French media company Canal+ has bought MultiChoice, the owner of DStv and GOtv, in a deal worth $3 billion (about 55 billion rand). This means Canal+ now fully owns the African pay-TV giant.
South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved the deal on Wednesday, July 23, after months of talks and investigations. The deal is expected to be completed by October 8, 2025.
As part of the deal, Canal+ agreed to follow certain rules to protect local content and keep South Africa’s media independent. These include keeping MultiChoice’s head office in South Africa and continuing to invest in local programs and sports.
“This deal is a big step for us. The new company will be bigger, reach more people, and work better together,” said Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+.
Canal+ already operates in 25 African countries and has more than 8 million subscribers. By buying MultiChoice, which has over 14.5 million users in 50 African countries, Canal+ plans to grow even more. The company hopes to reach 50 to 100 million subscribers across Africa in the coming years.
The deal also brings together different language programs. Canal+ offers French content, while MultiChoice provides English and Portuguese shows. Together, they can serve more African viewers with a mix of languages and content.
The deal is expected to help MultiChoice improve. Canal+ plans to spend 26 billion rand over the next three years to support South Africa’s media industry. This will include better technology, new shows, and more support for local filmmakers.
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In a joint statement, Canal+ and MultiChoice said:
“We will continue to support South African entertainment and sports, giving local creators the tools they need to succeed.”
Canal+ began trying to buy MultiChoice in 2023, offering 125 rand per share. Now that the deal is done, Canal+ is ready to change the face of TV in Africa.