DStv Hikes Prices in Kenya, Cuts Mobile Rates as User Losses Mount
TLDR
- DStv subscribers in Kenya will face higher monthly fees from August 1, as MultiChoice rolls out new price increases across its TV packages
- The hike continues a multi-year trend by the pay-TV provider to adjust pricing amid rising operating costs and shifting viewer habits
- At the same time, Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming service, is reducing rates for mobile users
DStv subscribers in Kenya will face higher monthly fees from August 1, as MultiChoice rolls out new price increases across its TV packages, ranging between 4% and 7%. The hike continues a multi-year trend by the pay-TV provider to adjust pricing amid rising operating costs and shifting viewer habits.
The Premium package will increase from KES 11,000 to KES 11,700 ($91). Other tiers also see increases:
- Compact Plus: KES 7,300 ($57)
- Compact: KES 4,200 ($33)
- Family: KES 2,250 ($17)
- Access: KES 1,450 ($11)
- Lite: KES 750 ($6)
- XtraView add-on: KES 1,700 ($13)
At the same time, Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming service, is reducing rates for mobile users. The GE Mobile plan drops to KES 200 ($1.55), while the PL Mobile plan falls to KES 450 ($3.49). Bundled mobile and standard plans also see price cuts as MultiChoice aims to retain price-sensitive viewers.
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Key Takeaways
The pricing shakeup reflects MultiChoice’s struggle to retain subscribers amid economic pressure, rising competition, and changing media consumption habits. The group lost 1.2 million subscribers across Africa in the past year—180,000 from Kenya alone—with steep losses in Zambia and South Africa contributing to an R800 million ($45 million) loss. In response, the company is rebalancing its pricing strategy: increasing core DStv prices while making Showmax more accessible, especially on mobile. Kenya's modest rebound in early 2025, following Azam TV’s market exit, gives MultiChoice a chance to regain ground. The firm is also exploring unbundling Supersport into separate subscriptions—an approach that could better segment its user base and potentially reverse churn. With exclusive sports rights as its primary differentiator, MultiChoice is betting that mobile-first pricing and tailored access can hold viewer attention across a more fragmented, competitive media environment.
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