Individuals
Businesses
Company
Intelligence
News
African Capital Markets
EnglishEnglish
share on twittershare on linkedinshare on facebookshare to whatsapp
share on mail
share on instagram

Canal+ Gets Final Nod to Acquire MultiChoice in $3B Deal

Daba Finance/Canal+ Gets Final Nod to Acquire MultiChoice in $3B Deal
BREAKING NEWSJuly 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM UTC

TLDR

  • France’s Canal+ has received final approval from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal to acquire pay-TV operator MultiChoice
  • Both companies confirmed they expect to complete the merger before the October 8, 2025 deadline
  • The deal had to pass several regulators, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Takeover Regulation Panel, Icasa, and the Financial Surveillance Department

France’s Canal+ has received final approval from South Africa’s Competition Tribunal to acquire pay-TV operator MultiChoice, clearing the most significant regulatory hurdle in a R55 billion deal.

Both companies confirmed they expect to complete the merger before the October 8, 2025 deadline. Canal+ triggered the transaction earlier this year after surpassing a 35% ownership threshold, requiring a mandatory offer under South African law. It offered R125 per share and now holds 45.2% of MultiChoice stock.

The deal had to pass several regulators, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Takeover Regulation Panel, Icasa, and the Financial Surveillance Department.

To meet broadcasting laws, MultiChoice’s South African operations will shift to a new entity—LicenceCo—majority-owned by historically disadvantaged persons. Canal+ will hold 20% voting rights in LicenceCo and 49% of the economic interest will remain with MultiChoice Group.

Customers are expected to see no service disruptions. The two companies plan continued investment in content and local production.

Daba is Africa's leading investment platform for private and public markets. Download here

Key Takeaways

The Canal+-MultiChoice merger signals growing consolidation in African media as global players seek scale across the continent. With over R30 billion in cash committed, Canal+ is deepening its Africa bet, targeting over 20 million subscribers and extensive local content production. The deal also reflects a broader trend—foreign firms navigating local ownership laws through corporate restructuring. The creation of LicenceCo helps comply with South Africa’s black ownership rules while preserving Canal+’s economic interests. The public interest commitments are a critical part of the approval process. These include support for small and black-owned production companies, along with investment in local programming and sports content. It’s a model other cross-border media deals may follow in Africa. As distribution platforms evolve and competition from streaming intensifies, the merged entity will be positioned to offer bundled services, shared infrastructure, and richer content libraries—reshaping how African audiences engage with digital entertainment.

Business
Multichoice
Canal Plus
Canal+
DStv
GOtv
PayTV
South Africa
Entertainment

Think someone else should see this?

share on twittershare on linkedinshare on facebookshare to whatsapp
share on mail
share on instagram
Stay informed with our newsletters read by 25,000+ professionals worldwide
Newsletter companiesNewsletter companiesNewsletter companiesNewsletter companiesNewsletter companiesNewsletter companies

Next Frontier

Stay up to date on major news and events in African markets. Delivered weekly.

Pulse54

UDeep-dives into what’s old and new in Africa’s investment landscape. Delivered twice monthly.

Events

Sign up to stay informed about our regular webinars, product launches, and exhibitions.

+25k investors have already subscribed

To invest in this opportunity and other opportunities across Africa

Download the daba finance app on your mobile through
appstore iconappstore icon
Phone Image

Take action.

Download app

Start investing in Africa’s best opportunities, including stocks, bonds, startups, venture funds, and more.

Partner with us

Unlock exciting business opportunities and growth potential.

Join Daba

Become a part of our vibrant community and enjoy exclusive benefits.

Contact us

Reach out to us for inquiries, support, or collaboration.
For Investor
StrategiesPortfolio ManagementAfrican Capital MarketsNews
Daba Pro Intelligence
For Capital Seekers
For StartupsFor Fund ManagersFor Private CompaniesFor Lenders
For Partners
Commercial BanksBroker DealersAsset ManagersInvestment BanksInvestment Advisors and ConsultantsLenders and Microfinance
Company
About UsMarket UpdatesEventsBlog and PodcastNewsletterCase StudiesAffiliate ProgramInvesting GlossaryOfficial ContactsTrust, Compliance and SecurityFrequently Asked Questions

Terms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
EnglishEnglish

Owned by Daba Markets Inc. By using this site, you accept our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. © 2024 All rights reserved. 2025 All rights reserved