MultiChoice Guts DStv Indian Bouquet by Axing 5 TV Channels Without Price Reduction

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.

Also very noteworthy and pointed out to me by a subscriber: MultiChoice has cut all of the North Indian channels in Hindi language. The remaining channels are South Indian with a totally different language.

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.

MultiChoice opening 8 Indian TV channels for DStv subscribers for 2 weeks between 8 to 22 July.

MultiChoice is opening the Indian TV channels that form part of the DStv Indian package for 2 weeks to DStv subscribers between 8 and 22 July.

The 8 TV channels - Zee TV (DStv 452), SET Asia (DStv 450), B4U Movies (DStv 451), Star Plus (DStv 453), Star Vijay (DStv 455), SunTV (DStv 454), Colors (DStv 56) and SET Max Asia (DStv 457) - will be unblocked for DStv Premium, DStv Extra, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access subscribers between 8 and 22 July.

The Indian channels broadcast a variety of Bollywood films, dramas and reality shows, as well as music, food and dance magazine shows.

MultiChoice combines DStv Indian add-on packages as DStv South Indian package is phased out; price goes up as 3 additional channels are added.

After years of separate DStv North Indian and DStv South Indian packages MultiChoice is immediately dumping its DStv North Indian package and phasing out its South Indian package, combining it into a single DStv Indian package that will cost more and come with three additional entertainment channels.

MultiChoice says Indian subscribers remain very important to the satellite pay-TV operator.

The DStv North Indian and DStv South Indian package will now combine to form one DStv Indian package that will cost R319 per month, or R205 if it's bolted on to an existing other DStv package subscription.

Existing DStv subscribers of the DStv North Indian package, or subscribers who had both the DStv North Indian and DStv South Indian package will automatically be migrated to the single DStv Indian package on 15 October.

Similar to the DStv Select packages, DStv is phasing out the DStv South Indian package.

DStv subscribers who have the DStv South Indian package only, will be able to keep it but will not be able to return to it if they upgrade or change to the DStv Indian package, or if they disconnect from DStv for longer than 90 days.

MultiChoice is adding the Colors, Star Vijay and Star Plus channels to the DStv Indian package.

Colors is a general entertainment Hindi channel with English subtitles offering content like The Anupam Kher Show, Krishna Malram and Meri Aashiqui Tum se Hi.

Star Vijay and Star Plus will only start on 1 December as part of the DStv Indian package. Until then the Star Tamill and Star Hindi channels will be shown between 15 October and the end of November.

"The Indian community is very important to us - this is why we've reviewed our offering based on their feedback and created the new DStv Indian package," says Mark Rayner, chief operating officer (COO) for MultiChoice.

"We thank our Indian customers for their loyal support over the years and trust you will enjoy the three additional entertainment channels."