Here’s the rewritten article focusing on the main news story about Canal+ and MultiChoice:
Canal+ Aims to Showcase African Content Globally Through MultiChoice Acquisition
French media conglomerate Canal+ is setting its sights on bringing African storytelling to international audiences following its acquisition of MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv. The media giant plans to leverage its global distribution arm, StudioCanal, to introduce South African-produced content to viewers worldwide.
In a recent interview with Sunday Times, Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot revealed the company’s strategy to export premium African content through StudioCanal’s established international distribution network. “StudioCanal is everywhere… they are the biggest seller of European content worldwide,” Mignot stated, while emphasizing that only high-quality productions would be selected for international distribution.
Two MultiChoice productions have already demonstrated significant potential for global appeal. “Shaka iLembe,” a historical drama chronicling the life of King Shaka, achieved remarkable success upon its 2023 premiere, drawing 3.6 million viewers in its first week. The series not only garnered critical acclaim and awards but also created over 16,000 jobs during production. Similarly, “Spinners,” which follows a 17-year-old’s journey to escape gang life through car spinning, has captured attention with its authentic storytelling and local perspective.
This move follows a growing trend of international streaming platforms recognizing South Africa’s potential as a content hub. Netflix and Amazon have already made significant investments in South African productions, with notable successes like “My Octopus Teacher,” which won an Oscar, and “Beauty and the Bester,” which topped Netflix charts in the United Kingdom. South Africa has emerged as a cost-effective location for high-quality content production, backed by world-class talent.
While pursuing global distribution, MultiChoice maintains its commitment to local markets. The company continues to focus on “hyper-local” content creation and has deliberately restricted its Showmax 2.0 streaming service to African territories. However, Canal+’s international distribution infrastructure could provide MultiChoice’s content with unprecedented global exposure, potentially transforming South African storytelling into a significant player in the international entertainment market.
The partnership represents a strategic move to capitalize on the growing global appetite for diverse storytelling while maintaining strong regional roots in the African market. Success in this venture could establish a new model for African content distribution and reshape the international perception of African entertainment.
