Tag Archives: MultiChoice

Showmax catches Red Eye for Africa

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Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi star in Red Eye

Comcast- and MultiChoice-backed African streamer Showmax has acquired UK broadcaster ITV’s action thriller series Red Eye in a deal with distributor Sony Pictures Television (SPT).

Showmax has secured rights to the series in sub-Saharan Africa, in one of several new deals SPT has struck for the show.

Paramount+ in Canada, Netflix in Germany and French pubcaster France Télévisions are also among the international buyers of the series. Other new buyers are Nova in Greece, TET in the Baltics and Warner Bros Discovery’s Max and HBO Max in Central and Eastern Europe.

Produced by SPT-backed Bad Wolf for ITV in the UK, and distributed by SPT, Red Eye will now be available in more than 120 territories.

Having premiered on ITV in April, Red Eye has also been picked up by AXN Asia in South-East Asia, TVING in Korea, Stan in Australia, Warner Bros Discovery in New Zealand and BeIN in the Middle East. SPT said additional deals across the US, Latin America and Europe will be announced soon.

Set between an all-night flight from London to Beijing and the streets of London and Whitehall, Red Eye centres on a detective constable, a journalist and an MI5 officer who are thrown into the same life-threatening conspiracy after a British doctor is arrested for murder upon flying home from Beijing.

The six-part series was created and written by Peter A Dowling, directed by Kieron Hawkes and exec produced by Dowling, Bad Wolf’s founder Julie Gardner and Lachlan MacKinnon.

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Big Brother talkshow The Buzz returns

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The Buzz, the Nigerian talkshow dedicated to the latest gossip from reality show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), is set to return next month.

Toke Makinwa

The new season will debut on August 1 on Showmax, the African streamer jointly owned by South Africa’s MultiChoice and US-based Comcast/NBCUniversal.

Hosted by award-winning media personality Toke Makinwa, the show will feature celebrity guests and top BBNaija commentators. Together, they will dissect all the key moments of this year’s ninth season, which debuts later this month, offering candid opinions and predictions in a no-holds-barred talk session. The show will also include never-before-seen footage from the BBNaija house and other engaging segments.

Makinwa said: “Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of juicy gossip, sizzling drama and unfiltered fun! We’re diving deep into the BBNaija house, spilling secrets and serving up all the tea you crave. Trust me, this season is going to be twice as wild, and I can’t wait for you all to join the party!”

Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and channels for West Africa at MultiChoice, added: “Showmax is Africa’s home of top-tier reality shows, and it’s only right that we bring back The Buzz with its amazing host, Toke Makinwa. We are taking the excitement of this BBNaija season a notch higher for fans, making sure that they get front-row seats to all the drama that the show is known for straight from the comfort of their mobile phones.”

Big Brother Naija, based on the globe-trotting Big Brother format owned by Banijay, features contestants living in an isolated house and competing for a large cash prize and other rewards. The goal is to avoid eviction, with viewers voting for their favourite housemates to remain in the show.

Big Brother Naija S9 is sponsored by drinks brand Guinness Nigeria and will premiere on July 28 on MultiChoice-owned pay TV platforms DStv 198 and GOtv 49. The show debuted on Africa Magic’s sister network M-Net in 2006.

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News Central launches stock market show

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Nigerian newscaster News Central TV has teamed up with Lagos-based financial literacy and advocacy platform Nairametrics to launch a stock market show called MarketPulse.

Kayode Akintemi

MarketPulse offers in-depth coverage of the Nigerian Exchange, delivering detailed analysis and updates on key developments in Nigeria’s financial sector, according to the companies. The show also covers selected African markets and prominent stock exchanges around the globe, informing viewers about international financial trends.

The new programme airs on News Central TV on MultiChoice’s pay TV platform DStv and Chinese-owned platform StarTimes every weekday at 16.00.

Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, CEO of Nairametrics, said: “Our mission has always been to empower wealth creation through information. We believe the capital markets represent one of the most potent avenues for wealth generation worldwide. This is why we are deeply committed to providing comprehensive and insightful coverage in this critical area.

“Our partnership with News Central combines cutting-edge technology, modern journalism and data-driven financial insights, ensuring our content is not only reliable but also actionable. Together, we aim to deliver the most up-to-date and relevant financial news to help our audience make informed investment decisions.”

