French broadcasting giant Canal+ has secured full control of MultiChoice Group, the South African company behind popular satellite TV services DStv and GOtv. The deal, valued at approximately $3 billion (around 35 billion South African Rand), was officially finalized on Tuesday.
Canal+, a subsidiary of French media conglomerate Vivendi, had been gradually increasing its stake in MultiChoice over recent years. With this acquisition, the French company now wholly owns the pay-TV operator, further expanding its footprint across the continent.
The announcement follows approval from both the MultiChoice board and South Africa’s Takeover Regulation Panel, paving the way for Canal+ to delist MultiChoice from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The move is expected to significantly bolster Canal+’s operations in Africa, a region where MultiChoice has long dominated the television broadcast sector.
“This marks a new chapter for MultiChoice and a major step in our mission to bring quality, locally relevant entertainment to audiences across Africa,” Canal+ said in a statement.
The deal is seen as a strategic bid by Vivendi and Canal+ to tap deeper into Africa’s booming entertainment market, which continues to show strong growth potential driven by a youthful population and increasing digital connectivity.
Founded in 1986, MultiChoice operates in more than 50 African countries and boasts millions of subscribers across its DStv and GOtv platforms. Its acquisition by Canal+ positions the French firm to leverage MultiChoice’s extensive distribution network and local content production capacity.
Industry watchers say the merger could also bring technological upgrades and enhanced content offerings for African viewers, as Canal+ brings in fresh investment and expertise from the global media space.
With the acquisition now complete, attention shifts to how Canal+ will integrate MultiChoice’s operations and whether it will introduce new subscription models or revamp the programming structure to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
