If you’re a DStv subscriber, you might have noticed something different when you flipped to channel 163 recently. DStv has just rolled out a brand-new channel called Wethu+, and it’s part of the biggest shake-up the broadcaster has made to its channels in two decades.
So what’s actually changed, and what does it mean for your monthly bill and your remote control? Let’s break it down.
What Is DStv Wethu+?
Wethu+ has taken over from Mzansi Wethu and now lives on channel 163. But this isn’t just a name change. DStv has taken three channels Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic Music — and merged them into one.
The thinking here is pretty simple: why make people flip between channels for drama, movies and music when you can just put it all in one spot? On top of that, DStv has thrown in some international blockbuster movies and dubbed telenovelas, so there’s more to choose from than before.
It’s an easy change to get used to, honestly. Less searching, more watching.
Live PSL Football Joins The Mix
Here’s the part that’ll probably get football fans excited: Wethu+ now shows live PSL matches. Two of them, every weekend, during the season.
That’s a bit of a departure from how things usually work, since sport is normally tucked away on its own dedicated channel. Now it’s sitting right alongside the drama and reality shows on 163. If your household is split between people who want to watch soap operas and people who want to watch football, this actually makes life a bit easier no more fighting over the remote to switch channels.
What’s Showing On Wethu+?
The evening line-up is stacked with shows a lot of South Africans already know and love, plus a few new seasons:
- Umhlaba Wezifiso Season 1
- Shaka iLembe Season 2
- Homecoming Season 2
- My Brother’s Keeper Season 2
- The River Season 6
But it’s not just an evening channel. During the day, there’s content for kids and families, and one addition worth mentioning is Woza Matrics — a show built to help Matric learners revise for their exams. It’s a small thing, but for families with a Matric student at home, it could genuinely come in handy come exam season.
There’s also a daily news update and a slot dedicated to international movies, so the channel covers a lot more ground than its predecessor did.
And here’s the good news for anyone worried about cost: you don’t need a top-tier package to get Wethu+. It’s available from the DStv Starter package upward, so it’s not locked behind an expensive subscription.
Why DStv Is Overhauling Its Packages
Wethu+ is really just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. DStv rolled out a whole new package structure on 17 September 2026, and it includes two new additions: a dedicated DStv Sports package and a separate Movies & Series bouquet.
If you were previously on DStv Compact, you’ve likely already been moved onto the new Sports package automatically. Don’t panic, though even though it’s now branded as a sports package, it still includes all the entertainment content Compact subscribers were used to. It’s more of a rebrand than a content cut.
For anyone streaming rather than using a decoder, the price hasn’t budged. The streaming-only option is still R399 a month.
One thing DStv has done that’s worth appreciating: it’s letting some subscribers stay on their older, grandfathered packages instead of forcing everyone onto the new structure overnight. That should make the transition a lot less stressful for long-time customers who just want things to stay simple.
A Quick Look At The Key Changes
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| New channel | Wethu+ on channel 163, replacing Mzansi Wethu |
| Content combined | Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic Music |
| Football | Two live PSL matches every weekend |
| Package availability | From DStv Starter upwards |
| New packages | Dedicated DStv Sports package and Movies & Series bouquet |
| Effective date | 17 September 2026 |
| Streaming price | R399 per month |
What This Means For Subscribers
At the end of the day, most of this comes down to convenience. Instead of jumping between channels to catch a drama, a movie or some music, it’s now bundled together in one easy place. Add live football into that mix, and channel 163 has genuinely become one of the more useful channels on the platform for a lot of households.
That said, if you were on DStv Compact, it’s worth double-checking what your package is now called and what it includes, since names have shifted even where the actual content largely hasn’t. A quick look at your DStv account or app should clear up any confusion.
If you want to understand more about how broadcasting is regulated in South Africa, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is a good place to start.
Final Thoughts
Between the launch of Wethu+ and the new sports and movie packages, DStv has clearly been busy. For everyday viewers, though, the changes are fairly easy to sum up: more content in one place, football sharing a channel with your favourite dramas, and a package system that looks different on paper but still delivers the shows you’re used to.
Only time will tell if South African subscribers warm up to the new structure. For now, at least, Wethu+ offers a simple way to catch local drama, kids’ shows, music, movies and football without constantly reaching for the remote.
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