DStv’s New Era: Canal+ Plans Unified Super App For South African Viewers

South Africans with DStv may soon have one app to rule them all. Canal+, the new owner of MultiChoice, has confirmed plans to merge DStv Stream, Showmax, and its own Canal+ online service into a single “super app” that will reshape how local audiences access entertainment.

A New Chapter For MultiChoice

Canal+, the French media giant, recently completed its takeover of MultiChoice, marking the company’s biggest acquisition to date. The move gives Canal+ control over DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and DStv Stream a combined network that reaches over 14 million subscribers across Africa.

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said the goal is simple: to make watching TV as seamless as possible. “We want to make it convenient and pleasant for our subscribers to access all this great content both international and local,” he said.

Why A Super App?

The television landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. More South Africans are streaming on-demand, while traditional satellite services are slowly losing ground. The proposed super app is Canal+’s way of responding to that shift, bringing everything under one roof.

Instead of juggling multiple apps for sports, movies, and series, users could soon open a single platform with access to all of it from Premier League matches and African dramas to Hollywood blockbusters.

Saada described it as a “simplified, enjoyable viewing experience” that also puts DStv in a stronger position to compete with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

A Boost For Local And African Content

David Mignot, who now leads Canal+ Africa (which includes MultiChoice), said the partnership creates enormous potential for African storytelling.

“MultiChoice content is incredible,” he said. “By combining the strengths of both groups, we’ll have the biggest library of European and American content, plus thousands of hours of local African shows.”

Canal+ produces about 4,000 hours of African programming annually in more than 15 languages, while MultiChoice contributes around 6,000 hours. Together, they plan to create up to 10,000 hours of content per year spanning as many as 35 languages.

Leadership Shake-Up At MultiChoice

The merger has also reshaped leadership at MultiChoice. Former CEO Calvo Mawela now serves as chairman of Canal+ Africa, while ex-CFO Tim Jacobs will help integrate the companies’ financial systems. Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada takes over as chair of the MultiChoice board, which will include Canal+ representatives but remain largely independent.

These changes signal a clear alignment between the two companies as they prepare for a more unified media strategy across Africa.

What This Means For Viewers

For DStv subscribers, the integration promises easier access to a wide variety of content without the clutter of multiple apps. It also opens the door to new pricing models and improved streaming quality though Canal+ has yet to announce specifics.

If successful, the super app could redefine how South Africans consume entertainment, blending Canal+’s global catalogue with the local flavour that has made DStv a household name for decades.

As Saada put it, this is only the beginning of “a new digital chapter for Africa’s leading entertainment platform.”

{Source:Business Tech}

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