Six bouquets, six very different bills. Here is every DStv package side by side — prices, channels, SuperSport levels and the hidden extras that decide what you really pay.
The Money Question
Choosing a DStv package is mostly a choice about money. The channels overlap heavily from one tier to the next, so the real decision is how much live sport and premium movies you are willing to pay for. This page lays out all six bouquets in a single comparison, then unpacks the extras that quietly inflate the bill. If you want the wider context — decoders, DStv Stream, self-service and alternatives — start with the complete DStv guide, which ties every one of these topics together.
Every price here is an indicative 2026 South African rate operated by MultiChoice, the Johannesburg broadcaster that launched DStv back in 1995 and now serves more than 50 African countries. MultiChoice reviews its rates each April, so treat these figures as an accurate guide rather than a locked quote. For a fuller pricing narrative and the decoder and streaming options that sit alongside each tier, our full DStv packages and pricing breakdown is the best next stop.
All Six Bouquets
From the R45 EasyView entry tier to the R979 Premium flagship, here is the full lineup ranked by price. Notice how the channel count climbs steadily but the sport level jumps in big steps — that is the pattern that explains most of DStv's pricing.
| Package | Price/mo | Channels | Sport Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DStv Premium | R979 | 155+ | Full SuperSport | Sports diehards & big households |
| DStv Compact Plus | R619 | 135+ | Strong SuperSport | Sport-and-series fans |
| DStv Compact | R479 | 115+ | Limited SuperSport | Most families (broad entertainment) |
| DStv Family | R339 | 95+ | Very limited sport | Local + kids-heavy homes |
| DStv Access | R135 | 70+ | Highlights only | Budget entry viewers |
| DStv EasyView | R45 | 40+ | No premium sport | Cheapest possible plan |
Prices are indicative 2026 South African rates and are reviewed by MultiChoice each April. Channel counts are approximate and shift as bouquets are refreshed.
Where the Money Goes
It is tempting to assume you are paying for channel count, and channels do matter — Premium carries 155+ against EasyView's 40+. But the steepest jumps between tiers are about two things: SuperSport and premium movies. A longer list of general-entertainment channels is relatively cheap to add; exclusive live sport rights are not.
SuperSport is MultiChoice's own exclusive sports broadcaster, and DStv tiers it deliberately. The full lineup — every PSL and Betway Premiership match, EPL, UEFA Champions and Europa League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Springbok rugby and the URC, Proteas cricket and SA20, Formula 1, MotoGP, golf and Grand Slam tennis — only lives on Premium. Compact Plus gives you a strong subset of SuperSport channels, Compact only a limited set, and Family and below carry little or no premium sport at all. That tiering, more than anything, explains why the gap from Compact to Premium is R500 a month.
Movies work the same way. Premium bundles all the M-Net Movies channels and a discounted Showmax subscription, while lower tiers thin out the film offering. So when you compare bouquets, ask first how much live sport you truly watch — that single question moves the price more than any other factor.
Read The Small Print
The advertised package price is rarely the whole story. Before you settle on a tier, factor in the extras below — they are easy to overlook and can add meaningfully to what lands on your statement.
Second decoder / XtraView
A monthly access fee to link a second decoder to the same account so extra rooms can watch.
Dish & decoder installation
A one-off upfront cost for a first-time satellite install — dish, LNB, cabling and an accredited installer.
DStv BoxOffice
Pay-per-rental new-release movies charged on top of your subscription, separate from Catch Up.
Showmax add-on
Bundled or discounted on Premium, but a separate paid subscription if you want it on lower tiers.
Annual April increases
MultiChoice reviews package prices each April, so this year's rate is rarely next year's rate.
None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but stacked together they can turn an advertised R479 Compact plan into a noticeably larger monthly commitment — especially in a multi-room household running a second decoder over XtraView.
Match Your Household
The best bouquet is the one that matches how you actually watch, not the one with the longest channel list. See which of these four viewers sounds most like your home.
The sports diehard
You watch PSL, EPL, URC rugby, F1 and cricket most weeks. Only Premium gives the full SuperSport lineup; Compact Plus is the sensible step down if you can live with a strong subset rather than everything.
The busy family
You want broad general entertainment, kids channels and local dramas without paying for wall-to-wall sport. Compact is the most popular family tier for a reason; Family trims the bill further if sport barely matters.
The budget viewer
You mainly want local channels and news at the lowest cost. Access covers the essentials, while EasyView is the rock-bottom option for a very light lineup at around R45 a month.
The cord-cutter
You stream more than you watch live and resent a big fixed TV bill. You are the viewer most likely to compare internet-TV alternatives against even a mid-tier DStv package before renewing.
If you land somewhere between two personas, our side-by-side on Compact vs Compact Plus is where most families end up making the final call.
The Big Reflection
At R979 a month, DStv Premium works out to roughly R11,750 a year — among the priciest TV bills in the region. That is genuinely good value if you are a sports diehard who watches SuperSport most weekends and would otherwise miss matches you care about. DStv is comprehensive, reliable and the exclusive home of both SuperSport and a deep catalogue of local content that is honestly hard to replace.
But for lighter viewers, R11,750 a year is a lot of television. This is exactly why so many South African households now compare internet-TV (IPTV) alternatives, which often carry far larger live channel counts for a fraction of the cost. The honest caveat: IPTV quality varies by provider, and content licensing and legality differ by country — so always test on a free trial and check your local rules first. Our take on the best IPTV for sports is a sensible place to weigh the trade-off before you renew.
Quick Answers
How much does DStv cost per month in 2026?
Indicative 2026 monthly prices run from R45 for EasyView up to R979 for Premium, with Access at R135, Family at R339, Compact at R479 and Compact Plus at R619. MultiChoice reviews these rates each April, so treat them as a close guide rather than a fixed quote.
Which DStv package is the cheapest?
DStv EasyView is the cheapest bouquet at roughly R45 per month for around 40 channels. It has no premium SuperSport and a basic lineup, so it suits viewers who mainly want local free-to-air style channels at the lowest possible price.
Why is DStv Premium so much more expensive than Compact?
Premium at R979 carries the full SuperSport lineup, all M-Net movie channels and a bundled or discounted Showmax, while Compact at R479 has only limited SuperSport. Most of the price gap pays for complete live sport and premium movie rights rather than a longer channel list alone.
Are there hidden costs on top of the DStv package price?
Yes. A second decoder on the same account carries an XtraView access fee, a first-time dish and decoder install has an upfront cost, BoxOffice rentals are pay-per-movie, and Showmax on lower tiers is a separate add-on. Prices also typically rise each April.
Is DStv Premium worth almost R11,750 a year?
For a genuine sports diehard who watches SuperSport most weeks, Premium can justify its cost. For lighter viewers it is a large bill, which is why many households compare internet-TV alternatives that offer far more live channels for a fraction of the price on a free trial.
Related Guides
This guide is one chapter of the complete DStv guide — explore the sibling breakdowns below.
See how many live channels you get for a fraction of a Premium bill — then decide for yourself. Test it free, no card needed.