Could Canal+'s MultiChoice Be Hinting At A Grim Future For Warner Bros. Discovery?

Warner Bros. Discovery serves as MultiChoice's largest entertainment provider behind BBC Studios, Disney, NBCUniversal and Paramount. It provides shows like House Of Dragons to M-Net alongside cable networks like Discovery Channel, CNN and Cartoon Network.

The fate of this offering now hangs in the balance as MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery struggle to finalise to a new agreement. Aside from Paramount's 4 channels, consumers stand a chance of losing an additional 12 channels bringing to 16 channels.

A petition had been going around in order to try and save these channels. Because let's face it within this 12 everyone has a favourite and some have even threatened to cancel their subscription.

MultiChoice was asked what they're next grand plan would be if the 12 channels were axed and of course it would be replacing them. But none of the content viewed on Cartoon Network or TLC would make it which is what consumers are paying for.

So now they're extending the DStv Upsize promotion to 31 January 2026. Not as a thank you for being a loyal subscriber but rather a way for them to say we're screwed without these channels.

Consumers missing out on Cartoon Network would have Disney Channel and Nickelodeon to keep occupied. Those missing out on AEW on TNT would have access to live episodes of Raw and SmackDown alongside PPV events.

This is all until 31 January 2026 which would give them ample time to find replacements. If I'm being honest here, there's a 50/50 chance that all 12 channels will be exiting or maybe 4-6 get retained.

According to insiders, talks between them aren't looking good so consumers should expect something major to get axed. This is why there's talks of replacements and for Paramount's brands which are definitely exiting aren't getting replaced.

Canal+ Acquires Remaining Stake In MultiChoice Following A Squeeze Out

Multichoice will officially delist from the JSE this week following its acquisition by French media giant Canal+. 

Canal+ has been attempting to acquire control of Multichoice for nearly two years and has now acquired all the remaining shares following a Squeeze-Out of other shareholders. 

The group will not delist the ordinary shares of Multichoice from the JSE and the A2X, effective Wednesday, 10 December 2025. 

This is subject to obtaining regulatory approvals from the JSE, the A2X, and the South Africa Reserve Bank. 

Canal+ said it remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the conditions set by the South African competition authorities. 

It thus intends to proceed with a secondary inward listing on the JSE within 9 months following the effective date of the delisting.

This aligns with the timetable and procedures envisaged in the relevant regulatory approvals.

The move marks a major change for Multichoice, with the company’s history dating back to 1985, when M-Net was founded. 

With Supersport part of its catalogue, Multichoice was launched in 1995. DStv launched its first satellite service that same year. 

The company would continue to expand into other African markets and launch its own streaming service, Showmax, in 2015. 

In 2019, Multichoice was spun out of South Africa’s most valuable company, Naspers. 

Soon after, its shares began trading on the A2X Markets on a secondary basis on Monday, March 2, 2020

The recent acquisition by Canal+ means that South African investors can no longer own a direct stake in Multichoice, and will only be able to own an indirect stake when Canal+ lists.

"There Are A Variety Of Other Channels That Contain Similar Content", MultiChoice On The Closures Of MTV Base, BET, CBS Reality And CBS Justice On DStv

As reported moments ago, CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET and MTV Base will be exiting DStv soon due to a corporate restructure at Paramount. For DStv consumers particularly high end subscribers that are hoping to be compensated there no plans to replace these channels.

MultiChoice when asked about the matter pertaining to BET and MTV Base 

"There are a variety of other channels that contain similar content, such as Sound City, Channel O, Trace Urban or Trace Africa for music, or Mzansi Magic, M-Net, Bravo, and Movie Room for viewers who prefer series and movie entertainment.”

MultiChoice when asked about the matter pertaining to shows like Judge Judy on CBS Reality 

"Customers can continue to enjoy a wide range of local and international reality and investigative content across our bouquet of channels.”

However the fact that MultiChoice has no workaround to such doesn't mean there won't be one eventually. Best guess here is that MultiChoice will be widening the reach certain channels within 2026.

For MTV Base, this could as well be Trace Africa to DStv Access but like MultiChoice has stated there's plenty of channels for local music. There's been an increase in online usage for platforms like Spotify which partially contributed to the channel's demise.

For CBS Reality, this could as well be the additions of Discovery Family to DStv Access or Curiosity Channel to DStv Family subscribers. As highlighted, there's a wide range of local and international reality and investigative content.

Lastly for other DStv consumers, MultiChoice had been part of a corporate buyout by French broadcaster Canal+. Through its sub division, Canal+ Afrique had boasted about 4000 hours of African content which is currently being integrated with MultiChoice. 

