GOtv Packages Are Getting A Shake-Up From 5 November

I can gladly confirm that Canal+’s MultiChoice will be revamping GOtv packages across Africa from 5 November. That date also marks the arrival of DStv Expect+ in these markets.

There’s been almost no marketing around this, so I’m assuming the changes won’t feel massive for most consumers. From early leaks, MultiChoice is aligning packages across regions — one structure for Southern Africa and another for the rest of the continent. Those same aspirations have been applied to GOtv.

Here’s the new line-up:

- GOtv Lite and Value are merging into one package called GOtv Easy (the African equivalent of DStv Easyview).  

- GOtv Max and Supa are combining to form GOtv Select (the equivalent of DStv Select).  

- GOtv Plus becomes GOtv Starter  

- GOtv Supa+ becomes GOtv Sports

Pricing for all these packages is expected to stay the same. What remains unclear is exactly which channels each package will carry under the new structure.

MultiChoice has been pretty lazy about getting people excited for this. From the early leaks, two new channels look likely for GOtv viewers.

Africa Magic+ is expected to replace one of the current Africa Magic channels — most probably Africa Magic Family. MultiChoice and M-Net already did something similar with Wethu+. The new channel will carry a mix of international and local films, music and news. My assumption is that MultiChoice wants it to feel like more than just an Africa Magic repeats channel.

The second channel in the works is **SuperSport Football Plus**. It’s a spin-off of SuperSport Football and will carry Serie A, the Premier League and La Liga. For some odd reason MultiChoice is labelling it “SuperSport GOtv Football Plus”, as if it’s a separate channel, when it’s actually the same one already packaged on DStv.

Other developments worth noting

Because this is a GOtv story, it’s worth flagging a couple of related changes that most outlets will probably ignore.

MultiChoice is axing JimJam after 13 years with the channel goes dark on 11 November for both DStv and GOtv customers. It was the last remaining AMC Networks International channel on GOtv after the earlier closures of CBS Reality and Justice.  

With the package revamp happening around the same time, consumers should automatically pick up extra channels to fill the gap left by JimJam. Customer service has been telling people they can find similar kids’ content on Cartoon Network, Disney Junior and CBeebies.

Finally, GOtv Stream is shutting down at the end of the month. After that, the only way to stream GOtv content will be through a DStv Stream subscription. MultiChoice is also preparing to roll out the Canal+ streaming app within the next two years.