How Canal+ Might Look To Make MultiChoice An Entertainment Leader In Africa?

A few months ago, Canal+ was interviewed by several journalists over the impending disaster awaiting DStv and Showmax once it acquires the parent company. At the time, it was stated that they had no intention of rebranding IPs especially if they're in a competitive position. 

This means instead of doing away with Mzansi Magic for starters they'll most probably leverage from that to give themselves exposure to the market. For those who aren't aware, Canal+ resides within 28 million households of which 8 million reside in Africa.

Canal+ doesn't mention what could happen with their own platforms particularly ones residing in Ethiopia. But if we had to guess Canal+ could look to integrate these platforms with that of MultiChoice which could include cost cutting measures. 

MultiChoice has BBC Earth and Canal+ has Love Nature so the end result to the acquisition would see one of the two go. In this case, BBC Earth as the latter would integrate with existing entertainment viewed on either BBC Brit or BBC Lifestyle. 

During mergers and acquisitions, it usually common for companies to implement cost cutting measures and for them to put their other own agenda above everything else as seen with the switch from BBC Earth to Love Nature. 

With Canal+ owning MultiChoice they would want to align the entertainment and sports viewed from consumers in Francophone Africa to that of MultiChoice in Anglophone Africa. Doing so will help them cutback on expenses and leave the door open to more income.

That extra income could be used to finance their own endeavors in the African landscape as some may have heard they currently finance most French media. That's probably want they're seeking here in the pursuit of Africa's biggest broadcaster. 

MultiChoice and Canal+ are already entertainment leaders in their respective fields. From what we can assume with the endeavors of BBC Earth is that Canal+ will most probably look to minimize the amount of American and international content on DStv. 

Some of these companies like the BBC have already produced and filmed content in Africa like Listing Jozi and Come Dine With Me SA. Canal+ could look into reducing MultiChoice's dependency on these brands. 

StudioCanal, which is the production arm of Canal+ has been responsible for the development of series, films and doccies. It is basically a competitor to NBCUniversal, Disney and Paramount something Canal+ hopes to pivot with the acquisition of MultiChoice. 

August 2024 On History Channel Across Africa | New Series Alert: Cursed Histories | Returning Shows Including Great African Mysteries | More

MYSTERY SEASON DEADMAN’S CURSE S2

July and August 2024

‘Mystery Season’ continues this August and has a South African touch with brand new Great African Mysteries with John Robbie, a fascinating local documentary show. It returns, after a successful first season last year, to investigate three of the continent’s litt le-known intriguing mysteries. Other shows that will investigate some of history’s the most confounding mysteries include season two of Deadman’s Curse, a new season of one of our fan-favourites, Ancient Aliens and the all-new series Cursed Histories.

Brand New 

CURSED HISTORIES 

2 August

Weekdays 21h05

Cursed Histories unravels the histories and legends that unleashed a wave of misfortune into the world. These tales of intrigue, heartbreak, and deception are so tragic people still speak of the sinister forces surrounding them. From the tomb of Tutankhamen to the Hope Diamond, to the Lost City of Frenier, history is riddled with people, places, and objects that spread utterly wicked, unbridled chaos. Repeats: Next Day 10:15

GREAT AFRICAN MYSTERIES S2

3 August

Saturday 19h25

Great African Mysteries with John Robbie season 2 takes viewers on a thrilling journey through Africa’s most fascinating and unfamiliar mysteries. Host John Robbie uncovers how a  cataclysmic event 2 billion years ago, went on to shape South Africa’s economy. He also interrogates whether scientists are working to bring back the extinct quagga and delves into the secrets of Thulamela, a pre-colonial African Kingdom. Join us as we uncover the hidden treasures and ancient enigmas of this captivating continent. Repeats: Following Sunday 18:40

Brand New & Exclusive

HOW DISNEY BUILT AMERICA

5 August

Mondays 19h25

How Disney Built America explores the history of Walt Disney and how the iconic Disney brand, fueled by the creation of beloved characters, cherished family films, thrilling theme parks, technological innovati ons, and more, continues to shape generati ons as a worldwide phenomenon. The new non-fiction series is a nostalgia filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney’s history. It explores how Disney invented the world’s most recognisable characters, created the animated features industry, revoluti onised the concept of merchandising, and used groundbreaking engineering to construct Disneyland. Repeats: Next Day 11:45

ANCIENT ALIENS S16

10 August

Saturdays 19h25

The search for the truth continues. From recent breaking news on the U.S. government’s funding of UFO research, to recently discovered hidden facts behind chambers in Egypt’s Great Pyramid, each episode covers alien related topics with historic detail, first-hand accounts and interviews with top experts. Repeats: Sunday 18:35

