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DStv : FAQ | DStv check Balance, Due date, Explora pack,m-net package, price lock


What is the discount for DStv annual subscription fee?

If you pay for 11 months of your DStv Subscription in advance, the 12th month is absolutely free. This offer only applies to DStv subscription services and does not apply to Device Insurance.

Is credit it card payment accepted  for DStv accounts?


  • Yes. You can make a credit card payment at any DStv Service Centre or DStv Agency.
  •  You can also set up a credit card debit order payment and DStv  automatically collect the monthly amount due on your DStv account.
Note:
  • DStv don’t accept Diners Club payments. 
  • Use your eight digit DStv customer number as the payment or beneficiary reference. 
  • You can also  log on to Self Service on DStv.com to set up your payment.

How to pay for my DStv account?


You have various options to pay your DStv account:

  • Via Self Service on DStv.com 
  • Via the DStv App
  • At DStv kiosks
  • Setting up a debit order
  • Internet payment
  • Credit card
  • ATM
  • Direct deposit
  • Supermarkets
  • MultiChoice Branches and Agencies

Always use your DStv customer number as payment reference.

If your DStv services are suspended and you make an internet bank transfer or ATM payment via ABSA, FNB and Standard Bank or direct deposit at any ABSA branch, your DStv services will be reconnected once the payment reflects on your DStv account.



Is there any offer discounts for pensioners?

No. The main reason is that DStv guarantee that only pensioners will use the decoder. Decoders are portable, and DStv experienced cases where people abuse the system. DStv offer a commercial subscription to multi-unit retirement villages as a whole. In this way, pensioners can get their DStv services at a reduced rate.

Can I pay my DStv account using a debit order?

Yes. Debit order is definitely the most convenient payment method.

SMS ‘DEBIT’ to 32445 at a cost of R1 per SMS and DStv ll call you back to help you set up your debit order.

You can also call the MultiChoice Contact Centre with your banking details, or visit your nearest MultiChoice Branch or DStv Agency with the required documents.

I've paid my DStv account. Why are my services still not reconnected?

Your services should have been reconnected after 15 minutes if you made an internet bank transfer, an ATM payment or direct deposit at any Absa branch. It could take a little bit longer for the payment to reflect on our system.

If this hasn’t happened, please contact DStv  Call Centre or login to My DStv on the Self Service portal on DStv.com to reconnect your services.

Can I pay my DStv account at an ATM?


Yes, you can. When paying at an ATM, make sure that you input MultiChoice as a beneficiary on your bank account in order to select it easily when paying.

Use your eight-digit DStv customer number as the payment reference.

How do I check due date, my DStv balance?

There are several ways you can check your balance and dstv due date:      
  • SMS your Smart Card number or ID number to 31401 (at a cost of R1 per SMS).  
  • View your account balance by logging into My DStv via Self Service on DStv.com 
  • Dial *120*68584# and follow the prompts. 
  • Call us on 083 900 3788 or 011 289 2222 without having to speak to an agent. When calling, you will be asked to provide your ID number or Smart Card number in order for our systems to identify you to make sure DStv  provide you with the right information through our automated system. Value-added service (VAS) rates apply.

Do you accept electronic payments (EFT) for my DStv account?

Yes, you can pay your DStv account via EFT.
  • To get your account balance, SMS your Smart Card number to 31401 (at a cost of R1 per SMS).
  • Select ‘MultiChoice’ from the list of pre-approved beneficiaries on your bank's internet banking portal, and use your eight-digit DStv customer number as the payment reference.
  • If you bank with one of the five major banks (Absa, FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec or Nedbank) and follow these steps, your payment will reflect on our system within 15 minutes.

For customers who bank with FNB, if your DStv customer number is shorter than eight digits, just add zeros in front of it (eg customer number 12345 becomes 00012345).

If you bank elsewhere, please note that your payment could take up to three days to reflect on our system. This is also the case if you don’t select ‘MultiChoice’ from the list of pre-approved beneficiaries on your bank's internet banking portal.

List of supermarkets that accept DStv payments?

