Paramount Global To Launch Paramount+ Branded Destination With Multichoice In Africa

Paramount Global Content Distribution announced a licensing deal today with MultiChoice to create a Paramount+ branded destination on the pan-African platform. This agreement is part of Paramount's strategy to expand the Paramount+ brand in more ways around the world, including making it available as a direct-to-consumer streaming service, through bundled partnerships in key markets as well as through branded destinations in local markets through licensing deals. Branded areas are currently available via Cosmote in Greece, Streamz in Belgium, Blast TV in Philippines, JioCinema in India and more to come.    

 

The branded destination offers African audiences’ direct access to new and returning television series as well as feature films and marks the debut of the Paramount+ brand in pan-Africa. MultiChoice viewers will have access to world-class content from CBS, Paramount+ Originals, SHOWTIME®, Paramount Pictures, and they will find iconic films and hit television series such as YELLOWSTONE, 1883, 1923, POKER FACE, SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES and upcoming new series LANDMAN as well as returning series like SURVIVOR.

 

“The expansion of our long-standing relationship with MultiChoice from a traditional licensing deal to a fully dedicated, Paramount+ branded destination on the platform is a testament to the tremendous effort of Paramount Global to continue to build the offering from multiple content pillars,” said Lisa Kramer, President, International Content Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution. “Consumers in the growing African market already equate Paramount with quality entertainment and we’re thrilled to now offer them a devoted space in which they can both access their favorite programming and discover new hit titles.”

 

"MultiChoice is excited to expand our partnership with Paramount Global to bring the Paramount+ brand to African audiences through our platform,” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment, MultiChoice South Africa. “This agreement reflects our commitment to providing our viewers with world-class entertainment options and expands our offering with iconic content. We are proud to offer African viewers direct access to a dedicated space where they can enjoy their favourite programming and discover new hit titles, further enriching their entertainment experience."

BBC UKTV Reaches 12.9 Million Viewers In Africa

BBC Studios in Africa has revealed that its multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV, has attracted record numbers, reaching over 12.9 million people. Viewers have grown by 135 per cent and the channel share has increased by 99 per cent among all individuals since launching on DStv in December 2022.

BBC UKTV features a range of genres scheduled for all ages, from Lifestyle programming, Come Dine With Me South Africa S1 and 10 Years Younger to soaps Eastenders, Doctors and Casualty, entertainment Total Wipeout: Freddie & Paddy Takeover, dramas The Mallorca Files, Call the Midwife and Shakespeare and Hathaway and factual series including Life Below Zero.

Since launching in 2022, audiences have tuned into the daily schedule and Secrets of the Supercars, Come Dine With Me, Bake-Off Crème de la Crème, The Musketeers (pictured) and The Great South African Bake-Off have become the most viewed shows to date.

Pierre Cloete, Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa, commented “BBC UKTV has seen incredible growth over the past year, I am so proud that over 12.9 million people have watched our shows. We crafted the channel to match the viewing habits of families in Africa and give more people access to our high-quality shows. With a variety of genres available for all age groups to enjoy, it’s amazing to see how many families are tuning in. We have committed to the future of BBC UKTV and can’t wait for DStv audiences to explore even more of BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue.”

BBC UKTV (DStv channel 134) is available on DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access and DStv Easy View.

Development Alert: Colors TV And StarPlus Owners Reliance And Disney Star Agree To Merge Media Business

In a mega deal in the entertainment segment, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Walt Disney Co have signed a binding agreement to merge their media operations in India, according to a Bloomberg report.

As per the agreement, the media unit of Reliance and its affiliates are expected to own at least 61 per cent in the merged entity, with Disney holding the rest.

Disney reportedly agreed to sell 61 per cent of its India business to Viacom 18 at a valuation of $3.9 billion. Viacom18 is owned by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

There were reports earlier this month that Disney had agreed to sell 60 per per cent of its Indian business to Viacom18. The deal is expected to be a significant move in the Indian media and entertainment industry.

Last month, Sony of Japan dropped its merger plan with Zee Entertainment ended due to disagreements regarding the leadership of the proposed merged media entity.

In the line of fire from activist shareholder Nelson Peltz for poor succession planning, Disney recently appointed two new directors – Morgan Stanley CEO James Gormon and former group chief executive at Sky Sir Jeremy Darroch, late November. In the same month, Walt Disney CEO Iger said on an earnings call in November that the company was “considering options” but that it would like to stay on in India and try and “strengthen our hand, improve the bottom line”.

Eutelsat Group Support The Launch Of UNESCO’s Television Channel, Educa-TV

In a news report by Eutelsat Group, the organisation supported the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Regional Office for Central Africa to launch the educational television channel Educa-TV at the African Union Summit of Heads of State in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Educa-TV project aims to help improve access to and quality of education by setting up a television channel dedicated exclusively to teaching and learning in Central Africa.

Furthermore, broadcast via satellite, the new channel will be available 24/7, free-to-air, in more than 20 countries on the African continent. Educa-TV is aimed primarily at pupils enrolled in exam classes from primary to secondary school to help them prepare for their final exams. In addition, a non-formal education component aimed at young people and adults will provide training in various fields linked to contemporary challenges, such as health education, education for sustainable development, and entrepreneurship training to promote the employability of young people.

“We are delighted to support UNESCO and ECCAS with the launch of the Educa-TV channel. Our commitment to reducing the digital divide and expanding digital inclusion is a crucial component of the Group’s corporate social responsibility strategy. This new channel fits perfectly with the beneficial social mission that our satellites can offer by facilitating access to education for all students in Central Africa. Thanks to satellite, students in even the most remote and inaccessible regions, whatever the level of infrastructure development, will be able to benefit from this new educational content,” commented Laurence Delpy, President of Eutelsat’s video business.

Kenneth Mitchell, An Actor Who Appeared In Captain Marvel And A Star Trek Series, Has Died

The actor, who was 49, was diagnosed with ALS - also known as motor neurone disease - five and a half years ago.

His family said in a statement on Instagram that Mitchell was "an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched".

Mitchell appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character's father, Joseph Danvers.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell was married to actress Susan May Pratt and the pair had two children together.

He revealed that he was suffering from ALS in an interview with People magazine in 2020, and said he had been using a powered wheelchair.

In the post on Instagram, his family paid tribute to him as "a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger... and more than anything else, a proud father".