Canal+’s $3 Billion Takeover of MultiChoice Faces Regulatory Review in Uganda UCC’s public interest test will likely examine whether the deal will preserve local content production and Ugandan cultural representation, safeguard jobs within MultiChoice Uganda and GOtv Uganda, maintain competitive and affordable subscription pricing, and enhance, rather than dilute, consumer choice.

Ugandans will determine whether French media giant Groupe Canal+ effectively completes the takeover of South Africa’s MultiChoice and GOTV in Uganda.

The move is part of a larger acquisition in more than 50 countries.

In a notice on Tuesday, broadcast regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), noted that Groupe Canal+ had applied for the transfer of shares for the control of MultiChoice subsidiaries in Uganda.

This followed the completion of a $3 billion deal in July to acquire 100% of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv in Uganda.

The move marks the latest step in a transaction that has been making headlines across Africa.

South Africa’s Competition Tribunal already approved the takeover on July 23, 2025.

The deal was approved with conditions aimed at protecting local content creation, jobs, and media sovereignty.

Completion of the deal is expected to be fully completed early next month.

In its public notice, UCC said it is considering an application from MultiChoice and GOtv Uganda to transfer their licenses “by way of change in control from MultiChoice Group to Groupe Canal+.”

UCC will consider a review of subscriber management license and public service provider landing rights license held by MultiChoice, and public service multiple stream license and public infrastructure provider license held by GOtv Uganda.            

Both companies are 85% owned by MultiChoice Africa Holdings, which in turn is wholly owned by MultiChoice Group Holdings, itself a wholly owned subsidiary of MultiChoice Group.

Groupe Canal+ already holds a 45.2% stake in MultiChoice Group and is seeking to purchase the remaining 54.8%, thereby gaining indirect control over MultiChoice and GOtv in Uganda.

UCC noted that the shareholding in the Ugandan entities themselves will remain unchanged.

Under Section 43 of the Uganda Communications Act and Regulation of the Licensing Regulations (2019), UCC must consider public interest before approving such a transaction.

The public has 14 days from the date of the notice to submit written comments to UCC.

Africa’s largest media takeover

Internationally, the acquisition represents one of the most significant media deals in African history.

Canal+, which operates in more than 50 countries and is a subsidiary of French conglomerate Vivendi, will gain access to MultiChoice’s 14.5 million subscribers across sub-Saharan Africa, including DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, M-Net, and Showmax brands.

The deal’s approval in South Africa came with strict conditions, including a $1.4 billion investment over the next three years, retention of MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, job protection, and prioritization of local creators.

To comply with South African law limiting foreign ownership of broadcasting licenses to 20%, a new entity called LicenceCo will manage MultiChoice’s broadcasting licenses.

Canal+ will hold only a 49% economic interest and 20% voting rights in LicenceCo, with the rest owned by South African stakeholders, including historically disadvantaged persons.

Potential implications for Uganda

While the transaction does not directly alter ownership structures in MultiChoice Uganda or GOtv Uganda, the change in ultimate control could have far-reaching effects on content strategy, pricing, and local programming investments in Uganda.

Industry observers have noted that the infusion of capital and merging of Canal+’s French-language content library with MultiChoice’s English and Portuguese programming could reshape Africa’s pay-TV market, offering Ugandan viewers a broader content mix.

However, the UCC’s public interest test will likely examine whether the deal will preserve local content production and Ugandan cultural representation, safeguard jobs within MultiChoice Uganda and GOtv Uganda, maintain competitive and affordable subscription pricing, and enhance, rather than dilute, consumer choice.

Public Participation

The UCC has called for Ugandans to submit their views on the proposed license transfer. Comments should be sent in writing to the UCC House, Plot 42–44 Spring Road, Bugolobi, or emailed to epailicensing@ucc.co.ug within the 14-day comment period.

This consultation is a crucial step before UCC decides whether to approve the transfer of control, potentially clearing the way for Canal+’s full integration of MultiChoice into its pan-African operations.