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In a landmark move set to reshape Africa’s entertainment landscape, French media powerhouse Canal+ has completed a $3 billion acquisition of MultiChoice Group, gaining full ownership of the satellite television giants DStv and GOtv.
This deal, one of the biggest in African media history, marks a new era in broadcasting across the continent and is poised to bring far-reaching consequences for Nollywood, Nigeria’s booming film industry.
Canal+, which had been gradually increasing its stake in MultiChoice since 2020, finally secured regulatory approval to take full control in July 2025. The merger brings together Canal+’s expansive content library and production expertise with MultiChoice’s massive subscriber base spread across over 50 African countries.
This consolidation is not merely about market dominance; it reflects a broader strategic ambition by European media to influence and shape Africa’s entertainment future.
For Nollywood, the acquisition signals both an opportunity and a test. With Canal+ now at the helm, Nollywood’s longstanding partnership with MultiChoice particularly through the Africa Magic channels and Showmax will likely deepen, but also evolve.
The French company is known for its high production standards and international approach to storytelling.
This means Nollywood films may begin to receive more significant financial backing and exposure across new markets, especially in Francophone Africa and Europe.
Projects that may have once struggled to get off the ground due to funding or limited distribution could now find a platform within this expanded ecosystem. For filmmakers, this promises access to more structured pipelines, advanced technology, and cross-border collaborations that could elevate the quality and reach of Nigerian storytelling.
However, the shift in ownership also comes with challenges. Canal+ is expected to bring a more corporate, structured approach to content creation, one that might not always align with Nollywood’s grassroots, fast-paced style. Independent filmmakers could face new barriers, from stricter licensing terms to editorial oversight that favors internationally palatable narratives over local authenticity.
There is a possibility that content curation could become more centralized, with Canal+ potentially favoring projects that meet specific commercial or cultural criteria, which might marginalize some of the raw, locally grounded stories that define Nollywood’s character.
Language dynamics may also come into play. While MultiChoice predominantly catered to English-speaking audiences, Canal+ has deep roots in French-speaking territories.
This could lead to a gradual integration of French-language content into traditionally Anglophone spaces, and a push for bilingual or multilingual productions. Nollywood, known for its dominance in English-language African content, may have to adjust to accommodate new linguistic expectations, possibly diluting some aspects of its cultural identity to appeal to a broader audience.
The impact on streaming cannot be ignored. Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming platform, has struggled to match the firepower of global competitors like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. But with Canal+ now in control, there is likely to be a renewed push to position Showmax as a pan-African streaming leader.
This could translate into increased investment in original Nollywood content, higher licensing fees, and broader distribution deals that allow Nigerian films to reach global audiences more efficiently.
Despite these complexities, the overall outlook for Nollywood is cautiously optimistic. The industry stands at the threshold of global expansion, and the Canal+/MultiChoice merger could be the catalyst it needs to truly go international in a sustainable way.
Filmmakers will need to adapt, improve production values, and embrace co-production models to thrive in this new landscape. But if managed carefully, the deal could usher in a golden era where Nollywood not only dominates African screens but becomes a formidable force in world cinema.
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