MultiChoice, now fully owned by Canal+, is set to adjust the pricing of its DStv decoders starting from 1 November 2025. This marks a significant change following years of subscriber decline driven by escalating costs.
In the last two years, the company has seen a reduction of 2.8 million active TV subscribers across Africa, with half of these losses occurring in South Africa and the remainder spread across other countries. In 2025 alone, DStv’s South African subscriber base shrank by 1.2 million, representing an 8% decrease compared to the previous year.
This downturn highlights the increasingly difficult environment for pay-TV providers, influenced by rising subscription fees, evolving viewer habits, and intensified competition from over 560 streaming services now accessible throughout the continent.
Revised Decoder Pricing in Key Markets: South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya
South Africa
Although MultiChoice has yet to confirm if these new pricing adjustments will be implemented across all its territories, a widespread rollout could have a profound effect on major markets such as Kenya and Nigeria, where DStv holds a substantial portion of the pay-TV audience.
Both countries are grappling with increased competition from affordable streaming platforms and rising living expenses. Adjusting decoder prices could either help MultiChoice reclaim lost subscribers or expose its revenue streams to currency volatility and aggressive pricing battles. Should MultiChoice apply similar reductions-around 40% online and 30% in retail-to Nigeria and Kenya, the following new prices would come into effect.
Nigeria
Implications for Subscribers
By lowering decoder prices, MultiChoice is reducing the financial barrier for potential customers who have been reluctant to subscribe to DStv. More affordable devices could entice new users and motivate current subscribers to upgrade their equipment. Once installed, these decoders unlock access to a variety of limited-time benefits introduced by the company.
Between 7 and 9 November, all active DStv subscribers will be granted an Open Time Weekend, allowing complimentary access to Premium content. Additionally, DStv Premium subscribers will receive two extra device streams through December, enabling up to four simultaneous streams.
These pricing changes and promotional offers represent Canal+’s inaugural strategic initiative as the new owner of DStv, aiming to make satellite TV more accessible, reward customer loyalty, and revive interest in traditional pay-TV amid the surge of streaming alternatives.
The substantial discounts on decoders underscore Canal+’s commitment to regaining viewership. Starting in November, South African customers will continue to pay the highest prices for new DStv hardware, followed by Kenyan and Nigerian consumers. Nonetheless, these reductions signal a deliberate effort to restore affordability to satellite television after years of subscriber attrition. This strategy could reconnect DStv with middle-income families who have migrated toward more economical, on-demand entertainment options.
However, the timing of this move reflects the evolving dynamics of the television market. With hundreds of streaming services competing for attention across Africa, these price cuts may ignite a broader pricing battle, offering viewers greater choice but compelling both pay-TV and streaming providers to intensify their efforts to secure every household.
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