French media conglomerate Canal+ has officially completed its $3.17 billion acquisition of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, marking a significant consolidation in Africa’s pay-TV and streaming sectors. The deal, finalized on September 22, 2025, grants Canal+ effective control of MultiChoice, which operates the DStv and GOtv platforms across nearly 70 countries.
This acquisition enhances Canal+’s presence in English-speaking African markets, complementing its existing strength in French-speaking regions. The combined entity now serves over 40 million subscribers and employs approximately 17,000 people globally.
As part of the integration process, Canal+ has announced a new leadership structure:
- Maxime Saada, Chairman and CEO of Canal+, will oversee the merged entity.
- David Mignot, previously CEO of Canal+ Africa, has been appointed CEO of Canal+ Africa, including MultiChoice operations.
- Nicolas Dandoy joins as CFO of the combined group.
- Calvo Mawela, the outgoing CEO of MultiChoice, will serve as Chair of Canal+ Africa.
- Timothy Jacobs, MultiChoice’s former CFO, will continue in a senior finance role.
To comply with South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act, which limits foreign ownership of broadcasting licenses to 20%, Canal+ has established a new entity, LicenceCo. This entity, comprising local investors including Afrifund Investment and Identity Partners, will hold a 51% economic interest in the South African operations, while Canal+ retains 49%.
With the acquisition complete, Canal+ plans to expand its content offerings, including more locally produced shows like Shaka iLembe, and enhance its streaming services to compete with global players such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
This strategic move positions Canal+ as a dominant force in the African media landscape, poised to leverage its expanded reach and resources to drive growth and innovation across the continent.
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