BCLP advises Canal+ on acquisition of South African media company MultiChoice

International law firm BCLP advised entertainment leader Canal+ on its all-cash offer to acquire South African media company MultiChoice.  

Canal+ is a French premium television channel launched in 1984 and owned by Canal+ Group, a leading international integrated media company serving approximately 26.4 million subscribers, including 17 million outside of France. The Group is active in television broadcasting and distribution in France, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Central and Eastern Europe, and French overseas territories. 

Africa is a key pillar in Canal+’s long-term ambitions, with its African subscriber base having nearly doubled in five years. With this acquisition, Canal+ aims to build a global entertainment presence, with Africa at its heart, poised to deliver African sports and stories to audiences locally and globally.

This transaction underscores BCLP’s commitment to supporting clients’ strategic initiatives to drive growth and innovation, especially in the fast-evolving media and entertainment industry. The deal was named the “Deal of the Year” at the 25th annual Ansarada DealMakers Awards, where judges praised it as a “transformational traction”.  

The BCLP team was led by UK Managing Partner Jinal Shah, supported by Senior Associate Derryn Visser, Associates Conor McDonald and Cecilie Sørvig, and Trainees Miriam Walters-Manneh and Rob Howarth.

The transaction involved complex regulatory considerations across jurisdictions. Antitrust counsel was led by Antitrust & Competition Practice Head Andy Hockley, supported by Senior Associate Paul Culliford, Associate Thomas Wright and Trainee Sarah Platts. St. Louis-based Counsel Brian Feezel handled the US securities aspects of the transaction. BCLP’s relationship firm in South Africa, Bowmans, led by Chairman & Senior Partner Ezra Davids, is South African counsel to Canal+.

The transaction involved complex reorganization of MultiChoice’s South African operations to ensure continuing compliance with South African laws that restrict foreign control of licensed broadcasters. BCLP’s Technology, Commercial & Data Head Marcus Pearl and Associate Vishnu Rege supported on commercial elements of the reorganization. ​