MultiChoice Kenya has announced an impending price adjustment for its DStv subscriptions, with increases of up to KSh500 set to take effect from November 1, 2024. The adjustment will see the cost of the DStv Premium package rise to KSh11,000 from the current KSh10,500, while the Compact Plus package will increase to KSh6,800 from KSh6,500. These changes represent hikes of 4.7% and 4.6% for the respective packages.
The company issued a notice to its subscribers, stating, “We would like to inform you that MultiChoice will be making changes to some of its DStv subscription prices, effective 1 November 2024.” The specific reasons behind the price increase were not detailed in the notice. Notably, this will be the fourth time in two years that the pay TV service has adjusted its pricing.
Under the new price structure, subscribers of the Compact package will see their fees increase from KSh3,700 to KSh3,900, while the Family package will experience a rise from KSh2,000 to KSh2,100.
In a related development, MultiChoice Nigeria also implemented a price hike of at least 25% for its DStv and GOtv services in April 2024. This decision prompted legal action, although the case was withdrawn in July 2024 after a court hearing scheduled for November was adjourned. During the legal proceedings, MultiChoice’s attorney pointed out that the company’s vacation period spanned from July to September, during which only urgent matters could be addressed.
These price adjustments follow a report by the MultiChoice Group in June 2024, which indicated a 13% decline in subscriber numbers across Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Zambia for the fiscal year ending March 2024 (FY24). In response to this trend, MultiChoice has expressed its intention to concentrate on expanding and stimulating growth in its offerings, such as DStv Internet and DStv Stream. The company also aims to enhance business efficiency and achieve cost savings, which CEO Calvo Mawela assured could be realized without resorting to retrenchments.
In South Africa, MultiChoice has been actively combating the illegal streaming of its content. In September 2024, a crackdown resulted in the confiscation of unauthorized streaming devices and promotional materials, as well as a mobile phone containing contacts allegedly linked to the illicit distribution of DStv Premium content.
Furthermore, the process for MultiChoice’s acquisition by French media conglomerate Canal+ is underway, with a R30 billion deal currently filed with the Competition Commission. The acquisition is pending the purchase of the remaining shares and the finalization of the transaction. Canal+, however, has indicated that it does not intend to alter the MultiChoice brand post-acquisition.
