Latest news with #Canal+
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns over Canal+ and Multichoice merger: impact on local content producers
Jack Devnarain Image: Instagram Local content producers and actors are concerned that the French Television Giant Canal+'s acquisition of Multichoice may lead to fewer local productions and could lead to an increase in unemployment for those working in the entertainment industry, especially those dependent on commissions from Multichoice. The Competition Commission Tribunal hearing this week, focused on public interest clauses of the merger, especially around commitments to support local content creators and historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs). Regulators and commissioners sought to understand how local content creators and HPDs will be supported under the merged entity. Canal+ and MultiChoice had committed to obligations to continue procuring goods and services from a diverse group of beneficiaries, including HDP firms, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and South African content creators. Concerns were raised during Thursday's hearing on whether the wording under Clause 7 of the merger conditions was explicit enough to assure beneficiaries—particularly local content producers—that they are covered under the commitments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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However, specific amounts set for this by the merging parties remain confidential, although they explained that these figures were derived from historical and projected expenditure data covering a three-year period. They said they had made financial commitments to reflect average spend based on past and future spending to ensure that support for local content and HDP firms is maintained—not diminished—after the merger. 'To be clear, these are not additional or new commitments—they are meant to safeguard ongoing procurement activity, especially given that there was no certainty these would continue if the merger didn't proceed,' explained the merging parties.' These commitments are part of a broader set of public interest conditions tied to the merger, designed to ensure that local economic development, transformation, and content diversity are not compromised by foreign control of one of Africa's largest media platforms. However Jack Devnarain, veteran actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors, said they didn't have any expectations of Canal+ which was here to 'play the game' in an unregulated industry, which he believes was a 'huge attraction' for them. 'From the actor's point of view, we are always suspicious of mergers such as this because typically, given that we are in an unregulated industry, it means that actors are the last to get any benefit whatsoever from the transaction. 'We are the last to have our rights protected in any way, and we are deeply concerned that while all this content is going to find a new home, that actors are going to be left without new opportunities for work.' Devnarain said that Ideally they would like to engage with Canal+ on various issues like a new contractual agreement in which they can secure commercial exploitation fees in contract, and even if old content is re-versioned and dubbed, that actors will receive some residual income. 'We're not optimistic about that at all, simply because we know Africa, African content, African filmmakers and broadcasters are typically the ones to be exploited when it comes to the arrival of the European or American broadcasters or streamers. The Global North has always sought opportunities to exploit the content opportunities emanating from the Global South and Africa has always been ripe because we are incredibly diverse in our linguistic content, in the cultural content and in the incredible locations that we have.' Devnarain described it as a new form of colonisation where international conglomerates and corporate players from the Global North find wonderful opportunities in the Global South, and again exploit the talent that comes out of South Africa and Africa, without compensating them. The merger between Multichoice and Canal+ will be subject to a restructuring exercise under to ring-fence MultiChoice's licensed broadcasting entity, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. This unit will be hived off into a standalone company, LicenseCo in line with local regulatory requirements. After settlement of the merger, the combined group will have no interest or control in LicenseCo. However, details of the this carve-out structure for LicenseCo remain confidential. LicenceCo will be majority-owned by previously disadvantaged and black economic empowerment companies, with MultiChoice Group holding a 49% interest. Canal+ has however previously said that it was still engaging with Phuthima Nathi which has been earmarked to hold a 27% interest in LicenceCo although the board has already given its support for the transaction. Black-owned and managed companies, Identity Partners Itai Consortium and Afrifund Consortium, have also been roped into LicenceCo, bringing 'highly experienced leaders' with 'great commercial and industry' knowledge. Regulators are expected to consider these clarifications as they finalize their decision on whether the merger may proceed under South Africa's competition and public interest laws. The merger awaits final regulatory and competition approvals. Denvnarain said they are concerned that work that was already produced would be dubbed and sold to new markets and the actors not compensated for it. 