Could Canal+ Future Endeavours With MultiChoice Impact StarSat And Lead To More Content Changes On DStv?

During the week, Canal+ made an offer to acquire MultiChoice for R32 billion which got declined after owning a minority of the company. They already own Nigeria's ROK Studios and even SPI International who distribute brands like Filmbox, Timeless Dizi Channel and Gametoon on StarSat.

Since 2020, Canal+ had been acquiring a small stake in the pay-tv company this led to speculation of a possible takeover as they attempted to acquire MultiChoice Africa. With their current stake, they were able to distribute Zee World and M-Net Movies 4 in Francophone Africa.

These channels were curated specifically for MultiChoice consumers and with Canal+ offer over a possible takeover one has to wonder what fate might await linear offering viewed on StarSat and several other pay-tv platforms in Africa.

But if we had to guess Canal+ could look into integrating their assets with MultiChoice seeing as they have a stronger presence in the African market. Filmbox comes with a streaming service perhaps this merger can lead the service to be substituted with Showmax/DStv Stream.

Filmbox and Filmbox Action on Starsat could be phased out for either M-Net Movies 3, M-Net Movies 4 or Movie Room. As mentioned, Canal+ had been seen distributing various DStv curated channels on their platforms so the idea of them doing it on other platforms wouldn't seem far fetched.

Another instance is Filmbox being phased out from StarSat as well as various platforms across Africa if not replacing third party channels like TNT and Studio Universal on DStv. It would only leave brands like FashionBox, DocuBox, Gametoon, Arthouse and Timeless Dizi Channel.

With Canal+ aligning themselves with MultiChoice, it wouldn't seem far fetched a stretch if they tried to get SPI offerings on DStv. For instance Gametoon could come in place of Ginx TV, it is property of Canal+ therefore a sibling to that of M-Net and Mzansi Magic.

Then there's FashionBox and Arthouse, perhaps one of the two could look into replacing Spice TV since it is more of an overflow than a fashion channel. Followed by DocuBox which could as well compliment channels like People's Weather and Curiosity.

Timeless Dizi Channel could get spun off on DStv perhaps morph into an Afrikaans dubbed Turkish channel curated with content from kykNET. Another would be the phasing out of Turkish on kykNET as it has been conflicting with other local programming on the channel.

Canal+ owning brands like Mzansi Magic and Africa Magic could lead to global domination. The Africa Channel is already seen airing content viewed from these brands in international shores perhaps Canal+ could use SPI International's offering as a means to extend its reach.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend Of Lost Spatula (GBC)

The game's story centers on SpongeBob SquarePants, a sea sponge who lives in the undersea town of Bikini Bottom and works for Mr. Krabs as the fry cook of the Krusty Krab fast food restaurant. SpongeBob is destined to become the ocean's greatest fry cook, and must embark on a quest to retrieve a golden spatula from the Flying Dutchman, a pirate ghost. The game features platforming-style gameplay, as well as many characters from the television series.

For Gameboy emulators like My OldBoy or Ultra GBC scroll down under Insidus Lite.

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Development Alert (Rumour): Hailey's On It Cancelled After One Season On Disney Channel

Hailey's On It! is an American animated science fiction comedy action adventure television series created by Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton. It is produced by Disney Television Animation. The series aired on June 8, 2023, on Disney Channel and premiered internationally sometime in the year.

Synopsis for Hailey's On It

The series, set in Oceanside, California, follows Hailey Banks, a 14-year-old girl who dislikes taking risks. Her life gets turned upside down during her New Year's celebration when she is visited by a scientist who hails from the future. From the scientist's visit, Hailey learns that the completion of a long list of tasks she wrote will be the important start of a chain of events that will lead to her inventing a device that will be used to save the entire planet by reversing global warming.

As seen through Spotify bio of Auliʻi Cravalho who serves as the voice actor to the lead Hailey Banks. Disney Channel might have axed the animated show after one season although not confirmed at this point the brand had never announced a second season as seen with previous shows which confirms people's suspicion.

Disney is focusing on building out its multicam strategy and that includes prioritising shows that are based on Disney-owned IP, and creating global tentpole programming. Other programs to have gotten axed include Bunk'd, The Ghost And Molly McGee, Saturdays and Secrets Of Sulphur Springs..

