Canal+ has announced its intention to distribute select MultiChoice original productions to international audiences. Utilizing StudioCanal, a prominent European content distributor, Canal+ aims to expand the reach of DStv’s programming and increase revenue by exporting high-quality series to global markets.
David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa, highlighted that several South African productions meet the standards for international distribution. However, he emphasized that only content that undergoes rigorous quality assessment will be considered for export, according to a report by MyBroadBand.
With StudioCanal’s expertise in financing, producing, and distributing content, the new MultiChoice parent company plans to enhance local content creation and its global promotion. This strategy allows Canal+ to capitalize on MultiChoice’s existing portfolio of local productions and tailor them for worldwide audiences.
“StudioCanal has a global footprint and is the leading seller of European content internationally. They are well-equipped and ready to market these productions,” Mignot stated.
Among the top candidates for global distribution are the South African series Spinners and Shaka Ilembe, according to Mignot.
Spinners, a 2023 crime drama co-produced by Showmax and CANAL+, follows Ethan, a young man who immerses himself in the adrenaline-fueled world of “spinning” – a high-risk motorsport – as a means to escape his family’s entanglement in Cape Town’s gang conflicts.
Set against the backdrop of Cape Town, the series explores themes of gang rivalry, aspirations for a better life, and presents a strong female viewpoint within the spinning subculture. Notably, Spinners was the first African series to compete at Canneseries and earned accolades at the Dakar Series festival.
Meanwhile, Shaka Ilembe is a historical drama produced by Bomb! Productions for M-Net’s Mzansi Magic channel, part of MultiChoice. The series chronicles the legendary Zulu king Shaka’s journey from his youth to his rise as a powerful monarch.
Upon its June 2023 premiere, Shaka Ilembe attracted a record-breaking 3.6 million viewers, marking the highest debut for any MultiChoice original. A year later, it became the most decorated show at the South African Film and Television Awards, boasting a 96% approval rating on Google and an 8.9/10 score on IMDb.
Given these impressive achievements, Canal+ is poised to leverage these titles to drive revenue growth and elevate the profile of local African content on the world stage.
Also Read: Canal+ completes $3.17bn acquisition of MultiChoice with new leadership appointments.
MultiChoice’s New Horizons
Following its recent merger with the French media powerhouse, MultiChoice is already witnessing the benefits of this strategic alliance. The partnership is designed to strengthen MultiChoice’s foothold in Africa while unlocking access to international markets, with flagship productions set to be the primary beneficiaries.
MultiChoice has a longstanding history of creating local content and series. Through its international division, MultiChoice Studios, the company has been licensing and co-producing shows for global audiences. In the last fiscal year alone, it invested approximately $1.17 billion in content production.
With StudioCanal’s involvement, MultiChoice gains a broader platform to showcase its localized content. By tapping into StudioCanal’s extensive distribution network, Canal+ aims to maximize profits by introducing these productions to larger markets with stronger currencies.
This development also represents a significant boost for Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming platform. Competing directly with global giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the deal enhances investor confidence in Showmax’s potential. While international platforms have previously supported and promoted South African content abroad, Showmax is now positioned to assert its own influence.
For instance, Netflix recently produced Beauty and the Bester, a documentary recounting the notorious prison escape of Thabo Bester, known as the “Facebook rapist,” with assistance from Dr. Nandipha Magudumana. Released on September 12 across South Africa, this locally produced documentary by Storyscope gained international attention, topping Netflix’s streaming charts in the United Kingdom.
0 Comments