Big plans for DStv in South Africa

While DStv subscribers will not notice any immediate change after Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, the French media giant has big plans for the service in South Africa.

Over time, the companies will aim to provide DStv subscribers with more local African content, series, sports, and superior value for money.

This comes after Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice became unconditional on 22 September 2025, following months of restructuring and approvals from the relevant authorities.

Formed in South Africa in 1985, MultiChoice has since grown to the biggest pay-TV provider on the continent.

French media giant Canal+ has steadily increased its stake in MultiChoice over the past few years.

When it hit the 35% threshold at the beginning of 2024, a mandatory buyout offer was triggered. After some back-and-forth, Canal+ offered R125 per share, valuing the company at around R55 billion.

When this deal was first struck, many questioned why Canal+ would be interested in a company whose financials had been in decline for years. 

MultiChoice had been haemorrhaging cash yet struggling to show real growth. At the same time, it was losing DStv subscribers and struggling to gain traction with its Showmax offering. 

In addition, South African laws regarding foreign ownership of commercial broadcasting services would require Canal+ to jump through multiple regulatory hurdles to make the deal happen.

However, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada recently explained that this deal is exciting, as the “African story” means the two companies now have 1.2 billion people to address, with this number set to reach 2 billion in the next three decades.

MultiChoice’s dominance and reach on the continent make it highly attractive to Canal+, which is looking to expand its influence in the African market.

“The economic growth is, of course, much greater than it is in Europe, and then there is the penetration of electricity in a number of countries, which, as you know, is progressing fast,” Saada told CNBC.

“So when you take into account these three dynamics – demographics, economics and electricity – I believe the growth story is amazing.”

He added that combining the two companies, with Canal+ having operated in Europe and Africa for many years and MultiChoice being the African leader, will deliver tremendous value to all stakeholders.

He said the two companies combined will have close to 25 million customers in Africa. Saada believes this deal will make them the biggest broadcaster on the continent and in the world.

What subscribers can expect

Canal+ told Daily Investor that the company is now focused on integrating Canal+ and MultiChoice as quickly as possible to benefit DStv’s subscribers. 

The company explained that current subscribers will not notice any immediate change in terms of offers, services, or content, which will all remain the same.

“But over time, we look forward to providing them with greater local African content, series and local sport and superior value-for-money,” the company said.

Saada also recently told The Money Show that, while MultiChoice has faced significant headwinds over the past few years, it still holds the assets that make it an attractive business.

He specifically highlighted the company’s content production and sports relationships with brands like SuperSport.

“What we’re going to do is combine these forces with those of Canal+ to really bring the best of both worlds and the best available content on the planet to African subscribers,” he said.

Saada explained that, with the two companies combined, they will have more than 40 million subscribers over 70 countries, 40 of which are in Africa. They will also have 17,000 team members, half of whom will be based in Africa.

“So we are really set to establish this new company as the absolute best value proposition with the best user experience to all African consumers,” he said.

“And we will join forces and bring the best content from both companies to our consumers all across geographies. And we intend to do this as quickly as possible.”

He added that David Mignot, who was recently announced as the CEO of Canal+ Africa, will endeavour to make this a reality for African consumers as soon as the end of this year.