MultiChoice Nine-Month Revenue Slips 3% Under Canal+
Canal+ said MultiChoice revenue fell 3.0% like for like in the first nine months of 2026 to €1.805 billion, or about $2.02 billion, held back by lower South African subscription income. The decline eased to 2.0% in the third quarter from 3.4% in the first half. DStv replaced its South African tiers in September, and new Nigerian packages are planned for October 27.
Canal+, the French pay-TV and film company that acquired MultiChoice, reported nine-month revenue of €1.805 billion (about $2.02 billion). On a restated basis this was 0.4% higher, but like-for-like it fell 3.0%. Lower South African subscription income drove the drop, while most other English-speaking markets contributed more. The third-quarter decline was 2.0%, compared with 3.4% in the first half, helped partly by easier sports-event comparisons.
DStv replaced its South African tiers on 17 September with Starter, Select, Sports, Movies & Series and Premium. MultiChoice Nigeria is expected to present new DStv and GOtv packages on 27 October, BusinessDay reported. Canal+ did not disclose a subscriber total, so the effect of the new packages remains unclear.
The revenue decline may matter most to subscribers and staff in South Africa, where softer subscription income suggests households and businesses are reassessing pay-TV spending as streaming options grow. New DStv tiers and planned Nigerian packages could affect viewing choices and household budgets, while suppliers and local production partners may feel pressure if subscription revenue stays soft. Because subscriber numbers were not disclosed, the practical impact remains uncertain.