MultiChoice Kenya announced a price increase for DStv and GOtv subscriptions effective August 1, 2025, citing rising operational costs, while reducing Showmax prices to enhance streaming accessibility, impacting households and businesses across the country.
MultiChoice Kenya unveiled a significant overhaul of its pricing structure, set to take effect on August 1, 2025, affecting millions of DStv and GOtv subscribers across the country. The announcement, marking the sixth price adjustment since 2022, sees subscription fees for DStv and GOtv packages rise by 4 to 7 percent, driven by escalating operational costs and investments in content. In a surprising twist, MultiChoice simultaneously reduced prices for its streaming platform, Showmax, aiming to capture a growing digital audience amid fierce competition from global streaming services. The move has sparked a wave of reactions, with subscribers expressing frustration over the pay-TV hikes while welcoming the affordability of Showmax, as Kenya navigates a challenging economic landscape with inflation and currency depreciation.
The price adjustments for DStv residential packages reflect a modest but noticeable increase across all tiers. The DStv Lite package, the most budget-friendly option, will now cost KSh 750 per month, up from KSh 700. DStv Access rises to KSh 1,450 from KSh 1,300, while the Family package increases to KSh 2,250 from KSh 2,100. Higher-tier packages face steeper hikes, with DStv Compact climbing to KSh 4,200 from KSh 3,900, Compact Plus to KSh 7,300 from KSh 6,800, and the Premium package, offering over 150 channels, now priced at KSh 11,700, up from KSh 11,000. The XtraView add-on, enabling multi-room viewing, will cost KSh 1,700. “We’re committed to delivering world-class entertainment, but rising costs necessitate these adjustments,” said Nzola Miranda, Managing Director of MultiChoice Kenya, during a Nairobi press briefing. “We’ve kept increases as low as possible to balance affordability and sustainability.”
GOtv subscribers, catering largely to middle-class households, will also face higher costs. The GOtv Lite package, with its monthly, quarterly, and annual options, increases to KSh 299 per month from KSh 199, with quarterly and annual plans adjusting proportionally. GOtv Value rises to KSh 599, Plus to KSh 999, Max to KSh 1,699, and Supa to KSh 2,199. The top-tier GOtv Supa Plus, offering over 70 channels, will now cost KSh 3,199, up from KSh 2,999. “These changes ensure we continue investing in local content like Maisha Magic,” said Elisha Kamau, MultiChoice Kenya’s Public Relations Manager. “Our subscribers get unmatched value, from sports to telenovelas.” However, the hikes have raised concerns among subscribers already strained by Kenya’s economic challenges, with inflation at 5.1 percent and the Kenyan shilling trading above KSh 130 to the US dollar.
In contrast, MultiChoice’s streaming platform, Showmax, will see significant price reductions, signaling a strategic shift to compete with global giants like Netflix and YouTube. The Showmax General Entertainment (GE) package drops from KSh 650 to KSh 550, while the GE Mobile plan falls to KSh 200 from KSh 300. The Premier League (PL) Mobile package, popular among football fans, decreases to KSh 450 from KSh 500. Combined bundles also benefit, with the GE + PL package now at KSh 800, down from KSh 1,000, and the GE Mobile + PL bundle reduced to KSh 520 from KSh 700. “Showmax is now more accessible than ever,” said Kamau, highlighting the platform’s focus on local and African content. “We’re responding to the surge in streaming demand, especially among younger viewers.” The price cuts aim to reverse a 13 percent subscriber drop reported in Kenya for 2024, part of a broader 1.2 million subscriber loss across Africa.
The business sector, relying on DStv for hospitality and entertainment venues, faces its own adjustments. The Stay Ultra package for businesses increases to KSh 3,370, Play Ultra to KSh 15,650, and Work Ultra to KSh 5,850. Add-on packages, including Asia, Europe, and French content, will cost KSh 500 each. “These changes reflect the rising cost of content delivery,” said a MultiChoice spokesperson, noting that businesses benefit from tailored packages enhancing customer experiences in hotels and bars. The adjustments follow a pattern of annual reviews, with MultiChoice citing investments in technology and local productions as key drivers. “We’re not just raising prices; we’re enhancing our offerings,” the spokesperson added, pointing to recent upgrades in DStv Stream and GOtv Stream services.
