For years, DStv subscribers have had one major complaint: “Why do I have to pay for all these channels I don’t watch just to get SuperSport?”
That’s been the frustration in Zimbabwe and beyond, especially among diehard sports fans who couldn’t care less about cooking shows, telenovelas, or whatever repeats are showing on M-Net.
SuperSport-only could be huge for DStv
Well, MultiChoice might finally be ready to listen.
In a recent interview, MultiChoice CEO Byron du Plessis revealed that the company is considering unbundling SuperSport from the rest of DStv’s higher-tier packages.
In plain terms: you might soon be able to subscribe to SuperSport only, without paying for a bloated package full of stuff you don’t want.
This is part of a bigger rethink of how DStv structures its content and pricing. According to Du Plessis, the company is in the middle of research and testing to understand what customers really want.
The old model with its expensive, rigid packages, is just not popular when the likes of Netflix, Disney+, and Showmax let people choose what they want to pay for. Showmax is Multichoice’s own streaming platform.
Streaming has changed the game. And sports, which are DStv’s last remaining draw, is now under pressure.
Around the world, we’re seeing leagues and federations go direct-to-consumer, cutting out traditional broadcasters entirely.
Basketball fans know that NBA Pass has offered fans access to all games (live and on-demand) globally for years. This has significantly reduced reliance on local broadcasters, especially outside the U.S. That means less reliance on DStv.
Other leagues have their own direct-to-consumer platforms, which for now might not have the main games people want, but could be a signal of what’s to come.
LaLiga launched its own streaming platform, LaLiga+, offering live and on-demand content from lower divisions, women’s football, and niche sports. While major LaLiga matches still go to broadcasters, you can see where this is going.
If DStv doesn’t adapt, it could be in trouble
Here’s why this unbundling move matters. Many of us gave up on DStv a long time ago. I haven’t had an active subscription in years. The cost just didn’t make sense, especially when I only cared about watching a few football matches a week.
But a competitively priced SuperSport-only package? That’s tempting. It might just pull me, and a lot of other ex-subscribers, back in.
Of course, we’ll have to wait and see how MultiChoice actually rolls this out. They say they’re still assessing the commercial impact, which is code for “we’re figuring out how to make it profitable without cannibalising our premium package.”
But the fact that they’re even talking about reversing old decisions is a promising sign. For once, it feels like MultiChoice is listening.
They better listen. With subscriber numbers declining and streaming services coming for their bread and butter, a standalone SuperSport package could be the overdue move they need to stay in the game.
Comments
55 responses
Sport on Showman another option if already there and purchase of Cell C. No Internet no problem.
It’s really unbelievable that these guys are still taking ages to reason with their clients. Too expensive with channels some of us barely know exist in my package. Am all sports nothing more.
Always they do this speaking about to change things Why they don’t give Poorly people at least a some free channels
Dstv won’t change.Because the signs are there.They give you offers when there is no exciting games of sports.The moment the real thing is about to start,the offer is gone! It’s like they don’t want you to enjoy without suffering the cost!
In 2020 I emailed them regarding this I’m glad to hear that they now considering the interest of their customers.
Very true indeed
You are are absolutely right. They give you offers when there is nothing exciting.
We have other means to watch our EPL in Nigeria. Is their business they are killing, we are all out of there network for cheaper alternatives. They should have noticed it by now through low subscriptions.
Supersport channels and mnet channel 101.
Please give us that only super sport package before a new sports season starts.
How many times must customers say we want Supersport channels separated from the bulky package? Is it a love of meetings for the management?
Of course there are football lovers only, and there are those of us who love football plus other sports. Please consider giving both their preferences.
