MultiChoice loses 4 million subscribers, blames economic hardship

MultiChoice, the operator of DStv and one of Africa’s leading entertainment providers, has reported a dramatic loss of nearly 4 million subscribers, with its customer base shrinking from over 23 million to 19.3 million in less than two years.

This sharp decline comes as a result of challenging economic condition, especially in key markets like Nigeria, where inflation has consistently exceeded 30% for much of the past year.

Additionally, power disruptions in Zambia have further intensified the strain on the company’s operations.

According to MultiChoice, over 84% of the lost subscribers were from outside South Africa, with Nigeria bearing the brunt of the losses.

The company stated, “The loss in the rest of Africa has been primarily due to the significant consumer pressure in Nigeria, where inflation has remained above 30% for the majority of the last 12 months and, more recently, due to extreme power disruptions in Zambia.”

The company is also facing increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly from Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which recently filed charges against MultiChoice for allegedly breaching local regulations.