This service is mainly for those customers who don't have bank accounts, enabling them to utilise the convenient locations of these outlets. DStv customers are now able to pay their DStv accounts at the following supermarkets.

PEP, Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite or Spar

While shopping, you can pay your account at any PEP, Pick 'n Pay, Shoprite or Spar nationwide. Your MultiChoice customer number, preceded by the prefix (11374) will be required to make a payment. For example, if your customer number is 12345678, then the payment reference will be 1137412345678.

NB: Payments at the above stores must be made at Money-market counters using your eight-digit MultiChoice customer number as the reference.

What information will I need when I make a payment at a supermarket, checkers?

You can pay for your dsTV account at following supermarkets :
PEP, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers and Spar

To make a payment at a supermarket, you’ll need your DStv customer number. You just add the digits ‘11374’ in front of it to get your payment reference.

For example, if your customer number is 12345678, then your payment reference will be 1137412345678.

If your customer number is less than eight digits, add zeros in front of the number to make it eight digits long. Then you also need to add ‘11374’ in front of the zeros (eg customer number 12345 becomes 00012345. Add the 11374 so it becomes 1137400012345).

The payment will reflect immediately and your services will be reconnected within 15 minutes if the full amount and R50 reconnection fee (R10 if you are an EasyView customer) has been paid.

If you experience any problems, please contact DStv Call Centre on 083 900 3788 or 011 289 2222.

Value-added service (VAS) rates apply for the phone call.

Where can I make a direct deposit into my DStv account?


You can make direct deposits at any Absa branch. To make it easier for you, MultiChoice is already listed as a beneficiary. All you have to do is give the bank teller your eight digit DStv customer number. If your customer number is less than eight digits, add zeros in front of the number to make it eight digits long (eg customer number 12345 becomes 00012345).

Why is there a reconnection fee?


It’s to cover the additional admin costs incurred when DStv process late payments.

Who gets billed or is liable for a reconnection fee?

The account holder is responsible for paying the account and the reconnection fee if services have been disconnected due to non-payment or late payment.

How soon will my DStv services be reconnected after I make a payment?


If you have made a payment by direct bank deposit to ABSA, or at any Pick 'n Pay, PEP or Spar outlet, or via EFT with ABSA, FNB, Nedbank or Standard Bank, your services will be automatically reconnected when the payment shows on your DStv Account, provided that the full amount including any reconnection fees has been paid.

If your services are still not reconnected, please contact us.



What is Price Lock in DSTV?


Price Lock offers you an affordable way to own a DStv Explora, by paying it off over 24 months. There are no price increases for the full 24 months of the contract.

Refer to current Price Lock offers.

How do I know if I qualify for Price Lock?


DStv carry out a standard credit evaluation and affordability check to see if you qualify.

And, you have to meet the following criteria:


  1. Hold a valid South African ID document
  2. Be 18 years or older
  3. Not currently under administration or debt review
  4. You must agree to let MultiChoice run a credit check 

Will I have to go through a credit check if I’m already a DStv customer?


All new and existing customers have to go through the credit evaluation process to qualify for Price Lock.

If you’re an existing customer you’ll undergo an internal process. DStv need to let you know that you probably won't be approved if your current account status is in arrears and / or your account status is:


  • fraudulent
  • suspended
  • a bad debt write-off 
  • closed 

What documents do I need to apply for Price Lock if I am a new DStv customer?


If you’re a new DStv customer and are applying for Price Lock, please submit the following documents:


  1. A completed Subscription Agreement Form, found at DStv Service Centres or DStv Agency 
  2. A South African ID 
  3. Proof of residence 
  4. Payslip or proof of income 
  5. Valid bank account details 

Do all Price Lock offers come with installation?


Not all offers come with installation. Refer to current Price Lock offers offers.

After making a payment how soon will my DStv services be reconnected?


If you have paid by direct bank deposit to ABSA, or at any Pick n Pay, PEP or Spar outlet, or via EFT with ABSA, FNB, Nedbank or Standard Bank, your services will be automatically reconnected within 30 minutes, provided the full amount, including reconnection fees, has been paid.

