MultiChoice, the force behind DStv, now belongs to Canal+. The French media company made it official on July 10, 2026, after years of chasing the deal.
David Mignot — CEO of Canal+ Africa and MultiChoice — confirmed the integration is complete, saying it puts the South African broadcaster on track for sustained growth. ‘MultiChoice is now a fully owned subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries,’ he said. Canal+, founded in France and listed on both the London and Johannesburg exchanges, already operates across more than 45 African countries.
Canal+ started small, gradually buying up shares in Johannesburg-listed MultiChoice. Once it crossed the mandatory regulatory threshold, the French company made a formal offer for the remaining publicly held shares. It had already been calling the shots operationally for the past year, but the final regulatory approvals — and the last of the equity transfers — only wrapped up recently.
The financial framework of the deal was based on a buyout offer of US$7.66 per share for public investors and pension funds on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, a figure well above the normal trading price. As MultiChoice has approximately 442.5 million shares, this price implies a total company valuation of US$3 billion. However, since Canal+ had already acquired about 45% of the company over the years, it ultimately spent around US$1.9 billion to secure total ownership.
The timing isn’t easy, as African pay-TV firms are under pressure, households cut back amid rising living costs, and streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime continue to expand across the continent. Joining forces with Canal+ changes MultiChoice’s position — it’s no longer just a regional player but part of a global network with real leverage in negotiating content deals.
With this partnership, MultiChoice gets the financial backing it needs to ride out economic pressure without cutting services. Canal+ is also planning to invest more in Showmax and place greater focus on local African content, which should help it gain a firmer grip on African markets — and give viewers a better lineup in the process.
