Filmmaker and showrunner Rogba Arimoro, has said Nigeria’s film and television industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the nation’s economy and supports over one million jobs.

Its said that the planned takeover of MultiChoice by French media giant Canal+ signals a major shift in the country’s television landscape.

Arimoro disclosed in a statement that the acquisition could reshape commissioning, streaming, and content ownership in Nigeria, where MultiChoice has long played a central role through platforms such as Africa Magic and streaming service Showmax.

Arimoro said: “This is not just an ownership change; it’s a recalibration of the entire system. When a company like Canal+ steps in at that scale, commissioning becomes more strategic, budgets become more scrutinised, and storytelling becomes more market driven.

“Nigeria’s film and television sector contributes over $6 billion annually to the economy and supports more than one million jobs across production, distribution, and exhibition. Within that ecosystem, MultiChoice has functioned as a central engine, particularly in television, where commissioning deals account for a dominant share of content creation.

“Creators have been working within a system where visibility is high, but ownership is low. What this deal does is force a conversation about sustainability because global players are not just interested in content, they are interested in assets.”

He noted that while the current commissioning model has supported high output, it has also limited ownership opportunities for creators, as many broadcasters retain licensing and distribution rights.

He said that Canal+’s expansion strategy across Africa, driven by scale and cross-market integration, is likely to influence commissioning priorities in Nigeria.

Arimoro added, “At that level, content is no longer commissioned just for local consumption. It’s commissioned for ecosystems with a focus on what can travel across territories, what can attract subscriptions, and what can justify investment.

“Streaming opened the door, but it also raised the bar. The era of commissioning content in large volumes without clear long-term value is ending.”

Industry analysts believe the development could lead to fewer but higher-quality productions, in line with global trends where media firms prioritise commercially viable, high-impact projects over large-volume output.

For Nigeria’s creative workforce, however, any slowdown in commissioning may affect thousands of writers, actors, directors, and technical crew who depend on steady production cycles.

Despite the concerns, Arimoro said the takeover also presents an opportunity for Nigerian productions to reach wider international audiences through Canal+’s global distribution network.

Also speaking, producer Eze Daniels, said: “The entire ecosystem is tied to commissioning frequency. If that frequency drops, even slightly, the effects will be felt across the board.”

He said the takeover also presents an opportunity for Nigerian productions to reach wider international audiences through Canal+’s global distribution network.

He added, “The immediate effects may be subtle. But over time, shifts in commissioning and distribution are expected to influence what content is available, how it is priced and how easily it can be accessed.

“As Canal+ moves to consolidate its position, Nigeria’s television industry faces a defining moment: one that could determine whether its rapid growth evolves into sustainable value or remains a high-output system that generates activity, but not lasting value for those who power it.”