MultiChoice is making a bold move to win back African households. The company announced that from November 1, 2025, prices for its DStv decoders will drop by as much as 40 percent online and 30 percent in stores, the biggest price slash the pay-TV company has made in years.

It is a clear sign that MultiChoice is feeling the heat. Over the past two years, DStv has lost nearly 2.8 million subscribers across Africa, while Nigeria alone accounted for about 1.4 million of those losses, making it one of the most severely affected markets.

Rising costs, a weakening naira, and the growing popularity of cheaper streaming options have pushed many Nigerian households to cut back on their DStv subscriptions or abandon pay TV altogether.

Now, the company is fighting back. With over 500 and 65 streaming platforms competing for African viewers, from Netflix and Showmax to smaller local services like AfreecaTV and IbakaTV and even YouTube, MultiChoice is betting that lower decoder prices might help it regain lost ground, especially in Nigeria, where viewership habits are changing fast.

Industry watchers say the impact of the new pricing could be most visible in Nigeria and Kenya, two of MultiChoice’s most valuable markets. In Nigeria, where millions already rely on mobile data and smart TVs for entertainment, the company’s survival depends on how well it adapts to this streaming-driven shift.

Also Read: MultiChoice slashes DSTV, GOTV decoder prices amid massive subscriber loss

Of course, price cuts come at a cost. Cheaper decoders could shrink profit margins in the short term, especially with volatile exchange rates and rising operating costs across its West African operations. But MultiChoice seems willing to take the hit if it means winning back its customers’ trust and subscribers.

To sweeten the deal, the company has lined up some extras. Between November 7 and 9, all active subscribers will enjoy an “Open Time Weekend”, giving access to premium content at no extra cost. And through December, Premium bouquet users can stream on two additional devices, up to four at once, a move clearly designed to remind old customers what they have been missing.

This major reset comes just months after French media group Canal+ completed its $2 billion takeover of MultiChoice. For some, the decoder discounts look like the new owners’ first big play to revive satellite TV’s relevance, particularly in Nigeria, where streaming is fast redefining the entertainment space.

Whether it works or not, one thing is clear: MultiChoice is not ready to lose Nigeria.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri