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.”