Netflix Set To Bid For Champions League Rights

Streaming giant Netflix is set to bid for UEFA Champions League rights for the 2027/28 season. They are thought to be interested in the ‘global first pick’ package, which will give exclusive rights around the globe for the leading game in each round.

UEFA will attract around €5 billion per year in the next round of bidding, an increase from the current package, which brought them in €3.3 billion.

Champions League Showcases Best Teams in Europe

The UEFA Champions League is considered the premier football competition in Europe, so it is no surprise that Netflix want to be part of the action. They will be hoping to feature the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Arsenal, three teams flying high in their respective leagues this season. The latter top the Premier League standings ahead of their visit to Fulham in a London derby. They are 1/2 favourites in the Fulham vs Arsenal odds for the game.

In the Premier League betting this season, Liverpool are 11/4 to defend their title. The six-time Champions League winners are hugely popular around the world, so Netflix will be keen to frequently feature Arne Slot’s side if they secure the ‘global first pick’ package.

The Champions League changed its format in 2024 to include a 36-team league in the opening phase of the competition. This has helped to pit the bigger teams against each other earlier than usual, increasing the viewing figures for the group stage.

Amazon Already Involved in Champions League

One of Netflix’s direct competitors, Prime Video, already streams Champions League matches as part of the current package. They share the rights in the UK with TNT Sports, with Amazon broadcasting 17 matches.

Amazon, Apple and Disney are expected to bid along with Netflix for the ‘global first pick’ package from 2027. UEFA will be hoping that with four streaming giants involved, it will drive the auction to record numbers.

The winner of the auction may need to increase the cost of their packages to their customers to fund the expenditure. They will be hoping to attract new subscribers who are keen to watch the Champions League.

Boxing Has Proved a Big Success for Netflix

Should they win the rights to the UEFA Champions League, it won’t be the first sporting event that Netflix have streamed. They have already shown some major boxing events on their platform.

Netflix hosted the exhibition event between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in 2024. It was watched live by over 60 million households. The company also shot content in the lead-up to the fight to sit across their platform.

More recently, Netflix won the rights to the huge clash between Saul Alvarez and Terence Crawford. That was billed as one of the biggest clashes this decade in the sport. Over 41 million households watched that fight live from Las Vegas.

If they can win the right to the Champions League, it will be a boost for Netflix, who are keen to be more involved in some of the leading sporting events in the world.

Spinners,’ The South African Sports Drama From Canal+ And Showmax, Returns For Season 2

“Spinners,” the South African extreme sports action drama, is returning for a second season that brings back the creators, writers and cast of the hit drama set in Cape Town.

Co-produced by African streaming service Showmax and Canal+, season 2 of “Spinners” shot on location in South Africa with showrunner and co-creator Benjamin Hoffman. Back in the director’s chair is Jaco Bouwer, whose credits include the SXSW prizewinning eco-horror movie “Gaia.” Also back are Matthew Jankes and Sean Steinberg who penned season 2.

Joachim Landau is once again producing the gritty crime drama for Federation Middle East Africa & Caribbean, alongside Ramadan Suleman (“Zulu Love Letter”) who is co-producing through his South African full-service company Natives at Large.

Studiocanal, whose sister company Canal+ commissioned the series, is unveiling a first look of season 2 in the run up to Mipcom. The show illustrates creative synergies between the French TV group and Showmax, the streaming service of MultiChoice, the pan-African pay-TV operator that’s now fully owned by Canal+ and operates across 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It will roll out on both Canal+ and MultiChoice platforms, Showmax and DStv.

The first season of “Spinners” make history as the first African show to take part in Canneseries’ main competition in 2023 and went on to win awards at Dakar Series, and the Shanghai TV festival, as well as garnered three nominations at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).

The first season followed 17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) seeking a way out of the Southside’s bloody cycle of gang violence through spinning, a South African extreme motorsport that features drivers performing daredevil stunts. Season 2 sees is set two years after Ethan and his friends escaped the violent grip of gang life and have become spinning stars in the big city. “Fame, love, and happiness finally seem within reach—until a brutal ambush, orchestrated by Ethan’s old gang, shatters their peace. Desperate, Ethan turns to the Maseko clan for help but their protection comes at a heavy cost,” the synopsis reads.

Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas reprise their leading roles, along with Brendon Daniels – who starred in “White Lies” opposite Natalie Dormer, and local star Dillon Windvogel (“Blood & Water”). Cameos include Kayla Olifant, a top female spinner who was recently featured in the National Geographic series “David Blaine: Do Not Attempt.”

New cast members are also joining season 2 of “Spinners,” including Clementine Mosimane (“How to Ruin Christmas”), Mondli Makhoba (“Shaka iLembe”) and rising star Luyanda Zwane (“Sibongile and the Dlaminis”) and Aphiwe Mkefe (“Nkuleko”).

