MultiChoice bleeds DStv subscribers: The latest scary numbers

MultiChoice lost nearly half a million DStv subscribers in South Africa in the past year, according to the company’s latest interim results.

As streaming platforms continue to gain popularity worldwide, SA audiences are increasingly turning away from DStv Premium subscriptions. Image via Multichoice

MultiChoice lost nearly half a million DStv subscribers in South Africa in the past year.

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According to MyBroadband, the latest interim financial results show that the loss at the end of September 2023 placed the operator’s total subscriber numbers (90-day active) at 8.629 million, or 486 000 fewer than the 9.115 million at the same point last year.

MultiChoice put the losses down to the ending of price discounts and promotions that were in place to help subscribers during the period when South Africa suffered from load shedding and their broadcast signals could not be received.

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The losses come despite three Worlds Cup during the period – the FIFA World Cup, Netball World Cup and the recent Rugby World Cup.

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“While [we have] supported subscribers with similar campaigns during challenging periods like the Covid-19 lockdowns, we can only do so for limited periods,” MultiChoice said.

“Load shedding remained the most immediate challenge in terms of subscriber activity, with the number of active days per subscriber declining by 5 percent due to a significant increase in both frequency (ie number of days) and intensity (level 4 and above) of load shedding, especially in the first quarter of the reporting period.

“Although the Premium and Compact bases showed improved stability compared to the latter part of FY23, mass-market subscribers are proving less resilient and more reluctant to pay when uncertainty around the ability to consume pay TV exists,” added the operator.

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