Every March, Simon's Town kitchen tables get the same treatment: bank statement, calculator and a sigh at the DStv debit order. If you searched for the DStv price increase 2026 expecting a big jump, the real news is an April freeze and a September package shake-up. Here is what changed and what your household pays now.
Quick answer
There was no DStv price increase 2026 in April: prices were frozen. On 17 September 2026 DStv replaced its packages with Starter, Select, Sports, Movies and Series, Premium and EasyView. Customers are moved automatically, keep their decoders and do not pay more after migration, according to DStv at the time of writing.
The April freeze: no DStv price increase 2026 in autumn
For years, April meant a few rand more on every package. In 2026, MultiChoice kept prices flat instead, which was widely reported at the time. For pensioners in Glencairn and Castle Hill on fixed incomes, that was a welcome break.
We had several calls from Simon's Town retirees asking whether they should cancel before the DStv price increase 2026 hit. There was nothing to cancel ahead of, and our earlier guide to DStv installation costs in Simon's Town still holds for anyone setting up fresh.
The freeze did not mean nothing was happening behind the scenes. DStv was preparing a much bigger change to how its packages are built and named, which landed in September.
Good to know
If your debit order went up in April, check for add-ons, a missed payment, or the end of a promotional deal. The base package prices themselves were not raised at that time.
DStv price increase 2026: the September restructure in plain words
From 17 September 2026, the new DStv packages replaced the old names most people grew up with. The changes roll out in phases, so your account may switch a little after your neighbour's.
- Access became Starter.
- Family became Select.
- Compact customers moved to the new Sports package.
- Movies and Series is a brand-new package.
- Premium and EasyView stayed the same.
- Compact Plus is kept by existing subscribers, but new customers cannot sign up for it.
No new decoder is needed, and DStv says customers do not pay more after migration. If your decoder is old and tired anyway, see our DStv decoder upgrade guide before you buy.
In other words, the September change is a reshuffle of channels and names rather than a hidden DStv price increase 2026 households must absorb.
DStv packages and prices: old vs new table for 2026
This table shows the new DStv prices 2026 at the time of writing, from DStv's own announcement. Package details can change, so confirm in the MyDStv app or on the official DStv website before you switch.
| Old package | New package | Channels | Decoder price pm | DStv Stream pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access | Starter | 85+ | R150 | R99 |
| Family | Select | 100+ | R339 | R299 |
| Compact | Sports | 115+ | R479 | R399 |
| None (new) | Movies and Series | 115+ | R500 | R500 |
| Premium | Premium | 130+ | R979, or R799 on a 24-month contract | R799 |
| EasyView | EasyView | 35+ | R30 | Not available |
What moved where in sport and movies
The new Sports package carries every Premier League, Champions League and PSL match, plus SuperSport Cricket, which used to need Premium. Springbok rugby, F1, golf and tennis remain Premium only. Movies and Series bundles M-Net, kykNET, Mzansi Magic and the movie channels on top of everything in Select.
For a naval family in Da Gama Park that lives for football, Sports at R479 may be the sweet spot, and it is the clearest winner in the DStv prices 2026 line-up for PSL fans. For a Boulders couple who only watch the Boks, Premium is still the only route at the time of writing.
Planning a second TV as well? Our guide to the DStv Access channel changes explains what moved to Starter.
After the DStv price increase 2026 news: who pays what in Simon's Town
Packages only make sense next to real homes, and the DStv prices 2026 look very different for a pensioner than for a sports-mad family. Here is how the DStv packages and prices tend to land for the kinds of households we visit.
- Retired couple, one TV: Starter at R150, or EasyView at R30 if they only watch local channels.
- Family with kids and soapies: Select at R339 covers most of it.
- Football household: Sports at R479.
- Movie and series fans: Movies and Series at R500.
- Rugby, F1 and golf followers: Premium at R979, or R799 on contract.
- Guesthouse with a TV per room: often a commercial setup, which we quote separately.
Need DStv help in Simon's Town?
Tell us what you need or what your screen shows. We price the job before we drive out.
Access Fee and XtraView costs after the DStv price increase 2026 news
The package is not the whole bill. If you use an Explora or Explora Ultra, or link two decoders with XtraView, you also pay the Access Fee. At the time of writing that is R125 a month.
| Setup | Monthly cost on top of the package |
|---|---|
| One HD decoder | Nothing extra |
| One Explora or Explora Ultra | R125 Access Fee |
| Two decoders on XtraView | R125 (one Access Fee) |
| Explora plus a second decoder | R125 (the Explora fee covers it) |
| Three decoders on XtraView | R250 (two Access Fees) |
So two TVs on Select cost about R464 a month at the time of writing. The DStv price increase 2026 headlines did not touch this fee. Many hillside homes in Simon's Town have a lounge and a TV room on different floors, and XtraView is still cheaper than two full subscriptions. Our XtraView setup for multi-level homes links both rooms properly.
