French media conglomerate, Canal+, has officially acquired full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the South African broadcasting giant behind DStv and GOtv, in a landmark $3 billion( about N3.3trillion) deal that was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal yesterday. (July 23, 2025).
The deal, which marks one of the biggest media acquisitions on the African continent, signals a major shift in the region’s broadcasting landscape.
With MultiChoice operating in over 50 African countries and reaching millions of households, the move gives Canal+ unprecedented influence over content, pricing, and access to media across sub-Saharan Africa.
In a statement following the approval, Canal+ confirmed that the headquarters of MultiChoice would remain in South Africa, but many observers anticipate operational and structural changes in the coming months.
While the acquisition is being hailed in some quarters as a vote of confidence in Africa’s media market, it has also sparked unease over the implications of foreign ownership — particularly from France, a country increasingly viewed with suspicion in several parts of Africa due to its historical and ongoing influence in the region.
Critics warn that the deal could deepen concerns over media independence and cultural sovereignty.
“This essentially means that millions of Africans will have their media consumption shaped by a company headquartered in Paris,” said one media analyst. “And that comes at a time when anti-French sentiments are growing sharply across the continent.
”Indeed, France’s post-colonial presence in West and Central Africa has faced strong backlash in recent years. Countries as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have expelled French troops and institutions, accusing France of exploiting its political and economic influence under the guise of partnership and security.
Some civil society groups have already begun voicing concerns that Canal+ might leverage its new ownership to promote pro-French narratives or sideline local content in favour of Western programming.
Despite these fears, Canal+ has said it remained committed to supporting local productions and maintaining MultiChoice’s strong African identity.
However, with regulatory approval secured and ownership fully transferred, all eyes are now on how the media landscape — and public perception — will evolve under Canal+’s leadership.
