‘Garfield’ Animated Series Ordered By Paramount+ With Lamorne Morris Voicing Famous Orange Cat

Garfield is making a TV return. Paramount+ has picked up a new original 2D-animated series featuring the iconic lasagna-loving orange cat, voiced by Emmy-winning actor-comedian Lamorne Morris (New Girl, Fargo).

Tentatively titled Garfield, the series, from Nickelodeon Animation Studios, is inspired by Jim Davis’ original comic strip and features the chonky feline at his finest, most sarcastic and lackadaisical. Dave H. Johnson (Middlemost Post) and John Trabbic III (SpongeBob SquarePants, Middlemost Post) serve as executive producers.

This pickup of Garfield, which is currently in production, brings to an end the project’s lengthy road to the screen. It started back in 2019 — two Paramount mergers and regimes ago — when Nickelodeon’s then-parent Viacom acquired the IP to the cartoon from owners Paws and announced the development of a new Garfield animated series.

Under the agreement, Paramount predecessor Viacom also took over managing the global merchandising rights to the property. Since then, the Garfield character has been integrated into the Paramount Products & Experiences portfolio across categories spanning apparel, toys, publishing, food, pets and more, including such Nickelodeon game franchises as All-Star Brawl and Kart Racers, in which the Mondays-loathing cat was voiced by Frank Welker.

Meanwhile, the animated series has taken awhile to come together, spending seven years in development and production.

It is the first Garfield animated series since Paws’ 2009 The Garfield Show, which ran for five seasons on Cartoon Network/Boomerang in the U.S. with Welker voicing the title character.

Separately, there is Alcon/Sony’s Garfield 3D CGI animation feature franchise with Chris Pratt as the voice of the tabby cat. The first film, The Garfield Movie, was released in 2024; plans for a sequel, with Pratt reprising his role were announced last year. It is moving forward.

Since its launch in 1978, Davis’ syndicated comic strip has chronicled the life of the eponymous cat, his owner Jon Arbuckle and Odie the dog, as well as various friends. The brand currently counts over 200 million daily comic readers and millions of social media followers.

Garfield marks the latest new series pickup at Paramount+ by the streamer’s new post Skydance-Paramount merger team led by Cindy Holland, Paramount’s Chair of Direct-to-Consumer, and Paramount+‘s Head of Originals Jane Wiseman.

In the kids and family space, it joins the recently ordered animated series The Elephant & Piggie Show! and The Pigeon Show! Starring the Pigeon from Mo Willems’ Hidden Pigeon Company.

From Nickelodeon Animated Studios, Paramount+ has the upcoming film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, originally targeted for a theatrical release, and the 2D series Avatar: Seven Havens, ordered by Nickelodeon a year ago, both with Nick Animation banner Avatar Studios.

On the live-action side, over the last few months, Paramount+ has ordered legal drama Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, as well as limited series 9/12, headlined by Jeremy Strong, and Fear Not, starring Anne Hathaway. The streamer also formalized the pickup of Tulsa King spinoff Frisco King, toplined by Samuel L. Jackson, which had been in the works as NOLA King.

While original drama series is Paramount+’s focus on the live-action side, it plans to be opportunistic in unscripted, starting with the pickup this week of dating show Making Love. The streamer also has the upcoming four-part docuseries Made for March designed to complement CBS and Paramount+’s 2026 March Madness basketball coverage.

Morris has a history sharing the screen with a feline; his character on New Girl Winston Bishop was known for his close bond with his beloved cat, Ferguson.

An Emmy for his role on Season 5 of FX’s Fargo, Morris will next be seen starring opposite Nicolas Cage in Prime Video’s Spider-Noir and is currently in production on Jumanji 4. He also co-hosts The Lamorning After podcast with Kyle Shevrin and the New Girl rewatch podcast, The Mess Around, with former castmate Hannah Simone. Morris is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Myman Greenspan.

Canal+ Axes MultiChoice Streamer Showmax

Canal+, busy with aggressive cost-cutting since it recently acquired Africa’s MultiChoice pay-TV group, is shuttering its loss-making and money-guzzling video streaming service Showmax that MultiChoice ran in partnership with NBCUniversal.

Variety has reliably learnt that Showmax will definitely be shuttered “soon” although a specific date isn’t yet available given a few remaining legal implications Canal+ and MultiChoice are sorting out.

Canal+ and MultiChoice confirmed the end of Showmax to Variety, saying there will be a “discontinuation of the Showmax service, following a comprehensive review of its streaming activities.”

MultiChoice launched Showmax across Africa 11 years ago in August 2015 to compete with the advent of streamers like Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon’s Prime Video, Disney+ and others which all became available on the continent and started biting into MultiChoice’s legacy pay-TV subscriber base.

Two years ago, in February 2024, MultiChoice, in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal, relaunched Showmax, utilizing the technology behind the Peacock streaming service.

Millions of dollars were poured into the retooling of Showmax’s IT-platform and on content spending to boost the pan-African streamer in its fight against Netflix but it ultimately proved fruitless.

MultiChoice and NBCUniversal roughly poured a combined $309 million in equity funding into Showmax to primarily fuel content creation, but nothing came of the aggressive growth and subscriber uptake targets MultiChoice executives had promised investors before it relaunched.

