Skydance Reportedly Looking To Merge Paramount+ With Another Streaming Service

Last week, merger talks for Paramount Global heated up, with reports that the media company that produces and controls the Star Trek franchise had entered into exclusive talks with Skydance Media. One of the big questions has been how such a deal would impact Paramount+, home to original Star Trek programming. Now a picture of a possible future for the streaming service is starting to emerge.

Skydance wants to keep Paramount+

When the first reports about Paramount Global potentially being sold or merged started in December, industry analysts suggested Paramount+ might not survive the corporate shake-up. While Paramount has seen consistent growth with its streaming service, it has yet to turn a profit. However, now that Skydance Media is in exclusive talks to take over Paramount, they are apparently planning on keeping Paramount+, but will make some changes. The New York Times reports “The plan calls for Skydance to supercharge Paramount’s streaming capabilities, improving personalization with better algorithmic recommendations and making it more efficient through better deals with data providers.”

According to the same report, the post-Skydance/Paramount merger plan would call for teaming up with another major media company for a streaming joint venture in the USA. A new report in Bloomberg confirms Skydance wants to “preserve the Paramount+ streaming service and explore merging it with a peer, such as Peacock or Max.” A deal with Amazon Prime Video has also been considered, according to Bloomberg. Earlier this year, it was reported that Paramount had opened up discussions with Comcast to merge Paramount+ with their Peacock streaming service. The companies already operate the SkyShowtime joint venture in several markets in Europe.

A merged Paramount+/Peacock streaming service could be a winner, according to new consumer research reported today by Variety, 45% of US consumers say they would be interested in such a bundle. Analysis from consulting firm FTI Delta estimates a bundled service could bring in $1 Billion more than the current combined annual revenue of both services.

So if the deal with Skydance happens, it looks like some version of Paramount+ will survive. This would likely continue to be the primary home for original Star Trek television. Being part of a larger service could help ensure funding for more seasons and new Trek series and streaming movies as well.

Of course, none of this is finalized. The first step is for Skydance and Paramount Global to agree to a deal, and any such deal would have to be approved by the board. This can get tricky as the Skydance deal being contemplated is a rather complicated 2-step process, and current Paramount Global investors are expressing concerns over the deal structure being favorable to Shari Redstone, but not regular shareholders. There would also be scrutiny from regulators as well.

OUTtv Rebrands UK Service And Expands In Nordics With Allente Deal

The service, which will operate as OUTflix from 11 April, has also launched across the Nordics via a deal with a Allente that covers Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

OUTflix is also a commissioner of original UK content, recently greenlighting queer comedy series Stand Up Specials London (5 x 45-minute), featuring sets from emerging comedians including James Barr, Heleana Blackwell, David Ian, Kat Nip and Vix Leyton.

Other UK original content on the service includes Live At The Queer Comedy Club, and a series of short films from The Iris Prize festival selected titles.

In addition, two projects developed through the documentary film financing fund for emerging British LGBTQ+ filmmakers that OUTtv funds alongside The Iris Prize and Aberystwth University are hosted on OUTflix: Somina Fombo’s Some Girls Hate Dresses, which follows the lives of Black British tomboys from the 1990s, and the forthcoming Bender Defenders from director Ira Putilova, highlighting five queer, non-binary and transgender people at a queer Muay Thai club in East London.

Since launching in the UK in 2020 as a DTC offering, the service has also grown its partnerships to include OUTtv Proud, a FAST channel now available via Channelbox on Freeview, Plex and Netgem.

Brad Danks, CEO of OMG and OUTtv, said: “We are unifying the brand as we expand across Europe and beyond, so we’re thrilled to be launching OUTflix alongside our partnership with Allente across the Nordics – and look forward to many more viewers discovering the treasure trove of LGBTQI+ content we continue to grow.”

Development Alert: My Secret To Make African Debut On TLNovelas + Release Date

During the year, TLNovelas had hit a repetitive slot as seen with rival broadcaster Telemundo as not much new content had been reported except for Thinking Of You. Now the channel is gearing up rollout its next show by June titled My Secret (Mí Secreto).

Synopsis for My Secret:

Valeria is forced to take the identity of her best friend Natalia, whom she believes to be dead, in order to avoid going to jail for a crime she did not commit. As she assumes her new reality, Valeria suffers constantly from the fear of being discovered.

It starred Diego Klein as Mateo Miranda, Macarena García as Valeria Bernal, Karyme Lozano as Daniela Estrada, Arturo Peniche as Ernesto Lascuráin and Isidora Vives as Natalia Ugarte Moncada. 

