One of Africa’s largest entertainment giants, DStv, has officially been acquired by French media conglomerate Canal+ – a subsidiary of Vivendi, in a deal that is sending shockwaves through the continent’s media landscape.

The acquisition, valued at billions of rand, positions Canal+ as a dominant force in Africa’s pay-tv market, raising both hopes and concerns among consumers, regulators, and content creators.

For decades, DStv, owned by South Africa’s MultiChoice Group has been the go-to platform for African households, offering a mix of sports, news, movies and local programming.

With over 20 million subscribers spread across sub-Saharan Africa, DStv didn’t just provide entertainment – it shaped African narratives.

But the takeover signals a shift. Industry experts warn that with a European company at the helm, the platform might prioritise globalised content over African storytelling.

“We risk seeing less investment in local productions and more recycled Western programming,” said Thando Moyo, a Johannesburg-based film producer. “African culture must not be side-lined.”

Canal+ has long eyed the African market, where pay-tv still holds massive growth potential. With a young, expanding population and increasing internet connectivity, Africa represents a lucrative frontier.

The acquisition gives Canal+ a strategic foothold in both traditional TV and streaming services. Analysts believe the French media giant will eventually push for aggressive digital expansion, possibly rebranding Showmax (DStv’s streaming arm) and bringing in French and European content libraries to compete with Netflix and Amazon.

The immediate concern for many African subscribers is affordability. Already, DStv has faced criticism for high prices in lower-income nations. Canal+ past pricing models in Francophone Africa haven’t been cheap – and this raises fears of further rate hikes.

Moreover, language inclusivity could become an issue. Canal+ primarily caters to French-speaking markets. Will Anglophone, Lusophone and Swahili-speaking users be left behind?

“We hope this doesn’t become another case of African consumers paying premium prices for content they didn’t ask for,” said Janet Otieno, a media analyst based in Nairobi.

Not all is gloom. Canal+ has a proven record of producing high-quality content, and its acquisition could lead to better infrastructure, more polished African films, and international distribution of local talent.

There’s also potential for stronger competition in the streaming market, possibly driving innovation and diversity in content.

Furthermore, Canal+ has promised a “Pan-African content strategy” in partnership with local creators. If honoured, this could elevate African voices on a global stage.

Governments and media regulators across Africa are watching the deal closely. In South Africa, the Competition Commission has demanded that Canal+ maintain commitments to local content quotas and employment protections.

In Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana – key DStv markets – lawmakers are calling for public hearings to assess the deal’s implications on digital sovereignty, data privacy and cultural integrity.

DStv’s acquisition by Canal+ marks a turning point in Africa’s media evolution. Whether it becomes a vehicle for continental growth or a cautionary tale of lost independence will depend on how African voices are included – not just as audiences, but as creators and decision-makers.

“The screen must remain African,” warned Nigerian filmmaker Chika Okeke, “or we risk losing the power of our own stories.”

• A Tell Media report / By Emille Martin