Kayode Akintemi, MD of News Central TV, added: “News Central’s core focus is to drive solutions journalism and community engagement in our nation. This partnership is a milestone not only because of the numerous potential that both parties bring to the table but because of the immense contribution that this will bring to the African market.

“Market Pulse will be a show that shapes the business reporting and provides viewers and stakeholders with information and insight that will be unmatched anywhere else.”

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MultiChoice names Southern Africa director

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African pay TV group MultiChoice has appointed Kemi Omotosho as its Southern Africa regional director.

Kemi Omotosho

Omotosho began her career at MultiChoice Nigeria in 2014, assuming the role of head of retention. She was later elevated to head of customer value management (CVM) in 2018. In 2019, she became group head of CVM, responsible for spearheading all CVM initiatives across Africa.

She will now be in charge of MultiChoice’s Southern Africa business, excluding South Africa.

Omotosho said: “This journey has been remarkable and I am immensely grateful to MultiChoice for entrusting me with this pivotal role. Reflecting on my path, I am reminded of the countless opportunities MultiChoice has provided for women like myself to thrive and succeed. This is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion and gender equality. I am proud to be part of an organisation that not only talks the talk but also walks the walk when it comes to empowering women in leadership.

“To all aspiring female leaders, I want to share a message from the heart: Trust the process, embrace the journey and, above all, believe in yourself. The road to success may have twists and turns, but anything is possible with determination, resilience and unwavering self-belief. Your dreams are valid, your voice matters and your potential knows no bounds. As we continue to pave the way forward, let’s lift each other, celebrate our achievements, and inspire the next generation of female leaders to reach for the stars.”

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MultiChoice, BBC extend partnership in SA

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African pay TV operator MultiChoice Group and UK-based BBC Studios have collaborated to expand reach of the BBC’s channels on MultiChoice-owned satellite TV platform DStv in South Africa.

Pierre Cloete

Through this deal, BBC UKTV, a multi-genre channel from BBC Studios, will be added to South Africa’s DStv Compact package. The move provides around eight million families in South Africa access to a variety of entertainment shows, natural history series, soaps and children’s programmes from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue.

Furthermore, BBC Lifestyle will join the DStv Family package for the first time next month, offering programming including The Great South African Bake Off S4, Listing Jozi, Jamie Oliver: Cooking for Less, Come Dine With Me South Africa S9 and Britain’s Most Expensive House S2.

DStv audiences will have access to the content for longer, with the catch-up window on BBC-owned content being extended from 30 days to 60 days from September 1.

Pierre Cloete, commercial director at BBC Studios in Africa, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with MultiChoice and are proud of our six incredible BBC channels on the DStv platform. Each channel offers something for everyone with broad genre, trusted quality and international and local talent.

“This will give even more people in South Africa access to the very best BBC content, and I can’t wait for new audiences to find their new favourite shows.”

Arran Tindall, chief commercial officer and exec VP for EMEA key markets at BBC Studios, added: “Adding BBC Lifestyle to Family and BBC UKTV to Compact enables us to reach wider audiences, utilising the richness of the BBC’s content and providing more DStv subscribers access to award-winning shows.”

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of general entertainment channels at MultiChoice Group, said: “We continue to strengthen our content offering. Therefore, we are excited about broadening the content scope for our customers.”

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Showmax apprehends The Outlaws

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Tshedza Pictures production The Outlaws

MultiChoice-owned African video-on-demand service Showmax is set to debut a new locally produced series named The Outlaws.

From Johannesburg-based Tshedza Pictures, The Outlaws is set on the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal. It tells the story of two families at war with each other: the Zulu cattle-farming Biyelas and the Basotho cattle-raiding Tseoles.

The show stars Lehlohonolo Mayeza, Mmabatho Mogomotsi, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, Nolwazi Shange, Siyabonga Shibe, Mnqobi Kunene, Mmabatho Mogomotsi and Thembinkosi Mthembu. It will premiere on September 6.

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AMVCA 2024 nominees revealed

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MultiChoice channel Africa Magic has revealed the nominees for the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

Dr Busola Tejumola

The award categories include Best Actor and Best Actress in a leading or supporting role, Best Short Film, Best Movie, Best Director, Best Documentary, Best Indigenous Language (West Africa), Best Unscripted Series, Best Leading Actress and Best MultiChoice Talent Factory.

