MultiChoice is shuttering DStv Select November 2019 with legacy subscribers losing the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels; DStv customers face almost 100% fee increase to continue watching what they used to get.

Many DStv subscribers are set to lose access to the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels with MultiChoice that in turn will lose DStv customers altogether after the pay-TV operator told subscribers that it will shut down its two DStv Select packages at the end of the month.

DStv Select subscribers who have had access to kykNET for instance, are suddenly facing an almost 100% increase in what they will have to pay if they want to continue watching it, with many shocked customers saying they can't afford it and are done with DStv.

MultiChoice is eliminating its two legacy packages - DStv Select 1 that contains Mzansi Magic as a TV channel as part of its collection of channels, as well as DStv Select 2 that contains kykNET as a part of its collection of channels.

MultiChoice is putting DStv Select customers before the choice of either cancelling their DStv subscription, switching to the DStv Family package which doesn't contain these channels, or to suddenly pay a lot more for access to the channels they used to get.

DStv Select 1 subscribers who are paying R265 will now have to pay R399 per month for DStv Compact to get Mzansi Magic.

DStv Select 2 customers will suddenly have to fork out R519 per month - a sudden once-off increase of around 96% - which many existing DStv customers say that they simply can't afford.

DStv Select subscribers have complained that they don't know what's going on, can't understand why MultiChoice is taking their package away, and are accusing MultiChoice of not having communicated with them properly.

They are saying that they are being forced to now drop DStv as loyal customers because they can't afford the massive subscription fee jump just to continue to watch the channels and shows that they used to get.

MultiChoice stopped offering the DStv Select packages in April 2013 which it started as an offering in conjunction with Vodacom. At the time MultiChoice promised existing DStv Select subscribers that they can remain on DStv Select for as long as they keep paying for it.

Over the past 5 years MultiChoice took several channels away from DStv Select and didn't replace channels that it terminated with new ones like it does on other its other bouquets. It also didn't add any new channels.

Yet DStv Select subscribers kept holding on to their DStv Select subscriptions and for good reason - the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels.

When MultiChoice terminated its legacy M-Net analogue package, MultiChoice moved those loyal subscribers to a like-for-like DStv service that still included M-Net without making them pay more but the same isn't happening for DStv Select subscribers.

MultiChoice told DStv subscribers that they will be moved to DStv Family at R265 per month from 29 October 2019. DStv Select subscribers have the option to contact the pay-TV operator and cancel their service altogether or upgrade to a much more expensive package.

"Your favourite channels are however still available on our various other packages,” MultiChoice is telling DStv Select subscribers.

"This is so painful. I have supported DStv and kykNET for many years as a loyal subscriber but I can't suddenly pay double," said a distraught DStv Select subscriber from Port Elizabeth. "What about my Binnelanders? Or Boer Soek 'n Vrou? I'm sad. You know what, if this is how DStv is treating loyal customers they can now take it and shove it if my money isn't enough."

MultiChoice was asked in a media enquiry why it is taking kykNET and Mzansi Magic away from customers who have had access to it, how many DStv Select customers MultiChoice has and what same alternative is available for them. MultiChoice was also asked about customers saying that they have not been told or informed about the change and how MultiChoice informed them.

MultiChoice said that "DStv is continuously reviewing its content line-up, packaging structure and pricing to ensure that customers have access to the best fresh content at great value. As a result we will be discontinuing some packages and redirecting customers to the main packages where the same programmes and channels can be found."

"Select 1 and Select 2 packages will not be available as of 29 October 2019."

"Customers can still watch their much-loved programmes and channels on our other packages. Customers will be migrated to DStv Family which has 25 more channels than the current package. If they would like to move to any other package, they are welcome to contact us before the package end date."

MultiChoice added that "It’s important to note that no DStv Select customer is being forced into any particular direction or package".

"From a practicality point of view, if they take no action, DStv Select customers are being migrated to the DStv Family package, which has no negative financial impact on them, but offers an increased number of channels compared to what they previously had."

"They also have the option, just like any other customer, of signing up for any other DStv package that suits their viewing needs and affordability."

MultiChoice said that "Any changes to a customer’s offering are always communicated directly via their chosen method of communication. As a business we endeavour to update their contact details whenever we interact with them and it is important that they share any changes with us, to ensure we can reach them when required".

"Having discontinued the DStv Select packages some 6 years ago, it does not make commercial sense to continue investing in these packages with newer, more costly content, into packages whose audience numbers are very small."

"It is also unfair to the majority of customers who pay full price to get great value content which comes at a huge investment, whilst others potentially received a discounted price indefinitely."

Unconfirmed chatter that MultiChoice is looking at possibly introducing a new 3rd DStv Select bouquet from February.

Here is what I'm hearing, although at this stage I want to make it clear that it is unconfirmed: that a new third DStv Select package is coming with a new Select bouquet which would be introduced in February.

I've reached out to MultiChoice to ask whether the pay-TV operator can confirm whether there is indeed a new 3rd DStv Select bouquet on the cards and if that would be introduced in February this year.

"When we are ready to make an announcement around new products or services, we will do so," says MultiChoice in response to a media enquiry.

MultiChoice took over the management of the two DStv Select bouquets from Vodacom in October 2011.

MultiChoice currently has two DStv Select bouquets which are cheaper than both DStv Premium and DStv Compact and contains a selection of channels with a small channel variation between the two options, with the one making a differentiation for specifically Afrikaans subscribers.

I heard chatter in October 2012 for the first time from sources surrounding a possible new DStv bouquet.

