Canal+ and MultiChoice have announced a major restructuring of DStv subscription packages across several Sub-Saharan African countries, introducing lower prices and a simplified channel line-up to make pay-TV services more affordable.
Under the new “Expect More” campaign, DStv is reducing its existing six packages to four in markets including Ghana and several East African countries. The new packages will be known as DStv Starter, DStv Select, DStv Sports and DStv Ultimate.
The changes are scheduled to take effect on November 5, 2026, in the affected markets, with subscribers expected to benefit from reduced subscription costs and improved access to sports and entertainment content.
One of the major changes is the inclusion of every English Premier League match in the mid-tier DStv Sports package, giving football fans access to premium sporting content at a lower price than previously required.
New DStv Subscription Prices in Ghana
In Ghana, the government has reached an agreement with Canal+ and MultiChoice Ghana to introduce cheaper DStv subscription packages as part of efforts to make television entertainment more affordable.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, announced the development alongside representatives of MultiChoice Ghana and Canal+.
According to the minister, the agreement follows engagements between the government and the pay-TV companies aimed at protecting Ghanaian consumers and improving access to television content.
The government also hopes that reducing DStv subscription prices will discourage viewers from using pirated streaming services and illegal television decoders commonly referred to as ghost boxes.
Sam George explained that the government’s primary objective is to ensure Ghanaian households can access quality television entertainment at prices they can afford.
DStv Ghana’s New Monthly Subscription Prices
Under the new arrangement, the six existing DStv packages in Ghana will be consolidated into four options.
The announced monthly subscription prices are:
- DStv Starter: GH¢50
- DStv Select: GH¢100
- DStv Sports: GH¢250
- DStv Ultimate: GH¢570
The simplified package structure is expected to give subscribers more flexibility when choosing television services based on their budgets and entertainment preferences.
The inclusion of Premier League matches in the DStv Sports package is also expected to attract football fans seeking affordable access to live matches and other major sporting competitions.
Canal+ and MultiChoice Restructure DStv Packages Across Africa
The DStv package restructuring forms part of a wider strategy by Canal+ and MultiChoice to improve affordability, attract new customers and retain existing subscribers across African markets.
Although several countries will move to four packages, the final structure will differ by market.
In South Africa, DStv has reorganised its offerings into five packages, with the former premium offering renamed DStv Ultimate. Botswana will also retain five packages, while Ghana and several other Sub-Saharan African markets will adopt the four-package structure.
The changes follow growing pressure on pay-TV operators to respond to consumers’ concerns about subscription costs and declining subscriber numbers.
New DStv Packages and Prices in Kenya
In Kenya, MultiChoice has announced four revised DStv packages, with the new pricing structure scheduled to take effect on November 5, 2026.
The monthly subscription fees are:
- DStv Starter: KES 750
- DStv Select: KES 1,500
- DStv Sports: KES 3,000
- DStv Ultimate: KES 7,300
The same prices will apply to the DStv Stream application, according to the announcement.
The company has also introduced SuperSport Swahili, a new channel designed to serve audiences in East Africa.
The changes come as MultiChoice continues to face subscriber losses in Kenya, one of its major markets on the continent. Reports indicate that the company lost another 57,000 DStv and GOtv subscribers in the first half of 2026, leaving it with approximately 653,066 subscribers.
MultiChoice says the revised packages are intended to make its content more accessible while offering customers better value for money.
What Subscribers Will Get With the New DStv Packages
The new DStv line-up combines entertainment, sports, children’s programming and local content across four subscription tiers.
1. DStv Starter
Priced at KES 750 per month in Kenya, DStv Starter offers 116 television channels.
The package includes Maisha Magic Plus, Maisha Magic Loko, Cartoon Network, Disney Junior, La Liga and Novela+.
It also introduces SuperSport Kickoff, which will broadcast selected live matches from major football competitions, including the Premier League.
The Starter package is designed for households seeking affordable pay-TV services with a mixture of local entertainment, international programming and selected sports.