'Because those rights didn't exist under the MNet or KYKNet agreements, we don't expect that Canal+ is going to come into South Africa and acknowledge rights that our own South African broadcaster refused to give us. So, we don't see the upside as actors unless we are creating new content for the new owners under a new contractual regime where we are able to secure commercial exploitation rights. 'And again, it's unheard of to secure commercial exploitation rights in a contract if your industry itself is an unregulated industry.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Lights, camera… cut as local TV fears fading out
Veteran actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors, Jack Devnarain, voices concern over the Canal+ and MultiChoice merger during the Competition Tribunal hearings, warning that local creatives - particularly actors - risk being sidelined in an already unregulated industry. Image: Supplied Local creatives fear being sidelined as French media giant Canal+ moves to merge with MultiChoice - a deal that could reshape South Africa's TV industry and put local jobs and content at risk. Actors, filmmakers and industry bodies say the deal lacks clear guarantees for local content production, fair pay, and intellectual property rights, warning that without regulation, foreign control could come at the cost of local voices. The Competition Commission Tribunal hearing this week, will focus on public interest clauses of the merger, especially around commitments to support local content creators and historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs). Regulators and commissioners sought to understand how local content creators and HPDs will be supported under the merged entity. Canal+ and MultiChoice had committed to obligations to continue procuring goods and services from a diverse group of beneficiaries, including HDP firms, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs), and South African content creators. Concerns were raised during Thursday's hearing on whether the wording under Clause 7 of the merger conditions was explicit enough to assure beneficiaries - particularly local content producers - that they are covered under the commitments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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However, specific amounts set for this by the merging parties remain confidential, although they explained that these figures were derived from historical and projected expenditure data covering a three-year period. They said they had made financial commitments to reflect average spend based on past and future spending to ensure that support for local content and HDP firms is maintained - not diminished - after the merger. 'To be clear, these are not additional or new commitments - they are meant to safeguard ongoing procurement activity, especially given that there was no certainty these would continue if the merger didn't proceed,' explained the merging parties.' These commitments are part of a broader set of public interest conditions tied to the merger, designed to ensure that local economic development, transformation, and content diversity are not compromised by foreign control of one of Africa's largest media platforms. However Jack Devnarain, veteran actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors, said they didn't have any expectations of Canal+ which was here to 'play the game' in an unregulated industry, which he believes was a 'huge attraction' for them. 'From the actor's point of view, we are always suspicious of mergers such as this because typically, given that we are in an unregulated industry, it means that actors are the last to get any benefit whatsoever from the transaction. 'We are the last to have our rights protected in any way, and we are deeply concerned that while all this content is going to find a new home, that actors are going to be left without new opportunities for work.' Devnarain said that Ideally they would like to engage with Canal+ on various issues like a new contractual agreement in which they can secure commercial exploitation fees in contract, and even if old content is re-versioned and dubbed, that actors will receive some residual income. 'We're not optimistic about that at all, simply because we know Africa, African content, African filmmakers and broadcasters are typically the ones to be exploited when it comes to the arrival of the European or American broadcasters or streamers. The Global North has always sought opportunities to exploit the content opportunities emanating from the Global South and Africa has always been ripe because we are incredibly diverse in our linguistic content, in the cultural content and in the incredible locations that we have.' Devnarain described it as a new form of colonisation where international conglomerates and corporate players from the Global North find wonderful opportunities in the Global South, and again exploit the talent that comes out of South Africa and Africa, without compensating them. The merger between Multichoice and Canal+ will be subject to a restructuring