If you do not have a paid subscription, you can still watch some free DStv channels that the popular pay TV service has made available for all South Africans.
This means that, with an internet connection and an electronic device, you can watch these channels without paying for a DStv package or buying a decoder.
Free DStv channels and their codes
Below are the free DStv channels and their codes:
- 100 – DStv
- 180 – People’s Weather
- 238 – SuperSport Play
- 313 – PBS Kids
- 317 – Mindset PoP
- 320 – Channel O
- 343 – TBN
- 400 – BBC World News
- 401 – CNN
- 402 – Sky News
- 403 – eNCA
- 404 – SABC News
- 405 – Newzroom Afrika
- 405 – Al Jazeera
- 414 – Euronews Now
- 417 – africanews
DStv opened up these channels on the DStv Now app in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.
“You don’t need to be a DStv subscriber to see the selection of free channels that MultiChoice has made available,” the service said in another update in April 2020.
As can be discerned from the list, the free to air channels are mostly 24-hour news and sports channels, both local and international. However, they also include weather, kids and religious ones.
How to watch free channels on DStv
You can watch free channels on DStv over the internet via now.dstv.com or by using the DStv Now app, which can be downloaded from Google Play (Android), App Store (iPhone) or AppGallery (Huawei).
Once you’re on the platform (online or app), you will need to sign up as outlined below:
- Fill in your email address, cell phone number and select a password.
- Next, click “Create an Account.”
- If you’re not a DStv subscriber, click “Skip” at the bottom of the form.
- If you’re a DStv subscriber, you can link your DStv account to DStv Now by filling in your ID number, DStv smartcard number or DStv customer number.
- Check your inbox for a confirmation email.
- Log in and start watching on your device.
“You are able to watch DStv Now on two devices at the same time and can register up to four devices to use with a DStv Now account,” the service advises users.
The devices you can use include most smartphones, tablets and laptops as well as some smart TVs and Xbox gaming consoles.
You can also use an Apple TV (4th generation onwards) or media players running Android TV (Google-certified devices only).
Remember, the content is streamed at HD quality. You therefore need a stable and adequate internet connection because streaming can consume a large amount of data.