French media giant Canal+ has officially acquired full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv in a landmark $3 billion (approximately 55 billion rand) deal.
The acquisition, which includes the remaining 55% stake Canal+ did not previously own, was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23.
The approval follows months of negotiations and regulatory scrutiny, setting the stage for the deal to be finalised by October 8, 2025. However, the Tribunal attached several public interest conditions aimed at safeguarding local content and preserving South Africa’s media independence.
For Canal+, the deal represents a major strategic expansion into Africa’s booming media and entertainment market. Already operating in 25 African countries with over eight million subscribers, Canal+ is now positioned to significantly scale up its presence, targeting 50 to 100 million subscribers across the continent in the coming years.
MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV broadcaster, brings over 14.5 million subscribers across 50 sub-Saharan African countries, alongside flagship platforms like DStv and GOtv. The company also houses premium brands such as SuperSport, making it a highly attractive acquisition for French media giant Canal+.
Describing the acquisition as a game-changer, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada stated: “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”
A major advantage of the merger is the integration of Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s strong English and Portuguese programming—creating a multilingual media powerhouse designed to serve Africa’s diverse audiences.
Beyond strategic alignment, the acquisition also comes as a timely lifeline for MultiChoice. The deal is expected to inject fresh capital into the South African broadcaster, enabling increased investment in local content, technological upgrades, and digital innovation.
As part of the Competition Tribunal’s conditional approval, Canal+ has pledged to invest approximately 26 billion rand over the next three years to support South Africa’s public interest goals. This includes keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, maintaining support for local content and sports programming, and continuing to empower local creatives.
In a joint statement, both companies reaffirmed their dedication to the South African media landscape:
”We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”
Canal+ launched its takeover bid in 2023 with a mandatory buyout offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at around $3 billion. Now with full ownership secured, the French conglomerate is set to reshape Africa’s pay-TV industry, unlocking new opportunities and shifting the competitive landscape across the continent.