Brand New & Exclusive

ALONE S11 

29 August

Thursdays 19h25

The HISTORY Channel’s hit survival series Alone is back for a new season in the Northernmost locati on in series history. Watch as ten skilled survivalists face bone-chilling cold, icy landscapes, and intimidating predators for a chance to win the coveted $500,000 cash prize. Equipped with only ten basic survival tools, each participant must forage for their own food, build shelter, and overcome both physical and mental obstacles while self-recording their journey for a chance to be the last person standing. With no teams, no camera crews, and no gimmicks, Alone is the ultimate test of human will. Repeats: Next Day 11:45

July & August 2024 On BBC Lifestyle Across Africa | Nadiya's Simple Spices | James Oliver: Seasons | More

NADIYA'S SIMPLE SPICES S1

2 July - 6 August 2024

Tuesdays 20:00 - 21:00

Episodes: 6

Nadiya's Spices Made SimpleEight flavours to fire up your taste buds in this latest series, Nadiya Hussain sets out to demystify cooking with spices, showing just how versatile, inexpensive and easy it can be to elevate ordinary dishes to extraordinary. Focusing on just eight spices - cumin, turmeric, chilli, curry powder, cardamom, fennel, cinnamon and bay - Nadiya creates mouth-watering meals for every occasion, from the delicious Bangladeshi dishes of her childhood, to British classics with a spicy twist and of course, her trademark tasty mash ups.

Showcasing spice for not just flavour, but fragrance and colour too and whether used singly or in cunning combinations, she'll show us how to make scrummy spiced breakfasts, speedy one pan lunches, warming dinners and delicious desserts for every event. Each episode will see Nadiya cook up four brilliantly simple recipes and also explore other spices on offer around the globe through the chefs and cooks who bring them to life.

LUXURY ON LIFESTYLE

THE HILTON: PARK LANE S1

11 July - 1 August 2024

Thursdays 20:00 - 21:00

Episodes: 4

This four-part documentary series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the 5-star London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel during its 60th anniversary and multimillion-pound renovation. It follows the staff as they provide 5-star service to celebrities and VIPs during Britain's busiest social events, revealing surprising stories of guests from around the world.

INSIDE ROYAL KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA S1

8 August - 29 August 2024

Thursdays 20:00 - 21:00

Episodes: 4

In episode one, we’re house hunting on Knightsbridge-one of Britain’s priciest streets, joining Palace resident, Princess Michael of Kent judging at the annual Chelsea Bun Competition, heading into the Royal Borough’s most famous home, Kensington Palace and meeting the King’s Bargemaster, whose job is to carry the monarch on water...and their crown jewels on land.

JAMIE OLIVER: SEASONS

10 September – 24 September

Thursdays 20:00 - 21:00

Episodes: 3

In Jamie's NEW series filmed over an entire year, he takes you through seasonal produce and how to make the very best of it! The first three episodes focus on Spring. In episode one, Jamie Oliver takes us on a delicious journey, as he reawakens the kitchen garden after winter; he celebrates rhubarb in a lip-smacking sauce for marinated pork belly, and picks some new season spinach for a silky goat's cheese risotto.

My Naam Is Farah: A Brand New Turkish Telenovela Is Coming To KykNET&Kie

My Naam Is Farah centres around an Iranian woman who escapes her homeland to find solace in Istanbul. Working as a cleaning lady, she works tirelessly to fund her son's vital medical treatment. However, her life takes an unexpected twist when she accidentally becomes a witness to a murder.

Drawing inspiration from the highly acclaimed Argentinian series La Chica Que Limpia, My Naam Is Farah (Adim Farah) premiered on NOW (known as FOX during its run) from 1st March and concluded on 30 December 2023 with 47 episodes which span 2 seasons. 

Demet Özdemir stars the titular character alongside Engin Akyürek as Tahir Lekesiz, Feyyaz Duman as Behnam Azadi, Fırat Tanış as Mehmet Koşaner, Senan Kara as Vera Akıncı and Lale Başar as Perihan Koşaner.

NOW is Turkish broadcaster home to various shows licensed to eMedia Investments' Kuiertyd including Doodsondes (Yasak Elma), Om Elke Draai (Her Yerde Sen) and Dokter Ali (Mucize Doctor). It was also known as the only FOX feed outside America to produce original content.

With Moedehart that is set to conclude by October 10th its likely that My Naam Is Farah will only commence on October 14th. KykNET&Kie had restructured their daytime schedule with the Turkish timeslots merging to one so unless otherwise it's likely to be allocated there.

