{"id":17885,"date":"2025-07-24T12:53:44","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T10:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=17885"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:11:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:11:35","slug":"acquisition-approved-multichoice-canal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/acquisition-approved-multichoice-canal\/","title":{"rendered":"MultiChoice Acquisition Approved: Canal+ Deal Valued at R53 Billion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-multichoice-acquisition-by-canal-approved-a-major-milestone-in-african-media\" data-level=\"2\">MultiChoice Acquisition by Canal+ Approved: A Major Milestone in African Media<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-deal-overview\" data-level=\"2\">Deal Overview<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-a-new-era\" data-level=\"2\">A New Era<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-multichoice-acquisition-by-canal-approved-a-major-milestone-in-african-media\">MultiChoice Acquisition by Canal+ Approved: A Major Milestone in African Media<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa&#8217;s <strong>Competition Tribunal<\/strong> recently made history for Africa&#8217;s media landscape. They conditionally approved French media giant <strong>Canal+&#8217;s purchase<\/strong> of <strong>MultiChoice<\/strong>, the continent&#8217;s leading pay-TV operator. <strong>Valued at approximately R55 billion<\/strong>, this deal promises to completely transform Africa&#8217;s entertainment and media sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3778480440\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-deal-overview\">Deal Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Offer &amp; Valuation<\/strong>: Canal+ offered <strong>R125 per share<\/strong>, valuing MultiChoice at <strong>R55 billion<\/strong> (approximately <strong>$2 billion<\/strong>). <a href=\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadcasting\/586152-multichoice-ceo-upbeat-about-r55-billion-deal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This offer<\/a> includes about <strong>R30 billion in cash<\/strong> for the remaining shares, with Canal+ already owning <strong>over 45%<\/strong> of MultiChoice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulatory Approval<\/strong>: Following a positive recommendation from the <strong>Competition Commission<\/strong> in May 2025, the <strong>Competition Tribunal<\/strong> granted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bizcommunity.com\/article\/french-media-giant-canal-can-acquire-multichoice-with-conditions-695751a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">conditional approval<\/a> on <strong>23 July 2025<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Conditions &amp; Public-Interest Commitments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The approval comes with several important conditions that reflect a strong commitment to the public interest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>No retrenchments<\/strong> related to the merger for <strong>three years<\/strong>, ensuring job security for employees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Majority ownership<\/strong> of the <strong>South African broadcasting licence entity (LicenceCo)<\/strong> by <strong>historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs)<\/strong> and <strong>workers<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadcasting\/586152-multichoice-ceo-upbeat-about-r55-billion-deal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This move<\/a> complies with South Africa&#8217;s <strong>Electronic Communications Act<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A commitment of <strong>R26\u201330 billion<\/strong> over three years for investment in <strong>local content<\/strong>, <strong>supplier development<\/strong>, <strong>skills training<\/strong>, <strong>sports projects<\/strong>. Additionally, the inclusion of <strong>HDPs<\/strong> and <strong>SMMEs<\/strong> in the industry is <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/824974\/dstv-owner-scores-huge-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">part of the deal<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>continued operation and HQ in South Africa<\/strong>, with a <strong>secondary listing<\/strong> on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) within <strong>nine months<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news24.com\/citypress\/business\/competition-tribunal-conditionally-approves-canal-multichoice-merger-20250723-0667\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">post-merger<\/a>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2117450879\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strategic Vision &amp; Market Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pan-African Integration<\/strong>: This acquisition solidifies Canal+\u2019s position in <strong>English-speaking African markets<\/strong>. By leveraging MultiChoice\u2019s vast <strong>DStv<\/strong> network and <strong>Showmax<\/strong> platform. Canal+ is preparing to <a href=\"https:\/\/technext24.com\/2025\/07\/23\/canal-multichoice-acquisition-approved\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tighten its grip<\/a> on the African entertainment market.