The French broadcasting giant under Vivendi, Canal+ Group, has completed its long-awaited acquisition of MultiChoice Group, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator.
The $3 billion (≈ 55 billion rand) deal secures Canal+’s full control of household names like DStv, GOtv, Showmax, SuperSport, M-Net, and Africa Magic—platforms that have defined African entertainment for decades.
The South African Competition Tribunal gave its nod on July 23, 2025, clearing the final regulatory hurdle. The acquisition is expected to be fully wrapped up by October 8, 2025, marking the dawn of a new era in African broadcasting.
A Bold Global Vision
Described by Canal+ as “transformative,” the takeover aims to forge a multilingual media empire that combines French, English, and Portuguese programming across the continent. With this deal, the new entity positions itself as a heavyweight challenger to global streaming titans Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, while leaning on Showmax’s digital momentum and SuperSport’s unrivaled sporting dominance.
Regulatory Green Light with Strings Attached
The acquisition didn’t come without conditions. South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act, which caps foreign ownership in broadcasters at 20%, forced the creation of LicenceCo, a locally owned vehicle to hold MultiChoice’s broadcast licenses.
LicenceCo will be majority-owned by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs), while Canal+ retains 49% economic interest and 20% voting rights. Beyond structural changes, Canal+ has committed to a R26 billion ($1.4 billion) investment over three years in:
Local content and sports broadcasting
Protecting jobs (no retrenchments for three years)
Supporting small businesses and HDPs
Keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa
Market Muscle: 22 Million Homes and Counting
Together, Canal+ and MultiChoice now command a staggering 22 million subscribers across more than 50 African nations. MultiChoice contributes 14.5 million households, while Canal+ adds another 8 million across 25 markets.
The synergy offers a potent blend of strengths—Canal+’s international programming, SuperSport’s unrivaled sports portfolio, and Showmax’s streaming-first strategy—creating a one-stop media powerhouse designed for Africa’s diverse audiences.
Observers Weigh In: Promise and Peril
While investors hail the merger as a bold bet on Africa’s digital future, critics warn of potential pitfalls. Media consolidation at this scale could stifle competition, limit plurality, and drive up subscription costs.
Audience reactions are already mixed. “I’m already paying more for less,” one Nigerian viewer remarked, voicing skepticism about whether the promised improvements will justify rising costs.
For regulators and consumers alike, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Canal+’s ability to balance profit with accessibility, diversity, and cultural authenticity.
Africa on the Global Entertainment Map
Despite the concerns, one thing is clear: this deal firmly plants Africa at the center of global entertainment. By marrying Canal+’s resources with MultiChoice’s deep local reach, the new entity has the scale, talent, and ambition to shape how African stories are told and streamed to the world.
The challenge now? Delivering on the promise—making content not just bigger, but better and more accessible to millions across the continent.
Deal at a Glance
Value: $3 billion (≈ 55 billion rand)
Approval Date: July 23, 2025
Closing Date: October 8, 2025 (expected)
Subscribers: ~22 million households across 50+ African countries
Commitments: R26 billion local investment, job protection, HDP empowerment
Ambition: To rival global streaming giants while championing African storytelling
