Multichoice loses 243,000 subscribers in 6 months, blames harsh economy

MultiChoice Group, the South African Pay-TV giant, reported a significant loss of 243,000 subscribers from its Nigerian unit, covering its DStv and GOtv services between April and September 2024.

This figure was highlighted in the company’s Interim Financial Results released on Tuesday for the six months ending September 30.

The report cited Nigeria’s surging inflation, which has climbed above 30%, as a major factor. The rising costs of food, electricity, and fuel have pressured many consumers to abandon their MultiChoice subscriptions.

Earlier this year, in its financial results for the year ending March 2024, MultiChoice disclosed an 18% decline in its Nigerian subscriber base, though exact numbers were not specified at that time.

The company noted continued strain on its subscriber base across its Rest of Africa operations, with a total loss of 566,000 subscribers over the same six-month period.

While this marked an improvement from the 803,000 subscribers lost in the previous half-year, Nigeria and Zambia were identified as the primary contributors to the recent subscriber decline.

“With the Rest of Africa business having seen a decline of 803k subscribers in 2H FY24, this rate of decline slowed to 566k in 1H FY25.

“Of this decline, 298k related to Zambia and 243k related to Nigeria, with remaining markets on the continent reflecting only a minor decline of 25k,” the company stated in its financial results.

While inflation is blamed for the loss in Nigeria, the company attributed the loss in Zambia to drought-driven power outages of up to 23 hours a day.

Most challenging operating conditions
In his comments on the company’s results, MultiChoice Group CEO, Calvo Mawela, said the company is facing its most challenging operating conditions in almost 40 years.

To generate returns, he said the Group has been proactive in its focus to ”right-size” the business for the current economic realities and industry changes.

According to him, while operating across Africa typically subjects the group to currency moves, abnormal currency weakness over the past 18 months has reduced the group’s profits by close to R7 billion.

“Combined with the impact of a weak macro environment on consumers’ disposable income and therefore on subscriber growth, it required the Group to fundamentally adjust its cost base – which is exactly what has been done.

“We are making good progress in addressing the technical insolvency that resulted from non-cash accounting entries at the end of the last financial year.

“We expect to return to a positive net equity position by the end of November this year, supported by a number of developments and initiatives. The Group’s liquidity position remains strong, with over ZAR10bn in total available funds,” he said.

Streaming services challenge

Mawela said the Group is also adjusting to global pay-TV challenges as streaming services, the rise of social media, and changing consumer preferences impact the traditional broadcast business.

According to him, Showmax, which reported 50% growth YoY in its paying customer base, strategically positions the business to actively participate in the streaming revolution as it gains momentum across Africa.

To create sufficient capacity and drive growth, he said the group stepped up its investment in this business by an incremental ZAR1.6 billion during the interim period.

What you should know

Amid the rising inflation, Multichoice Nigeria had increased its DStv and GOtv bouquet prices twice last year and once this year, making it three times within the space of 12 months.

The first was in April 2023, then another in November the same year. The third increment was announced in April this year and took effect on May 1.

Ahead of the implementation of the new prices on May 1, a Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja issued an order restraining from implementing the new prices based on a case filed by a Nigerian customer of the company.

However, Multichoice ignored the court order and implemented the new prices. This prompted the Tribunal to slam a fine of N150 million on Multichoice for challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

The verdict delivered by three of the panel led by Thomas Okosu in June also ordered Multichoice to give Nigerians a one-month free subscription on DSTV and GOTV.