DStv subscribers in South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa will be able to stream Universal+ from 14 October 2022.
NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-To-Consumer and DStv made the announcement in a statement on Thursday (1 September).
Universal+ launches on DStv
DStv subscribers in Africa will have access to thousands of hours of compelling entertainment by visiting Catch Up on the DStv App or connected Explora and selecting Universal+.
Viewers will stream shows ranging from must-watch dramas to popular reality series, including the SAFTA award-winning Celebrity Game Night, at no extra cost.
“We’re thrilled to launch Universal+ with our long-standing partners DStv, giving their customers a brand-new way to enjoy a vastly expanded catalogue of our best content,” said Lee Raftery, Managing Director Europe, Middle East & Africa, NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-To-Consumer.
“From 14 October, the incredible line-up of entertainment available to DStv customers ranges from award-winning original production Celebrity Game Night – which shortly goes back into production for a fourth season – to gripping dramas and Hollywood blockbusters. All at no extra cost on your subscription.”
International content
“As Africa’s most loved storyteller, we are always looking to offer top entertainment to our DStv customers, and the addition of Universal+ aims to do just that,” MultiChoice South Africa’s COO Simon Camerer added.
“We are excited to bring the best of international content and the widest possible choice of great shows to satisfy all our viewers.”
Universal+ is currently available in Spain, Brazil, Latin America and India. It has a huge selection of full boxsets to binge, new shows, and movies from popular linear channels Universal TV, E!, DreamWorks, Studio Universal and Telemundo.
The new addition follows the entry of Disney+ in South Africa in May this year. DStv also made Disney+ available to its subscribers who have the Explora Ultra decoder.
These moves by DStv signal its attempt to retain viewership as it faces increased competition. According to a MyBroadband report on Thursday, viewership of DStv’s most popular programmes declined over the past year and is “at its lowest in six years.”
The publication cited data from the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA) for the month of July 2022.