After Package Changes MultiChoice Suspends Parts of its DStv Rewards Loyalty Programme Until End October, Will Now Wipe Coins for Disconnected Subscribers

by Thinus Ferreira

After changing its various DStv packages in a content restructuring, Canal+'s MultiChoice has frozen parts of its DStv Rewards programme until the end of October, while also making a permanent change to its rewards currency, DStv Coins, that will now expire the moment a DStv subscriber disconnects.

DStv Coins were first introduced in July 2024 when MultiChoice completely overhauled and gamified its DStv Rewards loyalty programme.

Now, in a permanent, latest change, Coins will disappear and be wiped and will no longer carry over the moment a DStv subscriber disconnects.

"As long as you stay connected, you can continue earning, saving and redeeming your Coins as usual. However, going forward, all DStv Coins will expire for disconnected customers," MultiChoice says.

Temporarily on pause until the end of October in DStv Rewards are any and all tracking actions that affect a DStv subscriber's Rewards tier, the ability to claim Add Movies discounts, the option to claim pensioner discounts, and the ability to claim anniversary upgrades.

MultiChoice says "We are freezing certain elements of our Rewards programme until the end of October 2026. You will still be able to earn DStv Coins, enter competitions, claim vouchers, spin the Rewards Wheel, and be entered into prize draws."

Coining it: MultiChoice revamps and gamifies DStv Rewards.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has revamped its DStv Rewards loyalty programme, updating its MyDStv app and adding a layer of enhanced gamification that the pay-TV operator hopes will drive more subscribers to its app and have them stay and interact longer for the chance to collect coins. 

The upgrade to DStv Rewards comes as MultiChoice just passed two million subscribers who have signed up for its loyalty programme.

For people enjoying Fishland or Farmland on TEMU, Wordle on the New York Times app, who play SmartHopper on Pick n Pay's app trying to reach Tilly, or play daily "unlocks" on Vodacom's VodaBucks, it's now possible to visit the upgraded DStv Rewards inside the new MyDStv App to collect coins to spinning a wheel and playing a Memory Vault game.

The newly launched MyDStv App has additional features, including gamification, challenges and a Rewards storefront where points - the currency is DStv coins - can be used to pay for vouchers from Checkers, KFC,Takealot, cellphone airtime, Wimpy, Uber Eats, travel discounts, SweepSouth and Planet Fitness, to competition entries and DStv experiences.

"The DStv Rewards programme was enhanced to create more value for our loyal subscribers and to drive frequent engagement with our brand," Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO, tells TVwithThinus.

"The new programme introduces a broader range of rewards, gamification, and the ability to earn and spend digital coins. More importantly, it gives customers the choice of how they want to spend their digital coins."

The DStv Rewards programme allows DStv subscribers to join for free through the MyDStv App, dstv.com, or WhatsApp, and once enrolled they are placed in a DStv Rewards tier. They then receive monthly discounts, rewards, spins on the Rewards Wheel, and challenges.

"The introduction of gamification was key to raising awareness of the programme and driving frequent engagement and interaction. Our goal was to create value and provide more choices for customers in a fun and enjoyable manner, Marc Jury explains.

"Challenges will include online games, interactive quizzes, and behaviour-driven tasks, such as paying on time, staying connected, and updating personal details."

"These challenges will allow customers to earn digital coins, which can be spent in our store according to their preferences. This functionality is set to roll out soon and promises to make the rewards programme more engaging and dynamic."

MultiChoice launched DStv Rewards in September 2020 and has since been recognised as one of the top 25 loyalty programmes in South Africa.

"Our biggest success has been the response to our unique and exclusive experiences, like Early bird tickets to SA Rugby matches, access to hospitality suites at sports events like soccer, rugby, and cricket), as well as access to hospitality suites at DStv Delicious Events," Marc Jury says.

"There has also been international trips, including the Rugby World Cup, Premier League matches, cruises, and special screenings, meet-the-cast experiences, meet the Springboks experiences, invitations to special awards evenings like the SARU awards, and special TV studio visits."

"Additionally, our loyal customers receive monthly rewards, such as package upgrades, anniversary gifts, Box Office rentals, discounted vouchers, and access to monthly competitions."

