Brands/Products
Canal+ Raises Buyout Offer for MultiChoice
By Adedapo Adesanya
French media company, Canal+, has made a mandatory offer to buy all the shares of South African broadcaster, MultiChoice, for around 55 billion Rand ($2.9 billion), a statement on Monday confirmed this.
The new offer price is almost 67 per cent higher than the MultiChoice share price just before its first offer of 105 Rand per share was rebuffed by the Multichoice board as too low in February.
The deal, if achieved, would create a pan-African broadcasting powerhouse able to put African content to global audiences as well as compete on an international scale.
The French media company has a broad reach in French-speaking African nations, while MultiChoice has a stronger presence in English-speaking countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Last month, it acquired a stake in Senegalese internet broadcaster, Marodi.
MultiChoice also chose Standard Bank as an independent expert to give an opinion on the offer, agreeing to cooperate in ensuring its implementation.
Canal+ operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia, directly serving 8 million customers in Africa. It had about 25 million subscribers as of its 2023 year, while MultiChoice had 23.5 million. Both have serious ambitions for Africa and have acknowledged that scale is necessary to take on US giants such as Disney and Netflix.
“Canal+’s ambition is to build a global entertainment leader, with Africa at its heart, combining scale, complementary geographies, integrated and international reach with strong local roots, that will support the commercial development of Africa’s sporting and cultural industries and take leading and authentic African stories to a global audience,” it said on Monday.
“This long-term vision has its foundation in Canal+’s extensive and successful 30-year history of investing in African creative and sports broadcasting markets.”
Vivendi, the parent company of Canal+, is also currently undertaking a feasibility study for the proposed split of the company into several separately listed entities, first announced in December.
Should a planned European listing proceed, there will be an opportunity for South African investors to become shareholders of the combined entity as part of a secondary inward listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the company said.
Canal+ added on Monday it understood the imperative of broad-based black economic empowerment, and upon implementation, it intends to support MultiChoice in its continued efforts of transformation of its South African business. This is usually also a condition imposed by SA’s competition regulators, whose approval is required, while a circular for the offer will be released in due course.
Complicating matters had been SA laws that place limitations on foreign ownership of local broadcast licences. This means Canal+ can increase its shareholding in MultiChoice to any level, but its voting rights are limited to a maximum of 20 per cent.
Canal+ also increased its stake in the group to over 35 per cent, which is a threshold that triggers a mandatory offer.
However, given the voting cap, the South African Takeover Regulation Panel was then asked to make a ruling, finding in February that Canal+ must. Following an extension, it was given until 8 April to make its mandatory offer.
MultiChoice has also granted exclusivity to Canal+, which entails not engaging with other competing parties. However, should a better, unsolicited proposal be received, Canal+ will have the opportunity to revise its offer.
“Following constructive engagement with MultiChoice, we are pleased to have issued a joint firm intention announcement to make an offer today, representing a significant premium for the shareholders of MultiChoice,” Canal+ chair and CEO Maxime Saada said in a statement.
“Canal+ is confident in making this offer, at a level which far exceeds the minimum required by regulation, due to the incredible future we believe that Canal+ and MultiChoice can build together,” he said.
“We are excited about these opportunities, which will be supported by further investment in technology, including the continued offering of a leading satellite service, and rolling out more innovative streaming products.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Another award has been added to the shelves of Airtel Nigeria for the quality service it offers its numerous subscribers.
At the 14th Nigerian NewsDirect Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday, December 6, 2024, the company went home with the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand award.
The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, thanked the news platform for the recognition, reiterating the dedication of the organisation towards the growth of Nigeria.
“At Airtel, we remain steadfast in our mission to enrich lives and contribute to the sustainable growth of our nation, and we are proud to receive this award as the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to connecting Nigerians, driving digital inclusion, and empowering communities through innovative solutions,” he said.
The ceremony, themed Achieving Economic Prosperity: The Role of Human Capacity Development, Fiscal Prudence, and Revenue Generation, celebrated outstanding contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to national development across sectors and industries.
The chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, thanked all participating entities for their “continuous contributions and support to the nation’s growth.”
“You have demonstrated excellence and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress and we believe this platform will continue to highlight and encourage best practices across industries,” he stated.
The event attracted several persons, including the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair; and the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; among others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The second edition of the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival held on December 1, 2024, received the backing of Rite Foods Limited.
