Could This Be the End of Bundled Sport on DStv?

With viewers tightening their belts and ditching traditional pay TV, MultiChoice is rethinking its long-standing strategy  and SuperSport may be the next big shake-up.

The days of being forced to pay for SuperSport SuperSport just to catch your favourite soapie or reality show on DStv may soon be over. MultiChoice Group has confirmed it’s fast-tracking a major rethink of its business model, exploring the possibility of unbundling SuperSport from its general entertainment DStv packages.

In plain terms? You might soon be able to subscribe to DStv without paying for sport you don’t watch — a move that could change the pay-TV game in South Africa.

Why Now?

It’s been a tough few years for the pay-TV giant. In the past financial year alone, MultiChoice lost 1.2 million paying subscribers across Africa. Consumers are under pressure — and the company knows it.

“People are stretched financially, and they are making calls on whether to buy entertainment or food,” said MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela in a recent interview. “And of course, food will always take precedent.”

On top of that, the rise of cheaper, flexible streaming services like Netflix, Showmax, and YouTube Premium — not to mention piracy — is eating into the traditional satellite TV base.

What Would Change?

If the proposed unbundling goes ahead, subscribers could pick a basic DStv entertainment package, then add on a sports bouquet only if they actually want it. It’s a model already used in the UK with Sky TV — and it might finally give South African households more control over what they pay for.

Sport would still be exclusive to DStv, with no plans to make SuperSport channels available on other platforms. “Sport is our key differentiator,” Mawela explained. “It drives subscribers to come in … it drives acquisition.”

A Shift Born out of Necessity

This pivot isn’t just about giving viewers more choice — it’s about survival. MultiChoice’s earnings have taken a knock, with the group citing “unprecedented headwinds” across sub-Saharan Africa.

Still, the company insists the decision to potentially separate SuperSport from DStv packages isn’t just a panic reaction. Mawela said the model must make business sense and bring in both revenue and profit. The outcome of the internal review is expected by March 2026.

Could Weekly Bundles Be the Future?

MultiChoice is also testing a new pilot: weekly DStv bundles. The project is currently underway in Uganda, and could roll out in South Africa if it proves viable. It’s part of the group’s broader plan to make DStv more affordable and flexible — especially in countries where every rand (or shilling) counts.

Local Sentiment: Mixed Feelings

On social media, the possible unbundling has stirred debate. Some users have welcomed the idea, saying they’ve long felt frustrated about paying for SuperSport when they don’t even follow sports. Others have expressed concern about what this could mean for sports fans, fearing price hikes or fragmentation.

But with more than a million customers already walking away, the message is clear: the old model isn’t working anymore.

The End of a Partnership?

DStv’s unbundling of SuperSport could be one of the biggest changes in local television since the arrival of streaming. For now, all eyes are on MultiChoice’s next move. And whether you’re a sports fanatic or just here for the drama on Gomora, one thing’s for sure — change is coming.

Source:Tech Central 

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