Mark your calendars: starting 1 November 2025, MultiChoice — now fully under Canal+ — is slashing the prices of its HD DStv decoders. In retail stores, expect a 30% cut, while in their shiny new online store, they’re going even deeper — over 40% off for a limited time.
This isn’t just generosity. It’s a bold play to reclaim relevance. Over the past two years, DStv’s been bleeding users — 2.8 million households lost across Africa. Half of those were in South Africa alone. And just in 2025? Another 1.2 million users gone.
What’s Changing (Especially in South Africa)
While details are tight for other regions, here’s what’s confirmed so far for South Africa:
- HD DStv decoders will drop by ~30% in physical retail outlets
- Via DStv’s online store? The discount climbs to over 40%
- These pricing changes come with the caveat: it’s a time-limited promotion
What About Nigeria, Kenya & Beyond?
Canal+ hasn’t confirmed whether these cuts will extend to Nigeria, Kenya, and other DStv strongholds. But if they do roll out widely, the impact could be seismic:
- These are markets where DStv still commands a major slice of pay-TV viewership
- They’re also places feeling pressure from low-cost streaming services and tight household budgets
- A hardware discount there could spark renewed interest — or intensify the challenges posed by currency fluctuations and cheaper streaming competitors
What This Means for You (Subscriber Perks Ahead!)
Canal+ isn’t just discounting hardware — they’re dangling incentives to bring people back:
- From 7–9 November, all active DStv users can enjoy an “Open Time Weekend,” giving them access to Premium content at no extra cost
- Premium subscribers get two extra device streams, allowing up to four simultaneous streams until December
By dropping the hardware cost and sweetening the service, Canal+ is trying to lower the barrier to entry, win back old users, and rekindle loyalty.
Why This Strategy Makes Sense — And What’s at Stake
Canal+’s decoder discount signals that the world of TV is evolving rapidly. Here’s what’s fueling this move:
- Hundreds of streaming platforms are now competing for African viewers
- Skyrocketing subscription fees and shifting viewer habits have made traditional pay-TV less attractive
- By cutting decoder prices, Canal+ is trying to rebuild the pathway into homes — the moment that decoder is installed, users are more likely to stay plugged into the DStv ecosystem
That said, the timing is telling. Lowering price isn’t always the silver bullet — streaming operators may respond with more aggressive pricing or bundles. The playing field is getting bloodier.