MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and a major player in Africa’s entertainment industry, has reported a significant decline in its subscriber base, dropping from over 23 million to 19.3 million in less than two years.
The company attributes this sharp decline to worsening economic conditions, particularly in key markets like Nigeria, where inflation has remained above 30% for much of the past year.
Additionally, severe power disruptions in Zambia have further impacted operations, contributing to the decline.
According to MultiChoice, over 84% of the subscriber losses came from markets outside South Africa, with Nigeria experiencing the highest drop.
“The losses in the rest of Africa are largely due to severe consumer pressure in Nigeria, where inflation has consistently exceeded 30% in the past 12 months, as well as recent power disruptions in Zambia,” the company stated.
MultiChoice is also facing heightened regulatory scrutiny, with Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) recently filing charges against the company for alleged violations of local regulations.
