French media powerhouse Canal+ Group has successfully acquired full control of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of popular satellite TV platforms DStv and GOtv, in a landmark deal valued at $3 billion.
This milestone acquisition was officially approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23, giving Canal+ the regulatory green light to acquire the remaining 55% stake it did not previously own. The deal is expected to be finalized by October 8, 2025.
Who Is Canal+ Group?
Canal+ is a global media and entertainment conglomerate owned by Vivendi SE, a French mass media holding company. Founded in 1984, Canal+ has evolved into one of Europe’s leading pay-TV networks and content producers. The company operates in over 50 countries, with a strong presence in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Canal+ is known for its expansive portfolio that includes pay-TV, film production, streaming services, and sports broadcasting rights. The company has aggressively expanded into emerging markets, particularly Africa, where it sees significant growth potential.
Prior to this acquisition, Canal+ had already secured a 45.2% stake in MultiChoice and had been gradually increasing its influence through strategic share purchases dating back to 2020.
About MultiChoice Group
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, MultiChoice is Africa’s leading pay-TV operator, serving over 22 million subscribers across 50 countries. Its flagship services, DStv and GOtv, offer a mix of local and international content, including sports, movies, news, and original African programming.
MultiChoice has long dominated the continent’s media space with exclusive broadcasting rights to major sports leagues such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and African Cup of Nations. Its original productions under M-Net and Africa Magic have also helped cultivate a vibrant African storytelling ecosystem.
Strategic and Economic Significance
This acquisition represents one of the largest media deals in African history, underscoring the growing value and influence of Africa’s media and content markets. By taking full control, Canal+ seeks to consolidate its position as the leading broadcaster in Africa, with ambitions to merge content production, streaming, and satellite TV offerings under one umbrella.
Analysts say the deal could unlock synergies in content creation, technology, and distribution, especially as Canal+ leverages MultiChoice’s reach in sub-Saharan Africa to expand its streaming service, myCanal, and enhance competition with global giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Showmax (also owned by MultiChoice).
Regulatory Conditions and Public Interest Commitments
While the Competition Tribunal approved the merger, it attached several public interest conditions to safeguard jobs, promote local content, and ensure fair competition. These include:
- Retention of local staff and avoidance of forced retrenchments for a set period
- Continued investment in local content production and independent creators
- Commitment to keep key operations and headquarters in South Africa
- Compliance with broadcasting regulations and content diversity guidelines
These conditions are intended to protect the broader economic and cultural ecosystem in which MultiChoice operates, ensuring that the merger benefits African consumers and creatives.
Industry Reactions
Industry stakeholders and analysts have welcomed the deal, calling it a “strategic alignment” that could elevate the quality and distribution of African content globally.
Speaking after the Tribunal’s approval, Canal+ Chairman Maxime Saada expressed enthusiasm about the future:
“We believe this acquisition opens a new chapter for African storytelling, media innovation, and digital transformation. Together, Canal+ and MultiChoice can deliver richer content experiences to millions of households.”
Calvo Mawela, CEO of MultiChoice, echoed this optimism:
“With Canal+ as a committed long-term investor, we can accelerate our growth ambitions and ensure that African content continues to thrive across platforms and continents.”
Looking Ahead
With the acquisition expected to be finalized by October 8, 2025, attention now turns to how Canal+ will restructure or integrate operations across the continent. There is also keen interest in how the merger will influence Showmax’s growth, sports broadcasting rights, and local content investments in Nollywood, South African television, and other regional industries.
As Africa’s digital and media landscape continues to evolve, the Canal+/MultiChoice merger marks a defining moment signaling a new era of consolidation, innovation, and competition in the battle for audiences and storytelling dominance.
