MultiChoice, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Canal+, is cutting the price of its DStv HD decoders by as much as 57% in South Africa. The move, effective November 1, 2025, marks Canal+’s first major strategic action since completing its takeover, as it seeks to revive subscriber growth and make satellite TV more affordable amid the dominance of streaming platforms.
Under the new pricing plan, DStv decoders will cost ZAR 299 when purchased directly from DStv’s online store, down from the standard ZAR 699, representing a 57% discount. Customers who opt for installation will pay ZAR 699, a 46% reduction from the previous ZAR 1,299. Retail store prices will also fall to ZAR 399 without installation and ZAR 899 with installation, representing discounts of 43% and 31%, respectively.
| DStv Price Changes (ZAR, 2025) | Seller | Without Installation | Discount | With Installation | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Price | — | 699 | — | 1,299 | — |
| Current Promo (Until Oct 31) | Retail | 499 | 29% | — | — |
| New Price (From Nov 1) | DStv Direct | 299 | 57% | 699 | 46% |
| New Price (From Nov 1) | Retail | 399 | 43% | 899 | 31% |
Canal+ Strategy to Reignite DStv Growth
The decoder price cuts come after MultiChoice lost 2.8 million active TV subscribers across Africa over the past two years, with 1.2 million of those losses recorded in South Africa in 2025 alone, representing an 8% year-on-year decline.
This slump mirrors the challenges faced by the pay-TV industry, including rising subscription costs, economic pressures, and intense competition from over 560 streaming platforms now active across Africa.
By lowering decoder costs, MultiChoice aims to reduce entry barriers for new customers and incentivize existing users to upgrade their devices. The company hopes the more affordable hardware will help rebuild its subscriber base and boost customer retention.
New Perks for DStv Subscribers
To complement the price cuts, MultiChoice is rolling out several subscriber rewards:
- Open Time Weekend (Nov 7–9): All active DStv users will get free access to Premium content at no extra cost.
- Extra Device Streams: DStv Premium subscribers will enjoy two additional simultaneous streams until December 2025, bringing the total to four devices.
These incentives reflect Canal+’s customer-first approach, rewarding loyalty while drawing attention back to DStv’s satellite offerings in an increasingly streaming-dominated entertainment market.
Impact Beyond South Africa
While MultiChoice has yet to confirm whether the decoder price cuts will extend to Nigeria and Kenya, such a move could significantly reshape pay-TV competition in these key markets. Both countries have seen mounting pressure from streaming services and rising living costs, which have strained household entertainment budgets.
If implemented region-wide, the price adjustments could help DStv reconnect with middle-income households, attract new subscribers, and strengthen its position against streaming giants like Netflix, Showmax, and Amazon Prime Video.
The Bigger Picture
Canal+’s decision to slash decoder prices underscores a shifting African TV economy, one where affordability and access are becoming central to survival. As digital entertainment continues to evolve, this aggressive pricing strategy could ignite a continental price war, benefiting consumers but forcing pay-TV and streaming companies to compete harder for every viewer.