Looking to shave a combined 400 million euro by 2030 in cost-cutting, including content cuts from the combined Canal+ group, the underperforming and money-guzzling Showmax is the latest victim of Canal+’s rightsizing at MultiChoice.

NBCUniversal has a 30% stake in Showmax as a joint venture. In its last annual results before the Canal+ takeover, MultiChoice revealed that Showmax’s trading losses had worsened by 88% while revenue significantly declined.

According to the company, “The decision to axe Showmax was made by the Showmax board and reflects the continued focus of MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, on financial discipline and investment optimization, in an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive global streaming environment.”

Since Canal+, as part of its agreement to take over MultiChoice, isn’t allowed to get rid of any staff for a period of three years, MultiChoice won’t let any Showmax staff go but will reassign them to other positions within the broader company.

“The decision to discontinue Showmax services will not involve any retrenchments. The group will be engaging and supporting employees through various transition options,” it told Variety.

MultiChoice has already started to quietly rebrand Showmax Originals as Africa Magic, M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Magic Originals, with original series that will transition to these various DStv linear TV channels on MultiChoice pay-TV platform.

Showmax’s closure comes two years after Amazon MGM Studios shocked Nigeria and South Africa’s creative community in January 2024 when it abruptly announced that it would immediately stop commissioning any new local original content in Africa, and also killed already-existing development deals with a dozen production companies.

In January, during an investors’ call, Maxime Saada, Canal+ CEO, said that Showmax was “not a commercial success” and that its failure as a streaming service was “quite obvious.”

Saada also said that a decision about Showmax’s future would be made soon and that a reduction in the Showmax budget, which has been a huge financial drain on MultiChoice, would contribute significantly to Canal+’s overall cost-cutting goals.

Canal+ says it will “continue to invest in premium content for MultiChoice subscribers, technological innovation and strategic partnerships to consolidate its leadership in the African entertainment market.”

“Further details regarding our expanded content offering and platform upgrades will be shared in due course. We want to reassure our Showmax subscribers that they are our priority as we evolve our services to deliver a superior streaming experience.”

In June, Canal+ and Netflix announced a strategic distribution agreement for Francophone Africa with a new partnership through which Canal+ became the first operator to bundle Netflix subscriptions into its traditional pay-TV offering across 24 Sub-Saharan African countries.

Insiders told Variety that instead of wasting further money through trying to compete with Showmax as a struggling stand-alone streamer, Canal+ is likely to expand its partnership and roll out this Netflix-bundling into the rest of Africa.

An award-winning South African director-producer who has made several series and films for MultiChoice under the Showmax banner, told Variety the end of Showmax is a sad day for South African filmmakers since it closes yet another avenue to showcase work and earn a living in an industry undergoing tumultuous change.

“Showmax was one of the only platforms available to us that was willing to back stories that were bold and authentic in a market that has traditionally always played things safe,” the filmmaker said.

“From ‘Koek’ to ‘Adulting,’ ‘Spinners’ to ‘Catch Me a Killer,’ ‘Khaki Fever’ to ‘Youngins,’ ‘Wyfie’ to ‘Dam,’ these are films and series which would never be created by rival platforms or broadcasters. Losing Showmax is a huge blow to the local industry and audiences, with Canal+ giving us very little to hope that they will fill that gap with anything of value.”

“If 2026 is the Year of the Horse, it feels like this one is getting sent to the factory to be turned into glue and cheap pies.”

Canal+ is scheduled to report its next set of financial results on March 11. This will be the first full-year combined results since the group took effective control of MultiChoice in September 2025.

Beginning April 1, 2026, Netflix Will Start Streaming WWE Across Germany, Switzerland, Austria And Africa

Netflix had begun sending notice to various consumers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Africa informing them about the inclusion on WWE and it goes as follows:

Beginning April 1, 2026, Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE in your region.

Netflix brings WWE's electrifying content all to one place, including weekly shows, RAW, SmackDown and NXT, PLUS Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.

Many of WWE's top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, are available on Netflix, including WrestleMania 42, which emanate live from Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19. Don't miss the "Best in the World" CM Punk as he goes head-to-head against "The OTC" Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship.

If you're a Netflix subscriber, you're all set. If you are not a Netflix subscriber, you will need to subscribe so you don't miss a moment. We can't wait for you to experience WWE on Netflix.

For sometime, BILD and ProSieben MAXX served as the right holders for these events in Germany, Switzerland and Austria with SuperSport in Africa. This announcement means that these events will no longer be accessible on those outlets. 

However, we're still awaiting further comment from SuperSport about WWE's early induction onto Netflix. As the current deal, MultiChoice has with WWE was only set to expire in 2027.

After Canal+ acquired MultiChoice in 2025, Canal Afrique consumers gained access to SuperSport's expanded sports offering. This included Raw, SmackDown, NXT and premium events like Royal Rumble on the 24 hour WWE channel.

It could be that SuperSport (for now) still holds linear rights to the WWE as they never enforced those onto Showmax. Another could be that under Canal+, they opted to scrap the carriage deal as part of their cost cutting endeavours.

Netflix Backs Out Of Warner Bros. Bidding, Paramount Set to Win

In a stunning twist, Netflix is declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros., positioning David Ellison’s Paramount as the winner in the battle for the fabled studio.

Netflix co-CEOs Ged Sarandos and Greg Peters released a statement Thursday outlining their decision, namely that the the deal is “no longer financially attractive” and that it “was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.”

