Canal+ Ready to Engage Ghana Over DSTV Price Dispute – Sam George
Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, says French media giant Vivendi’s Canal+, which has acquired MultiChoice, is open to discussions with Ghanaian authorities to resolve the standoff over DSTV subscription rates.
The dispute erupted on August 1, 2025, when Mr. George, during the Government Accountability Series, instructed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend MultiChoice-owned DSTV’s broadcasting licence if the company failed to reduce prices by August 7.
MultiChoice rejected the directive in an August 3 statement signed by DSTV Ghana Managing Director Alex Okyere, insisting it kept prices as low as possible without compromising quality, but argued that the minister’s proposed reductions were not realistic.
Speaking on Joy FM on August 12, Mr. George revealed that Canal+, which already holds over a third of MultiChoice shares and has secured anti-trust approval in South Africa for a complete takeover, has indicated its readiness to work with Ghana’s regulator once the acquisition is finalised.
“They are aware of the situation going on here in Ghana, and I have made it clear to them… They’ve made certain indications, and I said to them I want it in writing,” he said.
The minister confirmed that the takeover is expected to be completed by October, with processes kicking in from September. However, he stressed that the government would act only on formal commitments.
“I don’t want to take public policy decisions on the basis of phone calls… Canal+ is willing to talk to us. I will not run from the fact that Canal+’s attitude is more positive than that of MultiChoice,” he added.
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