:00 & 19:00 | Sat 12:30 | Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Australia is home to many neglected heritage homes, each with a fascinating history. In this series, architect Professor Anthony Burke follows seven homeowners as they embark on ambitious restoration projects, often facing tight budgets and time constraints.

The stories include transforming a controversial Mid-Century house in Beaumaris and revitalizing a historic Signalman’s Quarters in Hobart. Each homeowner confronts personal challenges, such as illness or loss, which drive their determination to restore these homes.

Each episode culminates in a stunning reveal, showcasing beautifully renovated spaces and the emotional journeys behind them. The results are both inspiring and surprising, celebrating the resilience of those dedicated to preserving these historic treasures.

Grand Designs New Zealand

Season 8

Monday, 09 December 2024

13:00

Sunday, 02 March 2025

PRIME: Thu 21:00 & Fri 18:00 | Mon 13:00 &23:00 | Tue 17:00 | Wed 14:00 | Thu 21:00 | Fri 09:00 &

18:00 | Sat 11:00 & 18:00 | Sun 15:00

Across New Zealand, diverse home-building projects reflect personal ambitions and challenges. John and Bridget Preece build a remote home in the Chatham Islands, while Warrick and Judy Hyland create a grand residence in Okaihau. Stew and Gill Moss pursue their dream retirement home beside Lake Tarawera, and James Davis designs a unique round house in Waikanae, on Waiheke Island, Returning for his second series, Tom Webster uncovers New Zealanders from all over Aotearoa who show resilience, resourcefulness and an unwavering commitment - often flying in the face of convention - in order to create extraordinary living spaces.

Other developments 

Real Health 

Season 16

Monday, 02 December 2024

18:00

Sunday, 02 March 2025

PRIME: Mon 18:00 & Tue 20:00 | Mon 18:00 | Tue 11:00 & 20:00 | Wed 10:00 & 15:00 | Thu 14:00 | Fri 

16:00 | Sat 09:30 & 19:30 | Sun 08:00

Gardening 101

Season 6

Monday, 02 December 2024

14:30

Sunday, 02 March 2025

PRIME: Tue 21:00 & Wed 18:30 | Mon 14:30 | Tue 21:00 | Wed 09:00 & 18:30 | Thu 13:00 & 23:30 | Fri

17:00 | Sat 12:00 & 19:00 | Sun 16:00 & 23:00

Your Home, Made Perfect

Season 2

Monday, 30 December 2024

09:00

Sunday, 09 February 2025

PRIME: Fri 21:00 & Mon 09:00 | Tue 13:00 & 23:00 |

Wed 08:00 & 17:00 | Thu 12:00 | Fri

21:00 | Sat 14:00 | Sun 11:30 &

22:00

Love your Garden

Season 1

Monday, 10 December 2024

18:30

Sunday, 02 March 2025

PRIME: Tue 18:30 & 21:30 | Tue 18:30 & 21:30 | Wed 23:30 | Thu 10:30 & 13:30 | Fri 14:30 & 17:30 | Sat 22:30 | Sun 11:00 & 19:30

Disney And Canal+ Remain Silent About French Overseas Territories Following The Upcoming Closure Of Disney Channels

Not long ago, it was reported that Disney would be axing their last remaining linear offering in France with Disney Channel And Disney Junior set to go dark on the platform by 31 December 2024. After the French broadcaster became the exclusive home to Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar will now be integrated with Disney+.

Aside from France, Disney also managed the feeds for consumers in Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Andorra, Haiti and Francophone Africa. With their fate being left up in the air, these territories are most likely to lose their channels seeing as they're all conjoined.

Another scenario which could be similar to what was seen in Middle East and North Africa is that these remaining French territories will likely be merged with Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). I think the question would have to be whether any French audio track will be provided if that was the case.

Kind of interesting is that MultiChoice who also offer Disney+ and the remaining linear offering in a separate agreement in Anglophone Africa is also in the process of being acquired by the French broadcaster. Basically, Canal+ would still have control over what the media consumes but in another territory.

Not Shocking!!! The Disney Channels To Go Dark In France By The End Of December With Further Content Being Allocated On Disney+

Canal+, which launched Disney+ in the French market, is to lose the streaming service from 1 January 2025.

Disney announced Monday that its content would no longer be available to Canal’s subscribers – the day that the Vivendi-owned company was celebrating its 40th anniversary.

It is a major blow for the pay-TV operator that has successfully pivoted to a super-aggregator after an earlier loss of rights to French top-flight football. 

In addition to Disney+, remaining linear channels such as Disney Channel will also be pulled, as will content from the Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar franchises, at least in the short-term.

