The Digest:
MultiChoice, now majority-owned by France’s Canal+, is implementing aggressive affordability measures to slow declining DStv subscriptions amid intense competition from streaming services. The pay-TV operator has permanently reduced decoder prices, added channels to its entry-level Access package, and introduced a payment-splitting feature in the MyDStv app. Since October 2025, MultiChoice has lost 1.2 million subscribers in South Africa and the rest of Africa. Key price cuts include the HD Single View decoder dropping from R899 to R499 and the Explora 3B falling to R1,499. These moves aim to retain price-sensitive households as more than 560 streaming services compete across the continent.
Key Points:
- Price reductions and shared payments respond to consumer cost-cutting amid economic strain.
- Enhanced entry-level packages aim to prevent customer churn to cheaper streaming alternatives.
- The strategy reflects the growing pressure on traditional pay-TV models from digital disruption.
- Canal+ is leveraging affordability and flexibility to stabilize its subscriber base in key markets.
- Success will depend on whether these measures can offset the convenience and content depth of streaming platforms.
MultiChoice’s focus on affordability highlights the challenging shift from linear TV dominance to a fragmented, on-demand media landscape.
Sources: TechCabal, MultiChoice Announcement