“The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid,” the co-CEOs said.

“Warner Bros. is a world-class organization, and we want to thank David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer and the WBD Board for running a fair and rigorous process,” they added. “We believe we would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our deal would have strengthened the entertainment industry and preserved and created more production jobs in the U.S. But this transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.

With Netflix out, Paramount’s latest bid is almost a sure thing to be accepted by the Warners board, which determined earlier Thursday that it was a “superior proposal” to Netflix’s deal.

PSKY’s latest proposal was for $31 per share, but had a number of other sweeteners, including a ticking fee payable to shareholders equal to $0.25 per quarter beginning after Sept. 30, 2026, as well as a $7 billion regulatory termination in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters.

Paramount has also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion termination fee that Warner Bros. would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate the existing merger agreement.

If all goes as expected, Netflix will be on the receiving end of that $2.8 billion sooner rather than later. Netflix shares soared by more than 10% in after-hours trading after the decision was announced.

Sarandos and Peters say they will continue to pour cash into content:

“Netflix’s business is healthy, strong and growing organically, powered by our slate and best-in-class streaming service. This year, we’ll invest approximately $20 billion in quality films and series and will expand our entertaining offering. Consistent with our capital allocation policy, we’ll also resume our share repurchase program,” they said. “We will continue to do what we’ve done for more than 20 years as a public company: delight our members, profitably grow our business, and drive long-term shareholder value.”

Canal+ Confirms That Major Changes Are Coming Soon For Showmax, No Word On DStv Stream

Since Canal+'s acquisition of MultiChoice in late 2025, the French broadcaster has been slashing costs aiming for R7.5 billion in 2030. Most of these cuts will be coming out of M-Net, SuperSport, Showmax and DStv. 

David Mignot who served as the CEO for the merged group has admitted that it is a commercial failure. Despite MultiChoice attempts at revamping the service, trading losses for Showmax almost doubled in the last two years to R4.9 billion.

Talks were underway with Comcast in regards to the future of Showmax with the company that confirmed major changes are rolling out soon. From the looks of things, it appears as if they plan to either replace or close Showmax.

In an interview, Canal+ had stated that the company “can’t continue” operating the streaming platform as it is today. They're also exploring launching the self titled OTT service to the market but delays have occured due to Showmax.

Although the company has remained hush on what those changes for Showmax could as well be for consumers. One of which occured last month when The Gilded Age and Peacemaker exited the streamer as MultiChoice opted to scrap its HBO deal.

They had mentioned that further reductions are coming to Showmax and you can only assume this would have to do originals like Die Kantoor, Youngins and Outlaws.

It's possible that Canal+ decided to no longer produce original content for the platform and are letting these shows run its course. Let's remember, Canal+ has delayed contractual agreement for local content on M-Net's channels.

Prior to the delays, Canal+ had been widening the windows for these shows between Showmax and DStv. Post the takeover, DStv consumers had to wait several months for these shows and under Canal+ it only takes a couple of days.

Then there's the Premier League package which I can assume is also going away with further efforts being redirected to whatever comes of DStv Stream.

One thing that hasn't quite as yet been addressed by Canal+ is how DStv Stream would come into affect once it's streaming service enters the market. This yet to be launched service is just DStv Stream with additional enhancements.

For all we know, Canal+ could close DStv Stream and redirect viewers to its own streaming service and the same outcome could await Showmax.

Again maybe it's not all over for Showmax and Comcast opts to unburden MultiChoice of its duties. But the reality is this won't save "Showmax Originals" and Comcast could opt for a licensing agreement which is mainly for archived content.

eMedia Streaming Service eVOD Crosses 2.2-million Users

eMedia’s video-on-demand platform eVOD has surpassed 2.2-million registered users, the entertainment group announced.

South Africa has in recent years seen growth in the number of streaming services that have entered the market, including US players Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as Hong Kong’s Viu, which has differentiated itself through local content. MultiChoice has also been investing heavily in the space and is home to three services — DStv, Showmax and Showmax Pro.

While video streaming is small in South Africa and the rest of Africa, the segment is growing. All the country’s big television broadcasters now offer online viewing options. EMedia has eVOD and the government-run SABC now streams its television and radio content through SABC Plus.

EVOD reached its latest milestone in the third quarter of 2025, “marking a significant milestone in its growth journey”.

EMedia established the service in October 2021 through a partnership with MTN, which offered special bundles to entice new sign-ups at the time. Since then the platform has recorded a 22% year-on-year increase in registrations, “reflecting continued audience adoption and engagement”.

EMedia, worth R1.4bn on the JSE, owns television and radio broadcasting businesses such as eNCA, OpenView and Yfm, with production studios.

The eVOD platform has more than 9,000 hours of content, with watch time increasing 56% in 2025 compared with 2024, “highlighting growing consumption across its content library”.

The company plans to launch five new original productions in 2026 to build on this momentum.

Over the past year, the platform has continued to evolve, introducing key features such as offline downloads and expanding accessibility through availability on Android and Hisense smart TVs.

Thapelo Ramatsui, brand manager for eVOD & local content at e.tv, said, “This milestone underscores eVOD’s long-standing commitment to providing authentic, relevant entertainment to South African audiences at no cost.”

“Over the past year, the platform has continued to evolve, introducing key features such as offline downloads and expanding accessibility through availability on Android and Hisense smart TVs.”

