Advanced Television

multichoice

MultiChoice sheds 3.7m subs

South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice, the parent company of pay-TV platforms DStv and GOtv, has reportedly suffered a substantial loss of subscribers over the past two years. According to Citizen SA, the company has seen its subscriber base drop by 3.7 million, falling from 23 million to an overall total of 19.3 million. This decline […]

April 1, 2025By Chris Forrester

Nigeria sues MultiChoice over pay-TV rates

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated legal proceedings against MultiChoice Nigeria, the provider of pay-TV operator DStv and GOtv, along with its CEO, John Ugbe, over alleged regulatory violations. In a statement, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, stated that the charges stem from the company’s failure to comply […]

March 6, 2025By Chris Forrester

MultiChoice defies Nigerian ruling on fees

A price rise for subscribers to MultiChoice’s pay-TV offerings on DStv and GOtv was ruled unacceptable by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). MultiChoice subsequently argued for the old subs rates to stay in place while it discussed its dilemma with the FCCPC, but that has been overtaken by MultiChoice going ahead with […]

March 4, 2025By Chris Forrester

MultiChoice hikes prices for DStv, GOtv

The reduction in value of local currencies has resulted in MultiChoice putting its subscription rates up again for some of its African pay-TV subscribers. For example, MultiChoice Nigeria has once again announced an increase in the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages. The hike comes less than a year after the company […]

February 27, 2025By Chris Forrester

MultiChoice, eMedia make peace

The long-running war of words and legal disputes between South Africa’s two giant independent broadcasters, MultiChoice Group and eMedia, has seemingly come to an end. All legal actions have been curtailed and the two entities have apparently opted for a private settlement between themselves. A note within eMedia’s half-yearly results (issued on November 25th) says […]

November 28, 2024

MultiChoice CEO exiting

MultiChoice CEO, Marc Jury, has announced he will leave the South African pay-TV operator at the end of March 2025. Jury has been in post for some 18 months and he transferred to the top job from being CEO at MultiChoice-owned SuperSport. He was also responsible for MultiChoice’s Showmax service. In a letter to staff, […]

November 25, 2024By Chris Forrester

MultiChoice facing challenging period

South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, itself now considerably under the influence of Canal+, has admitted it is facing financial headwinds. It will publish its full numbers on November 12th, but in a trading update issued on November 7th it said it has moved from a profit at the same time last year to a loss now. […]

November 11, 2024By Chris Forrester

DStv clamps down on piracy

MultiChoice, which controls the DStv portfolio of pay-TV channels for Africa, has secured another victory against local signal pirates. The target of its action is Internet streaming site Waka TV. An individual was arrested in Germiston, a city East of Johannesburg. The suspect is accused of theft, fraud, money laundering and violations of the Cybercrimes […]

September 11, 2024By Chris Forrester

London listing for Canal+?

Vivendi’s Management Board has updated plans to split up the conglomerate into three in order to release value. Under the plan, now with the Supervisory Board, the three operating companies would keep the decision-making centre of their activities, as well as their operational teams, in France: Canal+ and Havas, although listed outside of France, would […]

July 22, 2024

Multichoice OKs Canal+ bid

The independent board tasked by South Africa’s most significant pay-TV operator, MultiChoice, has recommended shareholders accept the takeover bid from French broadcaster Canal+. The offer values the company at $2.9 billion (€2.6bn). The Johannesburg group’s board said “the terms and conditions of the offer are fair and reasonable to MultiChoice shareholders”, and pointed to a […]

June 4, 2024