MultiChoice loses 57,000 DStv and Gotv subscribers in Kenya between January and March 2026

MultiChoice Group has lost over 57,000 subscribers in Kenya during the first three months of 2026, piling more pressure on the Pay-Tv company. The development further piles more pressure on the already struggling products. 

According to industry data by the  Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) covering January to March 2026, the Canal+-owned company saw its subscribers drop in each of its Pay-Tvs: DStv and GOtv.

For DStv, the company saw its subscriber base drop from 270,503 in the previous quarter to 248,053 in the present quarter, signalling an 8.3% fall. For GOtv, subscribers dropped by 8% from 440,375 to 405,013 during the first quarter of 2026.

On both Pay-Tvs, MultiChoice lost a combined 57,812 subscribers, reducing its customer base in Kenya to 653,066 at the end of the quarter.

The latest dip in subscribers is the continuation of a trend which started in 2024. As of mid-2025, the Pay-TV company’s subscription numbers went down dramatically to 1.19 million compared to a year earlier. 

In the same negative trend, DStv has now lost more than 80% of its active subscribers in Kenya in 16 months.

Also Read: Canal+ cuts 655 MultiChoice jobs as post-acquisition restructuring begins.

MultiChoice woes and redefining formula

A large chunk of MultiChoice’s issues has been attributed to the rise in piracy/illegal platforms, the shift of subscribers to social media reels on TikTok and Instagram, and users preferring platforms like Netflix and YouTube.

The company is also struggling with intense pressure from competitors. For instance, pay-TV in Kenya, such as Startimes and Azam, recorded positive results in the quarter. Startimes saw the addition of over 2,000 customers while Azam also welcomed the same number of customers, both potentially from DStv and GOtv. 

Some of MultiChoice’s woes are also self-inflicted. For example, there is a persistent price hike which saw two rounds of price increases in Kenya very recently. In fact, it has raised its DStv subscription fee five times over the past three years.

On November 1st 2024, the DStv Premium package rose from Sh10,500 to Sh11,000, while Compact Plus increased from Sh6,500 to Sh6,800. Prices were revised upward again on August 1st 2025, with Premium climbing to Sh11,700 and Compact Plus to Sh7,300. 

Despite attempts to rebrand and bring back the old days, the Pay-TV operator under its French owner still continues to battle economic hardship, shifting consumer habits, and severe competition. 

However, the rebuilding is still on.

At first, it shut down Showmax. The service was discontinued following mounting financial losses, reportedly reaching over $500 million. It also forms part of a broader corporate restructuring and cost-cutting drive.

In other moves, MultiChoice said it is planning to hire 1,000 field sales staff in its African markets and expand its installer and point-of-sale networks. This involves investing in revenue-generating frontline roles.

Also, the company will increase its marketing and branding investments across the continent, a decision to recover lost subscribers.