Level 2 lockdown: #StrongerTogether through it all

South Africa’s economic activity is quickly ramping up as more industries are permitted to operate under Level 2 lockdown. This relaxation of restrictions brings with it the increased movement of people, which in turn carries a higher risk of infection.

MultiChoice South Africa urges all of our customers to continue to practise the recommended precautionary health measures to ensure that we limit the spread of the coronavirus. As we also work towards full operational capacity, we remain committed to putting precautionary measures in place to protect our staff and customers. Such measures include:

• Disinfecting and deep-cleaning all work stations and counters;
• Social distancing measures at all work stations including limited entrance to the service area at Walk-in Centres;
• Thermal screening for all employees and customers at Walk-in Centres;
• Employees are equipped with masks and hand sanitisers; and
• Those who are able to work from home are doing so.

This means that you may experience a delay in our ability to service you. However, we will do our very best to sort out any issues you may have timeously. Please continue to use the below self service and online platforms available to you:

DStv is committed to helping customers resolve any query on any device at any time. That’s why we’ve made a number of self service avenues available to help get your DStv to work for you.

For example, you can manage your DStv Account right here on the DStv website. Simply click the Self Service tab and discover ways to check your balance, upgrade your package, clear errors, manage your holiday viewing and so much more.

Looking to pay your DStv account? Make use of our quick and easy USSD service by simply dialling *120*68584# from your cellphone.

DStv customers can also make use of self service via their smartphones with the DStv App or even in WhatsApp. Simply send a "Hi" to 060 060 3788 and you’ll unlock a world of efficiency from the comfort of your sofa. Manage decoder insurance and check out exclusive offers on the DStv App, and even rent BoxOffice movies on WhatsApp. It’s all an app download away.

Need an installation?

We’ve implemented extra measures to limit exposure and safeguard the wellbeing of both our customers and accredited DStv installers while installing in your home.

Follow the link below to find an installer now.

Watch anytime, anywhere

DStv Now is the online version of DStv. If you can’t be at home to watch your favourite shows via your decoder, visit now.dstv.com and watch DStv on your laptop, tablet or phone. It’s at no extra cost to all DStv subscribers, so download the app now to watch your favourite series and movies on the go.

Sport is back!

We know sports fans all over the world have been missing their favourite sports. While we can't tell you with absolute certainty, in many instances we can let you know what we know – and the news is good for June!

Here's the latest info. We will update you as and when more details come through:

World sport returns!

JOOX now available to you at no extra cost

Enjoy all your favourite songs all the time. Get digital music platform JOOX at no extra cost until 10 September 2020.

You’ll be able to access the hottest tunes at any time of the day, wherever you are.

Download JOOX today and register for the VIP service.

Download now

kykNET programming affected by COVID-19

Early in May, cameras slowly started rolling again on many kykNET productions. In accordance with Level 4 and later, Level 3 lockdown regulations, strict new protocols and ways of working were implemented to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

These measures include limiting the number of individuals on set, social distancing, continual sharing of new information about the virus, safety officers on duty, regular deep-cleaning of sets, studios and vehicles, and the regular monitoring of temperatures on shoot days. Thanks to temperature monitoring and due diligence, two individuals, who had no other symptoms, were identified as possible risks. Production was stopped immediately and they were tested. Their tests results came back positive and the further spread of the virus could be curbed.

When a member of any production tests positive, the protocol is to stop filming and to start tracing. All relevant cast and crew members are required to self-isolate until their test results confirm that they do not have COVID-19. The decision to resume filming is only made when all risks are eliminated.

The following kykNET productions have been affected by COVID-19 as of 3 July 2020: Die Groot Ontbyt, Groot Plaas and Kom Ons Praat Daaroor (these three programmes are all recorded in the same studio), Kom Ons Jol, Suidooster, Arendsvlei, Binnelanders, KN Verslag and E-nuus. In each case, individuals were immediately isolated and tracing and testing was done on all relevant production teams.

The only shows affected in terms of broadcasting schedules are E-nuus and Die Groot Ontbyt due to the deep-cleaning the studios had to undergo. Die Groot Ontbyt will resume broadcasting on Monday, 6 July 2020, and E-nuus was cancelled only once on Saturday, 27 June 2020.

The KN Verslag teams work on a rotation basis and there will be no impact on the broadcast of the show. Presenter Waldimar Pelser will continue to present the show either from his home in Cape Town or the studio in Johannesburg. The other KN Verslag anchors, Lourensa Eckard and Heindrich Wyngaard, will broadcast from the studio in Johannesburg.

No disruption of daily dramas and telenovelas is expected because these programmes are filmed months in advance. Since the start of Level 3 regulations, some of these productions have also adjusted their shooting schedules to six working days a week using smaller, rotating crews.

kykNET is committed to the safety of all crew and cast on productions, as well as that of our viewers. We wish to thank crew and cast members who are working hard under trying circumstances to keep kykNET viewers informed and entertained.

kykNET urges all viewers to be careful and to stay safe.

Your entertainment companion

MultiChoice South Africa immediately went into customer-centric overdrive in late March when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would enter a government-enforced lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. On a mission to keep customers informed and entertained during this period, our various departments came together to seek ways to expand our content selection, value and reach across more of our customers.

From Friday, 15 May, we started giving active DStv Access customers the ability to view content from the 21 additional channels currently available on DStv Family. This meant DStv Access customers could catch great local reality on Moja Love (DStv 157), get in on the action on the WWE channel (DStv 128), and keep the kids entertained with NickTOONS (DStv 308) and Boomerang HD (DStv 302) among so much more. These additional channels are available until 14 June.

We also made our 24-hour news channels available for free via the DStv Now Free Service. This meant that all South Africans – whether they were DStv subscribers or not – could stay informed about COVID-19 and all news updates impacting them during this uncertain period.

