MultiChoice Unveils Shared Payments Feature and Cuts Decoder Prices to Address Subscriber Losses

MultiChoice Group, the operator of DStv and GOtv, has launched a new shared payments feature in the MyDStv app and permanently reduced decoder prices across several African markets, as the company moves to stabilise its subscriber base after two years of sustained decline.

New Shared Payments Tool Aims to Ease Household Costs
The shared payments functionality, activated on 27 January, enables a primary DStv account holder to split their monthly subscription with one nominated secondary payer. Using a secure link generated in the MyDStv app, the secondary user can contribute to the bill through mobile money, bank cards, or other supported payment channels.

While the primary user retains overall control of the account, both parties maintain full access to live channels, streaming options, and associated features. MultiChoice says the tool is designed to reduce the financial burden on individual households, particularly those managing rising living costs.

Decoder Prices Permanently Reduced
Alongside the shared payments rollout, MultiChoice has introduced permanent price cuts for its decoder hardware, with reductions applying across entry‑level, mid‑range, and high‑definition devices.
In South Africa, headline reductions include:
• HD Single View decoder: reduced from R899 to R499
• Explora Ultra HD decoder: adjusted to lower price points to increase affordability

The revised pricing is effective immediately and will remain in place until 30 April 2026. MultiChoice says the initiative is intended to lower the upfront cost for new and returning customers who may have deferred reconnection due to financial constraints.

Chief Executive Willington Ngwepe described the combined measures as a response to “tight household budgets” and increasing sector competition. “We are giving customers more options and making it easier to stay connected,” Ngwepe said, noting that subscriber retention remains a critical priority.

Subscriber Decline and Market Pressures
The company has lost around 2.8 million subscribers between 2024 and 2025, mostly in South Africa and other major African markets. MultiChoice attributes the decline to a combination of economic pressure and intensifying competition from global and regional streaming platforms.

Households have grappled with high inflation, rising unemployment, and lower disposable incomes, leading many to cancel or downgrade pay‑TV subscriptions. At the same time, younger audiences are shifting towards mobile‑first, on‑demand streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Showmax, and various local players.

Subscriber sentiment has also been a factor. In markets such as Nigeria, pricing has frequently been a point of contention, with customers calling for more flexible payment options and more affordable packages. Initial reactions to the shared payments tool and decoder discounts have been mixed: some welcomed the changes, while others argued they were overdue and called for broader reductions to monthly subscription fees.

Digital Transformation and Strategic Outlook
MultiChoice is currently accelerating its digital transformation strategy. Recent initiatives include integrating Showmax bundles within DStv and GOtv offerings, expanding mobile money payment pathways, and boosting investment in African‑produced content to maintain viewer loyalty.

The new shared payments feature builds on these efforts by offering households more flexible ways to maintain access. Decoder price reductions, meanwhile, suggest a strategic shift towards lowering the cost of entry for pay‑TV users in price‑sensitive markets.

No changes to monthly subscription fees accompanied the announcement. Industry observers will be watching upcoming quarterly results to assess whether the measures help to slow or reverse MultiChoice’s subscriber decline.