From 9 December, MultiChoice will be adding Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka, Maboke and Zacu TV currently seen on Canal+ Afrique to DStv. These channels form part of 4000 hours content slate the company is introducing in select African markets.

New Channel Alert: Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka And Maboke Coming Soon To DStv

During the month, it was reported that MultiChoice would be adding Rwandan based channel Zacu TV to the DStv platform. This forms part of Canal+'s integration plans with MultiChoice following its acquisition of the company a few months ago.

DStv consumers will soon have access to more African based programming with the additions of Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka And Maboke. Currently seen on Canal+ Afrique, the channels will be made available to DStv consumers in select markets by 9 December.

Sunu Yeuf is operated by Senegalese production company Marodi TV, one of the major players in the creation of series in Africa. These include Pod & Marichou, Maitresse D'un Homme Marié (Mistress Of A Married Man) and Karma.

Pulaagu is a general entertainment channel offering series in Pulaar/Fulfulde, highlighting the customs and traditions of the Fulbe with cult, recent, and unpublished series like Hakkee Rewbe, Thierno Abou and Jamano (Cultural Epic).

Mandeka is a general entertainment channel that focuses on 100% African content, specifically films and series in the Bambara and Malinke languages. It offers a variety of programs, including dramas like Polygamie and N' Khele. 

Maboke is a general entertainment channel which broadcasts solely in Lingala which is widely spoken in Congo. The programming focuses on local productions such as Chez Coco, Bilombe Ya Basi, and Tribunal Ya Bolingo.

Canal+ And SuperSport To Broadcast AFCON In More Than 40 Countries Across Africa

CANAL+ is proud to announce that its MultiChoice subsidiary, SuperSport, has secured broadcast rights for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025™ (TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025™) for English and Portuguese-speaking African countries.

When the 35th edition of the tournament kicks off in Morocco on 21 December 2025, CANAL+ will become the first global broadcaster to bring viewers the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025™, the massive African football showpiece, in French, English, Portuguese and local indigenous languages.

It means the broadcaster will offer CANAL+ and SuperSport viewers the most comprehensive football viewing experience that any sports broadcaster has ever managed to accomplish for Africa’s greatest football competition.

The group made the announcement on 06 November 2025 that SuperSport has concluded a broadcast rights deal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the right to broadcast the tournament in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan African territories.

CANAL+ Africa CEO, David Mignot, said: “CANAL+ Africa CEO, David Mignot, said: “Our newly-formed merger with the MultiChoice Group has already unlocked opportunities and benefits for our customers. And this year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is a great demonstration of the power and potential of this common ambition: bringing together our expertise to offer unprecedented coverage.

"Moreover, broadcasting this competition in different languages is a strong way to build closeness with our viewers. For all these reasons, our subscribers will be part of the most spectacular celebration of African football."

CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, said: “This is an exciting day for CAF and for African football. When the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations takes place in Morocco in December, Africans everywhere — on the continent and across the diaspora — will be watching with pride. Millions will follow the games on television, celebrating the best that African football has to offer.

“In Ivory Coast, the last AFCON attracted approximately 1.5 billion viewers globally. We anticipate that this edition will be an even greater success, reaching new audiences and inspiring the world once again. When 180 nations express interest in broadcasting AFCON, it is proof that the world is excited about African football.”

CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, said: “[CAF to insert quote]”[SM1]

Rendani Ramovha, Director of Sport Content English and Portuguese-speaking Africa for MultiChoice, (a CANAL+ company), said: “We are especially proud to be able to bring the story of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025™, live to all our viewers in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan African territories.

"SuperSport has been the preferred choice for millions of passionate fans across the continent, and this tournament won’t be different, as we will have a dedicated SuperSport AFCON channel.

“As part of the CANAL+ Group, we can take that viewing experience to another level, which means people can expect more compelling viewing, brought to them in a language of their choice. It is truly poised to be a celebration of African glory.”

Viewers will be able to view SuperSport’s coverage of Morocco 25 on DStv and GOtv, while CANAL+ subscribers will enjoy the action on CANAL+ Sport and on demand using the CANAL+ app.

In Nigeria and surrounding regions, fans can enjoy the matches in English or Pidgin, while Swahili is available in East African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. In Angola, South Africa and Mozambique, fans have become accustomed to enjoying the beautiful game in Portuguese on SuperSport, which will be available during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025™.

South Africans, meanwhile, will also enjoy games in isiZulu and Setswana on top of the standard English and Portuguese commentary.

