According to Bloomberg, South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe is in talks with Vivendi SE’s Canal+ to join its multibillion-dollar bid for broadcaster MultiChoice Group.
Zoom In
Canal+ has built up a holding above 35% in MultiChoice, South Africa’s biggest pay-TV group, triggering a mandatory takeover offer.
If the French broadcaster can navigate the country’s limits on foreign media ownership, it will gain greater access to African markets, home to the world’s fastest-growing and youngest population.
Why This Matters
The addition of Partice Motsepe into the deal would likely help the Canal+ meet the South Africa’s stringent Black ownership requirements.
By The Numbers
Canal+ is expected to make a formal offer for MultiChoice at 125 rand a share, valuing the company at about 55 billion rand ($2.9 billion), before April 8 for consideration by the board’s independent member.
The Big Picture
Vivendi aims to combine its local Canal+ operations with MultiChoice, creating a group with almost 50 million subscribers and resources to invest more in local content and sports.
Data Insights
Showmax, Multichoice’s streaming platform is estimated to have the most subscribers in Africa as of 2023.
Source: Bloomberg
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