The production of “Spinners” season 2 reflects the ambition of Canal+ which aims at ramping up its pipeline of Canal+ original series in Africa to eight shows per year hailing from all over Africa.

Since 2018, Canal+ has produced 35 Canal+ series with African talent in 11 different African countries. These include “Invisibles,” “Agent,” “Cacao,” “Mami Wata,” “Eki,” “Or Blanc,” “Niabla,” “Ewusu” and “Lakantane.”

Disney Branded TV Picks Up ‘BeddyByes’ Preschool Animated Series

Thunderbird Distribution and Thunderbird Brands, the distribution and consumer products arms of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc., announce a landmark collaboration with Disney Branded Television to bring the bedtime series BeddyByes to audiences worldwide. The deal grants Disney Jr. U.S. linear television rights and Disney+ global SVOD rights. The series is set to premiere on Disney Jr. and Disney+ early next year.

“BeddyByes is a delightful series that makes bedtime something kids look forward to,” said Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television. “Adding it to Disney Jr. and Disney+’s industry-leading preschool slate reflects our commitment to serving preschoolers at every stage of their development with stories filled with magic, wonder and heart.”

Created and produced by JAM Media’s John Rice and Alan Shannon, BeddyByes is an animated series that supports healthy sleeping habits for preschoolers. Each episode follows a familiar daily routine that is easy for young children to follow (playtime, mealtime, bathtime and bedtime) and a calming journey to sleep, both of which experts recommend. MeMo and BaBa, preschoolers themselves, star alongside other adorable characters, with soothing music and comforting visuals that gradually dim as the story and journey to sleep unfold.

“Launching BeddyByes on Disney Jr. and Disney+ gives us an incredible global stage for this beautifully crafted preschool series,” said Thunderbird President of Global Distribution & Consumer Products, Richard Goldsmith. “We’re thrilled to introduce this series alongside Disney’s other iconic brands that are loved by kids and trusted by parents. We expect that parents and caregivers will access BeddyByes throughout the day to support naptime and bedtime for their young children.”

Rice, CEO of JAM Media, added, “We’re delighted that BeddyByes has found a home on Disney Jr. and Disney+. This series was designed to help little ones and their families establish healthy sleep routines through gentle storytelling, music and visuals. To see it showcased on such a trusted global platform is incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited for preschoolers everywhere to welcome MeMo, BaBa and friends into their daily wind-down rituals.”

Thunderbird Distribution acquired global media (excluding the U.K., Ireland and Finland, and certain rights in Denmark and Sweden) and global consumer product rights to BeddyByes in 2024. The CG-animated preschool series is produced by Ireland’s JAM Media and is an original production for BBC Children’s and Education. BeddyByes made its debut on BBC iPlayer and CBeebies in May and June 2025, respectively. The series is also available on RTÉ Player (Ireland) and Nordic pubcasters DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland) and SVT (Sweden) have licensed the series.

Developing Story: MTV Will Close All Of Its Music Channels Around The World — Except In The US

According to The Sun, Paramount Global which finalised it's acquisition deal with Skydance Media is set to close all of its music channels around the world. Following on earlier reports, MTV Base in Africa is most definitely goner for DStv consumers.

MTV Base was launched on 22 February 2005 with live performances from local and international artists, along with some music video and reallity programming from MTV. It had been ranked as the top music destination in West Africa.

MTV, the flagship channel which only airs reality TV shows, will not be affected and also not carry any content from MTV Base. This means consumers who wish to enjoy more local flavour would need to tune into Channel O, Mzansi Music and Trace Africa.

Paramount has been reviewing its international pay TV strategy and considering adjustments to its linear channel portfolio in international markets, with a focus on cable brands. Aside from MTV Base, there's even reports of them potentially closing BET in the market.

To worsen matters, CBS Reality in which Paramount operate in a joint venture with AMC Networks International is closing in Poland with Africa a likely target. For several years, CBS Reality has seen rapid declines with the UK where it converted to True Crime while it closed in CIS and Hungary.

Channel Closure: Dominion TV Will Stop Airing On DStv From 31 October 2025

In its latest channel shakeup, Dominion TV will stop airing on DStv from 31 October 2025 and at the time of publishing MultiChoice hasn't stated the reason for its sudden removal. Consumers were only alerted through their programme guide about its termination on the platform.

Founded by Archbishop Duncan Williams, Dominion TV was launched on DStv channel 364 and GOtv channel 181 to consumers in over 40 countries. It was described as Africa’s premier Christian lifestyle network bringing the practices and principles of Christ into every facet of life.

It televised African films and documentaries, music and entertainment, news and commentaries, health and fitness features, children’s programmes, interactive talk shows among others.

The news of Dominion TV's closure comes a month after MultiChoice had been acquired by Canal+ with major restructuring set to be underway for the company. Overtime consumers are expected to see some enhancement with their content and upgrades to services.

For now, consumers of Dominion TV can tune into TBN, Faith Africa and Daystar for similar Christian based content.

