For one weekend only, from Friday to Sunday, 7-9 November, all active DStv decoder customers will get full access to every DStv Premium channel for a jam-packed weekend of sports highlights and local and international hits.

To celebrate DStv’s 30th anniversary, the platform is reviving Open Time, the programming block that first introduced South Africans to pay-television in the 1990s.  

Three familiar faces from South Africa’s television past, Ashley Hayden, Scot Scott, and Doreen Morris, are among the many icons returning to the screen to mark the milestone.

“DStv has grown up alongside its viewers,” says Byron du Plessis, CEO: SA PayTV at MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company. “For three decades we have been part of South Africans’ homes, their weekends, and their memories. Open Time is part of our broader strategy to reignite the DStv brand and make world-class entertainment more accessible. From the start of November, we will be reducing our HD Decoder pricing by 30% in retail channels and over 40% through our newly launched DStv store to make joining and reconnecting with DStv easier and more affordable than ever.”  

A nostalgic return to where it all began 

When DStv launched in 1995, Open Time was a window into a new world of television. It gave South Africans a taste of the stories, stars, and formats that would shape pop culture for decades to come, from Carte Blanche and Egoli to the presenters who became household names. 

Former M-Net presenter Ashley Hayden remembers those early years fondly. “I remember so clearly the first time I went on television. M-Net had just started airing morning movies and there were maybe two housewives watching,” she recalls with a laugh. “Everyone wanted a decoder.” 

Another familiar face, Scot Scott, says being part of the 30th anniversary campaign reminded him just how far local television has come. “In those days we wrote our own scripts, dressed ourselves, and there was no autocue. You had to have everything in your head and keep going no matter what.”  

For television producer and former presenter Doreen Morris, the revival of Open Time feels like a meaningful gesture. “It is a lovely way to give back to loyal viewers. For long-time customers on other packages, it opens up access to Premium stories and experiences they may not have seen before. It is a wonderful 30th birthday gift.” 

Here’s what you can watch

Sports highlights include:

THE PROTEAS VS PAKISTAN
SuperSport Cricket (DStv Channel 212) | 12PM, Saturday, 8 November

SPURS VS MANCHESTER UNITED
SuperSport Soccer (DStv Channel 203) | 2:30PM on Saturday, 8 November

THE SPRINGBOKS  VS FRANCE
SuperSport Rugby (DStv Channel 211) | 10:10PM, Saturday, 8 November

MANCHESTER CITY VS LIVERPOOL
SuperSport Soccer (DStv Channel 203) | 6:30PM | Sunday, 9 November

MOTOGP PORTUGAL 
SuperSport Motorsport (DStv Channel 215) | 3PM on Sunday, 9 November

F1 BRAZIL
SuperSport Motorsport (DStv Channel 215) | 7PM on Sunday, 9 November

TV highlights include:

SURVIVOR S48  

M-Net (DStv 101) | 5:45PM on Friday, 7 November

Nearly 25 years since it first premiered, Survivor continues to be the ultimate test of will and stamina. Now a fresh group of 18 castaways begins the adventure of a lifetime on the breathtaking Mamanuca Islands in Fiji.

BETTER MAN

M-Net (DStv Channel 101) | 10:40PM on Friday, 7 November

Better Man reimagines one of Britain’s biggest pop superstars ever, Robbie Williams, as he sees himself: a monkey.Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), Better Man’s central character is played by Jonno Davies (Hunters, Kingsman: The Secret Service) and voiced by Williams. The motion capture is by Wētā Workshop and Wētā Digital, who created Caesar in Planet of the Apes and Gollum in The Lord of the Rings.  

GLADIATOR II

M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) | 2:18PM, Saturday, 8 November

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. Paul Mescal (Aftersun, Normal People) stars as Lucius, with Denzel Washington as Macrinus. Also look out for Emmy nominees Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen.

PIECE BY PIECE
M-Net (DStv Channel 101) | 4:30PM on Saturday, 8 November  

The Pharrell Williams story – in LEGO!  Piece by Piece is a one-of-a-kind animated biopic about one of music’s most innovative minds: 13-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Oscar nominee Pharrell Williams.  Directed and co-written by Oscar winner Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom), Piece by Piece was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Best Music Documentary at last year’s Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, among other prizes. 

SHORT AND SWEET S3

Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) | 6PM on Saturday, 8 November

Short & Sweet S3 continues to prove that height is just a number as it dives into the lives of six people who challenge societal norms every day. New faces this season include 31-year-olds Tebogo Shayi and Dimakatso Mathekga.

X-REPO S16

Moja Love (DStv X) | 7PM on Saturdays from 8 November

In the hit Moja Love reality series X-Repo, the repossession team helps people reclaim what is rightfully theirs. X-Repo is up for Best Non-Scripted Reality Series at The National Film & TV Awards, where presenter Xolani Maphanga is up for Best Male TV Personality.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

M-Net (DStv Channel 101) | 7PM on Saturday  8 November

The glittering confetti is still settling on the stage around the 20th winner of America’s Got Talent but the party’s not over yet. Join us for two spectacular specials as we celebrate the 20th birthday year of the star-making phenomenon that’s been nominated for 12 Emmys, won five Kids’ Choice Awards, spawned over 72 Got Talent franchises globally, and been named the world’s most successful reality TV format ever by the Guinness World Records. 

