French media giant Canal+ has extended the deadline for its takeover of South Africa’s MultiChoice by six months, giving regulators more time to approve the deal.
The new deadline is October 8, 2025, instead of April 8.
Why it matters
The acquisition is a key part of Canal+’s strategy to expand in Africa, especially in English-speaking regions. The move comes after Canal+’s split from Vivendi in December.
State of play
- MultiChoice’s share price has dropped 40% since its mid-December market debut in London.
- Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada emphasized the urgency, saying, “The timing of this transaction is critical, and we will continue working tirelessly to ensure finalization within this timeframe.”
Canal+ Outlook: Growth with Challenges
The big picture:
- Canal+ expects organic revenue growth this year, but it will be slightly offset by the loss of its free-to-air channel C8 in France and the end of key third-party contracts, including one with Disney.
- The company forecasts moderate growth in the coming years, excluding any impact from the MultiChoice deal.
The Bigger Play: A Global Streaming Powerhouse
Canal+, founded in 1984 as a subscription-TV channel in France, is transforming into a global content platform.
- The company aims to quintuple its subscriber base to 100 million.
- 80% of its revenue comes from subscriptions, with its Studiocanal film unit (behind Paddington) driving engagement.
- 2024 subscribers: 26.93 million total, with 17.24 million in Europe and 9.69 million in Africa and Asia.
- Direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscribers: 19.9 million, compared to 7 million from wholesale channels.
What’s next
All eyes are on regulatory approvals and Canal+’s ability to finalize the MultiChoice acquisition, which could reshape the pay-TV landscape in Africa.
Source: Global Banking and Finance