It was a platform for young entrepreneurs, food vendors, and entertainers to showcase their talents and promote the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Rite Foods used the event to foster growth and innovation among enterprising youths in society in demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement.
The Corporate Communications Manager at Rite Foods, Mr Innocent Adulugba, said, “As a manufacturing company driven by innovation, Rite Foods Limited believes in the power of young people and the importance of providing platforms that enable them to showcase their skills and talents.”
“The Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival aligns with our mission to inspire, support, and add value to talents and entrepreneurs across Nigeria,” he added.
“Rite Foods Limited recognizes the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival as a platform for growth and that is why the company is here today to leverage support so the participating food exhibitors can benefit via joint marketing efforts, co-promotions, and expanded distribution channels under one roof,” Mr Adulugba stated.
“We are partnering with food vendors to offer consumers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience, such as pairing beverages like Bigi, Sosa or Fearless with complementary food options of their choice,” he noted.
Also speaking, the convener of the programme, Ms Chinwendu Festus of Wendy’s Kitchen, said, “The first edition of Ibadan Chops and Chills was a success, which inspired us to aim higher this year.
“Our goal is to provide young people with the space to showcase their culinary talents, grow their businesses, and connect with a broader audience.”
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ms Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, stated, “This initiative is one of the best I have seen. It aligns perfectly with our administration’s goals of empowering the youth, promoting cultural heritage, and fostering talent.”
It was gathered that the festival featured cooking competitions, entertainment shows, guest tours and vendor exhibitions, which highlighted the diversity and ingenuity of participants and the diversity of food options on display.
In this economy, you can’t be paying for things and not getting the full value. Unfortunately, that’s how most cable TV subscribers feel. It’s like there’s a lot on TV, but nothing for you. Here’s a solution to that problem. We’ve taken the time to sieve through everything, so you don’t have to. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your GOtv subscription during the holidays.
Take Advantage of the Golden Window Offer: The best entertainment sits on GOtv Supa Plus – and there’s an easy step to get there. To celebrate, GOtv is extending the Golden Window deal for Supa+ subscribers. Instead of paying the regular ₦15,700, you can now enjoy the Supa+ package for just ₦13,900. That’s where all the Premier League games sit. There’s a game almost every day this period. You also get Africa Magic Showcase for a little family drama – relive the easy-to-watch TV series, suitable for the family. Don’t miss out on this premium offer; take advantage of the savings while you can.
Check Out New Channels: Why not try something new and explore different channels this Christmas? It’s a great chance to step outside your usual picks and discover some festive gems and fresh content you might not expect. From comedy specials to music concerts. For example, the Holiday Pop-Up Channel will have the most recent stand-up comedy show from Nigeria’s best stand-up Comedian – Bovi — Christmas with Bovi (December 24th–26th). It’s also better to watch the Calabar Rocks Music Concert, Naija Most Wanted, and the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival 2024 on TV than under the sun.
Set Reminders for Special Movies and Shows: With all the festive activities going on, it’s easy to forget and get lost in pointless scrolling online. A simple reminder can remind you to take a break from triggering social media posts and enjoy wholesome entertainment on TV. From new Africa Magic originals like ‘The Jump’ and ‘10th Anniversary’ to classic favourites like Bad Moms and Problem Child – a classic, there’s so much to enjoy. Set those reminders so you can enjoy all the festive cheer without the fear of missing out.
Host Watch Parties: The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, and what better way to do that than by hosting a watch party? With your GOtv subscription, you’ve got everything you need for a fun-filled day. Picture this: Christmas Day, surrounded by family and friends, all gathered together to enjoy the Bovi Comedy Special—Christmas with Bovi. Whether it’s a comedy special, a classic holiday movie, or the latest Africa Magic original, there’s something to bring everyone together. So, make it a date, prepare the Christmas rice and chicken, and enjoy.
Stream Online via the GOtv App: During the festive season, homes are often buzzing with family members coming together to celebrate. If your household is anything like this, the battle for control of the remote and deciding what to watch can get intense. To avoid the remote wars, you can make use of the GOtv Stream app. The real owners of the remote can watch what they want while you stream yours – everyone wins.
So, go ahead and subscribe now or upgrade to unlock the cheer and excitement of the season with GOtv. Take advantage of the GOtv Supa Plus Golden Window and pay just N13,900 instead of the usual N15,700.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, simply download the MyGOtv app or dial *288#. To catch up and for on-the-go viewing, don’t forget to download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
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