When Canal+ Africa completed its acquisition of MultiChoice Group in September 2025, many pay-TV subscribers across Africa waited for one thing: the next price notice. For years, DStv subscribers have learned to expect that notice early in the year, tied to MultiChoice’s financial calendar. In early February 2026, Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot offered a simple answer on pricing: no hikes planned.
That statement landed as reassurance for some households. But understanding its implications requires unpacking the strains building across the pay-TV ecosystem.
Why subscribers are skittish
The attention on price is rooted in subscriber losses. MultiChoice’s financial disclosures show the company losing significant numbers even before Canal+ took control, driven by rising costs for households and competition from online alternatives.
In Kenya, the trend is clear. Several price increases in 2025 coincided with noticeable subscriber departures. Families pointed to cumulative monthly fees rising while disposable incomes stagnated. For many viewers, the question is not just about channels — it’s about the value of each shilling spent.
Canal+ is not in a price-raising mood yet
Mignot’s remark about having no “plans” to raise prices carries a subtle caveat. It does not promise that fees will remain frozen indefinitely. Companies adjusting to new ownership rarely hand out commitments beyond contractual or regulatory requirements.
For now, the pricing rhythm tied to MultiChoice’s April cycle might stay dormant. How long Canal+ can resist testing subscriber tolerance, especially if content costs or licensing fees increase, remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, negotiations with major content partners, including Warner Bros. Discovery, have stalled. A dozen channels could vanish if deals are not renewed, adding pressure to pricing and customer loyalty.
Cost cutting and cultural tension
Canal+ is known for strict cost management. Post-acquisition, MultiChoice suppliers faced cuts around 20 percent, while internal staff experienced a sharper operational culture. These measures aim to preserve cash and reshape the business.
But cost discipline comes with trade-offs. Leaner budgets for local producers risk thinning the pipeline of fresh content. In markets where streaming platforms offer cheaper options, weakening DStv’s content slate could erode the perceived value, complicating retention efforts.
What subscribers might see next
Canal+ executives have signaled that immediate priorities lean toward growth rather than squeezing existing subscribers. Investment in distribution, marketing, and customer acquisition is being emphasized to reverse subscriber losses.
Some markets have seen lower hardware costs and promotional incentives aimed at easing entry barriers. The logic is simple: make it cheaper to join rather than more expensive to stay. But viewers are aware of alternatives and have grown accustomed to subscription models that demand less from their wallets.
Contradictions beneath the surface
There is a paradox. Canal+ publicly declines price hikes, yet cost cuts may strain content creation. Global content deals, regional affordability pressures, and subscriber growth targets pull in different directions.
Mignot’s statement seems less a promise than a strategic pause. Canal+ inherits a company already losing ground, and the temporary absence of price increases may aim to prevent further subscriber departures.
The months ahead will reveal whether prices stay steady while value improves, or if behind-the-scenes pressures force adjustments. This moment reflects more than billing — it signals where pay TV fits in African households as technology, economics, and viewer expectations continue to evolve.
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