By Deborah Nnamdi
French media giant Canal+ has officially acquired full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, in a landmark $3 billion (approx. 55 billion rand) deal. The acquisition, which secures the remaining 55% stake Canal+ did not previously own, was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23.
The green light follows months of negotiations and regulatory scrutiny, setting the stage for the deal’s completion by October 8, 2025. However, the Tribunal imposed several public interest conditions aimed at safeguarding local content and preserving South Africa’s media sovereignty.
For Canal+, the acquisition marks a major strategic push into Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector. Already active in 25 African countries with over 8 million subscribers, the company now aims to dramatically expand its reach to between 50 and 100 million subscribers across the continent.
MultiChoice, Africa’s leading pay-TV broadcaster, adds more than 14.5 million subscribers in 50 sub-Saharan nations to Canal+’s portfolio. It also brings flagship platforms like DStv, GOtv, and premium content assets such as SuperSport, making it a valuable addition.
Calling the deal “transformative,” Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada noted: “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”
One major advantage of the merger is the fusion of Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese programming—positioning the company as a multilingual media powerhouse uniquely suited for Africa’s diverse audiences.
In addition to strategic benefits, the deal provides a timely capital boost for MultiChoice, supporting further investment in local content production, technology upgrades, and digital innovation.
As part of the Competition Tribunal’s conditional approval, Canal+ has pledged to invest 26 billion rand over the next three years in initiatives aligned with public interest goals. These include keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, maintaining support for local content and sports broadcasting, and empowering local creators.
In a joint statement, the companies reaffirmed their commitment to South Africa’s media landscape:
“We will continue to fund South African general entertainment and sports content, giving local creators a strong platform for long-term success.”
Canal+ first launched its takeover in 2023 with a mandatory buyout offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at $3 billion. Now with full ownership secured, Canal+ is set to reshape Africa’s pay-TV industry and unlock its vast potential.
