Canal+ has secured exclusive broadcasting rights to UEFA's men's club competitions for sub-Saharan Africa, guaranteeing DStv subscribers in Nigeria and across the region uninterrupted access to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League for the next four seasons.
The French media company announced the deal, which covers more than 40 countries and all languages, running from mid-2027 through 2031. SuperSport, DStv's sports broadcasting arm, will continue as the home of European club football in the region, while Canal+ Sport will regain full Champions League coverage in French-speaking markets and, for the first time, hold exclusive French-language rights to both the Europa League and the Conference League.
Deal Structure and Background
Canal+ acquired the rights from UC3, a joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association, which appointed sports marketing agency Relevent in 2025 to handle commercial rights sales for the 2027/28 to 2032/33 cycles. Canal+'s deal covers four of those six seasons. Financial terms were not disclosed.
This move is part of Canal+'s broader strategy to anchor DStv's appeal around live sport following its takeover of MultiChoice Group in September 2025. The company has rapidly expanded its sports portfolio to compete with streaming platforms challenging traditional pay-TV.
Financial Performance and Subscriber Growth
To fund this sports-led approach, Canal+ cut entertainment costs, shutting down Showmax earlier this year and delaying its annual subscription price increase. The strategy appears to be paying off: revenue climbed 40%, and adjusted earnings before interest and tax rose 68% in the latest half-year figures. Within MultiChoice, adjusted EBIT jumped 160% to €143 million, and subscriber acquisition across MultiChoice markets increased 40%.
The combined African subscriber base grew 7%, with South Africa recording its best month for new subscribers in ten years during June. Canal+ attributed much of this growth to the FIFA World Cup but expects weekly UEFA club football to sustain subscriber engagement long-term, making the Champions League a central part of DStv's offer.
Context and Previous Developments
This announcement follows a separate agreement between Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery, ensuring 12 popular channels, including CNN International and Cartoon Network, remain on DStv after they were initially slated for removal on January 1, 2026. The multi-year, multi-territory deal, announced on December 30, extended their partnership.
For DStv subscribers, this UEFA rights acquisition reinforces the platform's value, securing top-tier football content through 2031. As Canal+ continues to integrate MultiChoice, live sport remains a key differentiator in a competitive market.
