The Communications Authority of Kenya’s sector statistics for the quarter ended June put total broadcasting subscriptions at 1.55 million, a 1.8% decline from the previous quarter. But behind that overall contraction, the individual platforms are moving in markedly different directions.
In satellite, DStv recorded 259,047 subscriptions, up 37.2% year on year, while Azam increased 26.2% to 37,978. Zuku, operated by Wananchi Group, moved in the opposite direction, falling 16.4% to 157,051 subscriptions — a loss of 30,788 homes over twelve months.
Digital terrestrial television continues to account for significant volumes, with StarTimes at 493,394 subscriptions and GOtv recording 381,383, representing a 21.3% year-on-year increase.
The regulator points to rising decoder costs as a constraint on new connections, with global chipset prices driving up hardware costs. For consumers entering the market, the decoder remains the physical gateway to the platform — making equipment affordability an increasingly important factor in subscriber growth.
Kenya’s data is particularly useful because the regulator tracks receiving households by delivery platform rather than relying solely on operator-reported subscriber claims. The figures therefore provide a closer view of how the market is shifting: satellite platforms are gaining ground in some segments despite an overall contraction, terrestrial platforms continue to carry substantial subscriber volumes, while rising hardware costs are emerging as a constraint on new connections.
