The series premiered on M-Net (DStv channel 102) on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at 21:00, positioning the premium channel at the centre of a coordinated international content launch.
Waldimar Pelser, director of premium channels at MultiChoice, described the rollout as a landmark moment. “M-Net is proud to be part of this massive global content rollout, which is a first for us with Canal+,” he said, adding that the sweeping historical narrative is expected to resonate strongly with audiences in South Africa and across the continent.
An Epic Retelling of 1066
King & Conqueror chronicles the dramatic power struggle between Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy following the death of King Edward in 1066 without a direct heir. The rivalry ultimately culminates in the historic Battle of Hastings—one of the most defining events in English history.
The series stars James Norton, known for roles in Happy Valley and Playing Nice, alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, widely recognised for his performance in Game of Thrones. The ensemble cast also features Emily Beecham, Clémence Poésy, Juliet Stevenson, Eddie Marsan, and Jean-Marc Barr.
By securing rights to the high-profile production, MultiChoice signals a stronger alignment with Canal+’s European content pipeline—an integration strategy that has been unfolding since Canal+ formally took control of MultiChoice in September 2025, with the final phase of the transaction commencing on 13 October that year.
Content Libraries Set to Merge
MultiChoice now operates under Canal+ Africa, led by CEO David Mignot, who previously outlined plans to combine the strengths of both companies’ content portfolios. DStv subscribers, he said, can expect access to Canal+’s expansive catalogue alongside MultiChoice’s established African programming slate.
Canal+ brings what it describes as the largest European content library to the table, including roughly 9,000 movies and a substantial volume of American productions. It also produces around 4,000 hours of African content annually in up to 15 languages.
MultiChoice, for its part, generates approximately 6,000 hours of local content each year. Combined, the new group expects to deliver about 10,000 hours of programming annually across 20 to 35 languages.
Over a 10- to 15-year horizon, executives estimate the group could build a catalogue exceeding 100,000 to 150,000 hours of content—creating a deep archive capable of travelling across markets in both Europe and Africa.
Synergies and Financial Ambitions
Beyond content, Canal+ has laid out ambitious financial targets aimed at unlocking value from the acquisition.
The company is targeting EBITA run-rate cost synergies of €400 million (approximately R7.5 billion) by 2030, alongside free cash flow (FCF) synergies of €300 million (R5.6 billion). Interim milestones include more than €150 million in EBITA and FCF synergies in 2026, rising to €300 million EBITA and €250 million FCF by 2028.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said the enlarged group’s scale would drive meaningful efficiencies, particularly across its cost base. However, he emphasised that growth prospects in Africa remain the most compelling aspect of the deal.
With the addition of MultiChoice’s roughly 14 million subscribers, Canal+’s total subscriber base has expanded to about 40 million across Europe and Africa. MultiChoice Group subscribers previously peaked at approximately 23.5 million in the 2023 financial year before experiencing a sharp decline. Canal+ maintains it is well positioned to reverse that trend and restore growth across key African markets.
Since assuming control, Canal+ says it has already secured more than €80 million in FCF synergies for 2026. Measures implemented include new content partnerships, renegotiation of hardware costs, infrastructure optimisation, and refinancing of MultiChoice’s long-term debt.
A New Phase for DStv
The broadcast of King & Conqueror may be symbolic of a broader transformation underway at MultiChoice. As Canal+ integrates operations, expands content offerings, and pursues aggressive cost synergies, DStv customers are likely to see both a broader programming mix and operational changes designed to restore subscriber growth and improve profitability.
If the strategy succeeds, the merger could redefine the pay-TV landscape across Africa—combining European scale with African storytelling in a way that positions the new group for long-term expansion.