DStv lost almost half a million SA subscribers in past year
DStv lost nearly half a million subscribers in South Africa last year. Here is the latest information on it’s interim results.
DStv lost nearly half a million subscribers in South Africa last year.
DSTV LOST ALMOST HALF A MILLION SA SUBSCRIBERS IN PAST YEAR
MultiChoice’s latest interim results revealed that MultiChoice has lost nearly half a million DStv subscribers in South Africa in the past year (1H FY2023).
As of the end of September 2023, the pay-TV broadcaster’s number of 90-day active subscribers in its country of origin was 8.629 million.
This was 486,000 less than the 9.115 million it had at the same point in 2022.
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MOST SUBSCRIBERS LOST TO TO ENDED PRICING PROMOTIONS
In the report, MultiChoice attributed most of its subscriber losses to a decision that ended pricing promotions launched in 2022 to provide financial relief to customers amid load shedding hardships.
“While the group has supported its subscribers with similar campaigns during challenging periods like the Covid-19 lockdowns, we can only do so for limited periods,” MultiChoice said.
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This resulted in 311,000 non-revenue generating customers on its temporary “Surprise and Delight” offers being removed from DStv’s 90-day active subscriber base. These subscribers accounted for 3% of the total 5% decline.
CHALLENGING PERIODS LIKE COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS ALSO PLAYED A PART
DStv’s 90-day active subscriber base includes all customers with an active package for up to 90 days before 30 September 2023.
The active customer base — including subscribers who had valid packages on 30 September 2023 — also declined by 382,000 customers, dropping from 8.204 million to 7.822 million.
The other major factor MultiChoice blamed for its subscriber decline was increased load shedding.
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ANOTHER REASON GIVEN WAS THE INCREASED LOAD SHEDDING
“Load shedding remained the most immediate challenge in terms of subscriber activity, with the number of active days per subscriber declining by 5% due to a significant increase in both frequency (i.e. number of days) and intensity (level 4 and above) of load shedding, especially in the first quarter of the reporting period.
“Although the Premium and Compact bases showed improved stability compared to the latter part of FY23, mass-market subscribers are proving less resilient and more reluctant to pay when uncertainty around the ability to consume pay TV exists.”MultiChoice’s latest interim results