In the six months to end-September, the group reported an increase in other revenue, which includes eVOD, online and website sales, from R41.6m to R48.2m, a 16% jump year on year.

Yet, the segment is still the smallest component of group revenue, accounting for just 3.4% of the pie.

The eVOD growth comes while rivals are grappling with their own growth prospects.

MultiChoice’s new owner Canal+ is mulling the future of the unprofitable Showmax platform, which has to recover more than R3bn ploughed into it.

In October, Business Day reported SABC’s streaming platform had tripled its user base in less than a year to 1.5-million, growing well ahead of guidance, which had pegged 1-million users by 2027/28.

The state-owned company is also seeking to capitalise on its digital presence across channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube as part of a broader push to grow revenue from online sources.

Is Canal+ Looking To Sell Showmax?

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.

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

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

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.

More Mergers And Acquisitions On The Horizon

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.

DStv And Showmax Subscribers Bid Farewell To Euphoria And Peacemaker As Canal+'s Doesn't Renew Content Deal For HBO And Warner Bros.

Last year, Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery created a media debacle when it was announced that Cartoon Network and 11 other channels would be removed from DStv. Paramount was already closing 4 other channels on the platform.

It was not until a last minute deal was reached where Canal+ thought of merging MultiChoice's contract with that of its operations in Europe. This deal included a possible rollout of HBO Max as Canal+ will be rolling it out in various markets.

Initially, it was reported by some outlets that this new agreement saved the licensing deals for M-Net and Showmax. But others were quick to spot it's sudden exclusion from this new agreement.

According to News24, this new agreement excluded premium TV series from HBO and Warner Bros. film and TV studios. This means DStv and Showmax consumers will be missing out on Game Of Thrones spinoff, A Knight Of Seven Kingdoms.

This is because Canal+ is busy slashing tires at MultiChoice with TLNovelas that is scheduled to close by 31 January 2026. 

MultiChoice had been losing subscribers with those numbers dropping from 17.3 million in 2023 to 14.5 million in 2025. This whole ordeal took a bigger plunge in some African markets particularly Kenya where cuts reached between 80% to 90%.

Canal+ is trying to put out a fire even if that means DStv and Showmax subscribers miss out on The White Lotus and House Of Dragons. As the French company deemed M-Net's agreement with Warner Bros. non viable.

As mentioned, MultiChoice has been losing DStv consumers and their premium market has been under siege post the pandemic.

M-Net has been the glue to the DStv Premium structure but with massive cord cutting seen in the United States and elsewhere. One channel alone isn't enough to entice viewers to subscribe especially if they're more affordable options.

That doesn't mean the loss of The White Lotus and The Glided Age won't impact M-Net's remaining viewers immensely as this will just lead to even more cord cutting for DStv.

Canal+ has been boasting about being a super aggregator and the plan is to have HBO Max funnel all this content. The problem is that for linear viewers that aren't streaming it only leads to even lesser content.

HBO Max's parent company is currently undergoing a takeover process by Netflix and should the deal succeed all this content will likely be made exclusive to the streamer.

DStv In Trouble. Netflix Obtains Global Rights To Sony Group Films Including Spider-Man And Jumanji

Netflix obtained global streaming rights to Sony Group’s films after they complete their run in theatres and pay-per-view, adding releases from one of Hollywood’s biggest studios.

A multiyear agreement announced on Thursday (Jan 15) expands a partnership the companies struck in 2021. That accord gave Netflix US rights to show Sony films after their theatrical release and after they are available for online purchase or rental, as well as rights in Germany and parts of Asia.

Sony Pictures will gradually start appearing on Netflix globally later this year as individual territory rights become available, the companies said in a statement, with the rollout complete by early 2029. As part of the deal, Netflix will also be able to license select films and TV series from Sony’s library, which includes hit franchises such as Spider-Man and Jumanji. 

The deal is worth roughly US$7 billion and runs till 2032, according to sources familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named as the terms are not public. It beefs up Netflix’s lineup of theatrical pictures, a slate that could grow even more if the streaming company acquires the studio operations of Warner Bros Discovery. It’s vying with Paramount Skydance with duelling bids for Warner Bros.

In 2024, Netflix expanded a deal with Comcast’s NBCUniversal, adding rights to stream live-action films to an agreement for animated pictures from the studio’s DreamWorks Animation and Illumination divisions. 

Starting in 2027, the live-action films from Universal Pictures and Focus Features, which include franchises such as Fast & Furious and Jurassic Park, will appear on Netflix “no later than eight months following theatrical release”, the companies said at the time.

Catch Me A Killer, Showmax Original Series, Launches On Canal+'s Polar+ In France Starting January 5th

“Catch Me A Killer is the true story of the first serial killer profiler in South Africa,” says lead actress Charlotte Hope, who played Myranda in Game of Thrones and headlined Starz’s The Spanish Princess as Catherine of Aragon. “She is called Micki Pistorius and, frankly, she’s amazing.” 

South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winner Rene van Rooyen (Oscar entry Toorbos, Alles Malan, Summertide) agrees. “Living in South Africa amid a wave of violence, we have all been asking for a superhero, and here we have the true story of a superhero in the 1990s,” says Rene, who alternates directing duties with SAFTA winner Brett Michael-Innes (Fiela Se Kind) and Tracey Larcombe (Silent Witness). 

