Canal+ has officially completed its acquisition of MultiChoice, turning the African pay-TV broadcaster into a wholly owned subsidiary of the French media group. The deal, finalized on July 9, 2026, gives Canal+ full control over MultiChoice's brands, including DStv, GOtv, and Showmax, across more than 45 African countries.
Canal+ CEO Confirms Integration
David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ and MultiChoice, confirmed the completion of the integration, stating: "MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries." Mignot described the milestone as the beginning of a new chapter for the South Africa-based broadcaster.
Details of the Acquisition
Canal+ began building its stake in MultiChoice in 2024. After its shareholding crossed the regulatory threshold, it launched a mandatory offer in April 2024 to purchase the remaining shares in the Johannesburg-listed company. Following regulatory clearances and shareholder acceptance, Canal+ gained effective control in 2025 before finalizing the process that has now made MultiChoice a full subsidiary.
The transaction is regarded as one of the most consequential media deals involving an African company. It reflects a broader industry-wide push towards consolidation as entertainment companies chase the scale needed to remain competitive in the streaming era, according to Punch reports.
Impact on African Media Landscape
The acquisition brings together Canal+'s international reach with MultiChoice's deep-rooted subscriber base across sub-Saharan Africa. Canal+ said the combined business would benefit from shared technology, content partnerships, and operational expertise. Planned investments include local content production, sports broadcasting, and streaming services, which have grown in strategic importance as global platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ accelerate their expansion across Africa.
For MultiChoice, the arrangement provides access to Canal+'s financial resources and international networks at a time when traditional pay-TV providers face mounting pressure from shifting viewer habits and digital competition, as reported by Vanguard.
MultiChoice Subscription Prices Unchanged
Earlier in 2026, MultiChoice confirmed that DStv subscription prices would remain unchanged, a departure from its usual annual price adjustments. The move is part of efforts to win back lost subscribers amid challenges from streaming services. The South African pay-TV giant has battled global streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video for subscribers.
Canal+, which has been steadily deepening its African footprint for over a decade, now holds full control of a business operating across more than 45 African countries, cementing its standing as one of the continent's dominant media and entertainment groups.