Plse plse super sport channel package , no matter what
I agree with you, Supersport package only it’s long overdue
Please give us supersport channel ,soccer channel just now
I fully agree it would be great to have a package with all the sports channels because as it is they play repeats all the time on the movie’s channel rather give us the food,sport’s and news channels at a lower price
We paid over n R1000 for only watching 3 or 4 channels and sport channel
Please let your clients like me pick my own channels and paid accordingly
Dstv won’t change.Because the signs are there.They give you offers when there is no exciting games of sports.The moment the real thing is about to start,the offer is gone! It’s like they don’t want you to enjoy without suffering the cost!
When are we gping to sighn in on this SPORT chanell
Aksheshe lapho ni late zinja
Not interested.You decision comes 10 years too late.I will not be part of multichoice ever again.
We must keep watching repeats i emailed the CEO years ago.
He said its for people that work and don’t get to watch the shows, that’s why they repeat so something you watched 4yrs ago. You will be watching now its ridiculous.
I will gladly pay for Sport and Mnet
I like what you are saying
Resolve before the resumption of the new season
Yes yes that’s a bright idea
Too late. SuperSport Channels are already pirated and available for free. Another thing is why get SuperSport only Channels while maybe I will watch one or 2 only?
They don’t care about people feeling what they know is to rob people monies an ad stupid thinks like indian package insurances which people do not need
The introduction of Supersport’s sports-only packages could drive incremental revenue for pay-TV operators by requiring consumers to pay layered subscription fees. For example, DStv might require a base Access package at R130.00 per month, with sports channels offered as an add-on for an additional R250.00 per month.
Please I pay a 1000 bucks because I love rugby and cricket its ridiculous please unbundle Supersport ive long been waiting for this
I love rugby, the games, interviews etc. I do not watch other channels. Why am i paying so much for this service
African football must be a must,from the domestic leagues,national assignments and international tournaments from Caf,Europe, US,Arab leagues,Asia & Aus/ Newzeland. Its some times boring to see South African schools Rugby screened live while an football international match with high stakes is delayed or not screened at all. We need value for money.
I have been waiting for this long time ago. I only care about my Liverpool matches. They can take away other channels I don’t care.
Thank you for comming to this discussion after all this years. I only want Kyknet and Supersport 1 and not all this other channel’s. Why can’t they also add Netfix instead of Showmax? Currently I only watch a few Kyknet channels and Netflix and that is enough for me.
Dstv will take ages to do this if they ever do it ! Dstv have never acted in the best interst of there clients now they trying to play catch up with the world if they dnt act soon dstv will fall they actually force people to pirate these channels cause they are so expensive
Place a value on respective channels according to most wanted or liked . Then allow subscribers to choose channels with a minimum amount of 10 or 20 pending on what u want to make as profit
The only channels I want is 138,140,144,145,146,147,195.
Thanks so much.
I think dstv is a racist broadcasting company.
If you want to have Kyknet and also sport(rugby) channels you had to pay R1 100 per month. This is ridiculous.
That is the reason why dstv is in trouble. For many years they come away with this.
I will come back to dstv if I can decide what channels I want with affordable prices.
Good luck Mr Du plessis
DSTV now belongs to Canal+ (Fance). So my brothers let’s hope dat the new owners will do something about it for us football lovers. Is unfortunate that Africa is losing this football audience from Africa to the French. Why them. Is soo sad. Africa wake up
There premium package is over priced. Furthermore they show you adverts even though you paying that premium.
Its madness 😠. DSTV I left years ago but im interested in the sports only package if the price is right.
The only reason I took premier dstv was because of the sport. It has just become way too expensive because I don’t watch the other channels. I’ve now canceled my prescription with DSTV. I really hope they come up with an only sports channel that we can watch the rugby and Formula 1.
prescription with dstv? lol
I agree with this decision They should eliminate all those channels nobody watches Sports Rules in South Africa 97% of us Loves Sports
Totenda maruva tadya chakata.
