Cartoonito's International Expansion Continues As It Replaces Boomerang In South Korea

Cartoonito is an international channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery dedicated to preschoolers and families. Since its launch in 2021, the channel had garnered traction globally for shows like Bugs Bunny Builders, Batwheels and Masha And The Bear. 

Since 2022, Cartoonito has replaced various Boomerang feeds in Latin America, Turkey, Europe and Africa. With the United States, Taiwan Oceania and South Korea serving as one of the few markets where content is allocated on Cartoon Network. 

Through a promo, it was revealed Boomerang would rebrand to Cartoonito in South Korea from July 1st with the region serving as a late entry.

It is currently unknown how much content from Boomerang would fold under Cartoonito when the rebrand occurs. However, Jessica's Big Little World will form part of the launch lineup alongside Lamput, Esme & Roy and Bugs Bunny Builders. 

Warner Bros. Discovery's decision for replacing Boomerang with Cartoonito in EMEA which might be contributing factor in South Korea:

"We are aligning with our international strategy as Cartoonito is now a global brand for the company and all Boomerang channels in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region will become Cartoonito." "Everything depends on a country-by-country basis since the pipeline of brands we have is not the same in every country, but overall that's the strategy."

The Possible Fate Awaiting iROKO Former TV Channels On DStv

Canal+ is a French based pay-tv provider operated by Vivendi that distribute various films, series and TV channels. It recently acquired remaining shares in MultiChoice after serving as its largest investor with the company seeking approval from local legislation. 

They intend to merge operations should this deal move forward but alas the two had been rivals years prior and this comes with a similar lineup of entertainment. In this case, Canal+'s ROK Studios and M-Net's Africa Magic channels as mentioned sometime ago. 

Unless some restructuring plan is underway for both these brands it's likely that the ROK channels and Africa Magic would be subjected to a merger. Sort of as a streamlining attempt as seen with Africa Magic Urban as the latter would fold under Showmax and iROKO TV.

Of course, Canal+ did acquire the TV channels and studios and not the iROKO+ streaming service. If anything, Canal+ could reduce their investment on iROKO TV now that they have Africa Magic and opt to license content just to build the offering on IROKO+. 

The ROK channels could start to burn out once consumers notice there's less new content and another if some of this offering were to just reappear on Africa Magic Showcase or Africa Magic Family for instance. 

Why eMedia Investments Hasn't Made Any Of Its Content On eVOD Accessible On Openview In Recent Months?

eVOD is a South African based streaming service operated by eMedia Investments that offers a mixture of locally produced and international content. It also serves as a competitor to existing streamers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Showmax.

As some readers are aware, eMedia Investments was planning to invest at least 100 million yearly on local productions for eVOD. Not only that, content viewed on the streamer was said to also be accessible to Openview consumers overtime.

This was usually between a period of 6 months to a year but as some viewers had noticed this had gone on for a much longer duration.

eVOD has been introducing productions like Mother Of All, Splintered Pieces and Net 20 Minute (dubbed program). Instead of these shows being allocated on e.tv or any of eMedia's other channels, they have an alternative lineup put in place.

If we had to guess, eMedia Investments is probably trying to lure consumers to eVOD and rushing their releases on Openview reduces that possibility. Openview is a freemium service and some content in question on eVOD form part of the pay tier.

Another reason could be that eMedia Investments is trying to give eVOD some value and don't want consumers to view it as repeats platform for select content on Openview. But an additional broadcaster as seen with MultiChoice's M-Net and Showmax. 

How Canal+ Sport Could Fold Under The SuperSport Trademark?

SuperSport is Africa's biggest sports broadcaster packaged and distributed by MultiChoice and Canal+. It is home to Varsity Cup (rugby), DStv Premiership (football), PGA Championship (golf), Formula One (motorsports) and WWE (wrestling).

Known to be a male dominant field, SuperSport expanded this lineup with Here For Her campaign targeted at females. This would followup to the introduction of youth sports with the rollout of SuperSport Schools after acquiring School Sports Live.

Not long ago, it was revealed that Canal+ had got the greenlight to acquire remaining shares within MultiChoice. There's been various questions clinging around to the fate of some content. 

Acquisitions are known to have their setbacks especially with mass layoffs, content cuts and possible mergers. As Canal+ intends to merge MultiChoice with their operations and these changes consumers anticipate would take sometime to be implemented. 

With the decline in linear consumption, companies have been very cautious with the daily running of a TV channel. Changing some minor aspects like the color of a light bulb to rearranging the order of library books would need careful assessment. 

