Canal+ began trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as the first French company to list on the bourse [1, 2, 4].
The move marks a significant shift in the South African financial landscape, as Canal+ is now the only global media-entertainment group listed on the exchange [1, 3].
This listing fulfills a regulatory commitment made by the French media and entertainment group following its $3 billion [5] takeover of MultiChoice [5, 2]. The transition was completed via a fast-track process to ensure the company's debut on the South African market [2].
Shares of Canal+ opened at R58.50 [1]. By the early afternoon of the first trading day, the share price had risen to R58.80 [1].
CEO Maxime Saada said the group is entering this new market phase. The company currently serves 70 countries [4] and maintains a subscriber base of 42 million [4]. This strategic expansion leverages the group's existing footprint to strengthen its operational reach within the African continent [5].
Industry observers said the listing is historic for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which has seen few French corporate entities establish a direct presence on the trading floor [1, 3].
“Canal+ is now the only global media-entertainment group listed on the exchange.”
The listing of Canal+ on the JSE represents more than a regulatory checkbox; it signals a deepening of European corporate investment in South African financial infrastructure. By integrating MultiChoice and establishing a local listing, Canal+ is positioning itself as the dominant media aggregator in Africa, bridging the gap between European capital and African consumer markets.
