Canal+ And MultiChoice: Packaging AI For Africa’s Future???

A+ Kids is an educational linear TV, VOD & OTT services supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) gamified educational digital platform for kids aged 3-7 focusing on learning English, math, science and the world around us. Integrating videos and games - all packaged into a simple to use gamified world.

For those who don't know, MultiChoice's potential new owners Canal+ (through Thema Distribution) has been supplying A+ Kids to consumers in parts of Europe and Africa. One has to wonder with the French broadcaster eyeing DStv if they'll look to get some if not all their services from Francophone markets on the platform.

MultiChoice had outlined that the transaction would lead them to additional content and services. This could also include aligning/integrating the offering of Canal+ Afrique with that of DStv.

Artificial intelligence has already seen dominance that Google and X (Formerly Twitter) incorporate it to their daily operations and I hear Sky News is diving into the digital world with AI being added to the mix. It is only a matter of time till MultiChoice (with a fallen DStv base) looks to incorporate in order to minimise jobs and save money.

Since 2023, Google has destroyed the livelihoods of several independent sites including HouseFresh, Retrododo, Giant Freakin Robot and Ready Steady Cut. Some of these sites generated part of their revenue through ads which was used to pay employees and other expenses with traffic being diverted has led such businesses to even close.

I'm not saying AI is bad entirely there's A+ Kids which is constructed for educational purposes but it is a job stealer. Look at Mindset on channel 319, within each course you have a different invigilator for each subject unlike AI+ Kids which relies on animation and a voice typing machine.

March 2025 On HGTV, Food Network, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel And Real Time Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Who Is Luigi Mangione | Returning Shows Including Chopped | More

HGTV

Homes Gone Wild S1

BRAND NEW

Jack McBrayer tours some of America's wackiest and wildest homes that have recently been on the real estate market.

First TX: 3 March

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 22:00

Last TX: 31 March

The Flip Off S1

BRAND NEW

America's most famous flipping exes Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack reunite in a head-to-head competition to determine who's the ultimate flipper!

First TX: 27 March

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 1 May

Returning shows include Home Town S8 on 18 March at 22:00 and The Flipping El Moussas S2 on 13 March at 22:00.

Food Network

Returning shows include Symon's Dinners Cooking Out S5 on 2 March at 16:05, Chopped S61 on 19 March at 16:05 and Wildcard Kitchen S2 on 29 March at 21:55.

Investigation Discovery

Who is Luigi Mangione?

BRAND NEW SPECIAL

Writings and social media posts help to reveal the secret life and troubles of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of the brazen murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and whom so many people are calling a hero.

First TX: 2 March

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:55

Last TX: 2 March

Returning shows include Murder Under the Friday

Night Lights S4 on 31 March at 21:00, Evil Lives Here S9B on 4 March at 21:00, Exposed: Naked Crimes S2 on 12 March at 21:00, Road Rage S2 on 12 March at 21:55 and Death By Fame S3 on 21 March at 21:00.

Travel Channel

Mysteries at the Museum

Specials

• Is Amelia Earhart Alive TX: 6 March

Don Wildman investigates the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

• The Deadly 1906 Earthquake TX: 13 March

Don Wildman journeys back in time to investigate the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

• The Loch Ness Monster Lives TX: 20 March

Don Wildman unlocks the secrets of the Loch Ness Monster.

• The Watergate Scandal TX: 27 March

Don Wildman examines the scandal that led to Richard Nixon’s resignation.

First TX: 6 March

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 27 March

Returning shows include House Hunters 

International S116 & S117 on 3 March at 06:00.

Real Time

Celebrate! With Chef Nti S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Join Chef Nti as she adds her delicious twists to

your favourite celebratory foods!

First TX: 4 March

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 12:01

Last TX: 13 March

Home Inspector Joe S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

With a sixth sense for safety, Joe Mazza helps

families find and renovate their perfect new home.