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Competitive Edge<\/strong>: The merger enables the newly combined entity to better compete with global streaming giants like <strong>Netflix<\/strong>, <strong>Disney+<\/strong> and <strong>Amazon<\/strong>. This will create a powerful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/canal-gets-conditional-approval-multichoice-takeover-2025-07-23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cross-border media player<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial Resilience &amp; Growth Prospects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Subscriber Base<\/strong>: MultiChoice has an extensive <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MultiChoice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">19\u201320 million households<\/a><\/strong> across <strong>DStv<\/strong>, <strong>GOtv<\/strong>, and <strong>Showmax<\/strong>. However, there is a slight decline in some markets, like <strong>Nigeria<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Solid Financial Position<\/strong>: MultiChoice builds its strong performance on premium content rights, especially in <strong>sports<\/strong> and <strong>entertainment<\/strong>.. This is alongside a <a href=\"https:\/\/techcentral.co.za\/multichoice-sale-canal-major-hurdle\/263958\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">strategic focus<\/a> on <strong>African storytelling<\/strong>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1790274812\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timeline &amp; Regulatory Compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Deadline Extension<\/strong>: The parties have extended the long-stop date for meeting all merger conditions to <strong>8 October 2025<\/strong>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>LicenceCo Restructuring<\/strong>: To comply with South African law limiting foreign ownership in broadcasters&#8230; MultiChoice\u2019s South African license entity will be <a href=\"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadcasting\/586152-multichoice-ceo-upbeat-about-r55-billion-deal.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spun off<\/a> into <strong>LicenceCo<\/strong>. This entity will be majority-owned by HDPs, with Canal+ holding minority and voting rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implications for South African Audiences &amp; Creators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This acquisition has significant implications for local content and media creators:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Investment in Local Content<\/strong>: Expect a greater focus on local productions, reflecting more African stories and talent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Job Security<\/strong>: The merger guarantees job protection for employees for three years, offering stability in an ever-changing media environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased HDP and SMME Participation<\/strong>: The merger is expected to provide more opportunities for historically disadvantaged individuals (HDPs) and small businesses. They can now play an active role in the media and entertainment sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Want to understand what\u2019s fueling inflation? Dive into<\/em> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/inflation-increase-june-2025-stats-sa\/\">Stats SA: Food and Housing Push Inflation Up to 3% in June<\/a><\/strong>. <em>Uncover the numbers behind rising costs and how it affects your wallet. Click to read the full analysis.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1503220388\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-new-era\">A New Era<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Canal+&#8217;s R55 billion acquisition of MultiChoice marks an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/africa\/canal-gets-conditional-approval-multichoice-takeover-2025-07-23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">historic moment<\/a> for African media. <strong>LicenceCo is guaranteed local ownership<\/strong>. Meanwhile Canal+ <a href=\"https:\/\/fastcompany.co.za\/tech\/2025-05-22-canal-and-multichoice-merger-gets-green-light-from-competition-commission-with-crucial-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commits to significant<\/a> public-interest investments. If Canal+ and MultiChoice meet all merger conditions by October 2025, they will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptrib.co.za\/info-library\/case-press-releases\/competition-tribunal-approves-canal-and-multichoice-merger-with-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pave the way<\/a> for creating an empowered, inclusive, and competitive media landscape across Africa. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa&#8217;s Competition Tribunal approved Canal+&#8217;s R53 billion acquisition of MultiChoice, ensuring support for local content and HDP businesses in a landmark media merger set to transform African entertainment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":17951,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved Canal+'s R53 billion acquisition of MultiChoice, ensuring support for local content and HDP businesses in a landmark media merger set to transform African entertainment.","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[1794,3756,6430,1229,664,6668],"class_list":{"0":"post-17885","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-entertainment-biz","10":"tag-entertainment-industry-south-africa","11":"tag-multichoice","12":"tag-smmes","13":"tag-south-african-media-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17885"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17998,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17885\/revisions\/17998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}