DStv, GOtv Now Fully Owned by French Media Giant Canal+

French media conglomerate Canal+ has finalized the acquisition of 100% ownership of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, in a landmark deal valued at $3 billion (approximately 55 billion rand).

According to a report by VANGUARD, the transaction was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23, clearing the path for completion by October 8, 2025.

Canal+, which already held a 45% stake in MultiChoice, now takes full control after securing the remaining 55% through a mandatory buyout offer launched in 2023 at 125 rand per share.

The Tribunal’s approval was granted with public interest conditions aimed at protecting South Africa’s media sovereignty. These include commitments to retain MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, continue investment in local content and sports broadcasting, and support South African content creators.

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.”

The acquisition significantly expands Canal+’s reach across Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector. Already operating in 25 African countries with over eight million subscribers, the French media powerhouse now gains access to MultiChoice’s 14.5 million subscribers across 50 sub-Saharan nations.

The merger is expected to blend Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese offerings, positioning the group as a multilingual media powerhouse equipped to serve Africa’s diverse audiences.

For MultiChoice, the deal marks a new chapter of strategic and financial growth. The acquisition is expected to inject fresh capital into the South African broadcaster, enabling increased investment in local content production, technology upgrades, and digital transformation.

In line with the Tribunal’s conditions, Canal+ has committed to investing approximately 26 billion rand over the next three years in initiatives aligned with South Africa’s public interest goals.

In a joint statement, both companies affirmed their dedication to the local media landscape:

“We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”

With this acquisition, Canal+ positions itself to reshape the pay-TV industry in Africa, tapping into a growing market and scaling its ambition to reach 50 to 100 million subscribers across the continent in the coming years.

VANGUARD