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions across Kenya. In Nairobi’s Central Business District, subscriber Peter Mwangi expressed frustration, saying, “I’m already paying KSh 3,700 for Compact, and now it’s KSh 4,200. With these increases, I might switch to Netflix.” Posts on X echo similar sentiments, with one user writing, “MultiChoice hikes DStv and GOtv again, but Showmax gets cheaper? They’re pushing us to streaming.” Another user from Mombasa noted, “KSh 11,700 for DStv Premium is too much when salaries aren’t rising.” However, some welcomed the Showmax cuts, with a Kisumu resident posting, “KSh 200 for Showmax Mobile is a steal. I can watch my football on the go.” The hashtag #MultiChoicePriceHike trended briefly, reflecting the public’s divided response.
MultiChoice’s pricing strategy comes amid significant challenges for the pay-TV giant. The company reported an 8 percent year-on-year earnings drop in 2024, driven by currency depreciation and a 13 percent subscriber decline in Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, and Zambia. “Economic pressures are real,” said Miranda, acknowledging the impact of inflation and a weakening shilling. “But we’re investing heavily in local content and technology to keep our subscribers engaged.” The company’s focus on local productions, like Maisha Magic East and Maisha Magic Plus, aims to retain viewers, but competition from streaming platforms offering lower prices poses a threat. Netflix, for instance, slashed its Kenyan prices by 37 percent in 2023, intensifying the battle for market share.
The price hikes also follow a turbulent period for MultiChoice across Africa. In Nigeria, a KSh 766 million fine by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission for privacy breaches added to operational woes, while a proposed acquisition by France’s Canal+ in a KSh 30 billion deal awaits regulatory approval. “We’re navigating a tough landscape,” said a MultiChoice official, speaking anonymously. “From piracy to streaming competition, we’re adapting to survive.” The company’s decision to lower Showmax prices reflects a strategic pivot to capture the growing digital market, particularly among Kenya’s youth, who increasingly prefer mobile streaming over traditional pay-TV.
For subscribers like Jane Wanjiku, a teacher in Eldoret, the hikes strain household budgets. “I use GOtv Plus for my kids’ cartoons, but KSh 999 feels steep when I’m also paying for electricity and school fees,” she said. MultiChoice has responded with promotions like the “We’ve Got You” campaign, running until July 31, 2025, offering free upgrades to higher-tier packages for active subscribers. “It’s a way to give back,” said Kamau, noting that GOtv Lite, Value, Plus, and Max users can access more channels at no extra cost. However, the offer excludes DStv Premium and GOtv Supa Plus, limiting its appeal for high-end subscribers.
The economic context adds complexity to MultiChoice’s decision. Kenya’s public debt, at KSh 11.36 trillion, and rising living costs have squeezed consumer spending, prompting some to downgrade packages or abandon pay-TV altogether. “I’m considering GOtv Lite at KSh 299,” said John Muriithi, a Nairobi shopkeeper. “It’s cheaper, but I’ll miss my sports channels.” MultiChoice’s investment in GOtv Stream, allowing mobile access via Android and iOS devices, aims to retain such customers. “You can watch on the go with a KSh 200 Showmax plan,” said Kamau, encouraging users to explore digital options.
As MultiChoice navigates this delicate balance, the price adjustments reflect both necessity and strategy. The company’s commitment to local content, with over 13 local channels on GOtv Plus and partnerships with M-Net for Kiswahili productions, remains a selling point. “We’re not just a pay-TV provider; we’re part of Kenya’s cultural fabric,” said Miranda. Yet, with subscribers feeling the pinch and alternatives like YouTube gaining traction, MultiChoice faces a critical test. The coming months will reveal whether the Showmax price cuts can offset the pay-TV hikes and keep Kenya’s viewers tuned in.
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has secured a major bail reprieve from the High Court, with Justice Winfrida Okwany reducing his bail from Sh53.5 million to Sh20 million cash pending appeal in his ongoing corruption case.
President Ruto and Governor Sakaja signed a cooperation agreement allocating funds for 50,000 new streetlights, water plants saving 50 million litres daily, 27 km Nairobi River sewer and ward road upgrades, with Ruto calling it a partnership to make the city livable while opposition senators warn of devolution threats.
A staff member at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital allegedly stole Sh10 million by falsifying patient bills as paid in the eCitizen system while diverting the money to her personal account, prompting an ongoing police and hospital investigation.
