The DStv Dish magazine situation has been a fiasco for too long.
Some subscribers still get their magazines, others don't, some used to get them and have had them ripped away and new subscribers don't get them at all.
I've heard loads complaints about it over time through messages to TVSA, in real world conversations, on the DStv forums and on social media.
The meltdown started with that survey that DStv implemented years ago where you had to say whether or not you wanted to keep getting your magazine. Answering "Yes!" didn't mean you kept getting it though because it didn't work properly and things have spiralled into the current mess.
The current policy is that new subscribers (who've signed up since April 2014) don't get a magazine, even if they want one - which sucks. They pay the same subscription fee as other subscribers so they should get the same deal.
There are also those who used to get them who aren't getting them anymore. Apparently subscribers who've been with DStv since before 1 April 2014 have to ask to keep getting them and there's obviously no guarantee that you will considering what happened after the survey.
According to DStv, the reason for this is that they want subscribers to use the EPG and online schedules because the magazine is often out of date. It gets printed three months in advance which means that the times often change.
The trouble is, all the other alternatives are online so it's a problem for subscribers who don't have access to the internet. I imagine most people who can afford DStv have a cell phone linked to the internet but it's a problem for those who aren't internet savvy, like a 90-year-old subscriber I know. She doesn't have the internet but would love to pour over the magazine to read the highlights, movie descriptions and tidbits in between.
Not having a magazine impacts on older people bigtime but it isn't only them - many people want to do this too. They want to sit down with their mag, tuck into it, be alerted to things to look out for and plan their viewing for the month.
I firmly believe that the magazine needs to be an opt in option for new and old subscribers and that everyone who says, "Yes!"
must get one. DStv could include a disclaimer stating clearly that the times of shows may change or they could adapt the format of the magazine so that it doesn't have schedules but has highlights, movies, things to look out for etc.
Ultimately it used to be part of the DStv package and now it isn't more so it's been ripped away with no discount nor option to get it, meaning subscribers are now getting
less for more.