DStv Premium Can Now Cost R400 a Month Through New Split Bill Feature

MultiChoice has confirmed that South Africans can effectively access the DStv Premium package for as little as R400 per month through its newly launched split bill feature, a move aimed at easing the financial burden of subscription costs amid ongoing budget pressures.

Speaking to MyBroadband, MultiChoice said the split bill functionality applies to both DStv decoder and streaming subscriptions and is available across off-contract packages. However, the feature can only be accessed via the MyDStv app.

The split bill feature, which was officially launched in late January 2026, allows a primary account holder to share subscription costs with another person by sending them a payment link through the app. Once the second person completes their payment, the total subscription fee is settled.

According to MultiChoice, the feature reflects changing living arrangements and the growing reality of shared households.

“The split bill feature applies to decoder and streaming DStv packages,” the company said. “The feature can be used across off-contract types. Currently, you can only split your DStv bill with one other person, but there are plans to enable subscribers to split their bill with more than just one household member.”

MultiChoice added that the initiative is designed to make cost-sharing simpler and more transparent for customers who already divide household expenses.

Significant savings on Premium and other packages

DStv’s most recent price adjustments came into effect on 1 April 2025, with decoder package prices increasing by between R1 and R50 per month, while streaming package prices remained unchanged.

At present, the standard off-contract pricing for DStv Premium is R979 per month for decoder subscribers and R799 per month for streaming customers. With the split bill feature, these costs can be halved, allowing subscribers to pay approximately R490 per month for the decoder package or R400 per month for the streaming package.

The savings extend across DStv’s entire package range. Subscribers who split their bills can pay as little as R275 per month for DStv Compact Plus streaming, R200 for DStv Compact streaming, and R150 for the DStv Family streaming package. Entry-level options become even more affordable, with DStv Access streaming costing R50 per month when split, and EasyView decoder subscriptions dropping to R15 per month.

Expanded value for entry-level customers

The launch of the split bill feature coincides with several updates to DStv’s entry-level offerings. Following the conclusion of its Upsize promotion, MultiChoice said it is shifting its focus to long-term value improvements rather than temporary upgrades.

As part of this strategy, three permanent channels have been added to the DStv Access package: Trace Ngoma (previously Trace Africa), Trace Gospel, and WWE.

“The additions broaden the mix of music, faith and live entertainment available on one of DStv’s most affordable packages,” the broadcaster said. “It ensures that customers who choose to manage costs by staying on Access continue to receive a great service that meets their needs.”

Reduced decoder prices and promotions

MultiChoice has also announced a series of decoder price reductions and promotions aimed at lowering the upfront cost of accessing its services. The entry-level HD decoder is now available for R499, or R799 with installation included. In addition, DStv Explora decoders are being offered at discounts of up to 57%, depending on the model and purchase channel.

These promotions, which run until 30 April 2026, are intended to remove hardware costs as a barrier to entry, particularly for price-sensitive customers.

“What matters now is how DStv fits into people’s lives month after month,” said Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice, the broadcasting service licensee for DStv in South Africa. “We want customers to have options that make it easier to stay connected, even when budgets are tight.”

With the introduction of split billing, expanded channel offerings, and reduced decoder prices, MultiChoice appears to be positioning DStv as a more flexible and affordable option in an increasingly competitive and cost-conscious market.