CANAL+ company, MultiChoice, has finally renewed its distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery channels, after a struggling period of uncertainty that led the former South African video entertainment company to announce the likely severance of major channels from its offerings.
With the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, MultiChoice will continue to broadcast the channels across regions in Africa and Europe.
The deal represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice, in a statement, disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024, including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis.
CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets.
Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
Although the partners claim that the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent, it is obvious that the restoration of the channels only gives the payTV a lifeline it almost lost.
The statement from the company hints that the agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
