Anyone can now subscribe to DStv’s streaming service from R30p/m

Until now, only existing DStv customers (i.e. the ones with a dish on their roofs) have had access to DStv’s streaming platform. In case you’re a little behind the times, the company’s streaming platform is a hub  in the form of an app or web portal and plays host to most of DStv’s exclusive content and licensed shows and movies. Now, anyone can sign up to the Multichoice streaming service. Even if they don’t have a decoder.

“Until recently, customers could only subscribe to DStv through a satellite connection, which meant customers needed a decoder to access DStv’s content,” the company said.

How much is DStv streaming?

We would have loved to tell you that DStv streaming prices are less complex than its current decoder contract options, but they really aren’t. New customers choose from up to six different streaming options, detailed on the product page on its site. The cheapest of these comes in at just R30p/m. Called the EasyView package, it gives streamers access to 36 channels, most of which include locally developed content.

Up a tier, and you get the Access package for R100p/m which includes 67 channels. Packages go up to Premium for R819, with its total of 159 channels. Pricing of the streaming options are very similar to those that include full DStv service. We had hoped to see pricing slightly lower, to compete with international streaming service prices in the country.

At this point, it looks like the Access package may be the best value — but here you still won’t have access to the full SuperSport suite, which could be a waste for someone considering for the service just to watch sports.

“We are led by our customers’ evolving viewing habits and how and when they choose to access our content. The option to use the internet to consume content speaks to how DStv continues to diversify its offerings with a clear intention to drive value and convenience for our customers,” says Nyiko Shiburi, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.

The Multichoice-owned broadcaster recently announced its new lineup of Explora decoders that will offer streaming options like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. But if you’re just interested in access to the DStv streaming app, these are your options.