The nominees in the Best Lead Actor category are Wale Ojo (Breath of Life), Stan Nze (Afamefuna), Marc Zinga (Omen), Gideon Okeke (Egun), Daniel Ezekiel (Blood Vessel), Richard Mofe-Damijo (The Black Book), Lateef Adedimeji (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior) and Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos).

Up for Best Lead Actress are Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge), Lucie Debay (Omen), Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade), Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi), Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel), Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata), Kehinde Bankole (Adire) and Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah).

The Best MultiChoice Talent Factory category nominees are Grown, Her Dark Past, Somewhere in Kole, Full-Time Husband, The 11th Commandment and Mfumukazi.

In Best Unscripted Series, Lol Naija (S1), Nightlife In Lasgidi, The Real Housewives of Lagos (S2), GH Queens (Season 2) and Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (S1) have all received nominations.

The nominees in the Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) category are Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi), Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo), Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan), Orisa (Odunlade Adekola) and Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah).

Dr Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said: “The quality of entries received was simply outstanding and the jury had their work cut out for them in shortlisting the nominees. This year’s line-up is exceptional, reflecting the diversity and creativity prevalent in African cinema and television, and we can’t wait to celebrate them.”

The AMVCA ceremony will take place on May 11 in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Turkish dramas set for MultiChoice, ZAP

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Ariza has been picked up by Canal+ and Kana TV

African broadcasters and platforms have been shopping at Turkish distribution company Inter Medya, which has struck deals with Canal+ and MultiChoice as well as regional satellite platforms ZAP, Kana TV and Azam Media.

Canal+ has acquired three drama series from 2020 – Last Summer (93×45’), Scorpion (91×45’) and Ariza (101×45’) – to air on its French-language African telenovela channel Novelas TV. Last Summer was produced by O3 Medya for Fox; Scorpion was produced by 1441 Productions for Star TV; and Ariza is another O3 production, this time for Show TV.

Additionally, Scorpion is to air in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe through Inter Medya’s partnership with South Africa-based pay TV group MultiChoice, which operates the DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.

Istanbul-based Inter Medya has also licensed drama Tuzak (91×45’), which debuted on TV8 in 2022, to NOS-owned Portuguese-language channel ZAP TV in Angola and Mozambique. In Ethiopia, the distributor has closed a deal with Canal+ Group-owned free-to-air satellite channel Kana TV for Ariza; Ramo (103×45’), which prodco BKM made for Show TV in 2020; and current one-hour series Deception (Tims & B Productions for ATV).

Inter Medya’s partnership with Bakhresa Group-owned East African satellite platform Azam Media also brings current production The Girl of the Green Valley to Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. The drama is produced by Yeşil Yapım and Haciyatmaz Group for Fox and is based on the 1908 Canadian novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

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ZDF Studios to distribute SA’s Legacy

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Tshedza Pictures’ Legacy

Germany’s ZDF Studios has acquired the worldwide distribution rights, excluding Africa, Latin America and French-speaking territories, to South African telenovela Legacy.

Legacy (104×45’) was produced by Tshedza Pictures for South African pay TV network M-Net, part of MultiChoice. Written by Gwydion Beynon and Phathutshedzo Makwarela, the SAFTA-winning show premiered in 2020 and ended last year after two seasons.

The series features a diverse cast including Mary-Anne Barlow, Michelle Botes, Dawid Minnaar, Kgomotso Christopher and Siyabong Thwala.

Set in the world of investment banking and billionaires, Legacy centres on a power struggle following the death of a wealthy patriarch and company CEO, with his bitter ex-wife and their ruthless daughter doing whatever it takes to ensure his second wife does not push her playboy son into succeeding him.

After concluding the distribution deal with M-Net Electronic Media Network and DSTV Media Sales, both also part of MultiChoice, ZDF Studios will be taking the series to Cannes event Mipcom this year. Yuliya Fischer, director of drama at the German company, said the South African show “will be one of the key titles on our drama slate” at the event.

