French media giant Canal+ has finalized its full acquisition of MultiChoice Group—the company behind DStv and GOtv—in a landmark deal valued at $3 billion (approximately 55 billion rand). The deal, which grants Canal+ the remaining 55% stake it did not previously own, received the green light from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23.

Following months of negotiations and regulatory scrutiny, the Tribunal’s approval clears the path for the transaction’s completion by October 8, 2025. However, several public interest conditions were attached to safeguard local content and uphold South Africa’s media independence.

The acquisition marks a significant strategic move for Canal+ as it deepens its footprint in Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector. With operations already spanning 25 African nations and a subscriber base exceeding 8 million, Canal+ is now positioned to scale up, aiming to reach between 50 and 100 million subscribers continent-wide.

MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator, adds over 14.5 million subscribers across 50 sub-Saharan countries to Canal+’s portfolio. Its flagship services, DStv and GOtv, along with premium brands like SuperSport, made it a highly desirable acquisition target.

Describing the merger as a game-changer, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada noted: “This combined entity will benefit from expanded scale, stronger presence in high-growth regions, and opportunities for meaningful synergies.”

One major advantage of the merger is the blending of Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese programming, creating a multilingual content powerhouse tailored to Africa’s diverse audiences.

For MultiChoice, the acquisition offers timely financial reinforcement. The influx of capital is expected to drive further investments in local content production, technological advancements, and digital transformation.

As part of the Tribunal’s conditions, Canal+ has pledged to invest roughly 26 billion rand over the next three years in initiatives that support South Africa’s public interest goals. These include keeping MultiChoice’s headquarters in the country, continuing local content and sports broadcasting efforts, and backing local creatives.

In a joint statement, both companies emphasized their ongoing support for the South African media landscape:
"We will continue funding general entertainment and sports content in South Africa, providing a strong platform for local talent and storytelling to thrive."

Canal+ initially launched its takeover campaign in 2023 with a mandatory offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at around $3 billion. With full ownership now secured, the French conglomerate is poised to reshape the African pay-TV market, unlocking new growth potential and redefining competition across the continent.