DStv is sold as a ladder. At the bottom sits a tiny, low-cost starter package; at the top is a do-everything tier that carries the full SuperSport line-up and every premium movie channel. Each rung up the ladder unlocks more channels — and a higher monthly price. Working out which package actually fits how you watch is the difference between paying for content you never touch and getting exactly what you want for the lowest sensible spend. This page is the detailed pricing companion to our complete DStv guide.
Below you will find the full 2026 price list, what each tier is best for, the headline add-ons such as Showmax and Extra View, practical ways to pay less, and an honest look at a cheaper alternative. If you want the wider picture — decoders, the DStv Stream app, channels and login — start with the pillar above and use this article whenever the conversation turns to money.
DStv Price List 2026 — Every Package
Here is the full DStv package ladder with indicative South African monthly prices for 2026, the approximate channel count, and who each tier suits best. Use it to find the lowest rung that still carries everything you actually watch.
| Package | Approx. / month | Channels | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | R879 | 175+ | Everyone who wants it all — full SuperSport, all movie premieres in HD |
| Compact Plus | R579 | 150+ | Sport fans who want most channels without paying full Premium |
| Compact | R459 | 135+ | Balanced homes — general entertainment, series and most PSL football |
| Family | R329 | 110+ | Family viewing, local content, kids' channels and some sport |
| Access | R159 | 85+ | Budget entertainment and news on a tight monthly spend |
| EasyView | R39 | 45+ | The cheapest live-TV starter — basic channels only |
Please note: these prices are indicative only. DStv reviews its rates annually and pricing varies by country, so the figures above can change. Always confirm the live rate on the official DStv self-service portal before subscribing. For the channel detail behind each tier, see our DStv channels list.
Premium vs Compact Plus vs Compact — Which to Choose
The decision most households agonise over sits in the middle of the ladder. The three tiers most people compare are Compact, Compact Plus and Premium, because that is where the meaningful sport and movie channels live, and where the price differences are largest.
Compact (≈ R459)
The value sweet spot for many families. You get balanced general entertainment, a strong series and movie selection and the bulk of the Premier Soccer League. If you watch local football and series but do not need every premium sport channel, Compact often does the job.
Compact Plus (≈ R579)
The middle ground for sport fans. On top of everything in Compact, you gain extra SuperSport channels and additional movie channels. It costs about R120 more than Compact but stops short of full Premium pricing — ideal if you want most live sport without paying the top rate.
Premium (≈ R879)
The complete package. The full SuperSport bouquet, every premium movie channel and the latest premieres in HD. Worth it only if you genuinely use the extra sport and movie content — otherwise the jump from Compact Plus is a large monthly cost for a handful of channels.
A simple rule of thumb: choose Compact if you mainly want general entertainment and local football, Compact Plus if sport is important but Premium feels excessive, and Premium only if you will actually watch the full premium sport and movie line-up every month.
DStv Add-Ons — Showmax, Extra View & BoxOffice
Your base package is not the whole story. DStv sells several add-ons that stack on top of any tier, and they can quietly raise your monthly bill if you are not paying attention. The three you are most likely to encounter:
Showmax
MultiChoice's standalone streaming service. Often bundled or discounted for DStv subscribers, it adds a large on-demand catalogue of series, films and live sport that you stream over the internet, separate from your satellite package.
Extra View
Links a second (or third) decoder to your account so different rooms watch different channels on one subscription. It carries a small monthly add-on fee per linked decoder — cheaper than a full second subscription.
BoxOffice
Rent the latest movie releases on demand for a per-title fee, charged on top of your package. Handy for new releases but the rentals add up quickly if used often.
DStv Stream upgrade
Add streaming to a satellite package so you can also watch on phones, tablets and Smart TVs away from the dish. Useful for second screens and travel within your service area.
Add-on pricing changes regularly and some bundles are promotional, so check the current cost in your self-service account before opting in. If you are weighing a second decoder for another room, our guide to DStv decoders and the Explora explains which box pairs best with Extra View.
How to Pay Less or Downgrade
You are not locked into a single price forever. DStv lets you move up and down the ladder, and a few simple habits can shave a meaningful amount off your annual spend:
- →Downgrade in quiet months — drop from Premium to Compact Plus or Compact when the major sport season ends, then upgrade again when it returns.
- →Match the package to who is actually watching — if no one uses the premium movie channels, the lower tier saves you hundreds of rand a year.
- →Avoid duplicate subscriptions — use Extra View to share one account across rooms instead of paying for two separate packages.
- →Watch promotional add-on bundles — some Showmax and streaming bundles are introductory and revert to full price, so review your bill regularly.
- →Pay and manage online — clearing errors and changing packages through self-service avoids reconnection delays and keeps you in control of the cost.
Changing your package up or down takes a minute in the DStv self-service portal or app — no phone call required, and the new rate applies from your next billing cycle.
A Cheaper Alternative: IPTV
If the Premium price tag is the reason you are reading this page, it is worth knowing that satellite is no longer the only way to fill a TV with channels. IPTV streams thousands of live channels and a huge on-demand library entirely over your internet connection — no dish, no decoder, no installer — on the same Firestick, Smart TV, phone or Android box you already own. A single subscription typically costs less than a DStv Premium package while carrying far more channels and on-demand titles.
IPTV will not suit everyone — if you rely on local PSL coverage in an area with weak broadband, satellite still wins, and many homes run both. We lay out the full trade-off in our DStv vs IPTV comparison, and you can see where it fits in the bigger picture in the complete DStv guide. The simplest way to judge it is to sample the streaming experience yourself with a 24-hour free IPTV trial.
Frequently Asked Questions About DStv Prices
How much is DStv Premium per month in 2026?
DStv Premium costs roughly R879 a month in South Africa in 2026, making it the most expensive tier. It unlocks the full SuperSport bouquet, all premium movie and series channels and the widest channel line-up in HD. Prices are indicative, reviewed annually by DStv and vary by country, so confirm the live rate on the official DStv self-service portal before subscribing.
What is the difference between DStv Compact and Compact Plus?
DStv Compact (around R459 a month) gives you balanced general entertainment, series and the bulk of the Premier Soccer League. Compact Plus (around R579 a month) adds extra SuperSport sport channels and additional movie channels, sitting between Compact and Premium. If you want most live sport but not the full Premium line-up, Compact Plus is the middle-ground choice.
What is the cheapest DStv package?
EasyView is the cheapest DStv package at roughly R39 a month in 2026. It is an entry-level live-TV starter with a small bouquet of channels. The next step up is Access at around R159, then Family at about R329. These lower tiers suit budget households that mainly want local content, news and basic entertainment rather than premium sport.
How can I pay less for DStv?
You can pay less by downgrading to a lower package during months you watch less, sharing one account across rooms instead of paying for separate decoders, or pausing premium tiers outside major sport seasons. Many viewers also switch to IPTV, which streams thousands of live channels and on-demand titles over the internet for a lower flat monthly price than DStv Premium, with no dish or decoder required.
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