Mauro Black, director of content sales and distribution at MultiChoice, added: “The series performed well with audiences in South Africa, and partnering with the highly respected ZDF Studios is going to allow our proudly African content to be enjoyed across the globe.”

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Boomerang Africa gets new name

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Boomerang Africa, the kids’ TV channel owned by Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), is changing its name and will relaunch on 25 March.

Georginah Machiridza

From that date, the channel will be called Cartoonito Africa, with the change coming as WBD restructures its linear kids’ networks.

The rebranded channel will offer a mix of classic Boomerang shows and new titles. New content includes Batwheels, Bugs Bunny Builders and Secret Origins of the Batwheels.

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of general entertainment channels at MultiChoice, which carries the channel in Africa, said: “We’ve had a long-standing partnership with Boomerang and Warner Bros Discovery, and we’re excited to carry the rebranded channel for our audiences in Africa. We know that the new Cartoonito channel will bring our DStv customers even more value and more kids’ entertainment.”

Cartoonito Africa will air on DStv channel 302.

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Showmax orders four Kenyan originals

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Igiza is about twin sisters at war with each other

MultiChoice-owned African SVoD platform Showmax has commissioned a slate of four original Kenyan productions, set to launch later this year, as it expands its investment in the country.

Its 2022 slate includes crime drama Pepeta, which follows the intertwined lives of an aspiring 17-year-old footballer, an unforgiving cop and an ambitious football coach.

Produced by CJ3 Entertainment’s James Kombo, Mwangi Rurengo and Wanja Mworia, the show is set to go into production this month. Damaris Irungu (Crime and Justice), Charles Ouda (Waiting Room, Makutano Junction) and Abigail Arunga (How to Find a Husband) are writing.

Showmax has also ordered a 13-part thriller called Igiza, about twin sisters who are at war after a betrayal that changes their lives forever. The project is helmed by Abdi Shuria (Nafsi), King Muriuki (The XYZ Show) and Abu Melita under their company Yare Productions. Serah Ndanu (Sumu la Penzi, Pieces of Us) plays both sisters in the series, which is currently in production.

Also on the docket for 2022 is County 49, a political thriller about the citizens of a fictional county who are suffering from the high cost of living and scarce resources, despite the county’s wealth. It is produced by Likarion Wainaina, Brian Munene and Millicent Ogutu of Kibanda Pictures and Bruce Makau. Munene also writes alongside Voline Ogutu (Crime and Justice), Mercy Mutisya (Too Early for Birds) and Martin Kingondu.

In addition, Showmax has commissioned Kenya’s first-ever Christmas movie. The as-yet-untitled project is produced by Reuben Odanga, who is writing the film alongside Natasha Likimani.

The greenlights come on the heels of the release of Showmax’s first Kenyan original, Crime & Justice, which is now in its second season, in addition to drama series Single Kiasi and feature film Baba Twins.

Timothy Okwaro, MultiChoice channel director for East and Southern Africa, said: “We have worked with new production houses to expand our genre offering to ensure our viewers get to see the very best of Kenyan stories told in different facets of life, from thrillers to crime dramas to political thrillers.

“This slate speaks to our localisation strategy and the keen focus on working with local producers, both established and upcoming, to ensure we give our viewers what they want.”

Outside of Kenya, Showmax’s original productions include ENO, which is the company’s first Ghanaian original, soon-to-launch reality show The Real Housewives of Lagos, South African telenovela The Wife, The Real Housewives of Durban and upcoming fantasy epic Blood Psalms, set in ancient Africa.

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Africa Magic asks What Will People Say?

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What Will People Say?

MultiChoice-owned channel Africa Magic will debut a new reality dating series this weekend.

What Will People Say? is a show that helps singles find love with the help of a live audience. It is filled with passion, vulnerability and the universal desire to find that one person who completes us, according to the producers.

The show will bring together a colourful cast of characters from wide-ranging demographics, varying professions and different socioeconomic backgrounds who are all seeking love.

They will get the opportunity to find their perfect match from the selected admirers, who will do all they can to charm their way into their affections. With the help of the audience, the seekers will either follow the popular choice or take destiny into their own hands.

The chosen admirer will then have a romantic dinner date with the seeker in a “dream garden,” where their final fate will be decided.

What Will People Say? debuts today, June 16, on DStv Africa Magic Showcase channel 151.

