French Media Acquires Multichoice, DSTV, GOTV In $3bn Deal

French media giant Canal has successfully acquired South Africa-based MultiChoice Group in a $3 billion deal, just as it also gained full control of popular pay-TV services DStv and GOtv, reports Business today NG
This development is seen as a move that is set to reshape the African entertainment landscape,
The acquisition, it was gathered, received the blessings of South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 after a long-anticipated takeover.
The deal, valued at approximately 55 billion rand, was confirmed following months of regulatory scrutiny and negotiations.
Recall that Canal+, which already held a 45.2% stake in MultiChoice, moved to acquire the remaining shares after investing €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) since 2020.
The transaction is expected to close by October 8, 2025, pending final approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
Speaking on the acquisition through an official statement released via the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada expressed optimism about the merger’s potential.
“The approval by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal marks the final stage in the South African competition process and clears the way for us to conclude the transaction in line with our previously communicated timeline. This acquisition represents a significant step in expanding our presence across Africa, particularly in English-speaking markets.” Saada said
The move comes as Canal+ seeks to bolster its foothold in the continent’s blooming media sector, leveraging MultiChoice’s 40-year legacy and its extensive subscriber base of nearly 50 million across Africa.
MultiChoice, which originated from Naspers in 2019, has been a dominant forcein the pay-TV market indistry, offering a wide array of local content and sports programming through DStv and GOtv.
MultiChoice Chairman Elias Masilela see the deal as a vote of confidence in the company’s growth strategy.
“The offer from Canal+ endorses MultiChoice’s 40-year track record and our compelling continental growth strategy. It is gratifying to note that foreign investors share our view that South Africa and Africa remain attractive growth markets,” Masilela stated.
To comply with South African regulations limiting foreign ownership of broadcasting licences to 20%, MultiChoice has established a new entity, dubbed LicenceCo, to hold its domestic broadcasting licence independently.
The Competition Commission had earlier recommended the deal’s approval with conditions, including commitments to invest in local audiovisual content and promote South African productions in new markets.