Kenya's pay TV market experienced a significant contraction in the first quarter of 2026, with subscriber numbers across major providers like DStv, GOtv, and Zuku declining.

• The sector saw a loss of 85,177 active subscriptions, a 5.1% decrease, settling at approximately 1.58 million.
• MultiChoice's brands, GOtv and DStv, collectively lost the most subscribers by volume.
• Cheaper providers Azam TV and StarTimes were the only operators to grow, likely absorbing customers seeking affordability amidst economic pressures and the rise of streaming services.

The popularity of Netflix's series 'The Polygamist' has fueled a surge in book piracy in Nairobi, Kenya, with author Sue Nyathi actively combating the illegal distribution of her work.

• Counterfeit copies of 'The Polygamist' were reportedly selling for as low as KES 350 at a vendor called "Affordable Books".
• Sue Nyathi, the author, publicly exposed the piracy on social media platform X and warned consumers against purchasing the bootlegged versions.
• Kibanga Books has reached out to Sue Nyathi to secure official print rights for distribution in East and Central Africa, aiming to fill the market gap with legitimate copies.

New Samsung Smart TVs sold in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will now come with the DStv Stream app pre-installed, marking a significant shift by MultiChoice's new owner, Canal+, towards streaming distribution.

• The DStv Stream app will be prominently featured on the Samsung home screen, eliminating the need for manual downloads.
• This move is driven by the decline in traditional Pay TV subscriptions, with Kenya's Pay TV market losing 85,000 subscribers in Q1 2026.
• Canal+, the new owner of MultiChoice, is consolidating its streaming assets, integrating Showmax content into DStv Stream.