Canal+ Completes Landmark $3 Billion Acquisition of MultiChoice, Taking Full Control of DStv, GOtv, and Showmax

 

 

French media conglomerate Canal+ Group today announced the successful completion of its monumental $3 billion acquisition of MultiChoice Group, solidifying its position as the dominant force in African pay-TV and streaming. The landmark deal, which grants Canal+ full ownership of MultiChoice's extensive portfolio including DStv, GOtv, and Showmax, received final approval from the South African Competition Tribunal, paving the way for a transformative era in the continent's entertainment landscape.

The acquisition sees Canal+ taking over the remaining 55% stake in MultiChoice, having steadily increased its shareholding since 2020 to reach 45% through open-market purchases. This strategic move creates a unified media powerhouse with an expanded subscriber base of over 22.5 million across 50 African countries, combining Canal+'s 8 million subscribers with MultiChoice's 14.5 million.

Maxime Saada, Chairman and CEO of Canal+ Group, hailed the acquisition as a "strategic milestone" that will enable the group to deliver a diversified, multilingual content offering to African audiences. "Our ambition is to create a unified media platform that combines Canal+'s French-language content with MultiChoice's English and Portuguese services, while expanding access to high-quality local programming," Saada stated.

The transaction is expected to be fully completed by October 8, 2025, after clearing the final regulatory hurdles. The South African Competition Tribunal's approval came with several key public interest commitments from Canal+. These include a significant investment of approximately R26 billion (circa $1.4 billion) over the next three years to boost the South African audiovisual sector, support for Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in the industry, and the maintenance of MultiChoice's headquarters in South Africa. Furthermore, MultiChoice Ltd, the entity contracting with South African subscribers, will be carved out and become an independent entity, majority-owned and controlled by HDPs, addressing concerns about foreign ownership of broadcasting licenses.

Calvo Mawela, CEO of MultiChoice Group, expressed enthusiasm for the future, noting that the approval "reflects the strength of our strategic vision and our ongoing commitment to continue uplifting the communities where we operate. We look forward to executing the remaining processes required to complete the transaction and to start building something extraordinary: a global media and entertainment company with Africa at its heart."

The combined entity, which now controls prominent media assets such as SuperSport, Africa Magic, M-Net, and DStv Media Sales, is poised to intensify competition against global streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. This landmark deal is set to reshape the African media landscape, promising enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.