MultiChoice rules out DStv Price Lock return, tests equal pricing for streaming and decoder

MultiChoice has confirmed that DStv Price Lock contracts are unlikely to return after they were suspended in July 2026. The pay-TV operator, now under Canal+, is testing equal pricing for streaming and decoder packages and has introduced a two-year DStv Premium contract in South Africa, though the changes are not confirmed for Nigeria.

Why Price Lock was suspended

MultiChoice told MyBroadband that the suspension was necessary to prevent complications from changes to its subscription packages. It said: 'Following the launch of our new pack structures, sales of Price Lock (hardware and subscription) contracts were paused in July.' Existing Price Lock customers continue to be fully supported for the duration of their agreement, and a clear migration framework has been established for them. The broadcaster initially considered reviewing the contracts, but its current strategy makes their return unlikely. The decision effectively ends several payment arrangements that allowed customers to spread decoder, installation and subscription costs over 24 months.

New pricing experiments

MultiChoice is moving towards uniform pricing for streaming and decoder-based packages. The first major change was DStv Movies & Series at R500 monthly, regardless of whether subscribers watch through a decoder or online. Previously, decoder-based subscriptions generally cost more than streaming alternatives. Byron du Plessis, Canal+ Africa CEO for South African pay TV, said the company wants to see if the model makes a difference over the next six to twelve months before moving to one or the other. He also confirmed that the identical Movies & Series pricing was not a temporary promotion.

Premium contract and withdrawn bundles

MultiChoice has introduced a separate 24-month subscription contract for DStv Premium customers. The offer reduces monthly payments from R979 to R799, a saving of R180 monthly. Over two years, subscribers could save R4,320 compared with paying the previous R979 monthly rate, assuming that rate remained unchanged. The offer requires customers to commit to a two-year subscription agreement. Other decoder-inclusive contracts previously available have been withdrawn. These included an HD Decoder package with installation and DStv Access for R199 monthly. MultiChoice also offered Explora and Explora Ultra bundles with different subscriptions, including Premium packages costing up to R1,099 monthly. Such arrangements helped customers avoid substantial upfront equipment and installation expenses.

What it means for Nigeria

Although the announced prices apply to South Africa, the restructuring could attract attention among Nigerian DStv customers seeking more affordable subscription options. MultiChoice has not confirmed that the South African Price Lock decision or the R799 Premium contract will apply in Nigeria. Nigerian subscribers should not interpret the rand-denominated prices as new local subscription rates and should wait for local announcements. The broader strategy signals Canal+'s intention to simplify DStv packages, reduce pricing differences and rethink how customers access premium television content. MultiChoice Nigeria, now owned by French broadcasting giant Canal+, has announced October 27, 2026 as the date to unveil its restructured DStv and GOtv subscription packages. The announcement comes as millions of Nigerian subscribers grapple with rising living costs and increasing competition from streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.