The past two years have been particularly tough for the company. MultiChoice lost a total of 2.8 million active TV subscribers across the continent, with South Africa accounting for roughly half of the decline. In 2025 alone, DStv shed 1.2 million users in South Africa, representing an 8% drop compared to the previous year. Industry analysts point to higher subscription fees, the growing allure of on-demand content, and increased competition from affordable streaming services as key drivers of the slump.
Decoder Price Cuts in Key Markets
While MultiChoice has not confirmed whether the price adjustments will be uniform across all markets, the change could have significant implications for major regions like Nigeria and Kenya, where DStv still commands a substantial share of pay-TV households. Both countries face pressure from cheaper streaming alternatives and rising living costs, making the potential price cuts a critical lever in regaining lost subscribers.
Preliminary reports suggest that price reductions could mirror similar discounts applied elsewhere—around 40% online and 30% through retail channels—making DStv decoders far more accessible to middle-income households.
South Africa
| Decoder Type | Previous Price | New Online Price | Difference (Online) | New Retail Price | Difference (Retail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD Single View | R499 ($29) | R300 ($17) | R200 ($12) ↓ | R350 ($20) | R150 ($9) ↓ |
| DStv Streama | R799 ($46) | R479 ($28) | R319 ($18) ↓ | R560 ($32) | R240 ($14) ↓ |
| DStv Explora (3B) | R2,499 ($144) | R1,500 ($86) | R999 ($58) ↓ | R1,750 ($100) | R750 ($43) ↓ |
| DStv Explora Ultra | R3,499 ($200) | R2,099 ($121) | R1,400 ($81) ↓ | R2,450 ($141) | R1,050 ($60) ↓ |
Nigeria
| Decoder Type | Previous Price | New Online Price | Difference (Online) | New Retail Price | Difference (Retail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD Zapper | ₦10,000 ($6.82) | ₦6,000 ($4.09) | ₦4,000 ($2.73) ↓ | ₦7,000 ($4.78) | ₦3,000 ($2.05) ↓ |
| HD Zapper + Dishkit | ₦25,000 ($17.06) | ₦15,000 ($10.23) | ₦10,000 ($6.83) ↓ | ₦17,500 ($11.94) | ₦7,500 ($5.12) ↓ |
| DStv Explora | ₦223,990 ($152.81) | ₦134,394 ($91.68) | ₦89,596 ($61.13) ↓ | ₦156,793 ($106.96) | ₦67,197 ($48.84) ↓ |
| Explora Smart LNB | ₦258,990 ($176.68) | ₦155,394 ($106.01) | ₦103,596 ($70.67) ↓ | ₦181,293 ($123.68) | ₦77,697 ($53.01) ↓ |
Kenya
Decoder Type Previous Price New Online Price Difference (Online) New Retail Price Difference (Retail) HD Zapper KES1,199 ($9) KES719 ($6) KES480 ($4) ↓ KES840 ($6.50) KES360 ($3) ↓ HD Zapper + Dish Kit KES3,199 ($25) KES1,919 ($15) KES1,280 ($10) ↓ KES2,240 ($17) KES960 ($7) ↓ DStv Explora KES22,500 ($175) KES13,500 ($104) KES9,000 ($70) ↓ KES15,750 ($122) KES6,750 ($52) ↓
| Decoder Type | Previous Price | New Online Price | Difference (Online) | New Retail Price | Difference (Retail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD Zapper | KES1,199 ($9) | KES719 ($6) | KES480 ($4) ↓ | KES840 ($6.50) | KES360 ($3) ↓ |
| HD Zapper + Dish Kit | KES3,199 ($25) | KES1,919 ($15) | KES1,280 ($10) ↓ | KES2,240 ($17) | KES960 ($7) ↓ |
| DStv Explora | KES22,500 ($175) | KES13,500 ($104) | KES9,000 ($70) ↓ | KES15,750 ($122) | KES6,750 ($52) ↓ |
Benefits for Subscribers
For viewers, the adjustments lower the barrier to entry for those who have hesitated to subscribe due to cost. More affordable hardware could attract new households and encourage existing customers to upgrade their devices. To complement the price cuts, MultiChoice will roll out a series of limited-time benefits:
- From 7 to 9 November, all active DStv users will enjoy an “Open Time Weekend,” gaining access to premium content at no extra cost.
- DStv Premium subscribers will receive two additional device streams through December, allowing up to four simultaneous views.
These incentives not only reward loyalty but also enhance the value proposition of traditional satellite TV at a time when streaming services continue to chip away at market share.
Strategic Implications
MultiChoice’s decoder discounts highlight Canal+’s commitment to reversing declining subscriber trends and reasserting DStv’s relevance in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. South Africans will still face the highest hardware costs, followed by Kenyans and Nigerians, but the reductions mark a clear effort to make satellite TV affordable again.
Industry observers note that this move could reconnect DStv with households that previously migrated to lower-cost, on-demand platforms. Yet, the timing also underscores the changing economics of television in Africa. With hundreds of streaming services now competing for attention, price reductions may trigger wider competition, benefiting consumers but raising the stakes for both pay-TV and digital streaming providers.
MultiChoice’s strategy reflects a broader challenge for traditional broadcasters: balancing affordability with profitability while navigating a rapidly evolving entertainment ecosystem. The coming months will show whether lower decoder prices can successfully lure viewers back to satellite TV or simply intensify competition across Africa’s booming streaming market.