If your services are still not reconnected, please get in touch with the Contact Centre.

Why do I have to pay an additional fee to use my PVR or for XtraView?


The Access Fee gives you access to additional viewing environments without having to pay an extra subscription.

These additional viewing environments can take the form of additional devices connected through XtraView or the additional environment that enables simultaneous recording, downloading of additional content on your PVR and Remote Recording, available via a connected DStv Explora.

DStv Premium customers with an active PVR also get access to a range of free additional value added services like DStv Now, Catch Up, as well as watch Live TV on multiple devices.

Dstv Premium, DStv Extra and DStv Compact PVR customers are also able to enjoy BoxOffice on their PVR devices.

Why are DStv increasing the prices again?

In order for us to continue offering you the best in local and international entertainment, DStv review subscription fees annually. DStv have a range of DStv packages for customers to choose from and these are tailored to suit a variety of tastes and pockets.

The Access Fee has increased over the past few years. What benefit do I get from paying this?


As with DStv packages, DStv review the Access Fee on its individual merits. The Access Fee allows you to get an additional viewing environment without having to pay for another subscription. It actually saves you money. These additional viewing environments can take the form of another decoder or recordings and downloads on a PVR.

If you’re a DStv Premium customer with a PVR, you get to use all of the value-added services available on your PVR while on other platforms. You don’t even have to be at home to enjoy them. On your PVR decoder you get DStv Catch Up and BoxOffice; on the go you get access to DStv Catch Up and live TV through the DStv Now app as well as BoxOffice online. With a connected DStv Explora you will have access to more content on DStv Catch Up and can set remote recordings when you’re not in front of your TV.

How do I know what I'll need to pay from April 2015 onwards?

To see what you’ll be paying from April 2015 onwards for your specific packages and services, you can use either of these methods:
  • Internet: log onto Self Service on Dstv.com
  • DStv App: available on your Android or Apple smartphone or tablet

Why can't I subscribe to the M-Net package?

MultiChoice stopped offering M-Net as a standalone package quite some time ago. In addition to this, DStv no longer support analogue decoders. South Africa will be moving from analogue to digital services very soon, so all analogue-based services will be discontinued. When digital migration happens, M-Net will launch exciting new digital services.

Why can't I rather choose which channels are in my package and just pay for those?


 The cost of providing you with your own DStv Package would be significant as DStv have to cater for a range of tastes (which may prove to be unpopular with other customers). This would result in you paying even more than what you are now.

It’s actually cheaper for you as a customer when DStv group channels into packages as DStv able to spread the cost of each channel across these different packages. DStv have a range of packages with different fees and channel combinations – to cater for the viewing choice and pocket of a wide range of customers.

There are so many repeats on DStv and now you're increasing the price again?


Repeats are part of pay TV services around the world. They are there so customers can catch up on the programmes they might have missed, particularly customers without a PVR.

The other reason, which is even more important, is that film and TV studios produce a limited amount of shows. For example, Hollywood pushes out only 600 new films (or about 1 200 hours’ worth of viewing) a year; while a single movie channel is made up of 8 760 hours over the same time frame. The difference is then made up of repeats to fill up the channel.

Having said that DStv do release a lot of brand-new content on DStv every month. It’s really just a case of discovering what’s available. There are a number of resources you can use to find shows on channels you perhaps don’t currently watch and which you just might find interesting. On DStv website (dstv.com) there are highlights, a series calendar and a movie calendar. On your decoder there’s channel 100 and Dish on TV. On our social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook we publish daily highlights. You can also download the DStv Now app on your phone.


I’ve struggled to get through to the Call Centre. How else can I get in touch / manage my account?


  1. On the internet: Log on to selfservice.dstv.com where you’ll find your account details, reset error codes, payments and so forth. 
  2. On your phone: Type in *120*MULTI# (68584) on your cellphone and hit ‘dial’ or download the DStv App on your smartphone, iPhone or iPad. 
  3. On email: enquiries@multichoice.co.za –you’ll get a response within 24 hours.