2. DStv Select
DStv Select costs KES 1,500 per month in Kenya and offers 149 television channels.
Subscribers will have access to a combination of movie channels, local and international television series, selected football matches, other sporting events, lifestyle programmes and children’s entertainment.
The package targets viewers looking for a broader entertainment selection without paying for the most expensive subscription tiers.
3. DStv Sports
DStv Sports costs KES 3,000 per month in Kenya and includes 159 television channels.
One of its biggest attractions is access to every Premier League match, alongside coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The package will also feature WWE and UFC content, in addition to general entertainment channels available through DStv Select.
The inclusion of all Premier League matches in this mid-tier sports package represents a significant change for football fans who previously needed a more expensive subscription to access the full selection of matches.
4. DStv Ultimate
DStv Ultimate is the highest-tier package in the revised four-package structure in Kenya.
The package costs KES 7,300 per month and offers 180 television channels.
It combines premium sports and entertainment content, including Formula 1, MotoGP, cricket, rugby, ATP tennis and major golf tournaments.
Unlike South Africa, where a separate Movies and Series package has been introduced, the relevant entertainment content in Kenya will be incorporated into DStv Ultimate.
The package’s price has also been reduced substantially, falling from KES 11,700 to KES 7,300 per month. This represents a reduction of KES 4,400, giving subscribers a more affordable option for accessing premium television content.
MultiChoice Explains Why DStv Prices Are Being Reduced
Speaking at the launch of the revised packages in Nairobi, MultiChoice Kenya Chief Executive Officer Nzola Miranda said the company had reviewed its entire product portfolio to better reflect the changing needs and financial circumstances of Kenyan consumers.
He explained that the restructuring was part of a broader effort to attract customers who had stopped subscribing because of rising costs.
Miranda said the company wanted to expand its subscriber base by making football, sports and entertainment accessible to more households.
He also stressed that increasing subscription prices without providing additional content or value could drive customers away.
According to him, the new approach focuses on reaching more consumers with affordable packages rather than relying on higher prices from a shrinking subscriber base.
The company hopes the lower prices will encourage former subscribers to return and attract new customers to its pay-TV services.
MultiChoice Maintains Commitment to Local Content
Alongside its pricing changes, MultiChoice Kenya says it will continue investing in local television production.
One example is the Kenyan drama series Chamaa, which airs on Maisha Magic Plus and is available through the entry-level DStv Starter package.
The company says making locally produced programmes accessible through its cheapest subscription tier will help more households enjoy Kenyan entertainment while supporting the country’s creative industry.
The move also reflects the company’s efforts to balance affordability with continued investment in local storytelling and television production.
DStv Packages Also Reduced in Uganda
Uganda is another market adopting the four-package DStv structure.
MultiChoice Uganda announced the following monthly subscription prices:
- DStv Starter: UGX 25,000
- DStv Select: UGX 60,000
- DStv Sports: UGX 100,000
- DStv Ultimate: UGX 185,000
MultiChoice Uganda Chief Executive Officer Hassan Saleh said the company was focused on providing subscribers with better value and easier access to the entertainment they enjoy.
The revised package structure is intended to give customers more affordable choices while maintaining access to a range of television channels and sporting competitions.
What the New DStv Prices Mean for African Subscribers
The reduction in DStv subscription prices marks an important shift in the pay-TV industry across several African markets.
For Ghanaian subscribers, the new packages offer an opportunity to access television entertainment at lower monthly costs. Football fans could particularly benefit from the inclusion of Premier League matches in the mid-tier sports package.
For Canal+ and MultiChoice, the restructuring represents an attempt to address subscriber losses, improve customer retention and compete more effectively in a market where households increasingly compare traditional pay-TV services with streaming platforms and other entertainment options.
Whether the new prices will lead to sustained subscriber growth remains to be seen. However, the changes signal a renewed focus on affordability, customer value and wider access to sports and entertainment across Africa.
Source: newsthemegh.com