LISTING COASTAL SOUTH AFRICA

BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) | 7PM on Saturday, 8 November

Listing Coastal South Africa explores South Africa’s most breathtaking coastal properties and the lives of five talented estate agents. Listing Cape Town fan favourite Byron Louw (RE/MAX) is joined by Antoinette Meyer from Engel & Völkers; Carol Reynolds from Pam Golding Durban North and Umhlanga; Loyiso Mbere from LIONLEAD Real Estate; and Tiaan Schutte from Pam Golding Mossel Bay.

BLACK BAG

M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) | 8PM on Saturday, 8 November

Metacritic’s seventh best-reviewed film from the first half of 2025, Black Bag is a gripping spy drama from Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh. Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender and two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett co-star as legendary intelligence agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife, Kathryn. When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test: loyalty to his marriage or his country.

JERROD CARMICHAEL: DON’T BE GAY  

M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) | 11:20PM on Saturday, 8 November

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael returns to the stage for his fourth HBO stand-up special, Don’t Be Gay, three years after he came out publicly in the Emmy-winning special Rothaniel.  

TRANSFORMERS ONE 

M-Net (Channel 101 on DStv) | 10:40AM on Sunday, 9 November 

Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Now known as sworn enemies, they were once friends, bonded like brothers, who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM

M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) | 12:25PM, Sunday, 9 November

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is set 183 years before the events of the original films. A sudden attack by a vengeful lord forces Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan, to make a daring last stand with his people in the ancient stronghold that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. 

ABANDONED S4
Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161) | 5PM on Sunday, 9 November

With even more heart-wrenching reunions and emotional revelations, Abandoned continues its mission to reconnect families torn apart by abandonment. Hosted by the empathetic Phumeza Shoba, the Mzansi Magic reality series follows the journeys of individuals seeking to reunite with parents who left them behind.

NCIS: TONY AND ZIVA S1
M-Net (DStv 101) | 5PM on Sunday, 9 November

Tiva shippers, the long wait is over! The NCIS spin-off series Tony & Ziva reunites fan-favourite former NCIS special agents Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) for the first time in 12 years when they are forced to go on the run together in Europe, while trying to work out who is after them.  

SOM VAN TWEE
kykNET (DStv Channel 144) | 8PM on Sunday, 9 November

The directorial debut of Hotel actress Simonè Pretorius, Som van Twee was the biggest winner at last year’s Silwerskerm, taking home seven awards, including Best Film.  When Henk (Louw Venter), a recently widowed psychologist, is forced to retake his matric maths exam, he offers to drive his son’s band to a music festival in exchange for extra lessons.

DROP

M-Net (DStv Channel 101) | 8:05PM on Sunday, 9 November

Starring Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar, Drop follows a widowed mother who is relieved that her first date in years is more handsome and charming than expected. But her cautious optimism quickly gives way to irritation, then terror, as a series of anonymous drops to her phone make everyone in the vicinity a suspect. 

LAST BREATH
M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) | 8:15PM on Sunday, 9 November  

Three-time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson (True Detective, White House Plumbers), People’s Choice Award winner Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Barbie, Kim’s Convenience), and Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders, F9: The Fast Saga) star as saturation divers – one of the world’s most dangerous professions – working on undersea gas lines in the North Sea. 

CHRIS HEMSWORTH: A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER
National Geographic (DStv Channel 181) | 9PM on Sunday, 9 November 

In this intimate documentary, actor Chris Hemsworth (aka Thor) turns the spotlight away from himself and toward his father, Craig, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Determined to help, Chris plans a therapeutic “road trip back in time,” revisiting key places from their past.

DIDDY: THE MAKING OF A BAD BOY
M-Net (DStv Channel 101) | 9:40PM on Sunday, 9 November

Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy is a raw, exclusive look at Sean Combs long before he was known as Puff or Diddy. Featuring never-before-seen footage and stories from those who know him best, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy sheds light on his childhood, rise to fame, and recent criminal allegations, challenging viewers to rethink everything they thought they knew about the mogul behind the music – and the mugshot.

SETH MEYERS: DAD MAN WALKING

M-Net Movies 2 (DStv Channel 106) | 9:45PM on Sunday, 9 November

Emmy-winning writer, New York Times bestselling author, and Saturday Night Live alum Seth Meyers stars in his first HBO stand-up special, Dad Man Walking. Known for his dry wit and sharp topical commentary as host of Late Night with Seth Meyers, the veteran comedian shifts his focus to his personal life – from the chaos of raising three young kids, to navigating different communication styles in marriage, to the proper way to cross the street in New York City.

Open Time runs from 12:01AM on Friday 7 November to 11:59PM on Sunday 9 November 2025, for active DStv decoder customers in South Africa. The Open Time weekend doesn’t apply to streaming.