Canal+ Group, the listed pay-TV giant that owns “Paddington” producer and distributor Studiocanal, hosted a glamorous American-style upfront presentation titled The Original+ at the Olympia in Paris on Tuesday. The high-profile event brought together global television and film leaders to showcase upcoming projects and bold plans for the future of content across the world.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came from South African actress and producer Nomzamo Mbatha, best known for her role in Shaka iLembe. Mbatha took to the stage to speak about African content development at MultiChoice Group, which was recently fully acquired by Canal+. She also highlighted ongoing and upcoming productions, including “Spinners 2.”
Taking to Instagram after the event, Mbatha shared just how meaningful the experience was for her and for Africa as a whole.
“Africa was in the room. Feeling supremely lucky to have been offered this opportunity by @canalplus to take to the stage and speak on the importance of African content on a global scale at the very first ‘The Original+’ event in Paris on Tuesday,” she wrote.
The event also saw the announcement of major projects forming part of Canal+’s 2026 worldwide slate, with African stories placed firmly at the centre of the global conversation.
“The announcement of some massive projects in their 2026 slate WORLDWIDE and having our show SHAKA ILEMBE Season 3 and SPINNERS S2 in the crux of it all… the proudest feeling!” Mbatha shared.
She explained that this moment represents something far greater than individual success.
“… there is something deeply meaningful in what will come for the TV and Film industry on the continent: Turning local triumph into global domination and embed African content on global stages in a significant, equal and meaningful way.”
Another standout moment of the night was a fireside chat between Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, which Mbatha described as a turning point for the global industry.
“The conversation between Maxime Saada and Ted Sarandos signified a seismic shift and solidified the incredible partnership between the two groups.”
Speaking after two global industry giants was not easy, but Mbatha rose to the occasion with pride and purpose.
“I spoke right after their fireside chat and the weight of that settled on my shoulders – how does one follow after these two global giants… well, I come as one…. but I stand as 1,5 billion…”
She ended her message by expressing heartfelt gratitude to MultiChoice for supporting her growth and vision over the years.
“Thankful to @multichoice_group for the many years of nurturing my journey and building content on the continent that fully speaks on what it means to be hyper-local.”
