MultiChoice Group and French media giant Canal+ announced an extension of their merger deadline to September 2025 due to regulatory approval delays.
Reasons for Extension
The companies acknowledged they would not secure merger control clearance by the original deadline. The extension to September 2025 is necessary because of ongoing regulatory approvals.
Current Stage of the Deal
Both companies are confident that the new timeframe will allow them to meet the transaction's conditions. The merger, if completed, will reshape the African pay-TV landscape by combining MultiChoice’s dominance in anglophone markets with Canal+’s stronghold in francophone regions.
Future Company Steps
The parties continue to work diligently to finalize the transaction within the allotted timeframe. In February 2025, they proposed restructuring the South African business by creating an independent company, LicenceCo, to address regulatory hurdles. This structure is under review by the Competition Commission, with stakeholders optimistic about its approval.
Both companies are hopeful that the merger will be completed by the extended deadline, positively impacting subscribers and the industry at large.
