DStv price hike on April 1st
February 19, 2018
By Chris Forrester
MultiChoice is increasing subscription fees by at least 4 per cent for its South African viewers from April 1st, and as much as 5.5 per cent for subscribers to its DStv ‘Compact’ cluster of channels, and 6 per cent for its DStv ‘Family’ and DStv ‘Select’ bundles.
DStv’s top tier, all inclusive bundle will pay an extra 2.5 per cent and is softened because last year this category suffered a 4 per cent price rise.
MultiChoice’s distribution elsewhere in Africa have seen bundles reduced in price as their local economies suffered. Countries ranging from Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Ghana have saved a few Rand, with DStv saying in a statement that “We recognise that our customers are living in tough economic times and want to reward them for their ongoing loyalty and support. We want to do our part by adjusting the price of our DStv packages through making them more affordable while adding more value at the same time.”
There was one piece of good news, for viewers to MultiChoice’s GOtv terrestrial service in Zambia, which has just been restored after having been suspended some 15 months ago following a dispute with public broadcaster Zambia National Broadcasting (ZNBC). GOtv has restored 8 channels, and in effect is bypassing its former partnership with ZNBC.