DStv is restructuring its package offering in Zimbabwe from November 2026, replacing the current assortment with a simpler five-package line-up aimed at making it easier for subscribers to choose between general entertainment, movies and sport.
The new DStv packages will be introduced from 5 November as part of a phased rollout across Rest of Africa markets.
Zimbabwe is among the countries receiving the full thematic package structure: Starter, Select, Sports, Movies & Series and Ultimate.
DStv’s new packages and prices
The new line-up is built around different viewing habits, with lower packages focused on essential entertainment and higher tiers offering more specialised content.
| Package | Monthly price | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | US$9 | Essential entertainment, local content, news and children’s programming |
| Select | US$20 | General entertainment, local content, lifestyle, kids and news |
| Sports | US$30 | Live sport and sports entertainment |
| Movies & Series | US$32 | Movies, drama, telenovelas and entertainment |
| Ultimate | US$60 | Premium sport, movies, series and general entertainment |
What is included in the new DStv packages?
Starter is positioned as the entry-level option, with essential entertainment, local and free-to-air channels, news, religious programming and children’s content. Select adds a broader mix of entertainment, local programming, lifestyle, kids and news.
The Sports package is designed specifically for viewers who prioritise live sport. It includes key SuperSport channels and competitions including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and LaLiga.
Movies & Series is aimed at viewers who would rather concentrate on entertainment, bringing together film, drama and other series content.
At the top of the range, Ultimate combines the Sports and Movies & Series offerings with additional premium sport, including Formula 1, MotoGP, Grand Slam tennis and golf majors.
More sport, but not all sport is in the Sports package
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a package built specifically around sport.
DStv says the Sports package will carry key football channels and access to major competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League and LaLiga. But it will not provide the full range of premium sporting coverage.
Subscribers wanting the most comprehensive access to Formula 1, rugby, cricket, golf and tennis will need the higher Ultimate package.
What happens to existing DStv packages?
The transition will depend on the package a subscriber currently has and the market.
DStv’s migration framework shows that Zimbabwe will use the new thematic structure, with existing legacy packages mapped to the new offerings.
Some customers will be moved automatically, while others may receive a migration offer or choose when to move, depending on their current package.
For subscribers, that means the arrival of the new packages does not necessarily mean every existing customer will move to a new package immediately.
Where legacy packages remain available, existing subscribers may continue using them, although new customers will only be able to sign up for packages within the new line-up once the changes take effect.
What if you have already paid for DStv?
Customers who have paid for an annual subscription will not be forced onto a new package before their existing paid period ends.
Those who want to move earlier can contact DStv through the MyDStv App, with any difference in subscription value calculated against the remaining period of the current subscription.
Short-term subscribers will also remain on their existing legacy package until the end of their viewing cycle. After that, they will only be able to purchase or reconnect to one of the new packages.
Customers can still switch packages
The new structure is intended to make upgrades and downgrades easier.
Customers on the thematic package structure can move between options such as Sports and Movies & Series, although changing packages means losing access to content that is exclusive to the previous subscription.
Premium customers can also downgrade to any eligible package available in their market, subject to losing premium channels and services that come with the lower tier.
DStv Stream will also get the new packages
The changes are not limited to satellite viewing. DStv says the new packages will also be available on DStv Stream, including companion streaming options, with additional mobile streams available depending on the package.
Customers will be notified about migrations and other changes through SMS, email, the MyDStv App, contact centre communications and DStv’s official social media channels.
What the DStv changes mean for Zimbabwe
The biggest shift is from a broad legacy package system towards a clearer structure based on what people actually watch.
For viewers mainly interested in general entertainment, Starter and Select offer lower-cost options.
Sports fans have a dedicated tier, while Movies & Series is designed for viewers who prioritise film and television. Ultimate remains the premium all-round option.
DStv says the restructuring is part of CANAL+‘s wider global offering strategy and is intended to simplify choice, improve access to content at lower package levels and provide clearer upgrade paths for customers.
However, most subscribers are families where one member might be interested in sport while another might want entertainment, with the kids interested in their own programming, which makes the ultimate package the only option.
DStv might claim they are giving viewers more options, but in reality most families will only have one.
The rollout begins in November 2026, with Zimbabwe among the markets moving to the new five-package thematic structure.
