Canal+ slams DStv pricing, flags complexity for African viewers

Canal+ is moving to reset how pay-TV works in Africa after taking control of MultiChoice, putting the spotlight on simpler pricing for DStv and a clearer path to attract and keep subscribers. 

For many households, the issue is straightforward: pay-TV has become harder to understand and, in some cases, harder to afford.

Canal+ says DStv’s current structure — with multiple packages, add-ons and pricing tied to different technologies — is part of the problem. 

The company now wants to make its offers easier to follow and better value for money. The timing matters.

Across Africa, viewers are weighing traditional pay-TV against cheaper and more flexible streaming options. 

David Mignot, Canal+’s CEO for Africa, said the number of pricing options alone can be confusing.

In South Africa, DStv has as many as 17 price points, depending on the package and whether customers use satellite or streaming.

Pricing under pressure 

The gaps are wide. DStv Premium costs about $58 a month via satellite, compared with roughly $41 for streaming-only access.

That is before extra charges are added. 

Fees for recording, reconnecting after missed payments, and bundled services such as Netflix and Disney+ can push the final bill higher.

For many users, that makes it harder to know what they will pay each month. 

Mignot said viewers want simpler choices and clearer pricing, especially at a time when household budgets are tight.

Too many brands, too many options 

The challenge extends beyond South Africa. MultiChoice runs DStv, GOtv and streaming services across Africa, alongside a wide mix of channel brands. 

While names like SuperSport remain strong, Canal+ believes the number of sub-brands is spreading its marketing too thin and making the platform harder to navigate. 

The company has started to trim its lineup.

Showmax is being phased out, with users moved to other streaming options.

More channel changes and rebranding are expected.

Cutting costs to win users 

Hardware is also in focus. DStv offers up to five decoders, which adds to the complexity and raises the cost of getting started. 

Canal+ says setup costs in some African markets can be up to three times higher than in its French-speaking operations.

It is now cutting decoder prices and plans to standardize devices as part of a broader investment of nearly R2 billion. 

The goal is simple: lower the cost of joining while offering packages that keep customers paying over time.

For Canal+, growth will depend on making pay-TV easier to understand, easier to access and better aligned with what viewers are willing to pay.