MultiChoice has announced the reinstatement of two simultaneous streams for its DStv Premium, Compact Plus, and Compact subscribers, thanks to enhanced piracy controls, improved platform stability, and advanced ad insertion technology. This upgrade lets customers simultaneously enjoy live programming or on-demand content on two devices, including those on satellite and DStv Stream.
The announcement was made recently, with the rollout set to begin on Thursday, March 13, 2025. This change reverses a restriction implemented on March 22, 2022, aimed at combating password sharing and streaming piracy.
The ability to provide a second concurrent stream indicates that MultiChoice has successfully identified methods to address the piracy that followed the initial restrictions. The utilisation of dynamic ad insertion technology emerged as a key factor in this development.
In its half-year financial report released in November, MultiChoice highlighted its commitment to advancing advertising technology for streaming and video-on-demand services via DStv Stream and Showmax. A representative stated, “Over the last 18 months, we became the first in Africa to implement Dynamic Ad Insertion through DStv Stream,” which was made possible through collaboration with its subsidiary Irdeto and partnership with Invidi.
Irdeto specialises in digital platform security, providing solutions that safeguard platforms and digital assets, while Invidi offers privacy-focused advertising technology that accurately targets commercials to viewers, similar to the approaches used by online retailers and social media.
The technology enables unique ad placements for DStv Stream, differentiating them from those shown via traditional satellite services. MultiChoice indicated that the new system will yield positive results as the DStv Stream user base expands.
This technology promises to enhance the relevance of the advertisements subscribers encounter. MultiChoice stated, “As seen in many developed markets, this also has the potential to lower pricing for customers when ad-supported models successfully scale.”
When asked about the possibility of introducing an ad-supported tier for Showmax, the company mentioned its ongoing observation of international trends but confirmed no immediate plans for such a model. “We are actively monitoring the global landscape of ad-supported streaming, which is gaining traction in markets like the US and Europe, but currently, no major streaming service in Africa offers an ad-supported model.”
MultiChoice will evaluate the South African market’s progress before considering an ad-supported Showmax option. While international streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ offer ad-supported plans in certain areas, providers opt for affordable mobile-only plans in South Africa.
Showmax directly competes with international platforms in the on-demand segment. In contrast, DStv Stream offers a unique blend of on-demand content alongside live broadcasting and events, with SuperSport leading the charge.
On January 29, SuperSport achieved a milestone by broadcasting 18 live UEFA Champions League matches daily. “With DStv’s comprehensive sports schedule and extensive entertainment options, more viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy content simultaneously,” MultiChoice remarked regarding the return of the second concurrent stream.
The update enhances customer flexibility, allowing greater ease in viewing preferences. MultiChoice stated, “With the increasing demand for streaming content, this is the ideal moment to reinstate the second stream.”
In the past year, DStv’s streaming-only product, DStv Stream, has undergone several improvements, including cloud PVR functionality for pausing and rewinding up to 24 hours without a decoder, an enhanced “Watch from Start” feature, a revamped interface with personalised recommendations, and overall better stability with AI-driven content suggestions.
