Canal+ has finalized a $2 billion acquisition of South African media giant MultiChoice, aiming to create a global media powerhouse serving over 40 million subscribers across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Following the deal, Canal+ is committed to investing heavily in local African content, highlighting popular productions like 'Shaka iLembe' and 'Spinners' as part of its growth strategy on the continent.

The acquisition signifies Canal+'s focus on doubling down on African hits and expanding its regional content portfolio, with plans to support local creators and maintain local funding for entertainment and sports.

The deal was approved by the South African Competition Tribunal in late July, with completion expected by October 8, and was finalized on September 22, 2025, leading to the appointment of a new board for MultiChoice.

The takeover's completion marked the formation of a new leadership team based in Johannesburg, including the appointment of David Mignot as CEO of MultiChoice and Canal+ Africa, emphasizing strategic shifts.

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada described this as the company's largest transaction, with the new leadership aiming to expand African operations, which will continue to be led by local Africans, and to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange after the deal.

Further details about ownership stakes and listing plans are expected to be announced after October 7, as part of Canal+'s broader strategy to expand its presence in Africa and globally.

Mignot, overseeing a portfolio of 100 TV channels and 10,000 hours of content annually, committed to increasing investment in local African content to support growth, though specific figures remain undisclosed.

Saada emphasized that the new group's leadership combines good governance with sustainable growth, and clarified that African operations will continue to be led by Africans, with no plans to introduce local news channels but a focus on entertainment and sports.

Industry analysts see this move as a significant step in consolidating media influence across Africa, potentially impacting local competitors and reshaping the global media landscape.

The deal was approved by South African regulators with conditions to support local entertainment and sports content, given minimal territorial overlap, as Canal+ operates in 50 countries including several in Africa.

Canal+ had launched a public takeover offer for MultiChoice in early 2024, already holding a 46% stake, valuing the company at around 2.5 billion euros with an offer of 125 rands per share.

Africa remains a strategic market for Canal+, which has been operating there for over 30 years and considers it more promising than Europe due to rapid growth and increasing competition, employing approximately 17,000 people.