South Africans with DStv are getting free upgrades, an increase in the number of people that can watch content simultaneously on one subscription, cheaper decoders, and more content.
Most of these changes come as part of DStv's, Multichoice's direct broadcast satellite service, Thol-iUpsize promotion.
The promotion automatically moves active decoder subscribers up to a higher package at no extra cost.
Anyone on Compact Plus or Compact is being upgraded to Premium, while customers on Family or Access will now receive the Compact package.
This applies to existing users, new subscribers, people renewing their accounts, and those who pay annually.
It means many households will suddenly have access to channels and shows that were previously out of reach.
Premium subscribers are also getting an improvement. Their usual limit of two simultaneous streams has been increased to four, and they will earn more DStv Rewards points than normal.
These points can be swapped for vouchers, discounted ticket access, special events, and other promotions.
DStv is also expanding how many people can watch at the same time on one Premium subscription.
Until the end of 2025, up to six people can watch different channels or on-demand shows using a single decoder subscription.
Four streams can come through DStv Stream, one through mobile, and the main household can still watch via the decoder.
This makes it far easier for families and extended households to watch different content without clashing.
DStv recently restored its streaming flexibility after previously limiting accounts to one stream in 2021 to fight piracy and password sharing.
The decision caused major frustration for legitimate users who wanted to watch on multiple TVs. A paid "Extra Stream" option was introduced in 2023, but customers continued to push back.
Earlier this year, DStv reversed course and raised the limit to two streams for all packages. As a result, MultiChoice, unlike Netflix, does not restrict DStv Stream or Showmax to just one household.
During November and December, up to four other households can use the same DStv Stream subscription, making the service far more flexible and cost-effective for families who share accounts.
Decoder prices have also been reduced, lowering the cost for new users or anyone wanting to upgrade their hardware. Taken together, the promotions offer more value without any price increases.
These upgrades come after French media giant Canal+ completed its takeover of MultiChoice -- its largest acquisition ever.
Canal+ now controls DStv, DStv Stream, GOtv, and Showmax, which together reach more than 14 million customers across Africa.
With this new ownership, MultiChoice is beginning to shift its strategy to compete more effectively in a global streaming market dominated by Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada previously said that the company wants to make viewing easier by bringing its services together in a single "super app."
This app would include local content, African sport, international movies and series, and Canal+'s large European library -- all in one place.
Saada said the goal is to make accessing content as convenient and pleasant as possible for subscribers.
David Mignot, who now leads Canal+ Africa and oversees MultiChoice, said the combined catalogues of the two companies will offer far more variety.
Canal+ has thousands of European and American films, while MultiChoice remains the strongest provider of local African entertainment and sport.
Mignot said the group now has the ability to use the strengths of both companies to create a larger and more competitive platform.
With the Thol-iUpsize promotion running and a major restructuring of the company underway, DStv subscribers are already seeing more value.