CANAL+ and SuperSport’s coverage of the tournament will include stellar line-ups of star analysts, commentators, presenters and African football legends, who will bring their unique takes on the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025™.

Hundreds of millions of viewers can see their favourite African heroes in action, including the likes of Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).

Thema Rebrands As Canal+ Distribution

Thema, the Canal+ Group company specialising in channel and content distribution, is adopting a new name: Canal+ Distribution.

The rebrand aligns the unit more closely with its parent and, according to the company, won’t change its mission to curate international programming and connect audiences across borders. It follows more than two decades of activity building agile distribution partnerships worldwide.

In a statement, Patrick Rivet, CEO, Canal+ Distribution said viewing tastes are shifting toward distinctive formats and “surprising narratives” from around the globe. Backed by the wider CANAL+ footprint — 40 million subscribers in 70+ countries— the unit will continue to source and package content both from its own portfolio and through long-standing alliances.

The company also thanked partners for their support, stressing that existing relationships and services remain in place following the name change.

Canal first agreed to buy a majority stake in Thema on October 28, 2014 (via Canal+ Overseas). It then completed the takeover to 100% ownership on June 27, 2016.

Canal+ Distribution will be involved in streamlining the delivery of content across various platforms, including traditional satellite (DStv, GOtv) and modern streaming services (Showmax, DStv Stream, MyCanal app), potentially leading to a unified "super app" in the future.

Why Canal+ Wants To Acquire Comcast's Stake In Showmax?

Canal+ plans to roll out a “super app” as MultiChoice becomes wholly owned by the company which would combine DStv and Showmax's operations. Even offer content from third party platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Although, Canal+ had stated they had no intention of closing Showmax this super app might be their way of gradually phasing out the brand. They aren't pleased with the notion that MultiChoice would launch a platform that would rival with DStv.

Aside from Showmax, the combined company would also be operating DStv Stream, Canal+ app and VIU. They are assessing whether to keep these services separated or merge them hence the super app.

The biggest roadblock to its integration plans would be Comcast's 30% stake in the streamer. Disney had to go back and forth with the company in order to merge with Hulu and Disney+ this is what could await Canal+ in its pursuit for Showmax.

Some outlets had even talked about how Canal+ could potentially sell their stake and I can only assume similar to DStv, the company is optimising for growth. Showmax is the third most used streaming service behind Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, Fabric reports.

As for content, there's a very high possibility that Canal+ will axe and merge Showmax's content slate with that of DStv. They had produced about 4000 hours of African content while MultiChoice had 6000 hours combined they'd have 10,000 hours in a year.

Would Canal+ really need Showmax if they can curate 10,000 hours of content in 20 to 35 languages for DStv alone?

Canal+'s MultiChoice Begins Due Diligence

MultiChoice’s new owner, Canal+ S.A., has reportedly suspended payments to the broadcaster’s suppliers and demanded 20% discounts on invoices as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

According to an insider at the broadcaster who spoke to Business Times, MultiChoice’s procurement head is currently sitting with hundreds of unpaid invoices from suppliers affected by the strategy.

The broadcasting giant said it was part of its efforts over the past two years to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

“This has continued following the completion of the Canal+ merger, and MultiChoice is engaging with suppliers in this regard,” MultiChoice said.

“Managing spend in the business is important to ensure that MultiChoice continues to play a key role in the South African and African broadcasting ecosystem over the long term.”

MultiChoice said these adjustments would allow it to support numerous industries and fulfil its extensive public interest commitments made to the Competition Tribunal.

Those commitments form part of the conditions for Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, which was completed last month.

The conditions include Canal+ procuring local content from historically disadvantaged persons and small businesses.

Competition Commission spokesperson Siya Makunga told Business Times that the commission would investigate whether the acquisition’s conditions had been breached.

Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot previously explained that the French firm did not have access to privileged MultiChoice operational information before the acquisition.

He described the start of Canal+’s due diligence on MultiChoice as “opening the engine,” presumably referring to figuring out what made the broadcaster tick and how it can be optimised.

Mergence Investment Managers’ chief investment officer, Peter Takaendesa, told Business Times that the cost-cutting programme was unsurprising.

“The MultiChoice group is in a difficult financial position, given the large losses and cash burn from the relaunch of Showmax, as well as revenue pressure in its mature South African operations.”

“We also believe the new owners of MultiChoice will be looking to align its operating structures with those of Canal+ over the coming 12–18 months.”

Canal+ Looking To Acquire Comcast's Stake In Showmax

Canal+ is mulling the possibility of buying out the remaining stake in African streaming platform, Showmax, from Comcast Corporation.

