Canal+ and Samsung expand DStv Stream pre-installation across 18 African markets
CANAL+ and Samsung have expanded their strategic partnership to pre-install the DStv Stream application on Samsung Smart TVs across 18 English and Portuguese-speaking African markets. The deal represents one of the first major distribution initiatives following the integration of CANAL+ and MultiChoice Group. It aims to streamline consumer access to premium entertainment and live sports directly from the television home screen.
Key Takeaways
- DStv Stream becomes pre-installed on new Samsung Smart TVs in 18 markets including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Angola.
- The agreement is the first major distribution initiative launched following the integration of Canal+ and MultiChoice Group.
- Integrated access includes high-demand live sports such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 and English Premier League football.
- The partnership extends Canal+'s existing relationship with Samsung which already covers 40 markets across Europe and Asia.
Why It Matters
This move signals a pivot from satellite-first hardware toward a connected TV (CTV) distribution strategy as African broadband penetration improves. By securing prime real estate on Samsung home screens, Canal+ reduces friction for DStv Stream at a time when competition from global platforms like Netflix and YouTube is intensifying. For the newly combined Canal+ and MultiChoice entity, this is a tactical win to stabilize a subscriber base that has transitioned away from traditional decoders. Industry leaders should watch for similar pre-installation deals with other OEM brands like TCL or Hisense as Canal+ attempts to build a unified 'super app' ecosystem across the continent.
Additional Context
The partnership comes as Canal+ aggressively integrates MultiChoice Group assets following a R54 billion acquisition completed in late 2025. Per Tech Central (June 2026), the group recently shuttered the loss-making Showmax service, folding its content into DStv Stream to create a single streaming hub for the continent. This consolidation is part of a broader €100 million turnaround plan aimed at reversing subscriber losses at the South African unit. Canal+ also listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in early June 2026 to maintain local investor exposure following the delisting of MultiChoice shares, according to reporting by CNBC Africa (June 2026). Strategically, the deal targets a rapidly maturing hardware market. Research and Markets (June 2026) estimates the African CTV market will reach $16 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.8%. Digital migration is particularly advanced in South Africa, which accounts for approximately 28.5% of the continent’s total television market value as of 2025 (per Market Data Forecast). However, the integration has not been without friction; South African regulators launched an investigation in mid-June 2026 into potential violations of deal conditions, citing reports that Canal+ reduced its local workforce by over 300 staff members while cutting R7.5 billion in operational expenses, according to MyBroadband (June 2026).
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