MultiChoice has announced a sweeping overhaul of its South African operations as the pay-TV giant prepares for its anticipated acquisition by French media company Canal+. The move signals both a restructuring of the business and a bid to position itself more competitively in the shifting media landscape.
The overhaul will focus on streamlining operations, cutting costs, and boosting efficiency. Reports indicate that MultiChoice is already reviewing staffing structures, re-aligning internal divisions, and refining its digital strategy to better serve subscribers who are increasingly shifting to streaming services.
Industry observers note that the restructuring is designed to reassure regulators and shareholders as Canal+ works to finalize its multi-billion-rand takeover of the African broadcaster. The acquisition, which has been in the works for months, is expected to give Canal+ a stronger foothold in Africa’s fast-growing media market, while providing MultiChoice with deeper resources and global expertise.
South Africa remains MultiChoice’s largest and most profitable market, but it has also faced rising challenges — from high content costs and economic pressures to fierce competition from global streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. By refining its operations now, MultiChoice is aiming to show readiness for the next chapter under Canal+.
Canal+ has been steadily increasing its stake in MultiChoice over the years, and earlier this year, it made a formal offer to acquire the company outright. The proposed deal has drawn attention from regulators who are reviewing potential impacts on competition, media plurality, and South Africa’s broadcasting landscape.
For subscribers, the changes could bring new content partnerships, enhanced digital services, and potentially improved pricing structures, though details remain limited. Analysts suggest the real impact will only be clear once the Canal+ deal is finalized and integration plans are rolled out.
With this latest restructuring, MultiChoice is sending a clear signal: it wants to enter the Canal+ era as a leaner, more agile company ready to compete in a media world that is rapidly shifting towards streaming and digital-first strategies.
