Canal+ acquires MultiChoice in landmark $3b deal
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada called the merger a “turning point,” saying the combined group will benefit from “enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and meaningful synergies.”
By Vision Reporter
French media giant Canal+ has completed a landmark $3 billion (about sh11 trillion) acquisition of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, in a move expected to reshape Africa’s broadcasting industry.
The transaction, finalised following approval by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on July 23, grants Canal+ full ownership of MultiChoice after acquiring the remaining 55% stake it did not previously hold. The deal is set to be completed by October 8, 2025.
Approval of the transaction came with strict conditions, including assurances to protect South Africa’s media sovereignty and a commitment to increased local content investment, part of a R26 billion pledge.
Canal+ Expands African Footprint
With operations in 25 African countries and a subscriber base of over 8 million, Canal+ is expected to grow its reach to 50–100 million users in the coming years. The acquisition adds 14.5 million subscribers across 50 sub-Saharan countries, cementing the group’s dominance in Africa’s pay-TV market.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada called the merger a “turning point,” saying the combined group will benefit from “enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and meaningful synergies.”
The deal allows Canal+ to blend its rich French-language content with MultiChoice’s extensive English and Portuguese offerings, creating a multilingual ecosystem for diverse African audiences.
What This Means for Uganda
In Uganda, MultiChoice has been pivotal in shaping the home entertainment sector since the early 1990s, offering international and local programming through DStv and GOtv.
From airing the Uganda Premier League to producing home-grown shows on Pearl Magic, MultiChoice has contributed significantly to content creation, local employment, and capacity building.
With Canal+ at the helm, Ugandan viewers can expect broader content offerings, improved service delivery, and possibly more competitive pricing. The merger also opens the door for more Francophone programming, especially for border communities and urban francophiles.
Crucially, the commitment to local content development could see increased investment in Ugandan stories, stronger collaborations with local production houses, and more visibility for home-grown talent.
“We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success,” said the companies in a joint statement.
Eye on Digital Future
The deal is also expected to drive technological upgrades, including improvements in streaming services, app development, and digital platforms, aligning with the changing consumption habits of African audiences.
Canal+ first launched its bid in 2023, offering R125 per share, and now stands as the continent’s most powerful media force.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on how the merger will unfold across the continent — and what it will mean for the future of digital broadcasting and African storytelling.