With this cutback of content one has to wonder how long it will be till it affects their linear offering. As seen globally, Disney has closed various linear channels in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Asia, Australia, Turkey and Italy.

Development Alert: The Search For Frida To Stream February 12th On Showmax, A Rebroadcast Of My Heart Beats For Lola, A Woman Of Steel And Loli's Luck Launches On Telemundo

In the coming weeks, MultiChoice and Comcast's NBCUniversal are set to officially unveil the rebranded Showmax service. This would include content viewed from Telemundo Studios so it kind of made sense that some content would resurface on Showmax with The Search For Frida.

Already seen on on Telemundo in 2022, The Search For Frida (Buscando A Frida) follows a teenage girl who loves doing video of her life goes out with her cousins who've gotten some fake id's on the night of her fathers birthday party for a night of clubbing, she is kidnapped.

The series will start streaming on Showmax from February 12nd and is anticipated to launch on Telemundo later in the year - more details on a date will be announced.

Other repeats set to join the channel later in the month includes My Heart Beats For Lola (Mi Corazón Insiste En Lola Volcán), The Chosen Granddaughter (La Nieta Elegida), A Woman Of Steel (Senora Acero) and Loli's Luck (La Suerte De Loli). 

Loli's Luck will replace The Scent Of Passion once it ends from February 21st at 18:00. Weirdly enough, the latter replaces Cennet: The Power Of Destiny with The Chosen Granddaughter on February 16th at 22:00 CAT followed by A Woman Of Steel at 00:00 and My Heart Beats For Lola at 17:00.

Could Telemundo also be going dark in Africa perhaps? They were reports that the channel had temporarily suspended production of original content. Aside from Queen Of The South and Come Back To Me, there's not much OG coming to Telemundo in 2024.

A Woman Of Steel follows the life of Sara Aguilar Bermúdez, an exceptionally happy woman who has all she could wish for in life, although her life changes forever when her fiancée Vicente Acero is killed on their wedding day. It was the first super series to be rolled out in Africa.

Based on the telenovela Yo Amo A Paquita Gallego, My Heart Beats For Lola follows the love story of Lola and Andrés, two young people who have loved each other since they were children. The series served as one of their initial offerings on Telemundo and proved to be a popular addition.

Loli's Luck follows an independent and successful woman who works as the executive producer of Global Radio Group. While Loli's career is on the rise, her love life goes into the background as she enjoys her freedom and life without compromises. 

MultiChoice Rejects Canal+ R30 Billion Offer

MultiChoice has refused Groupe Canal+’s offer to buy out the company at R105 per share.

The DStv operator believes the French media conglomerate’s offer undervalues the company.

Canal+ announced on Thursday that it submitted a non-binding indicative offer to acquire the shares in MultiChoice it does not already own.

The offer valued MultiChoice at over R46 billion, and Canal+ would have to pay R32.5 billion cash for the remaining 64.99% of the company it does not own.

In addition to announcing its rejection of Canal+’s offer, MultiChoice revealed on Monday morning that the French media giant increased its shareholding in MultiChoice to 35.01%.

“After careful consideration, the board has concluded that the proposed offer price of R105 in cash significantly undervalues the Group and its future prospects,” MultiChoice said.

“The Board has reached this conclusion taking into account all relevant considerations.”

These included that MultiChoice recently conducted a valuation exercise, which has valued the company significantly above R105 per share.

“MultiChoice’s valuation excludes any potential synergies which may arise from the envisaged transaction,” it stated.

“In this regard, Canal+ has, following the lengthy discussions between the parties, repeatedly conveyed to the public what it sees as the advantages of the combined entity and, therefore, seemingly takes the view that there are significant synergies. These synergies need to be factored into any fair offer made by Canal+.”

MultiChoice also made some biting remarks about how Canal+ announced its offer to the market.

“The delivery of the Canal+ letter [to the board making the offer] took place after discussions between Canal+ and MultiChoice lasting for well over a year,” MultiChoice said.

“Following the delivery of that letter, Canal+ and its representatives have extensively discussed their proposal in public and with members of the press.”

MultiChoice said that although the board is open to all means of maximising shareholder value, it told Canal+ that its letter does not provide a basis for further engagement at the proposed price.

