Kenya, 5 November 2205- MultiChoice Kenya has announced a significant price cut on its DStv decoders, lowering costs by as much as Sh3,499, including installation accessories. This move comes as the company seeks to halt a decline in subscriber numbers amid growing competition from online streaming services.
According to Nozola Mwinda, Managing Director at MultiChoice Kenya, the price for high-definition DStv Zapper decoders has dropped from Sh11,999 to Sh8,500. Meanwhile, the cost of the government-subsidized DStv decoder kits has been reduced from Sh9,999 to Sh7,999. Mwinda emphasized that the reductions are part of MultiChoice’s efforts to reward loyal customers and welcome new ones, with the offer available until December 31, 2025.
The price cut comes at a challenging time for MultiChoice, which is facing intense pressure from a growing number of digital streaming platforms and the ongoing battle to keep existing subscribers. Despite the price reduction, it remains uncertain whether this strategy will reverse the recent dip in subscriber figures.
Data shows that over 80 percent of DStv’s active subscribers had cancelled their subscriptions by June 2025, leaving the company with 188,824 active users, a sharp decline from 1.9 million subscribers recorded a year earlier.
In addition to lowering decoder prices, MultiChoice has also reduced costs for installation accessories. The price of the DStv dish kit has been cut from Sh6,500 to Sh4,000, and the cost of the Gotv antenna has dropped from Sh700 to Sh500. These adjustments aim to ease the financial burden on customers while encouraging more uptake of their services.
The company notes that the price drops reflect changes in the cost of packaging and installation due to economic factors, including fluctuations in the Kenyan shilling’s value against the US dollar.
Subscribers have also benefited from other recent offers, including a reduction in monthly subscription fees by up to Sh1,000 for some packages. Prices for DStv’s premium subscriptions in Kenya now range between Sh31,700 and Sh41,000, depending on the plan.
MultiChoice’s efforts come as the firm grapples with increasing competition from online streaming platforms, which offer more affordable and flexible content options. According to industry estimates, nearly 27 percent of Kenyan households had access to paid streaming services by March 2025, intensifying the battle for consumer attention and spending.
MultiChoice, owned by French broadcaster Canal+, acquired the Kenyan firm in September. Canal+ purchased the company for $949 million after gaining control over MultiChoice Group operations in Africa. The acquisition is expected to bring strategic changes and new pricing adjustments as part of Canal+’s regional expansion plans.
