by Thinus Ferreira
DStv subscribers on lower-tiered packages below the top DStv Premium package on Tuesday suddenly discovered they could watch and got access to all of the TV channels because of technical problems at MultiChoice but the pay-TV operator said customers won't be paying for the "upgrades" while the channels are open.
Surprised and concerned DStv subscribers who pay for lower DStv packages on Tuesday discovered that they were being treated like DStv Premium subscribers - they could suddenly watch any DStv channel even though MultiChoice wasn't doing any Open Time unencoded content marketing promotion.
DStv subscribers were initially scarily delighted at the unexpected binge-watching opportunity to gorge on premium TV content they're not paying for.
That delight however quickly turned into fear as they became scared that they were upgraded by accident or that something else went wrong that would see DStv subscribers getting back-billed by hundreds of rands at the end of August for a satellite-TV smorgasbord of pay-TV telly that they didn't order.
On social media DStv told perturbed DStv subscribers to keep watching and enjoying all of DStv's TV channels for free on Tuesday - while it last.
"We are aware of all channels being available to customers," said MultiChoice. "The channels will remain active until the issue has been resolved. Rest assured that your account was not upgraded and its bill will not be affected as a result."
TVwithThinus reached out to MultiChoice's asking what the technical issue and problem was and what caused all of the DStv channels to become available to subscribers, when it started and to confirm that subscribers won't be charged.
"Many DStv customers were surprised to have access to all DStv channels for a brief period yesterday," says MultiChoice.
"Rather than a free upgrade, this was the result of us opening up all channels to customers in sub-Saharan Africa to ensure an uninterrupted service, while we resolved a brief disruption to some service elements."
"We strive to provide the best entertainment and service, and ensured that no customers were incorrectly disconnected, while the DStv technical team worked on resolving the issue, which was finalised by last night."
"Our customers can rest assured that the short 'upgrade' they enjoyed has no bearing on their subscription contract and what they pay."
MultiChoice says that "Should DStv customers wish to continue enjoying the content they got to see outside of their normal package, they can visit dstv.co.za for upgrade options available."