“In keeping with its duty to act in the best interests of the Company, the Board remains open to engage with any party in respect of any offer which is for a fair price and is subject to appropriate conditions,” MultiChoice said.

“Moreover, it goes without saying that the Board will continue to act in accordance with its duties in the applicable provisions of the Takeover Regulations regarding any formal and binding offer.”

New Series Alert: Vani Rani, A Tale Of Estranged Twins Is Coming Soon To Zee World

Zee World, a general entertainment channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that distributes a variety of English dubbed Bollywood drama series and movies is set to rollout a new family drama in the coming future titled Vani Rani (also known as Vaani Rani).

Synopsis for Vani Rani

Sometimes, two people fall apart only to realise how strong they can be together. Such is the story of 'Vani Rani , twin sisters by birth, sisters-in-law by marriage and estranged by choice.

Though the two are married in the same family and live under one roof, they haven’t spoken to each other for 20 years. And while twins are believed to be alike, Vani and Rani are as different as chalk and cheese.

Produced by Zee Studios, Vani Rani premiered on January 1st, 2017 on &TV and produced 148 episodes each with a duration of 22 minutes. Tanvi Azmi stars as the sibling duo Vani and Rani with Premnath Gulati as Radhe Shyam Dwivedi and Paras Arora Ishpujani as Bawa.

Similar to Zee One's upcoming series Devoted Daughter, Vani Rani was also produced by & TV as mentioned already and was also made available on Zee Family when it launched on Openview in 2023. The series is expected to Meet In Love once it ends on Zee World.

Press Release: Zee One Launches New Series Devoted Daughter + Movie Line-up For The Month Of February

Zee One launches premiere drama Devoted Daughter a compelling series that delves into the life and principles of the legendary king, Agrasen Maharaja.

The show revolves around Genda, a devoted girl from a humble background, navigating the challenges of her marriage into a business family. Devoted Daughter beautifully portrays the relationship between Agrasen Maharaja and Genda, highlighting her unwavering faith in him as her philosopher, guide, and friend. As Genda faces various obstacles, she triumphs over each one by adhering to Agrasen Maharaja's guiding principles.

The heartwarming narrative explores themes of faith, family, life, making it a must-watch for viewers of all ages. Devoted Daughter premieres on 24 February at 6 pm on Zee One, channel 111 on Openview.

 

Exciting Movie Festivals with Premieres on Zee One This February!

Zee One is all set to enthral this February with a series of blockbuster movie festivals featuring a star-studded cast that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.  The channel also offers premiere movies, Satyaprem Ki Katha and Kanoo’s Makkichoos.

 

Satyaprem Ki Katha - Premiers 4 February @ 3pm

In Satyaprem Ki Katha, join Sattu, an LLB fail dreamer, in his quest to win the heart of Katha, the IT girl of Ahmedabad. Fate takes a twist as they end up married, leading Sattu on a journey of self-discovery and proving himself as a worthy husband. Don't miss the laughs and love in this heartwarming tale.

Starring: Kiara Advani, Kartik Aaryan and Arjun Aneja

 

Kanjoos Makkichoos - Premiers 18 February @3pm

Experience the misadventures of Jamnaprasad, a notorious miser, in Kanjoos Makkichoos. His quest to fulfil his father's wish for the Char Dham Yatra takes an unexpected turn when his parents go missing during heavy floods. It's emotions and laughs all the way!

 

MOVIE FESTIVAL - THE KHAN EFFECT

RAAES - Premiers 2 February @ 10pm

Experience the rise and challenges of Raees, a street-smart bootlegging king in Gujarat during the 1980s. Raaes is a gripping tale of crime and redemption.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Leone and Mishra Khan

 

DANGAL - Premiers 3 February @ 3pm

Follow Mahavir Singh Phogat's journey as he trains his daughters for the Commonwealth Games, challenging societal norms and breaking barriers in "Dangal."

Starring: Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra

 

THE DRAMA WEEKEND FILM FESTIVAL

Immerse yourself in the intensity of human emotions with two powerful dramas.

Provoked - Premiers 9 February @ 10pm

Provoked tells the poignant story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who, after enduring years of abuse, takes a stand against domestic violence, leading to a riveting trial for murder.

