With Canal+ now at the helm, MultiChoice is wasting no time making bold changes. Starting November 1, 2025, DStv decoder prices will drop by as much as 40%, marking the first major price correction after years of subscriber decline.
Between the lines: The company has shed 2.8 million active subscribers across Africa over the last two years, half from South Africa alone. In 2025, it lost 1.2 million users, an 8% drop year-on-year, as streaming services and cost-of-living pressures pulled viewers away. For a company that once defined premium African entertainment, thatโs a sharp wake-up call.
Now under full Canal+ ownership, MultiChoice appears to be resetting its playbook. By making hardware more affordableโcutting decoder prices by up to 40% in South Africa and by an estimated 30โ40% in Nigeria and Kenyaโthe company lowers entry costs for households previously priced out of DStv.ย
In South Africa, where a R499 ($29) decoder could now sell for about R350 ($20), the adjustment is significant. In Nigeria, a โฆ10,000 ($6.82) unit may drop to โฆ7,000 ($4.78), while in Kenya, a KES1,199 ($9) decoder could fall to around KES840 ($6.5). For budget-conscious families across these markets, the difference could be decisive.
State of play: As over 560 streaming platforms compete for African eyeballs, DStvโs lower decoder pricing could spark a continental โprice warโ for household screens. The move might help Canal+ rebuild its subscriber base among middle-income viewers, but it also exposes the company to thinner margins and greater currency risk.
If Canal+ can pair these price cuts with better content, bundles, and flexible streaming options, DStv could find a way to stay relevant in Africaโs rapidly fragmenting entertainment market.
