Johannesburg – MultiChoice, the South African company behind DStv, is set for sweeping changes following its takeover by French media giant Canal+. The new owner has unveiled a turnaround plan that includes fresh content strategies, clearer pricing, aggressive sales efforts and job restructuring to reverse years of declining performance.
The announcement comes just months after Canal+ completed its R50 billion acquisition of MultiChoice in September 2025. Together, the two groups now serve 42 million subscribers worldwide and generate around R164 billion in annual revenue. However, MultiChoice’s African business has been struggling. Subscriber numbers dropped from 14.9 million in 2024 to 14.4 million in 2025, while revenue fell 6% to €2.4 billion (about R43 billion). Inflation, tough economic conditions and a costly failed push into streaming with Showmax have all hurt profits.
Canal+ has named the new strategy the “Boost plan”. It rests on four main pillars: better content, simpler commercial offers, stronger sales and operational changes. The goal is to make DStv more attractive across Africa while cutting unnecessary costs.
On the content side, the company wants to deliver “the most compelling content” on the continent. This means producing thousands of hours of local African shows and sports each year, creating joint productions with partners, and sharing international rights across the group. Sports rights will remain a key focus, alongside in-house channels and global collaborations.
Pricing is also getting a major shake-up. MultiChoice currently offers up to 17 different packages with varying fees, plus five types of decoders. The plan is to streamline everything for clearer, easier-to-understand options. Entry-level costs will be lowered through equipment subsidies to help more households join. The company hopes this will grow its distribution network and win back customers who have left.
To drive growth, MultiChoice will launch an “aggressive acquisition campaign”. It plans to recruit more than 1,000 salespeople on the ground across all its markets. The shift will move the business from a support-heavy model to a sales-focused one.
On the job front, changes are coming. A voluntary severance programme has been offered to staff in support functions at MultiChoice. There will also be restructuring at Irdeto, the group’s technology and cybersecurity arm. No exact number of job losses has been released, but the company says all steps will follow local labour laws and “social procedures” in each country.
Canal+ executives say the changes match promises made during the takeover. “These changes will be enacted in compliance with the social procedures of the relevant jurisdictions,” a statement noted. The moves are also part of a broader effort to standardise operations and invest in growth.
image: Univers Freebox
The overhaul comes at a critical time. MultiChoice faces a projected R2.7 billion negative hit in 2026 from subscriber losses and rising costs. Canal+ believes the Boost plan – backed by roughly €100 million (about R1.9 billion) – can turn the tide.
A secondary inward listing of the group on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is expected in the first half of 2026, giving local investors more access.
Analysts see the plan as a bold reset. After strong growth from 2010 to 2023, MultiChoice hit headwinds. The new owner is betting that sharper content, simpler pricing and a bigger sales push will stabilise the business and rebuild its subscriber base across Africa.
The coming months will show whether these big changes can deliver the turnaround DStv desperately needs. For millions of South African and African households, clearer packages and better local stories could make pay-TV feel fresh again.
