Canal+ Completes R35 Billion Takeover of MultiChoice to Boost African TV Market
French media powerhouse Canal+ has officially completed its R35 billion ($2.02 billion) takeover of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, securing effective control of the continent’s largest pay-TV broadcaster. The two companies confirmed on Monday that all regulatory and transactional conditions have been met, making the deal unconditional and paving the way for a new era in Africa’s media landscape.
According to Reuters, Canal+ already owned 46% of MultiChoice shares as of September 19, 2025, with an additional 2.2% of shares tendered in its favour since then. This gives the London-listed French giant effective control over the broadcaster, which operates across Africa, including key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
The deal follows the approval of the South African Competition Tribunal, which attached conditions to ensure broader economic participation. These include commitments to support firms controlled by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa’s audio-visual industry. Canal+ also pledged to maintain funding for local entertainment and sports content, a move expected to benefit local content creators.
MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela has consistently framed the partnership as a way to strengthen the company’s competitive edge against global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Mawela said, “A combination gives us a better chance to compete against the global giants. Scale matters in this industry; then you are able to negotiate better rates for content and generate more revenues.”
MultiChoice, which has faced currency depreciation and subscriber losses in key markets, especially Nigeria, views the Canal+ takeover as an opportunity to broaden content offerings, improve technology, and enhance its footprint across both English- and French-speaking African countries. Industry analysts say the merger could reshape Africa’s pay-TV sector, delivering stronger local programming while expanding access to premium international content.
source: vanguard