exercise under to ring-fence MultiChoice's licensed broadcasting entity, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. This unit will be hived off into a standalone company, LicenseCo in line with local regulatory requirements. After settlement of the merger, the combined group will have no interest or control in LicenseCo. However, details of the this carve-out structure for LicenseCo remain confidential. LicenceCo will be majority-owned by previously disadvantaged and black economic empowerment companies, with MultiChoice Group holding a 49% interest. Canal+ has however previously said that it was still engaging with Phuthima Nathi which has been earmarked to hold a 27% interest in LicenceCo although the board has already given its support for the transaction. Black-owned and managed companies, Identity Partners Itai Consortium and Afrifund Consortium, have also been roped into LicenceCo, bringing 'highly experienced leaders' with 'great commercial and industry' knowledge. Regulators are expected to consider these clarifications as they finalize their decision on whether the merger may proceed under South Africa's competition and public interest laws. The merger awaits final regulatory and competition approvals. Denvnarain said they are concerned that work that was already produced would be dubbed and sold to new markets and the actors not compensated for it. 'Because those rights didn't exist under the MNet or KYKNet agreements, we don't expect that Canal+ is going to come into South Africa and acknowledge rights that our own South African broadcaster refused to give us. So, we don't see the upside as actors unless we are creating new content for the new owners under a new contractual regime where we are able to secure commercial exploitation rights. 'And again, it's unheard of to secure commercial exploitation rights in a contract if your industry itself is an unregulated industry.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tribunal says Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice presents minimal competition concerns
Multichoice has been struggling to retain subscribers for its pay television platform, DStv, ven as it seeks to expand its digital footprint through investments in online streaming service Showmax. Image: File Tawanda Karombo The Competition Competition said on Thursday that the planned acquisition of MultiChoice Group (MCG) by the French television powerhouse Canal+ has revealed minimal overlaps between the two entities, given their respective market sizes. However, the proposed merger will necessitate a fundamental restructuring to separate the licensed broadcasting unit, which will transition into a standalone entity named LicenseCo. MultiChoice has been struggling to retain subscribers for its pay television platform, DStv, ven as it seeks to expand its digital footprint through investments in online streaming service Showmax. The acquisition by Canal+ is positioned as a revitalising force for MultiChoice, pending final approvals from regulatory bodies and competition authorities. The Tribunal on Thursday heard from the Competition Commission that there were overlaps between MultiChoice and Canal+. These overlaps include included horizontal and vertical considerations. During the proceedings at the Tribunal, both companies have horizontal overlaps as they both supply video content for broadcasting purposes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ It was the Competition Commission's findings that MultiChoice acquires and aggregate broadcasting content across sports and movies under its subsidiaries M-Net and SuperSport while Canal+ also has similar offerings although at a small scale. 'Vertically, Canal+ currently provides content to LicenseCo, which is part of MCG while its affiliated entity, Havas Media, purchases advertising space from MCG's sales house, Digital Media Sales (DMS),' said Ndivhuwo Moleya, senior analyst for mergers and acquisitions at the Competition Commission. The Commission said these links presented potential vertical overlaps in content and advertising supply chains, but it deemed them as insignificant. 'Looking at the number of channels that Canal+ supplies, in particular on the DStv platform, we understand it's not more than three. The upshot of that is that from a horizontal perspective, (the overlap) is very small because of the smallness of the content that Canal+ provides downstream,' said Moleya. According to the Competition Commission, the broader content market includes numerous global suppliers, indicating low risk of anti-competitive effects. Moreover, overlaps within the upstream advertising market, regarding the the sale of advertising slots on broadcast platforms and the downstream advertising market involving agencies such as Havas Media that purchase advertising on behalf of clients, were also determined to be less significant. In arriving at the determination, regulators adopted a 'worst-case scenario' to ensure all potential competition concerns were examined. The merger between MCG and Canal+ will be subject to a resutructuring exercise to ring-fence MultiChoice's licensed broadcasting entity, MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. This unit will be hived off into a standalone company, LicenseCo, in line with local regulatory requirements. After settlement of the merger, the combined group will have no interest or control in LicenseCo. However, details of the this carve-out structure for LicenseCo remain confidential. LicenceCo will be majority-owned by previously disadvantaged and black economic empowerment companies, with MCG holding a 49% interest. Canal+ has, however, previously said that it was still engaging with Phuthuma Nathi, which has been earmarked to hold a 27% interest in LicenceCo, although the board has already given its support for the transaction. Black-owned and managed companies, Identity Partners Itai Consortium owned by Sipho Maseko And Sonja De Bruyn, and Afrifund Consortium have also been roped into LicenceCo, bringing 'highly experienced leaders' with 'great commercial and industry' knowledge. 