In addition to the wide range of movie, entertainment and lifestyle channels across our packages, we’ve also extended the availability of some popular pop-up channels on our platform. This includes M-Net Binge – The Home of HBO, which will remain on DStv until 31 July 2020. The channel, which is available on DStv 114, offers customers endless hours of major titles such as Entourage, Chernobyl, Big Little Lies, Westworld, Insecure and The Sopranos.

For more on M-Net Binge, The Home of HBO, click here.

And for the many kids who remain at home until further notice, we’ve extended the availability of Mindset POP, the channel dedicated to primary school learners that launched on 1 April. Now available until 30 June 2020, Mindset POP (DStv 317) will continue to feature educational programming that covers the entire General Education and Training (GET) phase, including Early Childhood Development (ECD), as well as a key focus on the Grades 4-9 curriculum.

For more on Mindset POP, click here.

In addition to the latest content expansions, we recently launched a brand-new initiative designed to help our customers make the most of their time indoors. Until the end of July, DStv customers have access to 600 free courses offered by Udemy. Udemy is a leading online learning platform aimed at professional adults and students.

DStv customers will have access to 600 free courses offered by Udemy until the end of June. The free online courses available through the DStv app provide customers with the opportunity to transform their business, learn a new language, or discover a new passion.

In addition, all active DStv Premium customers will receive a $5 voucher via email to use on any of Udemy’s paid-for courses valid for a month – this translates to an almost 40% discount on the cost of most courses. Simply download the DStv App, sign in with your DStv customer number and click on the Udemy offer.

For more on this, click here.

“DStv is committed to offering trusted companionship to our loyal customers. We will continue to bring you only the best local and international entertainment; keep you informed with up-to-the-minute news updates; and support our industry and government in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mark Rayner, CEO: MultiChoice South Africa

Yours in lockdown

The ongoing pandemic has brought life as we know it to a grinding halt as nations around the world, including ours, entered into government-enforced lockdowns to limit its spread.

While completely necessary, the lockdown greatly impacted business and industry globally. The entertainment industry was not immune to this disruption as productions on films, television shows and live events came to a halt as the industry adhered to global social distancing calls.

The South African entertainment industry was no different. Local productions were paused all around the country, impacting thousands of creative industry professionals – many of whom are freelancers.

As Africa’s leading investor in local content, MultiChoice Group implemented several measures aimed at safeguarding the incomes of cast, crew and creatives as well as the sustainability of production houses. The Group committed R80 million to ensure that cast, crew and creatives impacted by the nationwide lockdown would receive their full salaries for the months of March and April.

Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the group also launched an online learning portal to support 40 000 members of the industry to gain access to courses and online masterclasses so they can continue to hone their craft while adhering to the public health measures of social distancing and isolation.

Furthermore, the group also guaranteed the incomes of freelancers in our SuperSport Productions who are currently unable to work due to the suspension of sport and the national lockdown. This extends to guaranteeing the income of freelancers in our broadcast technology environment.

Visit the Supersport website for round-the-clock sports coverage.

Supporting public health efforts

In a further effort to counter the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa, MultiChoice Group partnered with two of the country’s biggest and most-loved soccer groups to support healthcare workers and law enforcement agencies.

Africa’s greatest storyteller teamed up with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) items. In partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, MultiChoice – together with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – handed over 100 000 N 95 masks and 350 000 surgical masks, of which 75 000 will go to the police and 75 000 will go to the Defence Force, 100 000 gloves, 10 000 protective overalls (jumpsuits), 10 000 wipes and 100 000 shoe covers.

Visit the MultiChoice Group website to learn more about how Africa’s leading entertainment company is fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Bolstering our entertainment offering

As Africa’s greatest storyteller, every story we tell and every decision we make is done with our customers' interests at heart. That’s why we set out to bolster our already impressive content offering with even more of the best local and international content available, to support our customers through the increased time they were going to be spending indoors.

First, we knew it was important to keep customers informed about the latest news and updates relating to COVID-19 and other current affairs items. So we made a number of 24-hour news channels available for free consumption via the DStv Now Free Service. This meant that whether you were a DStv subscriber or not, you would have access to the best news coverage at absolutely no cost.

We also made more channels available to more customers at no additional cost. These include new channel Africanews (channel 417), CNN (channel 401), Da Vinci (channel 318), Nickelodeon (channel 305) and SuperSport 7 (channel 207), which were expanded to all DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access customers.

As Africa’s leading sports broadcaster, SuperSport also made more content available for more sports lovers. SuperSport 1’s availability was extended to the DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact packages, while SuperSport 7’s availability was extended to DStv Family and DStv Access packages. Plus, SuperSport launched all-new themed channels as its live sports broadcasts were impacted by the pandemic. It also continues to broadcast exclusive sports films and documentaries – including a brand-new documentary in August 2020 that will take viewers behind the scenes of the Springboks’ historic 2019 Rugby World Cup win.

A slew of pop-up channels was also launched to offer customers even more entertainment during the nationwide lockdown. These included:

• M-Net Binge – The Home of HBO
• Toonami – The Home of Superheroes
• Mindset POP
• Da Vinci
• African Easter Channel

Looking ahead

As South Africa prepares to enter Level 3 restrictions, Africa’s greatest storyteller will continue to do its part to support customers and industry professionals through this stressful period.

Many of our production companies are already #BackOnSet, promising fresh new local content in the coming weeks. We’re also calling people to submit their love letters to Africa as part of The Africa We See campaign as we look to celebrate the positive achievements of our people during these uncertain times.

DStv is committed to offering trusted companionship to our loyal customers. We will continue to bring you only the best available local and international entertainment, keep you informed with up-to-the-minute news updates and do our best to support our industry and government in combating the pandemic.