Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.

After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.

MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO,  hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.

The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.

MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.

Owners of several television and radio stations have distanced themselves from a recent threat issued by the Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN), which called for a boycott of media engagements involving Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory

IBAN had threatened to withdraw coverage of the minister’s activities unless he retracted his comment on Channels Television’s Seun Okinbaloye and issue a public apology.

However, Ambassador Yusufu Mamman, chairman and owner of JKD Television (DSTV Channel 391) and Hamada Radio Networks, has dismissed the association’s statement as baseless.

Describing Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, chairman, IBAN, as an impostor, Mamman argued that Ramalan has no authority to speak on behalf of broadcast station owners.

Mamman, who operates a television station and four radio stations, stated that he is not affiliated with any group called IBAN and would not support any action against the Minister, especially after Wike had already clarified his remarks.

“My attention has been drawn to an organisation called IBAN led by one Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, speaking for and Independent Broadcasters threatening to boycott media briefing by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, unless he makes public apology in respect of his recent banters with Channels Television Anchor, Seun Okinbaloye.

“The position of so called IBAN is at best, an opinion of Mr Ramalan, who is never a broadcaster and had no idea of laws, norms, etiquette or professional broadcasting codes.

“Most importantly, Mr Ramalan has constituted himself into a fighting vehicle in courts against many broadcasting organisations and the National Broadcasting Commission.

Therefore, I urge the Minister to ignore his ranting.

“This is more so that on the live television program,  the Minister took time to clarify what he meant and his Spokesperson also issued a statement saying categorically that the Minister’s comment was figurative and didn’t mean any harm,” he said.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says the country now ranks second in Africa for domestic passengers, hitting 10.5 million in 2025—a 10 percent jump.

FAAN

FAAN boss Olubunmi Kuku disclosed this at the Airports Council International Africa conference in Luanda, Angola.

Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport posted 11.8 percent growth in air traffic movements, one of Africa’s strongest.

Cargo surged 34.4 percent at Lagos, cementing its top-tier status.

Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe and Lagos airports cracked Africa’s top 10 for domestic traffic.

Kuku stressed Nigeria’s push to host and shape African air links amid rising demand for modern, resilient airports.