{"id":840993,"date":"2025-10-26T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=840993"},"modified":"2025-10-26T06:28:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T04:28:23","slug":"south-africans-are-dumping-dstv-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/840993\/south-africans-are-dumping-dstv-3\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africans are dumping DStv"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
South African households are dumping DStv as more affordable and convenient streaming services gain traction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is one of the biggest challenges MultiChoice faces in South Africa, and there is no clear way the company can stop this decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MultiChoice\u2019s integrated annual report for the year that ended 31 March 2025 shed light on the extent of the DStv exodus in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The number of DStv subscribers in South Africa declined by 589,000 over the last year, representing an overall base decline of 8%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DStv Premium base, which includes Compact Plus, declined by 96,000 subscribers. This represents a year-on-year decline of 9%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MultiChoice explained that its DStv Premium decline is driven by customer affordability and competition from third-party streaming services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another contributing factor is the impact of the non-recurrence of popular sporting events such as the Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MultiChoice\u2019s middle-market subscribers declined by 99,000, representing a year-on-year reduction of 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It explained that the DStv Compact base is most exposed to mid-market consumer affordability challenges, including high levels of indebtedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also growing competition from lower cost local general entertainment options on streaming and satellite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mass-market tier was down by 394,000, a year-on-year decline of 9%. This is the second year it has experienced a decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MultiChoice said Access customers were impacted by load-shedding and negative macro-economic pressures, like inflation and high unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growth has further been impacted by the reduction in decoder subsidies, which has improved the quality of customer on the package and reduced costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
MultiChoice explains the DStv challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on the DStv subscriber decline in South Africa, MultiChoice said consumers continues to be under significant financial pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It highlighted that unemployment rates in the country remain elevated and economic growth forecasts are below 1%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added that the benefits of lower interest rates and inflation will take time to translate into an increase in real disposable income for consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also multiple industry factors and global trends that impact DStv\u2019s performance in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is an ongoing shift to cheaper streaming services and younger customers spend a significant amount of time on social media platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stronger free alternatives continuing to improve and there are higher levels of piracy, across all genres, especially in younger market segments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To address these challenges, Canal+, which acquired MultiChoice this year, said it has big plans for DStv in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time, it will aim to provide DStv subscribers with more local African content, series, sports, and superior value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ said the company is now focused on integrating Canal+ and MultiChoice as quickly as possible to benefit DStv\u2019s subscribers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said current subscribers will not notice any immediate change in terms of offers, services, or content, which will all remain the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut over time, we look forward to providing them with greater local African content, series and local sport and superior value-for-money,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said they are set to establish the new company as the absolute best value proposition with the best user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will join forces and bring the best content from both companies to our consumers all across geographies. We intend to do this as quickly as possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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