French media powerhouse Canal+ has secured full ownership of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group in a landmark $3 billion deal, gaining control of DStv and GOtv after purchasing the remaining 55 percent stake it did not already own . The South African Competition Tribunal approved the transaction on July 23, removing the last regulatory hurdle for Canal+ to integrate MultiChoice’s pay-TV and streaming operations across Africa .
Canal+ initially acquired a 45 percent share in MultiChoice in 2024. With this acquisition, it consolidates its position as Africa’s leading pay-TV operator, positioning itself to challenge global streaming rivals and leverage MultiChoice’s subscriber base of over 20 million. Analysts forecast that the deal will accelerate investment in local content and network upgrades, though they warn of integration risks and potential price adjustments for consumers .
Subscribers on both DStv and GOtv can expect a gradual rebranding of channels and the rollout of new on-demand services powered by Canal+’s technology. The combined entity aims to bundle French and African content, targeting middle-income households with premium sports and entertainment packages. Stakeholders say the move heralds a new era in Africa’s media landscape, with Canal+ poised to tap into rising data consumption and digital advertising revenues.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the acquisition as “a definitive step in our Africa strategy,” promising that “our investment will enrich local production, secure jobs, and offer viewers more choice.” MultiChoice’s outgoing chairman, Stephen van Coller, hailed the deal as “the best path forward” for sustaining growth amid intensifying competition from global streaming platforms.
As Canal+ begins full operations under its umbrella, regulators and consumer groups will closely monitor pricing, content diversity, and employment impacts. For now, the takeover cements Canal+’s ambition to lead Africa’s pay-TV market and reshape the region’s entertainment ecosystem.
