by Thinus Ferreira
In a shocking move that has caused outrage and disgust with DStv's Indian subscribers, MultiChoice is gutting its DStv Indian bouquet and axing 5 TV channels.
Adding insult to injury is that MultiChoice is apparently not decreasing the price, meaning that DStv subscribers paying extra for the Bollywood content are not just losing TV channels they love but will be paying the same for essentially much less content.
The changes to the DStv Indian bouquet add-on come after Canal+ and MultiChoice restructured its main offerings into new packages from 17 September.
MultiChoice told DStv subscribers who pay an additional fee of R280 for the "Add Indian" bouquet that "We are refining the DStv channel line-up to better match how our customers watch and enjoy content".
"Rather than spreading similar content across many channels, we're focusing on fewer, stronger channels to create a simpler viewing experience."
"Your Add Indian add-on remains available in South Africa and you'll continue to enjoy Indian entertainment. We appreciate your continued support as we evolve our offering. We're committed to providing quality entertainment and even better value".
Gone from 31 October 2026 will be SET Asia (DStv 450), Zee TV (DStv 452), SET Max (DStv 457), Zee Cinema (DStv 460) and WION (DStv 461).
The only channels which will remain in the DStv Indian bouquet will be Star Plus (DStv 453), Star Vijay (DStv 455) and Colors TV (DStv 456).
In response to questions in a media query, MultiChoice tells TVwithThinus "As viewing habits continue to change, MultiChoice is refining the
DStv channel line-up to match".
"As such, SET Asia, Zee TV, SET Max, Zee Cinema and WION will
no longer be available from 31 October 2026 at 23:59 CAT. Rather than spreading similar content across many channels,
we're concentrating on fewer, stronger channels, giving subscribers a cleaner, easier-to-navigate line-up and a better viewing experience overall."
"DStv subscribers will continue to have access to a range of Indian-inspired entertainment
through channels like Star Plus, Vijay TV, and Colors TV."
"Movie-lovers who have the Add Movies subscription will still have access to Hollywood's
latest blockbusters on M-Movies+ and M-Movies Stars."
MultiChoice didn't answer whether the DStv Indian add-on price is being reduced due to fewer TV channels included in it, and if so, to what, or if not, why not.
