DStv Channels List 2026: What You Get on Each Package
DStv's appeal lives in its channel line-up — but which channels you actually receive depends entirely on your package. This guide lists the main DStv channels by category, shows how the line-up shrinks as you move down the package ladder, and explains how to get a far larger channel list for less. Whether you are choosing a package or wondering what you are missing, here is the full picture.
For the complete package-by-package context and a cheaper alternative, read our complete guide with the full DStv channel breakdown. For the streaming technology behind the alternative, see what an IPTV service is and how it works.
DStv Channels by Category
Sport
- SuperSport — the full family (Premier League, Football, PSL/Premiership, Variety, Grandstand, Rugby, Cricket, Motorsport)
- Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, UEFA Champions League and Europa League
- The DStv Premiership, rugby (URC, Currie Cup), and cricket (Proteas, SA20)
Movies & General Entertainment
- M-Net (channel 101) — flagship premieres
- M-Net Movies channels — first-run films
- International: BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, Comedy Central, AMC, FX, Universal TV
Local & Regional
- SABC channels, Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, 1Magic, kykNET (Afrikaans), and a wide range of local-language channels
News & Documentary
- BBC World News, CNN, Sky News, Al Jazeera, eNCA, Newzroom Afrika
- National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, History
Kids
- Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Disney channels, Nickelodeon, JimJam
How Channels Change by Package
This is the part that catches subscribers out: the line-up above is the Premium experience. As you move down the package ladder to save money, channels are stripped out — and the first to go are usually the ones you wanted.
| Package | Channel Experience |
|---|---|
| Premium | The full channel list — all SuperSport, all M-Net Movies |
| Compact Plus | Most channels; loses the top movie tier |
| Compact | Strong entertainment + local, reduced SuperSport |
| Family | Lighter line-up, limited sport |
| Access | Entry-level bouquet, no premium sport/movies |
| EasyView | A very limited set of channels |
So the honest summary is: the full DStv channel list costs roughly R929/month, and every cheaper package is defined by what it takes away.
More Channels for Less
If you want a bigger channel list without the package trade-offs, internet streaming changes the maths entirely. A premium IPTV service such as IG IPTV delivers 50,000+ live channels and 160,000+ movies and series — far more than any single DStv package — for a fraction of a DStv Premium subscription, with no tiers stripping out the channels you actually watch.
| DStv (Premium) | IG IPTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Live channels | Hundreds | 50,000+ |
| VOD library | Limited | 160,000+ titles |
| Sport channels | Full (Premium only) | Full — all major leagues |
| Channel tiers | Stripped by package | One plan, full list |
| Monthly cost | ~R929 | A fraction of the price |
| Hardware | Decoder + dish | None |
| Free trial | No | Yes — 24-hour trial |
For the full package-by-package breakdown, read our complete guide with the full DStv channel breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many channels does DStv have?
DStv carries hundreds of channels across sport, movies, entertainment, news, documentary, and kids — but how many you actually receive depends on your package. Only DStv Premium unlocks the full line-up.
Which DStv package has the most channels?
DStv Premium has the most channels, including the full SuperSport family and all M-Net Movies channels. Each cheaper package — Compact Plus, Compact, Family, Access, EasyView — removes channels to lower the price.
What channels do I lose on a cheaper DStv package?
Moving down from Premium, you typically lose first-run M-Net Movies channels and SuperSport channels first, followed by premium international entertainment. The lower tiers focus on local channels, news, and kids.
Does DStv have local South African channels?
Yes — DStv carries SABC channels, Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, 1Magic, kykNET, and a range of local-language channels, available across most packages.
How can I get more channels for less than DStv?
A premium IPTV service such as IG IPTV delivers 50,000+ live channels and 160,000+ on-demand titles — far more than any DStv package — for a fraction of a DStv Premium subscription, over the internet with no decoder or dish.
Can I see the full DStv channel list before subscribing?
MultiChoice publishes channel lists per package on the DStv website. For a streaming alternative, a premium IPTV service offers a free 24-hour trial so you can confirm the channels you watch before committing.
Get Started With IG IPTV Today
If you are tired of cheaper DStv packages stripping out the channels you actually watch, there is a better way. IG IPTV gives you 50,000+ live channels and 160,000+ on-demand titles in up to 4K Ultra HD — the sport, the movies, the local and international channels — in a single plan, for a fraction of a DStv Premium subscription. No decoder, no dish, no tiers. Activation in under 5 minutes via WhatsApp, with a free 24-hour trial and no credit card required.
Start your free trial today — message IG IPTV on WhatsApp and get more channels for less.