DStv Revives Iconic Open Time for 30th Anniversary Celebration – With Full Premium Access for All Subscribers

South Africans are in for a nostalgic and unmissable entertainment weekend as DStv brings back its beloved Open Time viewing window from 7–9 November 2025, offering full Premium access to every subscriber with an active decoder package — at no extra cost.

Timed perfectly with the blockbuster clash between the Springboks and France, the Open Time revival marks three decades of DStv, showcasing how the platform has evolved alongside its audiences while reigniting its promise of accessible, world-class entertainment.

Legends Return: The Faces That Defined a Generation

To mark this milestone, DStv is reuniting the stars who helped shape South Africa’s TV heritage:

• Ashley Hayden
• Scot Scott
• Doreen Morris

These broadcasting icons became household names during the original Open Time era of the 1990s, when South Africans were first introduced to pay-television through curated free-to-view programming blocks.

“Back then, Open Time wasn’t just a broadcast window – it was a cultural event,” says Hayden. “Families would gather around the TV, dreaming of what was possible.”

Premium Viewing for Every Subscriber

From Friday to Sunday, all active DStv decoder customers – across all packages – will enjoy:

Full access to DStv Premium’s full channel bouquet
Live sport, including

• Springboks vs France
• English Premier League (Manchester City vs Liverpool)
• Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix

Blockbuster series, global reality hits, local favourites
Carte Blanche 30-year legacy episode

A Celebration with Real Benefits

In addition to the Open Time weekend, DStv has announced added value for Premium subscribers:

• Two extra all-device streams (totalling four) at no extra cost
• Premium concierge service with 24/7 dedicated support
• Revamped DStv Rewards: free BoxOffice rentals, VIP screenings, celebrity meet-and-greets, sports hospitality experiences
• Major decoder price drops starting 1 November, making Premium more accessible for returning and new customers

“For three decades, DStv has been part of South Africans’ homes, their weekends, and their memories,” says Byron du Plessis, CEO: SA PayTV. “This Open Time is our way of saying thank you – and welcoming a new generation of viewers back home.”

What to Watch During Open Time

Highlights include:

• Survivor USA (Season premiere)
• America’s Got Talent 20th Anniversary Special
• NCIS: Tony & Ziva premiere
• Piece by Piece, the Pharrell Williams animated biopic
• Local hits: Levels, Date My Family, and Short and Sweet
• kykNET’s Som van Twee, winner of Best Feature Film
• Moja Love’s X-Repo, fresh off awards nominations

And of course, no milestone weekend would be complete without Carte Blanche at 7PM on Sunday, continuing its legacy as the nation’s trusted voice.

How to Access Open Time

• Eligibility: Any active DStv decoder customer in South Africa
• Dates: 7–9 November 2025
• Time: 12:01AM Friday – 11:59PM Sunday
• Note: Streaming-only customers are excluded from Open Time

DStv’s enhanced online store will offer limited-time deals, including HD decoders from just R299, making it easier than ever to reconnect or upgrade.

A Weekend of Memories – and a New Era of Entertainment

As South Africans prepare to relive their favourite television moments while discovering new ones, one thing is clear — DStv is not simply looking back at 30 years of history; it is creating the future of home entertainment in South Africa.

To join the celebration, stay connected or reconnect through www.dstv.com and follow #DStvCelebrates30.