By Arinze Uzo
Business News Correspondent
In a major shake-up in Africa’s media landscape, French media giant Canal+, a subsidiary of Vivendi, has officially acquired South African-based MultiChoice Group in a landmark $3 billion deal, securing full control of Africa’s most dominant pay-TV platforms, DStv and GOtv.
The acquisition, which had been in the works for several months, was finalized following regulatory approvals and shareholder buy-in. Canal+, which had gradually increased its stake in MultiChoice over the past few years, now owns 100% of the company, marking one of the largest media mergers in Africa’s history.
A Strategic Move into the African Market
With this acquisition, Canal+ significantly expands its footprint across the African continent, gaining access to MultiChoice’s vast subscriber base of over 22 million customers in more than 50 African countries. MultiChoice’s key brands — DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and SuperSport — are now under French ownership.
Vivendi CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine described the move as “a strategic investment into the future of African media,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to growing local content, sports broadcasting, and digital streaming services across the continent.
What It Means for Viewers
While the deal has sparked curiosity and speculation, Canal+ has assured customers that there will be no immediate disruptions to services. However, industry analysts predict that the acquisition could lead to changes in subscription models, expanded French-language programming, increased investment in local productions, and potential price adjustments down the line.
Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming platform, is also expected to receive a significant boost as Canal+ looks to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime in African markets.
Regulatory and Political Oversight
The deal was closely monitored by regulators and competition commissions across several African countries, given MultiChoice’s dominant position in broadcasting. Critics initially raised concerns about foreign ownership of such a key player in African media. However, the transaction was ultimately approved on the condition that Canal+ continues to support local content development and job retention across MultiChoice’s operations.
A New Era for African Broadcasting
Founded in 1985, MultiChoice has been a cornerstone of African entertainment, delivering sports, news, movies, and original African series to millions of homes. The acquisition by Canal+ marks the end of an era of South African-led pay-TV dominance, ushering in a new chapter defined by French investment, international expansion, and technological innovation.
As Canal+ takes the reins, viewers across Africa — from Lagos to Nairobi to Johannesburg — will be watching closely to see how the new ownership transforms the future of television on the continent.
