DStv is making its biggest overhaul of its package structure in around 15 years, with a new line-up of options set to launch in South Africa on 17 September.
The changes are designed to give customers more choice over what they pay for, with sport and entertainment being separated into more clearly defined packages.
The current Access, Family and Compact packages will make way for Starter, Select and Sports, while a new Movies & Series package will sit below Premium.
Starter – R150 on satellite, R99 on DStv Stream
Starter replaces Access and is aimed at viewers looking for a more affordable entry point to DStv.
The package adds channels including Wethu+, kykNET & Kie and SuperSport KICKOFF, while retaining a selection of entertainment and sports content.
Wethu+ will combine local movies, music, stories and selected football content.
Select – R339 on satellite, R299 on DStv Stream
Select replaces Family and brings more popular entertainment and sport to the lower end of the DStv line-up.
It includes Mzansi Magic, every PSL match and DStv's children's channels, making it particularly attractive to households looking for local entertainment and football without paying for a higher package.
Sports – R479 on satellite, R399 on DStv Stream
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of DStv Sports.
The package is based on the current Compact offering but significantly increases access to live sport.
Subscribers will get every Premier League and UEFA Champions League match, all cricket, local rugby, one URC match per week, UFC and other sporting content.
Sports subscribers will also receive the entertainment included in Select, meaning it is not a sports-only package.
However, some of the most premium sporting rights will remain exclusive to Premium. These include Springbok and other international rugby, Formula 1, MotoGP, major golf and tennis.
Movies & Series – R500
DStv is also introducing a completely new entertainment-focused package.
Movies & Series will include M-Net, kykNET, M-Net Movies+ and other entertainment channels, as well as Discovery Channel and BBC Earth.
It also includes a selection of sports channels.
Importantly, this marks the first time since DStv launched in 1995 that M-Net will be available below the Premium tier.
Premium remains at the top
DStv Premium is staying largely unchanged.
It will continue to provide the most comprehensive combination of entertainment and sport, including the premium sporting rights that are being kept out of the new Sports package.
The streaming price remains R799 per month, while satellite Premium remains R979.
Customers who commit to a 24-month Premium contract can also access Premium for R799 a month on satellite.
What happens to existing subscribers?
DStv says existing Access, Family and Compact subscribers will automatically move to the corresponding new packages during September.
That means:
Access → Starter
Family → Select
Compact → Sports
Compact Plus is being treated differently. Its subscribers will be moved to Premium and protected at their existing price for 12 months before they will have to decide whether to remain on Premium or select another package.
Premium subscribers will remain on Premium.
More channels are also coming
Two new channels will join the DStv platform from 17 September.
These are France 24, the international news channel, and Church TV, a faith-based channel.
The package overhaul comes as DStv faces increasing competition from streaming services and changing viewing habits, with households becoming more selective about the content they are prepared to pay for.
For DStv, the strategy is straightforward: rather than forcing customers into an expensive package to access one particular type of content, the company is giving viewers more specialised options.
The big question now is whether customers will see the new structure as better value - and whether it can help DStv attract and retain subscribers in an increasingly competitive streaming market.
The new packages officially take effect on 17 September 2026.
The changes are designed to give customers more choice over what they pay for, with sport and entertainment being separated into more clearly defined packages.
The current Access, Family and Compact packages will make way for Starter, Select and Sports, while a new Movies & Series package will sit below Premium.
Starter – R150 on satellite, R99 on DStv Stream
Starter replaces Access and is aimed at viewers looking for a more affordable entry point to DStv.
The package adds channels including Wethu+, kykNET & Kie and SuperSport KICKOFF, while retaining a selection of entertainment and sports content.
Wethu+ will combine local movies, music, stories and selected football content.
Select – R339 on satellite, R299 on DStv Stream
Select replaces Family and brings more popular entertainment and sport to the lower end of the DStv line-up.
It includes Mzansi Magic, every PSL match and DStv's children's channels, making it particularly attractive to households looking for local entertainment and football without paying for a higher package.
Sports – R479 on satellite, R399 on DStv Stream
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of DStv Sports.
The package is based on the current Compact offering but significantly increases access to live sport.
Subscribers will get every Premier League and UEFA Champions League match, all cricket, local rugby, one URC match per week, UFC and other sporting content.
Sports subscribers will also receive the entertainment included in Select, meaning it is not a sports-only package.
However, some of the most premium sporting rights will remain exclusive to Premium. These include Springbok and other international rugby, Formula 1, MotoGP, major golf and tennis.
Movies & Series – R500
DStv is also introducing a completely new entertainment-focused package.
Movies & Series will include M-Net, kykNET, M-Net Movies+ and other entertainment channels, as well as Discovery Channel and BBC Earth.
It also includes a selection of sports channels.
Importantly, this marks the first time since DStv launched in 1995 that M-Net will be available below the Premium tier.
Premium remains at the top
DStv Premium is staying largely unchanged.
It will continue to provide the most comprehensive combination of entertainment and sport, including the premium sporting rights that are being kept out of the new Sports package.
The streaming price remains R799 per month, while satellite Premium remains R979.
Customers who commit to a 24-month Premium contract can also access Premium for R799 a month on satellite.
What happens to existing subscribers?
DStv says existing Access, Family and Compact subscribers will automatically move to the corresponding new packages during September.
That means:
Access → Starter
Family → Select
Compact → Sports
Compact Plus is being treated differently. Its subscribers will be moved to Premium and protected at their existing price for 12 months before they will have to decide whether to remain on Premium or select another package.
Premium subscribers will remain on Premium.
More channels are also coming
Two new channels will join the DStv platform from 17 September.
These are France 24, the international news channel, and Church TV, a faith-based channel.
The package overhaul comes as DStv faces increasing competition from streaming services and changing viewing habits, with households becoming more selective about the content they are prepared to pay for.
For DStv, the strategy is straightforward: rather than forcing customers into an expensive package to access one particular type of content, the company is giving viewers more specialised options.
The big question now is whether customers will see the new structure as better value - and whether it can help DStv attract and retain subscribers in an increasingly competitive streaming market.
The new packages officially take effect on 17 September 2026.