According to Bloomberg, this is part of efforts by the French media firm to consolidate its operations on the continent after it bought controlling stakes in Multichoice, the owners of GOtv and DStv, which owns the rest of Showmax.

Currently, the company is working with advisers on the potential purchase of Comcast’s 30 per cent stake in Showmax, which is the largest streaming platform in Africa.

The people familiar with discussions also told the publication that the considerations are preliminary and there’s no guarantee they would lead to a transaction.

Comcast acquired the stake in Showmax from MultiChoice through its NBCUniversal unit in 2023, and relaunched the streaming service last year on its Peacock streaming platform.

An acquisition could offer support to Showmax which competes with other large streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon’s Prime on the continent. Unlike the latter duo, Showmax is only available in Africa with a presence in 44 countries including Nigeria.

Canal+ is moving ahead with its plans for a secondary inward listing on South Africa’s Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) after taking full control of Showmax’s owner MultiChoice last month.

Canal+ now holds 94.39 per cent of MultiChoice’s shares and will acquire the remaining stake under Section 124(1) of South Africa’s Companies Act, which permits compulsory acquisition when an offer has been accepted by shareholders holding more than 90 per cent of target shares.

MultiChoice shares will be suspended from trading on JSE and A2X beginning Monday, October 27, with complete delisting expected on December 10, subject to regulatory approvals.

Remaining MultiChoice shareholders have until December 5 to exercise their rights to apply to a court regarding the acquisition. After this date, Canal+ will proceed with the compulsory purchase at the same terms and consideration as the original offer.

The transaction has received necessary regulatory approvals, including from South Africa’s Financial Surveillance Department.

The payment to remaining shareholders will be made on December 5, with unclaimed funds held in trust according to legal requirements.

4 DStv Channels To Be Added On Canal+ Afrique

Following the completion of its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ had begun the integration process facilitated with this merger and this includes the induction of Ligue 1 on SuperSport. After its subsidiary, Canal+ Afrique secured rights for the sporting event through the 2028-9 season.

Now Canal+ Afrique will be licensing 4 M-Net channels currently exclusive to DStv: Africa Magic Hausa, Africa Magic Yoruba, Maisha Magic East and Maisha Magic Plus.

Africa Magic Hausa (Channel 484)

Focuses on Hausa-language content, primarily from northern Nigeria. Expect Nollywood films, TV series, and cultural programs in Hausa, with English subtitles available. Popular genres include romantic dramas, historical epics, and family-oriented stories, often reflecting northern Nigerian traditions (e.g., series like Sabon Tauraron Arewa).

Africa Magic Yoruba (Channel 485)

Dedicated to Yoruba-language programming, targeting southwestern Nigeria and the Yoruba diaspora. This channel features Nollywood movies, soap operas, and comedies in Yoruba, with English subtitles. It highlights cultural narratives and modern Yoruba lifestyles (e.g., originals like Kukoyi).

Maisha Magic East (Channel 623)

Centers on East African entertainment, with a focus on Swahili-language content from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It includes local dramas, comedies, and reality shows, often with English dubbing or subtitles. Known for series like Selina and family-friendly movies tailored to East African audiences.

Maisha Magic Plus (Channel 624)

An enhanced version of Maisha Magic, offering premium Swahili and English-language programming from East Africa. This channel features high-budget dramas, exclusive movies, and lifestyle shows, appealing to a broader audience with a mix of local and international flair.

Canal+ Looking To List On The JSE After Acquiring Over 90% Stake In MultiChoice

French media giant Groupe Canal+ has all but completed its takeover of MultiChoice, securing 94.39% of the South African pay-TV group’s issued shares following the close of its mandatory offer to shareholders.

The result, announced to investors on Monday, clears the final hurdle for Canal+ to take full ownership of MultiChoice, ending the company’s six-year run as a separately listed company on the JSE.

The offer, which closed on 10 October, was accepted by shareholders holding more than 217.6 million MultiChoice shares, representing about 92.5% of the shares subject to the offer. Combined with the shares Canal+ already held, the French company’s total stake has risen to just under 95%.

Canal+ also confirmed it will follow through on its pledge to undertake a secondary inward listing on the JSE.

Because the offer was accepted by holders of more than 90% of the shares, Canal+ said it will now invoke provisions of South Africa’s Companies Act to acquire the balance of MultiChoice shares at the same R125/share offer price. Once that process is complete, MultiChoice will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Canal+.

The group said it will then apply to have MultiChoice’s listing on the JSE terminated, pending approval from the South African Reserve Bank. Trading in MultiChoice shares will be suspended once notice of the delisting is issued.

