DStv Celebrates 30 Years of Shaping South African Television

This October, DStv marks 30 years of connecting South African households, telling compelling stories, and shaping the country’s television landscape.

From its early beginnings with M-Net in 1986, broadcasting a few hours each night as an encrypted analogue channel, to the launch of DStv on 6 October 1995 – the second digital satellite service in the world and the first outside the US – the platform has grown alongside the nation itself.

From a humble caravan in Randburg to over 14 million homes across Africa, DStv has become part of daily life from Johannesburg to Lagos to Nairobi.

Starting with just 16 channels, it now offers 142, with subscription packages designed to suit all budgets and viewing preferences – from Access at R99 per month to Premium at R699 per month, both via satellite or online streaming.

Home of Iconic Stories

DStv has long been a hub for stories that reflect and shape South African life. From early M-Net classics like Carte Blanche, Egoli, and KTV, to the launches of kykNET (1999), Africa Magic (2003), and Mzansi Magic (2010), the platform has consistently showcased authentic African storytelling.

Recent hits such as The River, Big Brother Mzansi, and Shaka iLembe have continued this tradition, with international recognition including four consecutive years of International Emmy nominations for productions like Reyka, Two Sides, Die Brug, School Ties, Chasing The Sun 2, and Play Room Live.

Sporting Moments That Unite a Nation

SuperSport, which also celebrates 30 years, has delivered unforgettable sporting milestones – from Bafana Bafana’s 1996 AFCON win to the Springboks’ four Rugby World Cup triumphs, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Olympic gold medals from Josia Thugwane in Atlanta 1996 to Tatjana Smith in Paris 2024.

Innovation and Evolution

DStv has always been a pioneer in African television. From launching the continent’s first personal video recorder to introducing HD broadcasts, BoxOffice, the DStv app, and now DStv Stream, the platform has continuously evolved to meet changing viewing habits.

Byron du Plessis, CEO of PayTV South Africa at MultiChoice, notes: “While technology, viewing habits and platforms have evolved, what has not changed is our purpose: bringing people together through content that matters.”

Looking Ahead

With 30 years of heritage, this broadcaster enters a new chapter in partnership with CANAL+, ensuring continued investment in local stories, live sport, and innovation.

To celebrate this milestone, customers can look forward to special offers in November and December, making it possible for even more South Africans to join in the celebration.

Key Moments in South African Television 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

Key DStv Milestones

• 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 Africa
• 2002: 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+

From storytelling and entertainment to sports and innovation, DStv has spent three decades shaping South African television – and the next chapter promises even more milestones to come.

Watch this space for updates in the Television category on Running Wolf’s Rant.