In a major shake-up of Africa’s entertainment industry, French media giant Canal+ has officially acquired MultiChoice Group—the broadcast titan behind DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and SuperSport.
The deal is valued at an impressive $3 billion. acquisition, given conditional approval by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on July 23, 2025, positions Canal+ as the commanding force across African airwaves and streaming services.
A Full House of Content Power
The deal hands Canal+ the keys to Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest pay-TV market, unlocking access to nearly 50 million subscribers and a sprawling content library that spans live sports, Nollywood hits, global blockbusters, and fast-rising streaming platforms. With this move, Canal+ gains a strategic stronghold to battle global giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ on African turf.
Regulation with a Local Touch
To navigate South Africa’s strict foreign ownership laws in broadcasting, the deal includes a smart workaround: a newly created “LicenceCo”, which will house MultiChoice South Africa and be majority-owned by historically disadvantaged South Africans. Canal+ retains 49% economic interest, ensuring influence without breaching ownership rules.
Public Interest: Jobs, Culture & Local Economy
As part of the agreement, Canal+ will inject a massive R26 billion over the next three years to strengthen:
Original African storytelling
Black-owned supplier networks
Local sports broadcasting
And protect South African jobs and headquarters.
This commitment ensures that the cultural and economic impact remains rooted in the continent, while benefitting from global capital and expertise.
The Bigger Play: Africa Meets Europe on Equal Footing
This isn’t just a business deal—it’s a strategic continental pivot. Canal+, already dominant in Francophone Africa, now has deeper reach into Anglophone markets through MultiChoice. This pan-African synergy will likely reshape production dynamics, advertising models, and digital content strategies.
With Showmax 2.0 already powered by NBCUniversal and Peacock technology, expect the revamped Canal+/MultiChoice alliance to bring faster internet TV, richer original series, and multi-language programming tailored to diverse African audiences.
What Lies Ahead?
Regulatory Clearance: Final nod from South Africa’s ICASA is expected before the October 8, 2025 deadline.
Subscriber Gains: Viewers are expected to enjoy a fusion of premium French, African, and global content—without immediate price hikes.
Innovation Surge: Enhanced investment in AI-driven personalization, content recommendation, and even virtual sports broadcasting is on the horizon.
Final Word
The full takeover of MultiChoice by Canal+ is more than just a business coup—it’s the start of a new broadcast era for Africa. Combining European innovation with African creativity, this deal opens the door to a media landscape that’s more competitive, more diverse, and more reflective of the continent’s voice on the global stage.
Canal+ isn’t just buying a company—it’s buying influence, relevance, and a future stake in Africa’s fast-evolving digital story.
