DStv to lose 16 channels by December 31
A total of 16 channels on DStv could be removed at the end of December 2025 if new carriage agreements are not finalised.
Existing deals expire on 31 December 2025, with affected channels potentially taken off the platform from 1 January 2026.
12 of the channels at risk are operated by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). MultiChoice said negotiations with WBD are ongoing, but if a new distribution agreement is not reached, the following channels could be discontinued: Discovery Channel, CNN International, TLC, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery (ID), Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and Travel Channel.
Separately, Paramount Africa confirmed it will withdraw several channels from DStv. MultiChoice stated that BET Africa and MTV Base will be discontinued on both DStv and GOtv from 1 January 2026. In addition, CBS Justice and CBS Reality are also listed among channels set to cease operations on the platform.
MultiChoice reassured subscribers that it remains committed to maintaining a “compelling content lineup” and is exploring alternative services and additional content offerings to mitigate the impact of any losses.
Customers are advised to follow official DStv communications and the MultiChoice website for updates on channel line-ups.
The potential blackout has raised concern among subscribers and industry watchers, as it would remove a mix of news, lifestyle, factual, and children’s channels during a peak viewing period.
The issue stems from Netflix’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a landmark $82.7 billion deal. The merger combines Warner Bros. film and TV studios, as well as HBO and HBO Max, under Netflix, while Discovery Global—including CNN, TNT Sports, European terrestrial broadcasters, and Discovery+—will be spun off as a separate listed company.
The deal allows Netflix to secure content from Warner Bros., while WBD can reduce long-term debt and focus on content production by separating slower-growing business units.