French media powerhouse finalizes acquisition of MultiChoice, gains total control of DStv, GOtv

In a major shake-up of Africa’s media landscape, French media giant Canal+ has secured full ownership of MultiChoice Group  the parent company of DStv and GOtv  in a landmark deal valued at $3 billion (approximately 55 billion rand).

The South African Competition Tribunal officially approved the acquisition on Wednesday, July 23, granting Canal+ the go-ahead to acquire the remaining 55% stake it did not previously own in MultiChoice.

This milestone approval follows months of intense negotiations and regulatory scrutiny. With the green light now granted, the deal is expected to be finalized by October 8, 2025.

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However, the Tribunal’s decision didn’t come without conditions. To safeguard public interest and South Africa’s media independence, several requirements have been imposed on Canal+, including commitments to preserving local content production and ensuring the country’s media sovereignty remains intact.

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 more than 14.5 million subscribers in 50 sub-Saharan African countries, as well as flagship platforms like DStv and GOtv. The company is also home to premium content brands such as SuperSport, making it an attractive acquisition for the French media powerhouse.

Describing the deal as transformative, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said: “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”

One of the key benefits of the merger is the integration of Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese offerings—creating a multilingual media powerhouse capable of serving diverse African audiences.

Beyond strategic value, the acquisition is also a timely boost for MultiChoice. The deal is expected to inject fresh capital into the South African broadcaster, enabling deeper investment in local content production, technology upgrades, and digital innovation.

As part of the Competition Tribunal’s conditional approval, Canal+ has committed to spend approximately 26 billion rand over the next three years on initiatives aligned with South Africa’s public interest objectives. These include retaining MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, maintaining investment in local content and sports broadcasting, and supporting local content creators.

In a joint statement, both companies reaffirmed their commitment to the South African media ecosystem: “We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”

Canal+ began its takeover bid in 2023 with a mandatory buyout offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at around $3 billion. With full ownership now secured, the French media giant is poised to redefine Africa’s pay-TV industry, tapping into its vast potential and shifting the competitive