22 September 2025 marked a historic moment for Africa’s broadcasting industry. French entertainment giant CANAL+ announced that its mandatory takeover offer for the shares of MultiChoice Group it did not already own has become unconditional, with all regulatory approvals secured. The deal gives CANAL+ effective control of MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator, and sets the stage for the integration of the two companies. Together, they will serve more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries, creating one of the world’s largest media and entertainment groups.
The Road to Effective Control
CANAL+ has steadily built its stake in MultiChoice, the company behind household names such as DStv, GOtv, Showmax, SuperSport, and M-Net. The approval of its mandatory takeover offer represents the culmination of years of investment and negotiations. With the acquisition now complete, CANAL+ will consolidate its position in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa, regions where MultiChoice has long dominated.
The French company described the milestone as the beginning of an ambitious integration process, designed to merge the strengths of both groups and position the new entity as a global media powerhouse.
What CANAL+ Brings to the Table
Founded in France 40 years ago as a subscription TV channel, CANAL+ has evolved into a worldwide audiovisual leader. The group counts 26.9 million subscribers, 400 million monthly streaming users, and operations in 52 countries. Employing over 9,000 people, CANAL+ holds market-leading pay-TV positions in 20 of those countries. Its activities span the entire audiovisual value chain, from content production and broadcast to distribution and aggregation.
This depth gives CANAL+ unique advantages in economies of scale, innovation, and content variety. It will now combine these capabilities with MultiChoice’s deep roots in African markets and expertise in local content creation.
Inside CANAL+ Group: A Snapshot of Subsidiaries
The takeover of MultiChoice is underpinned by a broad portfolio of subsidiaries and equity stakes that give CANAL+ reach far beyond television broadcasting.
Why Weekends No Longer Mean Stalled Business - dfcu’s Weekend Agent Float Loan Is Transforming Uganda.STUDIOCANAL is one of Europe’s most prominent film and television studios, producing and distributing content globally and holding the rights to thousands of titles. Dailymotion, its video-sharing platform, reaches 400 million monthly users with proprietary technology for streaming and advertising. Thema specializes in creating and distributing diverse international channels, while GVA (Group Vivendi Africa) and CANAL+ Telecom extend the group’s footprint into telecommunications across Africa and French overseas territories.
Beyond media and telecoms, CANAL+ also owns iconic Parisian venues such as L’Olympia and Théâtre de l’Œuvre, reinforcing its cultural brand identity. Strategically, it holds equity stakes in Viaplay, Scandinavia’s pay-TV leader, and Viu, a fast-growing ad-supported video platform in Southern Asia. The full control of MultiChoice now secures its dominance in Africa.
A New Era for African Viewers
For African audiences, the integration of CANAL+ and MultiChoice promises a richer and more varied content offering. MultiChoice has built its reputation on strong local programming, from Nollywood films and South African drama series to comprehensive sports coverage through SuperSport. CANAL+ brings global studios, streaming innovation, and a vast international library of content.
This combination could expand access to French, English, Portuguese, and even Asian entertainment, while boosting investment in original African productions. The partnership of Showmax and myCANAL platforms is expected to deliver stronger streaming options to a fast-growing digital audience.
Looking Ahead
The acquisition cements CANAL+ as a continental media powerhouse, extending its influence across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Yet, the move also raises questions around content sovereignty, cultural preservation, and competition in markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Uganda. Regulators and consumers alike will watch closely to see how the company balances global scale with local relevance.
For Vincent Bolloré’s CANAL+, this is both the end of an era of patient investment and the beginning of a new chapter. With effective control achieved, the company is betting that the combination of international scale and local storytelling will define the future of entertainment across Africa and beyond.
