DStv has announced a major restructure of its package offerings in Kenya and other African markets, set to take effect in November 2026. The company has begun alerting subscribers to the upcoming changes, which will be implemented in phases. According to a formal notice sent to subscribers, the revised lineup aims to provide "an even easier way to navigate your DStv options and choose what works for you." The exact details of the new packages, pricing, and channel compositions have not been disclosed.
The restructure is a direct consequence of Canal+'s completed acquisition of MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, for approximately KSh 390 billion. The deal closed on July 10, 2026, following a two-year regulatory process. As part of the approval conditions, MultiChoice's South African broadcasting licences were ring-fenced into a separate entity called LicenseCo. This acquisition has given Canal+ control of operations spanning more than 50 African markets through DStv and GOtv.
Canal+ has publicly indicated plans to reverse years of subscriber losses at MultiChoice by simplifying product bundles, reducing entry-level costs, and placing greater emphasis on live sports. The group has also shut down its loss-making streaming service Showmax and migrated that content to DStv Stream. By June 2026, Canal+ reported €122 million in synergies from the acquisition. This investment is expected to drive growth and expansion in the African pay-TV sector.
In Kenya, one of DStv's most significant markets, subscribers are awaiting official clarity on the new package structure. Prior to the restructure announcement, DStv's published Kenyan prices stood at KSh 11,700 for Premium, KSh 7,300 for Compact Plus, KSh 4,200 for Compact, KSh 2,250 for Family, KSh 1,450 for Access, and KSh 750 for Lite. Unverified local reports suggest that DStv may reduce its Kenyan offerings from six packages to three from November.
The proposed new packages in Kenya could include a Premium tier at KSh 7,300, a new Compact option at KSh 3,000 that merges the current Compact and Compact Plus, and a new Select tier at KSh 1,500. However, DStv has not confirmed these figures or explained how subscribers on Lite, Access, and Family packages would be transitioned. The restructure arrives at a challenging time for Africa's pay-TV sector, with MultiChoice ending its most recent financial year with 14.4 million subscribers, down from 14.9 million the previous year.
In Kenya specifically, DStv subscription declines accounted for 77% of the country's overall broadcasting market contraction, according to local reports. To address this, Canal+ has earmarked around €100 million in investment to expand distribution, deploy roughly 1,000 additional sales representatives, and subsidise decoders to attract new subscribers. This investment is expected to drive growth and expansion in the Kenyan market.
DStv has assured subscribers that affected customers will be contacted individually with specifics about their package, what would change, and when. The company has not disclosed which packages would be affected first, nor has it outlined pricing, channel compositions, or migration arrangements for current subscribers. Subscribers will have to wait for further updates from DStv to understand the full implications of the package restructure.
Key points
- DStv to introduce a new package lineup in phases across Africa starting November 2026.
- The restructure follows Canal+'s acquisition of MultiChoice for approximately KSh 390 billion.
- The new package structure aims to simplify product bundles and reduce entry-level costs.