Adapted from Pistorius’ memoir of the same name, the 10-part series follows Pistorius, a newly qualified forensic psychologist, as she tracks down South Africa’s most feared killers. Each episode looks at another of her cases, from the Cleveland Killer to Stewart ‘Boetie Boer’ Wilken, taking viewers across the country. 

“Catch Me A Killer is about Micki’s experience of trying to understand the psychology of serial killers, but it’s also more than that,” says Charlotte. “On one hand it’s a true crime: every week we have a different episode, a different serial killer and a different case to solve. But it’s also a character study. This is a woman who goes through a huge emotional journey; in understanding the psychology of the killers, she's also aware of what’s happening psychologically to herself.”

As her character says in the series, “Whoever fights monsters should see that in the process he does not become a monster too.”  

A co-production between Showmax and Germany’s Night Train Media, Catch Me A Killer is also a classic underdog story: Micki is the only female profiler in a predominantly male police force, many of whom are deeply suspicious of the whole concept of psychology and think trying to understand the killers is a waste of time and resources. 

The series is also a time-capsule for 1990s South Africa: when the optimism of the country’s new democracy was undermined by a string of serial killers. 

SAFTA winner Amy Jephta (Oscar entry Barakat, Devil’s Peak, Showmax Original Skemerdans) is the lead writer, alongside the likes of Sarah Hooper (Shameless), Jessica Ruston (Harlots) and Oliver Frampton (Sister Boniface Mysteries). Among other episodes, Amy scripts the two-part pilot, which tells the story of the Station Strangler. 

“The series opens in the place that I come from, Mitchell’s Plain,” says Amy. “I was in grade 1 at the time of the Station Stranger killer and my mother was a police officer at the same station that Micki was assigned to in 1994. I was in and out of that police station. So I remember the fear in that community and what it felt like to be a kid at a time where there were these boys being abducted. So I could draw a lot on my first-hand feeling.” 

“It’s not a whodunnit; it’s a whydunnit,” adds Amy. “You’re inside the perspective of these killers and the victim’s families as much as you are inside Micki’s perspective. Can she get to the heart of understanding the mind of the killer she’s tracking? Why did these people commit these acts? It’s a fascinating cat and mouse story.”

Apart from Steven Ward (One Piece) and newcomer Donna Cormack-Thomson as series regulars, the supporting cast changes each episode. Look out for the likes of Lemogang Tsipa (Shaka iLembe), Waldemar Schultz (Die Byl), Ivan Zimmermann (Alles Malan), Frank Rautenbach (Lioness, Summertide), Silwerskerm winner Carel Nel (Gaia), and SAFTA winner Louw Venter (Swartwater), not to mention SAFTA nominees Albert Pretorius (Spinners) and Sean Cameron Michael (Fried Barry) as Stewart ‘Boetie Boer’ Wilken and FBI profiler Robert Ressler respectively. 

Paramount+ Greenlights Mo Willems’ ‘The Elephant & Piggie Show’ and ‘The Pigeon Show!’

Paramount+ is getting into the Mo Willems’ animated animal business in a big way. The streamer announced today that it has greenlit two animated series, The Elephant & Piggie Show! and The Pigeon Show! Starring the Pigeon, based on the best-selling children’s author and illustrator’s books. This is the first time Paramount+ is collaborating with the author’s Hidden Pigeon production company.

“Mo Willems has delighted kids and ‘former kids’ around the world with these beloved characters,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+. “Whether it’s Elephant and Piggie navigating the hard work of ‘best-friending’ or The Pigeon confusing wants and needs (a hot dog! a cookie! to drive the bus!), these characters remind us that the best stories are the ones that make us laugh and feel something real. We’re thrilled to bring them to life on Paramount+.”

“We are so excited to be partnering with Paramount+ to further expand the world of Mo Willems through these two new series,” said Karen K. Miller, CEO of Hidden Pigeon Company. “We can’t wait to present more of the characters and stories that kids everywhere already know and love in ways that will surprise and delight them at every turn.”

The Elephant & Piggie Show! is described as a warm, comedic pre-K series about the hilarious and sometimes challenging work of “best-friending.” The series takes place in the small, walkable neighborhood of Willemsburg, which is full of new locations audiences will love. Elephant Gerald is careful; his best friend Piggie is not. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to and together, along with young audiences, they will celebrate the messy and joyful art of friendship.

The Pigeon Show! Starring the Pigeon animates the day-to-day struggles of a pigeon who just wants to be listened to. He will be your best friend if you have a bus and you let him drive it. The series features familiar characters from Willems’ books, such as the adorable Duckling who always seems to get what she wants, plus new characters, like The Pigeon’s 150-million-year-old pterodactyl grandmother, Nana-Dactyl, and his best wing-pals, Ima Pigeon and Doug Pigeon.

Willems is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator who has received the Caldecott Honor on three occasions (for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity). His popular Elephant & Piggie early reader series has been awarded two Theodor Seuss Geisel Medals (for There Is a Bird on Your Head! and Are You Ready to Play Outside?) and five Geisel Honors (for We Are in a Book!, I Broke My Trunk!, Let’s Go for a Drive!, A Big Guy Took My Ball!, and Waiting Is Not Easy!). Mo began his career as a writer on Sesame Street, where he received six Emmy Awards.,

More Bad News Might Be Awaiting DStv Consumers As MultiChoice And Warner Bros. Discovery Square Off

According to some new reports, DStv subscribers may have to brace for more bad news aside from Paramount closing MTV Base and 3 other channels. The fight is on in trying to retain Cartoon Network and TNT as well as The White Lotus on M-Net.

