MultiChoice expects to lose at least R2.9 billion in 2026 – here’s the plan to save it

It does not look like French media giant Canal+ will start enjoying the benefits of acquiring DStv’s parent company, MultiChoice. The French media giant announced its unaudited preliminary results for the full year ended 31 December 2025 on Wednesday morning. Canal+ acquired MultiChoice in 2025, and it has been making changes to the group since then in an attempt to reform it back to its former glory.

MultiChoice’s subscriptions are down to 14.4 million, from 14.9 million in 2024. Canal+ said the company faced challenges, including currency devaluation in Nigeria, from 2023 onwards. Not forgettingthe expensive failure of Showmax, and strong inflation across most cost items, especially content, which negatively impacted the DStv-owner’s profitability.

Looking ahead, Canal+ said it expects MultiChoice to save money faster after offloading Showmax. “Due to recent initiatives (for example, the discontinuation of Showmax), delivery of cost synergies is accelerated and is expected to reach €250m (more than R4.7 billion) in 2026, up from €150m (more than R2.8 billion) announced in January communication,” said the French media giant.