Canal+ clears crucial hurdle in bid to take over MultiChoice
Regulators give conditional approval to Canal+ for its acquisition of MultiChoice.
South Africa.- In a crucial development that could shape Africa’s future broadcasting landscape, French media giant Canal+ has secured conditional approval from the South Africa’s Competition Commission for its takeover of the MultiChoice Group Limited.
MultiChoice operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This long-anticipated deal, which now awaits final clearance from the Competition Tribunal, marks a strategic leap for Canal+ as it strengthens its grip on emerging markets across the continent.
The regulator concluded that “the proposed transaction is unlikely to significantly reduce or prevent competition in any relevant market.”
That endorsement removes a key regulatory barrier in Canal+’s quest to expand its African footprint.
A continental power play
Canal+ already owns more than 41 per cent of MultiChoice and is pushing for full control of the Johannesburg-based broadcaster, which boasts a subscriber base of 19.3 million as of March 2025.
Although MultiChoice has shed around four million subscribers over the past two years, it remains a media titan in English and Portuguese-speaking markets across Africa.
“This is a major step forward in our ambition to create a global media and entertainment company with Africa at its heart,” said Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada in a joint statement with MultiChoice.
The timing is pivotal. While facing regulatory challenges at home, including the suspension of its C8 channel in France, Canal+ is betting big on international growth. The MultiChoice deal is part of a wider pivot to diversify and scale operations in fast-growing regions.
Canal+ ended 2024 with around 9.7 million subscribers in Africa and Asia. The merger is expected to drive economies of scale, boost content distribution, and enhance market integration across multiple territories.
The proposed acquisition underscores a critical evolution in global media: a shift from traditional Western strongholds to vibrant, untapped markets with expanding digital appetites.
With the Competition Tribunal now holding the final word, all eyes are on the next chapter of this cross-continental media merger.
