The CANAL + group has just announced, on Monday, July 15, 2019, the acquisition of IROKO PARTNERS production, content distribution and channel publishing activities. This operation strengthens its activities in content produced in Nigeria, one of the most prolific film industries in the world, and genre acclaimed by the African public of the continent and the diaspora.

Indeed, this acquisition, a key step for CANAL +’s international development, enables the Group to be present throughout the entire Nollywood industry value chain, and to acquire unique know-how in the industrial production of fiction – African films, series and animation.

According to an official statement received by Zoom Eco, this acquisition concerns three activities:

• The entity ROK Studios, the leading producer in Nigeria with more than 500 hours a year of new films and series, and a catalog totaling more than 2000 hours. ROK Studios is directed by Mary Njoku, an iconic figure in the rise of the Nollywood. A successful actress at the age of 17 (« Home Sickness », « Blackberry Babes » …), Mary Njoku then went on to direct (« Single Ladies », « Festac Town » …), then to production after a move to the London Film Academy;
• The distribution of proprietary and third-party Nollywood content to operators, including digital operators, around the world;
• The edition and distribution of 4 channels (under the brand ROK) broadcast in English-speaking Africa as well as in the UK via the Sky operator.

Since 2013, the CANAL + Group has been publishing and distributing the Nollywood TV channel (first African fiction channel) followed by Nollywood Epic, both offered in the group’s offerings in Africa and outside the continent.

In parallel with this agreement, the CANAL + group maintains its stake in IROKO Partners, (led by Jason Njoku), which will continue to develop Iroko’s SVOD business.

As a reminder, the CANAL + Group is a leader in the edition of premium channels – CANAL + channels – and thematic channels, as well as in the distribution of pay-TV offerings. He is also a leading player in free television with three national channels, C8, CSTAR and CNEWS, and his advertising network.

Internationally, the CANAL + Group is experiencing strong growth with a presence in Europe, Africa and Asia. In total, the CANAL + Group has more than 16.2 million subscribers worldwide, including 7.8 million in mainland France.

Agnes Kayembe