Can Weekly Payments Save DStv? MultiChoice Puts It to the Test

Pay-TV company MultiChoice is considering offering DStv weekly subscriptions in African countries, including Nigeria. 

This depends on the success of a trial that started seven weeks ago in Uganda. Group CEO Calvo Mawela told South Africa’s Sunday Times that the test is designed to match billing cycles with customers who receive income daily or weekly.

Mawela explained, “This is very different from what we usually do. Just as prepaid mobile services changed the telecom industry, we think weekly passes will help families that are struggling by giving them more flexibility.”

At the same time, MultiChoice is rethinking how it packages channels. While it won’t allow customers to fully choose each individual channel, the company is working on a modular plan.

Subscribers would buy a basic bundle and then add extra channels as needed. MultiChoice is also looking at offering a separate sports package to help slow down subscriber losses.

What impact could DStv weekly subscriptions in Africa have on the industry?

More Flexibility for Viewers – Many people earn money daily or weekly, so paying for TV in smaller chunks could make it easier to afford. This could attract more customers who struggle with monthly payments.

Higher Customer Retention – Instead of losing subscribers completely, pay-TV companies might keep them engaged with short-term options. If someone can’t afford a whole month, they might still pay for a week.

New Revenue Models – Companies can experiment with different pricing strategies, such as bundling premium content with weekly passes or offering discounts for longer commitments.

Competition with Streaming Services – Streaming platforms already offer flexible payment options. Weekly subscriptions could help traditional pay-TV providers stay competitive.

Potential Challenges – While weekly billing may increase accessibility, it could also lead to higher administrative costs and more frequent payment failures if customers struggle to renew on time.

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Financial Recovery and Challenges

For the year ending March 31, 2025, MultiChoice returned to profit, reporting a net income of R2.02 billion after a R2.52 billion loss the previous year. The main reason for this turnaround was the sale of a 60% stake in its insurance division to Sanlam in November 2024.

However, the company’s total revenue fell by 9% compared to the previous year, with subscription income down 11%. South African revenue rose slightly to R41.73 billion, but business in the Rest of Africa (RoA) and Showmax streaming struggled.

Over two years, RoA lost 1.8 million subscribers, dropping from 9.3 million in 2023 to 7.5 million in 2025. Nigeria had the biggest decline, with 1.4 million subscribers leaving.

To combat these losses, MultiChoice is testing weekly subscriptions, offering more flexible channel options, and considering a separate sports package. The goal is to regain customers and stabilise earnings across Africa.