• Canal+ receives conditional approval from South Africa’s Competition Commission

• Acquisition targets expansion in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa

• Canal+ currently holds 41% of MultiChoice and aims for full control

French broadcaster Canal+ has secured a key regulatory green light in its bid to acquire MultiChoice Group Limited, following the South African Competition Commission’s recommendation to approve the deal, subject to conditions. The matter now moves to the Competition Tribunal for final clearance.

The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction is unlikely to significantly reduce or prevent competition in any relevant market.

"This is a major step forward in our ambition to create a global media and entertainment company with Africa at its heart," said Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada in a joint statement with MultiChoice.

The deal marks a critical move for Canal+, which seeks to strengthen its international position amid rising competition from global streaming services. MultiChoice holds a leading market share across English and Portuguese-speaking regions in Africa, making it a strategic acquisition target for Canal+.

The French group, a subsidiary of Vivendi, already owns more than 41% of MultiChoice. If the acquisition proceeds as planned, Canal+ will fully acquire an operator with 19.3 million subscribers as of March 2025. Although MultiChoice lost four million subscribers between 2023 and 2025, it remains one of the continent’s most influential broadcasters.

For Canal+, which reported approximately 9.7 million subscribers in Africa and Asia at the end of 2024, the merger is expected to unlock synergies across content distribution, subscriber reach, and regional market integration.

The approval also comes at a pivotal moment for Canal+, which is contending with challenges in its domestic French market, including the suspension of its C8 channel. The acquisition would reinforce its strategic pivot toward international growth, particularly in high-potential emerging markets.