…As Canal+ pushes subscriber growth
For the first time in years, MultiChoice will not implement its usual April price increase on DStv subscriptions, marking a strategic shift under new owner Canal+.
Its Group CEO, David Mignot confirmed the decision, saying the company’s priority is to rebuild its shrinking subscriber base rather than raise tariffs. While no increase is planned for April, he noted that future adjustments could still be considered depending on economic conditions.
MultiChoice has traditionally raised prices annually, with April 2025 seeing hikes of between 2.1% and 7.9%, including an increase in the DStv Premium package. The pause follows Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice in September 2025.
The move comes amid steep losses. The group shed 2.8 million linear subscribers in the two years to March 2025, including 1.2 million in the last financial year alone, leaving it with 14.5 million customers. Revenue fell by 4 billion Rand to 52 billion Rand, while trading profit dropped 49% to 4 billion Rand.
Mignot said the challenge lies more in commercial execution than content, insisting flagship brands such as SuperSport, M-Net and Africa Magic remain strong. He is banking on a volume-driven strategy, similar to Canal+’s approach in French-speaking Africa, to stabilise and grow subscriptions.
Canal+ is expected to provide further strategic details when it presents its first combined financial results since the acquisition on March 11. For now, DStv subscribers can expect no change to their April bills as the company focuses on reversing customer losses.
