With DStv falling apart and streaming on the rise, here’s what’s next for viewers

Mar 24, 2026 · 750 words · By James Bisset

Fact-Check Results

“South African television has been ruled by DStv and its parent company MultiChoice for almost three decades.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm or refute MultiChoice's dominance in South African television

“MultiChoice was a monopoly with only the SABC posing any theoretical competition.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to verify monopoly status or competitive landscape

“MultiChoice dished out Explora decoders when Netflix arrived.”

❓ UNVERIFIABLE — No evidence in archive to confirm or deny decoder distribution timing relative to Netflix

“Streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, and TikTok are competing for viewers.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about streaming platform competition in South Africa

“DStv became more expensive while offering less content.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about pricing changes or content offerings for DStv

“MultiChoice lost roughly 2.8 million subscribers in the past two years.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about subscriber loss figures for MultiChoice

“SuperSport will not air the 2026 Winter Olympics.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about SuperSport's broadcasting plans for 2026 Olympics

“Amazon acquired Premier League rights in the UK, Apple bought MLS rights, YouTube streams NFL in the US, and ESPN is available on Disney+.”

❓ UNVERIFIABLE — No evidence in archive about global sports rights acquisitions by listed platforms

“SuperSport is likely to launch as a standalone streaming platform.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about SuperSport's future platform strategy

“Sports viewing in South Africa will become fragmented and chaotic in the future.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about future sports consumption trends in South Africa