MultiChoice Kenya has announced significant reductions in the prices of its decoders and installation accessories for both DStv and GOtv, as the pay-TV operator moves to stem a steep decline in its subscriber base caused by repeated price hikes and growing competition.
Under the revised pricing, the high-definition DStv Zapper decoder will now retail at KSh 850, down from KSh 1,199, while GOtv decoders have been reduced from KSh 999 to KSh 799. Installation-related costs have also been reviewed, with the GOtv antenna now priced at KSh 700 and the DStv dish kit lowered to KSh 1,650. MultiChoice confirmed that the promotional prices will remain in effect until December 31, 2025.
The price cuts follow a turbulent period for the company, during which it implemented seven package price increases in less than three years. These adjustments, coupled with economic pressure on households, have driven many customers away from traditional pay-TV services. As a result, MultiChoice Kenya has experienced one of its sharpest subscriber declines in recent history.
According to industry data, DStv’s active subscriber numbers in Kenya fell dramatically from about 1.19 million to just 188,824 by June 2025, representing an almost 80 percent drop within a year. Analysts attribute the decline to rising subscription costs, competition from cheaper digital alternatives, and the growing popularity of illegal online streaming platforms.
MultiChoice Kenya Managing Director Nzola Miranda said the revised pricing is intended to show appreciation to loyal customers while making the service more accessible to new users. He noted that the company is responding to changing market realities and intensifying competition in the entertainment sector.
The Kenyan price adjustment comes amid broader changes within the MultiChoice Group. Recently, South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved a takeover deal allowing French media group Canal+ to acquire up to 100 percent of MultiChoice’s ordinary shares, although LicenceCo will remain separate to comply with local ownership regulations.
Despite the aggressive pricing strategy, uncertainty remains over whether the reductions will be enough to reverse subscriber losses, especially as similar declines have been recorded in other key markets such as Nigeria, Zambia, and Angola.
By Newshub