Canal+ also confirmed it will follow through on its pledge to undertake a secondary inward listing on the JSE, subject to regulatory approval. The move, promised during the competition approval process, is designed to preserve South African investor access to the combined entity and maintain liquidity in local markets.

“Given the important role Canal+ will now play in South Africa and across the African continent, I believe it to be critically important that domestic investors have the ability to have exposure to a leading media and entertainment company on the JSE,” said Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada.

The company, which will maintain its primary listing in London, said the inward listing “will broaden the investor base, reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to South Africa and Africa’s creative economy, and support continued institutional exposure to the media sector”.

End of an era

The deal marks the largest transaction ever undertaken by Canal+, creating a combined group that will serve more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, supported by a workforce of about 17 000 people.

MultiChoice, which traces its roots to Naspers’s early pay-TV ventures in the 1980s, has been a fixture of the JSE since it was spun off as an independent entity in 2019. Its flagship DStv platform dominates the South African subscription-TV market, though in recent years it has come under pressure from global streaming rivals such as Netflix and Disney+.

Canal+ first disclosed a small shareholding in MultiChoice in 2020 and gradually increased its stake until crossing the 35% threshold earlier this year, triggering a mandatory offer under South African takeover regulations.

After months of regulatory scrutiny – including a detailed review by the Competition Commission and Takeover Regulation Panel – the offer became unconditional in September.

Once a so-called “squeeze-out” is completed, MultiChoice shareholders who did not accept the offer will be compulsorily bought out for cash. MultiChoice will then delist from the JSE, while Canal+ pursues its secondary inward listing in Johannesburg. 

Three DStv Channels Possibly Closing Soon

MultiChoice is set to go undergo further restructure as French conglomerate Canal+ had completed its acquisition of the South African company. The merged company are currently re-evaluating their strategy in the African market with more details expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Aside from MultiChoice, several entertainment brands who are currently contracted with the company are also doing some restructuring of their own. The first induction Bravo had launched in the African market as Comcast looks to fold E! and MSNBC under a separate company, Versant.

Fact of the matter is that NBCUniversal can't distribute E! as they no longer own the brand and Bravo was the only option under the restructured company. Besides that, E! had allocated several shows from the channel ahead of its launch.

Following E! in a not so distant future could be BET and MTV Base as Paramount Global following its corporate buyout by Skydance Media is looking to reduce operational costs. This includes shuttering it's local operations in South Africa which might affect MTV, Comedy Central and Nicktoons.

According to The Sun, Paramount is looking to close all of its international music channels except for the ones in the US. MTV Base would join a long list of UK/Pan-European feeds which are set to be shuttered by the end of December.

As for BET, several factors contribute to its potential demise in Africa firstly similar to MTV Base, it was the brand in which Paramount put most of its local aspirations. In Brazil, such channels are shutting down as they aren't financially feasible.

Paramount intends to retain MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nicktoons pushing their focus on core brands. BET for sometime has been pivoting toward streaming with the company's president calling it a building block to its streaming strategy.

 

Continuing on Paramount's reign of destruction would be CBS Reality that the company operate alongside AMC Networks International. The channel has seen a decline in carriage across Europe and very much like E! reduced programming and a zombified lineup.

It's not clear whether this could affect CBS Justice which would serve as the African equivalent of True Crime as AMC Networks International is still licensing content for the brand.

Spinners,’ The South African Sports Drama From Canal+ And Showmax, Returns For Season 2

“Spinners,” the South African extreme sports action drama, is returning for a second season that brings back the creators, writers and cast of the hit drama set in Cape Town.

Co-produced by African streaming service Showmax and Canal+, season 2 of “Spinners” shot on location in South Africa with showrunner and co-creator Benjamin Hoffman. Back in the director’s chair is Jaco Bouwer, whose credits include the SXSW prizewinning eco-horror movie “Gaia.” Also back are Matthew Jankes and Sean Steinberg who penned season 2.

Joachim Landau is once again producing the gritty crime drama for Federation Middle East Africa & Caribbean, alongside Ramadan Suleman (“Zulu Love Letter”) who is co-producing through his South African full-service company Natives at Large.

Studiocanal, whose sister company Canal+ commissioned the series, is unveiling a first look of season 2 in the run up to Mipcom. The show illustrates creative synergies between the French TV group and Showmax, the streaming service of MultiChoice, the pan-African pay-TV operator that’s now fully owned by Canal+ and operates across 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It will roll out on both Canal+ and MultiChoice platforms, Showmax and DStv.

The first season of “Spinners” make history as the first African show to take part in Canneseries’ main competition in 2023 and went on to win awards at Dakar Series, and the Shanghai TV festival, as well as garnered three nominations at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).

