🦹 OpenAI Gives CANAL+ AI Superpowers

OpenAI technology will power content search and discovery in the CANAL+ app | Streaming in Short – W11

Mar 13, 2026

⏱️ This week’s streaming news in MENA and around the world, in 5 min.

🤖 CANAL+ adds AI-powered search to its streaming app

👉 CANAL+ announced a partnership with OpenAI to improve content discovery in the CANAL+ App, with the new feature expected to launch in June 2026.

📍 Instead of typing keywords, users will be able to describe what they want to watch in their own words. For example: “a comforting romantic comedy” or “an epic historical series.” The app will then suggest relevant titles.

💡 This shows how AI is starting to change streaming navigation, making discovery faster and more intuitive.

🎬 Banijay and All3Media announce major production merger

👉 Banijay and All3Media have agreed to merge their production businesses in a deal valued at around $8 billion.

📍 The new group will bring together producers behind global hits such as Peaky Blinders, MasterChef, and The Traitors. Each company will hold a 50% stake, with Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti leading the combined company.

💡 By combining their catalogs, IP, and production studios, the two companies will compete more effectively in a global market driven by global streaming platforms.

This Ramadan, Ipsos is preparing a dedicated guide to explain why viewing habits change during the holy month in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

And with the major conflict affecting the region, understanding audience behavior is more important than ever. It helps streaming platforms adapt their content strategies and better support their viewers.

What insights will you get?

When and how people watch during Ramadan
Where audiences watch news during the day
What drives subscriptions and churn
How audiences react to advertising
Whether microdramas are gaining traction in MENA
Ramadan-specific viewer personas

Interested in the Ramadan 2026 Streaming Handbook? Get in touch to receive full details on the scope, timeline, and pricing👇

Get the full report details

📱 COL Group launches “Microdrama in a Box” app solution

What happened?

👉 COL Group will introduce a turnkey solution called “Microdrama in a Box” at Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FilMart).

Key details:

The solution combines a ready-to-use microdrama platform with a catalogue of vertical series, allowing companies to launch their own app in about 30 days.
The platform includes a vertical playback engine, gamification tools, advertising and subscription monetization options, and AI-powered subtitles.

Why it matters?

🎯 By packaging technology, content, and monetization tools into one solution, COL Group is making it easier for media companies to launch their own apps.

📦 Orange Maroc bundles streaming and music services

Orange Maroc has launched a new digital lifestyle bundle integrating OSN+, Anghami and Viu into its Yo Max 5G plans.

The packages combine mobile connectivity with access to films, series and music in one subscription.

📺 Banijay expands digital reach through Merzigo

Merzigo has partnered with Banijay Rights to distribute and optimize TV formats across platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

The deal aims to grow audiences for popular shows such as MasterChef, Mr Bean and Survivor through improved thumbnails, localisation, and short-form highlights designed for social media viewing.

🎬 Netflix eyes AI filmmaking tools with InterPositive deal

Netflix is reportedly paying up to $600 million to acquire InterPositive, the AI filmmaking startup founded by Ben Affleck.

The technology uses AI models trained on a production’s footage to assist with post-production tasks such as color grading, lighting adjustments and visual effects.

📉 MultiChoice plans to discontinue Showmax

MultiChoice announced it will discontinue Showmax streaming service after a strategic review of its streaming activities.

MultiChoice, now part of CANAL+, plans to concentrate on a new large-scale streaming platform designed for African and international audiences.

📱 Holywater expands vertical series with Wild Silence

Holywater Tech has announced a new vertical drama, Wild Silence, for its microdrama platform My Drama.

The series stars Maksim Chmerkovskiy in his first leading scripted role and follows two characters reconnecting with their past while isolated in a remote cabin.

🇺🇸 AUSTIN: SXSW brings tech, film and media together

South by Southwest (SXSW) takes place every March in Austin, gathering professionals across technology, film, music and media.

The event features hundreds of conference sessions, film and TV screenings, live music showcases and networking events, making it one of the largest global gatherings for creative industries.

🏴‍☠️ ONE PIECE, from Matt Owens and Steven Maeda (Season 2, Netflix): In ONE PIECE: Into the Grand Line, Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line - a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn. As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies.

🏝️ 25 years ago, One Piece premiered in Japan. Created by Eiichiro Oda, the anime follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew searching for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece. Mixing adventure, humor and long-form storytelling, the series became one of the most successful anime franchises in the world and helped shape global fandom long before streaming platforms brought Japanese animation to a wider audience.