Canal+ Receives Conditional Approval from South Africa’s Competition Commission for MultiChoice Acquisition
French broadcaster Canal+ has achieved a significant regulatory milestone in its strategic expansion across Africa. The South African Competition Commission has recommended approval of Canal+’s bid to acquire MultiChoice Group Limited, subject to certain conditions. The deal now advances to the Competition Tribunal for final clearance.
The Competition Commission’s conclusion states that “the proposed transaction is unlikely to significantly reduce or prevent competition in any relevant market.”
“This is a major step forward in our ambition to create a global media and entertainment company with Africa at its heart,” said Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada in a joint statement with MultiChoice.
This acquisition underscores Canal+’s commitment to strengthening its international presence amid increasing competition from global streaming services. MultiChoice, a leading broadcaster in English and Portuguese-speaking regions across Africa, remains a highly strategic asset for Canal+.
Currently, Canal+ owns more than 41% of MultiChoice and aims for full control of the company, which has approximately 19.3 million subscribers as of March 2025. Despite losing four million subscribers between 2023 and 2025, MultiChoice continues to be one of the continent’s most influential broadcasters.
With approximately 9.7 million subscribers in Africa and Asia at the end of 2024, Canal+ anticipates that the merger will unlock synergies across content distribution, expand subscriber reach, and enhance regional market integration.
The approval comes at a critical juncture for Canal+, which is navigating domestic challenges in France, including the suspension of its C8 channel. The acquisition is part of a broader strategic shift towards international growth, especially in emerging markets with high growth potential.
