Tag Archives: GOtv

Canal+ ups its stake in MultiChoice

Blood Psalms

France’s Canal+ Group has increased its stake in African pay TV company MultiChoice Group to more than 26%, having almost doubled its interest in the company over the past year.

Canal+ has gradually upped its stake in the South African company behind the DStv and GOtv pay TV platforms since it first acquired a 6.5% interest in October 2020.

A year ago, the Paris-based broadcasting giant announced that it owned 15% stake in MultiChoice; this rose to 18.44% in June this year, then 20.12% a month later.

A statement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) this week revealed that Canal+ has further increased this to 26.26%. Canal+ is owned by Vivendi, a mass media holding company that also owns Gameloft, Havas and Prisma Media.

As required by South Africa’s Companies Act, MultiChoice has filed the required notice with the JSE’s Takeover Regulation Panel. If Canal+ acquires a 35% interest in MutliChoice, it would trigger a mandatory offer to shareholders.

However, whether or not Canal+ and Vivendi owner Vincent Bollore intends to make an offer to acquire MultiChoice, it would face some major hurdles, given South Africa’s tight restrictions over the foreign ownership of broadcasters.

“While the group regularly engages investors and maintains an open dialogue with the investment community, its policy is not to comment on its individual shareholders, nor on its interactions with them,” said MultiChoice this week.

Canal+ and MultiChoice have worked together in recent years, coproducing shows such as the South African action-drama series Spinners (8×50’) and gritty Kenyan police procedural Crime & Justice, both made with MultiChoice’s streamer Showmax.

Showmax and Canal+’s African OTT platform MyCanal also coproduced 10-episode South African drama Blood Psalms, based on a pre-colonial Xhosa legend. Canal+ also operates Canal+ Afrique, an African version of Canal+ available mainly in the francophone countries of Central and West Africa.

MultiChoice is backed by African internet company Naspers.

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Africa Magic unveils new gameshow

MultiChoice-owned entertainment channel Africa Magic has unveiled a new gameshow titled Come Play Naija.

Come Play Naija

The 60-minute gameshow format involves two teams competing against each other for a chance to win millions of Naira and other surprise prizes such as a new car.

The show is divided into five segments with different games, namely a trivia game, three obstacle courses and a contest called Spin the Wheel. Each segment will require one or more team members to participate in the games which are valued from N400,000 to N2,000,000.

Subscribers to MultiChoice’s pay TV platforms DStv and GOtv will also have the opportunity to take part in the home play edition on the Saturday live show to win cash prizes.

Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and West Africa channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “The new show is an entertainment package that will further affirm Africa Magic’s position as a leading local entertainment provider, ranging from reality shows to movies, drama series, and now family gameshows.

“We are very excited about our latest show which happens to be a first-of-its-kind family gameshow in Nigeria. We know how much our viewers enjoyed the Big Brother Naija’s Friday night games, so we decided to create a show where they get to participate in light-hearted, fun, entertaining and fast-paced games to win amazing prizes.”

The show will be hosted by media personality Hero Daniels and will premiere on March 3 at 9pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151), Africa Magic Urban (DStv channel 153 and GOtv SUPA channel 6) and Africa Magic Family (DStv channel 154 and GOtv channel 2).

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Africa on course for 51m TV subscribers

Pay TV subscriptions in Africa will rise to 51 million in the next five years, according to a report by UK-based analysis firm Digital TV Research.

The report, titled Africa Pay TV Forecasts, predicts that nearly 17 million pay TV subscribers will be added in Africa between 2020 and 2026.

Of the total, Nigeria will account for close to 11 million, with South Africa bringing in nine million.

South Africa-based MultiChoice, which operates sub-Saharan African satellite TV service DStv and smaller pay TV service GOtv, had 15.5 million subscribers across both platforms at the end of 2020.

Simon Murray, Digital TV Research’s principal analyst, expects this figure to rise to 19.7 million by 2026 “with a marked slowdown of satellite TV growth.”

