MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, has launched a weekly subscription option in Uganda, sparking speculation that Nigeria, one of its largest markets, could soon follow suit. Dubbed “Ka Weekie”, the initiative allows subscribers to access premium television services for as little as UGX 5,000 ($1.35) per week, targeting budget-conscious viewers, frequent travellers, and students who prefer flexible, short-term payment plans.
The move, announced on April 17, 2025, is seen as a strategic response to the growing competition from streaming platforms and evolving consumer preferences across Africa.
The Ka Weekie campaign, as detailed by MultiChoice Uganda, offers DStv and GOtv users the ability to pay for a seven-day subscription without committing to a full monthly plan. According to Collin Asiimwe, Head of Marketing at MultiChoice Uganda, the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to customer-centric solutions.
“This innovation is about giving our customers control, letting them choose how and when they pay without losing the content they value,” Asiimwe said in a statement. The weekly plans ensure access to the full range of channels available in a subscriber’s chosen bouquet, maintaining the same viewing experience as monthly subscriptions.
In Uganda, existing subscribers can seamlessly switch between weekly and monthly payments, while new customers must activate a full monthly subscription before transitioning to the weekly option. The flexibility of Ka Weekie is designed to cater to dynamic lifestyles, such as those of daily or weekly earners, travellers, or families seeking entertainment during school holidays. Rinaldi Jamugisa, PR and Communications Manager at MultiChoice Uganda, emphasised the campaign’s inclusivity:
“It is for when kids are on holiday or you are travelling to the village. It truly reflects the flexible nature of our customers’ lives.”
The introduction of weekly subscriptions comes as the pay-TV industry faces mounting pressure from streaming giants like Netflix, Showmax, and local platforms offering on-demand content at competitive prices. In Nigeria, where MultiChoice commands a significant market share, the absence of a similar weekly payment option has sparked discussions among subscribers.
Calls for MultiChoice to replicate the model in Nigeria
A post on X by user @Mayodsaint on April 18, 2025, questioned, “What prevents MultiChoice from offering Nigerian subscribers the option to pay for television services on a weekly basis?” The sentiment reflects growing demand for flexible payment models in Nigeria, where economic challenges and fluctuating incomes make monthly subscriptions less appealing for some.
MultiChoice Nigeria has not yet confirmed plans to introduce a weekly subscription model, but industry analysts believe it is a logical next step. Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and a robust DStv subscriber base, has seen multiple subscription price hikes in recent years, with the recent one announced in February 2025, where subscription prices across various packages were billed to increase by 21% starting in March 2025. As such, the DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, representing a 21 per cent increase.
The company attributes the price increase to Nigeria’s economic challenges, such as naira depreciation, high energy costs, and inflation, drawing criticism from consumers and the customer protection agency.
The Ka Weekie model aligns with MultiChoice’s broader strategy to innovate and retain customers. In 2019, MultiChoice Uganda slashed subscription rates by over 40%, and in 2021, it introduced a “Step Up” campaign, upgrading customers to higher bouquets at no extra cost. These efforts underscore the company’s adaptability, which could be replicated in Nigeria to counter competition and address economic realities.
While MultiChoice Nigeria remains silent on a potential rollout, the success of Ka Weekie in Uganda could serve as a blueprint. As streaming platforms continue to disrupt traditional pay-TV, a weekly subscription in Nigeria could be the game-changer that MultiChoice needs to maintain its dominance in Africa’s most populous nation.
For now, Nigerian subscribers await an official announcement, hopeful that Ka Weekie’s flexibility will soon cross borders.
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