JOHANNESBURG – French media giant Canal+ has acquired full control of MultiChoice Group following a $3 billion deal approved by the South African Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
The transaction gives Canal+ ownership of Africa’s largest pay-TV network, which includes popular platforms like DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, M-Net, Africa Magic, and Showmax. The acquisition, valued at approximately R55 billion, is expected to close by October 8.
Canal+, which had already held a 45.2% stake in MultiChoice, began gradually increasing its investment in the company in 2020. A full takeover bid was launched earlier this year, backed by an earlier injection of €1.2 billion (around $1.3 billion).
Canal+ Chairman and CEO Maxime Saada described the deal as a step toward creating a unified content platform that combines Canal+’s French-language catalogue with MultiChoice’s English and Portuguese programming. The company also intends to strengthen local content production and expand its African operations.
Canal+, a subsidiary of French media conglomerate Vivendi SE, has committed to investing R26 billion over the next three years to support regional content creators, safeguard jobs, and contribute to transformation efforts in the broadcasting industry.
With the deal, Canal+ gains access to MultiChoice’s subscriber base of over 14.5 million users across 50 African countries.
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