China-based StarTimes and StarSat will experience the most impressive growth, with combined subscriptions in Africa increasing from 10.1 million at the year end to 16.9 million by 2026.

France’s Vivendi, which had 5.4 million subscribers to its Canal + satellite TV platform and EasyTV in Africa by the year end, will see this figure rise to 7.9 million by 2026.

Meanwhile, other pay TV providers in Africa combined will go from three million subscribers at the end of 2020 to 6.3 million by 2026.

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Laycon named GOtv brand ambassador

BBNaija Lockdown edition winner Olamilekan Agbeleshe, also known as Laycon, has been revealed as the new brand ambassador of pay TV operator GOtv.

Laycon

Laycon will star in the MultiChoice-owned brand’s festive campaign for the GOtv Jolli package as well kick off a GOtv city tour starting this month in Abeokuta, Enugu, Uyo, Abuja and Lagos.

Martin Mabutho, chief customer officer at MultiChoice Nigeria, said both Laycon and GOtv are synonymous with creativity, passion and the ability to connect with audiences both young and old.

“Laycon’s rise to fame on the platform of the hugely popular BBNaija reality TV show is one story that will never get old. His talent, fueled by passion, made him highly relatable and endeared him to many. We are excited to have him on board and we look forward to a mutually rewarding experience,” said Mabutho.

“I am excited to join the GOtv Nigeria family. This is a good one for me and I feel honoured to be a part of this leading pay TV entertainment brand. GOtv is about quality entertainment and that is something that resonates with my brand as a creative. I look forward to showcasing the amazing campaign we’ve worked on together,” said Laycon.

Mabutho added: “Starting Saturday November 21, customers can get a GOtv decoder and antenna with one month on Jolli package at N8,400. As always, our commitment is to enrich the entertainment experiences of our valued customers and with something for everyone during the holiday season with GOtv.

“In addition, GOtv is ushering in the festive season with an exciting mix of programming for the entire family, including a line-up of festive movies, sporting action, kids’ entertainment and local content. Some of the festive content to look out for includes the Africa Magic Holiday Channel, with new seasons of Turn Up Friday with Pepsi and Infinix and Owambe Saturday with Goldberg, plus a brand new show, Jollof with Me, sponsored by Cussons Carex and Morning Fresh.”

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MultiChoice links up with Udemy platform

Pay TV company MultiChoice has collaborated with online learning platform Udemy to offer its DStv and GOtv customers across Africa skills advancement and development opportunities.

Fhulufhelo Badugela

According to South Africa-based MultiChoice, over the years its customers have been able to access educational content on Discovery, Nat Geo Wild, History Channel, DaVinci Kids, BBC and other channels.

They will therefore have access to some of the best online learning opportunities available as well as thousands of courses to aid them in their personal and professional development.

Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa, said: “We’re very excited to partner with an innovative and purposeful platform like Udemy, especially as the world shifts to an online learning future.

“We are constantly seeking ways to enrich and progress the lives of our valued customers and tapping into learning and development is a natural next step. Investing in the future of our continent is a top priority and we are proud to be able to collaborate with another platform that values the accessible advancement of our customers as much as we do.”

Llibert Argerich, senior VP of marketing at Udemy, added: “As a global learning platform, our mission is to provide access and create new opportunities for learners around the world, across a wide range of content areas and at all levels of expertise. MultiChoice has a long history of prioritising learning, and we’re proud to be working with them to unlock new possibilities for learners across the continent.”

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Next Titan S7 picks top 25 contestants

Nigerian entrepreneurial reality show The Next Titan has named the top 25 contestants who will participate in this year’s physical boot camp.

The 25 selected from the 50 contestants who took part in the online auditions are: Nathaniel Okafor, Mordi Onyeka, Oscar Obiora, Albert Ukoha, Hauwa Abdullahi, Mayokun Oduoste, Adetoun Yusuf, Chidinma Eriobu, Kelvin Steve, Osondu Franklin, Nnenna Nwoya, Stella Okenwa, Ifeanyi Nkwonta, Chioma Ukpaki, Chinazom Arinze, Sandra Eghiomon, Joshua Idiong, Bolaji Precious, Henry Yange, Kehinde Anifoloyin, Gibson Osuorji, Ifeoma Benjamin, Ebere Onyejekwe, Oluwadolapo Olufehinti and John Adetola.

