DStv bleeds 6 300 subscribers PER DAY over the last 12 months

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MultiChoicehas reported a major slump in its subscriber base, losing 2.3 million active DStv customers over the past year – the second consecutive year of steep decline.

The drop includes 614 000 subscribers in South Africa and a further 1.73 million in the Rest of Africa, reflecting a continued deterioration in the pay-TV giant’s core markets.

The figures were disclosed in the group’s financial results for the year ending 31 March 2025, released last week.

The numbers paint a troubling picture: group revenue dropped 9% to R50.8 billion, driven largely by an 11% decline in subscription income, while trading profit fell to R4 billion.

DStv subscriber base shrinking

The number of 90-day active subscribers – defined as those with an active subscription within 90 days prior to the reporting date – dropped from 20.93 million in 2024 to 18.59 million in 2025.

South Africa: from 8.55 million to 7.94 million
Rest of Africa: from 12.38 million to 10.66 million

That’s a drop of around 6 300 per day.

This trend follows last year’s decline and has impacted all DStv segments – premium, mid-market, and mass-market:

Subscriber loss by segment

South Africa

Premium: -10%
Mid-market: -6%
Mass-market: -7%

Rest of Africa:

Premium: -13%
Mid-market: -12%
Mass-market: -14%

MultiChoice said the broad-based contraction reflects continued economic hardship, exacerbated by load shedding, high unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis that has forced many households to cut back on non-essential spending like pay-TV.

“Households are struggling to make ends meet, and many have no choice but to give up their DStv subscription,” the group stated.

Structural challenges and competition

In South Africa, DStv is also facing structural headwinds. Consumers are increasingly turning to cheaper streaming platforms, free video content, and pirated services, all of which offer greater flexibility and lower costs.

“The negative trend was evident across all three market segments, suggesting that economic hardship and affordability remain a challenge across the board,” the report noted.

Even Showmax, the group’s streaming arm, was not immune to financial pressures, with revenue and trading profit also declining during the period.

Outlook

With very few indicators of a turnaround, MultiChoice is now under pressure to reinvent itself in a changing media landscape.

The company says it is focusing on improving customer experience, diversifying revenue through new business lines like fintech and insurance, and forming strategic partnerships to support growth.