The first season followed 17-year-old Ethan (Cantona James) seeking a way out of the Southside’s bloody cycle of gang violence through spinning, a South African extreme motorsport that features drivers performing daredevil stunts. Season 2 sees is set two years after Ethan and his friends escaped the violent grip of gang life and have become spinning stars in the big city. “Fame, love, and happiness finally seem within reach—until a brutal ambush, orchestrated by Ethan’s old gang, shatters their peace. Desperate, Ethan turns to the Maseko clan for help but their protection comes at a heavy cost,” the synopsis reads.

Cantona James and Chelsea Thomas reprise their leading roles, along with Brendon Daniels – who starred in “White Lies” opposite Natalie Dormer, and local star Dillon Windvogel (“Blood & Water”). Cameos include Kayla Olifant, a top female spinner who was recently featured in the National Geographic series “David Blaine: Do Not Attempt.”

New cast members are also joining season 2 of “Spinners,” including Clementine Mosimane (“How to Ruin Christmas”), Mondli Makhoba (“Shaka iLembe”) and rising star Luyanda Zwane (“Sibongile and the Dlaminis”) and Aphiwe Mkefe (“Nkuleko”).

The production of “Spinners” season 2 reflects the ambition of Canal+ which aims at ramping up its pipeline of Canal+ original series in Africa to eight shows per year hailing from all over Africa.

Since 2018, Canal+ has produced 35 Canal+ series with African talent in 11 different African countries. These include “Invisibles,” “Agent,” “Cacao,” “Mami Wata,” “Eki,” “Or Blanc,” “Niabla,” “Ewusu” and “Lakantane.”

Former ICASA CEO To Lead MultiChoice Pty. Ltd (LicenceCo)

Former CEO of communications regulator Icasa Willington Ngwepe has been appointed as CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo, the company that houses DStv’s subscription broadcast licences in South Africa.

“Ngwepe brings extensive executive leadership and regulatory experience to the role. His most recent role was executive head of regulatory affairs at MultiChoice Group, where he played a central role in guiding the company’s engagement with regulatory authorities, including the approvals process for the Canal+ transaction across Africa,” MultiChoice said in a statement on Monday.

LicenceCo was created ahead of the acquisition by French broadcasting giant Groupe Canal+ of MultiChoice Group with the aim of isolating the former’s South African broadcast licensee and excluding it from the assets being acquired at group level.

This sought to avoid violating the Electronic Communications Act, which restricts foreign entities from owning and having voting rights higher than 20% in a South African broadcast licensee. LicenceCo is also the entity that South African subscribers will contract with regarding their DStv subscriptions.

AfriFund Investments, a shareholder alongside Identity Partners and MultiChoice black empowerment scheme Phuthuma Nathi in LicenceCo, is led by former Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko. Maseko has been appointed as “board observer” at LicenceCo.

“These developments constitute a significant milestone in strengthening the governance of MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. The appointment of an experienced and independent board, together with the leadership of Willington as CEO, ensures continuity, compliance and stability for the operations in South Africa,” said MultiChoice.

Other nominations

News of the appointments at LicenceCo follow the consummation last month of Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, which has seen the appointment of David Mignot as MultiChoice Group CEO. He replaced Calvo Mawela, who has shifted to the role of chairman of Canal+ Africa.

Mawela and Mignot also have nominated by MultiChoice Group to also serve on the LicenceCo board. Lerato Pule was nominated by Phuthuma Nathi to serve as its interim representative. Other nominations to the board include Sonja de Bruyn of Identity Partners and Sizeka Magwentshu-Rustenburg. Magwentshu-Rustenburg will serve as board chair. 

Canal+ Looking To Make MultiChoice Go Global

While DStv subscribers are generally unaffected by the Canal+ buyout of MultiChoice, they should get ready for a content shakeup in the near future.

According to the Sunday Times, now part of a global multinational media giant, South African content once exclusive to DStv will be heading to other markets for the first time.

In the same vein, international content should be making its way onto DStv.

CEO of Canal+ Africa, David Mignot, said the group aims to export DStv content worldwide through its integration into StudioCanal.

Mignot is one of two Canal+ executives heading up Canal+ Africa, which took over MultiChoice in September.

StudioCanal is the wider group’s production arm, which houses 19 production companies, over 9,400 titles, and operates in multiple major markets, mostly in Europe.

With MultiChoice now being absorbed into the group, local productions that have been created exclusively for DStv platforms are now part of the mix.

Mignot noted that high-quality productions coming out of MultiChoice are likely to have wide appeal and can make waves in other markets and on other Canal+ platforms.