Based on the 1974 telenovela Ha llegado Una Intrusa, My Secret debuted on Mexican broadcaster Las Estrellas from 12 September 2022 to 24 February 2023. 120 episodes had been filmed each with a duration of 45 minutes. 

My Secret will start 10 June on TLNovelas replacing Thinking Of You. Prior to this, a rebroadcast of Timeless Love launches on the channel in place of Shadows From The Past which had been delayed.

Openview Channel Changes From 01 January 2023 To 31 March 2024

Unlike MultiChoice, 2023 was anything but productive for eMedia Investments free-to-air households. Several developments had occurred during the financial period but it's safe to say that part of these wasn't the most noteworthy with consumers. 

Last year, eMedia Investments had launched its rival offering to MultiChoice's DStv, Ultraview. Similar to the AddMovies format, it would consist of two bouquets one Spice TV is home to Bollywood favourites while the other EDGE serves a younger demographic. 

eMedia Investments has yet to share how many of their current Openview consumers had added Ultraview to their current subscription. Through an open window, it's evident that Spice TV is getting the most attention which consists of Zee Family and Star Select.

Outside of these endeavors, there was barely much to report for their non-paying consumers. eMedia Investments had rebranded one of their current TV channels eXposed to eSeries and also added two radio stations, Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.

LM Radio and BOK Radio were axed in favor of the these two stations while as Glow TV's lineup was supplemented by existing entertainment viewed on Star Life and Zee One.

eMedia Investments had promised to launch a few more TV channels none of which came to pass. Although consumers saw an increase in content investment with the addition of WildEarth on People's Weather both off which were formerly seen on MultiChoice's DStv. 

New channels 

OUTtv - Ultra

FUSE - Ultra

Star Select - Ultra

Zee Family - Ultra

Jacaranda FM - Free

East Coast Radio - Free 

Terminations 

Glow TV 

LM Radio

BOK Radio

Recap To The Week: Canal+ Raises Offer For MultiChoice, Plans JSE Listing

Canal+ has substantially increased its offer for the MultiChoice Group to about R37.7 billion from R31.7bn after the local broadcaster said in February that the initial offer was too low.

MultiChoice’s share price increased 4.16% to R117 yesterday morning after the improved offer was announced. The share later closed the day 4.99% higher at R117.93.

Meanwhile, should Canal+’s own planned European listing proceed, there would be an opportunity for South African investors to become shareholders of the combined entity, as part of a secondary inward listing on the JSE, the companies announced yesterday.

Vivendi, the parent of Canal+, is currently doing a feasibility study to split the company into several separately listed entities. Canal + has 26.4 million subscribers, 17 million of which are outside France. MultiChoice claims 23.5 million subscribers.

The two groups said they had reached an agreement on proceeding and cooperating with the Canal+ takeover bid, that was formally announced on February 1, 2024, following talks between them of over a year.

Canal+’s stake in MultiChoice amounted to 35.01% by February 5, and this stake amounted to 36.6% on April 5.

The offer to MultiChoice shareholders was yesterday increased to R125 per share, from R105 cents when Canal+ first made the offer, which is “significantly above the minimum price of R105.00 required by the Takeover Regulations,” the companies said in a statement.

The new price represented a 66.66% premium to the R75 price on February 1, the last trading day prior to the offer first being made.

Meanwhile, should Canal+’s own planned European listing proceed, there would be an opportunity for South African investors to become shareholders of the combined entity, as part of a secondary inward listing on the JSE, the companies announced yesterday.

Vivendi, the parent of Canal+, is currently doing a feasibility study to split the company into several separately listed entities. Canal + has 26.4 million subscribers, 17 million of which are outside France. MultiChoice claims 23.5 million subscribers.

The two groups said they had reached an agreement on proceeding and cooperating with the Canal+ takeover bid, that was formally announced on February 1, 2024, following talks between them of over a year.

Canal+’s stake in MultiChoice amounted to 35.01% by February 5, and this stake amounted to 36.6% on April 5.

The offer to MultiChoice shareholders was yesterday increased to R125 per share, from R105 cents when Canal+ first made the offer, which is “significantly above the minimum price of R105.00 required by the Takeover Regulations,” the companies said in a statement.

The new price represented a 66.66% premium to the R75 price on February 1, the last trading day prior to the offer first being made.

It is also a 63.96% premium to the R76.24 30-day volume weighted average price on the last trading day, prior to the offer being delivered.

