DStv is offering all its South African decoder customers a weekend of full Premium access, regardless of their current subscription package. From November 7 to 9, 2025, active users can enjoy Premium channels at no extra cost as part of MultiChoice’s 30th-anniversary celebration.
The “Open Time Weekend” offer gives subscribers three days of free access to top-tier content, from movies and documentaries to live sports and reality shows. It’s a nostalgic nod to DStv’s early years when viewers were offered a glimpse of premium entertainment at no cost, now reimagined as a nationwide celebration for millions of households.
MultiChoice says the gesture serves as both a “thank you” to loyal customers and a way to make its services more accessible.
“For three decades, DStv has been a significant part of South Africans’ lives, and this weekend is our way of expressing gratitude,” said Byron du Plessis, CEO of SA Pay-TV at MultiChoice.
DStv looking to win back old viewers
The excitement surrounding the free access to the pay-TV platform reveals a deeper strategy behind this initiative. In recent years, the platform has faced intense competition from global streaming services like Netflix, Showmax, and Amazon Prime Video, all of which offer on-demand entertainment at lower prices.
By temporarily unlocking its Premium tier, MultiChoice is not only celebrating its anniversary but also reintroducing viewers to the value of its ecosystem.
This open-access weekend is also part of a larger pricing overhaul by the company. They have announced a 30% price reduction on HD decoders in stores and over 40% off through their newly launched DStv online shop. This timing indicates that MultiChoice is aiming to rekindle interest among former subscribers while also making it easier for new customers to join.
For users on lower-tier packages, this weekend offers a taste of what they’ve been missing, potentially urging them to upgrade once they experience higher-quality programming. It’s a subtle but smart marketing move disguised as a celebration.
DStv’s 30-year history reflects South Africa’s TV evolution, from limited “Open Time” broadcasts to the digital streaming age. This campaign leverages that shared nostalgia while exploring innovative audience engagement strategies in a saturated media landscape.
Read also: MultiChoice further slashes DStv decoder price to N7,900, GOtv decoder now N6,500
The success of this free-access experiment could lead MultiChoice to explore similar promotions in other African markets or hybrid models balancing affordability and premium features. This trial offers a glimpse into the company’s potential future competitive strategies in a digital landscape.
As the company celebrates three decades on screen, this weekend isn’t just about looking back. It’s about reminding South Africans, and perhaps Africa as a whole, that DStv still wants to be part of their everyday entertainment story.
