MultiChoice Kenya intends to raise the cost of DStv by up to KSh500, effective November 1, 2024.
DStv Premium package users will now pay KSh11,000, up from KSh10,500, and Compact Plus subscribers will now pay KSh6,800, up from KSh6,500, representing a 4.7% and 4.6% increase, respectively.
MultiChoice sent a notification saying, “We would like to inform you that MultiChoice will be making changes to some of its DStv subscription prices, effective 1 November 2024,” but did not explain the most recent increase. But this is the fourth price rise in pay TV service in the last two years.
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The Family package will now cost KSh2,100 instead of KSh2,000, while the Compact package will now cost KSh3,900 instead of KSh3,700.
MultiChoice price hike in Nigeria and legal battle
In April 2024, MultiChoice Nigeria announced plans to raise the cost of its DStv and GOtv subscriptions by a minimum of 25%. Due to this decision, legal action was taken; however, it was later dropped in July 2024 with a postponed court date of November 2024. MultiChoice’s attorney mentioned the firm’s vacation period from July to September 2024 and contended that the company could only handle urgent affairs during that time.
This comes after the MultiChoice Group revealed in June 2024 that subscribers in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Zambia had declined 13% in its operational performance report for the fiscal year ending March 2024 (FY24).
MultiChoice announced then that it would concentrate on growing and developing its products, such as DStv Internet and DStv Stream. It also intended to raise cost reductions through cost optimisation and business efficiency improvements, which CEO Calvo Mawela claimed could be accomplished without layoffs.
Read also: The Future of MultiChoice Brands under Canal+
MultiChoice clampdown on illegal streaming in South Africa
In the interim, MultiChoice South Africa has taken decisive action against unauthorised streaming of its premium content. In September 2024, authorities seized illegal streaming equipment, banners promoting the unauthorised selling of DStv Premium content, and a cell phone containing the contact information of those allegedly participating in the illegal operation.
Additionally, the Competition Commission has received the documentation for MultiChoice’s R30 billion takeover by the French television giant Canal+. The only things left are to get the remaining shares and complete the transaction. After the acquisition, Canal+ does not intend to alter the MultiChoice brands.