Canal+ says it is working on a plan to turn Multichoice’s subscriber numbers around, with the South African broadcaster bleeding customers in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group is working on a “Strategic Update” that will be published alongside its full-year results, which will detail its plan of action and initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has already launched some of these actions, specifically in forging new content partnerships, renegotiating hardware prices and optimising Multichoice’s tech and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ says the acquisition of Multichoice is transformational, noting that it offers long-term growth potential and global scale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The French broadcaster finally acquired the Multichoice Group (MCG) following years of negotiations, regulatory concerns and a squeeze-out of shareholders in a deal worth over R50 billion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ said the acquisition is part of its goal of capturing growth opportunities in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ noted that the African population should grow by 800 million by 2050, while the 5-year GDP growth forecast is 4.5% p.a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Increasing electrification and Pay-TV penetration rates are also expected for the continent. The group noted that it already has a strong record of capturing African subscribers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ Africa\u2019s subscriber base grew from 0.4 million to 9 million between 2010 and 2025. MCG\u2019s subscriber base increased from 3.9 million to 14.1 million between 2010 and 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, Multichoice had a peak of roughly 23.5 million subscribers in the 2023 financial year. The French broadcaster said it was best placed to help MCG return to its pre-2023 growth trajectory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Building on its robust position across the continent, the combined group has started to roll out a comprehensive action plan focused on returning MCG countries to growth through short and
medium-term initiatives,” it said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further elements of the group’s plan for MCG markets will be provided at the Canal+ Strategic Update, which will be published alongside Canal+’s Full Year Results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOver the last 10 years, we have quadrupled the size of our subscriber base to reach 40 million subscribers and become the market leader in around 40 countries across Europe and Africa,” added Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The French broadcaster is expected to list on the JSE in the near future via a secondary listing, following Multichoice’s delisting from the JSE last year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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