First TX: 18 March

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 15:50

Last TX: 18 April

Returning shows include A Crime to Remember S3 on 1 March at 22:30.

March 2025 On Discovery Channel And TLC Across Africa | Channel Premiere: The Baldwins | Returning Shows Including Naked And Afraid | More

Discovery Channel 

Body Cam S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Body Cam captures the up-close and dangerous world of America's police officers.

First TX: 4 March

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:55

Last TX: 6 May

Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic S1

BRAND NEW

Mechanic Ant Anstead restores cars and a rundown farmhouse for his parents.

First TX: 14 March

TX Day: Friday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 2 May

Shed And Buried: Classic Cars S1

BRAND NEW

Henry Cole and Fuzz Townsend are back on the road, but this time they’re looking for iconic vintage vehicles to restore and sell for a tidy profit.

First TX: 7 March

TX Day: Friday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 25 April

Returning shows include Naked And Afraid S11 on 26 March at 21:55.

TLC 

The Baldwins S1

BRAND NEW

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin have been making headlines since they were married nearly 10 years ago. In this TLC follow-doc series, Alec and Hilaria invite viewers into the homes they share with their seven growing kids. For the first time, they're opening up their family lives and bringing everyone in to join the nonstop love, laughter and drama.

South Africa:

First TX: 24 March

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 12 May

Africa:

First TX: 1 March

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 19 April

Louder: The Soundtrack of Change

BRAND NEW DOCUMENTARY

A journey across generations, eras and genres, anchored by female musical icons, from Producers Selena Gomez and Stacey Abrams. 

South Africa:

First TX: 8 March

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 22:00

Last TX: 8 March

X Trillion

NEW TO CHANNEL

*Part of International Women's Day stunt*

A crew of women embark on a voyage across the North Pacific Ocean to examine the crisis of plastic pollution in one of the world's remote places.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

First TX: 8 March

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 19:45 WAT/18:35 CAT

Last TX: 8 March

Toddlers & Tiaras S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Girls and boys across the country light up the stage to impress the judges for big crowns, big titles, and lots of cash. 

Africa:

First TX: 2 March

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 27 April

Returning shows in South Africa include 90 Day Fiancé S11 on 6 March at 20:00 and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace S3: The Final Chapter on 21 March at 22:00. Returning shows in the rest of Africa include Body Bizarre S8 on 13 March at 21:00 and 7 Little Johnstons S9 on 31 March at 21:00.

The Thundermans: Undercover To Make It's European And African Debut On Nickelodeon From April 7th

Nickelodeon Global which comprises of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Servia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Africa and Turkey will premiere The Thundermans: Undercover, a brand-new spinoff series based on the live-action show, The Thundermans, on Monday 7th April.

The half-hour series follows Phoebe and Max as they are sent undercover to handle a new threat in the beachside town of Secret Shores and bring Chloe along to develop her superhero talent. 

In the premiere episode, “Thundercover,” Phoebe and Max are assigned a mission in their new hi-tech beach home base, where their superhero identities remain a secret. They bring Chloe along to help her have a normal life, but the trio must stop the threats of Secret Shores and the true supervillain known as the Mastermind.

The Thundermans: Undercover stars original series cast members Kira Kosarin as “Phoebe,” Jack Griffo as “Max,” and Maya Le Clark as “Chloe.” The show also stars Daran Norris as “Thunderford,” and Dana Snyder as the voice of “Dr. Colosso,” as well as new cast members Kinley Cunningham as “Booch” and Nathan Broxton as “Jinx.”

The series will also feature guest appearances from original series cast members including: Chris Tallman as “Hank,” Rosa Blasi as “Barb,” Diego Velazquez as “Billy,” Addison Riecke as “Nora,” Audrey Whitby as “Cherry,” Kenny Ridwan as “Gideon,” Helen Hong as “Mrs. Wong,” Jeff Meachum as “Principal Bradford” and Daniele Gaither as “Super President Kickbutt.” Other guest stars include Ryan Ochoa, Jessica Marie Garcia, Lilimar and Anna McNulty.

