South Africa’s Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the proposed acquisition of pay-TV broadcaster MultiChoice by French media group Canal+, subject to several conditions. The recommendation was made on Wednesday, 21 May.
Canal+ submitted a firm offer last year to acquire the shares in MultiChoice that it does not already own, offering R125 in cash per share — a deal valued at approximately R35 billion (around $1.96 billion). While the Commission has supported the transaction, the final decision will rest with the Competition Tribunal.
According to the Commission, the proposed merger is unlikely to significantly lessen or prevent competition in the market.
However, its approval is conditional on several public interest commitments designed to mitigate potential concerns and promote positive outcomes.
These conditions include a three-year moratorium on retrenchments, ensuring that no job losses occur as a result of the merger.
The deal also includes commitments to increase shareholding by historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs), maintain investment in local content and sports development, and keep MultiChoice’s headquarters based in South Africa.
Experts suggest that if Canal+ successfully acquires MultiChoice, viewers could benefit from an expanded range of content, including more international programming and improved streaming services.
While MultiChoice’s SuperSport platform is expected to maintain its leading position in African sports broadcasting, Canal+ may introduce new sports partnerships to further enrich the offering.
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