French media giant Canal+ has completed its takeover of MultiChoice, announcing sweeping leadership changes and a restructuring of the television and streaming group.
David Mignot has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MultiChoice, while Nicholas Dandoy will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Maxime Saada will become Executive Chairman.
Outgoing CEO Calvo Mawela will remain involved, taking up the role of Chairman of Canal+ operations in Africa.
According to AFP, the companies said in a joint statement that the combined group will employ approximately 17,000 people and serve more than 40 million subscribers across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
“Canal+, which is already the sector’s leader in French-speaking African countries, now controls what it described as the leader in the continent’s English- and Portuguese-speaking regions,” AFP reported.
As part of the integration, MultiChoice and its subsidiaries will change their financial year-end from 31 March to 31 December, aligning with Canal+’s reporting structure.
The takeover marks the largest transaction ever undertaken by Canal+, cementing the combined group’s position as a global media and entertainment powerhouse.
For subscribers, the companies assured that subscription and billing arrangements will remain unchanged.
The merger represents a major realignment in Africa’s media landscape, with Canal+ consolidating its dominance across multiple language markets while gaining a stronger foothold in global streaming and broadcasting.