Meet the New CEO Leading DStv
MultiChoice Group, the powerhouse behind DStv, has a new leader. David Mignot, a seasoned French media and telecoms executive, is now CEO of Canal+ Africa, which recently completed its takeover of MultiChoice after clearing regulatory requirements. His appointment comes at a crucial time as the South African entertainment giant faces intense competition from global streaming services.
Who Is David Mignot?
Born in 1973 in Mennecy, a small town in Essonne, France, Mignot had a childhood that balanced suburban life, nature, and culture. In a recent interview with Podcast African Business Makers, he described it as happy but sometimes challenging. He often stood out due to his height and academic achievements.
Mignot grew up in a culturally rich household. “We were exposed to musical, literary, and theatrical culture, as well as the great outdoors,” he said. His family were avid climbers, and weekends often meant trips to forests or mountains. His parents, shaped by the hardships of World War II, taught him that comfort is never guaranteed and hard work is essential.
Career Path: From France to Africa
Mignot’s career shows extensive expertise in media and telecommunications. After earning an Economics degree from Paris Dauphine University, he completed military service and joined consulting firm Bossard Consultants in 1996. There, he helped TPS launch a direct-to-home pay-TV platform, competing with Canal+.
In 1999, he founded Parabole Réunion, an Internet and satellite TV operator, and led it until 2008. He then became deputy CEO at Groupe Outremer Telecom, a telecommunications provider in France’s overseas territories.
Mignot’s connection to Africa began in high school, where he interacted with many African classmates. Professionally, his African focus grew when he joined Canal+ in 2011 as director of African operations. He became general manager for Africa in 2013. Under his leadership, the company grew from 300 to around 2,000 employees and strengthened live sports coverage, a key area of competition with MultiChoice’s SuperSport.
Guiding Principles and Leadership Style
Mignot follows four main principles in decision-making:
- Ambition Alignment: Does a choice move you closer to your goals, even with detours?
- Courage: Does it require bravery rather than comfort?
- Integrity: Can you fully own the decision?
- Team Alignment: Do all teams and stakeholders align with the choice?
He also stresses the importance of sharing lessons from failures alongside successes to build stronger teams and sustainable growth.
Challenges Ahead: MultiChoice in a Competitive Market
Mignot takes over MultiChoice Africa at a challenging time. The company has lost subscribers to streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. His immediate task is to stop these losses and restore revenue growth. He plans to leverage MultiChoice’s local content and sports strengths to remain competitive.
He envisions a pan-African strategy that combines Canal+’s Francophone achievements with MultiChoice’s South African presence. This approach could create a unified platform capable of competing with global streaming services by offering local content, sports, and premium entertainment.
What This Means for South African Viewers
For South Africans, Mignot’s appointment could signal a new era for DStv. Viewers may see improvements in content quality, more competitive pricing, and innovative subscription models. Sports fans could benefit from enhanced live coverage and better access to regional tournaments.
Mignot’s track record suggests he values understanding local markets and adapting strategies to meet audience preferences. His pan-African vision could result in closer collaboration between South Africa and Canal+’s Francophone markets, offering audiences richer and more diverse content.
Looking Forward
David Mignot’s leadership marks a strategic shift in South Africa’s media landscape. His experience in African markets, focus on operational excellence, and commitment to aligning teams around shared goals position DStv to tackle its current challenges.
While he has not yet shared detailed plans for MultiChoice, his track record suggests a focus on innovation, quality content, and subscriber satisfaction. South African viewers can expect a blend of local content excellence and strategic pan-African collaboration under his leadership.
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David Mignot’s appointment as CEO brings both continuity and transformation to MultiChoice Africa. Guided by strong principles and deep knowledge of African markets, he aims to strengthen DStv’s position in a competitive media landscape. South African audiences can look forward to engaging content, improved services, and a renewed focus on keeping DStv at the forefront of African entertainment.
