An industry report seen by BMA has confirmed that MultiChoice—the mother of DStv and GOtv—has lost around 3.7 million subscribers over the last two years. The report shows that the company’s subscriber base fell from 23 million to 19.3 million.
Analysis of this decline has ignited speculation regarding the forces behind this migration. Analysts identify increased streaming platforms, financial hardship, and shifting viewing habits as chief drivers. Traditional pay-TV options like MultiChoice are threatened as lower-cost and more nimble digital choices gain popularity. Slumps in major economies may force homes to cut back on discretionary spending, such as premium TV subscriptions.
Analysts from Citizen SA concluded that Multichoice is at a crossroads today and suggested that to reverse the tide, the business must redo its strategy—either diversify its content, reboot its pricing model, or play more digitally.
The report writers believe that the declining number of Multichoice DStv subscribers reflects the ever-evolving nature of the media landscape in Africa.
