Reshaping Africa’s Largest Pay-TV Platform After the MultiChoice Takeover
Canal+ has wasted little time implementing sweeping changes across DStv’s operations following the French media group’s acquisition of MultiChoice in September 2025. From hardware price cuts and feature upgrades to new sports rights and promotional access for lower-tier customers, subscribers across the continent are already seeing tangible shifts driven by the new ownership.
Maxime Saada, CEO of Canal+ and now chairman of MultiChoice, has positioned the merger as a catalyst for better service quality and broader premium content. Speaking shortly after the takeover, Saada said subscribers could expect improvements across convenience, user experience, and global programming breadth—including American content, international titles, and local African productions.
DStv Rewards Gains Major Upgrade as Customers Use Coins to Pay Bills
The first major post-merger upgrade came in mid-October, when DStv enabled customers to use their DStv Rewards Coins to settle monthly subscription payments via the MyDStv App.
According to MultiChoice South Africa PayTV CEO Byron du Plessis, more than 1.6 million coins were redeemed within a month—either as full or partial payments. Engagement with the rewards programme also surged by 83% week-on-week, indicating renewed subscriber interest.
Rewards Coins can be earned through challenges and interactive features such as spinning the app’s virtual wheel. Subscribers can redeem them not only for subscription payments but also for entertainment vouchers, event tickets, BoxOffice discounts, and Showmax memberships.
New Sports Content: Ligue 1 and AFCON Rights Boost SuperSport’s Line-Up
Canal+ quickly demonstrated its global content muscle by adding live French Ligue 1 coverage to SuperSport from 18 October 2025. The move expands DStv’s international sports offering and leverages Canal+’s long-standing relationship with European leagues.
Another major win was SuperSport’s acquisition of the broadcasting rights for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, solidifying its dominance in African sports broadcasting.
Open Time Returns With Modern Twist and Wider Access
In November, DStv revived the nostalgic “Open Time” concept—originally a two-hour free window for analogue M-Net viewers—by offering a weekend-long promotion from 7–9 November 2025.
Subscribers on entry-level packages such as Axxess, Family, Compact, and Compact Plus gained temporary access to select premium channels and major events, including the Springboks vs. Japan match.
Premium customers, meanwhile, enjoyed enhanced flexibility through two additional concurrent streams on DStv Stream.
Free Bouquet Upgrades Through Year-End: Thol-iUpsize Takes Off
Immediately after the Open Time weekend, DStv launched Thol-iUpsize, a mass upgrade initiative designed to deliver higher-tier entertainment at no extra cost during the festive period.
- Access and Family subscribers have been upgraded to Compact until 31 December 2025.
- Compact and Compact Plus customers receive extended content access until the same date.
- DStv Premium decoder customers continue enjoying up to four concurrent streams—ideal for family holiday viewing.
For streaming customers, additional DStv Rewards have been introduced as part of the company’s 30th Birthday Celebration.
Hardware Price Cuts and a Revamped Online Store
Canal+ and MultiChoice have also moved to make DStv hardware more accessible. Prices for the entry-level Model 10S Single View HD decoder dropped significantly:
- R299 (decoder only)
- R699 (decoder with installation)
Alongside these cuts, MultiChoice is preparing to relaunch its online store in late November 2025. The updated platform is expected to offer easier purchasing, improved navigation, and doorstep delivery options for customers.
Discovery Bank Partnership Targets Higher-Income Segment
A notable strategic development is MultiChoice’s new partnership with Discovery Bank, set to launch in April next year. The agreement will allow DStv customers to earn up to 50% back in Discovery Miles on their monthly subscription payments.
Because Discovery Bank primarily serves higher-income clients—many of whom fall within DStv Premium’s target demographic—the partnership could help MultiChoice regain some of the Premium subscribers it has lost in recent years. The Premium tier remains a critical revenue driver due to its higher average spend per user.
Looking Ahead: Unified Platform for Canal+, DStv, and Showmax
Subscribers can expect further changes as Canal+ continues integrating operations across its media properties. One of the biggest upcoming shifts will be the merging of Canal+, DStv, and Showmax into a single, unified platform designed to streamline content viewing and subscription management.
As the company moves through its first months under Canal+ ownership, the rapid rollout of upgrades, promotions, and new content suggests a long-term strategy focused on scaling value, strengthening customer retention, and modernising Africa’s leading pay-TV service.