The news:
- CANAL+ will bundle Netflix’s offerings across 24 Francophone African countries.
- The partnership enhances CANAL+’s position as a leading content aggregator in Africa.
- Netflix aims to deepen its reach in Africa amid rising subscription costs.
- The move underscores Africa’s growing significance in the global streaming market.
French media conglomerate CANAL+ and streaming giant Netflix have extended their strategic partnership to 24 Francophone African countries. This collaboration, initially established in France and Poland in 2019, will see CANAL+ become the first operator to distribute Netflix as part of its offerings in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Starting in July, subscribers in these regions can access Netflix content through their CANAL+ subscriptions, streamlining user experience and expanding content accessibility.
“A few years after our distribution agreement in France and Poland, I am delighted to extend our historic partnership with Netflix to Africa. Our millions of African subscribers will benefit from a unique offer, bringing together the best of CANAL+ and Netflix content in a joint package. This new agreement demonstrates CANAL+’s ability to extend its unique super-aggregation model beyond the European continent,” said Pascale Chabert, Chief Content Acquisition Officer of CANAL+ in a statement.
This development positions CANAL+ as a premier content aggregator on the continent. With over 400 live channels, including 28 tailored for African audiences, and a robust digital platform, CANAL+ enhances its portfolio by integrating Netflix’s globally acclaimed series like Stranger Things, La Casa de Papel, and Lupin, alongside African productions such as Blood & Water, Young Famous and African, Unseen, King of Boys, Anikulapo, Blood Sisters and Kings of Joburg.
For Netflix, this partnership offers a strategic avenue to penetrate deeper into the African market. Despite economic challenges and recent subscription price hikes in countries like Nigeria and South Africa, Netflix continues to invest in African content.
According to Emma Lloyd, Vice President Partnerships EMEA at Netflix, the streaming giant is “thrilled about this extension of our partnership with CANAL+ which will allow us to reach even more people across French speaking African countries. It’s a big win for entertainment fans and part of our ongoing mission to make the member experience even better.”
Between 2016 and 2022, the company invested $175 million across the continent, with South Africa receiving the lion’s share. Collaborations with African creators, including Nigeria’s Kunle Afolayan and Mo Abudu, have produced original content that resonates both locally and globally.
This partnership also reflects the broader trend of Africa’s rising prominence in the global streaming landscape. With increasing internet penetration and a youthful population, the continent presents a lucrative market for streaming services. CANAL+’s recent acquisition moves, such as its stake in Senegal’s Marodi TV and its bid to acquire MultiChoice, further underscore its commitment to consolidating its presence in Africa.
As competition intensifies with entrants like MTN’s upcoming streaming platform, the CANAL+-Netflix alliance signifies a strategic effort to cater to the evolving entertainment needs of African audiences, offering a blend of global and local content through accessible platforms.
