The ongoing standoff between MultiChoice Ghana, operator of DStv, and the Ghanaian government over subscription fees has taken a new turn, as Canal+, the French media conglomerate acquiring MultiChoice Africa, signals willingness to negotiate.
According to Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, Canal+ has already reached out to discuss the situation and appears far more open to resolving the dispute than MultiChoice Ghana.
Background: The Subscription Price Dispute
The National Communications Authority (NCA) recently ordered MultiChoice Ghana to reduce its DStv subscription rates by 30% following a steep price hike in April 2025.
MultiChoice Ghana had increased subscription fees by 15% with minimal notice, citing rampant inflation and a weak local currency as key reasons. The company also pointed to similar price hikes across other African markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, and Namibia.
However, Minister Sam George rejected MultiChoice’s explanation, giving the pay TV giant until August 7, 2025, to comply with the 30% cut or face sanctions. MultiChoice refused the cut, offering instead to maintain current prices — a proposal the government rejected outright. As a result, the NCA has given MultiChoice Ghana 30 days (until September 8, 2025) to submit a written objection or propose remedial action before suspending its operating license
Canal+ Steps In with a Different Approach
Canal+, which currently owns over one-third of MultiChoice Africa, recently secured anti-trust approval in South Africa for a complete takeover of the pay-TV giant. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by October 2025.
In a radio interview with Joy FM on August 12, 2025, monitored by Graphic Online, Minister Sam George revealed that Canal+ had contacted him directly to discuss the Ghana situation.
“They are aware of the situation going on here [in Ghana], and I have made it clear to them… If they want to come into Ghana and operate on the license of the company they are buying, this is our request,” the minister explained. He added that while Canal+ had shown a more positive and collaborative attitude than MultiChoice Ghana, he insisted on receiving their commitments in writing before making any public policy decisions
Cross Border Piracy Adds Another Layer to the Dispute
Beyond pricing, Minister Sam George also raised concerns about cross-border piracy of DStv decoders from Nigeria being used illegally in Ghana.
He explained that this practice undermines local revenue streams because these devices operate outside Ghana’s regulatory oversight.
“If you bring a device from outside the country and it is working, it means that it is blind to the Ghanaian state,” Sam George said.
Despite repeated engagements, MultiChoice Ghana reportedly told the minister there was nothing they could do about this piracy issue a response he described as unhelpful.
For comparison, he cited Starlink’s cooperation when faced with similar challenges, where the satellite internet provider agreed to block unauthorized devices from operating in Ghana.
With the September 8 deadline looming, MultiChoice Ghana faces the real possibility of a license suspension if it fails to comply with NCA directives.
However, the upcoming Canal+ takeover could be a game changer. If Canal+ follows through on its willingness to engage constructively, it may pave the way for an amicable resolution. This will help avoid service disruptions for millions of DStv subscribers in Ghana. For now, all eyes are on Canal+’s next move and whether the change in ownership will bring a new chapter in the pay-TV operator’s relationship with the Ghanaian government.
Below is a link to the said interview
Stay tuned for more.