Canal+ has acquired several assets in an attempt to expand their operations and this had led to channels getting the company name. This had led to some to wonder if the same aspirations could await SuperSport and whether this would impact consumers. 

Content wise that could remain intact but most rebrands are anticipated to often lead to something else. We've got to see that with 1Max (formerly 1Magic), this had led to an increase in local productivity and distribution in third party content. 

Instead of the entire set of SuperSport being identified under Canal+ Sport we presume these changes could have a smaller effect. If anything, the existing offering SuperSport Blitz and Premier League would be referred to as Blitz+ and Premier League+.

Plus (+) is a signature trademark for the French broadcaster from what we've seen in Poland and France. If anything, instead of SuperSport being phased perhaps an merger with + trademark to form SuperSport+.

Canal+ Acquisition Of MultiChoice Gets The Thumps Up, Awaiting Approval By Local Legislation

A MultiChoice independent board has recommended that shareholders accept a takeover offer from Canal+, but the groups still have major regulatory hurdles to overcome.

In a joint circular, the board said that the offer consideration of R125 per share is fair and reasonable and recommended that shareholders accept it once it becomes unconditional.

However, that point has not yet been reached, as the deal is still conditional on obtaining the approval of several government authorities inside and outside of South Africa. Canal+ and MultiChoice are in the process of assessing and finalising a possible reorganisation.

Shareholders have until 22 April 2025 to trade in MultiChoice Shares to participate in the offer. The timelines set out by the circular can be found below:

“In the circumstances, the Independent Board recommends that, in the event that the offer becomes unconditional, MultiChoice Shareholders accept the offer.”

Canal+ has been attempting to purchase MultiChoice since the start of the year, with its opening bid of R54 billion rejected.

However, it then increased its shareholding in MultiChoice to over 35%, meaning that it had to make an offer to buy the rest of MultiChoice. The French broadcaster has since increased its shareholding to 45.2%.

The group is also working on a way around South Africa’s foreign broadcast restrictions. The Electronic Communications Act prevents foreign entities from holding over 20% of a South African broadcaster’s voting rights.

The groups will have to spend the next year trying to find some way around this.

“In light of the duty on Canal+ to make a mandatory offer for the MultiChoice Shares, Canal+ and MultiChoice are in the process of assessing and finalising suitable structuring options and potential transactions, which may be undertaken by the MultiChoice Group on or shortly before the Closing Date to ensure compliance with the applicable limitations on foreign control while also maintaining MultiChoice’s BBBEE credentials.”

SPI International’s FunBox and FightBox Joins Fubo’s Molotov

Canal+ company, SPI International, has expanded its partnership with the French OTT service Molotov, owned by streaming platform Fubo. 

SPI International has introduced Fast&FunBox and FightBox, to Molotov’s lineup which will be available in Molotov’s extended basic package.

SPI International builds on its partnership Molotov, with it currently offering the gaming channel Gametoon on the service.

Fast&FunBox delivers programming of action/adveenture sports including car racing, motocross, snowboarding, and skateboarding. While, FightBox is dedicated to combat sports, offering a selection of exclusive content, live events and weekly programming across mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling, karate, kickboxing, taekwondo among other disciplines.

“We’re excited to further strengthen our relationship with Molotov by introducing Fast&FunBox and FightBox to French audiences. These offerings, alongside Gametoon, cater to MMA, extreme sports, and esports enthusiasts, in harmony with Fubo’s mission to deliver dynamic sports entertainment to audiences worldwide. With SPI International’s channels on Molotov, viewers can enjoy a diverse range of sports content including appointment to view live fights and breathtaking adrenaline sports,” said Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.

“Our parent company, Fubo, has built a successful business in multiple countries following the sports entertainment model, and we plan to expand Molotov’s offering in the same way”, said Grégory Samak, MD at Molotov. “As a player in MMA, extreme sports and esports – all growing sports in France – SPI international is an obvious partner for Molotov as we go deeper into sport.”

Development Alert: BBC First Debuts In Czech Republic And Slovakia Through T-Mobile, O2 And Slovak Telekom

The BBC First brand premiered in Czech Republic and Slovakia as an SVOD collection via T-Mobile and Slovak Telekom in November 2023, but this will be the first time the brand will be available as a linear channel in these countries, according to BBC Studios.

The channel’s June’s highlights include Six Four, a four-part thriller starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Kevin McKidd, which will premier on June 5

BBC First will also air seasons one and two of Maigret, starring Rowan Atkinson, and season one of police drama Hope Street.

BBC First will be available fully localised with Czech subtitles to T-Mobile and O2 subscribers in Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom in Slovakia and joins BBC Earth and BBC News, which are already available in both countries.

