Absent from these announcements was DStv Compact+ and from what was initially perceived that package would remain unchanged. This is because transitioning consumers to other packages would require a lot of hassle with these consumers.
At a media briefing, it was revealed by LicenceCo's CEO that DStv Compact+ subscribers would be upgraded to DStv Premium for 12 months and continue paying R659 per month.
Ngwepe told sources that its subscribers — a small share of the base, he said — would be moved to Premium and held at their current price for 12 months. “We’re going to move them to Premium … and hopefully that’s what they’ll stick with,” he said. After the 12 months they would either pay the Premium rate or choose something else.
Once that deal ends, DStv Compact+ subscribers will be required to pay the same rate as DStv Premium or migrate to one of the existing packages. The only other package to offer M-Net and KykNET would be the upcoming Movies & Series package.
DStv Compact+ was launched in 2013 as a bridge between DStv Premium and Compact giving consumers additional channels at an affordable price. This would include KykNET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Curiosity Channel and History.
Over the years, a lot of these channels had found their way on other DStv packages while some were out right discontinued therefore weakening the overall value of the package.
MultiChoice is basically viewing DStv Movies & Series as a new package only because it houses M-Net and BBC Earth. When in reality, it looks more like a reincarnation of DStv Compact+ with minimal sports such as PSL to add to the offering.
To be honest, thus will probably be the best version of Compact+ as DStv Premium consumers won't need to bundle sports to their subscription making it affordable. While DStv Sports (formerly Compact) can look more competitive with it's sporting lineup.
BBC reach widened on DStv
BBC Studios' multi-genre channel BBC UKTV (DStv channel 134), launched in December 2023 and, according to the channel, has proven to be a channel of choice with subscribers to the DStv Compact, Family, Access and EasyView packages.
It offered programming seen on other DStv channels ranging from The Great British Bake Off and Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook to motoring shows such as Million Dollar Car Hunters and Top Gear, and series like Casualty, Doctors and My Family.
According to the channel, its audience share has increased by 79% in its second quarter since launch.
MultiChoice had been hiding this channel away from DStv Premium as it packaged a lot repeat and old programming. Despite this, consumers on these packages had been longing for BBC UKTV to help catch-up on shows and embrace nostalgia.
BBC Earth (DStv channel 184), a channel in which MultiChoice had locked under Premium will widen its reach to the upcoming DStv Movies & Series package. This means consumers will be given access to shows like Planet Earth and Life Below Earth.
Both channels are expected to rollout on respective packages from September 17.
Absent from these announcements is eMedia's inclusion of eReality and eSeries channels with France24 and Church TV to launch on DStv. These channels continue to be on the testing stages on DStv so an announcement can only be imminent.
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