Jury says these rewards will continue to be part of the DStv Rewards value proposition, with more options being added.

Currently in its 4th year, MultiChoice's DStv Rewards programme has just reached a membership base of over two million subscribers.

"The programme is designed to reduce churn and encourage loyalty by rewarding customers for their tenure, product holdings, and positive behaviour through a tiered approach," Marc Jury explains.

"DStv Rewards is the only loyalty programme within the paid TV services industry in South Africa."

"We are one of the 25 most used loyalty programmes in South Africa and have been voted the most used loyalty programme in the Leisure category by both economically active and mass-market customers in the 2024 Truth Brand White Paper."

In 2023, DStv Rewards also won an award at the International Loyalty Awards for the best short-term campaign.

"This is just the start of many more exciting things to come," Marc Jury says. 

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Moment, a revolutionary payment platform by MultiChoice. This partnership will allow us to create a digital wallet where DStv coins can be redeemed for various goods and services, further enhancing the value and convenience for our subscribers."

MultiChoice adjusts DStv Rewards tiering levels upwards from July, making it more difficult after less than a year for DStv customers to get a gold star for its loyalty programme.

by Thinus Ferreira

From July, MultiChoice is making it harder to earn a gold star with the pay-TV operator that is adjusting upwards the points needed for the tiering levels of DStv Rewards and with the change coming 8 months after it launched its loyalty programme in November 2020.

MultiChoice isn't giving any explanation for the tiering points adjustment with DStv subscribers who join DStv Rewards who will now be required to earn more points or stars to reach the various star-levels of the loyalty programme from 1 July 2021.

MultiChoice is adjusting the tiering requirements after DStv Rewards has been in operation for just over half a year.

DStv Rewards introduced four different star-based tiering levels in late-2020. The higher the level, the more rewards a DStv subscriber earns. The more DStv products and services a customer uses the more points they earn as they progress up through the various tiering levels.

DStv Rewards launched with Blue Star Starter Status (0 - 30 stars), Silver Rising Star Status (31 - 60 stars), Gold Super Star Status (61 - 90 stars) and Platinum Legend Status (91+ stars).

From July all the levels require more stars. Blue Star Starter Status is changing to 0 - 33 stars, Silver Rising Star Status is changing to 34 - 63 stars), Gold Super Star Status is changing to 64 - 93 stars, and Platinum Legend Status can now only be reached with 94 stars or more.

MultiChoice spokesperson Sbu Mpungose didn't respond with answers to questions in a media enquiry made last week about the DStv Rewards tiering adjustment.

MultiChoice was asked why the DStv Rewards tiering levels are being adjusted and why it is being revised upwards and what the factors are that influenced the decision, and why the structural earning adjustment is being made so soon after the loyalty programme was launched.

MultiChoice was also asked what the response has been from DStv subscribers to the DStv Rewards programme so far and how many customers have accessed it, as well as what surprised the Randburg-based pay-TV operator so far regarding the usage of its loyalty programme by its customers.

Spring cleaning: Here are the 9 big changes coming to DStv channels from September and later this month.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service is doing some spring cleaning with multiple changes, channel additions and channel replacements, channel removals, as well as channel number changes coming into effect from today, with two more later this month.

The major changes revolve around MultiChoice and M-Net restructuring and reducing its M-Net Movies collection of channels, the SuperSport collection of channels being restructured into thematic and thematically named channels, BBC Studios' BBC First channel taken away, and the new option of a M-Net Movies add-on package being introduced.

Here are the changes:


1. Tellytrack, the South African horseracing channel, has moved from DStv channel number 239 to channel 249.


2. The BBC First channel that was available to DStv Premium subscribers has been axed from DStv as part of what MultiChoice calls "a refresh of its British entertainment line-up". Some of the British drama content that used to be on BBC First will now be placed on the BBC Brit channel.


3. Fashion One (DStv 178) that has been running outdated and old content on a loop, abruptly stopped broadcasting without warning a few days ago. MultiChoice that tried to engage the Fashion One owners has removed Fashion One with immediate effect from the DStv line-up.