At the time, one source put it to me exactly like this and said that "DStv wants to launch a new bouquet which would contain a few new channels but unfortunately we don't know how much the bouquet is going to cost." None of the sources then mentioned that it would specifically be a new DStv Select bouquet.

Coincidentally, around the same time, another source also said to me that the new kykNET Musiek channel (which launched in November 2012 on DStv Premium and DStv Compact) would be one of the channels included on a new bouquet in the future.

Now the chatter around a possible new bouquet has surfaced again. This time another source mentioned the word "Select" for the first time, saying that "in February 2013 a new Select package will be made available" and also that it would contain "exciting channels".

It's conceivable that should there ever be a new DStv Select bouquet - if MultiChoice ever rolls out a further Select bouquet and which it doesn't currently want to talk about - that it would be aimed and targeted at a new demographic at a lower price point which isn't currently being captured with commercial satellite television services.

At the moment it's unconfirmed and whether there is a new 3rd DStv Select bouquet in the works for 2013, time will tell.

BREAKING. MultiChoice on DStv Select: 'MultiChoice and Vodacom have agreed that DStv Select will be managed by MultiChoice only.'

After TV with Thinus broke the news yesterday that Vodacom's DStv Select pay TV offering will now be managed by MultiChoice after Vodacom started the service just over 3 years ago, MultiChoice has responded to media enquiries made, saying that ''MultiChoice and Vodacom have agreed that the DStv Select service will be managed by MultiChoice only'' because this ''this enables the company to provide a streamlined service to its subscribers.''

Vodacom launched DStv Select - consisting of two cheaper pay TV bouquets, DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 - in June 2007 through an exclusive pay TV agency agreement between Vodacom and MultiChoice.

Vodacom has been offering the sell-through DStv Select and DStv Select bouquets costing R157 per month, but after three years, DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 will now be directly administated by MultiChoice.

Exactly as I've told you yesterday, MultiChoice says the billing of all DStv Select accounts will now be managed by MultiChoice.

DStv Select subscribers will receive their DStv Select statements directly from MultiChoice and DStv Select subscribers need to change their debit order instructions from Vodacom to MultiChoice as soon as possible. ''We urge customers to update their payment details with MultiChoice by 1 November to avoid having their DStv Select services discontinued,'' says MultiChoice.

BREAKING. Subscribers told that the 2 separate bouquets of Vodacom's DStv Select pay TV offering will now be run directly by MultiChoice.

You're reading it here first.

I can reveal that just over 3 years since it was launched with big fanfare, that Vodacom's DStv Select pay TV service will now be run and administered directly by MultiChoice. It means that the exclusive pay TV agency agreement between Vodacom and MultiChoice has been quietly terminated.

Vodacom has been offering the sell-through DStv Select and DStv Select bouquets costing R148 per month. Now DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 will be directly administated by MultiChoice with Vodacom informing DStv Select subscribers in writing that ''from 1 October we will no longer offer the DStv Select product through Vodacom''.

Previously MultiChoice dealt with technical support queries for Vodacom's DStv Select 1 and Select 2 directly, but it was in essence a separate Vodacom product, sold and marketed by Vodacom to Vodacom and non-Vodcom customers. Now, in a surprise change, and not announced to the press, although subscribers are phoned individually, the full customer management and billing service for these bouquets will be directly managed by MultiChoice.

I'm told that DStv Select subscribers who are either subscribed to DStv Select 1 or DStv Select 2 are getting letters from Vodacom and are individually called by MultiChoice telling them about the change. DStv Select subscribers are told that Vodacom will no longer be responsible for working with, and dealing with DStv Select accounts, and that their company-client entry point will now be MultiChoice directly. From the perspective of the end-consumer and DStv Select subscriber nothing will really change, except that they will now be directly dealing with MultiChoice and getting their monthly account directly from MultiChoice, instead of from Vodacom.

In a copy of one of these letters that TV with Thinus has obtained, subscribers are informed that ''you will continue to receive the DStv Select bouquet as usual, and your channel line-up and subscription fee amount will not be affected by this change. However, as regards the billing arrangements you will receive your DStv Select statements directly from MultiChoice. To ensure your continued viewing pleasure, MultiChoice will be contacting you to assist with transferring your payment details.''

Vodacom introduced DStv Select as a cheaper bouquet with a smaller selection of channels in June 2007 as Vodacom formalised its entry into South Africa's broadcasting and multimedia market. Vodacom secured an exclusive pay TV agency agreement with MultiChoice and launched DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 in June 2007. At launch Vodacom said it expected ''strong growth'' for its DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 satellite TV bouquets.

DStv Select subscribers tell me no pressure has been put on them to upgrade to other DStv bouquets or packages like DStv Lite or DStv Compact. One told me that ''a friendly woman from MultiChoice was on the phone for me for almost half an hour this past week to explain everything to me. Vodacom also sent a letter saying MultiChoice is now going to send me the account from the end of the month.''

A call centre operator at Vodacom's helpline number under the DStv Select option told me very late on Sunday night that ''Vodacom has given it over to MultiChoice but don't worry nothing will actually change''.

Whether MultiChoice will now keep and promote DStv Select 1 and DStv Select 2 as actively-offered bouquets, or whether sign-up will be restricted and the existing subscriber base of these bouquets allowed to atrophy though natural attrition, is not immediately clear.

Media enquiries made to MultiChoice regarding DStv Select were not returned but were made late on Sunday night when TV with Thinus first became aware of this. UPDATE: MultiChoice has now responded and says 'MultiChoice and Vodacom have agreed that DStv Select will be managed by MutiChoice only.'

ALSO READ: MultiChoice on DStv Select changes: ''MultiChoice and Vodacom have agreed that DStv Select will be managed by MultiChoice only.''