Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
For decades, DStv was king of African television. From must-watch sports to blockbuster movies and addictive series, the satellite giant ruled living rooms from Johannesburg to Kampala. But today, the crown is slipping — slowly, painfully, and publicly.
Across Africa, and especially in South Africa and Uganda, MultiChoice’s flagship product DStv is facing a brutal reality: customers are leaving in droves, revenues are shrinking, losses are mounting, and frustration is boiling over. What was once a media powerhouse is now struggling to stay relevant in an age of streaming, social media, piracy, and angry subscribers.
The numbers tell a grim story.
Over the past two years, MultiChoice has lost 2.8 million subscribers, shrinking its customer base from 17.3 million in March 2023 to just 14.5 million. That is not a blip — it is a mass exodus.
Revenue has followed the same downward spiral, falling from R58.42 billion in 2023 to R49.98 billion just two years later. Trading profit has been hammered, margins have collapsed, and foreign exchange losses have exposed the company’s vulnerability across African markets.
South Africa remains the backbone of the business, contributing 65% of group revenues, but even there the ground is shifting. With unemployment stuck at around 32%, economic growth below 1%, and households under crushing financial pressure, pay-TV subscriptions are increasingly seen as a luxury many can no longer afford.
DStv’s decline did not happen overnight.
The cracks first appeared in 2016, the same year Netflix launched its global expansion. That moment marked the beginning of the end of DStv’s dominance among premium subscribers.
Since then, cheaper streaming platforms, flexible monthly plans, and on-demand content have eaten into MultiChoice’s market. Younger audiences are spending more time on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and free streaming platforms, while piracy has exploded — especially among price-sensitive customers.
MultiChoice itself admits that piracy is accelerating “across all genres”, particularly among younger viewers. Add to that the perception of repetitive content, rising prices, and poor customer service, and the picture becomes even uglier.
In a bid to fight back, MultiChoice doubled down on streaming through Showmax. But instead of becoming a saviour, the platform has turned into a financial sinkhole.
In the 2025 financial year alone, Showmax posted trading losses of R4.9 billion, nearly double the R2.6 billion lost the previous year. These losses have dragged down the group’s overall performance, forcing painful cost-cutting measures and asset sales.
At one point, MultiChoice was technically insolvent. By the end of its 2024 financial year, liabilities exceeded assets, and the group recorded a staggering R4.15 billion loss.
Salvation came not from subscriptions, but from selling off assets.
The sale of 60% of its microinsurance arm, NMS Insurance Services, to Sanlam injected much-needed cash. The deal brought in R1.2 billion upfront, with a potential earn-out of R1.5 billion, and resulted in a R3 billion profit on paper.
This transaction, combined with cost savings and reduced foreign exchange losses, helped MultiChoice claw its way back to a modest after-tax profit of R1.78 billion and restore positive equity of R1.6 billion.
But beneath the surface, cash reserves continue to shrink — a worrying sign for the future.
The Canal+ Takeover
As MultiChoice staggered, a giant stepped in.
French media powerhouse Canal+ has now effectively taken control of MultiChoice Group (MCG), marking the largest acquisition in Canal+ history. As of 19 September 2025, all conditions for the takeover were fulfilled, giving Canal+ decisive control with nearly 50% ownership — and more to come.
This takeover signals the end of MultiChoice as a truly independent African media champion. While Canal+ promises investment, growth and global scale, critics argue that the deal underscores just how weakened MultiChoice had become.
A new board and leadership team are now in place, with Canal+ executives at the helm. Former MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela, once the face of the company, has stepped aside from the board, though he remains involved in African operations.
Uganda: From Pay-TV to Punchline
If South Africa shows the financial struggle, Uganda reveals the human anger behind the numbers.
MultiChoice Uganda has become a butt of jokes, complaints and bitter confessions, with customers accusing DStv and GOtv of poor service, unexplained disconnections, missing channels, and alleged corruption.
John, a DStv customer, says he paid Shs95,000 for a Compact package — only to be disconnected before the month ended. Channels mysteriously disappeared, subscriptions were altered, and customer care offered nothing but confusion.
Charles, a GOtv subscriber, tells a similar story: subscribing for one package and receiving a cheaper one instead — with no explanation.
Others complain of persistent signal loss, especially on popular local channels, with no compensation despite years of disruption. Some allege that technicians demanded money to fix issues that should be covered by the service.
“Same Old Movies, Month After Month”
Perhaps the loudest complaint is content fatigue.
Ugandan viewers say GOtv and DStv channels recycle the same movies and shows endlessly — action films, Nigerian dramas, soap operas, and reality shows repeated month after month.
Channels like TNT Africa, Movie Room, Zee World, AfricaMagic, BET and others are accused of serving “old wine in new bottles”. Even high-profile content like the Kardashians is dismissed as stale and overplayed.
For customers struggling with rising living costs, the question is simple: why pay more for less?
Adding insult to injury, many subscribers describe MultiChoice customer care as unfriendly, incompetent and disconnected from reality. Calls go unanswered, explanations are unclear, and frustration often ends with customers simply giving up.
DStv’s struggle is not just about money — it is about trust, relevance, and value.
The Canal+ takeover may bring fresh capital and global ambition, but it also confirms what many customers already believe: the old DStv model is broken.
As streaming tightens its grip, piracy grows, and African consumers demand better service for their money, MultiChoice faces a defining moment. Whether Canal+ can revive the battered giant — or simply manage its slow decline — remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: in homes across Uganda and beyond, patience has run out, remotes are being switched off, and the era of unquestioned DStv dominance is officially over.
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