MultiChoice Namibia says the Canal+ transaction will play a central role in its turnaround strategy, helping the broadcaster counter declining revenues and intensifying competition by expanding content offerings and enhancing customer value.
Managing Director Roger Gertze said the sector continues to face pressure from shrinking household incomes, changing viewing habits and the rapid spread of broadband services.
“Our revenues have been negatively impacted over the past few years and it can be ascribed to a number of reasons. Number one, it was as a result of COVID where people lost their jobs, and macroeconomic conditions in the country have become to a large extent negative, which impacted the affordability levels of our customers, so that’s one of the reasons why people found it difficult to afford the service,” he told The Brief.
Gertze said online competitors have also eroded the subscriber base, while piracy remains a major challenge. He added that integration with Canal+—now more than 100 days in progress—positions MultiChoice to better respond to these pressures.
“With the rollout of internet and broadband in the country, people started using other forms of entertainment, one of which we have been vocal about is piracy. A lot of content is being accessed which is not legal and that has impacted us negatively. However, with this transaction, we are now in a better position to tackle some of these headwinds,” he said.
To address affordability concerns, MultiChoice has introduced new lower-cost packages across its platforms. Gertze said the revised pricing aims to retain cost-sensitive customers while broadening access to content.
“I have indicated earlier this evening how our prices have dropped substantially. We have introduced lower packages which are very affordable. On TV, there is a package where you basically pay N$1 per day equating to N$30 per month, and on DStv the lowest package now is N$2 per day which ends at N$60, where the customer gets access to over twenty TV channels and a lot of radio stations,” he said.
Alongside pricing reforms, MultiChoice is expanding its local content footprint. Gertze said the company is working more closely with Namibian broadcasters to strengthen audience relevance and increase domestic output on the platform.
“Whilst we are embarking on this journey of creating local content, we are also partnering with all of the local channels here — NBC One and Two, One Africa Television and Network TV — to showcase the local content that is on offer. We also have all of the NBC’s local radio channels as well as five other local channels on our platforms, which then at least give our Namibian audiences close to 100% local content which is on offer,” he said.
Gertze added that the Canal+ partnership will help MultiChoice scale its catalogue further, particularly in regional programming and sport. “We are now part of an international family, with world reach. When you look at the numbers, we now have room to scale and can do a lot more exciting initiatives and content,” he said.
MultiChoice Namibia maintains that the combined strategy of international integration, competitive pricing and stronger local partnerships is key to stabilising operations and rebuilding growth after several difficult years.
