DStv Premium users to lose some services
DStv Premium subscribers will not be able to access streaming video services without an active personal video recorder (PVR) “in the near future”.
Currently, DStv Premium subscribers are able to watch SuperSport live streaming and some DStv Catch Up services without an active PVR subscription.
The subscription fees of both DStv Premium and the additional PVR Access service are set to increase from 1 April 2015. A DStv Premium subscription will cost you R699 (up from R665), while PVR Access will cost R80 (up from R75).
Asked about the Premium online video streaming services restructuring, a Multichoice spokesperson said it was done as the service is an extension of the PVR experience.
“These services are now part of our exclusive value added services available only to our DStv Premium customers with an active PVR,” MultiChoice said.
MultiChoice added it is not just SuperSport live streaming services that are affected, but its DStv Catch Up offering as well. This includes both the browser-based versions of the services, and the apps (DStv Now, SuperSport) in which they are available.
The pay TV operator went on to confirm that just paying for PVR access also won’t be enough – subscribers must have an actual PVR-capable decoder linked to their account.
“Each decoder has a smartcard number and if the decoder is active, it will be linked to the customer’s account.”
MultiChoice said that access to the online feature of DStv Catch Up will be restricted from 26 March 2015, while access to SuperSport live streaming will change on 11 April.
“Since launch, access to the DStv Now App has only been for DStv Premium customers with an active PVR,” MultiChoice said.
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