Canal+ Moves Fast to Rebrand DStv in Africa
Canal+ is wasting no time reshaping DStv after completing its acquisition of MultiChoice. The French media giant is launching a bold new strategy that mixes nostalgia, affordability, and premium European content to reenergize Africa’s top pay-TV platform.
MultiChoice has faced tough times recently, with subscriber numbers and profits sliding amid growing competition and economic pressures. The company lost 2.8 million active subscribers in two years, including 1.2 million in 2025 alone—an 8% drop year-on-year. The losses were evenly split between South Africa and the rest of Africa.
Free Premium Weekend to Mark DStv’s 30th Anniversary
From November 7 to 9, 2025, DStv will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special “Open Time” weekend. All active decoder users will get free access to DStv Premium content during the celebration.
The campaign revives some of South Africa’s most iconic television faces, including Ashley Hayden, Scot Scott, and Doreen Morris, who fronted M-Net’s original Open Time in the 1990s.
“DStv has grown up alongside its viewers,” said Byron du Plessis, CEO of SA PayTV. “For three decades, we have been part of South Africans’ homes, weekends, and memories.”
Canal+ Pushes Affordability with Decoder Price Cuts
To attract new and returning customers, MultiChoice will cut the price of its HD decoders by 30% in retail stores and by more than 40% online. The discount begins November 1.
The move targets lapsed subscribers and aims to reduce entry barriers in a crowded streaming market dominated by Netflix, Disney+, and Showmax.
Premium subscribers are also getting two extra all-device streams until December, raising the total to four. DStv has revamped its rewards programme to include BoxOffice rentals, celebrity meet-and-greets, VIP sports access, and event invitations.
French Ligue 1 Matches Arrive on SuperSport
Canal+’s ownership is already paying off for sports fans. SuperSport has begun broadcasting French Ligue 1 games through a new partnership made possible by Canal+.
Matches from elite clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Lyon, and Monaco will air every weekend on SuperSport and GOtv channels.
“Broadcasting a prestigious league such as Ligue 1 only adds to the value our subscribers receive,” said Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport’s director of English sport content.
Canal+ and MultiChoice to Deliver 10,000 Hours of African Content
Canal+ is also doubling down on African storytelling. “We create about 4,000 hours of African content each year in up to 15 languages,” said David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa. “Together with MultiChoice’s 6,000 hours, we will deliver 10,000 hours per year across 20–35 languages.”
The long-term goal is to build a content library of more than 100,000 hours within 15 years, supported by dubbing and rescripting to expand global reach.
Canal+ Plans Unified Super App for African Viewers
Looking ahead, Canal+ intends to launch a super app combining DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and Canal+ content in one seamless platform.
CEO Maxime Saada described it as “a seamless entertainment ecosystem” that will unify all services under a single login. The company is exploring its European-style aggregator model for Africa, offering discounted bundles with third-party platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Paramount+.
Canal+ Sets New Pace for DStv’s Future
The new DStv strategy under Canal+ signals a shift toward affordability, diversity, and premium entertainment. From decoder price cuts and Ligue 1 broadcasts to a unified app and free premium weekends, Canal+ is betting big on rekindling Africa’s love for DStv.