The contestants will engage in a three-day physical bootcamp after which 16 will make it to the Titan House for the 10 weeks of the main show.

The finalists will battle one another over 10 tough business tasks with hopes of winning the cash prize of N10,000,000 and a new car for the support of their business idea.

The show will air on Sundays on DStv Africa Magic channel 154 and GOtv channel 25 and on Saturdays on TVC and DStv channel 418. Debuting in 2013, the show is produced by Lagos-based Bravopoints International and sponsored by Heritage Bank.

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Whitemoney becomes GOtv ambassador

Whitemoney with John Ugbe of MultiChoice

Hazel Oveze Onou, also known as Whitemoney, winner of season six of reality show Big Brother Naija, has signed up to become a brand ambassador for MultiChoice-owned pay TV platform GOtv.

The digital terrestrial service announced the news on Instagram, saying: “Welcome to the MultiChoice family. Whitemoney is our new GOtv brand ambassador. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him on our 10th anniversary.”

In addition to this, the pay TV platform revealed that he will also be getting his own reality show, details of which will be announced soon.

Whitemoney said: “I am highly pleased to join GOtv family as their latest ambassador. I feel so honoured to be part of this leading pay TV entertainment brand.

“More so, as an entertainer, I also have the opportunity to own my show on this platform and I couldn’t be happier to associate with a pure quality entertainment brand. Looking forward to the exciting journey with my new family.”

Whitemoney shook hands on the deal with John Ugbe, CEO of pay TV company MultiChoice Nigera.

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Auditions open for Nigerian Idol S7

Nigerian Idol

Musical reality show Nigerian Idol, based on Fremantle’s globe-trotting talent show format, is coming back for a seventh season.

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that online auditions are open and will close on November 28. Anyone interested aged between16 and 30 should upload a 60-second video of themselves singing any song of their choice here.

Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and West Africa channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “MultiChoice remains committed to promoting and giving young music talents in Nigeria a platform to shine and actualise their dreams.

“Season seven promises to be even bigger and more entertaining. So if you believe you have what it takes to be the next Nigerian Idol, be a part of the auditions.”

The show is sponsored by beverage company Bigi Drinks and will air on MultiChoice pay TV platforms DStv and GOtv in February 2022.

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Next Titan online auditions kick off

Entrepreneurial reality show The Next Titan has begun online auditions for its seventh season.

Kyari Bukar

Themed as The Unstoppable, the new season is on the look-out for business ideas that are immune to any pandemic, innovations that break boundaries and technologies that can survive any lockdown.

Production company Bravopoints International is seeking ambitious Nigerian entrepreneurs aged between 22 and 40 who can demonstrate their entrepreneurial acumen with unbeatable business ideas, commercial insights and business savvy. You can register by clicking here.

The top 50 contestants from the online auditions will be selected to take part in a two-week online bootcamp where they will use ‘dashboards’ to connect with one another and the bootcamp administrators and judges.

Then 25 of the 50 will be invited to Lagos for another two-week online bootcamp. The group also will be isolated in a resort or hotel and tested for Covid-19 by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

After their isolation, the 25 will have another physical bootcamp for both entertainment and final auditions before the top 16 are certified with a clean bill of health and moved to the Titan House for the main show.

They will live together for 10 weeks while facing a number of tough business tasks and avoiding eviction, with hopes of winning the cash prize of N10m and a new car to support their business idea.

The judges are top Nigerian business leaders and include board members Lilian Olubi, Chris Parkes, Tonye Cole and lead judge Kyari Bukar.

The show will air on Sundays on DStv Africa Magic channel 154/GoTV Channel 25 and on Saturdays on TVC and DStv channel 418. Previous winners were skincare entrepreneur Ogechukwu Alexis Obah and Amifeoluwa Yakubu.

