Your guide to DStv Now, Catch Up and more

DStv is not limited to the content on DStv decoders or Exploras – there are a number of services that bring the same series, movies and sport to subscribers’ internet-connected devices to give them complete flexibility in how, when and where they watch.

Here’s a simple overview on what each service does, how to access each one, and why.

DStv Now

DStv subscribers get access to the same channels and content on DStv Now as they have in their DStv package – it’s essentially an online version of their DStv package. Using the DStv Now app for Android or iOS, and accessing DStv Now through a web browser at now.dstv.com gives subscribers access to the same live TV channels they’d have on the Explora, and also includes Catch Up content (read more about Catch Up in the next section).

There’s no additional cost for DStv subscribers to use DStv Now – all they need to do is download the app and register on an internet-enabled device.

Every month, a number of season boxsets are loaded to DStv Now for subscribers to stream from the very beginning.

Subscribers are also able to download series, movies or sports games onto their device with DStv Now – find out more here.

Latest shows and movies on DStv Now

Find out what’s coming to DStv Now this month.

DStv Catch Up

Most series episodes and movies that air on DStv channels appear on Catch Up within 48 hours for subscribers to watch on demand whenever they choose. Not only does this give them the chance to catch up on their favourite shows or sports games if they missed them when they were broadcast.

Catch Up is available to all DStv subscribers, and the content varies based on your DStv package.

To access DStv Catch Up, you need two things: a PVR-capable decoder (DStv Explora), and to pay the monthly access fee of R95. You can also watch content on Catch Up using the DStv Now app or visiting DStv Now on the web. (Neither of these two options carries an additional cost.)

When you connect your Wi Fi-enabled Explora to the internet, it will unlock an extended catalogue of Catch Up content. It’s like Catch Up on steroids!

Of course, not everything that airs on a DStv channel on live TV will eventually land up on Catch Up. In this case, customers with PVR decoders or Exploras are able to set the show to record.

But what about Showmax?

Showmax is a separate entity to DStv that is available to anyone, whether or not they have a DStv subscription.

Usually, entire seasons of series are loaded at once, which means subscribers can binge-watch multiple episodes back to back without waiting for the next episode to air on linear TV. The only exception to this is when brand-new series land express from the US, and new episodes launch on Showmax every week within a day or so of their broadcast overseas.

Showmax is the home of HBO in South Africa; has a library of its own Originals; is chock-a-block with local content; offers live sport streaming plus sports talk shows and documentaries; and also has loads of movies and kids’ shows in their catalogue.

Showmax can be accessed on almost any internet-enabled device, from smart TVs to gaming consoles, from smartphones and tablets to web browsers, and subscribers can choose to stream or download content on their devices.

DStv Premium subscribers who sign up to Showmax get the service for free, and Showmax is available on the DStv Explora. Subscribers who do not have DStv Premium pay R99 per month for unlimited access to the entire catalogue, or R49 per month for Showmax Mobile, which gives subscribers access to the full Showmax catalogue on a single mobile device.

Sign up for Showmax at www.showmax.com.

Latest series on Showmax

What else is coming to Showmax this month? Find out here.