DStv Retains Premium Package Price in Nigeria Despite Cuts in Other African Markets

By Adedapo Adesanya

DStv has retained its Premium subscription price at N44,500 monthly in Nigeria, even as its parent company, Canal+, introduces reductions of up to 42 per cent in the top-tier package prices across several African markets.

A review of DStv’s country websites showed that Nigeria recorded no change in the price of its highest package, unlike Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Ghana, where the new top-tier subscriptions are cheaper.

Checks showed that Uganda recorded the largest reduction of 42 per cent, with its top package falling from 320,000 Ugandan Shillings to 185,000 Shillings monthly.

Kenya followed with a 38 per cent reduction, from 11,700 Kenyan Shillings to 7,300 Shillings, while Zambia’s top package fell by 35 per cent, from 1,670 Kwacha to 1,090 Kwacha.

In Ghana, the top package price dropped by 33 per cent, from GH¢854 to GH¢570 monthly, while Malawi recorded a 23 per cent reduction, from 138,000 Kwacha to 106,000 Kwacha.

Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia recorded smaller reductions of 20 per cent, seven per cent and six per cent, respectively.

The price adjustments form part of Canal+’s wider restructuring of DStv’s subscription offerings following the introduction of a revised package line-up in South Africa in September.

In Nigeria, MultiChoice announced on October 27 that the new DStv packages would take effect from November 5, introducing four options: Starter at N6,000 monthly, Select at N11,000, Sports at N21,000 and Premium at N44,500.

The company said the revised structure was designed to simplify subscription choices and provide content options for different viewing preferences.

The new Sports package will offer every English Premier League and UEFA Champions League match, while the Starter and Select packages will provide access to different combinations of entertainment, movies, children’s programming and selected sporting events.

Although Nigeria’s highest subscription price remains unchanged, the revised line-up introduces lower-priced entry points for subscribers who may not require the full range of channels and sporting competitions available on Premium.

According to Canal+, the package changes were being introduced in phases, with pricing, package structures and implementation dates tailored to individual markets.

The company said the changes across several African markets were intended to simplify the line-up, provide clearer choices and improve access to content valued by subscribers.

The restructuring comes as MultiChoice faces pressure on its subscription revenue.  MultiChoice’s revenue fell by three per cent on a like-for-like basis in the first nine months of 2026, driven by lower subscription revenue in South Africa.

The decline moderated to two per cent in the third quarter, while higher revenue in most of MultiChoice’s other English-speaking markets partly offset the fall.

Canal+ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Maxime Saada, said the South African package changes offered subscribers more content, greater choice and better value at the same price, adding that similar changes would continue across English- and Portuguese-speaking African markets.