South Africans trying to keep their monthly entertainment bill under control may have a new way to combine premium live TV and Netflix without paying full price for both services separately.

MultiChoice’s bill-splitting feature, introduced through the MyDStv app in 2026, gives DStv customers a formal way to divide the cost of one subscription between two users. That small payment change could make a big difference for households that want DStv Premium and Netflix but do not want another expensive streaming bill.

The feature removes one of the biggest problems with informal account sharing. In the past, one DStv customer had to pay the full monthly amount and then collect money from the other person using the account. With bill splitting, each participant can pay their share directly, making the arrangement more transparent and easier to manage.

The option is available on both DStv satellite and DStv Stream packages. It also covers multiple plans, including Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus, and Premium, which means the saving is not limited to top-end customers only.

For Premium users, the numbers are more attractive. DStv Premium carries the highest monthly price because it includes SuperSport, premium entertainment, movies, documentaries, news, and local channels. When that cost is split between two people, each user pays roughly half of the subscription.

That is where Netflix comes in. Netflix Basic is still available in South Africa at R99 per month, a price that has remained unchanged since 2018. When a user combines their half of a shared DStv Premium subscription with Netflix Basic, the total monthly cost can come close to R499.

This makes the package appealing for viewers who want both live and on-demand entertainment. DStv Premium remains strong for sport, especially through SuperSport, while Netflix offers international series, films, documentaries, and original shows.

There are usage limits to consider. DStv packages support two concurrent streams on any device, along with one additional stream restricted to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This makes the setup more suitable for two trusted users or smaller households rather than a large group of people trying to share one account.

The development also shows how different MultiChoice’s approach is from Netflix’s recent strategy. Netflix began tightening password-sharing rules in 2023 by linking accounts more closely to a single household. In some countries, Netflix introduced paid extra-member options for users who wanted to add another household at a lower cost.

South Africa did not receive that extra-member feature. However, local users still benefit from the continued availability of Netflix Basic, which has disappeared from several larger markets. In countries where Basic has been removed, cheaper Netflix access often comes through ad-supported plans instead.

Netflix Basic offers one stream at up to 720p resolution. While that is not as sharp as Full HD or 4K, it may still be acceptable for many viewers using smaller TVs, tablets, laptops, or normal living-room viewing distances.

According to DStv South Africa, customers can manage subscriptions and payments through its digital platforms, making the bill-splitting option part of a broader move toward flexible account management.

The value of this setup depends on how a household watches TV. Someone who only wants Netflix may not need DStv Premium. But for sports fans and families who still rely on live TV, the combination can offer better value than paying for several separate services.

DStv’s premium sports rights remain one of its biggest advantages. Swikblog recently covered how DStv secured exclusive SA Rugby rights in a major CANAL+ deal, underlining why many South African viewers continue to see DStv as important for live sport.

For cost-conscious households, the message is simple: DStv Premium no longer has to be an all-or-nothing expense. By using the MyDStv bill-splitting feature and pairing it with Netflix Basic, some South Africans can keep access to both premium sport and streaming entertainment while staying under the R500 mark.

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