DStv Restructuring: Why DStv’s Package Overhaul Took So Long
After over a decade of silence on structural change, DStv is finally preparing to break the mould. The pay-TV giant, long criticised for its rigid and outdated packaging, is now seriously considering unbundling SuperSport from its general entertainment packages — a move that signals a long-overdue shift in the local satellite TV landscape.
“To Be Frank, We’re a Little Late on This.”
Those were the candid words from MultiChoice South Africa CEO Byron du Plessis in a recent TechCentral interview, acknowledging what millions of subscribers have long felt. Global counterparts like Sky in the UK and Canal+ in France began restructuring their channel bundles nearly a decade ago, offering consumers far more flexibility.
Meanwhile, DStv stuck to its traditional structure, asking viewers to pay for sport whether they watched it or not.
A Decade Without Change
DStv hasn’t made a significant change to its packages in over 10 years. Instead, it expanded into the low-cost segment with packages like EasyView (R30/month) and Access (R150/month), which attracted millions of price-sensitive subscribers but offered little flexibility to mid-market and premium users.
This allowed DStv to grow its subscriber base at the bottom end — with mass-market customers now making up 57% of total users — but at the cost of losing 1.4 million subscribers overall in just two years, especially among the Premium, Compact Plus, and Compact brackets.
Canal+ Takeover Pressure
It’s no coincidence that this sudden urgency aligns with Canal+’s takeover bid of MultiChoice, which is expected to be finalised after 8 October 2025. While the “long stop” deadline looms, there’s speculation that Canal+ is exerting behind-the-scenes pressure for structural reform, especially in how SuperSport is bundled.
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What the New DStv Might Look Like
The big change likely coming? Unbundling SuperSport from entertainment. This would allow subscribers to choose between:
- A base package (around R300): Similar to DStv Compact, minus sport but packed with M-Net, kykNET, and top movie channels.
- ‘Add Movies’ Bundle (R49): Already available to mid-segment subscribers.
- SuperSport Football Bundle: Featuring Premier League, La Liga, PSL, and SS Football.
- Full SuperSport Bundle: Everything from rugby and cricket to motorsport and tennis.
This new modular approach could bring DStv more in line with global trends — and with pricing logic that finally makes sense.
Rational Pricing or Too Late?
To retain Compact users, DStv must bundle the base entertainment package with the SuperSport Football option at the current R479/month price. For Premium subscribers, an all-inclusive “Ultimate” package will likely hover near the R1 000 mark (currently R979), doing away with legacy extras like the PVR Access Fee.
Meanwhile, cheaper Access and EasyView packages will remain essential to cater to the mass market, where ARPU (average revenue per user) is just R120.
Streaming Competition: A Clear and Present Threat
Showmax, DStv’s own streaming platform, is already offering sport, series and movies at far lower prices (R120–R150/month). With Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube also in the mix, DStv is finally realising that viewers won’t continue to pay premium prices for inflexible packages in a world of on-demand entertainment.
What’s Next?
MultiChoice executives say a decision on the package overhaul is due in the next six months. While no changes are expected before September 2025 (due to its interim reporting cycle), the real fireworks may begin shortly after Canal+ finalises the acquisition.
So, will DStv finally adapt or lose more ground to streaming? The answer may lie in how boldly it can break from its legacy — and whether SuperSport can truly stand on its own.
Also read: DSTV Prices and Packages for 2025