MultiChoice Uganda is introducing a 24-hour Swahili-language sports channel as part of a revamped DStv offering, targeting sports fans in East Africa.
SuperSport Swahili, will be available from November 5 to subscribers in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, featuring coverage of the English Premier League, UEFA competitions, La Liga, Serie A, athletics, UFC and WWE.
The introduction of the channel is part of a wider restructuring of DStv packages that will see the pay television company lower the entry price for some of its offerings while expanding access to entertainment and sporting content.
MultiChoice Uganda unveiled the new packages at an event in Kampala on Monday, replacing its existing Access, Family, Compact and Premium bouquets with Starter, Select, Sports and Ultimate, respectively.
Collin Asiimwe, MultiChoice Uganda’s head of marketing, said: “For the first time, we will also introduce a SuperSport Swahili channel, bringing Premier League matches with Swahili commentary.”
He said the channel would form part of the new DStv Sports package, which replaces DStv Compact and will cost Shs 100,000 and offer more than 159 channels.
The new package structure will also introduce DStv Starter at Shs 25,000, replacing Access, with 116 channels, including selected Premier League matches, La Liga, local entertainment, children’s programming and movies.
DStv Select, which replaces Family, will cost Shs 60,000 and offer more than 149 channels, combining movies, local and international series, children’s entertainment and selected sporting competitions.
At the top of the new line-up is DStv Ultimate, replacing Premium, at Shs 185,000. It will offer more than 180 channels, including premium sporting events such as Formula One, MotoGP, tennis, golf and international rugby.
Asiimwe described the changes as the biggest product evolution in the company’s history, saying the restructuring followed feedback from customers seeking greater choice, affordability and control over content.
Hassan Saleh, Managing Director of MultiChoice Uganda, said changing viewing habits, including the growing adoption of streaming services, had also informed the review of the company’s products.
“We have listened, and we hope that this afternoon’s announcement will bring good news and give you an idea of where we intend to take the business,” Saleh said.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) welcomed the changes, saying more affordable pay television services could help expand the subscriber base and address piracy in the broadcasting industry.
The new packages will also be available to DStv Stream subscribers at the same prices. GOtv customers will receive a revised line-up comprising Easy, Starter, Select and Sports.
The changes come as MultiChoice continues to invest in African productions following its integration with French media group CANAL+. In Uganda, upcoming productions include the fourth season of Kampala Crème, Musama, the fourth season of Home of Our Stars, Tie the Knot and Short and Byg Show.
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