Canal+ extends MultiChoice acquisition deadline amid regulatory challenges
- Canal+ has announced a six-month extension for the acquisition of MultiChoice, moving the deadline to October 8, 2025.
- The delay is attributed to South Africa's Electronic Communications Act, which restricts foreign ownership in broadcasting licenses.
- Canal+ and MultiChoice propose creating 'LicenceCo' to hold the broadcasting license, ensuring majority ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans.
The proposed restructuring of Canal+ and MultiChoice through LicenceCo is a strategic response to regulatory challenges, but its success hinges on regulatory approval. This situation highlights the complexities of foreign investment in South Africa's media landscape and raises questions about the balance between local empowerment and global business interests. Further discussion could explore the implications of such regulatory frameworks on foreign investments in other sectors.
