DStv marks 30 years today of shaping South Africa’s television landscape, connecting millions of households, and telling stories that have become part of the national conversation.
When South Africans turned on their televisions in October 1986, M-Net broadcast only a few hours each night as an encrypted analogue channel. Less than a decade later, on 6 October 1995, MultiChoice launched DStv: only the second digital satellite service in the world, and the first outside the US.
What started in a caravan in Randburg grew alongside the country itself: by 2005 DStv had reached one million subscribers; by 2010, that figure had climbed to 2.4m families. Today, over 14m homes across Africa – from Johannesburg to Lagos to Nairobi – keep DStv in their daily rhythm.
Whereas DStv launched with just 16 channels in 1995, 30 years later it now hosts 142. Customers can choose from a range of DStv and DStv Stream packages, from Access, starting from R99 per month, to Family and Compact through to Premium, starting from R699 per month. Each option is designed to suit different budgets, content preferences and how people want to watch, whether online or via satellite.
From Carte Blanche, Egoli and KTV on M-Net in the early years, to the launch of kykNET in 1999, Africa Magic in 2003, Mzansi Magic in 2010, and Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and kykNET & Kie in 2013, DStv has consistently been the home of stories that reflect and shape South African life. More recently, productions such as The River, Big Brother and Shaka iLembe have continued that tradition, cementing DStv’s role as a hub for authentic African storytelling.
This content is increasingly receiving international recognition, with International Emmy nominees for four consecutive years, for Reyka (2022), Two Sides (2023), Die Brug (2024), School Ties, Chasing The Sun 2 and Play Room Live (2025).
SuperSport, which also celebrates 30 years in 2025, has also delivered unforgettable sporting moments, from Bafana Bafana’s AFCON win in 1996 to the Springbok’s four World Cup triumphs and from the 2010 FIFA World Cup to numerous Olympic Golds, from Josia Thugwane and Penny Heyns in Atlanta 1996 to Tatjana Smith in Paris 2024.
DStv was the first pay-TV service in Africa and has spent the past 30 years setting new milestones in how audiences watch television. From launching Africa’s first personal video recorder to introducing HD broadcasts, BoxOffice, the DStv app and now DStv Stream, it has consistently evolved alongside changing viewing habits and technology.
“As we celebrate 30 years, we are proud of the role DStv has played in South African homes,” said Byron du Plessis, CEO, PayTV South Africa at MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company. “Our story has always been tied to the country’s own – from the early days of Open Time in the 90s, through the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the dawn of democracy, to today’s iconic local shows and unforgettable sporting moments. Thirty years on, our commitment remains the same. We will continue to connect South Africans through great content, trusted service and real value, while reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of our nation.”
With 30 years of heritage behind it, DStv now enters a new chapter, with CANAL+ as partners at MultiChoice Group level, ensuring continued investment in local stories, live sport, and innovation to keep pace with changing customer needs.
“While technology, viewing habits and platforms have evolved, what has not changed is our purpose: bringing people together through content that matters,” said du Plessis.
To celebrate this milestone, customers can look forward to amazing offers in November and December, to make sure as many South Africans can celebrate with us on our platforms as possible. Details will be announced soon.
Key DStv Milestones
Key moments of SA TV history
- 1976: South Africa’s first-ever TV broadcast
- 1986: M-Net launches as South Africa’s first private pay-TV channel.
- 1988: SuperSport begins as part of M-Net programming
– Carte Blanche debuts on M-Net - 1990: Open Time gives free daily access to M-Net between 6–7pm
- 1990: KTV launches as a kids’ programming block on M-Net
- 1992: Egoli premieres as South Africa’s first daily soap opera
– SuperSport secures exclusive rights to the Cricket World Cup - 1993: To commemorate the manufacturing of its millionth decoder, M-Net creates a 24-carat gold-plated 9000 plus Decoder. Only one exists, and it is on display at the MultiChoice Decoder Centre.
- 1995: SuperSport becomes a full 24/7 channel, in time for the Rugby World Cup, won by South Africa
30+ key DStv moments
- 1995: DStv launches with 16 channels
- 1997: Pan-African music channel Channel 0 launches
- 1999: kykNET launches, anchoring Afrikaans content on DStv
- 2001: SuperSport moves to the DStv platform, Ferdi Bester wins the first season of Big Brother South Africa2002: Heinz Winckler wins the first season of Idols in South Africa
- 2003: Africa Magic launches, showcasing African storytelling across the continent
- 2005: DStv hits one million subscribers
– DStv Compact launches
– DStv introduces Africa’s first PVR (personal video recorder)
– Binnelanders begins as a weekly drama on M-Net - 2006: Vanessa Marawa wins first Survivor South Africa
- 2008: HD PVR launches with the Beijing Olympics
- 2010: Mzansi Magic launches
- 2011: BoxOffice launches, bringing movies on demand to households
- 2012: Deena Naidoo wins the first MasterChef South Africa
- 2013: DStv Explora PVR launches, adding internet-connected features
– Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and kykNET & Kie launch
– Isibaya, Mzansi Magic’s first hit telenovela, launches - 2018: DStv launches T.U.M.I, the Natural Language chatbot to enable customer care agents to address customer queries more efficiently
– Thuso Mbedu receives her second consecutive International Emmy nomination for Best Actress for Is’thunzi
– Moja Love launches on DStv on Valentine’s Day, and South Africa falls in love - 2019: The River is nominated for Best Telenovela at The International Emmy Awards
– The MultiChoice Group lists on the JSE - 2020: DStv Explora Ultra launches with built-in streaming apps
– Streaming-only subscriptions become available - 2022: Reyka nominated for Best Drama and Best Actress (Kim Engelbrecht) at the International Emmys
- 2023: Shaka iLembe records 3.6m viewers in its first week, the best ratings ever for a MultiChoice-produced drama series
– Two Sides nominated as Best Sports Documentary at the International Emmys - 2024: SuperSport Bet launches
– Die Brug nominated at the International Emmys as Best Non-Scripted Entertainment - 2025: DStv is inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame
– School Ties and Chasing The Sun 2 are nominated at The International Emmys as Best Documentary and Best Sports Documentary respectively
– Big Brother Mzansi’s finale draws a record-breaking 3.8m live viewers across Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu – a new DStv record
– MultiChoice joins global media and entertainment group, Groupe CANAL+
