Canal+ clinches MultiChoice in R55bn mega deal – what it means for Africa’s media future.
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GUEST - Mudiwa Gavaza - business writer for the Business Day and Financial Mail
French media giant Canal+ has finally sealed its R55-billion takeover of MultiChoice, creating a broadcasting and streaming powerhouse with more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries. The deal, years in the making, wasn’t just about cheques and shareholder votes – it required a complex LicenceCo structure to satisfy South African regulators on foreign ownership.
So, what does this merger mean for MultiChoice shareholders, for Phuthuma Nathi investors who overwhelmingly backed the deal, and for ordinary viewers worried about SuperSport, Showmax and the cost of content?
French media giant Canal+ has finally sealed its R55-billion takeover of MultiChoice, creating a broadcasting and streaming powerhouse with more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries. The deal, years in the making, wasn’t just about cheques and shareholder votes – it required a complex LicenceCo structure to satisfy South African regulators on foreign ownership.
So, what does this merger mean for MultiChoice shareholders, for Phuthuma Nathi investors who overwhelmingly backed the deal, and for ordinary viewers worried about SuperSport, Showmax and the cost of content?
