DSTV and Showmax Prices are Going up in South Africa

If you’re a DStv or Showmax subscriber in South Africa, brace yourself—MultiChoice has announced its latest price adjustments, with some increases reaching as high as 43.5%.

According to MultiChoice, the increases are necessary due to rising operational costs. The company says it’s dealing with inflation, higher content licensing fees —especially for live sports—and the cost of upgrading its technology. While exact figures on total expense growth weren’t specified in the latest reports, these factors have contributed to the price hikes.

And it’s not just South Africa. MultiChoice has raised prices in Nigeria and Kenya, blaming the same cost pressures. Nigerian DStv and GOtv prices went up in March, after a previous hike in November 2023. Kenya saw adjustments in late 2024 too.

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In South Africa, the biggest jump is in the Showmax Premier League (PL) package, which shoots up from R69 to R99—a 43.5% increase. MultiChoice justifies this by pointing to rising costs, but for football fans, it’s still a tough pill to swallow.

Other increases aren’t quite as drastic, and some packages remain untouched. Showmax’s standard subscription stays at R99, and DStv Stream packages see no changes. Meanwhile, DStv Premium moves from R929 to R979 (5.4%), and Compact Plus rises from R619 to R659 (6.5%).

MultiChoice claims it considered the rising cost of living when making these adjustments. To soften the blow, it’s adding new channels to some packages. Compact subscribers now get SuperSport Action, CBS Justice, and Africa Magic Showcase, while Access customers gain Zee World and Nicktoons. It’s a strategic move to offer more content while adjusting prices.

The company is also offering a 24-month price lock deal, allowing subscribers to freeze their rates. Given that prices will rise again in May due to the VAT increase, this might be a smart move for those looking to save.

Meanwhile, streaming services keep growing. Netflix’s viewership in SA climbed from 10.6% to 14.6%, and Showmax jumped from 4.4% to 8.3%. DStv, on the other hand, lost 5% of its local subscribers in 2024.

Still, Showmax remains SA’s top streamer, with around 2.1 million subscribers across Africa—beating Netflix’s estimated 1.8 million, thanks to a 50% year-on-year growth.

At the end of the day, it’s all about whether the extra content is worth the extra cash. Time will tell.

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