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MultiChoice, WWE close broadcast deal

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Pay TV company MultiChoice and over-the-top streaming service WWE Network have entered into a broadcast deal making the Showmax platform the new home of WWE in Africa.

Matt Drew

All WWE premium live events, including WrestleMania and WWE Network’s vast library of original and archived programming, will be made available to stream on-demand.

The deal also means SuperSport will continue to broadcast live weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT, as well as all of WWE’s premium live events.

Matt Drew, WWE’s senior VP for international, said: “Showmax is the market leader and a perfect home for WWE content. By delivering our premium live events, including WrestleMania, we believe this partnership will expand our audience and deliver even more to WWE fans throughout the region.”

“Adding WWE to the Showmax platform is an exciting development that we know our entertainment and sport-loving African subscribers are going to enjoy, making WWE even more accessible and affordable,” said Yolisa Phahle, CEO of MultiChoice Connected Video.

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MultiChoice brings Moonbug Kids to Africa

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Moonbug Kids airs in English

Children’s channel named Moonbug Kids has been made available in Africa via a deal with Pay TV company MultiChoice.

The education and entertainment channel features inspiring stories that expand kids’ worlds and minds, while promoting healthy values such as compassion, empathy and resilience to kids around the world, according to Moonbug.

The channel airs in English and is available to DStv customers across 45 African countries. Its shows include CoComelon, Blippi, Arpo, Supa Strikers and Little Baby Bum.

Nicolas Eglau, Moonbug EMEA and APAC MD said: “This is an incredibly significant deal for us and part of our wider strategy to roll out Moonbug Kids channels on pay TV platforms across EMEA and APAC.

“Launching a premium, advertising-free, linear channel with DStv is one key advantage of our digital-first approach. It enables us to structure the channel by applying our in-depth knowledge of children’s viewing, including when and how they engage with content.”

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of content strategy and third-party channels at MultiChoice Group added: “Digital-first content is entering traditional channels and dominating these. The quality and appeal of these shows has vastly improved over the past few years. Platforms like ours recognise these shows’ benefits in retaining viewership.”

Moonbug Kids can be found on DStv channel 314.

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Showmax renews drama Single Kiasi

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Single Kiasi

MultiChoice-backed African streamer Showmax has renewed drama series Single Kiasi for a second season.

Due to air in 2023, the show will continue to follow the lives of three women in Nairobi – Sintamei, Mariah and Rebecca – as they deal with the challenges that marriage, relationships and their careers throw at them.

Picking up a couple of months after the season one finale that threw uncertainty over their love lives, the new season will find the central characters experiencing transformational events that will impact their friendship in unforeseen ways.

Gathoni Mutua, Minne Kariuki and Faith Kibathi are reprising their roles as leads Sintamei, Mariah and Rebecca respectively. Also returning are Michael Munyoki (A Grand Little Lie), Brian Abajah (Sincerely Daisy), Kevin Maina, Walter Bruce Opiyo, Derek Bbanga and Maggie Kiundi.

The show is made by Insignia Productions and Grace Kahaki will direct with company partner Philip Bresson.

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Moonbug, MultiChoice launch kids’ channel

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CoComelon

Candle Media-owned LA- and London-based kids’ company Moonbug Entertainment is partnering with MultiChoice in Africa to launch a linear preschool channel across the sub-Saharan region next month.

Moonbug Kids will include content from across the Moonbug portfolio of IP, including CoComelon, Blippi, Gecko’s Garage, Morphle, Arpo and recent acquisitions such as Little Angel and Oddbods.

The channel is scheduled to launch in October. It will be available to all 21.7 million subscribers of the MultiChoice-owned satellite TV platform DStv across 45 African countries and will air in English.

“This an incredibly significant deal for us and part of our wider strategy to roll out Moonbug Kids channels on pay TV platforms across EMEA and APAC. We couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with market leader MultiChoice Africa and look forward to sharing our content with preschoolers across Africa.” said Nicolas Eglau, MD of EMEA and APAC at Moonbug.

“We took a lot of time and effort in seeking out new content for our young viewers. MultiChoice constantly reviews its channel offering to ensure we continue to bring our customers the best quality local and international content,” said Georginah Machiridza, executive head of content strategy and third-party channels at MultiChoice Group.

