Broadcasting30.12.2017

The difference between Catch Up, Catch Up Plus, and DStv Now

DStv logo

DStv offers several on-demand video services to clients, depending on the package they subscribe to, as well as live TV channel streaming and movie rentals.

These are branded as DStv Catch Up, Catch Up Plus, Now, and BoxOffice.

The services offer a variety of content and streaming options to users – their similarities and differences are detailed below.

DStv Catch Up

DStv Catch Up is a decoder-only service where series, movies, sports, and documentaries are “pushed” to PVR-capable decoders.

It is available to DStv Compact, Compact Plus, and Premium subscribers, and the content varies based on what your DStv package offers.

Subscribers must pay a monthly access fee of R85 for the service, which includes access to DStv Catch Up, PVR usage, and XtraView.

The number of titles available varies from month to month, but MultiChoice said there is always at least up to 180 hours of content on the platform.

DStv Catch Up Plus

Catch Up Plus offers an extended on-demand catalogue to DStv Premium subscribers with an Internet-connected Explora decoder – including those with a Wi-Fi Connector.

In addition to the DStv Catch Up Plus library, the Wi-Fi Connector also lets you set recordings on your Explora remotely.

MultiChoice said Catch Up Plus has approximately 2,500 hours of content. Some content will roll over each month, so the total hours will vary.

There is an average of 506 hours of series on the platform at any given time, and sport and kids content takes this up to 576 hours.

It also includes the M-Net Movies library, which contains up to 1,000 movies.

Premium subscribers also get access to Showmax for free.

DStv Now

DStv Now is essentially an online version of your DStv package, and includes live streaming of TV channels.

Channels and content are unlocked depending on your DStv package, and neither the monthly access fee nor a PVR-capable decoder are required to use it.

The service is available through the DStv Now website, Android and iOS applications, and the Telkom LIT TV media box.

DStv BoxOffice

DStv also offers a movie rental service called BoxOffice.

This is available through PVR-enabled decoders or through a website which is also open to non-subscribers.

The decoder-based version of BoxOffice offers 15 titles for rent, which are pushed to the box, while BoxOffice offers an average of 90 titles.

Now read: MultiChoice unveils new DStv HD decoder

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