I think that multichoice have to think for disadvantage community at least 202 be for everyone because is where local football is televised
I think that multichoice have to think for disadvantage community at least 202 be for everyone because is where local football is televised
I hope they implement this plan unbundling of dstv channels we are stucked on paying R1100 just to watch golf soccer and tennis.. This is ridiculous a day light robbery..
Mr du plessis please we are on are knees work out a sensible plan what we are paying it’s just too much for what we are getting in return honestly think about it..
Pay per channel that you want. I watch many sport types but am not interested in football. Others want football and are not interested in rugby so it makes sense to be able to choose the channels you want to watch and pay accordingly. The current premium package is ridiculous and it boggles the mind that after all these years DSTV have not figured this out.
For me, frankly speaking, I prefer and would welcome with both hands (and feet😊) a separate sports package. Am a soccer fanatic. Even if we would get a soccer only package. Long overdue please
I cancelled years ago but will definitely resubscribe if Multichoice finally lives up to it’s name and let’s me choose sport only.
They should do it like yesterday
Hi
I have been saying this also and I have emails to prove that I requested DSTV/MultiChoice to let us choose the channels that we want and pay only for them. I’m a premium subscriber and only watch sports and less than 10 other channels…
Soccer pay for soccer channels only. Not irrelevant repeats all the time
Yes just bring sport’s who wants to pay for a whole package and only watch sport’s come on dstv 🐚 wake up the Internet has developed and it’s developing even more as many online companies are now providing sport’s only …
I have often asked myself the same question.
I think someone once said the issue is not only about DSTV but at times the networks who own the sports.
Is it not ironic that Multichoice is not one to offer many choices, maybe they should change their name.
In the good old days ESPN was part of Disney for instance. Therefore, whenever they were signing deals e.g. NBA, NFL broadcast rights to other companies worldwide, they may ask them to also buy other less popular channels e.g. Disney channel for example. In some cases the rights holders were quite aggressive, whereby they would say no ESPN if you do not also sign up for Disney!
Reminds of a few centuries ago when l was learning business. The lecturer was talking about a case involving Delta and Nesbitt Breweries of Chiredzi – l wonder if they still exist?
The issue was Nesbitt was doing the Hunter’s brands. So obviously this was not something a behemoth then known as Delta Holdings would accept lying down.
For the younger among us, at that time there were many entities under the old Delta including, Pelhams (furniture), OK (retail) Zimsun (Hospitality), United Bottlers (modern day – Coca Cola), Chibuku (traditional alcohol) and so on. So it was a very large company.
Therefore around 1992 when Nesbitt Breweries came into existence to produce beer as it was strategically located in Chiredzi which just so happens to have sugar a key resource for beer production, Delta was not too thrilled.
In what can only be called market dominance abuse. Delta was alleged to have warned any retailer that if they wanted to continue to be able to have Chibuku, Coca Cola and the alcoholic beverages from the group. This is why in most countries there is legislation or regulators to avoid this.
I am not sure what happened afterwards but l think Delta Corporation prevailed and Nesbitt Brewery was not able to continue producing the Hunter’s line or any product for that matter. Those who know can correct me.
The point here, in as much as Multichoice is at fault here, there could be other factors beyond their control. However, l think they could have handled this situation much better.
I for one will struggle to use DSTV again. l discovered the joys of watching live sport online. Can you imagine watching live tv from whichever country you choose to or even choosing the commentary team you want? I have become so spoilt especially as l watch cricket or football. I can watch Lineker, Keane, Wright etc or watch Henry, Richards et al as they deliver their commentary. Some teams will have Shaun Pollock, Brett Lee , Mark Waugh or Ricky Ponting, Nasser Hussein, Michael Atherton to name a few. The fact l can watch the NBA and even get the same ads as the locals do as bizarre as some of them seem to me.
So to go back to DSTV which discriminates against anyone outside SACU (Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) by asking those other nations to pay more and get less in terms of content and choices.
Hi.removing sports from dstv is a sure thing because am paying to watch documentaries and movies not sports or repeats.