DStv Early Access: Watch your favourite shows before everyone else

Exclusivity is something most people strive for, and as a result, brands and services have had to update their offerings in an effort to snag a larger customer base using exclusivity as a drawcard.

Pay-TV service DStv is the latest to come to the exclusivity party, with a new feature called Early Access.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to drive value and convenience while enhancing the viewing experience for customers, DStv has launched a new offering giving customers early access to some of their favourite shows,” said the platform in a statement.

What is DStv Early Access?

Early Access is a feature that allows DStv customers to watch select shows ahead of their linear broadcast by watching Catch Up on the DStv App or by connecting their DStv Explora to the internet. 

Upon doing so, they will find a row on the Catch Up app/tab titled Early Access with shows available to watch before they’ve broadcast on their respective channels.

“On Monday 23 August, DStv made available local telenovela’s Legacy, The River, Suidooster and international reality series Love Island UK. Last week Friday 27 August, Hacks season 1 was loaded and this week viewers will have access to international series: Cold Courage S1 and Evil S2, with more shows due to be added in due course.”

According to the service, local telenovelas such as Legacy, The River and Suidooster will be available to watch one day before the episodes air on M-Net, 1Magic and kykNET respectively. 

ALSO READ: What to Watch – Female-led TV legal dramas

The full boxsets of M-Net’s brand-new international series Hacks (season 1) and Cold Courage (season 1), as well as the first eight episodes of Evil (season 2), will also be made available directly after the premiere of their first episode on the channel.

“Customers can also binge a full week’s episodes of the popular reality show Love Island UK before it airs on M-Net. All you have to do is watch these shows on Catch Up via the DStv App or on your internet-connected Explora.”

“We are excited to bring our customers Early Access to the exclusive content that they enjoy so much. It’s important for us to continue to offer added value as we understand the importance of constantly elevating the viewing experience for our customers,” said Thabisa Mkhwanazi, executive head of marketing at MultiChoice South Africa.

“Early Access is about aligning the way we make content available with how our customers prefer to watch it, thereby giving them value for their money,” she added. 

All the shows that will be available on DStv Early Access:

Legacy, season 1: Legacy episodes will be available on Early Access one day before its premiere on M-Net (DStv channel 101) at 19:31, active from 23 August

The River, season 4: Available one day before its premiere on 1Magic (DStv channel 103) at 20:30, Early Access active from 23 August

Suidooster, season 1: Available one day before its premiere on kykNet (DStv channel 144) at 19:01, active from 23 August

Hacks, season 1: Early Access active from 27 August at 23:31, full boxset (episodes 1-10) available after the first episode broadcasts on M-Net (DStv channel 101)

Cold Courage, season 1: Early Access active from 2 September at 23:31, full boxset (episodes 1-8) available after the first episode broadcasts on M-Net (DStv channel 101)

Evil, season 2: Active from 8 September at 22:31, episodes will be made available as per US schedule – after its first episode on M-Net (DStv channel 101)

Love Island UK season 7: Active from 23 August at 00:15, building boxset available after its first episode on M-Net (DStv channel 101)

READ NEXT: Shaleen Surtie-Richards in her final ‘Arendsvlei’ scenes

Compiled by Kaunda Selisho