MultiChoice has discontinued its GOtv Stream application across all African markets where it was available, ending a mobile streaming service that allowed subscribers to access GOtv content beyond their traditional television decoders.
The application was removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play on 21 October 2026. In a notice to subscribers, the company confirmed that the service had been discontinued, advising customers to continue accessing their subscriptions through their GOtv decoders. No official explanation has been provided for the decision.
GOtv Stream operated in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi and Mozambique following its launch in December 2023. The service was offered at no additional cost to households with an active GOtv decoder subscription.
Subscribers could register up to four devices, although only one stream could be watched simultaneously. The application also restricted screen casting, positioning it primarily as a mobile viewing option rather than a replacement for traditional television access.
The withdrawal raises questions about MultiChoice’s wider digital distribution strategy. GOtv Stream was not designed as a standalone subscription product but as an extension of the existing decoder-based service, allowing subscribers to access television content through smartphones and other supported devices.
Its removal means GOtv customers in the affected markets will now rely on their decoders for access to subscribed content, reducing the flexibility previously offered by the mobile application.
The decision also comes amid wider changes to MultiChoice’s subscription and streaming operations. The company discontinued Showmax in April 2026, while restructuring its DStv subscription packages across several markets during September and October.
These developments coincide with the group’s acquisition by French media company Canal+, which has indicated a stronger focus on operational efficiency and addressing loss-making activities within its streaming operations.
For African pay-TV markets, the discontinuation of GOtv Stream raises broader questions about the future of mobile-first television distribution, particularly in countries where smartphones provide an important alternative viewing platform for households.
While decoder-based subscriptions remain central to MultiChoice’s business model, the withdrawal of a complementary mobile service could affect how the company competes with streaming platforms and other digital entertainment providers offering greater flexibility across devices.
The development highlights a strategic shift towards consolidating traditional pay-TV operations, as MultiChoice and its new parent company reassess the commercial sustainability of their digital services across African markets.
