Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has revealed that French media conglomerate Vivendi’s Canal+, which recently acquired control of MultiChoice, is prepared to engage with Ghanaian authorities to resolve the ongoing standoff over DSTV subscription rates.
The dispute erupted on August 1, 2025, when Mr. George, speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) to suspend the broadcasting licence of MultiChoice-owned DSTV if the company failed to reduce its subscription fees by August 7. The minister argued that the current pricing structure was unfair to Ghanaian consumers and needed urgent revision.
MultiChoice swiftly rejected the directive in an August 3 statement signed by Alex Okyere, Managing Director of DSTV Ghana. The company maintained that it was committed to keeping prices affordable without compromising the quality of service, but insisted that the minister’s proposed reductions were not commercially viable.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM on August 12, Mr. George disclosed that Canal+, which already owns more than a third of MultiChoice’s shares, had obtained anti-trust clearance from South Africa’s Competition Commission for a full takeover. The acquisition is expected to be completed by October 2025, with transitional arrangements beginning in September.
According to the minister, Canal+ has already opened channels of communication with his office regarding the Ghana dispute.
“They are aware of the situation going on here in Ghana, and I have made it clear to them,” Mr. George said.
“They have reached out, and I have made it clear: if they want to come into Ghana and operate under the licence of the company they are buying, these are our conditions. They’ve made certain indications, and I’ve told them I want it in writing.”
Mr. George stressed that while Canal+’s approach has so far been more constructive than MultiChoice’s, the government will not act on verbal assurances alone.
“I don’t want to take public policy decisions based on phone calls. I’ve asked them to put it in an official letter. Canal+ is willing to talk to us, and I will not run from the fact that their attitude is more positive,” he said.
The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for Ghana’s pay-TV market, which has long been dominated by DSTV. If successful, the engagement between Canal+ and the government could lead to a pricing model more favourable to Ghanaian subscribers, potentially reshaping competition in the sector.
