Are you looking for information on how to watch SABC without a DSTV subscription? That’s a question that we have been getting a lot from our readers. Perhaps you have been paying your DSTV subscription all along and now you wish to stop. How can you continue watching SABC channels? Or maybe you never had DSTV in the first place. There are many people out there who fall into this category. There are also many people who wrongly believe you need DSTV to watch SABC.
How to Watch SABC Channels for Free
The following is how to watch SABC without DSTV;
- Get a set-top box to receive Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
- Buy a DTT Ready TV (DVB-T2)
- Get an Openview decoder.
- Subscribe for the cheapest DSTV bouquet
Get a set-top box to watch SABC without DSTV
This is the first method that you can use to watch SABC without DSTV. What you need to do is to get a free set-top box. From 31 March 2022, South Africa will stop broadcasting analog signals.
There will be a full move to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting. From that date, you will need a set-top box to continue watching SABC channels for free.
What is a set-top box?
A set-top box is similar to a decoder. The only difference with your current DSTV setup is that DTT set-top boxes do not need a satellite dish. The signal is not broadcast via satellite.
It actually comes into your home using the same antennas that were used for broadcasting analog signals. That’s why it is called Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
You need the set-top box to decode the digital signal. A set-top box allows you to watch SABC and other free shows in South Africa.
Where can I get a set top box?
The good news is that the South African government is subsidizing access to the necessary set-top boxes, particularly for poor households.
If your income is at R3500 per month or less, you qualify to receive a set-top box for free. That will allow you to watch SABC without DSTV. Applications for set-top boxes can be done at your nearest Post Office.
Further reading: How much is DSTV Compact?
Buy a DTT Ready TV (DVB-T2)
Those whose income is above the stipulated amount are expected to buy their own set-top box decoders. Unfortunately, the government provided decoders are not yet available for sale.
The best option here would be to buy a TV that has a “Go Digital” or a “DVB-T2” mark. These TVs come with integrated decoders. They are already on the market and they allow you to watch SABC without DSTV and without paying a monthly subscription.
Get an Openview Decoder
Another option is for you to get an Openview decoder. The great thing about them is that you only pay for the purchase of the decoder. There are no monthly subscriptions. As such, you can freely watch SABC without DSTV with such a decoder. Once you have installed this decoder, you never need to worry about paying anything again.
If you already had DSTV in your home, it’s a simple matter of swapping the DSTV decoder with an Openview decoder. But if you do not have a DSTV setup, you will need to have a satellite dish installed. That’s because Openview does not use DTT. It uses a satellite for broadcasting. You get the following channels;
- SABC 1
- SABC 2
- SABC 3
- E.TV
- EEXTRA
- EMOVIES
- EMOVIES EXTRA
- EREALITY
- REWIND
- STAR LIFE
- ZEE ONE
- PEOPLE°S WEATHER
- E NEWS & SPORT
- FRANCE 24
- DBETV
- SABC Sport
- ETOONS
- MINDSET
- SA MUSIC
- SOUL MUSIC
Subscribe to the cheapest DSTV bouquet
This does not exactly allow you to watch SABC without DSTV. But you have the option to pay for the cheapest DSTV bouquet that’s out there. That’s DSTV EasyView. At a meager R29 per month, you get access to all SABC and ETV free channels.
You don’t need DSTV to watch SABC
Can you watch SABC without DSTV? The answer is yes. You don’t need DSTV to watch SABC. You never needed it in the first place. That’s because SABC offers a digital and analog terrestrial broadcasting service. This can be accessed using your TV and an aerial.
It has, however, always been preferable to use DSTV or and Openview decoders to watch SABC. That’s because you get better picture quality that way. In any case, the analog signal will soon be switched off, as has already been noted. SABC channels will be broadcast solely in digital format.
Summary
In this article, we focused on how to watch SABC without DSTV. We noted that you are not required to be a DSTV subscriber to get SABC. You can receive SABC digital and analog signals using an antenna that’s mounted on the roof of your house.
However, from 31 March 2022 the analog signal will be switched off. The country will be migrating to full digital broadcasting in line with international standards. From then, you will only be able to receive Digital Terrestrial Television. For that you need a set-top box.
Government has availed a facility under which poor households can get free set top boxes that will allow them to watch SABC without DSTV. These do not need a satellite dish. They work with the antennae that you have always used.
Meanwhile, those who do not qualify can buy an Openview Decoder to be able to get SABC channels for free. Alternatively, they can pay for the cheapest DSTV package, which is virtually free.
If your have further questions, post them below or on our DSTV discussions forum.
How can I watch caf champions league and confederation cup matches? I’m in UK which app can I use? thanks.
Hmmm. I don’t think you can watch SABC in the UK. You probably need to find solutions where you are. But if you have DSTV, you can use DSTV now to watch your shows from anywhere. Download the DSTV Now app and enter your South African (or other african country) details. You can watch on computer by going to the DSTV now website.