Entertainment
From music to movies and TV shows, Techpoint Africa brings you the latest news and insights on how technology is shaping the entertainment industry.
Top stories
Ghana’s government has demanded that DStv cut subscription fees by 30% by Aug 7 or face licence suspension, sparking a standoff between regulators and MultiChoice.
MultiChoice is losing pay-TV subscribers fast, but its streaming platforms are growing. With Canal+’s $2B acquisition and deep pockets, could Africa’s largest pay-TV company prioritise streaming and compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime?
Kava, a new streaming platform backed by Inkblot and FilmHouse, is launching in August 2025 to challenge global giants like Netflix and Amazon with local stories and regional insight.
Canal+ has received conditional approval to acquire MultiChoice, but the deal still hinges on ICASA’s final nod and a new HDP-owned company to comply with local ownership laws.
CANAL+ has partnered Netflix to bundle its offerings across 24 Francophone African countries. The partnership enhances CANAL+’s position as a leading content aggregator in Africa and will deepen Netflix’s reach in Africa amid rising subscription costs.
From silent vlogs to viral AI content, here are the top 25 YouTube trends dominating Q1 and Q2 2025 as well as what’s rising, fading and why it matters.
For the third time in two years, Netflix has increased subscription for its Nigerian customers with growing concerns regarding affordability and economic woes.
Canal+ faces regulatory hurdles in its R55bn bid for MultiChoice, mirroring Starlink’s struggles with South Africa’s strict local ownership laws. A new entity, LicenceCo, offers a workaround.
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in South Africa. Mobile, Standard, and Premium plans see hikes, while Basic stays at R99.
Canal+ has pushed back its acquisition timeline for MultiChoice to October 2025, as it awaits regulatory approval.
Warner Music and Audiomack have expanded their licensing deal to include 47 more countries, increasing African artists’ global reach and revenue opportunities, while strengthening Audiomack’s position in the streaming market.
Canal+ has announced plans to restructure MultiChoice’s operations in South Africa by establishing an independent entity, provisionally named LicenceCo, to comply with South African broadcasting regulations.
As Netflix’s subscribers near the half a billion global subscribers mark, the streaming service is looking for ways to increase revenue with more entertainment offerings and its African market isn’t left out.
While Spotify has just released its Wrapped 2024, it is not hard to see that Afrobeats has dominated the music scene, with Nigerian hits topping charts in not only music but also in the podcast space.
Streaming giant Netflix has dismissed recent speculations about exiting the Nigerian market.
MultiChoice has appealed the Competition Commission’s ruling that its 2013 deal with the SABC was an unreported merger. The case, tied to South Africa’s digital TV migration, could reshape the media landscape.
Faced with rising subscription costs and shifting consumer preferences, MultiChoice Nigeria reported a loss of 243,000 subscribers in six months. As more Nigerians turn to affordable streaming options, the pay-TV provider is stepping up efforts to combat illegal streaming in a bid to retain viewership.
Morocco is investing $36 million in a gaming zone in Rabat to grow its gaming sector, aiming to create 5,000 jobs and position the country as a regional leader in gaming. The project is part of Morocco’s 2025 Finance Bill.
MultiChoice will pay Peacock R6.825 billion ($390 million) over seven years in exchange for letting Showmax use its content streaming software and services.
Egypt-headquartered Afreximbank has signed a $3 million deal with Mediwood Studios to expand Tunisia’s film infrastructure, attracting international productions, fostering local talent, and boosting the country’s role in the global creative economy.