4.  MultiChoice will add the tlnovelas channel as a pop-up channel on DStv channel 133 between 14 and 30 September that will broadcast an array of English-dubbed Mexican telenovelas.


5. MultiChoice will launch its new DStv Rewards loyalty programme for DStv subscribers in South Africa sometime this month but hasn't specified or announced a specific date for September yet. With DStv Rewards subscribers will earn upgrades, discounts and other vouchers depending on what bouquet and for the duration they've been subscribers.


6. M-Net and MultiChoice reduced its set of M-Net Movies channels from 6 to 4 TV channels which are also renamed to M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104), M-Net Movies 2 (DStv 106), M-Net Movies 3 (DStv 107) and M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108). The number of films shown won't be reduced but movies are structured better to decrease the number of repeats on DStv.


7. M-Net's kykNET Afrikaans channels division is making the December holiday pop-up channel fliekNET (DStv 149) a permanent Afrikaans film channel from today. The channel will broadcast classic Afrikaans films as well as new locally-produced Afrikaans movies.


8. MultiChoice has created an "Add Movies" add-on package for DStv subscribers that costs an additional R99 per month. DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access, DStv EasyView, and DStv subscribers on the Indian packages can add the Add Movies add-on to their normal subscription. The Add Movies package has the M-Net Movies 1, M-Net Movies 2 and fliekNET channels and will also include possible M-Net Movies pop-up channels when DStv run them for a limited time.


9. The collection of SuperSport channels are getting names from today and channel number changes to help make it easier for DStv subscribers to know what type of content to expect on which channel.

The new SuperSport arrangement will go live at 12:00 on 1 September.

SuperSport's flagship channel, SuperSport Grandstand is now on DStv channel 201 and will carry the best of live sports content, with SuperSport Blitz on DStv channel 200 that will carry 24-hour sports news and highlights.

Channel 202 as SuperSport PSL will now carry Premier Soccer League (PSL) and other South African football, DStv channel 203 as SS Premier League will now carry English Premier League, UCL, UEL and international games, while SS LaLiga on DStv channel 204 will now carry LaLiga, UCL, UEL and international games.

SuperSport Football on DStv channel 205 will now carry soccer like Serie A, additional EPL, UCL, UEL and international games.

On SuperSport Variety 1 on DStv channel 206 SuperSport will broadcast cycling, swimming, additional golf, cricket, tennis, rugby and soccer. On SuperSport Variety 2 on DStv channel 207 SuperSport will show gymnastics, squash, sailing, hockey and additional football content.

On SuperSport Variety 3 on DStv channel 208 subscribers will find a variety of athletics, marathons, WWE wrestling, PSL and additional soccer coverage, while SuperSport Variety 4 on DStv channel 209 will showcase a variety of local sports ranging from school rugby and university sports, to netball, BNL, MDB and SRC, as well as WWE wrestling highlights.

DStv channel 210 now named SuperSport Action will showcase adrenalin sports like UFC, EFC, boxing, additional rugby and cricket, as well as cricket and motorsport, while DStv channel 211 as SuperSport Rugby is now the main channel for rugby including Springbok games, Super Rugby, the Currie Cup, test matches as well as Sevens matches.

DStv channel 212 as SuperSport Cricket will mainly house cricket coverage like the Proteas, ICC tournaments, international cricket games and IPL, while DStv channel 213 as SuperSportGolf is now where major golf tournaments reside like PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

On DStv channel 214 is SuperSport Tennis with tennis like the Grand Slams, ATP 1000, ATP 250 and ATP 500; with motorsport like Formula 1, Formula E, Moto GP, Superbikes and Supercars on DStv channel 215 as SuperSport Motorsport.

DStv channel 236 will be the main home for WWE wrestling coverage, including WWE live events, WWE RAW, WWE SmackDown, WrestleMania and WWE SummerSlam.

MultiChoice to launch DStv Rewards as its new star-based loyalty programme in South Africa, promises DStv subscribers 'amazing rewards' for staying on the couch and watching TV.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will soon launch a new star-based DStv Rewards loyalty programme in South Africa that will essentially reward loyal DStv subscribers for watching more TV and giving them more rewards the longer they stay stationary on the couch before their TV sets.