Canal+ has said that its aim is to build a global entertainment leader, with Africa at its heart, combining scale, complementary geographies, and international reach with strong local roots, that will support the development of Africa's sporting and cultural industries, and “take leading and authentic African stories to a global audience.”

Recognising South Africa’s black economic empowerment imperatives, it intends to support MultiChoice’s BBBEE initiatives and the transformation of its South African business.

Canal+ believes the offer would also provide MultiChoice shareholders with an opportunity to realise value at a significant premium, in cash.

“Canal+ believes the competitive landscape for Africa's media and entertainment industry will continue to undergo profound changes as the continent rapidly adopts broadband and mobile internet.”

This allowed international media companies and global OTT platforms (including Netflix, YouTube, Disney and Apple TV+), to use their scale and resources, to expand beyond their existing markets, increasing their focus on Africa and thereby challenging local rivals.

“A combined group would be better positioned to address key structural challenges and opportunities resulting from the progressive digitalisation and globalisation of the media and entertainment sector. This could have significant benefits for the African creative and sports ecosystems, for example, by enabling high-quality content created on the continent to be distributed to an international audience,” the companies said.

Also, through the combination with Canal+, in addition to operating in over 50 countries across Africa, MultiChoice would be part of a broader group, present across three continents: Africa, Europe and Asia. As a result, MultiChoice would benefit from the combined group's scale across its entire footprint.

Credits: IOL

New Channel Alert: ST Kids Plus Coming Soon To StarTimes And StarSat Platforms Across Africa

Last month,  StarTimes added ST Toons as a brand new children's channel to their platforms. Serving as a spinoff to the current ST Kids channel, ST Toons incorporates the Nicktoons format airing older shows from ST Kids with dubs in the mix.

Oddly enough, StarTimes looks to launch a third children's channel by April 15th, ST Kids Plus. From what we can gather most of the content already seen on both ST Kids and ST Toons will be added to the lineup with selection of content in local languages.

The languages include English, Swahili, Portuguese and French with the channel set to rollout in 30 African countries. It is looking to position itself as a multilingual children's channel offering high quality children's content for viewers aged 6-12.

ST Kids Plus will launch on April 15th on channel 352 on DTT and 311 on DTH to all Basic and Super customers. 

As some readers are aware, StarSat hasn't launched ST Toons for consumers in South Africa and from the looks of things ST Kids Plus. Considering that the ownership of StarSat in SA varies with other countries it wouldn't surprising if it didn't launch. 

StarTimes in ROA is packaged differently from South Africa this is due to the pay-tv companies voting rights being limited to 20%. In these markets, StarTimes whose rates match that of MultiChoice also offer a range of sport and premium entertainment. 

Canal+ Makes Firm Offer For DStv Owner MultiChoice, Eyes Secondary JSE Listing

French media giant Canal+ announced on Monday it has now made a mandatory offer for a takeover of MultiChoice, offering R125 per share. The new offer price is almost 67% higher than the MultiChoice share price just before its first offer in February. 

MultiChoice, Africa's biggest pay TV operator, meanwhile has roped in Standard Bank as an independent expert to give an opinion on the offer, also agreeing to cooperate in ensuring its implementation.

An earlier non-binding offer of R105 per share in February was rebuffed by the board of Africa's biggest pay-TV operator as too low, and Canal+ subsequently upped its proposal in March to its current amount. MultiChoice had closed at R112.33 on Friday.

Canal+, whose parent is Vivendi, operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia, directly serving 8 million customers in Africa. It had about 25 million total subscribers as of its 2023 year, while MultiChoice had 23.5 million. Both have serious ambitions for Africa and have acknowledged that scale is necessary in order to take on US giants such as Disney and Netflix.

"Canal+'s ambition is to build a global entertainment leader, with Africa at its heart, combining scale, complementary geographies, integrated and international reach with strong local roots, that will support the commercial development of Africa's sporting and cultural industries and take leading and authentic African stories to a global audience," it said on Monday.

"This long-term vision has its foundation in Canal+'s extensive and successful 30-year history of investing in African creative and sports broadcasting markets."

Vivendi, the parent company of Canal+, is also currently undertaking a feasibility study for the proposed split of the company into several separately listed entities, first announced in December.

Should a planned European listing proceed, there will be an opportunity for South African investors to become shareholders of the combined entity as part of a secondary inward listing on the JSE, the company said

Canal+ added on Monday it understood the imperative of broad-based black economic empowerment, and upon implementation it intends to support MultiChoice in its continued efforts of transformation of its South African business. This is usually also a condition imposed by SA's competition regulators, whose approval is required, while a circular for the offer will be released in due course.