'This seems a clever way to get around foreign ownership rules assuming they've had at least informal approval from Independent Communications Authority of SA (or discussions) and now deal can go ahead,' market analyst Simon Brown previously told Business Report. The CEO of Canal+, Maxime Saada, said earlier this year that the acquisition of MultiChoice was an 'opportunity to create a unique global media company, with a strong presence across Africa with the scale, expertise, and creativity to compete and partner with the largest players' within the media and entertainment sectors. BUSINESS REPORT
Morocco World
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Ghana and Mali Must-Win Matchup Preview, Kick Off Time and More
Rabat — Tonight will mark a must-watch and must-win match between Ghana and Mali as part of Group C of the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) taking place in Morocco. The two will meet at Stade Municipal de Berkane at 8 p.m. Moroccan time. If you cannot watch the match in Morocco, several broadcasters are airing the game, depending on your location. If you are in Ghana, you can watch the match on Gabon Premiere, Canal + , or Super Sport. You can also watch it via beIN Sport or on Canal + if you are in Mali. Ghana is seeking redemption after a hard kickoff, where they lost their opener 0-2 against South Africa. 'Against Mali, they face a team that is efficient even when they do not have more ball possession. With the experience of the forward quartet, China-based Saratou Traore, who scored the lone goal against Tanzania on Monday,' the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said . Today's match will be the fifth time the two squads have met at the WAFCON. Ghana won three out of five of the matches in 2022, in 2006, and in 2016. The game, however, is expected to be fierce as Mali eyes an early quarters slot, and Ghana is determined to bounce back after a tough start and clinch a redemption during the competition. 'Winning against Ghana will also have a dimension to improve this record, but more importantly, booking a place in the quarterfinals,' CAF concluded. Tags: WAFCONWAFCON futsal
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Cameron Boyce remembered by Descendants co-stars
Cameron Boyce's Descendants co-stars have paid tribute to the late star on the sixth anniversary of his death. The Disney actor passed away at the age of just 20 when he suffered a seizure in his sleep due to epilepsy and on Sunday (06.07.25), he was remembered as an "angel" by his friends. Sofia Carson shared a behind-the-scenes cast photo and wrote on Instagram: "Our Angel. Forever." Booboo Stewart shared the same photo on his own Instagram Story, while Sarah Jeffrey shared a photo of herself with Cameron 'on a BC ferry to Victoria to shoot more of Descendants." She added: "Life is good. Miss you Cam.' Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega recently reflected on the last time she saw Cameron, explaining how she felt "uncomfortable" when they were put in a "weird" position and asked to kiss during an audition, but her friend spoke up for her. Speaking to French TV outlet Canal+, she said: "The last time I saw my friend Cameron Boyce — I'd known him since I was like 11 or 12, and we were supposed to kiss [in an audition] and he knew me, since I was 11 or 12. This is a few years later, 15, 16, came in, we were supposed to be love interests. "But because he obviously felt weird and he was a bit older, he was like — we both just kinda looked at each other and we were like, 'No, we can't do this.' "And it was so sweet because I was uncomfortable and I was having a hard time. .. And then, we wished each other well." Jenna was "really thankful and grateful" to Cameron for speaking up, and agreed with her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Catherine O'Hara when she said he had been a "gentleman". Following his tragic death, the actor's family set up the Cameron Boyce Foundation to provide "young people artistic and creative outlets as alternatives to violence and negativity". At the time of his passing, Cameron's "utterly heartbroken" family remembered him as one of the world's "brightest lights". They said in a statement at the time: "It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we report that this morning we lost Cameron. 'He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated. The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him. 'We are utterly heartbroken and ask for privacy during this immensely difficult time as we grieve the loss of our precious son and brother."
