France-Based Company Canal+ Acquires Nigeria’s ROK to Further its Expansion in Africa

France-based company Canal+ has acquired Nigerian channel operator and studio ROK at an undisclosed price to further its expansion into Africa and bolster its operations across the continent.

ROK was founded in 2010 by actor and producer Mary Njoku under parent company IROKO and has since produced 25 original TV series and 540 movies while also operating four linear networks.

With the acquisition of ROK, Canal+ aims to develop and enhance the catalogue of Nollywood content, and expand the ROK brand beyond the African continent. It also wants to ensure that ROK will produce more hours of Nollywood content.

As part of the acquisition deal, the Vivendi backed company is also getting the database of over 2,000 hours of content while ROK will continue to create content for IROKOtv and ROK’s four existing channels.

ROK has captured the imagination of millions of movie fans, and they have truly supported us as we’ve grown the company to celebrate and enjoy our African culture. I’m excited to be taking our platform on the next stage of its journey with CANAL+ Group, who share our passion for creating original content, supporting new talent and together, we have ambitious plans for the future.

Mary Njoku, Founder and DG ROK productions

Mary Njoku is staying on as the director-general of ROK productions where she will continue to maintain substantive shares in the company. This was confirmed by Canal+ Chief Content Officer, Fabrice Faux .

We will provide administrative support, finance, and equipment, but otherwise it is our intention to give Mary maximum autonomy and creative freedom.

Fabrice Faux, Canal+ Chief Content Officer

An essential benefit of the buyout is that Canal+ will have access to a larger network of African consumers both within and outside the continent thanks to the huge demand for Nollywood content on the internet by Africans especially in Nigeria, the United States and the United Kingdom.