The Thundermans premiered on Nickelodeon in October 2013 and wrapped its four-season run in 2018. Created and executive produced by three-time Emmy Award-winner Jed Spingarn, the scripted half-hour series follows superhero twins with opposite personalities, Phoebe and Max Thunderman, as they navigate their way through school, friends and a family of extraordinary superheroes, all while keeping their true identities a secret.

The Thundermans: Undercover is executive produced by Jed Spingarn (Big Time Rush, Jimmy Neutron) and Sean W. Cunningham & Marc Dworkin (The Thundermans, Julie and the Phantoms). Kira Kosarin serves as an executive producer and makes her directorial debut in the episode titled “Prank You, Next.” Jack Griffo is also an executive producer on the series. The pilot is directed and co-executive produced by Trevor Kirschner (The Thundermans Return, Raven’s Home). Production of the series for Nickelodeon Studios is overseen by Shauna Phelan, Head of Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Live-Action, along with Executive Brian Banks.

Detailed Analysis On The Purposed Structure Of Canal+'s MultiChoice And LicenceCo

The company has presented regulators with a merger plan that takes into account the interests of South Africa's historically disadvantaged citizens.

Multichoice recently outlined the company’s potential structure following a proposed merger with French broadcasting giant Canal+.

Last year, Canal+ made a mandatory offer to acquire all the issued shares of MultiChoice Group not already owned by the group. The companies approached South African regulatorsregarding the proposed deal in October 2024.

Multichoice has assured customers that a proposed transaction with Canal+ will not disrupt their services, despite the changes it will bring to the company's structure in South Africa. The proposed merger, valued at R55 billion (approx. $2,9 billion), will see Canal+ acquire the remaining shares of Multichoice that it does not already own. However, this transaction is subject to a variety of regulations and must navigate a complex set of government rules, including those set out by South Africa's Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and competition regulators.

The deal would see Multichoice and Canal+ combine their resources, which Multichoice says will lead to improved content and technology for its subscribers. The company reassured its customers that, even if the deal goes through, they will continue to access their services as usual. Over time, the merger could also lead to better offerings, driven by the combined investments of both companies.

However, navigating South Africa’s regulatory landscape poses significant challenges for the merger. The ECA imposes strict ownership rules, including a limitation on foreign control of broadcasting licenses. A foreign entity like Canal+ cannot directly control a South African broadcaster like Multichoice, and no more than 20% of the directors of a commercial licensee can be foreigners. This creates a hurdle for the French broadcasting giant in acquiring full control of Multichoice.

To address these restrictions, Multichoice has proposed creating an independent entity called LicenceCo, which would hold the broadcasting license in South Africa. This entity would also handle subscriber contracts and would be majority-owned by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs). This includes the group’s Phuthuma Nathi BEE scheme, which will ultimately hold a 27% economic interest in LicenceCo, two black-owned and managed companies, Identity Partners Itai Consortium and Afrifund Consortium, and a Workers’ Trust (ESOP).

Currently 

Proposed Structure

The remainder of Multichoice’s video entertainment assets would then remain part of the Multichoice Group, which would hold a minority 49% economic interest and—crucially—20% voting rights in LicenceCo. The company would also retain 75% of Multichoice South Africa – excluding LicenceCo – while Phuthuma Nathi would keep its 25% stake. Following this complex process would allow Canal+ to acquire the Multichoice Group fully while meeting the regulatory requirements of the ECA.

Despite the complexity of this structure, Multichoice remains confident that the transaction will not affect customer services. The companies are now waiting for approval from South Africa’s regulatory bodies, including the Financial Surveillance Department, the JSE, and Icasa. 

The article was originally published by Brics Competition SA and Business Tech