ABUJA, July 24, 2025 – The Competition Commission of South Africa has officially approved French media giant Canal+’s proposed acquisition of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, paving the way for one of the biggest media mergers in Africa.
The greenlight follows months of review and regulatory scrutiny, during which Canal+ increased its stake in MultiChoice to over 40 percent. The approval marks a significant milestone in Canal+’s ambition to consolidate its presence across the African continent by integrating MultiChoice’s widespread satellite and digital TV operations into its global media portfolio.
With MultiChoice commanding over 22 million subscribers across Sub-Saharan Africa, the acquisition will see Canal+ assume control of the continent’s most extensive pay-TV network, including its popular DStv and GOtv brands, SuperSport channels, and Showmax streaming service.
While the regulatory body imposed certain public interest conditions—including maintaining local content investment, protecting jobs, and preserving African languages in programming—analysts say the merger could unlock broader access to capital, technology, and content innovation across African markets.
Industry experts anticipate that the deal could reshape the African broadcasting landscape, introducing more competitive content offerings, enhanced viewer experiences, and potentially more affordable subscription models in the long term.
The merger is expected to be finalized later this year, pending compliance with outstanding regulatory and financial conditions.