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MultiChoice preps African historical drama

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Nomzamo Mbatha in Shaka Ilembe

Pay TV group MultiChoice is in production on an epic period drama series in partnership with South Africa’s Bomb Productions.

Set to be released next year, Shaka Ilembe is being filmed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and is set in the 1700s. It tells the story of the making of the eponymous African king, from his early childhood through to adulthood.

The series is executive produced by Nomzamo Mbatha, who also plays the role of Queen Nandi, starring alongside Lemogang Tsipa, Ntando Zondi, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Wiseman Mncube.

“I am honoured to bring the giant that is Queen Nandi to life,” said Mbatha. “History will remember those who informed its people of where we come from, to better understand who we are. I am fortunate to be part of a project that is much bigger than ourselves and to tell this story in our own language. Impi iyeza!”

Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment and connected video at MultiChoice, added: “Being able to bring this important story to the screen with such stellar talent speaks to the heart of MultiChoice’s ongoing commitment and investment in our local entertainment industry. We are committed to telling great African stories, and this is a proudly African series told through the lens of Africans for the very first time.

“We want people to learn about our history and culture, but we also want to keep viewers glued in anticipation. This drama seeks to uncover nuggets of history but creates narrative in the gaps by putting known characters alongside fictional characters in order to keep the story moving.”

Angus Gibson, creative director at Bomb Productions, said: “It is a cast with deep talent. It is magical witnessing these performers bring life to characters we only know from the history books. When the cast arrive on set, fully dressed in wardrobe and hair from the period, I am blown away.”

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Joburg Festival unveils youth programme

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The Joburg Film Festival (JFF) has set up a two-day outreach scheme tagged the Youth & Audience Development Programme, which will begin next month.

A new visual identity and key team members have also been revealed ahead of the fifth iteration of the festival, which will take place from January 31 to February 5.

The team members include award-winning film producer Bongi Selane, who will return as  festival director, plus festival curator from Keith Shiri and programmer Jack Chiang.

The Youth & Audience Development programme will assist young people in disadvantaged and underdeveloped communities who are interested in the film industry through a series of skill-development and empowerment workshops and masterclasses.

The workshops will take place across the five regions of the province of Gauteng: Sedibeng (October 8-9), West Rand (October 22-23), Ekurhuleni (November 5-6), Tshwane (November 26-27) and in Johannesburg (January tbc).

Topics that will be discussed include directing, performance, story & conceptualisation, production, editing and animation. There will also be training, mentoring and internship opportunities centred on film and content production creativity and the business of monetising ideas and content.

Young filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 who wish to participate can take part in a short film competition themed ‘What Inspires You About Your Township?’ Three winners will be selected from across the five regions and will receive a range of prizes, while one selected filmmaker will receive a scholarship to study a film-related course and other valuable prizes. Click here to register.

The JFF is presented by MultiChoice. According to its organisers, the event is strategically positioned to become Africa’s premier film festival through the curation and showcasing of African and international films while providing young people and filmmakers with various opportunities for development, training, skills transfer and networking.

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Canal+ ups its stake in MultiChoice

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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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Gary Rathbone quits SABC Sport

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Gary Rathbone, head of sport at South African public broadcaster SABC, has resigned after two years in the role.

Gary Rathbone

According to the broadcaster, Rathbone will be leaving at the end of this month. His future direction is not yet known.

“During his two-year tenure, Gary Rathbone made a significant contribution to SABC Sport’s content offering. He was particularly instrumental in the launch of its 24.7 SABC Sport channel. The SABC wishes Gary Rathbone well in his future endeavours,” the SABC said in a statement.

Rathbone was head of Africa at MultiChoice-owned channel SuperSport from 2008 to 2012, after which he joined Nairobi-based Wananchi Group as the head of the Zuku Sport channel.

He became the head of sport at pay TV broadcaster StarTimes and left in 2015 to work in consultancy and advisory positions in the sports media sector.

He took on a new role as the head of SABC Sport in 2020, where he brought a wealth of broadcasting experience from production to broadcasting as a journalist, scriptwriter and TV producer.

He has been instrumental in delivering a new vision for South African sports media. He is also the founder of Sports News Africa.

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