French media giant Canal+ has finalized its $2.9 billion acquisition of MultiChoice Group, taking control of DStv and GOtv operations across Africa as the pay-TV provider grapples with steep subscriber losses and mounting regulatory pressure.
The acquisition, concluded on September 23, 2025, comes at a turbulent time for MultiChoice, particularly in Kenya, where DStv subscriptions have plummeted by 84.2% year-on-year, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). DStv Kenya’s active subscriber base fell from 1.19 million in June 2024 to just 188,824 by June 2025. GOtv’s numbers declined even more sharply, dropping 88.7% to 314,520 subscribers from 2.79 million over the same period.
The collapse follows a series of price increases implemented over the past two years. The Premium package rose from Ksh10,500 to Ksh11,700, while Compact Plus increased from Ksh6,500 to Ksh7,300, marking the fifth adjustment within 24 months.
Ghana presents another regulatory challenge. Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has demanded a 30% reduction in all DStv packages, threatening license suspension and daily fines of GH₵10,000 for non-compliance.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) granted a one-week extension for a stakeholder committee reviewing DStv pricing, moving the final report deadline to September 29, 2025.
MultiChoice Ghana has indicated a willingness to negotiate, with Canal+ representatives engaging directly with the ministry to resolve the dispute. The regulatory tension stems from complaints over high prices, limited local content, and the strengthening Ghanaian cedi.
The subscriber exodus reflects broader trends affecting traditional pay-TV across Africa. Consumers are increasingly turning to cheaper streaming platforms such as Netflix, YouTube Premium, and local competitors like StarTimes, driven by rising mobile internet penetration and economic pressures.
Canal+ now faces the task of stabilizing MultiChoice’s operations while navigating regulatory hurdles in key markets. Analysts suggest the acquisition aims to consolidate African media markets while leveraging MultiChoice’s extensive distribution network for Canal+ content.
With Kenya’s pay-TV market contracting by approximately 77% overall, and MultiChoice losing 3.7 million subscribers continent-wide over the past two years, the success of Canal+’s investment will depend on balancing pricing, content quality, and market adaptation to retain and attract subscribers in an increasingly digital landscape.
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