MultiChoice owner discusses big changes for DStv
Canal+ is focusing on sales growth, protecting local content, and restructuring MultiChoice’s workforce through its overhaul of the DStv owner.
Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot told Business Times this includes Canal+ introducing voluntary severance packages as it reduces staff at headquarters while reinforcing its workforce in the field.
This comes after Canal+ reported during its most recent annual results that it will hire 1,000 more sales staff in South Africa and other territories where it operates as part of a turnaround plan.
Canal+ Africa will also increase the number of points of sale and installer numbers, and increase investment in marketing and branding.
Groupe Canal+ took control of MultiChoice in September 2025, following an extensive mandatory buyout process. It hopes to reverse the South African broadcaster’s subscriber decline.
In March 2026, the French media giant announced plans to spend up to €100 million (R1.9 billion) to accelerate MultiChoice’s turnaround and return to sustainable growth.
Canal+’s results for the 2025 financial year revealed continued declines in revenue and subscribers at MultiChoice.
The broadcaster’s revenue dropped by €142 million (R2.69 billion), and it lost roughly half a million subscribers during the financial year.
Canal+ said its turnaround plan for MultiChoice is structured around four strategic pillars to drive subscriber growth and strengthen the broadcaster.
The first priority is offering a compelling content proposition in Africa, which it plans to achieve through joint products, in-house channels, and global partnerships.
According to Canal+, producing large amounts of local content and retaining key sports rights would remain key to the business’s success.
The second priority is to simplify and strengthen MultiChoice’s commercial propositions through transparent pricing, streamlined branding, and improved marketing.
Thirdly, it will grow its workforce in the field, expand its distribution network, and increase subscriber numbers by lowering entry costs.
Its fourth key priority involves restructuring MultiChoice and its wholly-owned technology and cybersecurity company, Irdeto, which included voluntary severance packages.
The French media giant said its plan aims to improve operational efficiency at MultiChoice through best practices and a standardised operating model across its markets.
Showmax winding down
MultiChoice announced in March 2026 that its streaming platform, Showmax, would be permanently shut down after Canal+ decided it was too expensive to continue offering it as a standalone service.
“The decision to phase out Showmax reflects our focus on building a sustainable, competitive business for the long term in an increasingly demanding global streaming environment,” it said.
“The decision to discontinue Showmax services will not involve any retrenchments. MultiChoice Group will be engaging and supporting employees through various transition options.”
The platform will shut down at the end of April, and Canal+’s plan to transition customers off the platform includes offering Showmax content in DStv Stream and rolling out its own streaming service.
A dedicated Showmax section is available in the DStv Stream app, and many Showmax Originals are already available on DStv Stream.
MultiChoice has also launched a deal where Showmax subscribers can receive free trial access to DStv Stream Compact, running from 1 April until the end of May 2026.
This is at no additional cost to customers, and once the trial concludes, qualifying customers can continue to use DStv Stream Compact for the Showmax subscription fee of R99 per month.
This promotional price will remain for 12 months, provided the customer’s account remains up to date. The offer only applies to Showmax subscribers who don’t have an active DStv subscription.
“Our priority is to ensure customers continue to have a home for the stories they love,” said Willington Ngwepe, the CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo, the contracting company for DStv in South Africa.
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