South Africa’s antitrust regulator accused MultiChoice and supplier Altech of restricting competition in the pay-TV market.
French media group Canal+ is facing its first major regulatory hurdle in Africa after acquiring South African broadcaster MultiChoice in a $2 billion deal. Earlier this week, South Africa’s Competition Commission referred MultiChoice and electronics supplier Altech UEC South Africa to the Competition Tribunal over alleged anti-competitive conduct.
According to the regulator, MultiChoice and Altech entered into an agreement that prevented Altech from entering or competing in South Africa’s pay-TV market, where MultiChoice is the dominant operator. The Commission said the arrangement dates back to February 2014 and involved market division through the allocation of suppliers and services, in violation of South Africa’s Competition Act.
The regulator is seeking a ruling that both companies breached Section 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Competition Act and is pursuing administrative penalties of up to 10% of their annual turnover.
According to Business Insider Africa, the proposed penalty could expose MultiChoice to a fine of about $244 million based on its South African revenue. Since Canal+ completed the acquisition of the broadcaster in December 2025, any financial penalty would ultimately affect the French media group and could complicate its broader African expansion strategy.
MultiChoice, which has previously denied wrongdoing, has not publicly commented on the latest referral to the Tribunal. A hearing date has not yet been announced.
The regulatory pressure comes at a critical time for Canal+, which has described the MultiChoice acquisition as a cornerstone of its strategy to strengthen its position in Africa’s media and entertainment markets. The company previously told investors it expected annual cost savings of about $176 million in the first year after the acquisition, with projected efficiencies rising to more than $471 million annually later in the decade.
Industry analysts say the outcome of the case could affect Canal+’s operational flexibility and regulatory standing in one of Africa’s largest and most competitive broadcasting markets.
Source: Business Insider Africa
