Entertainment

Vivendi’s Canal+ is set to own 75% of the Mauritian pay-TV company MC Vision, following its recent share acquisition in South Africa’s MultiChoice.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is ready to “go to war” with broadcasters if they fail to ensure all South Africans can watch their national sports teams. McKenzie’s stance means eMedia won’t be challenging MultiChoice’s live sports monopoly alone.

The lawsuit filed against MultiChoice Nigeria and the FCCPC over the alleged unfair price hike in DStv and GOtv subscriptions has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

Netflix has increased its subscription prices for the second time in under four months.

MultiChoice has raised Showmax package prices in South Africa, effective August 2024, despite declining subscribers, while keeping the Premier League package price unchanged.

eMedia and MultiChoice are yet to end their broadcasting rights dispute despite a tribunal ruling. Now, eMedia has accused MultiChoice of going against the ruling.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has denied the application for licence renewal by Startimes’ OnDigital Media, the operator behind StarSat and ordered the company to shut down operations by September 18, 2024.

Following a revenue and subscriber decline in the previous fiscal year, MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela stated that the company can achieve significant cost savings without retrenchment. The company plans to save R2 billion by 2025 through various cost-cutting measures.

MultiChoice Group has released its operational performance for the fiscal year ending March 2024 (FY24), which shows a 9% decline in total active subscribers. The Group reported a 13% drop in subscribers in Nigeria, Angola, and Zambia.

According to a report, Canal+, the French media company in the process of acquiring MultiChoice, will not replace MultiChoice’s brands after the acquisition due to their high brand value.

MultiChoice Nigeria plans to appeal a ₦150 million fine imposed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal for ignoring an 8-day notice to halt a planned price hike.

BritBox, an online digital video streaming subscription service that launched three years ago, has announced that it will cease operations in South Africa in August 2024.

Following South Africa’s Department of Communication and Digital Technologies concerns that on-demand music and online video streaming services may soon pose serious threats to broadcasters in the country, MultiChoice remains unshaken. Here’s why.

Canal+ has acquired additional shares in MultiChoice, increasing its total stake to 41.59%. This acquisition comes just days after Canal+ increased its stake in MultiChoice to 40.08%.

MultiChoice Group has announced that Chairman Imtiaz Patel will step down immediately, despite saying in April that his tenure would be extended. Elias Masilela, Deputy Chairman of the company’s board, will take over.

MultiChoice has notified its shareholders that it has signed a “cooperation agreement” with Canal+ to facilitate a mandatory offer the French company must make to them.

MultiChoice has reversed its initial announcement, stating that Imtiaz Patel will not resign as Chairman until the Canal+ buyout is completed.

Telkom, a South African telco, offers its customers a 12-month promotional offer for Amazon Prime Video and Prime Video Edition, valid until March 2025.

Patrice Motsepe, a South African billionaire, is reportedly in talks with Canal+ about joining its bid for MultiChoice. This news comes as Canal+’s deadline of April 8 to make a formal buy offer approaches.

Starting April 1, 2024, Netflix’s new pricing review update will see Nigerian subscribers pay more for Standard Plan, Premium Plan, and Mobile Plan. However, the Basic Plan remains at ₦2,900.