Warner Bros. Discovery and MultiChoice had this carriage dispute for sometime regarding the future of these networks and it's content on M-Net. As reported, Netflix had won the bid to acquire the portion that licenses to M-Net.

MultiChoice under its new owners Canal+ seemingly implied that rates to renew such agreement is higher. And as I've mentioned for a while now things about to get messy from insider's reports that things aren't looking good.

It could imply two scenarios

The first DStv consumers will lose all 12 channels meaning no more reruns of Regular Show on Cartoon Network and Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network. Superman, Green Lantern and Harry Potter on M-Net Movies those are gone as well.

From 2026, MultiChoice will lose DStv consumers at an alarmingly rate as seen in Kenya where it lost 85% of its audience. While they promise to replace the affected channels, none of the content from these brands would form part of the lineup anyways.

MultiChoice will find it hard trying to convince consumers across the DStv bouquet to retain their subscription. Even with replacements, there would be no Sister Wives or AEW Dynamite which is what the paying consumer subscribed for.

Various outlets are putting most of their bet on the first scenario and if you've seen what happened in the week was Netflix's possible acquisition of Warner Bros. Lots of websites placed their bid on Paramount winning as the deal would have included the cable networks.

But I'm putting my cards out for the second scenario where MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery are able to finalise an agreement - eventually.

"Things Aren't Looking Good" could imply instead of 12 additional channels joining the 4 existing channels from Paramount to exit DStv. It could as well be between 4-7 channels and I've stated this before MultiChoice doesn't need all these channels.

Travel Channel had been in decline that even MultiChoice Africa no longer offer it to DStv consumers. HGTV similar to BBC Earth wasn't even licensed to consumers in some African markets making it a strong contender to get the axe.

Under previous management, MultiChoice was prioritising on content which led to the exit of a couple of popular brands like Animal Planet and BBC First. Maybe under French hands, they could look to keep channels with massive appeal and remove ones deemed expensive or redundant.

Popular brands within their stable include Discovery, TLC, Cartoon Network and TNT, with expensive or low rated brands like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery Family.

If theres one thing I believe would be a priority is the part that deals with M-Net and Showmax as a loss would lead to viewer erosion. The part in which M-Net contract with has major IPs under their belt and is a contributor to M-Net's success.

The linear part doesn't even appear in South Africa's 20 most watched channels making the content part a liability. 

The second scenario seems probable although they would lose subscribers it wouldn't be severe if this number went up to 16 channels. MultiChoice can do without some of these brands as it would give them time to calm the masses and seek alternatives.

How Netflix's Potential Acquisition Of Warner Bros. Discovery Affects M-Net, DStv And Showmax?

Not long ago, it was reported that Netflix won the bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery valuing the deal at $72 billion. This deal would DC Entertainment/Studios, Cartoon Network Studios, HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures/Television and New Line Cinema.

Below is a how this deal is bad news for MultiChoice

M-Net and Showmax

MultiChoice had been licensing Game Of Thrones and Penguins from HBO to M-Net and Showmax. In the event of an acquisition, Netflix had expressed interest to continue these partnerships with local broadcasters but it may not be easy.

If MultiChoice continues to license content from Warner Bros. they could as well look to increase the rates. This is something MultiChoice's new owners Canal+ may not find amusing as they've begun cost cutting due to DStv's shrinking consumer base.

Besides that, the previous owners at MultiChoice had been anti-Netflix for sometime so the general audience had sort of painted a certain image of the company. While free-to-air broadcasters such as SABC and eMedia Investments had been licensing from the streamer.

MultiChoice put up a wall between them and Netflix again this was the previous owners regime as Canal+ does view them as partners. They do have an agreement to bundle their services in francophone markets alongside a content deal through K+.

The reality is while Warner Bros. continues to license content to M-Net and Showmax, Netflix will likely make further productions exclusive to their services. If they do continue licensing, I doubt MultiChoice would want their scraps.

Netflix is already available in the market which further complicates things as M-Net and Showmax are meant to go hand in hand with their content. But then again, MultiChoice is part of StudioCanal's parent company which gives them leverage.

Netflix may offer Stranger Things, Squid Games and Wednesday but with Canal+'s MultiChoice there's Paris Has Fallen, Spinners and iShaka iLembe.

DStv

For this part, I feel there's a lot of exaggeration as Netflix is not acquiring Discovery, TLC or the linear Cartoon Network as that is being spun off into a separate company. Of course, Netflix's bid to be frank sort of dilutes the value of Cartoon Network.

Cartoon Network under Discovery Global will be leaning more toward third party programming such as Lego Ninjago, Dragonball Super and Totally Spies!. While what made Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney "The Big 3" like Regular Show and Tiny Toons Looniversity goes to Netflix.

It's likely that they will be a licensing agreement for these shows but they'll most definitely be like DreamWorks Channel - reruns. Under a separate company, they're not going to prioritise on these Netflix originals.

If it is deemed expensive these shows could as well get phased out and again that just dilutes Cartoon Network who had been reliant on these IPs.

