Broadcast satellite TV service DStv is increasing its subscription rates once again. Starting next month (April), DStv subscribers will have to go a little deeper in their pockets in order to keep their subscriptions active.
Last week, Multichoice, DStv’s owner, attributed the price increase to a hike in its own operational costs, as it started alerting subscribers via text messages on their phones and alerts on their decoders of the impending price hike. The price increase will also affect its budget digital TV service GOtv. Multichoice has cited the rise in operating costs as a reason for its price increases consistently over the last 3 years.
The subscription rates have been reviewed upwards from as little as 6.7% for subscribers on the highest Premium tier to as much as 10% for subscribers of DStv’s middle-of-the-road Compact package.
Here are the new rates:
DStv
| Package | Old price (in Kshs) | New price (in Kshs) |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 1,150 | 1,250 |
| Family | 1,600 | 1,750 |
| Compact | 3,000 | 3,300 |
| Compact Plus | 5,500 | 5,900 |
| Premium | 8,900 | 9,500 |
GOtv
| Package | Old price (in Kshs) | New price (in Kshs) |
|---|---|---|
| Value | 590 | 649 |
| Plus | 930 | 999 |
| Max | 1,249 | 1,349 |
| Supa | 1,599 | 1,749 |
Note: the packages that are not highlighted above (i.e. Lite) remain unchanged in pricing.
The price changes also affect DStv Streaming subscribers.
DStv streaming is Multichoice’s online DStv alternative that offers the same packages as satellite TV but without the need for one to have a decoder and satellite dish installed.
Previously, those who needed to access DStv online needed to get a traditional subscription that included a dish and a decoder and have them set up before activating an online account to access the DStv Now service, a cumbersome process that had long been bypassed by events.
Alternatively, if their interest was in live sports, they could be catered to by another Multichoice-backed service, Showmax Pro, though that remains limited as it lacks the likes of Formula 1 (we recommend using F1’s own F1 TV Pro service, instead – they’ve since introduced an Android TV app so we are all good here), popular combat sports and more. Obviously, for those that still turn to the South Africa-based company’s platform for movies and other local and international content that is exclusive to it via official channels, Showmax Pro is not able to cater to them.
DStv Now remains accessible on the web, and through Android, iOS and iPadOS applications and offers, in addition to the same shows available through the decoder, including live sports, news and others, unique on-demand content that’s licensed for Multichoice’s online platforms.
Recently, streaming service Netflix cut down its prices, increasing pressure on the likes of DStv who hang on by a thread courtesy of exclusive rights to popular sporting tournaments and leagues as streaming competitors have matched it with an expansive content catalogue and are doing everything to try to unsettle it when it comes to interesting local and regional content offerings as well.
