Some DStv customers getting ‘free’ Premium upgrade – but how does it stack up to streaming rivals? - IOL

DStv is overhauling its package structure in South Africa with five new streaming options launching on September 17.

In a bid to remain competitive in an increasingly cut-throat streaming environment, MultiChoice has launched a revamped five-package line-up aimed at giving customers more choice between sport and entertainment.

However, certain existing customers could be getting the sweetest deal of all.

Those who currently subscribe to DStv Compact Plus will now receive the full Premium channel experience without paying the Premium price.

MultiChoice confirmed the arrangement to MyBroadband. It effectively means that Compact Plus subscribers get the Premium channel line-up while paying R250 less than streaming Premium or R330 less than satellite Premium.

For the record, streaming-only Compact Plus costs R549 per month, while the decoder-based Compact Plus is listed at R649 per month. DStv Premium costs R799 for streaming and R979 for the standard month-to-month decoder package.

Compact Plus has effectively been retired, which means it won’t be available to new customers. However, current Compact Plus customers will continue to pay their current subscription rate, with Premium benefits for the foreseeable future. MultiChoice told MyBroadband that the arrangement would continue month-to-month, with any future changes to be communicated to affected customers.

With its new line-up of packages, which came into effect on September 17, DStv has effectively split its offering more deliberately between sport and entertainment.

This is the new entry-level paid package, which replaces DStv Access. It offers more than 85 channels and is aimed at people who want basic entertainment rather than premium sport. Existing Access customers are being migrated to Starter.

This package replaces DStv Family and represents an important change because Mzansi Magic and full PSL coverage have moved down into this tier. It has more than 100 channels and is positioned as a broader family/general-entertainment package.

DStv has created a dedicated sports-focused package, with more than 115 channels, including 17 dedicated sports channels.

But it isn't sport-only. It also includes a selection of entertainment channels such as Mzansi Magic, M-Net Stars, BBC Brit, TLC, Zee Zonke and children’s channels.

The package includes Premier League, UEFA Champions League, PSL, cricket, local rugby, UFC and WWE, as well as one URC match per week. However, premium sports such as Springbok rugby, Formula 1, golf and ATP tennis remain exclusive to Premium.

This new package boasts more than 115 channels, including M-Net, M-Net Movies+, kykNET, Discovery Channel, BBC Earth and Mzansi Magic.

It also includes 10 sports channels and full PSL coverage carried over from Select, but it does not offer the premium live sporting competitions available on Sports and Premium. The R500 price applies to both streaming and satellite.

This remains DStv's most comprehensive package, providing access to all SuperSport channels, as well as M-Net, M-Net Movies+, kykNET, Mzansi Magic and the rest of DStv's channel catalogue.

While the standard month-to-month satellite package costs R979 per month, DStv is offering the satellite service at R799 a month on a 24-month contract.

DStv's new packages and pricing take effect on September 17 2026.

While DStv is offering customers a more competitive range of products designed to suit different viewing needs, several other streaming services offer access to substantial entertainment catalogues at lower prices, albeit generally without the breadth of live sport available through DStv.

Whereas Disney+'s old Mobile offering was restricted to phones and tablets, the new Basic plan at R49 per month also works on TVs and monitors, while providing one concurrent stream at up to 720p HD.

The Premium package at R179 per month gives you 4K, up to four concurrent streams and downloads.

The new Disney+ app is now live in South Africa, bringing updated features and parental controls.

Both packages offer the same content library, which includes Disney’s classic and modern films, Pixar and Marvel content, as well as National Geographic. The R49 Basic plan is currently available through MTN Play rather than directly from Disney+.

Netflix Mobile starts at 480p standard definition, while Netflix Basic offers 720p HD at R99 per month, Standard offers 1080p Full HD at R179 and Premium offers 4K at R229.

The service has a broad mixture of original series, licensed TV programmes, films, documentaries, local South African productions and children’s programming.

Membership of Amazon Prime also includes Amazon.co.za shopping benefits.

In terms of streaming content, subscribers get access to a substantial international catalogue, including Amazon Originals such as Reacher, Fallout, Clarkson’s Farm and Citadel.

Apple TV differs from Netflix and Disney+ because, instead of trying to offer a large catalogue of licensed movies and TV programmes, it concentrates on original productions, including Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Shrinking and Dark Matter.

Apple says new releases are added every week. However, its catalogue is much smaller than those of some of its rivals.