The decision by Disney no longer let its latest films be broadcast by the pay-TV service six months after their cinema release, as is in the norm in France means it will now take 17 months before viewers are able to stream the latest titles through Disney+.

A spokesperson for Disney told Broadband TV News: “From 1 January, Canal’s customers will no longer be able to watch our upcoming new movie releases, Disney+ or our channels through Canal’s offering. Our blockbuster movies, award-winning TV series, and exclusive Originals remain widely available on Disney+ directly and through partners for everyone to enjoy their favorite stories from our brands.”

Speaking on France Info Gérald-Brice Viret, CEO of Canal+ France, was putting on a brave face. “They had the delicacy to do it on our anniversary. And on the other hand, I can tell you that it is a fairly marginal consumption by our subscribers: they prefer, for example, MAX, Paramount, Netflix, Apple TV or Ciné+,” he said. 

In 2019, Canal signed an exclusive distribution agreement for Disney’s streaming platform, a few months before its launch in France.

Comcast Considering Spinning Off TV Networks As More Households Opt For Streaming

During a tumultuous moment for the TV business, NBCUniversal owner Comcast says that it may pursue some major deals to adapt to the changing environment.

For starters, Comcast president Mike Cavanagh said that the company is weighing a spinoff of its cable networks, which include USA Network, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC and Syfy. He emphasized that the NBC broadcast network and Peacock would remain with the core company.

“Like many of our peers in media, we are experiencing the effects of the transition in our video businesses, and have been studying the best path forward for these assets. We are now exploring whether creating a new well-capitalized company owned by our shareholders and comprised of our strong portfolio of cable networks would position them to take advantage of opportunities in the changing media landscape and create value for our shareholders,” Cavanagh told Comcast’s third-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday. “We are not ready to talk about any specifics yet, but we’ll be back to you if and when we reach firm conclusions.”

And he added that the company is interested in seeking a partner for its Peacock streaming service in a bid to grow the business.

“As you know, we chose not to participate in the M&A process around Paramount in the earlier part of this year, but we would consider partnerships in streaming despite their complexities,” he said.

Spinning out the cable channels would transform the company’s TV business and would lead to complications for MSNBC and CNBC, which are currently integrated into NBC News. Similarly, shows from Bravo (like Watch What Happens Live and the Real Housewives franchise) are popular on streaming service Peacock.

There has been speculation in the industry that a legacy company with cable channels could launch a rollup vehicle, something that could acquire other channels to build scale, giving it the ability to drive harder bargains with pay TV providers and pursuing other options in streaming.

Cavanagh declined to address that directly on the call, but said that if the company pursues a spinoff, it could “play some offense.”

On the streaming front, while Peacock has acceptable scale (it now has 36 million subscribers), Comcast clearly thinks that working with another partner can make it a more compelling competitor to Netflix. The two logical possible partners are Paramount+ — with executives there openly discussing a partnership — or Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max.

As for the choice to announce their decision to look into the possibilities, Cavanagh said that they wanted to disclose the idea to Wall Street early, rather than have it leak out later.

“The reason we’re announcing here is that we want to study it, there are a lot of questions to which we don’t have answers,” Cavanagh said. “So we want to do the work, with transparency around it, so that — as you know, rumors fly and the like, you know, we expect that — but we want our shareholders to understand what we’re willing to look at.”

Reminder: New Series Blue Ridge To Premiere On Universal TV On 4 November 2024

Universal TV has today announced the territory premiere of the highly anticipated procedural crime drama, Blue Ridge. The 6-part series premieres on Monday, 4 November at 20:00 (CAT), exclusively on Universal TV. New episodes will be airing weekly until 9 December.

 

Based on the popular film, Blue Ridge is a multi-season crime drama set in the lush and forbidding mountains of North Carolina. Ex-Green Beret Justin Wise is a modern Western hero living in an Appalachian town that time - and justice - have forgotten. Eager to reunite with his ex-wife Elle and daughter Maddie, Justin followed them back to Elle's hometown, where his previous law enforcement experience got him elected Sheriff. But his hopes for a quiet life are dashed as he finds himself constantly forced into keeping this picturesque community from exploding into violence.

 

Blue Ridge seems like a small, sleepy town, but is actually a place where long-simmering feuds can suddenly boil over into mayhem, and where criminals believe they can hide their misdeeds from the eyes of the law. With everything to lose, Justin teams up with a duo of loyal but untested deputies in the persistent struggle to keep Blue Ridge - and the people Justin loves most - safe from harm.

 

This series marks the first time Hollywood star Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do! Texas Rising, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) has taken on a leading role in a television series. He reprises his character from the original film Blue Ridge.

