Lately, Ugandans have increasingly turned away from DStv, a product of Multichoice Uganda, in favor of cheaper Chinese streaming devices that offer a wider variety of content.
The shift is driven by growing frustration over high subscription rates and the repetitive, outdated programming aired on DStv, which has failed to keep up with changing viewer preferences.
Multichoice Uganda’s premium package costs UGX 220,000 ($70) per month, making it the most expensive in Africa.
Even the Compact Plus and Compact packages, priced at UGX 170,000 and UGX 110,000 respectively, provide limited value.
Viewers consistently complain about repeated and stale content, with channels like Sony, Movie Room and KIX airing movies from as far back as the 1960s. At a time when Generation Z dominates TV viewership, such outdated programming feels increasingly out of touch.
Imagine someone born in 2005 spending an hour and a half watching a Chinese Kung Fu movie from 1971—it’s not just absurd; it’s an insult to Ugandan viewers. Multichoice seems more efficient at sending reminders about expired subscriptions than delivering fresh, relevant content.
The frustration is not just about the age of the content but also its repetition.
Many Ugandans have grown weary of seeing the same movies and series recycled over and over. Compact subscribers, for example, only have access to three movie channels, which frequently repeat the same films. This lack of variety leaves viewers feeling shortchanged, especially given the high costs they incur for subscriptions.
For example, Compact subscribers can’t access Champions League Tournament, is that value for money? Or broad day exploitation.
In contrast, the Chinese streaming devices flooding the Ugandan market offer a more appealing alternative. Brands like Starsat, Mediastar, Senator, Red Tiger, and Digisat provide access to about 1000 of international channels with fresh and diverse content.
For just $100, Ugandans can access a year’s worth of high-quality programming, including movies, sports, and international news, which are often unavailable or limited on DStv.
These devices not only provide a broader range of content but also offer better picture quality at a fraction of the cost.
It’s no wonder that many Ugandans are choosing to install these affordable, versatile alternatives.
The devices have become so popular that Multichoice feeling threatened, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), which recently issued a notice warning about their illegal importation, sale, and installation.
According to UCC, Multichoice Uganda claims these devices violate its broadcasting rights by allowing unauthorized access to SuperSport and Bein channels.
However, despite UCC’s warning, the popularity of these devices continues to rise.
This trend is further fueled by Multichoice’s struggles at the corporate level.
Last year, its parent company in South Africa declared bankruptcy after reporting losses of $200 million. With the company facing financial difficulties, it appears unable or unwilling to lower its subscription prices or enhance its content lineup to retain customers in Uganda, but rather keeps milking Ugandans with no value for their money.
As a result, Ugandan consumers are voting with their wallets, opting for cheaper Chinese devices that offer more value for money.
This shift is not just a response to high costs and poor content but also a reflection of changing viewer habits. In an era of global streaming platforms and diverse entertainment options, audiences are no longer willing to pay premium prices for recycled content.
Unless Multichoice adapts to this new reality by improving its content variety and revising its pricing strategy, it risks losing even more subscribers.
For now, it appears that Ugandans have made their choice clear: they are abandoning stale, repetitive DStv programming for cheaper, more exciting alternatives.
