This thinking has driven SuperSport's decision to drop the numbering system it has used for its channels for more than two decades, replacing them with channels themed around individual sports to ensure it is easier for viewers to find their favourite sports.
From September 1, SuperSport viewers on DStv will be able to enjoy special dedicated channels for leagues and sports, among them the PSL, the Premier League, La Liga, rugby, cricket, golf, tennis, motorsport and several others, which will now have a home to call their own.
Not just live sport will be housed in these channels: supplementary programming such as magazine shows and highlights will add to the overall package.
New Grandstand channel
New to DStv subscribers across the continent will be the launch of the SuperSport Grandstand channel, immediately after Blitz at the front of the line-up. This flagship channel will host the best of any live curated sport available to Premium customers at any one time, including football, rugby, cricket, golf and tennis.
There will be multiple themed channels, including a "Variety" channel offering. Beyond this, DStv’s new sport line-up includes ESPN and ESPN 2, on channels 218 and 219.
"This is a landmark decision in SuperSport's history and one we are convinced will add a fresh and invigorating dimension to our broadcasts," said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport.
“The changes will mean that additional SuperSport channels of local and international sporting content will be added to the DStv package. Genre channelling will no doubt increase awareness of a broader range of content, which may have always been on the platform, but wasn’t necessarily easy to discover. This signals a radical change designed to make content discovery more seamless.”
SuperSport broadcasts more live sport than any other broadcaster internationally and as much as these options are incredibly valuable to fans, the depth and breadth of content can make it difficult to find what they’re looking for. Exhaustive market research has shown that fans would prefer to enjoy the sport of their choice on a dedicated, named channel.
-------FAQs---------
What are SuperSport Thematic Channels?
SuperSport is changing its channel line-up by giving it a major refresh and renaming the channels for the dedicated sport they carry, in a shift away from the current number-based system. For example: The new channel called SuperSport Motorsport will now carry only motorsport content whereas, in the past, motorsport would have been found on multiple different channels.
Why are the channels being renamed and why is my favourite sport moving to a different channel number?
The changes promise easier navigation and an easier viewing experience.
SuperSport broadcasts more live sport than any other broadcaster in the world, and as much as all these options are incredibly valuable to fans, the sheer depth and breadth of content can make it difficult to find what they’re looking for.
Fans of rugby, cricket, English Premier League and PSL are used to finding their favourite sport on specific channels, but other sporting codes tend to be broadcast on different channels, depending on the time and day. Exhaustive market research has also shown that sports fans would find it easier to enjoy the sport of their choice on a dedicated, named channel.
When will the changes take effect?
September 1.
What are the channels going to be called and where can I find them on my DStv decoder?
The new strategy will more closely align channel names in South Africa and across the rest of the continent and will indicate a clear destination for fans’ favourite sports.
How many options will I have?
There will be multiple themed channels, including a "Variety" channel offering.
Beyond this, DStv’s new line-up includes ESPN and ESPN 2, on channels 218 and 219.
Different packages have access to different channels (see images above).
As a lower-tier DStv customer, will I now see less sport?
No, the broad content offering remains the same. None of the packages will be worse off. In fact, it will make your viewing experience much better by giving you a clear understanding of what content you will receive on the channel.
What is the new Grandstand channel?
A new Premium channel, SuperSport Grandstand, will become the home of the day’s most important live sport.
What this means is that Grandstand will host the best of any live sport available to the Premium customers at any one time, including rugby, cricket, golf and tennis, which will be found on this channel.
Grandstand will be hosted in studio on weekends and will be positioned immediately after Blitz at the front of the new line-up.
Why have rugby and cricket been moved so far out, to channels 211 and 212?
This was done to align the channels across the entire African continent and ensure consistency across all markets. There is no less focus whatsoever on these channels. It does also allow for all the Premium channels to be grouped together between 211 and 215. Please remember that the best of any rugby and cricket will also be found on SuperSport Grandstand on channel 201.
Where can I watch Champions League?
The first choice UCL game will be on the Premier League channel (203).
Additional games will be catered for as follows:
•Variety 1 (206)
•Variety 2 (207)
•PSL (202)
•Football (205)
•LaLiga (204)
Why does cycling not have its own dedicated channel?
We don’t have enough content for cycling to have its own dedicated channel. However, cycling will be scheduled consistently on Variety 1, so it will have a consistent channel where cycling fans will be able to find the content. The major cycling events like the Grand Tours will also likely be broadcast on SuperSport Grandstand.
Now that you’ve got specific sport channels, will I be able to buy just what I want?
No. Our packages will remain the same in terms of Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family & Access. Our aim is to provide our customers with the best in entertainment, at affordable prices. To make our service cost effective, DStv channels are bundled into packages so we can spread the costs across these.
What if my chosen sport has two or three live matches on simultaneously?
There aren't many instances where more than two or three matches take place at the same time in the same league. However, when this does occur, the Variety channels can accommodate the overflow ensuring all live broadcasts are on SuperSport.
Are the channels 24 hours/day?
Yes.
What are the Variety channels?
These are exactly what they say – they house content for a variety of different sports where we don’t have enough for a dedicated channel of its own. Specific sporting codes will, however, be broadcast on specific variety channels, like cycling, for instance, which will be found on Variety 1.
I am a Premium subscriber - will I be losing any content?
No, only the channel identities will change to the thematic genre. Also, the addition of the Grandstand Channel as well as the recent addition of two live ESPN channels on DStv ensures a greater breadth of sport content than ever before. We have listened to feedback from our customers in implementing these changes to make it easier to find what you would like to watch.
As a Compact Plus subscriber, how will the changes affect me?
There is no change to the number of channels you receive. We are now simply making it easier for you to find the sport that you want to watch.
The number of sport channels (13) remains as before. Only the channel identities will change to the new thematic genre. In this instance, you currently receive the following channels: Blitz, SS3, SS4, SS7, SS8, SS9, SS10, SS11 (Pop up channel), SS12 (Pop up channel), SS13 (Pop up channel), ESPN 1, ESPN 2 and WWE. These channels will be collectively renamed Blitz, the PSL channel, the Premier League Channel, the LaLiga channel, the Football channel, Variety 1, Variety 2, Variety 3, Variety 4, Action, ESPN 1, ESPN 2 and the WWE channel.
As a Compact subscriber, how will the changes affect me?
There is no change to the number of channels you receive. We are now simply making it easier for you to find the sport that you want to watch.
The number of sport channels (9) remains the same as before. Only the channel identities will change to the new thematic genre.
In this instance, existing channels Blitz, SS3, SS4, SS7, SS9, SS10, SS11 (Pop up), ESPN 1 and WWE will be collectively renamed Blitz, the PSL channel, the EPL channel, the LaLiga channel, the Football channel, Variety 3,Variety 4, ESPN 1 and the WWE channel.
As a Family subscriber, how will the changes affect me?
There is no change to the number of channels you receive. We are now simply making it easier for you to find the sport that you want to watch.
The number of sport channels (5) remains as before. Only the channel identities will change to the new thematic genre.
In this instance, existing channels Blitz, SS7, SS9, SS10 and WWE will be collectively renamed Blitz, the LaLiga channel, the Football channel, Variety 4 and the WWE channel.
As an Access subscriber, how will the changes affect me?
There is no change to the number of channels you receive. We are now simply making it easier for you to find the sport that you want to watch.
The number of sport channels (2) remains as before. Only the channel identities will change to the new thematic genre. In this instance, existing channels Blitz and SS10 will be collectively renamed Blitz and Variety 4.
