Canal+ is swiftly implementing changes to DStv following its recent acquisition of MultiChoice, aiming to rejuvenate Africa’s leading pay-TV brand amid escalating competition in the streaming sector.
The French media conglomerate is introducing a strategy that combines nostalgia, affordability, and exclusive European sports content to attract and retain subscribers.
In celebration of DStv’s 30th anniversary, Canal+ is launching an “Open Time” weekend from November 7–9, 2025. This initiative offers all active DStv decoder users complimentary access to DStv Premium content. The campaign features renowned South African television personalities such as Ashley Hayden, Scot Scott, and Doreen Morris, who previously hosted M-Net’s original Open Time in the 1990s. Byron du Plessis, CEO of SA PayTV, remarked, “DStv has grown up alongside its viewers. For three decades, we have been part of South Africans’ homes, weekends, and memories.”
To further enhance accessibility, MultiChoice will reduce the price of its HD decoders by 30% in retail channels and over 40% through its new DStv online store, effective November 1, 2025. This move aims to reconnect with lapsed customers and lower entry barriers amid fierce competition from streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Disney+.
DStv Premium subscribers will benefit from two additional all-device streams until December, bringing the total to four. The revamped rewards program now includes BoxOffice rentals, event invitations, celebrity meet-and-greets, and VIP sports experiences, aiming to enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction.
In response to the growing demand for European football content, SuperSport, under Canal+’s guidance, has begun broadcasting French Ligue 1 matches. This partnership allows SuperSport to air up to three Ligue 1 matches per weekend on its channels and GOtv, featuring prominent clubs like PSG, Marseille, Lyon, and Monaco. Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport’s director of English sport content, emphasized that showcasing prestigious leagues such as Ligue 1 adds significant value for subscribers.
These strategic initiatives by Canal+ signify a concerted effort to revitalize DStv’s presence in the African market, addressing the challenges posed by the evolving media landscape and intensifying competition from digital streaming services. By blending traditional television offerings with modern digital enhancements, Canal+ aims to secure DStv’s position as a leading entertainment provider in Africa.