The Next Titan is sponsored by Heritage Bank and its Lagos-based prodco Bravopoints is also behind other business-themed TV programmes such as The Proteges Nigeria, The Mavericks and Conversations With the Colossus.

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Whitemoney wins BBNaija S6

Hazel Oyeye Onou, popularly known as Whitemoney and hailing from Enugu State in Nigeria, was this week crowned the winner of the sixth edition of reality show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).

Whitemoney

The show, taglined Shine Ya Eye, started airing on MultiChoice platforms DStv and GOtv in July with 22 housemates who lived together in isolation for 71 days, as per the format of the globe-trotting Dutch reality show distributed by Banijay Rights.

The housemates perform various tasks and are evicted weekly until one is left. Whitemoney won the N90m (US$219,000) grand prize while Liquorose emerged as the first runner-up and Pere as the second runner-up.

Celebrating his win on Instagram, Whitemoney said: “It’s your boy Whitemoney. Street boy has made it to the top. Street boy has won the show Shine Ya Eye. Money gang I love you. I love you all.”

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MultiChoice backs UN Covid campaign

MultiChoice Group has partnered with the United Nations (UN) as an official supporter of its Covid-19 awareness campaign, named Pause.

Imtiaz Patel

The Pause campaign, which is aimed at highlighting the dangers of sharing false information related to Covid -19, launched globally on June 30 with information broadcast across Africa through the DStv and GOtv on-air and digital platforms, SuperSport and M-Net properties and Showmax.

Furthermore, the campaign asks people around the world to pause, think and take care before sharing information that could be inaccurate or a result of misinformation and may have harmful effects.

Robert Skinner, senior advisor for global communications at the UN, said: “We are in a moment of global reckoning as Covid-19 and its social and economic consequences challenge the world in unprecedented ways. Misinformation, hate speech and fake news are fueling and distorting all of these challenges and eroding the truth. We are very excited to have MultiChoice onboard as a supporter giving the launch of our campaign reach across Africa. They are uniquely positioned to deliver this important message to their diverse audiences across the continent.”

MultiChoice executive chairman Imtiaz Patel added: “Reliable information is vital to the fight against Covid -19. The dissemination of credible information has become critical to fighting this epidemic, which continues to impact millions across the globe and our continent. We are, therefore, honoured to be able to utilise the continental reach of our broadcast and digital platforms across Africa to empower people with vital information.”

MultiChoice has supported a number of initiatives in the fight against the spread of the pandemic, which continues to wreak havoc across the globe and is being felt acutely across Africa. It also continues to seek opportunities to use its platforms to combat the spread of Covid-19 while supporting initiatives and airing educational and news-related content aligned with the organisation’s commitment to making an impact in the communities where it operates.

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DStv, GOtv expand content offerings

MultiChoice-owned pay TV platforms DStv and GOtv have re-organised their content offerings to help subscribers stay up to date with information regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

Africanews will now be available on GOtv Max and Plus, while educational channels Da Vinci and Mindset and kids’ entertainment net Cartoon Network  will be on DStv Access until the end of May to help engage young viewers.

Nickelodeon (Channel 305) has also been opened up to DStv Compact, Family and Access subscribers until April 14.

In addition, library sports content is being made more widely available. Select 4 will be opened to compact customers to re-live English Premier League football, while Select 5 will showcase past WWE content.

MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said: “We have been in constant communication with health authorities such as the World Health Organisation and we will be rolling out Africa-wide public service announcements on Covid-19. It is important that all of us take heed of the announcements and advice from trusted experts so that we can look after our own health and that of our loved ones.

“In light of the disruptions to the school year in some markets, we are also working to provide access to the best available educational content, to help keep young minds stimulated and engaged.”

MultiChoice has also moved to reassure its staff during the pandemic. “We are taking great care for our staff during this time and have encouraged those that are able to work from home to do so,” said Mawela.

