MultiChoice Zimbabwe has announced a price increase for DSTV subscriptions effective August 1, 2024. This marks the first price adjustment for Zimbabwean customers since June 2020, when prices were last reviewed.

In a statement, MultiChoice cited rising operational costs as the primary reason for the price hike. The company stated that they had tried their best to keep expenses low, but their operating costs continued to rise. They added that they had reviewed their subscription fees with effect from August 1, 2024, to ensure they could continue delivering quality entertainment to their valued customers.

The New DSTV Prices

Here’s a breakdown of the old and new prices for DSTV packages in Zimbabwe:

As we can see, the Premium and Compact Plus packages remain unchanged, while other tiers see modest increases ranging from $1 to $2.

Impact on Subscribers Amid Economic Challenges

This price adjustment comes at a time when many Zimbabwean households are already grappling with economic hardships. Survey after survey has shown that a lot of Zimbabwean families are living on tight budgets with as many as 20% of children of school-going age in Zimbabwe not going to school because they do not have school fees. DSTV remains very much a luxury item and this increase is going to make it increasingly difficult for consumers to justify non-essential expenses like pay TV.

Loadshedding Woes

One of the biggest challenges for DSTV subscribers in Zimbabwe has been the persistent issue of load-shedding. With power cuts lasting up to 12 hours a day in some areas, many customers find themselves unable to enjoy the service they’re paying for. This has led to growing frustration among subscribers, with some questioning the value proposition of maintaining their DSTV subscriptions.

MultiChoice has not addressed the load-shedding issue directly in relation to this price increase. However, the company has previously encouraged customers to explore alternative power solutions like solar panels and inverters to ensure uninterrupted viewing.

Subscriber Losses and Competition

The price hike comes as MultiChoice faces declining subscriber numbers across its African markets. In its latest financial report, the company revealed a loss of 1.2 million subscribers outside South Africa in the past year alone. The total subscriber base in markets outside South Africa now stands at 8.1 million, down from 9.3 million in 2023.

This decline can be attributed to several factors:

1. Economic pressures forcing consumers to cut non-essential spending
2. Increased competition from streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime
3. The rise of free-to-air alternatives like Zimbabwe’s ZimDigital
4. Piracy and illegal streaming options

To combat these challenges, MultiChoice has been investing in local content production and enhancing its streaming platform, Showmax. However, the effectiveness of these strategies in the Zimbabwean market remains to be seen.

Is DSTV Still Worth It?

The question on many subscribers’ minds is whether DSTV remains a worthwhile investment given the new prices and ongoing challenges. Here are some factors to consider:

Pros:

• Exclusive live sports content, especially for Premium subscribers
• Wide variety of international channels and programming
• Local content offerings
• Reliability compared to some streaming alternatives

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to many streaming services
• Impact of load-shedding on the viewing experience
• Limited flexibility compared to on-demand streaming options
• Some content is available through cheaper or free alternatives

Ultimately, the value proposition will depend on individual viewing habits and priorities. Sports fans and those who appreciate DSTV’s channel variety may find the service still worth the cost, while others might explore alternatives.

Alternatives to Consider

For those looking to cut costs or find alternatives to DSTV, several options are available:

1. Streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Showmax offer a wide range of content at lower monthly costs.
2. Free-to-air options: Open View provides access to free-to-air channels without a subscription fee.
3. DSTV Stream: If you are friends with an existing subscriber who is not using their DSTV stream account can use this app to stream content on mobile devices, potentially sharing accounts to reduce costs.
4. Combination approach: Some viewers may opt for a lower-tier DSTV package supplemented with streaming services for specific content needs.

MultiChoice will need to adapt to changing consumer preferences and economic realities. Zimbabwean DSTV subscribers have a decision to make: absorb the price increase, downgrade to a lower package, or explore alternative entertainment options.

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