DStv Compact Highlights for August 2026

News 01 August 2026

Your August watchlist starts here with drama, reality, and sport.

August brings a fresh mix of new premieres, returning favourites, and entertainment for the whole family. From gripping local dramas and reality shows to must-watch kids’ programming, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the month.

The Mseleku children return in a brand-new season of Izingane Zes’thembu, offering a closer look at their personal lives, ambitions, and family dynamics. In the gripping drama Critical But Stable, a group of friends find themselves caught in a dangerous scheme that threatens to unravel their lives, while Moja Love’s Stolen ID shines a light on the devastating impact of identity theft through the stories of South Africans fighting to reclaim their names and their futures.

Sports fans are also in for an action-packed month, with the return of the English Premier League on 21 August and the start of the new Betway Premiership season on 1 August, alongside a packed schedule of live sporting action across the SuperSport channels.

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Spicy reality

Love Wins

This reality series shines a light on the diverse ways South African couples navigate life, love, and commitment. From managing blended families and financial responsibilities to navigating cultural traditions such as lobola, each couple shares the experiences that have shaped their relationship. Through honest conversations and personal stories, the series highlights the resilience, compromise, and understanding needed to build a lasting partnership.

Watch Love Wins S1 Thursdays at 7PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161

Izingane Zes’thembu

Come along as cameras follow the Mseleku children, from popular reality show, Uthando Nes’thembu, as they navigate the challenges of adulthood within one of South Africa’s most recognisable polygamous families. As they pursue their personal ambitions, manage relationships, and overcome life’s obstacles, they are also faced with the responsibility of carrying forward the family legacy. With fresh faces joining the journey and deeper insight into their evolving dynamics, the season offers a closer look at their growth, aspirations, and family bonds.

Watch Izingane Zes’thembu S4 from Thursday, 20 August at 8PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161

Stolen ID

What would you do if your identity was stolen? The reality show is centered around those whose personal information has been fraudulently used, leaving them trapped in a web of debt, legal troubles, and financial uncertainty. As victims fight to reclaim their identities, the show exposes the devastating impact of identity theft and the often-frustrating process of clearing their names and rebuilding their lives.

Watch Stolen ID S1 from Sunday, 9 August at 6:30PM on Moja Love channel 157

No Peeking

Hosted by actor and media personality Kope Makgae, this dating reality show puts chemistry to the test in front of a live audience. Blindfolded contestants take part in a series of fun games and challenges designed to uncover compatibility beyond physical appearance. As connections begin to form, the participants must decide whether the spark is real. In the end, the blindfolds come off, revealing whether their emotional connection can translate into real-world attraction.

Watch No Peeking Fridays at 7PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161

Alone

In this survival series, 10 contestants venture into the remote Canadian wilderness with nothing more than the contents of a small backpack. Facing unforgiving subarctic conditions, dangerous predators, and complete isolation, they must rely on their skills and resilience to endure for as long as possible. Featuring the most internationally diverse cast in the show's history, the season puts elite survivalists to the test as they compete to prove who is the world's ultimate survivor.

Watch Alone S13 from Thursday, 6 August at 7:25PM on History channel 186

Restaurant Impossible: Last Call

Chef Aaron Sanchez and restaurateur Jen Agg host this restaurant rescue series, helping struggling eateries on the verge of closure turn their fortunes around. Working against the clock, the pair tackle failing menus, outdated spaces, and management issues that threaten each business's survival. Through expert guidance, honest conversations, and dramatic makeovers, they help owners rediscover what made their restaurants special and give them a fighting chance to succeed.

Watch Restaurant Impossible: Last Call S1 from Tuesday, 25 August at 4:05 on Food Network channel 175

High stakes drama

Critical But Stable

Based on Angela Makholwa’s bestselling novel, Critical But Stable follows struggling businessman Duke, whose desperation to save his ailing wife and failing business leads him to involve his closest friends in a risky insurance scam. Bound together by a jazz-themed stokvel built on brotherhood and mutual support, each man is wrestling with personal, financial, and marital challenges of his own. As their secrets begin to unravel, friendships are tested and lives are pushed to the brink by the consequences of their choices.

Watch Critical But Stable Sundays at 8PM on Mzansi Magic channel 161

Docuseries to keep you riveted

Lion

This landmark documentary series follows the dramatic story of a single lion pride, years in the making. Produced by Jon Favreau, acclaimed natural history producer Mike Gunton, and the BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic, the series offers an unprecedented look at the lives of these majestic predators. Through intimate storytelling and breathtaking cinematography, it captures the triumphs, struggles, and survival of the pride across generations.

Watch Lion S1 from Sunday, 23 August at 9PM on National Geographic channel 181

SOSC PRESS STILLS TX1 Supercruising COMP Image 01

Supercruising: Life at Sea

This eight-part documentary series offers an exclusive glimpse into life aboard two of Holland America Line’s most luxurious cruise ships. From the crew working behind the scenes to the guests enjoying world-class experiences, the series captures the daily rhythms of life at sea. With incredible destinations, luxury amenities, and unforgettable moments, it showcases the unique appeal of modern cruising and the people who make every voyage possible.

Watch Supercruising: Life at Sea from Thursday, 20 August 8PM on BBC Lifestyle channel 174

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