Legit.ng report say DStv don pass through one of di biggest periods of change for im history since French media company Canal+ complete acquisition of MultiChoice for September 2025. Di takeover trigger one sweeping restructuring programme wey aim to cut costs, simplify product range and improve financial health of di business across African markets.
One of di most consequential decisions na di closure of Showmax for end of April 2026. After di shutdown, some of Showmax content move go MultiChoice main streaming platform. Around di same time, MultiChoice also reduce workforce. By June 2026, about 312 employees for its Randburg headquarters don accept voluntary severance packages. Conditions wey attach to Canal+ takeover approval prevent di company from forced retrenchments for South Africa until 2028.
DStv channel offering change well well over di period. Paramount decision to exit linear television for Africa for end of 2025 bring down BET Africa, CBS Justice, CBS Reality and MTV Base. MultiChoice after that add WWE, Trace Gospel and Trace Ngoma to im entry-level Access package. Dem discontinue KykNet Lekker, and affected subscribers move go KykNet & kie. Premium and Compact Plus subscribers also lose access to certain Warner Bros. and HBO content for June 2026.
Di most visible change for subscribers land for September 2026, when MultiChoice replace im existing package structure. Access become Starter, Family rename Select, and Compact replace by sports-focused Sports package. A new Movies & Series package also enter, while Compact Plus remain for existing subscribers. Prices for satellite and streaming packages align, and DStv website and app get visual overhaul. Di blue design wey long define di platform give way to predominantly black look. Packages now dey presented as Starter, Select, Movies & Series and Premium, without di traditional ‘DStv’ prefix.
MultiChoice don talk say di changes no suppose read as full rebranding exercise, even though di new look closer to Canal+ own identity. Canal+ also signal plans to roll out im own streaming application for di markets where MultiChoice dey operate. Earlier, Legit.ng report say Canal+ Group, di new parent company of MultiChoice, announce plans to simplify DStv pricing and package structure for subscribers. David Mignot, Canal+ Africa Chief Executive Officer, talk say di confusing array of offers and fees for current DStv lineup go adjust to boost sales. Mignot point out say while some channels, especially di SuperSport brand, hold substantial value, di clutter of sub-brands dey complicate marketing efforts and undermine brand strength.
MultiChoice stock still delisted from Johannesburg Stock Exchange as Canal+ reshape DStv business after completing takeover. Latest operating picture combine 160 percent rise in adjusted EBIT to EUR 143 million for first half of 2026 with sharper move toward streaming, according to Africa Signal. Sharenet list MultiChoice Group under ticker MCG and show JSE listing termination notice dated December 8, 2025. Im share page also identify di security as suspended, making di former listing status more important than live daily quote for investors wey dey track di company.
Africa Signal report say Canal+ complete di takeover for July 10, 2026, bringing DStv, GOtv and Showmax into di French media group ownership. AfricaMe report di transaction at ZAR 55 billion, and describe di combined business as operating across more than 50 African markets. Di financial change substantial. Africa Signal report say MultiChoice subscriber acquisitions increase 40 percent for first half of 2026, while adjusted EBIT climb 160 percent to EUR 143 million after consolidation into Canal+ reporting.
Dat improvement come alongside one major portfolio decision. As ITWeb report on September 14, 2026, MultiChoice dey move core content from standalone Showmax service into DStv Stream. Di platform record more than 900,000 concurrent viewers during a 2026 FIFA World Cup match, creating measurable test for digital strategy. For investors, di key distinction na between di operating business and di listed security. MultiChoice continue to develop DStv Stream, local content and live sports, while MCG share listing enter post-takeover phase after JSE termination notice. Di business therefore offer operating figures rather than current exchange price as di clearest public reference. Subscriber acquisitions rise 40 percent, adjusted EBIT reach EUR 143 million, and streaming viewership exceed 900,000 concurrent users for first half of 2026 and during World Cup period.