Starring: Aishwariya Rai, Naveen Andrews and Nandita Das

 

GOLD - Premiers 10 February @10pm

Set in 1948, Gold narrates the historical journey of India's first Olympic medal post-independence, capturing the spirit of a nation.

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Mouni Roy and Kunal Kapoor

 

VALENTINES DAY 

Celebrate love with two heartwarming films.

DEAR ZINDAGI - Premiers 14 February @3pm

A young cinematographer learns the importance of balancing ambition with humanity in Dear Zindagi, a poignant exploration of life's complexities.

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan and Ali Zafar

 

ZERO - Premiers 14 February @ 10pm

Zero explores the journey of a vertically challenged bachelor as he discovers his purpose through relationships with two extraordinary women.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif

 

 

ACTION WEEKEND

Gear up for high-octane action with two adrenaline-pumping films.

RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI - Premiers 17 February @3pm

Follow the fearless cop Radhe as he takes on the powerful drug lord Rana in a mission to clean up Mumbai's drug trade, showcasing unique and ruthless methods.

Starring: Salman Khan, Disha Patani and Sangay Tsheltrim

 

ANTIM: THE FINAL TRUTH - Premiers 17 February @ 10pm

Witness the transformation of a poor farmer's son into a fearless gangster, engaging in a riveting showdown with an upright policeman who doesn't back down easily.

Starring: Salman Khan, Aayush Sharma and Mahima Makwana

Catch this and so much on Zee One channel 111 on Openview.

Recap To The Decade: Disney Channel Remains As The Only Disney Branded Channel In Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Brazil And Nordic Regions

Since Disney+ inception, Disney has been moving away from their linear business to prioritise their streaming endeavours. There's been a decline in linear consumption and the idea for Disney+ was to sort of retain these consumers and to monetize on new content.

As mentioned this has led to a restructure of their global business with Asia streaming further content from FOX and National Geographic on Disney+ while most parts of Europe offer a reduced linear portfolio.

Disney Channel serves as one of the last remaining survivors across Europe. The channel is home to series like Hannah Montana, Raven's Home and Amphibia and following closures of Disney XD and some Disney Junior: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, PJ Masks and Big City Greens.

They've also curated (Disney+) original films from High School Musical, Camp Rock, Descendants, Lemonade Mouth, Home Alone, Phineas And Ferb: Candice Against The Universe and Teen Beach. 

In other developments, Disney Nordic had announced the closure of Disney Junior in the region with content migrating to Disney Channel. This closure might affect consumers in the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden before hitting the rest of EMEA.

Development Alert: Monsters At Work To Rollout On Disney Channels Across Europe, Middle East And Africa (EMEA) In March Alongside Disney+ Original Movie Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Disney Channel, an international children's channel operated by The Walt Disney Company that distributes a variety of content for consumers between 6-15 years is set to add more content from Disney+ with Monsters At Work and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Synopsis for Monsters At Work

Monsters at Work begins the day after Henry J. Waternoose III's arrest, with the Monsters, Incorporated factory making the transition to laugh power. Tylor Tuskmon, a recent Scare Major graduate from Monsters University, having previously received a letter of acceptance from Waternoose to be a scarer at the factory, is excited to work at the same company as his idol Sulley. However, Tylor is devastated to learn that the company is no longer in need of scarers, and he is reassigned to work as a mechanic on the Monsters Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT). Meanwhile, Mike and Sulley encounter the trials and tribulations of running the company.

Serving as a direct continuation of the original 2001 film, it features the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprising their roles as Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan from the original film and the 2013 prequel Monsters University; several other voice actors from the films reprise their roles as guests. 

Synopsis for Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

In a world co-populated by humans and fictional characters, two chipmunks named Chip and Dale meet in elementary school and become best friends. They later relocate to Hollywood and, after casting as extras in commercials and shows, go on to star in the successful television series Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers in the early 1990s. However, when Dale gets his own show, Double-O-Dale, the two have a falling out that leads to both shows' cancellation. Thirty years later, a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and save their friend.

The film stars John Mulaney and Andy Samberg as the voices of the titular pair, respectively, with KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen and J.K. Simmons.

The first season of Monsters At Work will air from 25 March on Disney Channel with a second season expected to launch on Disney+ sometime in 2024. Following the rollout of Chip 'n Dale: Park Life in 2023, the Disney+ original film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers will air on 29 March.