#ShedHappens: How to Lighten the Load

South Africans are familiar with planning their days around load shedding.

You know the routine – checking your schedule, planning your meals, getting the kids bathed all before the lights go out. It seems just when we think it’s over, it comes right back.

The good news is that load shedding doesn’t have to be as inconvenient as they once were. It’s becoming more important than ever to stay prepared at all times to avoid being caught unawares when the inevitable happens.

That’s why functions such as the Download and Watch Later tool on DStv Now are so useful. Let’s face it - #ShedHappens, and there’s nothing we can do about it. That doesn’t mean, though, that our entertainment has to be cut off too.

Hacking load shedding the new fashioned way

You know the trick - leveraging open Wi-Fi hotspots to browse social media, take Snapchat-filtered images and update your status to your heart’s content. Well, now you can add ‘downloading my favourite series’ to that list.

Hack load shedding with DStv Now! The app enables you to download loads of titles and keep them stored on your laptop, cellphone or tablet to watch whenever you want, wherever you want. Keep those devices charged up at all times, and you’ll be ensured non-stop entertainment even when the lights go out.

International series to download

New supernatural thriller Lovecraft Country is the tentacled hot ticket on 1Magic (DStv 103) that could be the scariest thing you watch in the dark this year. Or if real-life ghost stories give you chills, you can watch Robert Englund – Freddy Krueger himself – presenting True Terror on Travel Channel (DStv 179). If you are looking for funny, deadly and fabulous, spy versus assassin series Killing Eve is moving from its blood-soaked S2 finale on FOX (DStv 125) into its S3 premiere on Wednesday, 26 August at 20:45.

All the local you love

Have you heard about all of the great new local content coming soon to DStv? On M-Net (DStv 101), we’ll be diving into the lives of the rich and fabulous when Legacy premieres on Monday, 21 September at 19:00. Brand new daily drama Isono: The Sin is coming soon to BET (DStv 129), while Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) will continue to roll out its original local movies. This is in addition the celebrated variety of award-winning content currently showing on our channels, such as The River (on 1 Magic DStv 103), Spoorloos (on kykNET DStv 144) and Celebrity Game Night (on E! DStv 124) just to name a few.

Keeping the kids entertained

We’re all too familiar with the famous cry of the little ones when the electricity goes out. Unable to entertain themselves as they normally would, they can become antsy – particularly when the power is out for long than expected.

It’s moments like these that DStv’s School of Laughter was created for. Committed to supporting customers navigating the journey of parenting, DStv partnered with some of the best kids channels in the world to collate a comprehensive viewing environment that is both entertaining and educational.

The School of Laughter webpage is filled with awesome activities for kids to do on their tablets or mobile phones. And when the lights come back on, ensure your child’s favourite School of Laughter shows have been downloaded to your mobile devices so they can watch them during load shedding.

Stay on top of sport

South Africa breathed a collective sigh of relief as President Cyril Ramaphosa finally announced in August that the country would be moving down to level 2 lockdown restrictions. And while that means a bit more freedom for citizens across the country, it sadly also means sporting fans still won’t be allowed to watch their favourite games live. And the recent return of loadshedding has also made it more difficult for sports fanatics to tune in for a thrilling game of footie from Europe.

But don’t despair! SuperSport’s got your back, bringing you all the greatest sporting events right to your living room – and ensuring you get to watch that all-important game, no matter when the lights finally come back on.

Whether it’s rugby, tennis, golf, formula one, cricket, cycling, wrestling or even NASCAR – thanks to the DStv Now app, you’ll be able to follow all the live action on your mobile device (mobile data permitting) and avoid the dreaded FOMO.

How to download and watch with DStv Now

1. Make sure you’re registered for DStv Now.
2. Download the DStv Now app (Apple or Android)
3. Log in, and search for a series or movie to download.
4. Tap the cloud-shaped icon.
5. Select the quality of video file being downloaded (Highest, High, Medium or Low). Tip: the lower the quality selected, the smaller the file size and the less storage space it takes up on the device.
6. Once the selection is made, the download will begin.
7. Happy watching!
8. Important: After clicking ‘play’, watch the content within 48 hours, before it expires and it has to be downloaded again. If you don’t click ‘play’ right away, the content stays on the device for a while before it expires.