TV47 Shakes Up DStv With Free European Football Coverage
TV47 has emerged as a major disruptor in Kenya’s sports broadcasting landscape, offering free-to-air coverage of European football matches and directly challenging the dominance of long-established pay-TV giant DStv.
This bold move gives millions of Kenyan viewers access to elite-level football without the high cost of subscription packages, a shift that could significantly alter the way sports content is consumed in the region.
Launched in 2019, TV47 has grown rapidly, especially among the youth demographic aged 15 to 34. Initially available on digital platforms, the station was later added to MultiChoice’s pay-TV platforms—DStv in 2020 (channel 268) and GOtv in 2021 (channel 102)—further expanding its audience reach.
Today, it is also accessible on Zuku and various digital set-top boxes across Kenya. TV47’s inclusion on these platforms has earned it praise as one of the fastest-growing free-to-air stations in the country.
The broadcaster’s rise comes amid a wider shift in Africa’s sports media landscape. In January 2025, global sports rights company Infront renewed its deal to offer English Premier League (EPL) and FA Cup matches on free-to-air platforms across Sub-Saharan Africa through the 2027/2028 season.
TV47 is among the broadcasters benefiting from this agreement, giving it the rights to showcase these highly sought-after matches to the general public.
Beyond English football, the channel is also tapping into other major European leagues. SportyTV, a sister channel that also broadcasts on free-to-air platforms, has secured rights for Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A across English- and Portuguese-speaking African countries.
TV47 is expected to leverage this content as well, giving Kenyan fans unparalleled access to top-tier European football—all without the need for expensive subscriptions.
The impact of TV47’s strategy is already being felt. For football fans who have long depended on DStv and GOtv for European football coverage, the ability to watch matches for free marks a major win. This newfound accessibility could reduce demand for paid platforms and force traditional broadcasters to rethink their pricing and packaging strategies.
Moreover, this shift could have ripple effects on local football. With more fans tuning in to free matches, there is potential for renewed interest in the Kenyan Premier League and local sports coverage. Increased viewership can attract advertisers, boost sponsorship opportunities, and potentially encourage investment in grassroots football development.
However, broadcasting premium sports content is not cheap. Maintaining the rights to stream international competitions requires significant financial investment. TV47’s ability to sustain this model will depend on its capacity to generate advertising revenue and attract long-term partnerships.
The channel has already made strides in strengthening its brand by upgrading its production quality and hiring prominent media personalities, signaling its commitment to becoming a serious player in the regional media market.
TV47’s entry into the sports broadcasting space with free European football coverage is a game changer. It democratizes access to world-class football, challenges the traditional pay-TV model, and brings a new wave of competition to the Kenyan media space. As viewership habits evolve and digital transformation accelerates, TV47 is positioning itself at the center of this shift—giving Kenyan football fans more to cheer about, without breaking the bank.