“We are thrilled to witness the continuous growth and success of our global brand, BBC First, over the past decade. I cannot envision a better way to commemorate this milestone than by expanding its reach to new audiences, together with our great partners in Czechia and Slovakia, T-Mobile, Slovak Telekom and O2. BBC First presents a distinctive opportunity for British drama enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of content that includes both thought-provoking, gritty narratives and intricate storylines, as well as light crime dramas” said Bartosz Witak, General Manager for CEE at BBC Studios.

Paramount And Skydance Media Agree To Terms Of A Merger, Awaiting Approval

Paramount and Skydance have agreed to terms of a merger. A deal could be announced in the coming days, he said.

A Paramount special committee and the buying consortium — David Ellison's Skydance, backed by private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR — agreed to the terms. The deal is awaiting signoff from Paramount's controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, who owns National Amusements, which owns 77% of class A Paramount shares, Faber said Monday.

The agreement terms come after weeks of discussion and a recent competing offer from Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures.

"We received the financial terms of the proposed Paramount/Skydance transaction over the weekend and we are reviewing them," said a National Amusements spokesperson.

The deal currently calls for Redstone to receive $2 billion for National Amusements, Faber reported Monday. Skydance would buy out nearly 50% of class B Paramount shares at $15 apiece, or $4.5 billion, leaving the holders with equity in the new company.

Skydance and RedBird would also contribute $1.5 billion in cash to Paramount's balance sheet to help reduce debt.

Following the deal's close, Skydance and RedBird would own two-thirds of Paramount, and the class B shareholders would own the remaining third of the company, Faber reported. The negotiated terms were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

The deal will not require a vote from the shareholders, which was part of the negotiations, Faber reported. Paramount's annual shareholder meeting will take place on Tuesday.

The deal is valued at $8 billion, an increase from the $5 billion offer on the table earlier. Under those earlier terms, Redstone would have received less than $2 billion for her stake, and the class B shareholders would have been bought out at a nearly 30% premium at $11 a share.

In early May, Apollo and Sony formally expressed interest in acquiring Paramount for about $26 billion. However, Redstone has favored a deal that would keep Paramount together, and Apollo and Sony planned to break up the company.

In addition to the twists and turns of the negotiations with buyers, Paramount's C-suite has also undergone a shakeup in recent months.

Bob Bakish stepped down as CEO in late April and was replaced by what the company calls the "Office of the CEO." Paramount is now led by three executives: George Cheeks, CBS president and CEO; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, the head of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.

Could M-Net Look Into Splitting Some Of Its Assets With Canal+?

Last month, I did a story about Showmax and how rumours had swirled around that MultiChoice was looking to separate it from DStv with some talks expanding further to a possible sale. Canal+ is looking to acquire the pay-tv company and merge their operations.

As some already know, Canal+ is a foreign entity and there's various legal hurdles they'll have to overcome before claiming victory. Since then, they've continued acquiring additional shares and this may a reason and in part it could have to do with its other assets.

MultiChoice isn't the first pay-tv company they sought after as there was Orange SA's film and TV division alongside M7 Group in parts of Europe. The main reason this may prove to be a challenge in Africa has to do with MultiChoice's dominance. 

SuperSport had become the leading destination for sports in Africa and often this had led to legal disputes with various broadcasters such as eMedia Investments. Canal+ is also a monopoly in their respective area something legal entities could explore.

Several media enthusiasts had thought of that possible division of assets with Canal+ funding local broadcasters such as SABC News and Moja Love while controlling daily operations of DStv. MultiChoice or a potential shareholder licensing a few TV channels and Showmax. 

Considering the load of TV channels under M-Net, we presume Canal+ would be able to obtain most of them despite the 20% ruling. In this case, Africa's operations alongside secondary brands Mzansi Wethu and KykNET & Kie with them holding majority sports rights.

M-Net could just limit their operations to a single channel alongside Showmax with M-Net Movies, Mzansi Magic, KykNET, SuperSport Blitz and SuperSport Grandstand. This would form part of a streamlined attempt with further entertainment handled by Canal+.

This separate company and Canal+ would continue working together with Showmax offering the best of the above-mentioned. If anything, this separate company could look into doing more partnerships as seen with NBCUniversal's DStv Glass and Showmax. 

Canal+ with its current assets from MultiChoice would build their own division, Canal+ Africa. This would be where pay-tv platforms DStv and GOtv would reside alongside premium entertainment and sports from Africa Magic, Zambezi Magic, Maisha Magic and SuperSport.