What Multichoice, Canal + deal means

This is the French media company's largest transaction

- Aarti Bhana

French media company Canal+ has acquired the remaining shares of MultiChoice, completing the takeover.

The deal, which began in 2024, became unconditional in September, meaning all the required conditions for the transaction to proceed had been met.

“The acquisition of MCG [MultiChoice] by Canal+ marks the largest transaction ever undertaken by Canal+, cementing the combined group’s position as a global media and entertainment company,” the companies said in a joint statement.

“The combined group will serve more than 40 million subscribers across close to 70 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, supported by a workforce of approximately 17 000 employees.”

The companies have also committed to a package of public interest measures for the local market. These include supporting firms controlled by historically disadvantaged people and small, micro and medium enterprises in the local audiovisual sector and maintaining funding for local general entertainment and sports content produced by South Africans.

Subscription and billing arrangements will remain the same for MultiChoice customers.