DStv weekly subscriptions model is being put to the test in Uganda—and Nigeria could be next.
As households grapple with rising inflation, MultiChoice hopes this flexible option will offer relief to viewers and help recover losses in key markets like Nigeria, where over a million subscribers have already walked away.
DSTV Weekly Subscriptions Trial Begins
Now in its seventh week, the pilot seeks to align pricing more closely with how customers manage their income in challenging economic times.
“It’s a big change,” said CEO Calvo Mawela.
“When people struggle, weekly passes can help — much like prepaid phones transformed the mobile industry.”
Flexible Channel Options Planned
Within the next three to six months, the company plans to evaluate the pilot’s success.
Meanwhile, it is also developing a flexible base package that lets viewers choose and add individual channels based on their preferences.
Revenue And Profit Decline
However, these initiatives follow a steep financial downturn.
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For the year ending March 31, 2025, MultiChoice reported a 9% revenue drop to $2.87 billion (ZAR50.8 billion), after subscription income fell by 11% and currency challenges persisted.
Operating profit sank by 34% to $263.5 million (ZAR4.7 billion), while trading profit almost halved.
Massive Subscriber Losses In Nigeria
Over the past two years, the company lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers.
Notably, Nigeria accounted for 1.4 million of those losses — 77% of the total decline in the Rest of Africa segment — as inflation surged to 23.71% in April 2025.
Consequently, Nigerian subscription revenue fell from $355.93 million (ZAR6.3 billion) to $197.74 million (ZAR3.5 billion).
Digital Growth Offers Hope
Even so, MultiChoice continues to gain traction in digital services.
DStv Internet revenue jumped 85%, KingMakers rose 76%, DStv Stream increased 48%, and Showmax grew its paying user base by 44%.
“Consumer habits are shifting rapidly,” Mawela concluded.
“So we must evolve just as fast.”
