by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice will no longer increase DStv subscription fees from 1 May with an additional 0.5% after the South African government backtracked on the decision to hike value-added tax (VAT) from May 2025 from 15% to 15.5%
MultiChoice increased subscription fees for DStv subscribers in South Africa from April, and then warned customers - similar to other companies - that prices will increase again from May when the government's planned VAT price hike came into effect.
Following a decision to no longer increase South Africa's VAT on goods and services, MultiChoice, similar to other companies, will no longer increase prices from May.
MultiChoice tells TVwithThinus in response to a media query that DStv fees won't increase again from May.
"We previously communicated the anticipated adjustment to DStv subscription prices effective 1 May 2025, due to the mandated increase in the VAT rate from 15% to 15.5%."
"Upon confirmation of the proposed VAT increase being reversed, DStv will no longer be implementing an additional price increase from May 2025."
From April, MultiChoice increased DStv Premium by R50 from R929 to R979 (5.3%), DStv Compact Plus by R40 from R619 to R659 (6.4%), and DStv Premium Compact by R10 from R469 to R479 (2.1%).
Meanwhile DStv Family went up 3.03% and R10 from R329 to R339, DStv Access increased R11 (7.9%) from R139 to R150, while DStv EasyView went up by R1 (3.44%) from R29 to R30.
The DStv Access fee of R120 increased by R5 (4.1%) to R125. The basic Showmax monthly subscription fee remains at R99, although its Premier League and mobile packages both got increases.