As part of the takeover, the Canal+ Group committed to continued investment in local productions, which will now be part of the blended library for use wherever Canal+ operates.

Notably, the reverse is also on the cards, with DStv expected to gain access to the extensive library of the wider Canal+ group, though the specifics of this remain to be seen.

Mignot previously stated that DStv customers should expect to see content “from American companies, from companies all over the world, as well as the local sports and general entertainment content.”

Canal+ has positioned itself as a ‘super aggregator’, which aggregates multiple services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and HBO Max into its own platform.

MultiChoice’s key brands like DStv, Showmax, and SuperSport are now part of this.

However, the executive has stressed that these brands will remain as they are for now, saying they were “very sensitive and careful about brands”.

How SuperSport Is Impacted By The Canal+ Acquisition?

Not long ago, Canal+ SA had completed its acquisition of South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice Group, securing a 48.2% stake in the company.

The transaction, which Canal+ described as its largest ever, creates a global media and entertainment group serving more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia, with approximately 17,000 employees.

Since the merger, there had been a great deal of concern amongst the media regarding SuperSport and Canal+ was quick to clarify that the deal wouldn't lead it to become Canal+ Sport. Of course, they've been talking about synergies in the last couple of months.

In Francophone Africa, MultiChoice has been distributing an add on service to Canal+ Afrique consumers known as DStv English Plus. It offers Premier League and La Liga for instance I'm assuming those are the type of synergies they're referring.

Before the merger, Canal+ didn't have much sporting rights for consumers in Africa as seen in Europe and France so they'd license content from rivals such as Bein Sports and DAZN. Under this merger, SuperSport will most definitely need to align with its French equivalent Canal+ Sport.

If Canal+ Afrique distributed Ligue 1 through its deal with Bein Sports rather than SuperSport launching a dedicated channel it also distributes Bein Sports to prevent any overlaps or duplication. Same goes for doccies like Chasing The Sun which will likely get dubbed rather than retooled into a separate series.

Some revaluation is underway for Showmax in which MultiChoice revamped last year in partnership with NBCUniversal. This could affect Showmax Premier League offering as it would rival with DStv Stream's extensive offering due to its low rates.

MultiChoice is looking to possibly offer SuperSport as a standalone service on DStv combined with Showmax this could as well be Football based package with separate offering for cricket, rugby and tennis. Maybe they could take a page from Ultraview by offering PSL and La Liga separately. 

Finally with a merger there's always potential drawbacks as MultiChoice has lost over a million subscribers in the last year. The acquiring company makes cuts think of the Ethiopian Premier League the losses could affect more niche African leagues.

Video: Canal+ And MultiChoice Are Joining Forces

Canal+ Is Now In Full Control Of MultiChoice After Securing The Remaining 48% Stake + More Restructuring Underway

French media company Canal+ SA has completed its acquisition of South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice Group Limited, securing a 48.2% stake in the company, according to a joint announcement released Monday.

The transaction, which Canal+ described as its largest ever, creates a global media and entertainment group serving more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia, with approximately 17,000 employees.

Canal+ directly owns 46.0% of MultiChoice shares and has received acceptances for an additional 2.2%, making its mandatory cash offer of 125 South African rand per share now unconditional.

Following the acquisition, MultiChoice has restructured its board with Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+, appointed as Chairman. David Mignot will serve as CEO and Nicolas Dandoy as CFO of Canal+ African operations, which includes MultiChoice. Former MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela will chair Canal+ African operations.

The company has completed a corporate reorganization to comply with South African broadcasting regulations regarding foreign ownership. As a result, voting scale-back provisions that previously restricted foreign shareholders’ voting rights have been removed.

In South Africa, Canal+ has committed to supporting firms controlled by Historically Disadvantaged Persons and maintaining funding for local entertainment and sports content produced by South African creators.

MultiChoice will change its financial year-end from March 31 to December 31 to align with Canal+’s reporting period.

Canal+ plans to provide a strategic update on the combined group, including detailed plans and expected synergies, during the first quarter of 2026.

ICASA Approves Of The Structure To Be Taken By Canal+ And MultiChoice

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has approved the transfer of control of Orbicom’s electronic communications and radio frequency spectrum licences to Canal+.

Orbicom is MultiChoice’s signal distributor, and the approval is an essential step in progressing Canal+’s takeover of the company.

Orbicom submitted the applications to transfer control of its electronic communications service (I-ECS), individual electronic communications network services (I-ECNS), and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences in November 2024.

Icasa subsequently published its application, inviting stakeholders to submit their comments, in March 2025.

