This afternoon Techzim broke the news that DSTV will be reducing their bouquet prices with effect from Tuesday 26 September 2017.
Many are meeting this announcement, which is similar to what the satellite offering did in other markets, as a response to the Strive Masiyiwa owned Kwese TV, but we seem to think their competition is even greater and they’re looking to safeguard themselves.
As the ‘bollar’ (that’s the term used to refer to bond notes in US dollars) takes a battering in Zimbabwe, this side we need to pay for our entertainment using the much sort after US dollar, while there was a familiar option of one being able to pay and watch for DSTV through South Africa. The down South option, though in Rands, is still needed to be paid for in proper money, but if you have a way of paying for your Zimbabwean account using local money or if there is a way for you to cheaply access your forex then it may be cheaper to pay for your DSTV in Zimbabwe.
Here’s a comparison of prices that viewers in each country pay:
| DSTV Package | SA Price | SA Price in USD | Zimbabwe USD Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DStv Premium | R789 | 59.39 | 72 |
| DStv Extra | R489 | 36.81 | Not Available |
| DStv Compact Plus | Not Available | Not Available | 47 |
| DStv Compact | R365 | 27.48 | 28 |
| DStv Family | R235 | 17.69 | 17 |
| DStv Access | R99 | 7.45 | 11 |
| DStv EasyView | R29 | 2.18 | Not Available |
| DStv Lite | Not Available | Not Available | 7 |
The exchange rate used to calculate the rates was US$1:R13.28
As can be seen from the table, if you are watching the Premium or Access packages they’re currently cheaper in South Africa whilst DStv Compact and Access are cheaper in Zimbabwe. DStv Extra, Compact Plus, EasyView and Lite are not offered in both regions, hence no comparison can take place.
This switches the pendulum into the “accessing DStv in Zimbabwe’s” favour, while we all look to the courts hoping that the lawsuit filed against DStv to get them to accept bond notes as payment goes through.,
With the way the exchange rates are, do you anticipate switching to accessing DStv from Zimbabwe if you’d moved to watching South Africa already?
13 comments
Does the Zim compact package have ss3 and ss4? if not no deal
Yes both of them are available but I think the Supersport available on Compact in Zimbabwe shows different content as compared to what is shown in SOUTH AFRICA
zim compact does not have ss3 but ss4 is available
DSTV Zimbabwe must take bond for subscriptions aa
True there what we are mostly worried with is the mode of payment not the reduction of rates, they should accept swipe, Ecocash or bond notes as that’s the mode payment in Zimbabwe now
i want to pay but i am failing
Competition is vital in the industry for the benefit of the customers.
Where is the new price list?
Check out this article
http://www.techzim.co.zw/2017/09/dstv-reduce-monthly-subscriptions-tomorrow/
Yeah please accept all source of payments in Zimbabwe
I’m finding it hard to get the forex to pay my subs
Very expensive .It is also time consuming to pay through Banks. It is also difficult to access USA dollars
we’re actually paying $16 for Access not $11