Turning over the torch to Discovery Global, this is the company that MultiChoice is involved in a carriage dispute with over the future of its 12 channels. These include Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC and as mentioned the linear Cartoon Network.

Of course, the matter of concern here to me is that as mentioned with Cartoon Network while the Netflix deal makes the company more leaner. There's still another 20 billion worth of debt they need to clean out.

Expecting for content to be reduced, potential sales or closures to operations or channels and lastly massive layoffs particularly for international feeds.

All of this might as well unfold while these channels are no longer on DStv but then again it's likely that MultiChoice could opt to keep a few channels. My guess would be Discovery Channel, TLC, Cartoon Network, Real Time, Cartoonito, ID and CNN.

MultiChoice Is In Trouble As M-Net And Showmax Are Also At Risk Of Losing Content From HBO, TLC And Cartoon Network

A few days ago, it was announced that Netflix had won the bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (excluding it's cable networks). This comes after MultiChoice and the company made it transparent to viewers that their 12 TV channels on DStv could be going dark from next year.

These include Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Family, TNT, Real Time, Investigation Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito and CNN. A petition had been going around following news of its possible demise.

According to sources, not only does this deal affect these cable networks but also their licensing deal with M-Net and Showmax for shows like House Of Dragons, The White Lotus and The Gilded Age.

MultiChoice had stated at the time that they were open to replacing these channels and if that's so none of the content from HBO or Warner's cable networks would form part of the lineup. Warner Bros. is one of MultiChoice's biggest clients.

Compared to Disney and Paramount that offer only 6 channels each, they offer a combined figure. Since Disney+ inception, content from the brand had been further reduced on M-Net, DStv and Showmax but that wasn't the case for Warner Bros. Discovery.

For MultiChoice and it's owner Canal+, there is a lot in stake for them should they opt to have these channels removed. In two years, they've lost over 2 million subscribers particularly in Kenya where it lost 85% of its subscribers and this will just accelerate.

Paramount already plans to close CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET and MTV Base, and although the consumer numbers are expected to decline. It will be more severe as seen in Kenya should consumers miss out on 90 Day Fiance and Craig Of The Creek. 

‘HBO, DC, Cartoon Network’: 10 Companies That Netflix Will Now Own After The Warner Bros Buyout

Following Netflix’s agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s TV and film studios and streaming division in a deal valued at roughly $72 billion, the streaming giant will take control of some of the most influential brands in global entertainment. Based on the assets included in the sale, here are 10 major companies and brands Netflix will now own.

1. HBO

The deal includes Warner Bros Discovery's streaming and premium-TV business, giving Netflix full ownership of HBO, one of the strongest content brands in the world, known for Game of Thrones, Succession, The Last of Us and more.

2. HBO Max / Max

Netflix will also acquire the HBO Max (rebranded as Max) streaming service, a direct competitor. This dramatically increases Netflix’s control over prestige television and reshapes the streaming landscape.

3. Warner Bros Television

The acquisition includes Warner Bros’ television production unit, one of the industry’s largest suppliers of scripted and unscripted programming, producing shows for networks globally.

4. Warner Bros Pictures

Netflix gains control of Warner Bros Pictures, the centerpiece film studio behind franchises such as Harry Potter, DC Films, Mad Max and Fantastic Beasts.

5. DC Entertainment / DC Studios

The DC superhero universe featuring Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Joker and more, falls under Netflix’s ownership as part of the studios division.

6. New Line Cinema

The iconic studio behind The Lord of the Rings, The Conjuring and IT will become part of Netflix’s content empire through the Warner Bros acquisition.

7. Cartoon Network Studios

The animation division producing global hits like Ben 10, Adventure Time and The Powerpuff Girls will be owned by Netflix, expanding its youth and animation catalogue.

8. Adult Swim

Known for Rick and Morty, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and cult animation, Adult Swim also moves under Netflix as part of the studios and TV assets it is buying.

9. Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

TCM’s extensive classic-films library and broadcast brand will fall under Netflix's control, giving it unmatched catalogue depth.

10. Vox Media Partnership Assets

Warner Bros Discovery maintains multiple joint ventures, including content partnerships with Vox Media (such as digital news/documentary collaborations). These partnership rights transfer to Netflix as part of the studio and streaming business purchase.

The article was originally published by Wionews

Netflix Wins the Warner Bros. Discovery Bidding War, Enters Exclusive Deal Talks

Warner Bros. Discovery is moving forward with exclusive deal talks with Netflix, TheWrap has learned.

WBD has selected Netflix after the streaming giant offered $30 a share for the studio and streaming assets, according to two people familiar with the deal talks. The deal also includes a $5 billion break-up fee to match the terms that Paramount added with its bid.

While its unclear what the makeup of the new bid looks like, the prior bid was a mix of mostly cash and stock.

Netflix securing a win over rival suitors Paramount and Comcast represents a stunning turnaround from just two months ago, when co-CEO Greg Peters shaded big media mergers as not having an “amazing track record,” and Paramount buying WBD seemed like a foregone conclusion. Fast forward to today, and Netflix has won a furious M&A bake-off after three rounds of bids.

Representatives for Netflix and WBD weren’t immediately available for comment.

These exclusive talks clear the road for Netflix to acquire the Warner Bros. studios, HBO Max and a treasure trove of IP assets like “Harry Potter” and the DC Universe. Netflix, which once aspired to be like HBO when first embarking on original content, is on a course to become its next owner. Obtaining such assets could dramatically reshape the entertainment landscape and give Netflix even more power over Hollywood — concerns the streamer will have to assuage.

