Sports Streaming Services services allow people to watch sports without needing a cable subscription. They provide a direct way to view the game while it’s happening without needing to be physically present, and with the right cameras and streaming software, people are able to view a high-quality stream of the game.
Sports Streaming Services In South Africa
Goodbye DStv – Where to stream sports, movies, TV shows, and news
he availability of international video streaming services has made it possible for South Africans to cut the DStv cord still access a wide range of entertainment – including movies, series, sports, and news.
DStv has been the dominant Pay TV provider in the country for more than two decades thanks to its unrivalled offering of sport, movies, TV shows, music, documentaries, and current affairs.
Its top-of-the-range package – DStv Premium – used to be a must-have for most affluent households and sports fans.
This has changed. Higher uncapped broadband penetration rates and the growth in streaming services like Netflix has resulted in a drop in DStv Premium subscriptions over the last few years.
The R829 DStv Premium subscription fee played a big role in its popularity decline. It is far more expensive than competing streaming services, even when combined with broadband access.
When it comes to movies and TV shows, it is easy to get better value-for-money through streaming services than what DStv offers.
Netflix, for example, offers a large content library library, including its own original productions and licenced movies and TV shows from leading production companies.
The service offers packages starting from R99 per month for a Basic plan with 720p streaming on a single device. The standard option allows for two simultaneous Full-HD streams at R139 per month.
Much of DStv’s best local and international content is also available on MultiChoice’s own streaming service – Showmax – at R99 per month.
This includes HBO’s popular and acclaimed TV shows as well as productions from popular channels like Mzansi Magic and kykNET.
South Africans also have the option of Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The former has a comprehensive library of movies and TV shows, while the latter is still growing its catalogue with a focus on high-quality productions.
Another worthy contender is Disney+. While it is not officially available in South Africa, there is a workaround for paying and accessing the platform.
The table below shows the most popular streaming services for watching movies and TV shows as an alternative to those offered on DStv.
| Movie and TV show streaming services | |||
| Service | Content | Additional requirements | Monthly price |
| Netflix Standard | 3,428 movies 1,891 TV shows | None | R139 |
| Showmax | 1,131 movies 453 TV shows | None | R99 |
| Amazon Prime Video | 10,311 movies 1,206 TV shows | None | $5.99 / R84 |
| Apple TV+ | 49 titles | None | R84.99 |
| Disney+ | 946 movies 270 TV shows | VPN US-based payment method | $7.99 / R112 |
Finding a streaming service that offers all of the sports available on DStv’s SuperSport bouquet is more challenging than movies and TV shows.
SuperSport’s extensive coverage is hard to beat on any single sports streaming service easily accessible to South Africans.
SuperSport broadcasts most local and international rugby, cricket, football, golf, tennis, cycling, athletics, boxing, and fighting.
This is because MultiChoice is investing billions in securing the rights to the majority of these popular sports and tournaments in South Africa.
As a result, most legitimate sport streaming services geo-block South Africa and require a reputed VPN service and/or foreign based payment method to use.
The notable exception is MultiChoice’s own Showmax Pro service – which bundles Showmax with a limited selection of sports, such as football, athletics, boxing, and fighting.
This is in addition to the following popular sports and tournaments:
Rugby – Rainbow Cup, SANZAR matches, and international tests.
Golf – PGA Tour and Masters.
Motorsport – Formula 1 and Formula 3.
Mixed Martial Arts – UFC and PFL.
Other sports coverage includes boxing, lacrosse, softball, gymnastics, and field hockey.
To sign up for ESPN+, you will need to be connected to a US server with a VPN.
For payment, any Visa/Mastercard credit card should work, although you will have to use a US zip code for the transaction to be processed.
Which streaming service is best for live sports?
Our Best Sports Streaming Services Rating
#1 YouTube TV.
#2 Hulu + Live TV.
#3 fuboTV.
#3 Sling TV. #5 DirecTV Stream.
Can I watch Sky Sports in South Africa?
Programs that Sky Go is offering are not licensed outside of the UK. Therefore, British tourists and residents in South Africa can’t open Sky TV in South Africa. Sky TV checks your IP address and sees that you aren’t in the UK therefore it blocks your access to Sky Go.
How can I watch sport without DStv in South Africa?
According to Showmax, Showmax Pro is a new service available for Showmax subscribers in Africa that bundles the existing Showmax entertainment offering with music channels, news and live sports streaming from SuperSport
How much does Sky Sports cost in South Africa?
DStv Premium costs R819 per month and offers over 15 sports channels to South Africans.
Comparing DStv Premium to other sports packages.
| Sports Services Compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foxtel Sports HD | Australia | R1,100.79 |
| DStv Premium | South Africa | R819 |
| Sky Sports Add-on | United Kingdom | R578.40 |
| ESPN+ | United States of America | R74.40 |