French media giant acquires MultiChoice in $3bn deal, gains full control of DStv, GOtv
Nigerians have expressed growing frustration following the revelation that MultiChoice Group has lost over 243,000 DStv and GOtv subscribers, sparking widespread criticism of the company’s declining customer satisfaction. This public backlash comes just as French media giant Canal+ finalized its full acquisition of MultiChoice in a landmark $3 billion deal.
The South African Competition Tribunal officially approved the transaction on Wednesday, July 23, granting Canal+ the remaining 55% stake it did not previously own. The green light paves the way for the deal to be completed by October 8, 2025, after months of intense regulatory scrutiny and complex negotiations.
While the acquisition opens new horizons for Canal+ in Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment market, it has also intensified concerns among subscribers in Nigeria and other key markets about service quality, rising subscription fees, and dwindling content offerings.
Canal+, which already operates in 25 African countries with a subscriber base exceeding eight million, is now poised to drastically scale its presence. With the MultiChoice deal, the media conglomerate is targeting a future subscriber count of 50 to 100 million across the continent making it a dominant force in African pay-TV.
MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV provider, operates across 50 sub-Saharan African countries and holds over 14.5 million subscribers. The company owns key platforms such as DStv and GOtv and boasts premium content brands like SuperSport, which made it a strategic acquisition for the French powerhouse.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the transaction as “transformative,” stating: “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets, and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”
A core strength of the merger is its ability to integrate Canal+’s extensive French-language content library with MultiChoice’s existing English and Portuguese offerings, thereby creating a true multilingual platform capable of serving Africa’s diverse cultural landscape.
Aside from strategic growth, the acquisition is expected to provide much-needed financial backing for MultiChoice. The company will benefit from new capital, enabling investments in local content development, technological upgrades, and digital platforms.
However, the Tribunal’s approval came with strict conditions. Canal+ is required to invest approximately 26 billion rand over the next three years to support South Africa’s public interest objectives. These commitments include maintaining MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, continuing investment in local and sports content, and offering support to South African content creators.
In a joint statement, both companies reassured stakeholders: “We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”
Canal+ initiated the takeover in 2023 with a mandatory buyout offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at around $3 billion. With full control now secured, Canal+ is set to reshape Africa’s media landscape, tapping into massive market potential while navigating the pressure of subscriber expectations and regional sensitivities.
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