MultiChoice, owner of DStv, is cutting HD decoder prices by 30–40%.
These reductions cover online and retail sales across Africa, starting in South Africa.
Multichoice Slashed Decoder Prices
For example, a standard HD decoder will drop from R999 to R599, a 40% cut.
This change follows Canal+ acquiring a 45% stake in MultiChoice, which now shapes strategy.
Meanwhile, subscriber numbers have fallen sharply because economic pressures and streaming competition lure viewers away.
Subscriber Losses And Revenue Impact
In Nigeria, DStv and GOtv lost 1.4 million subscribers between March 2023 and March 2025.
As a result, revenue in Nigeria plunged 44%, from $356 million in 2024 to $198 million in 2025.
Across Africa, more than two million subscribers abandoned the service, including 2.8 million in 2024 alone.
In contrast, South Africa remains relatively stable, generating 60% of MultiChoice’s revenue despite slower growth.
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However, subscription fees remain high, leaving many customers unable to afford basic packages.
For instance, in Nigeria, Padi costs ₦4,400, Compact ₦19,000, Compact Plus ₦30,000, and Premium ₦29,000 per month.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, Compact starts at R479, Compact Plus at R659, and Premium at R979 monthly.
Consequently, viewers have shifted to streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix due to economic pressures.
Strategy To Retain Subscribers
Social media users welcomed the decoder cut but criticised the unchanged subscription fees as insufficient.
To combat churn, MultiChoice hopes the promotion will boost decoder sales across Africa.
The launch coincides with “Open Time” from November 7–9, during which subscribers can access Premium channels free.
Analysts warn that the company must adjust subscription pricing to retain market share in Nigeria and South Africa.
By the end of 2024, MultiChoice counted 18 million subscribers across Africa, down from previous highs.