Smart ways to save on DStv in Simon's Town
Even without a DStv price increase 2026 in April, the monthly bill adds up. A household on Sports with an Explora is close to R600 a month before any add-ons. These are the savings we see work in real homes.
- Match the package to your viewing. Check what you actually watched last month. Many people pay for sport they never switch on.
- Drop add-ons you forgot about. A movie add-on or an extra stream can quietly sit on the account for years.
- Consider DStv Stream for a second TV. Starter on Stream is R99, which may be cheaper than XtraView if the TV is smart and the WiFi is good.
- Look at the Premium contract. R799 on a 24-month contract is cheaper than R979 month to month, if you are sure you will keep it.
- Fix small faults yourself first. A DStv remote that has stopped working rarely needs a call-out.
Technician tip
If you rent out a holiday flat, ask DStv about the rules for pausing or downgrading in the winter months. A cheaper package from June to August can make a real difference over a year.
Hardware can save money too. An Explora connected to the internet gives you Catch Up, so you record less and skip BoxOffice rentals you do not need. Our guide on how to connect your Explora to the internet shows the steps.
Buying a decoder for the new DStv packages
You do not need a new box for the restructure. If you are buying one anyway, compare prices on the day. Retail specials change every week, and the box price usually excludes the dish, Smart LNB, cabling and fitting. Our notes on the decoder price at Game explain what to look out for.
Living near the sea also adds a hidden cost. Salt air off False Bay corrodes cheap brackets and connectors, and a strong south-easter can knock a poorly fitted dish off line. A proper DStv installation in Simon's Town with good hardware is cheaper over five years than repeated call-outs.
Safety first
Please do not climb a steep roof or a tall ladder to check your dish after a storm. Many Simon's Town homes sit above a drop, and wind gusts here can be strong. Call a trained installer who brings the right equipment.
DStv Simon's Town checklist after the change
- Open the MyDStv app and confirm your new package name.
- Check that the monthly amount matches what you paid before migration.
- Rescan channels if some appear missing or moved.
- Review your add-ons and remove any you no longer use.
- Decide if your second TV is cheaper on XtraView or DStv Stream.
Most people find the DStv price increase 2026 worry was bigger than the actual change. If anything looks wrong, contact DStv first about billing. If the problem is a signal, wiring or a box, that is where local DStv Simon's Town help comes in.
Talk to us about your DStv setup in Simon's Town
We cannot change DStv's prices, and we have no say over the next DStv price increase 2026 or beyond, but we can help you pay only for what you use. Our DStv installers in Simon's Town set up XtraView, Streama, Explora and simple single-view systems from Miller's Point to Glencairn. We quote first. Get in touch with our local team to talk through the best setup for your home.
DStv price increase 2026 in Simon's Town: FAQs
Was there a DStv price increase 2026?
Not in April. DStv froze prices in April 2026 instead of the usual yearly increase. The big change came on 17 September 2026, when packages were renamed and restructured. DStv said customers would not pay more after being moved to the new packages. Check your own bill in the MyDStv app to be sure.
What are the DStv prices 2026 per month?
At the time of writing, on a decoder: Starter R150, Select R339, Sports R479, Movies and Series R500, Premium R979 or R799 on a 24-month contract, and EasyView R30. On DStv Stream, Starter is R99 and Select R299. Prices can change, so confirm on the DStv website or app.
Will the DStv price increase 2026 affect my XtraView?
The Access Fee for XtraView stayed at R125 a month at the time of writing. Two linked decoders need one Access Fee, and three decoders need two. If one box is an Explora, you already pay the fee, so the second decoder adds nothing monthly.
Do I need a new decoder for the new DStv packages in Simon's Town?
No. The move to the new packages is automatic and works on your existing decoder. In Simon's Town we only suggest a new box if your current one is failing or you want recording, Catch Up or 4K. You may need to rescan channels if some numbers have moved.
What is the cheapest DStv package after the DStv price increase 2026 news in Simon's Town?
EasyView is the cheapest at R30 a month on satellite, with 35+ channels. Starter at R150 on a decoder, or R99 on DStv Stream, offers far more channels. Many Simon's Town retirees and holiday flats choose one of these two, depending on how much they watch.