“In light of this, we have advised our customers that there may be a delay in our ability to attend to customer queries. However, we have a number of self-service and online platforms available, and we will do our best to sort out any issues they may have, timeously.”

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Africanews added to DStv, GOtv

Pan-African news channel Africanews has been made available on MultiChoice’s DStv and GOtv in more than 40 countries across Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Angola.

Launched in 2016 from Pointe-Noire, Congo, the channel is a subsidiary of Euronews Groupnow. It now reaches 20 million homes across the continent, offering a range of programmes on culture, lifestyle, sport, business, travel and science and technology.

Euronews CEO Michael Peters said: “Amid the current Covid-19 crisis, Euronews and Africanews’ mission has never been so important: helping people access real-time, up-to-date information, empowering them to make sense of what’s going on in the world by presenting a diversity of viewpoints.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the MultiChoice group once again to offer their DStv and GOtv subscribers access to Africanews, after Euronews launched on DStv last November. Euronews and Africanews have always been recognised and valued for their fact-based impartial and independent newsgathering. In these times of uncertainty, millions of more people in Africa will now have access to these trusted sources of information.”

Yolisa Phahle, CEO MultiChoice Group Africa, added: “In these unprecedented times, the importance of having access to precise, reliable information becomes paramount for our customers and their families. We have increased access to news channels already, and the launch of Africanews confirms our commitment to doing all we can to provide the best possible service.”

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Cartoon Network, TNT join GOtv

MultiChoice’s digital terrestrial platform GOtv is adding WarnerMedia channels Cartoon Network and TNT to its line-up.

Guillaume Coffin

From November 12, the channels will offer subscribers across English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa children’s entertainment as well as Hollywood blockbusters.

The titles will include Ben 10, Craig of the Creek, Teen Titans Go, The Amazing World of Gumball, an exclusive original production of Victor & Valentino and films such as Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, Spy Kids and Jumanji.

Guillaume Coffin, WarnerMedia’s VP commercial and head of business development for France and Africa, said: “We are thrilled to bring Cartoon Network and TNT to a wider African audience and to extend our partnership with MultiChoice through GOtv. The quality of our channels, combined with MultiChoice’s excellence in marketing, will contribute to bringing our premium quality American features and innovative kids’ content to an even wider audience on the African continent.

“We are convinced that our existing fans will be as excited about this new entertainment experience as we are, and we look forward to welcoming our new GOtv fans to join in on the fun just in time for the festive season.”

Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment at the MultiChoice Group, added: “As the home of African television, it’s always a win for us to be able to deliver on making great entertainment accessible to more customers with top family entertainment. This new partnership with WarnerMedia is an example of that.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver more choice and value to our customers as Africa’s most loved storyteller.”

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MultiChoice unveils new packages

Pay TV company MultiChoice Group has introduced five new bouquet packages on its DStv and GOtv platforms to help strengthen its family offering In preparation for the festive season.

The new bouquets include DStv Confam, which has over 120 channels, DStv Yanga (94 channels), DStv Padi (51 channels), GOtv Jolli (68 channels) and GOtv Jinja (47 channels).

Starting from December 1, customers will have the option to choose from any of the bouquet packages that have been exclusively and specially curated for the Nigerian market.

John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “The introduction of the new packages is highly customised for Nigerians to unlock new levels of entertainment and value.

“We are constantly driven to ensure that customers are satisfied with the overall quality of our services. The new packages are exclusively curated from Naija and for Nigerians, driven by great programming and affordable prices. With improved package options available to our valued customers, they can choose a subscription plan that best fits their needs and budget.”

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MultiChoice named winner at NIS

Olushade Adesola (left) presents the award to Martin Mabutho

MultiChoice Nigeria has been named Outstanding Sports Promoting Company of the Decade at the recently concluded 25th anniversary of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

Digital terrestrial TV service GOtv emerged Outstanding Grassroots Sports Programme Television Station, while SuperSport won the Outstanding Sports Promoting Television Station of the Decade and the Outstanding Television Sports Programme of the Decade.

