NAIROBI, Kenya— Active pay-TV subscriptions in Kenya have recorded a historic collapse after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) introduced a new counting methodology that only recognizes subscriptions generating revenue within the last 90 days.
According to the CA’s latest operators’ returns, active DStv subscriptions fell to 188,824 by June 30, compared to 1.19 million a year earlier, marking an 84.2% decline.
In March 2025, MultiChoice’s flagship service had been reported at 1.2 million subscribers, but under the revised method, the figure shrank to just 230,000.
The new framework has dramatically reshaped the industry’s numbers. Total active broadcasting subscriptions in Kenya stood at 1,476,421 in June 2025, down from 6.39 million in June 2024,a staggering 76.9% year-on-year decline.
Every quarter, subscriptions slid 6.8% from 1.58 million in March.
Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services bore the steepest drop, with GoTV down 88.7% year-on-year to 314,520, while StarTimes slipped 70.9% to 492,330.
The combined DTT subtotal stood at 806,850. Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, led by DStv, Azam and Zuku, accounted for 602,706 subscriptions, reflecting a 67.3% annual fall.
Cable TV showed mixed results, with Wananchi’s Zuku gaining 19.1% year-on-year to 64,212, while other operators recorded steep declines.
Analysts warn the recalibration could push operators to rethink pricing, product bundling, and digital content delivery as the pay-TV market adjusts to a leaner, more competitive environment.
