DStv Compact Plus Highlights for May 2026

News 01 May 2026

A new season of Below Deck Mediterranean on Bravo, Tom Hanks talks WWI, and Warren Mendes takes us on a foodie adventure in South Africa.

DStv Compact Plus Highlights for May 2026

From high-stakes yachting drama to mouth-watering culinary journeys, DStv Compact Plus subscribers are in for a richly varied viewing experience this May.

Whether you’re diving into the turbulent waters of Below Deck Mediterranean S10, indulging in feel-good favourites like The Celebrity Bake Off S8 and Come Dine with Me S22, or exploring bold flavours in Food Trail: South Africa and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives S42, there’s something to suit every taste.

History enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the sweeping narrative of World War II with Tom Hanks, while true-crime fans can unravel gripping cases in American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda S5 and Britain’s Murder Map.

For those drawn to the darker or more unusual side of storytelling, Hollywood Demons S2 and The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd offer compelling, offbeat insights.

Here are 10 unmissable shows to keep you entertained in May. Happy watching!

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Reality on the high seas

Below Deck Mediterranean

Join Captain Sandy Yawn and bosun Malia White as they lead a mostly new crew through a demanding charter season filled with high expectations and little room for error. Early charters get off to a rocky start when galley miscommunication delays service, while tensions rise on deck after a near-mishap during a high-pressure docking. Below deck, a budding romance between two stews quickly spirals into emotional conflict, especially after a chaotic charter with demanding guests and complex dietary needs.

Stream Below Deck Mediterranean S10 from Sunday, 17 May at 6.10PM on Bravo Channel 124

Kitchen comforts

Food Trail: South Arica

Join chef, food writer and TV personality Warren Mendes on a journey through South Africa’s most vibrant food regions, from coastal towns and bustling markets to small‑town kitchens and iconic local eateries. Warren meets home cooks, chefs, farmers, fishermen, artisans and food entrepreneurs, giving viewers an authentic look at how culture, heritage and community shape the flavours of each region.

Stream Food Trail: South Africa from Sunday, 26 April at 11:30AM on Food Network Channel 175

The Celebrity Bake Off

The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off returns with a brand‑new batch of famous faces, including Chris Ramsay, Roman Kemp and Kate Garraway. Over two days, celebrities step into Britain’s most famous tent to tackle a series of baking challenges. Guided by hosts Alison Hammond and Matt Lucas, and judged by Paul Hollywood and Caroline Waldegrave, the stars bake to raise cancer awareness – all while competing for the iconic Star Baker apron.

Stream The Celebrity Bake Off S8 from Monday, 4 May at 8PM on BBC Lifestyle Channel 174

Come Dine  with Me

The UK’s favourite dinner‑party competition returns for a 22nd series. Each week, five strangers take turns hosting dinner parties in their own homes, hoping to impress their guests with food, entertainment and personality. But as the guests secretly score each meal, tensions rise and surprises unfold. At the end of the week, only one host will walk away with the £1,000 prize.

Stream Come Dine with Me S22 from Monday, 11 May at 7PM on BBC Lifestyle Channel 174

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Guy Fieri road trips across America to check out classic greasy spoons, starting with a culinary lineup crossing both the Atlantic and the Pacific. There's righteous ramen in Millcreek, an authentic Italian spot making artichoke Parmesan soup in Grand Junction and stuffed cabbage and schnitzel in Albuquerque. In this season, Guy also visits a South African restaurant in North Carolina in an episode called From Bunny Chow to Chicken Oysters.

Stream Diners, Drive-ins and Dives S42 from Tuesday, 12 May at 16:05PM on Food Network Channel 175

Gripping history

World War II with Tom Hanks

For more than eighty years, the Second World War has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. This 20-episode series offers a sweeping and definitive retelling of the war, drawing on rarely seen archival material, evocative storytelling, and insights from leading historians. Narrated by Tom Hanks, whose lifelong passion for history has informed some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era, the series captures the full arc of the global conflict.

Stream World War II with Tom Hanks from Tuesday, 26 May at 9.05PM on History Channel 186

Real-life crime-solving

American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda

Lt. Joe Kenda dives into gripping real-life cases, such as “The Colonial Parkway Murders,” where detectives pursue a serial killer responsible for multiple killings over decades, and “Mr. Nobody,” which follows the investigation into a missing woman that leads to an unexpected international suspect. Joe ties together cases of calculated violence, cold leads, and eventual breakthroughs that bring killers to justice.

Stream American Detective with Lt. Joe Kenda S5 from Wednesday, 6 May at 9PM on ID Channel 171

Hollywood Demons

Uncover the shocking stories of celebrities’ lives. Some rise to fame only to fall from stardom, while others reveal the tragic, dark side of fame in ways one could never imagine. This season deep-dives into the awful secrets behind The Jerry Springer Show, as well as the challenges faced by former child stars, including the scandals that have followed the teen cast of 90’s sitcom Saved by the Bell and the teen parents who featured on Surviving 16 and Pregnant.

Stream Hollywood Demons S2 from Friday, 22 May at 9PM on ID Channel 171

Explore the unexpected

The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd

Starring Dan Aykroyd (Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters), this smart and entertaining series digs up the weirdest people, places, objects, and events in human history. Take cover from Boston's Great Molasses Flood of 1919, where 2.3 million gallons of syrup demolished a neighbourhood. Try not to squirm with the tonsil guillotine, an 1800s medical instrument used to self-administer tonsillectomies. Marvel at FDR's WW2 plan to use bats to bomb Japan.

Stream The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd from Friday, 1 May at 7.25PM on History Channel 186

Britain’s Murder Map

Viewers are taken on a chilling journey to real-life locations tied to some of the UK’s most notorious murders. From local pubs and eerie castles to historic hotels and grand stately homes, they visit these haunting sites that still stand today, each with its own dark story. As Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen walk through the real places connected to these crimes, the duo uncovers the grim history behind each location, bringing the past to life and exploring the lingering mysteries of Britain’s most infamous murder cases.

Stream Britain's Murder Map from Tuesday, 5 May at 7:25PM on History Channel 186

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