Entertainment

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.

MultiChoice considers going after individuals who paid for and accessed pirated content after cases against illegal streaming operators are finalised as part of its anti-piracy efforts.

The Competition Commission in South Africa has approved MultiChoice to sell 60% of its insurance subsidiary, NMS Insurance Services (NMSIS), to Sanlam.

Spotify is increasing prices for Premium subscribers by over 40% from ₦900/month to ₦1,300/month. This move comes as the platform introduced Offline Backup for premium users globally.

Capitec, a South African retail bank, and PayTV broadcaster MultiChoice have partnered to provide customers with discounted DStv Stream plans, nearly two months after offering customers discounted Showmax rates.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) raided StarSat’s Midrand headquarters in South Africa, disrupting its operations.

MultiChoice Kenya plans to raise DStv prices by up to KSh500 starting November 1, 2024. Subscribers on the DStv Premium package will pay KSh11,000, up from KSh10,500, reflecting a 4.7% increase.

Following a raid in Germiston, South Africa, on Friday, September 6, 2024, MultiChoice arrested another person in connection with the Waka TV pirate streaming operation. While the suspect’s bail hearing is set for September 16, MultiChoice is not backing down yet.