Mediawan announces the acquisition of Côte Ouest, Africa's leading independent distributor of audiovisual content. This strategic majority stake will enable the group to diversify and expand its activities on the continent.
A recognized leader in its field, Côte Ouest enjoys privileged access to content from major US studios, the best Brazilian telenovelas thanks to an exclusive partnership with Grupo Globo, and more than 10,000 hours of locally produced programming. Côte Ouest's catalog of more than 20,000 hours of programming is distributed to more than 150 customers in nearly 70 territories, mainly in French- and English-speaking Africa.
Côte Ouest is also involved in the development of highly successful African productions such as Les Bobodioufs
, Hospital IT, and The Getaway
. Through this acquisition, Mediawan is also entering the channel publishing business in Africa with Nina Novelas TV, which is distributed in XX countries.
This new acquisition will enable Mediawan to expand and diversify its activities in Africa, where it already has a presence through the Dakar-based production company Keewu, which has co-produced numerous successful programs with Canal+ International (Sakho & Mangane
, Terranga
, etc.).
This operation is being carried out with the support of Canal+ International, Mediawan's long-standing partner in Africa, which will hold a minority stake in Côte Ouest and, by contributing its own content, will accelerate the development of the continent's leading distributor of audiovisual rights.
Mediawan Africa's mission is to recruit talent, produce and distribute African works both within Africa and to other markets around the world. I am delighted with the acquisition of Côte Ouest, a leading player thanks to its know-how and expertise. This is a major step in the development of Mediawan Africa, complementing the production activities developed by our company Keewu Production. In addition, the support of our partner Canal+ International enables us to enrich our catalog and accelerate the implementation of our strategy to promote our productions
,
"
said François Thiellet, President of Mediawan Africa.
"I am very proud to have built Côte Ouest and made it the leader in distribution in Africa. In this fast-changing world, it is of course essential for me to ensure the continuity of this business, which I have led with passion and conviction for more than 25 years. and the Mediawan Group, with its great independence, professionalism, and extensive business connections, is, in my opinion, the best partner to continue to drive our development and ensure that Côte Ouest enjoys the very long life it is destined for," adds Bernard Azria, Founder and President of Côte Ouest.
About MEDIAWAN
Founded in late 2015 by Pierre-Antoine Capton, Xavier Niel, and Matthieu Pigasse, Mediawan is one of Europe's leading independent audiovisual content studios. Mediawan brings together the best talent in audiovisual creation by covering the entire value chain: the production of original content in fiction, cinema, documentaries, animation, and streaming programs (Mediawan Studios) through more than 60 production labels in France, Germany (partnership since 2020 with LEONINE Studios), England, Italy, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, and Senegal, as well as the distribution of audiovisual content (Mediawan Rights, LS Distribution, and Telmondis Distribution), the publishing of digital channels and services (Mediawan Thematics), and the development and production of digital content (Mediawan Digital).
About COTE OUEST
CÔTE OUEST is an independent African company and a leader in the distribution of audiovisual content in Africa. It has been operating since 1997 and relies on a network of 71 employees spread across the continent. While CÔTE OUEST's main office is located in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), the company also has offices in Ebène (Mauritius) and Johannesburg (South Africa). Today, CÔTE OUEST distributes nearly 20,000 hours of programming annually to more than 150 clients, linear and non-linear service providers, who, through all currently available means of distribution, reach 70 major markets and, in some cases, the entire world. While CÔTE OUEST's business began with the distribution of content from various Hollywood majors such as SPTI, MGM, TWDC, and CBS to French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa, it quickly expanded its activities to all of French-speaking Africa, France, and the French overseas departments and territories, and then to the English-speaking market. Côte Ouest's catalog is rich with nearly 20,000 hours of content. It encompasses all genres: soap operas, series, films, documentaries, animations, etc., mainly from Africa (or rather Africas), South America, as well as a few Hollywood blockbusters.
Contacts
Quitterie Lemasson, Mediawan: qlemasson@mediawan.eu
Caroline Guillot, Mediawan Pictures: c.guillot@mediawan.eu