MultiChoice Nigeria has revealed plans to introduce a new streaming platform, months after shutting down Showmax over financial sustainability concerns. The company says it is currently reviewing available technologies to determine how best to return to the streaming market.
This was disclosed by MultiChoice Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Kemi Omotosho, on Tuesday, Oct 27, when the company unveiled its new DStv and GOtv subscription packages. According to Omotosho, the company is conducting a technology audit to identify a suitable streaming platform that can deliver an improved viewing experience while remaining financially sustainable.
“We’re doing now an audit of what is the best streaming platform to launch. Once we complete that audit, we will launch the streaming platform, because we cannot leave that space empty,” she said.
The announcement comes nearly six months after MultiChoice officially discontinued Showmax on April 30, following a review of its streaming operations under its new parent company, CANAL+.
Similar read: The end of Showmax: a timeline of growth, struggle and death
In March, CANAL+ announced that Showmax’s substantial annual losses had become unsustainable, prompting the decision to discontinue the service as part of efforts to improve financial discipline and optimise investments.
Although MultiChoice subsequently moved several Showmax Originals and other selected titles to DStv Stream, some subscribers have complained about missing episodes and the absence of programmes previously available on Showmax. Omotosho acknowledged that the migration had not been comprehensive, explaining that the company was working to accommodate more titles within its existing streaming service.
She also clarified that DStv Stream currently serves as an interim solution while MultiChoice considers a more comprehensive streaming product.
The platform allows customers to access live television, sports, movies and other entertainment through internet-connected devices without necessarily owning a decoder. Existing DStv subscribers can also access it as a companion service. However, Omotosho explained that the company wants a more advanced streaming experience, including improved content discovery and personalised recommendations.
MultiChoice explains subscriber migration, future price increases
Alongside its streaming plans, MultiChoice provided further details about how existing DStv and GOtv subscribers will be migrated to its newly introduced packages when they become available on November 5.
Under the new arrangement, DStv customers will have access to four subscription tiers, with Starter priced at ₦6,000 monthly, Select at ₦11,000, Sports at ₦21,000 and the highest tier at ₦44,500.
The company explained that customers with active subscriptions will automatically be moved to corresponding packages without paying additional fees for the transition. For instance, existing DStv Access subscribers will move to Starter, while Compact subscribers will be mapped to Sports, which offers access to more football competitions and entertainment channels.
Omotosho assured customers who have already paid for several months in advance that they would not lose the value of their existing subscriptions.
“What we will say is that you will not get less than what you paid for. So if you pay for three months on the legacy pack, you will get the three months on that pack,” she explained.
On subscription pricing, MultiChoice has indicated that another price increase is not currently in sight, as its newly introduced packages are designed to accommodate customers with different budgets and entertainment preferences.
Speaking with Technext, Omotosho said that the company is focused on providing more affordable options rather than increasing subscription costs, particularly as Nigeria’s current economic conditions appear relatively favourable.
“As long as the economics are good, we will not pass price increase. We would rather give you products for you to choose. That’s what we want to do,” she said.
She, however, noted that future pricing decisions would remain dependent on the economic environment and the company’s operating costs. While MultiChoice hopes to maintain the new rates, any significant changes in economic conditions could prompt a review.
CANAL+ integration to expand opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers and creators
Beyond subscriptions and streaming, MultiChoice also disclosed plans to strengthen the distribution of Nigerian films and television productions across international markets through its integration with CANAL+.
“We are still a Nigerian company, an African company, and we need to invest in that ecosystem. We need to keep our local storytelling alive, and the only way we can do that is to invest,” she said.
According to the CEO, MultiChoice is exploring ways to exchange existing content libraries across markets where CANAL+ operates, including Nigeria, France and other African countries.
The approach would allow the company to introduce productions from different countries to new audiences without relying entirely on fresh commissions, which typically require considerable production time and investment. For Nigerian filmmakers, wider distribution could create opportunities for their productions to reach audiences beyond the country’s traditional entertainment markets.
“For us, we want to see the Nigerian story told on our platform most importantly,” she said.
Omotosho maintained that Nigerian productions would remain central to the company’s content strategy, particularly as it explores new streaming opportunities and expands its international distribution network.
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