In other developments, eMedia Investments will be adding Net 20 Minute and Pad Na Die Hart after streaming eVOD these shows will be allocated on eExtra. With the final season of Doodsondes that will only commence on eExtra by 2025.

SuperSport To Debut Olympic Update Channel In Time For The Paris 2024 Olympic Games On DStv Channel 217

SuperSport is proud to announce its comprehensive Paris 2024 Olympic Games coverage, designed to bring you Closer to Your Champions and immerse viewers into the heart of the action.

From 26 July to 11 August, SuperSport will broadcast all gold medal events live, ensuring that sports enthusiasts across Africa experience every triumphant moment as it unfolds.

SuperSport will boast an elite line-up of Olympic analysts, including South African gold medallists Ryk Neethling, Lyndon Ferns, and Sizwe Lawrence Ndlovu, silver medallist Godfrey Khotso Mokoena, and bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley, plus Olympians such as Geraldine Pillay and Alyssa Conley.

SuperSport’s rest of Africa content offering will also boast strong insights from stars such as former Nigeria women's national football team striker Ugochi Oparanozie, Kenya’s 2008 Beijing Olympics 800m gold medallist Wilfred Bungei and Nigerian football legend Victor Ikpeba, who was part of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medal-winning men’s team.

NON-STOP ACTION 

From the riveting and historic opening ceremony, where a flotilla of boats will make their way down the Seine River that runs through the heart of the city, to non-stop action from 35 venues around Paris, SuperSport will bring you every nail-biting moment as the world’s best athletes go for gold.

From athletics, swimming, football, rugby and boxing to gymnastics, diving, surfing and skateboarding, and much more – the Games promise something for everyone.

DEDICATED SUPERSCREEN

We’re excited to introduce our dedicated SuperScreen channel on DStv channel 199, available in Sub–Saharan Africa.

This innovative channel features eight split screens, providing viewers with an overview of all our Olympic channels, ensuring that viewers never miss a moment.

“We’ve truly pulled out all the stops to ensure that SuperSport viewers are immersed in the action during this year’s Paris Olympic Games,” says SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha.

“In what world can you get all the gold medal events live, one dedicated DStv channel with eight screens showing the action as it unfolds plus big-name analysts that will unpack the drama for viewers at home?

“The more we ask the question, In What World?, the more apparent it becomes that you get a whole galaxy of sporting entertainment on Your World of Champions. And this is especially true for the tournament that’s a celebration of the sporting and human spirit, the Olympic Games.”

Sports fans can effortlessly navigate across SuperSport’s eight dedicated Olympic linear channels, five streaming channels and four overflow channels, ensuring they never miss a moment of their favourite events.

24-HOUR NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS CHANNEL

And if you just want to catch the highlights, our SuperSport Grandstand channel has you covered, curating the best of Paris 2024 to bring you the must-watch events and most memorable performances.

SuperSport's commitment extends beyond live events with the launch of our 24-hour Olympic Update Channel (DStv channel 217), a dedicated news and highlights channel available to DStv Access subscribers across the continent.

That’s right, we’re offering viewers 24/7 continuous viewing of iconic moments and compelling stories from the Games, celebrating the essence of the Olympic movement.

EXCLUSIVE OLYMPIC-THEMED FILMS

To further enrich our viewers experience, SuperSport is premiering two exclusive Olympic themed films, to enhance our storytelling around the Games:

Pierre De Coubertin: An Olympic Life – which premiered on 10 July on SuperSport Variety 4, a film that explores the legacy of the visionary who revived the ancient Olympics in 1896.

Told through the eyes of Lauren Rembi, Olympic Fencing Champion, we learn more about Coubertin’s vision and commitment that led to an enduring sporting legacy.

Paris Olympic 1924 – first airing on 11 July, is a remastered film commemorating the centennial return of the Games to Paris, capturing a pivotal moment of unity and celebration post-World War I.

The beautifully shot footage, which was the first Olympic Games to be captured on film, has endured for 100 years and vividly captures the electrifying atmosphere of the Games.

Both films are available on SuperSport, Showmax and DStv CatchUp, as well as to GOtv channels in the rest of Africa.

PROFILE PIECES

In keeping with the consistent storytelling throughout the Games, SuperSport will feature regular content pieces profiling our current Olympic stars, including Akani Simbine, Ferdinand Omanyala, Lythe Pillay, Miyanda Maseti, Patrick Chinyemba, Worknesh Mesele and Noah Lyles.

These segments, available on DStv CatchUp, aim to connect audiences with the personal journeys and achievements of their favourite athletes, bringing you even Closer to Your Champions.