French media powerhouse, Canal+, has officially completed the full acquisition of MultiChoice Group, the leading entertainment company behind pay-TV giants DStv and GOtv, in a historic deal valued at approximately $3 billion.
The acquisition marks one of the largest media buyouts in Africa's recent history and was greenlit by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on July 23, 2025. The approval, however, came with a series of conditions designed to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s local content industry and media sovereignty, reflecting the cultural and strategic importance of the MultiChoice brand in the region.
As part of the terms set by regulatory authorities, Canal+ is required to maintain MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, ensuring that the company continues to operate with strong local governance and remains rooted in African media culture. Furthermore, the French firm must actively support local content producers and media professionals across the continent.
This acquisition gives Canal+ unprecedented access to and control over Africa’s largest pay-TV network, with a subscriber base exceeding 14.5 million users spread across more than 50 sub-Saharan African countries. The move positions Canal+ as a dominant force in the African media landscape, accelerating its ambition to become a global content and broadcasting leader.
Significantly, Canal+ has pledged to invest roughly 26 billion South African rand over the next three years. These funds will be channeled into local content production, sports broadcasting rights, and digital innovation, with the goal of enhancing the viewing experience for millions of African audiences while supporting the continent’s growing creative economy.
In line with its long-term vision, the company has reiterated its commitment to keeping operations deeply embedded in South Africa, highlighting plans to strengthen the local broadcasting ecosystem and develop inclusive, high-quality entertainment that reflects Africa's diverse voices and cultures.