Ghana and MultiChoice Face Off As Pay-TV Dispute Enters Crucial Phase

Ikenna ChurchillAugust 9, 20251 Mins read450

Thinus Ferreira

Ghana’s stand-off with MultiChoice Ghana over DStv subscription prices has moved from public posturing into formal regulatory action. In early August, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George issued a firm deadline for a 30% fee cut by August 7, 2025, warning that…

I have directed the NCA to act swiftly. If by August 7 DStv has not complied, their broadcasting licence will be suspended, and accusing the company of cheating Ghanaians for years.

MultiChoice called the demand “not tenable,” warning that such a steep discount could jeopardise service quality and lead to job losses. Their counterproposal, to freeze prices and halt revenue remittances, was dismissed as inadequate. The NCA issued a formal suspension notice, granting MultiChoice 30 days (until September 6) to respond or risk further action.

The dispute has tapped into frustrations over unequal pricing. The premium DStv package is priced at around US$83 in Ghana, compared to US$29 in Nigeria, despite Ghana’s cedi gaining over 40% in value this year.

While Canal+ has not pulled out of Ghana, the dust-up has heightened scrutiny on the media giant pressing toward full control of MultiChoice. The recent conditional approval of Canal+’s takeover by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal adds complexity, underscoring how regulators increasingly treat pay-TV as a consumer utility.

For Ghanaian viewers, the stakes are high. A suspension could block access to major sporting events, news, and entertainment. Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the government’s push for affordability, while industry watchers warn that aggressive regulation could deter future investment. With Parliament also signalling its interest, stakeholders call for a balanced dialogue on legal clarity.

With the August 7 deadline behind us, the focus shifts to MultiChoice’s response and whether the NCA will escalate or reverse course. The outcome in Ghana could become a defining moment for pay-TV policy across the continent, balancing fair pricing with the need for sustainable media services.