MultiChoice slashes DStv prices, kills Showmax to fight Netflix

MultiChoice, Africa's streaming giant, is cutting DStv subscription prices and shutting down Showmax to compete with Netflix and piracy. The company plans to eliminate Showmax, its SVOD app, and focus on Canal+ as the primary streaming service. DStv decoder prices were already reduced in January 2026, and further DStv subscription cuts are planned. This is a volume play to stabilize subscriber numbers against global competitors. Canal+ will emphasize Afrikaans, Zulu, and local content to retain viewers. MultiChoice's old model of high ARPU with a loss-making streamer is unsustainable.

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/03/16/techcabal-daily-your-dstv-could-become-cheaper/