Canal+ Rolls Out “Growth Boost Plan” to Revive DStv Subscriber Growth

Canal+  has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at reversing the decline of DStv , the flagship pay-TV platform operated by MultiChoice . The plan, called the €100 million “Growth Boost Plan,” will roll out in 2026 and is designed to revive subscriber growth and restore profitability after a difficult period for the company. MultiChoice’s revenue declined by about 6% in 2025, while its subscriber base dropped from 14.9 million to 14.4 million, highlighting mounting pressure on traditional pay-TV services across Africa.

A key element of the strategy focuses on making it easier and more affordable for customers to join the platform. Canal+ plans to reduce entry barriers by subsidising equipment costs, allowing more households to sign up to DStv. In addition, the group intends to significantly strengthen its sales presence across African markets by recruiting more than 1,000 new sales-focused staff to drive customer acquisition and improve distribution. Subscription packages will also be simplified, with clearer pricing and stronger marketing to increase the perceived value of DStv’s offerings.

Content will play a central role in the turnaround strategy. Canal+ aims to enhance the platform’s appeal by combining popular global programming and sports rights with a strong slate of locally produced African content. The company will continue investing in in-house productions tailored to African audiences while expanding its content partnerships. One of the key collaborations includes a long-term partnership with Netflix, which now covers 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and forms part of Canal+’s “super-aggregation” strategy to bring multiple streaming services together on one platform.

The plan also includes aggressive cost management measures to improve efficiency. Canal+ expects to generate €250 million in cost synergies by 2026, significantly higher than its earlier estimate of €150 million. This will involve streamlining operations across MultiChoice, including a voluntary severance programme in certain support functions and a restructuring of Irdeto, MultiChoice’s technology and cybersecurity division.

As part of its push for profitable growth, Canal+ has also decided to discontinue a loss-making contract linked to Showmax, MultiChoice’s streaming platform. The move is expected to help accelerate cost savings while allowing the company to focus more resources on strengthening its core pay-TV business and content strategy.

Beyond cost reductions, Canal+ plans to introduce a more standardized operating model across MultiChoice markets, applying its own best practices to improve efficiency and shift the business toward a more sales-driven structure. The group also intends to strengthen anti-piracy measures to protect valuable content rights and safeguard revenue streams, a persistent challenge in many African broadcasting markets.

Through the Growth Boost Plan, Canal+ hopes to stabilise and revive DStv’s performance over the next few years. The company expects MultiChoice’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to recover to around €170 million by 2026, while cash flow from operations is projected to reach €100 million as the turnaround strategy begins to take effect.