The Africa Channel Adds Free Streaming Option & FAST Channels; Strikes TED Talks Deal

EXCLUSIVE: The Africa Channel (TAC) has unveiled an AVOD option for its streaming service, a suite of FAST channels and struck deals with several content suppliers.

Unveiled in packaged unfronts announcement was “significant expansion” of TAC’s streaming business will see its subscription streamer Demand Africa add a free, ad-supported streaming tier toplines news out of the Black-owned content company’s 2024-25 Upfront.

Thus will launch later this year and has been created on the back a successful Upfront last year, when TAC saw a 140% increase in sold inventory, with ad revenues up 155%, and upfront commitments up 57% from companies in spaces such as pharma, retail, automotive, financial and CPG.

On the FAST front, the first channel added to the Demand Africa platform is Afro-Cinema, which will launch this spring with a curated selection of films, docs, series and cultural programs from established and emerging filmmakers. Music, travel, cooking, home and beauty channels will follow, and in coming months the suite will be offered to other FAST platforms.

Additional, TAC revealed it is in “active conversations” with third-party FAST channel operators to add Demand Africa.

A previous announced partnership with Whoopi Goldberg and Larry Adams’ BLKFAM will see a BLKFAM-branded block launch on the TAC cable channel and Demand Africa, with a BLKFAM FAST channel also debuting “in the near future.”

Currently TAC has about 1,000 hours of new and renewed programs across genres in its library, and the company has closed several new agreements heading into the 2024-25 season. Most notable among them is a deal with thought-leader brand TED Talks. This will see the launch of TED Talks on TAC, showcasing the likes of Serena Williams and Shonda Rhimes.

A deal with urban music, entertainment and sports content brand Trace TV will add shows such reality series #I Am Serge Ibaka, about the Congolese-Spanish NBA champion and fashion icon, and Afrobeat: From Nigeria to the World, which is a deep dive into the musical phenomenon.

From Hong Kong-based distributor Lightning International is exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to the 71st Miss World Pageant for the cable channel;, and a deal with Carol Bouwer Productions adds the Miss World South Africa Finalist Special and Miss World South Africa Pageant Finale. 

A partnership with African pay-TV and streaming giant MultiChoice for hundreds of hours of programs has been renewed, and includes drama Lockdown, lifestyle series Date My Family, and soaps The Wild and Battleground. Similarly, TAC will continue in business with BBC Africa though shows such as Focus on Africa and Africa Eye. Further content renewal deals have been struck with Cardova Trading, which makes long-running breakfast show Expresso, plus e.tv, Wild Africa Fund, FilmOne, ACI, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Ruby Rocket.

“There continues to be strong demand for diverse content targeting Black audiences and we are filling that gap not only by showcasing programming from across the continent but also by seeking new ways to connect with viewers on every platform,” said TAC COO Narendra Reddy. “Our approach is working, as evidenced by the content and brand partners we are fortunate to work with, and we are confident that our focus on engaging the community not only on cable, but also SVOD and FAST adds more depth and breadth to our offering in the marketplace.” 

The TAC cable channel is offered on Charter’s Spectrum, Comcast and Cox Communications pay-TV services, as well as in Canada on Rogers Ignite and Bell Fibe and in the Caribbean via the Caribbean Cable Cooperative. The Demand Africa streamer is available globally and has offices in L.A. and Johannesburg.