Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has acted as competition law advisors to MultiChoice Group Limited (MCG) in relation to the acquisition by Group Canal+ SAS (Canal+) of up to 100% of the issued ordinary shares of MCG under a mandatory public takeover offer. The parties announced on 22 September 2025 that the deal had become unconditional.
MCG is a leading provider of audio-visual entertainment services in Africa. It operates in 50 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, providing a choice of entertainment and tech-based consumer services across multiple platforms.
Canal+ is a leading international media and entertainment group, headquartered in France and operating across more than 50 countries. With a strong presence in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the group is known for its world-class content spanning movies, series, documentaries, kids’ programming, and sports. Through its television channels, streaming platforms, and partnerships, Canal+ reaches over 25 million subscribers worldwide.
The approximately USD 2 billion transaction has significant implications for the media sector in Africa and is seen as an important development for the parties within the context of global trends in the consumption of digital content. The combined group will be better positioned to compete with global giants, while maintaining strong local roots and investment on the continent.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team supported MCG in successfully navigating the complexities of the deal and obtaining merger control approvals in a number of jurisdictions across the African continent and beyond.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team was led by partner Jean Meijer, together with directors Stewart Payne, Lesetja Morapi and Sandhya Foster, and associate Nyiko Mathebula.
Jean Meijer commented: “We are pleased to have assisted MultiChoice Group in successfully pursuing this transaction, which is of fundamental importance to its future. The matter required seamless collaboration between us and the client and drew on our competition law expertise across Sub-Saharan Africa. It was a pleasure to work together with MultiChoice on this and we are proud to have played our part in contributing towards a successful outcome."