MultiChoice

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MultiChoice Group Ltd is a South African media company owned by the French group Canal+. It runs DStv, a major satellite TV service across Sub-Saharan Africa, GOtv, a smaller terrestrial TV service in several countries, and Showmax, an online streaming service. It also carries M-Net’s channels and SuperSport’s sports networks, and owns the digital security company Irdeto.

The company began as part of M-Net and split off to form MultiChoice in the 1990s. It was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2019. By 2020 it served millions of viewers across about 50 African countries.

Since 2018, Canal+ gradually bought shares in MultiChoice. In 2025, Canal+ completed the takeover, creating a larger Africa-focused media group. To meet local ownership rules in South Africa, a separate SA entity would hold the broadcasting licence, with 51% control by Historically Disadvantaged People and workers.

The deal aims to combine content from Canal+ with MultiChoice’s local programming, giving customers access to thousands of hours of African and local content each year. It also involves decisions about the future of streaming services, including Showmax, DStv Stream, and Canal+’s own OTT offerings, and the goal of serving tens of millions of subscribers in dozens of countries.

Regulators like ICASA have overseen parts of the deal, including licensing and ownership rules. In Nigeria, MultiChoice faced subscriber losses amid tough economic conditions, although Showmax continued to grow and streaming investments continued.

Financially, MultiChoice reported substantial revenue for 2025 and expected continued investment in content and streaming as the combined company expands its reach and offerings across Africa and beyond.