MultiChoice Nigeria chief customer officer Martin Mabutho emphasised that the awards recognised the efforts MultiChoice has put in place to deliver great content across all its platforms.

He said: “MultiChoice will continue to make great entertainment more accessible to Nigerians by delivering quality sports and local content to its customers.”

The award was presented by Olushade Adesola, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Youth & Sports. NIS was held at the Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos last week.

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GOtv marks seven years with open week

Nigerian pay TV platform GOtv is offering extra channels to its subscribers during an ‘open week’ to mark its seventh anniversary this month.

John Ugbe

From 19 to 26 October, more than 65 channels from the premium GOtv Max bouquet will be available to GOtv Plus subscribers. They will have access to content such as Fox Entertainment, Sony Max, La Liga football on SS Select 4 and CBS reality.

John Ugbe, MD of GOtv parent MultiChoice Nigeria, said the need for GOtv to give subscribers more entertainment options led to the introduction of GOtv Max.

He said: “We are glad to celebrate this milestone with our customers, who have always been the core of our business. This celebration is indeed a testimony to our commitment to put our customers at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to grow, we will continue to make improvements and add more value to our GOtv customers”.

GOtv currently has four bouquets: GOtv MAX, GOtv Plus, GOtv Value and GOtv Lite.

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MultiChoice low-cost subs up

African pay TV operator MultiChoice has recorded a boost in revenue from lower-cost subscribers while that from its high-end users has declined.

The news was revealed in the year-end financial report from MultiChoice’s parent company Naspers.

The company disclosed that MultiChoice has had a notable subscriber reduction in the past year, losing 41,000 DSTV Premium subscribers, declining from 1.962 million to 1.921 million.

According to the company, however, the lower-end subscribers more than make up for this loss as the mass market continues to grow and stabilise.

Overall, the company saw a 13% increase of DSTV subscribers, which grew from 11.942 million to 13.476 million across Africa. The growth of the mass market may also be due to GOtv, MultiChoice’s DTT service that provides TV services at a lower rate.

DSTV and GOtv are currently among Nigeria’s leading pay TV networks, with a wide range of entertainment and viewing options.

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Discovery’s Real Time joins DStv, GOtv

Pay TV company MultiChoice has added Discovery’s entertainment channel Real Time to its DStv and Gotv services to be aired all over the continent.

Amanda Turnbull

Rolling out today, Real Time features programmes that depict real-life stories, crime, medicine and nature.

According to Amanda Turnbull, VP and general manager for Discovery in Africa and the Middle East, Discovery will be offering world-class content to more African viewers including a personalised channel targeted at the modern African woman and her family.

She said: “Discovery is incredibly excited to present Real Time to a broader audience in the market and to further diversify and expand the brand’s local portfolio offering.”

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice’s CEO of general entertainment, said: “MultiChoice is excited to welcome the new channel which will give viewers access to a wide variety of entertaining television shows from Discovery.”

Real Time was recently added to DStv for its subscribers in South Africa, to the Chinese StarTimes in Africa and also to the StarTimes StarSat brand in South Africa.

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DStv, GOtv to air Africa Cup of Nations

MultiChoice-owned pay TV channels DStv and GOtv will broadcast the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) live when it is held in Egypt this summer.

The 52 matches of the 32nd edition of the tournament, held between June 21 and July 19, will be offered live on GOtv and in HD on DStv.

The competition will be held at six venues: Cairo International Stadium; 30 June Stadium, Cairo; Al Salaam Stadium, Cairo; Alexandria Stadium; Suez Stadium; and Ismailia Stadium.

The event will feature a 24-team format for the first time and the SuperSport broadcast will feature expert opinion and insight from top commentators and veterans.

Martin Mabutho, MultiChoice Nigeria’s chief customer officer, said: “We are thrilled to continue to cater to our customers’ football appetites with one of the most anticipated football tournaments of the year, and what makes it even more exciting this time around is that most of the countries we operate in are represented in AFCON 2019.”

The tournament will kick off with a match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Cairo International Stadium.

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