MultiChoice Introduces Weekly Subscription Plans for DStv and GOtv

In a bid to boost accessibility and flexibility, MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv, has unveiled new subscription plans for its customers under the ‘Ka Weekie’ campaign.

The new packages are designed for customers who prefer a short-term payment option with lower prices.

The new plans include the lowest priced options, DStv Lumba and GOtv Lite, which provide accessibility to users in Uganda.

The short-term payment option allows viewers the freedom to manage their subscriptions in line with their budgets and lifestyles. According to MultiChoice Uganda PR and Communications Manager, Rinaldi Jamugisa, the plan is part of the firm’s effort to align with customer needs and provide affordable and flexible options.

The seven-day subscription packages cover a wide range of viewing plans and budgets, including DStv Lumba, Access, Family Package, and Compact, as well as GOtv Lite, Valuepack, and Pack, GOtv Max, GOtv Supa, and GOtv Supa Plus. Colin Asiimwe, MultiChoice’s head of marketing, noted that the new campaign is a response to consistent feedback from subscribers and is designed for daily use and weekly earners, frequent travelers, and subscribers preferring on-demand viewing.

The new packages are available through the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps or by dialing the USSD mobile phones with platforms such as MTN MoMo, Airtel, partner banks, and selected agents nationwide. Users can switch back to monthly, quarterly, or annual plans by making a full payment or maintaining enough account credit.

The introduction of the new subscription plans comes after MultiChoice faced controversy in Nigeria over its decision to hike prices for DStv and GOtv subscribers. The company’s image maker, Jamugisa, noted that the cost of any active weekly plan will be deducted from the new subscription. The price hike led to national outrage, with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) suing the firm and directing it to maintain the old rates pending investigations.

MultiChoice has reported losing almost four million subscribers in less than two years after increasing prices for DStv and GOtv. The company told its shareholders to brace for challenging times due to macroeconomic headwinds. Many subscriber losses happened outside its home country, South Africa. In its operational update, the Pay-TV firm said it is preparing its financial results for Q1 2025 and attributed the decline in subscribers to the challenging consumer environment.

In Nigeria, MultiChoice disclosed that about 243,000 subscribers refused to renew their subscriptions between April and September 2024 due to the drop in Nigeria’s macro and consumer environment. The company noted that high inflation at 32.70% affected subscribers in Nigeria. Overall, over 566,000 non-South African subscribers ended their subscriptions in the period under review.