Johnathon Schaech is joined by a stellar cast in Season 1, including Sarah Lancaster (Chuck, Everwood, Christmas in the Smokies) as Elli Wise, A Martinez (Longmire, The Cowboys, Dark Winds) as Connor McGrath, Taegen Burns (The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, The Right Stuff, Imaginary) as Maddie Wise, Tom Proctor (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Justified, Guardians of the Galaxy) as Jeremiah Wade, Avianna Mynhier (The Walking Dead) as Deputy Maxx Covington, and Greg Perrow (The Warrant, Festival of Trees) as Deputy RP.

 

The series will also feature surprise guest stars including Bruce Boxleitner, Max Martini, Ethan Embry, Mike O’Hearn, Erin Cahill, Lev Cameron, and Jessica McKay.

 

Blue Ridge premieres on Universal TV on 4 November at 20:00, with new episodes airing every Monday until 9 December.

Universal TV is available on DStv Channel 117 across Africa.

Vivendi Board Gives Go-Ahead For Business Split & Sets December Shareholder Vote; Former Paramount CEO Bob Bakish To Join Canal+ Board

Vivendi‘s plan to split its business in three has gotten board approval and will be taken to a shareholder vote on December 9. Should it go ahead, former Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish will take a seat on the Canal+ board.

The board has approved the resolutions that will be submitted to shareholders to vote on whether Canal+, ad business Havas and publishing house Louis Hachette Group should separate.

Should the demerger go ahead, Canal+ will begin trading with debts of €400M ($433M) and have a corporate team led by Yannick Bolloré, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and Maxime Saada, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO. Jacques du Puy and Anna Marsh will both be Deputy CEO, and Amandine Ferré will be CFO.

Board members will include Bolloré, Arnaud de Puyfontaine and, intriguingly, U.S. entertainment veteran Bakish, who has been lying low since his exit as CEO of Paramount earlier this year in April. Bakish will comprise one of eight independent members on the 12-strong board.

The Canal+ and Louis Hachette elements of the split will require two-thirds majorities, while the Netherlands-based Havas part will just need a majority. This is due to the changes that will impact the corporate structures of the different businesses.

Should the plan get shareholder approval, the three businesses would begin trading separately on December 16. Each individual stake owner would see shares allotted on a one-to-one bases. In effect, each Vivendi shareholder who participates in the spin-off will receive one Canal+ share, one Havas share and one Louis Hachette Group share, while retaining their Vivendi share.

Under the new structure, Canal+ would be listed in the UK, Havas in the Netherlands and Louis Hachette on Euronext. Each company would operate separately with a “decision-making center of their activities, as well as their operational teams, in France.” Vivendi would remain on Euronext Paris.

November 2024 On Investigation Discovery, Discovery Family, Travel Channel And Real Time Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Speed Is The New Black | Returning Shows Including Barefoot Contessa | More

Investigation Discovery 

Premieres on the channel include Late Night Lockup S2 on 13 November at 22:00, Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry? S7 on 8 November at 21:00, Ghost Hunters S15 on 16 November at 21:00 and People Magazine

Investigates S8 on 25 November at 21:00.

Discovery Family 

Speed Is The New Black

BRAND NEW

Classic Car Studio is an A to Z auto shop in St.

Louis where owner Noah Alexander and his

team specialize in full restorations and custom builds for clients who want their rides fast and furious. The shop regularly delivers custom pieces of auto art.

First TX: 3 November

TX Day: Monday - Friday

TX Time: 15:00

Last TX: 27 November

Travel Channel

Vampires In America S1

Brand New

An alarming surge in missing person cases sends a pair of vampire hunters to Arizona to investigate if a pack of bloodsucking fiends have emerged from hibernation. Their high-tech hunt uncovers a far more nefarious plan than either could have imagined.

First TX: 26 November

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 26 November

Ghosts Of Shepherdstown S1

Brand New

A surge of paranormal activity in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, overwhelms the local police, forcing them to enlist an elite team of ghost hunters to investigate the inexplicable cases and calm the besieged townsfolk.

First TX: 11 November

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 22:05

Last TX: 16 December

Real Time

Inside Job With Chef Katlego S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Follow the boisterous Chef Katlego on his journey to

create gourmet food with South African flair and a

taste for Africa. Each themed episode showcases

his love for local ingredients and fine dining culture,

while he dances through to his favourite playlists.

First TX: 1 November

TX Day: Monday - Friday

TX Time: 11:15

Last TX: 12 November

My Strange Criminal Addiction S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Some criminals just can’t help themselves, and

these first hand accounts and cinematic recreations

of true crimes reveal what happens when strange

addictions spin out of control and push hapless

perpetrators into criminal territory.

First TX: 27 November

TX Day: Wednesday - Saturday

TX Time: 22:30

Other premieres on the channel include Barefoot Contessa S6 on 19 November at 12:05.