Canal+ Takes Over DStv With $3bn Acquisition of MultiChoice

French media heavyweight Canal+ has cemented its full acquisition of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of popular TV platforms DStv and GOtv, in a major transaction valued at $3 billion (approximately Shs11 trillion).

The deal, finalized following approval from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on July 23, sees Canal+ acquire the remaining 55% of MultiChoice shares it did not previously own.

After a rigorous regulatory process and intense negotiations, the green light clears the way for the deal’s completion by October 8, 2025.

However, approval came with strict conditions aimed at safeguarding South Africa’s media sovereignty and promoting local content development.

This strategic move allows Canal+ to strengthen its hold in Africa’s fast-growing media and entertainment sector.

The French company, which already operates in 25 African countries with over 8 million subscribers, is now poised to significantly increase its reach.

It targets a subscriber base of 50 to 100 million across the continent in the near future.

The acquisition of MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator, adds over 14.5 million subscribers in 50 sub-Saharan countries to Canal+’s portfolio.

MultiChoice is best known for its flagship services DStv and GOtv, along with premium content channels such as SuperSport.

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described the merger as a turning point:

“The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”

One of the major strategic advantages of the deal is the potential to combine Canal+’s robust French-language content library with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese programming.

This multilingual mix creates a powerful content ecosystem catering to the diverse linguistic and cultural audiences across Africa.

Why Canal+ Pushed for the Deal

The acquisition represents more than just growth; it is Canal+’s calculated move to secure a stronghold in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital content space.

With internet penetration and digital TV consumption surging, owning the continent’s top broadcaster gives Canal+ direct access to millions of households and a platform to shape the future of pay-TV in Africa.

Furthermore, with MultiChoice’s proven track record in content delivery, sports broadcasting, and local production, Canal+ can tap into a well-oiled infrastructure while injecting fresh capital and technology to scale up operations.

In Uganda, MultiChoice has been instrumental in transforming home entertainment since the early 1990s.

Through DStv and later GOtv, the company introduced a wide array of international and local channels, revolutionizing how Ugandans access news, sports, and entertainment.

From covering the Uganda Premier League to developing local shows on Pearl Magic, MultiChoice has played a vital role in nurturing Uganda’s media landscape.

For years, DStv has been the go-to service for premium sports and entertainment, while GOtv has catered to mass-market viewers with affordable packages.

The platforms have also contributed to local employment and capacity-building within Uganda’s creative and broadcasting industries.

With Canal+ now in full control, Ugandan subscribers could see expanded content offerings, improved service quality, and potentially more competitive pricing.

The integration of French, Portuguese, and English-language programming opens up diverse viewing options, including more Francophone content for Uganda’s border communities and urban Francophile audiences.

Canal+’s commitment to investing in local content, part of the 26 billion rand pledge tied to the deal’s approval, could translate into more Ugandan stories being told on screen, deeper support for local creators, and stronger partnerships with local production houses.

A joint statement by both companies emphasized their dedication to local content and sports broadcasting:

“We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”

The acquisition may also lead to technological upgrades in content delivery, with increased investment expected in streaming services, app development, and digital platforms benefiting viewers in Uganda and beyond.

Canal+ initially launched its bid in 2023, offering 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at $3 billion. With the deal now sealed, the French conglomerate is poised to reshape Africa’s pay-TV sector, bringing global scale, multilingual content, and a renewed focus on African stories.