French media giant Canal+ is pushing an aggressive turnaround strategy for MultiChoice, targeting sales expansion, local content protection and workforce restructuring as it seeks to reverse declining subscriptions.

Canal+ Africa CEO, David Mignot, told Business Times the strategy includes the introduction of voluntary severance packages at MultiChoice’s headquarters, alongside efforts to strengthen field operations.

The move forms part of a broader plan that will see Canal+ recruit about 1,000 additional sales staff across South Africa and other markets where it operates. The company also intends to expand its network of sales points and installers, while ramping up investment in marketing and branding.

Canal+ officially took control of MultiChoice in September 2025 after completing a mandatory buyout, positioning itself to halt the broadcaster’s subscriber losses.

In March 2026, the company announced plans to invest up to €100 million (R1.9 billion) to accelerate MultiChoice’s recovery and restore sustainable growth.

However, Canal+’s 2025 financial results highlighted the scale of the challenge, with MultiChoice recording a €142 million (R2.69 billion) drop in revenue and losing დაახლოებით half a million subscribers during the period.

The turnaround plan is anchored on four key pillars aimed at rebuilding the business and driving subscriber growth.

The first focuses on strengthening content offerings across Africa through joint productions, in-house channels and international partnerships. Canal+ emphasised that investing in local content and securing key sports rights will remain central to its strategy.

Secondly, the company aims to simplify MultiChoice’s commercial structure by introducing clearer pricing, streamlined branding and more effective marketing.

The third pillar centres on expanding field operations, widening distribution networks and reducing entry costs to attract more subscribers.

The fourth involves restructuring MultiChoice and its technology and cybersecurity subsidiary, Irdeto, including the rollout of voluntary severance packages to improve operational efficiency through a standardised business model.

Meanwhile, MultiChoice has confirmed that its streaming platform, Showmax, will be shut down at the end of April 2026 after Canal+ deemed it too costly to sustain as a standalone service.

The company said the decision is part of efforts to build a more competitive and sustainable business in a challenging global streaming market. It, however, assured that the shutdown will not result in job losses, with staff to be supported through transition options.

As part of the transition, Showmax content is being integrated into DStv Stream, with a dedicated section already available on the platform. Several Showmax Originals have also been added to the service.

MultiChoice has further introduced a promotional offer allowing Showmax subscribers to access DStv Stream Compact at no extra cost from 1 April to the end of May 2026. After the trial period, eligible users can continue the service at a subscription fee of R99 per month for up to 12 months, provided their accounts remain active.

The offer applies to Showmax users without an existing DStv subscription.

“Our priority is to ensure customers continue to have a home for the stories they love,” said Willington Ngwepe, the contracting entity for DStv in South Africa.