MultiChoice has formally become a wholly owned subsidiary of French media company Canal+, completing a landmark acquisition that brings one of Africa’s largest pay television operators under the control of a global media group with operations spanning 70 countries.

The move marks a significant milestone in the consolidation of Africa’s media and entertainment industry, positioning MultiChoice to leverage Canal+’s international scale, financial resources and content capabilities as competition intensifies across the continent’s broadcasting and streaming markets.

Announcing the completion of the integration on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer of Canal+ Africa and MultiChoice, David Mignot, said the transaction ushers the South Africa-based broadcaster into a new phase of growth as part of a global media organisation.

“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries.

The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mignot said in a statement.

The acquisition combines Canal+’s international operations with MultiChoice’s established footprint across sub-Saharan Africa, where the company reaches millions of households through its DStv and GOtv satellite and digital terrestrial television platforms, as well as its streaming service, Showmax.

The deal is viewed as a strategic bet on Africa’s growing demand for premium entertainment and digital content, despite economic headwinds that have pressured consumer spending and weighed on subscription television operators in several key markets.

Canal+ said the integration would strengthen MultiChoice’s competitive position by providing access to the group’s broader expertise, technology, content partnerships and operational capabilities while reinforcing its long-term commitment to Africa.

The combined business is expected to deepen investment in local content production, sports broadcasting and streaming services, areas that have become increasingly important as global platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ expand their presence on the continent.

For MultiChoice, the transaction also offers greater access to international markets and resources at a time when traditional pay television operators are adapting to rapid shifts in consumer viewing habits and growing competition from digital-first platforms.

Canal+, which has steadily expanded its presence in Africa over the past decade, now gains full control of a business operating in more than 45 African countries, significantly strengthening its position as one of the continent’s largest media and entertainment groups.

The acquisition follows Canal+’s gradual build-up of its stake in MultiChoice, which began in 2024. After increasing its shareholding beyond the regulatory threshold, Canal+ launched a mandatory offer in April 2024 to acquire the remaining shares of the Johannesburg-listed broadcaster.

Following regulatory approvals and shareholder acceptance, Canal+ secured control of MultiChoice in 2025 before completing the process that has now made the African broadcaster a full subsidiary of the global media group.

The transaction ranks among the most significant media deals involving an African company and reflects a broader global industry push towards consolidation as entertainment companies seek greater scale to compete in the streaming era.