Canal+ has received regulatory approval to acquire South African broadcasting giant MultiChoice in a landmark $3 billion
French media powerhouse Canal+ has received regulatory approval to acquire South African broadcasting giant MultiChoice in a landmark $3 billion ( Sh 390 billion) deal, setting the stage for a major shake-up in Africa’s media landscape.
The decision by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal, announced on Wednesday, July 23, paves the way for Canal+ to become the new majority owner of MultiChoice the parent company of DStv, GOtv, and SuperSport under a series of public interest conditions.
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Canal+, which currently operates in 25 African countries boasts more than 8 million subscribers, sees the acquisition as a springboard to expand across the continent, especially in English-speaking markets. The company has set ambitious targets to grow its subscriber base to between give 50 and 100 million in the coming years.
MultiChoice on the other end, with its established presence across 50 Sub-Saharan African countries and over 14.5 million subscribers, brings immense strategic value. Its popular platforms DStv, GOtv, and SuperSport make it one of Africa’s most influential pay-TV providers and a key asset for Canal+ as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in the region.
In a statement following the announcement, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the deal as a game-changer. “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies,” he said.
“Together, we can scale faster, access new markets, and accelerate long-term growth,” he added.
The approved conditions include public interest commitments designed to boost the involvement of historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) and support the growth of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) within South Africa’s audiovisual sector. These commitments also ensure continued investment in local general entertainment and sports programming.
MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela hailed the decision as a “significant milestone,” highlighting the strategic alignment between the two companies and their mutual commitment to making a positive impact in the communities they serve.
The transaction is expected to be finalized before the revised date of October 8, following an earlier deadline extension.
The acquisition is seen as a defensive and strategic move in the face of rising competition from global streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. With local broadcasters under increasing pressure, the deal marks the beginning of a consolidation wave within Africa’s media sector.
For MultiChoice, the merge brings not only capital but also renewed prospects for innovation and sustainability. The company is expected to channel the new investment into improving its digital infrastructure, enhancing user experiences, and producing more homegrown African content a core demand of South African regulators.
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Industry analysts are already speculating about the long-term implications of the deal. While some hail it as a necessary lifeline for local broadcasters in a rapidly globalizing media space, others caution that effective oversight will be key to ensuring Canal+ lives up to its commitments.
