Broadcasting
MultiChoice and Canal+ Buyout Deal Forges Ahead
MultiChoice and French media giant Groupe Canal+ have released a joint circular detailing plans and dates for the proposed buyout of the DStv operator at R125 per share.
The circular covers what happens to shareholders who choose not to sell, reiterates Canal+’s plan to list on the JSE, and provides some idea of how the companies might handle foreign ownership restrictions on broadcasters.
Canal+ has steadily bought up MultiChoice stock on the open market since October 2020 and hit a 35% threshold at the beginning of the year, triggering a mandatory buyout offer.
After some wrangling from MultiChoice and a reprimand from the Takeover Regulation Panel, Canal+ offered R125 per share, valuing the company at over R55 billion.
The buyout will cost Canal+ over R30 billion in cash, and the company has continued buying MultiChoice shares while its offer is being considered.
The Takeover Regulation Panel last reported in May that Canal+’s shareholding stood at 45.2%.
Tuesday’s circular shows Canal+ has not bought any additional shares since 10 May 2024. Its average buy price for the past six months has been just over R100 per share.
The circular states that the deal is still subject to several regulatory approvals, including from the Financial Surveillance department, the Competition Tribunal, the JSE, the Takeover Regulation Panel, and other government authorities.
One of the other government authorities is the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), the custodian of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA).
Under the ECA, a foreigner may not, whether directly or indirectly:
- Exercise control over a commercial broadcasting licensee; or
- Have a financial interest or an interest either in voting shares or paid-up capital in a commercial broadcasting licensee exceeding 20%
Exercise control over a commercial broadcasting licensee; or
Have a financial interest or an interest either in voting shares or paid-up capital in a commercial broadcasting licensee exceeding 20%.
Canal+ and MultiChoice have stated that they are exploring several options to comply with these requirements following the buyout.
These include a corporate reorganisation, participation by one or more local BBBEE partners, and mechanisms to limit the voting rights of foreigners.
The latter includes a potential limit on MultiChoice’s voting rights over the licensed entities in the MultiChoice Group.
In March, Bloomberg reported that billionaire Patrice Motsepe was in talks with Canal+ to join its bid for MultiChoice.
Regarding shareholders who do not accept the offer, the companies said they will remain invested provided Canal+’s shareholding remains below 90%.
Canal+ reserves the right to invoke Companies Act provisions allowing it to buy out the last remaining shareholders and delist the company should its ownership exceed 90%.
They also committed to engage with the JSE in the event that MultiChoice’s free float dips below the stock exchange’s liquidity requirements.
“MultiChoice shareholders are reminded that Vivendi SE, the parent company of Canal+, is currently undertaking a feasibility study for the proposed split of the company into several separately listed entities,” the circular stated.
“Canal+ intends that, should its planned European listing proceed, there will be an opportunity for South African investors to become shareholders of the combined entity as part of a secondary inward listing on the JSE.”
The companies explained that if Canal+’s listing occurs before its offer becomes unconditional, it will consider revising it to give MultiChoice shareholders an opportunity to have exposure to the combined group.
MultiChoice and Canal+ said the offer opens at 09:00 on 5 June 2024.
They aim for it to become wholly unconditional by no later than Tuesday, 8 April 2025.
The last day to trade to participate in the offer is 22 April 2025, and it closes at noon on Friday, 25 April 2025.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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