The I-ECNS licence authorises holders to roll out and operate electronic communications networks on a provincial or national scale.

In contrast, the I-ECS licence lets holders provide services to customers using their own or somebody else’s network infrastructure.

The Radio Frequency Spectrum licence enables an organisation to use a specific radio frequency band within a defined geographic area.

Icasa revealed that it had approved the transfer via a notice in the Government Gazette, published on Thursday, 18 September 2025. It granted the approval on 28 August 2025.

The regulator said it evaluated the licence control transfer application on the following criteria:

• Promotion of competition in the ICT sector;

• Interests of consumers; and,

• Equity ownership by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs).

Interested parties had 14 working days to submit their written representations, with the submission date ending on Monday, 7 April.

The transfer of control of Orbicom’s licences to Canal+ forms part of its acquisition of MultiChoice.

The French media giant had gradually brought up Multichoice shares in the open market since October 2020 and hit the mandatory offer threshold of 35% ownership in early 2024.

Canal+ offered MultiChoice R125 per share after some back-and-forth with MultiChoice and a reprimand from the Takeover Regulation Panel (TRP).

The offer valued MultiChoice at over R55 billion. The deal will cost Canal+ R30 billion in cash, and it has continued acquiring MultiChoice shares while the offer is under consideration until May 2024.

The RTP’s latest report on Canal+’s shareholding in MultiChoice was published in May 2024, revealing that Canal+’s ownership had climbed to 45.2%.

Although Canal+ was legally mandated to offer to acquire the DStv owner, the deal was subject to various regulatory hurdles — some of which have been cleared.

These hurdles include securing approvals from bodies like the Financial Surveillance Department, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the TRP, and Icasa.

ICT policy legal expert Lisa Thornton previously told the media that the deal’s success will depend on its structure.

MultiChoice and Canal+ had to find a way to limit the latter’s voting rights to 20% — a requirement for broadcasting licences under the Electronic Communications Act.

The deal also had to meet Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) rules set out by Icasa. The rules stipulate that licencees must be 30% owned by historically disadvantaged groups.

To achieve this, MultiChoice South Africa will be carved out as an independent entity referred to as LicenceCo. It will hold the company’s South African operating licences.

LicenceCo will also contract with MultiChoice’s subscribers in South Africa, and the remainder of the group’s video entertainment assets will remain with the MultiChoice Group.

The MultiChoice Group’s shareholding in LicenceCo will give it a 49% economic interest and a 20% share of voting rights.

“MultiChoice Group will retain its existing 75% direct interest in MultiChoice South Africa, excluding LicenceCo. Phuthuma Nathi will similarly retain its existing 25% interest in MultiChoice South Africa,” the companies said.

“LicenceCo will enter into various commercial agreements with MultiChoice Group subsidiaries in relation to the services currently provided to LicenceCo by other MultiChoice Group entities.”

It added that these relate to providing content, technology, subscriber management and support, among other functions.

Canal+ Afrique Amidst It's Parent Company Acquiring MultiChoice Is Looking To Debut Canal+ Magic Soon

MultiChoice has a few regulatory hurdles to clear through before Canal+ can make its mandatory offer to shareholders. This includes getting approval regarding the carve out (LicenceCo) from ICASA with partners 13th Avenue Investments, Identity Partners Itai Consortium and the Workers Trust.

Amidst this, the French African broadcaster Canal+ Afrique will be allocating another TV channel, Canal+ Magic. Not much is known about the channel but it's been speculated that MultiChoice and M-Net are involved with its distribution in the region.

Magic is a trademark that both MultiChoice and M-Net have used to curate local content as seen with Mzansi Magic (South Africa) and Africa Magic (Nigeria). Canal+ aside from corporate standpoint serves as a division of channels including Canal+ Premiere and Canal+ Cinema.

MultiChoice and M-Net's possible involvement in Canal+ Magic wouldn't seem far fetched as they've already curated content for consumers in Ethiopia (Amharic) and Angola (Portuguese). Canal+ had stated that a merged entity would make them "an entertainment leader in Africa".

It could as well mean curating content for consumers in markets MultiChoice has minimal presence. They also want to use this deal as a means to bulk up against the likes of streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

The Real Housewives Of Lagos has been unveiled as one of the upcoming series for the channel alongside another series called Un Diner Parfait. Taking this to account, Canal+ Magic could as well be the name of some reality and lifestyle infused channel or replacement to Canal+ Elles.

News about Canal+ Magic's inclusion comes after reports of SuperSport rebranding it's Football Plus channel seen in some parts of Africa to match of Canal+ (Football Plus Canal+).