Huge blow to DStv subscribers in South Africa
DStv owner Multichoice has alerted subscribers to the looming end of its agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, which means several popular channels could be ending in the new year.
In its communication to subscribers, Multichoice said that its distribution agreement with the international media group is scheduled to end on 31 December 2025.
While negotiations with the parties are ongoing, the media giant warned that no agreement has yet been reached.
“If this remains unchanged, a number of Warner Bros. Discovery channels may no longer be available on DStv from 1 January 2026,” it said.
This would deal a significant blow to Multichoice’s channel lineup, with several other channels already confirmed to be shutting down at the end of the year.
According to MyBroadband, Multichoice has confirmed that Paramount Africa will be shutting down BET Africa and MTV Base, and that the channels will be discontinued on DStv and GOtv on 1 January 2026.
Multichoice said that customers will still be able to access other international channels from Paramount, including Nickelodeon, NickToons, Nick Jr, Comedy Central, and MTV.
In addition, CBS AMC Networks will be shutting down CBS Reality and CBS Justice on 31 December.
With the latest announcement, twelve more channels now also face the chop. This includes:
- Discovery
- CNN
- TLC
- Discovery Family
- Real Time
- TNT Africa
- Food Network
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito
- Travel Channel
While the future of channels linked to Warner Bros. Discovery is uncertain, Multichoice said that subscribers can look forward to an expanded line-up in 2026.
This would come as a result of the Canal+ buyout of the group this year, where it promised new content, channels and services.
“You will continue to enjoy an exceptional entertainment experience across your package, supported by strong alternative channels across every genre,” it said.
According to Canal+, the media giant has a massive catalogue of content and is producing even more, with the promise of even more local content.
Canal+ currently produces about 4,000 hours of African content in as many as 15 languages each year, while MultiChoice produces around 6,000 hours of local content annually.
“Combined, we will roughly provide 10,000 hours per year in 20 to 35 languages. So, in a 10- to 15-year period, we are building up a catalogue of more than 100,000 to 150,000 hours,” the group said.
The wider group houses 19 production companies, over 9,400 titles.
Canal+ has positioned itself as a ‘super aggregator’, which aggregates multiple services like Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and HBO Max into its own platform.
MultiChoice’s key brands like DStv, Showmax, and SuperSport are now part of this.
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