More than two years after CANAL+ first made an offer to acquire Multichoice, and four months before the transaction deadline on October 8, 2025, the two companies have informed their shareholders that the South African Competition Commission has "recommended that the South African Competition Tribunal approve the proposed transaction, subject to conditions relating to public interest considerations."
These public interest considerations consist of supporting the participation of companies controlled by historically disadvantaged persons and small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises in the South African audiovisual sector. This will maintain funding for local general entertainment and sports content in South Africa, providing local content creators with a solid foundation for future success.
The transaction must now obtain court approval. The remaining conditions must be satisfied for the proposed transaction to become unconditional.
Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+, said:
"We welcome the recommendation of the South African Competition Commission. This is a major step forward in our ambition to create a global media and entertainment company focused on Africa. We are committed to investing in local content and supporting South Africa's creative and sporting ecosystems. We believe this transaction is positive for South Africa, offering consumers greater choice and Africa a true entertainment champion. We look forward to the transaction closing soon."
Calvo Mawela, CEO of MultiChoice Group, said:
"The Competition Commission's recommendation is a key step towards finalizing the transaction and recognizes the strong public interest commitment made by the parties. We look forward to finalizing the transaction, not only for the benefit of shareholders, but also for the public and the many sectors that depend on MultiChoice. We will continue to cooperate with all regulatory authorities to bring this important process to a swift conclusion."