Why 1 Million Kenyans Have Ditched DStv in Just One Year

DStv has seen a collapse in its subscriber base, with active subscriptions dropping by more than 84% over the past year amid repeated price increases.

Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) shows active DStv subscribers dropped from 1.19 million in June 2024 to just 188,824 by June 2025, representing an 84.13% decline.

The sharp subscriber decline comes closely with a series of price hikes by MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv.

The company increased subscription fees multiple times over the last year, including a Ksh700 rise in August 2025, following a Ksh500 increase in November 2024 and another adjustment earlier in April 2024.

DStv Hiked Prices

The Premium package now costs Ksh11,700, up from Ksh11,000 in mid-2025 and Sh10,500 in 2024, a total increase of Ksh1,200 in just nine months.

Also Read: French Media Giant Officially Takes Over DStv and GOtv Parent Company MultiChoice

Other popular packages also saw hikes: Compact Plus rose to Sh7,300 from Sh6,800; Compact climbed to Sh4,200 from Sh3,900; and the Family package increased to Sh2,250 from Sh2,100.

The price surges have driven many Kenyan consumers away from DStv, seeking more affordable or alternative entertainment options.

Canal+ Take Over MultiChoice Group

This comes as French media company Canal+ has finalized its takeover of MultiChoice Group, the South African firm behind DStv and GOtv.

The acquisition was confirmed on Monday, September 22, after Canal+ acquired all remaining MultiChoice shares it did not already own through a mandatory cash offer of ZAR 125 (about Ksh929) per share.

Also Read: MCK Seeks Ksh1.5 Billion System to Monitor TV and Radio

“CANAL+ and MultiChoice Group announced that the Mandatory Takeover Offer by CANAL+ for the shares of MultiChoice Group it does not already own has become unconditional, with all necessary regulatory conditions complete,” the statement said.

Canal+ plans to integrate its operations to build a global media and entertainment powerhouse, serving more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries.

The immediate impact is a rapidly shrinking DStv subscriber base, as price sensitivity drives many to reconsider their pay-TV subscriptions.

Multichoice GOtv New Prices

Revised DStv Business Subscription Rates

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