Regulatory hurdles

The willingness to include the unusually large breakup fee was likely critical with questions arising on how Netflix will get a deal with Warner Bros. through regulatory approval. It would face stiff antitrust scrutiny and opposition from the U.S. Department of Justice, New York Post’s Charles Gasparino reported on Tuesday.

A representative for the Department Justice declined to comment on the report.

In a Nov. 13 letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Department of Justice antitrust division assistant attorney general Gail Slater, Republican Rep. Darrell Issa warned that a Netflix bid would raise antitrust concerns that could harm consumers and Hollywood alike. He noted that consolidation between the two companies would “diminish incentives to produce new content and major theatrical releases,” which could “undermine opportunities for the full range of industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera.”

California Attorney General Robert Bonta has previously voiced his opposition to any deals involving WBD. “Further consolidation in markets that are central to American economic life — whether in the financial, airline, grocery or broadcasting and entertainment markets — does not serve the American economy, consumers or competition well,” his office told TheWrap last month in response to Paramount’s initial offer.

“We are committed to protecting consumers and California’s economy from consolidation we find unlawful,” the spokesperson added.

The process of completing the deal could distract the company from executing its core business. There’s also the X factor of Netflix jumping into the deep end of the theatrical business, a part of the entertainment world it has kept its distance from. Netflix shares fell 5% on Wednesday when investors realized the prospect of a deal happening was very real.

Afrikaans Adaptation Of The Office To Premiere In January On Showmax

African streamer Showmax is in production on a South African adaptation of global hit format The Office, licensed by BBC Studios.

kykNET will preview the first episode at 8PM on Sunday, 18 January, ahead of the Showmax double bill premiere on Tuesday, 20 January. 

It was more than 20 years ago that the world was introduced to the wonderfully bleak mockumentary world of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. MetaCritic lists the original British version as the best-reviewed comedy series of all time, while the American version won five Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and was the most streamed show in the world in 2020. 

This universal appeal has seen the BAFTA- and Golden Globe-winning cult comedy remade for audiences around the world, including Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland. 

The South African edition of The Office, to be called Die Kantoor, will be its 14th adaptation and will be filmed primarily in Afrikaans. 

Rapid Blue, part of BBC Studios, is producing the Showmax Original, with BBC Studios handling global sales.

SAFTA and Silwerskerm winner Bennie Fourie is the head writer and director. He is the co-creator of SAFTA Best TV Comedy winner Hotel and plays Baltus in the award-winning mockumentary Magda Louw. 

“It's a massive honour to be able to make the show,” says Bennie. “When we started way back with Hotel, this was the type of show that we were trying to emulate. I don’t think we were ready to make it then but after 10 years of playing with the mockumentary genre, now is the perfect time for us to do this. Everything has really fallen into place and we’re extremely excited.”  

Bennie is clear he’s not just translating The Office into Afrikaans to remake it shot-by-shot with local actors. Instead, he’s reimagined it from the ground up. “South Africa is not the UK and it’s not the US, and we really wanted to reflect that,” says Bennie.

This started by changing the office setting from a paper company to Deluxe Processed Meats, which specialises in polony. 

“South Africa is a proud meat-consuming nation,” says Bennie. “From biltong to droëwors to steak, many South Africans find some of our identity in the meat we eat. But polony is not on that list. It’s just so flippen pink. When you’re standing around a braai, the last thing you want to say is that you are passionate about polony. Especially after that Listeriosis outbreak.”

The staff are looked down upon by their head office, Deluxe Meats, who specialise in prime cuts, and no one feels safe in their positions, as a BBBEE business consortium recently bought a large part of the company.

Rapid Blue produced Is’thunzi, which earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy nominations. They’ve assembled a mix of familiar and fresh faces for Die Kantoor, led by 2025 Fleur du Cap winner Albert Pretorius (Niggies; Nêrens, Noord-Kaap) as Flip, the office manager. 

“Flip’s only been the manager for the last year but he’s excited to welcome the documentary crew,” says Bennie. “He feels like this is his Chasing the Sun; like his rise to greatness needs to be recorded.” 

The ensemble cast also includes SAFTA winner Schalk Bezuidenhout (Kanarie, Hotel), screen legend Lida Botha (Die Kwiksilvers), Carl Beukes (Jozi, The Shakedown), Silwerskerm winner Ilse Oppelt (Oh Schuks I’m Gatvol, Fishy Fêshuns), Daniah de Villiers (Mia in Mia and the White Lion), Mehboob Bawa (Bhai in Bhai’s Cafe), former KFM presenter Sipumziwe Lucwaba, and newcomer Gert du Plessis. 

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all has been a full circle moment for us,” says Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, executive head of content at Showmax, part of MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company.

The announcement comes as South Africa celebrates being in third place overall at tonight’s International Emmy Awards in New York, with a record five nominations: Showmax’s Koek (Drama) and Catch Me A Killer (Actress: Charlotte Hope), M-Net’s School Ties (Documentary), SuperSport’s Chasing The Sun 2 (Sports Documentary), and Play Room Live (Kids: Factual and Entertainment). 

While you wait for the South African version in January, re-watch the US version of The Office S1-9 on Showmax.