The Africa Channel and Côte Ouest announce production, licensing and distribution partnership
The Africa Channel and Côte Ouest have announced they have signed a broad-ranging strategic alliance in which the parties will jointly pursue distribution, licensing and production opportunities across the globe.
The Africa Channel is the largest broadcaster and producer of African-themed content in North America. CôteOuest is the world's largest distributor of African content.
Under terms of the agreement, Côte Ouest will become a principal supplier of content for The Africa Channel's linear platform. Programs supplied in 2018 include a broad range of premium-scripted series including "Shampaign," a TV Series on the shenanigans surrounding the election of the first female Ghanaian president. This distribution agreement is expanded to The Africa Channel's digital platform, Demand Africa, that Côte Ouest will leverage with its high-end content.
This alliance also includes a distribution agreement, where Côte Ouest will provide TAC-owned content to French-speaking territories worldwide, and a co-production agreement. The two partners also will jointly engage in the development and co-production of new content.
Narendra Reddy, EVP & General Manager for The Africa Channel, said, "This strategic alliance brings together two of the world's leading providers of African-themed content, to the benefit of audiences in the U.S. and around the globe. We look forward to co-producing new programming with Côte Ouest; to introducing our viewers to their outstanding content library; and to Côte Ouest's introduction of our content to French-speaking territories. This is a major step in our growth plans for 2018 and beyond."
Bernard Azria, Chairman and CEO of CôteOuest, said, "The Africa Channel and Côte Ouest share a common vision of the African continent and production. For us it is crucial to showcase to the world and communities beyond the African continent, the beauty of the African lifestyle. We are pretty sure that the outcomes in terms of production and exposure will benefit to the whole African audio-visual industry."
