ZTN Prime to Leave DStv on September 30, 2026

In Short

• ZTN Prime will stop broadcasting on DStv at 23:59 CAT on 30 September 2026.
• From 1 October 2026, ZTN Prime says it will be available only online via its platform and app.
• The shift is part of Zimpapers’ plan to become a digital-first media company.

What Happened

ZTN Prime is set to leave DStv for Zimbabwean subscribers at the end of 30 September 2026. DStv has told customers the channel will no longer be available from 23:59 CAT that night.

From 1 October 2026, ZTN Prime says it will move to online-only viewing through its own platform and app. This means viewers will need an internet connection to watch, rather than receiving the channel through the pay TV satellite bouquet.

ZTN Prime is owned by Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited, better known as Zimpapers. Zimpapers has described the change as part of a broader restructuring to become “digital-first”. In practice, that means prioritising publishing and distribution via the internet and mobile phones over traditional broadcast and print.

The company also plans to move its television network to an over-the-top platform, often shortened to OTT. OTT is streaming over the internet, similar to how YouTube or Netflix works, instead of sending a scheduled TV channel through satellite or terrestrial broadcast.

Why It Matters

For ZTN Prime, leaving DStv can reduce distribution costs and give it more control over user data, subscriptions, and advertising. Digital delivery also makes it easier to offer catch-up viewing and on-demand video, if the product supports it.

For viewers, the big change is access. DStv viewing mainly depends on a decoder and satellite signal, but streaming depends on stable data and a smartphone, smart TV, or computer. In Zimbabwe, that can make pricing, bandwidth, and device compatibility critical.

Key details are still unclear, including whether the app will be free or paid, which app stores it will be on, and whether the channel will be offered as a live stream, as on-demand video, or both.