Channel Closure: Paramount Will Be Closing Game One And J-One In November

Marcus, Kayane, Julien Tellouck... these are just a few of the names that became famous through the Game One channel, an unwavering bastion of video games on French airwaves despite the general disinterest from French television in our favorite hobby. But the adventure is about to end. Not due to a lack of resources, but because of a restructuring by the parent company that is sweeping everything in its path, like "blind pruning."

Game One started on September 7, 1998, by the initiative of Infogrames and Canal+. Initially reserved for Canal Satellite subscribers, the channel gradually grew and joined cable, satellite, and ADSL TV packages in the 2000s. It featured iconic shows, especially *Level One*, where the host Marcus – former editor of the *Tilt* magazine – would present the first level of a video game. It wasn’t MTV, although the famous American TV channel became a shareholder in early 2003, helping Game One recover after a very complicated period marked by open conflicts with Marcus and accusations of unethical editorial practices, aligned with major game publishers. Anyway, life went on, anime began to appear in the programming schedule to diversify the offerings, leading to the creation of J-One in 2013, dedicated to simulcasting the latest Japanese series.

**Game One, it’s Game Done**

All these crucial stages in the life of Game One will soon belong to the archives of the INA (National Audiovisual Institute) and our memories, as BFM Tech&Co exclusively learned that the specialized channel will soon be going off the air. Indeed, Game One is currently owned by Paramount, which is in the process of merging with Skydance to create a new mega-entertainment giant. "According to information from BFM Tech&Co, the group Paramount Networks France [...] has decided to stop broadcasting at the end of November 2025 as part of a large-scale restructuring plan affecting more than 50% of the staff in the television division," specify Melinda Davan-Soulas and Sylvain Trinel, who were able to speak with about a dozen employees, both freelance and permanent.

Game One will officially cease broadcasting at the end of November 2025. J-One will also join the graveyard. Best of luck to all the employees affected by this unfair closure. We leave you with the most iconic *Level One* episode of all: Gérard and Johann playing *Paris-Marseille Racing 2* on PS2.

Source: Gamekult

Channel Closure: Paramount Plans To Shut Down MTV, Nickelodeon And Four Other Pay-TV Channels In Brazil, Following The Skydance Merger

Paramount, which was acquired by Skydance Media in August of this year in a billion-dollar deal, will cease distributing its six linear channels in Brazil on pay TV or streaming. These are: MTV, MTV Live, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, and Paramount. 

According to sources from the report, the reason behind this decision involves a drop in advertising revenue, combined with a decrease in the number of pay TV subscribers. The sports broadcasting rights of the entertainment giant, which include events like the Libertadores, remain valid.

Additionally, the high costs associated with SeAC (Conditional Access Service) also played a role. Paramount's goal is to transform into a Big Tech company, hence the strategy of selling its content directly to the end consumer, without the need for an intermediary.

Paramount was acquired by Skydance

The restructuring of Paramount, which includes this and other significant changes, was promised as early as August 2025, when the company was acquired by Skydance Media in a $8 billion deal. 

The group is led by David Ellison, who sent a message to the entertainment giant’s employees, signaling the start of a new management and announcing guidelines aimed at transforming the industry’s operations in the coming years. 

At the time, one of the main changes announced was the unification of the Paramount+ and Pluto TV streaming platforms, which is expected to occur by 2026. With this, the company aims to make its experience more competitive to face rivals, such as Netflix.

ICYMI: Universal TV And Bravo Replaced M-Net's Me And 1Magic On Canal+'s DStv English Plus Package

Last year, MultiChoice and M-Net made the decision to yank both Me and 1Magic from DStv with the offering that formed part of a revamped Showmax streaming service in line with NBCUniversal. For a limited time, 1Max served as a trial run to Showmax that was available to premium consumers.

It shuttered on the DStv platform during the year with shows like Tracking Thabo Bester and Adulting folded under Mzansi Magic. Since then various DStv consumers have been under the perception that Canal+ following its buyout of MultiChoice has plans to replace these channels.

And there's several reason why MultiChoice and M-Net decided to do away with both Me and 1Magic. Firstly as mentioned was with the rollout of Showmax, M-Net and MultiChoice are doing what Disney did with FOX and Disney XD - prioritizing on core brands.

Aside from Me and 1Magic, they had closed several brands in the last year mainly secondary networks like Africa Magic Urban, Maisha Magic POA and Akwaaba Magic.

Since Me and 1Magic's departure, Universal TV has continued bolstering it's international portfolio with FBI, The Equalizer and Chicago Med with Married To Medicine and The Real Housewives on Bravo. Aside from DStv, Canal+ Afrique had been distributing these brands in place of Me and 1Magic.

Killing off any possibility of a follow-up I mean M-Net has reshuffled these channels multiple times in the last decade while NBCUniversal was able to sustain their brands. Canal+ had emphasized continuing it's partnership with global media companies.