MultiChoice made the announcement that it's launching DStv Rewards in South Africa as its new loyalty scheme on Wednesday afternoon during its 2020 DStv Showcase media presentation, saying that a loyalty rewards programme is the one thing that DStv subscribers have been badgering the pay-TV operator over for the longest time.

MultiChoice didn't give an exact launch date for when DStv Rewards would start but said it would be "very, very soon" and that subscribers will be able to opt in sometime during September 2020.

MultiChoice Africa launched DStv Thanks as a loyalty programme at the start of 2017 in the rest of Africa, excluding South Africa, for subscribers who remained connected for at least 3 months.

While MultiChoice has not yet revealed the levels, structure or programme gaming participation dynamics for its DStv Rewards loyalty programme in South Africa, the level that a subscriber is pegged at and the type of rewards that they will qualify for will be determined by the DStv package a subscriber is on, for how long the person has been a subscriber (tenure), as well as product usage.

DStv Rewards will allocate "stars" to each DStv subscriber based on the DStv bouquet they're on, the number of years they've been with DStv, and the usage of products. 

Use of additional products and services, upgrades in DStv package, and even changes to payment method will earn DStv subscribers more of these "stars" that will push up their reward level and the available rewards.

The Randburg-based pay-TV operator is introducing DStv Rewards as a customer retension programme trying to combat churn and DStv bouquet downgrades.

DStv Premium subscribers - MultiChoice's top-tiered and most valuable subscribers - as a percentage of the overall DStv subscriber base continues to decline since subscribers don't feel that the expensive price provides enough value and value-added content and offerings.

MultiChoice wants to change this or at least stem the rate of DStv Premium erosion. On the other hand MultiChoice also wants to incentivise lower-tiered DStv subscribers to consider "levelling up" to more expensive packages in order to accumulate DStv Rewards and bigger rewards even faster.

DStv subscribers will earn rewards through its loyalty programme but it's not clear yet whether it will work on a points accumulation level-up scale, tokens or digital vouchers although it will very likely be an approach that is a combination of all of these. DStv subscribers will also get entry into virtual competitions.


'The only cardio involved happens on your TV'
DStv Rewards will have no additional membership fee but DStv subscribers will have to opt in to become a member.

MultiChoice calls DStv Rewards "the most entertainming rewards programme in South Africa" and plans to offer special DStv subscribers upgrades, DStv subscription fee discounts, "free" DStv BoxOffice movie digital tokens, Uber Eats digital discount vouchers, birthday rewards, service vouchers, Showmax discounts and additional DStv channel access.

Also planned are "money-can't-buy" exclusive experiences like access to TV star meet-and-greets, live events like a seat at award shows, sporting events and other events usually reserved for VIPs and media.

MultiChoice will also offer what is calls "personalised challenges" that will have its own set of "amazing rewards".

MultiChoice says that at launch DStv Rewards will be "offering qualifying customers access to more of their favourite content with BoxOffice credits, complimentary package upgrades on their DStv Anniversaries and customer birthdays".

DStv Rewards membership is free for every DStv subscriber on every DStv package and will work through the DStv app and the DStv website. In a jab to gym, health and other active sports loyalty programmes MultiChoice says "the only cardio involved happens on your TV".

MultiChoice says that DStv subscribers will be able to opt in to DStv Rewards once it launches through the DStv app or the DStv website. 

DStv subscribers will be able to see their DStv Rewards on the DStv app and MultiChoice will also communicate with subscribers through email, SMS and in-app notifications.

Once a DStv subscriber pause or cancels their DStv subscription DStv Rewards and access to new ones will also be paused until the customer resumes their subscription. MultiChoice says that some rewards may be lost and that a subscriber's reward level may also be impacted.

"We value our customers and our goal is to make DStv as accessible to as many customers as possible at great value – but more than that, we want to be in-tune with what really resonates in South Africa, togetherness (Ubuntu) and enjoying all the best action on DStv together, from sports to reality shows," says Mark Rayner, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, in a statement.

"DStv Rewards really allow us to tap into the true nature of our customers, and we just couldn’t wait to bring it to them."