MultiChoice will end M-Net and KykNet’s exclusive access to DStv Premium content, moving cricket, the UEFA Champions League and domestic rugby into a new mid-tier Sports package from September 17.

The changes mark the broadcaster’s biggest restructuring of its bouquet offerings in nearly 15 years.

The Access, Family and Compact packages will be discontinued and replaced with Starter, Select and Sports, according to TechCentral.

The company will also introduce a new entertainment-focused Movies & Series package below Premium, while Premium will remain the top-tier offering, retaining access to Springbok rugby, Formula 1, MotoGP, golf and tennis.

Multichoice, the entity that holds DStv’s South African broadcasting licences and contracts directly with subscribers, said the changes will not result in higher prices for existing subscribers.

Access, Family and Compact customers will be automatically moved to the new Starter, Select and Sports packages during September at their current monthly rates.

On satellite, the prices will remain at R150 for Starter, R339 for Select and R479 for Sports, while DStv Stream subscribers will continue paying R99, R299 and R399 respectively.

The CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo, Willington Ngwepe said the company had long understood what customers wanted but had previously been reluctant to provide it.

“For years, customers have been saying we are forced to end up taking Premium when all we need might be a few sports channels plus a few other entertainment channels,” he told TechCentral. “We’ve kind of not really responded to their cries.”