Complicating matters had been SA laws that place limitations on foreign ownership of local broadcast licences. This means Canal+ can increase its shareholding in MultiChoice to any level, but its voting rights are limited to a maximum of 20%. Canal+ also increased its stake in the group to over 35%, which a threshold that triggers a mandatory offer.

However, given the voting cap, the Takeover Regulation Panel was then asked to make a ruling, finding in February that Canal+ must. Following an extension, it was given until 8 April to make its mandatory offer.

MultiChoice has also granted exclusivity to Canal+, which entails not engaging with other competing parties. However, should a better, unsolicited proposal be received, Canal+ will have the opportunity to revise its offer.

"Following constructive engagement with MultiChoice, we are pleased to have issued a joint firm intention announcement to make an offer today, representing a significant premium for the shareholders of MultiChoice," Canal+ chair and CEO Maxime Saada said in a statement.

"Canal+ is confident in making this offer, at a level which far exceeds the minimum required by regulation, due to the incredible future we believe that Canal+ and MultiChoice can build together," he said.

"We are excited about these opportunities, which will be supported by further investment in technology, including the continued offering of a leading satellite service, and rolling out more innovative streaming products."

May 2024 On Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. And Nicktoons Across The Rest Of Africa | New Series Alert: Zokie Of Planet Ruby And Sharkdog | Returning Shows Including SpongeBob SquarePants And Baby Shark’s Big Show | More

Nickelodeon 

SpongeBob SquarePants 

Premier : 29/04/24 – 09/05/2024

Slot : Monday - Thursday

Time: 14:00

New episodes: 294, 295, 298, 299

The misadventures of a talking sea sponge who

works at a fast-food restaurant, attends a boating

school, and lives in an underwater pineapple.

Zokie Of Planet Ruby

New show

• Episodes: 101-109, 111-114, 116-126

• Premier: 06/05 –06/06

• Slot : Monday-Friday

• Time: 14:15

The series follows creative vlogger Ruby and her alien best friend Zokieas

they film their daily mishaps and adventures around their city.

Monster High 2

Movie

Premier : 19/05

Slot: Sunday

Time: 11:00

As they enter sophomore year at Monster High, Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura and Frankie Stein face new students, new powers, and an even bigger threat that could not only tear their friendship apart, but could change the world forever.

Nicktoons 

AfterToons Stunt 

Premiere: 13/05/2024 – 21/06/2024

Slot: Monday – Friday

Time: 16:00

*including new episodes of Patrick Star Show #201-205

Featuring Nickelodeon’s most beloved animated series; The Casagrandes, SpongeBob SquarePants, Rock Paper Scissors, Patrick Star Show and Sharkdog

Sharkdog

New Show

Premiere: 13/05/2024 - 24/5/2024

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 16:30

Nick Jr. 

Baby Shark’s Big Movie

Premier: 04/05/2024

Slot : Saturday

Time : 11:00am/pm, 03:15am/pm

Baby Shark moves, leaving his best friend behind. An evil popstarfish is planning to use magic to steal the power of his song and eliminate all music but her own. It's up to Baby Shark to restore balance to the ocean and save his

friend.

Baby Shark's Big Show 

• New Episodes: #220-226

• Premier : 06/05/2024 - 17/05/2024

• Slot : Monday-Friday

• Time : 08:50am/pm, 12:30am/pm, 03:15am/pm

Baby Shark dive into the salty silliness of Baby Shark, his family, and friends.

Development Alert: Razia Sultan To Make It's Freemium Debut On eExtra

After making its debut on Zee World in 2022, eMedia Investments has picked up rights to Bollywood periodical drama series, Razia Sultan. The &TV drama is set to debut on eExtra from weekdays at 15:25 on 19 April replacing Naagin.

Based on the real life figure of the same name, Razia Sultan is a historical drama that charts the rise of a remarkable real-life figure, the first woman to ever rule the Delhi Sultanate. It has the typical court intrigue you can expect from "Game of Thrones" type series.

It starred Pankhuri Awasthy Rode as Razia Sultan, Rohit Purohit as Ikhtiyar ud-din Malik Altunia, Saurabh Pandey as Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut, Khalida Turi as Qutub Begum and Mohit Abrol as Nasiruddin Mahmud.

During its run on &TV, the series was met with positive reception for its storyline with Awasthy Rode gaining the most praise for her craftsmanship in the role. The broadcaster &TV is known for shows like Begusarai, Gangaa and Jodha & Akbar.

In other developments, eExtra will be rolling out a brand new show from Denmark titled, Sommerdahl Moorde.