Africa’s pay TV landscape is shifting, yet DStv is projected to remain the continent’s leading platform by 2028, with a 28.26% market share, down from 36.27% in 2019. The chart shows a gradual erosion of DStv’s dominance while StarTimes and Canal Plus expand their foothold in a diversifying market. This transition highlights how competition and evolving viewer preferences are transforming Africa’s pay TV landscape.
StarSat is growing steadily, projected to rise from 4.58% in 2019 to around 11.86% in 2028, while Canal Plus also strengthens its share, indicating that a single player is not disrupting the market. Instead, the market is fragmenting among multiple strong competitors.
MultiChoice, owners of DStv and Showmax, among others, has been in acquisition talks with Canal+. Canal+ bought a 6.5% stake in the South African media giant four years ago, which, as of April 2024, had been increased to 40.01%. A look at MultiChoice's revenue over the years shows that it's increasing at an average rate of 4%.