DStv killer for R33 per month

Amazon Prime makes it more affordable for South Africans to access a world-class streaming service, starting at R33 per month on an annual package.

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, Amazon launched its Prime membership programme in South Africa, offering many benefits to members.

These benefits include unlimited free delivery, exclusive deals and sale events, Prime Video, and free gaming with Amazon Luna.

Amazon Prime is available for free on a 30-day trial. A permanent membership costs R59 a month or R399 per year.

Prime Video is one of the biggest benefits. At R59 per month, or R33 per month on an annual package, it is much cheaper than DStv.

The service gives members unlimited access to award-winning exclusive Amazon Originals and international licensed movies and series.

The Prime Video service is available across Smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, tablets, mobile phones, and desktops.

Highly anticipated series, including Reacher, Duplicity, and The Summer I Turned Pretty, as well as local content like Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, are available on the platform.

The biggest selling point is the price. Amazon Prime Video, as a standalone service, previously cost R79 per month.

Jamil Ghani, the worldwide leader of Amazon Prime, told Biznews that the much lower Amazon Prime price point was deliberate.

“Members have been able to enjoy Prime Video for some time now at R79 per month. They will now be able to enjoy all of the Prime benefits for R59 per month,” he said.

“For those who are ready to commit to a year, it’s R399, which comes out to a screaming deal on a monthly equivalent basis.”

He explained that, even at this low price point, Amazon Prime is a profitable enterprise for the company.

“We do not run Prime as a loss leader in any of the 27 countries where it is offered. Prime is intended to be a profitable enterprise,” he said.

He explained that, five years from now, success is simple: delivering disproportionate value to members.

“If customers feel Amazon Prime is indispensable, everything else follows. We focus on selection, price, and convenience,” he said.

DStv is in trouble

The launch of Amazon Prime in South Africa is a serious challenge to DStv, which is losing customers rapidly.

MultiChoice’s integrated annual report for the year ended 31 March 2025 showed that DStv lost 589,000 subscribers in South Africa.

The premium base, including Compact Plus and DStv Premium, declined by 96,000 subscribers, representing a 9% year-on-year decline.

Middle-market subscribers, including DStv Compact and Commercial package users, fell by 99,000, representing a 5% year-on-year decline.

The mass-market tier, including DStv Access and DStv Family, lost 394,000 subscribers, representing a 9% year-on-year decline.

Canal+, which acquired DStv-owner MultiChoice last year, cancelled Showmax in April 2026 as it failed to live up to expectations.

That means DStv will rely on its streaming offering, DStv Stream, to compete with Amazon Prime Video.

However, DStv Stream’s most affordable package costs R99 per month, significantly more than the R59 per month for Amazon Prime.

Other DStv Stream packages, which offer better content, including Showmax Originals, are priced at R299 and R699 per month.

Considering that Amazon Prime members also get many additional benefits, it is an easy choice for anyone not hooked on live rugby, cricket, and soccer.

Price is the biggest reason people cut the DStv cord, but it is unclear how MultiChoice can respond to the threat from Amazon Prime.

MultiChoice is under severe financial pressure, and cutting prices to R59 per month or even R33 per month on an annual package is highly unlikely.

This means it is likely to continue bleeding customers as households shift to more affordable streaming options, such as Prime Video through the Prime membership.