Nationwide "Open Time Weekend" Offers Full Premium Experience
DStv is providing all its South African decoder customers with a weekend of complete Premium access, irrespective of their current subscription package. From November 7 to 9, 2025, active users will be able to enjoy all Premium channels at no additional charge, as part of MultiChoice’s 30th-anniversary celebrations.
The initiative, dubbed the “Open Time Weekend,” grants subscribers three days of complimentary access to top-tier content, encompassing a wide range of programming from movies and documentaries to live sports and reality shows. This offer serves as a modern reimagining of DStv’s early days, when viewers were given a taste of premium entertainment without cost, now presented as a nationwide event for millions of households.
MultiChoice has stated that this gesture is intended as both a token of appreciation for its loyal customer base and a means to enhance the accessibility of its services.
“For three decades, DStv has been a significant part of South Africans’ lives, and this weekend is our way of expressing gratitude,” commented Byron du Plessis, CEO of SA Pay-TV at MultiChoice.
Strategic Move to Re-engage Viewers Amidst Competition
The enthusiastic response anticipated for the free access to the pay-TV platform underscores a strategic approach behind this initiative. In recent years, DStv has encountered significant competition from global streaming services such as Netflix, Showmax, and Amazon Prime Video, all of which offer on-demand entertainment at more competitive price points.
By temporarily unlocking its Premium tier, MultiChoice aims not only to commemorate its anniversary but also to reintroduce viewers to the comprehensive value proposition of its service ecosystem.
This period of open access is also integrated into a broader pricing adjustment strategy by the company. MultiChoice has announced a 30% reduction in the price of HD decoders available in stores, with an additional discount of over 40% offered through their recently launched DStv online shop. This strategic timing suggests that MultiChoice is focused on reigniting interest among former subscribers while simultaneously making it more convenient for new customers to join the platform.
For subscribers on lower-tier packages, this weekend provides an opportunity to experience content they might have previously missed, potentially encouraging them to upgrade their subscriptions after sampling the higher-quality programming. This approach represents a subtle yet effective marketing strategy presented as a celebratory event.
DStv’s 30-year journey mirrors the evolution of television in South Africa, progressing from limited “Open Time” broadcasts to the current digital streaming era. This campaign effectively capitalizes on shared nostalgia while simultaneously exploring innovative methods for audience engagement within a highly saturated media environment.
The potential success of this free-access promotion could prompt MultiChoice to consider implementing similar initiatives in other African markets or to develop hybrid models that balance affordability with premium content offerings. This trial period offers a preview of the company's prospective competitive strategies in the evolving digital landscape.
As the company marks three decades on screen, this weekend transcends mere retrospection. It serves as a reminder to South Africans, and potentially the broader African continent, that DStv remains committed to being an integral part of their daily entertainment.