DStv lost 12 channels

DStv cut or lost 12 channels and only added one — exclusive to its two most expensive packages — during 2024. The most recent channel change is the termination of PBS Kids on 31 August 2024.

DStv channel adjustments are not unusual, as parent company MultiChoice regularly reviews and updates the satellite service’s linear line-up.

The decision to add or cut channels is typically based on multiple factors, including viewership numbers and content appeal.

“This is done to ensure we deliver unbeatable content and that our DStv and GOtv services cater for our customers’ needs and viewing requirements,” MultiChoice said.

While the number of channels removed during the year is significant, many could be considered smaller or more niche offerings.

None of the dropped channels had any recent programming featuring in DStv’s top 20 most-viewed titles, compiled by the Broadcasting Research Council of South Africa.

However, the development is noteworthy when considering DStv’s balance of channel additions and removals in previous years.

For example, in 2023, it added two channels and only removed one. In 2022, it dropped four channels and added seven. In the year to date, the removals have been far greater than the additions.

The only new channel DStv added during the year was 1Max. This channel offers a selection of content from its Showmax streaming service and is only available to Premium and Compact Plus subscribers.

Therefore, these are the only subscribers that experienced a net loss of 11 channels, while the rest have lost 12.

It was also interesting to note that, unlike in previous years, all the changes in 2024 have passed without any major public statements or notifications to customers from DStv.

However, the changes have been closely tracked by veteran broadcasting journalist Thinus Ferreira.

MultiChoice also wants to remove four eMedia channels from its DStv bouquets but has been temporarily blocked from doing so by the Competition Tribunal.

eMedia took MultiChoice to the competition authority over the issue, arguing the DStv owner was abusing its dominance in contravention of the Competition Act.

The case was initially dismissed, and DStv pulled eExtra, eMovies, and eToonz from its packages at the beginning of June 2022.

eMedia appealed the decision and was granted an interim relief order, forcing DStv to keep airing the channels.

The Competition Tribunal last extended that relief for six months from December 2023.

eMedia has threatened litigation if MultiChoice removes the channels again. As of 30 August 2024, they were still broadcasting on DStv.

While the eMedia channels are provided free of charge to MultiChoice, broadcasting them takes up capacity on the satellite DStv uses for its broadcasts.

The broadcaster has told the Competition Tribunal that it wants to use that bandwidth to introduce new channels.

However, the Competition Tribunal found that MultiChoice had not established that it would suffer any material damage if required to continue broadcasting the channels in the interim.

It may be possible to establish this at the referral hearing in due course, but it has not been established on the papers before the Tribunal.

It weighed this against the damage that eMedia would suffer in terms of advertising revenue due to the removal of the channels, which it found to be the greater problem.

“It follows that on the evidence before us, the balance of convenience strongly favours eMedia,” the Tribunal ruled.

“The evidence shows on one side a likelihood of damage which may be serious or irreparable, and on the other side, no likelihood of material damage.”

Sceptics of MultiChoice’s argument at the Tribunal that it wants to add channels might find it strange, considering the broadcaster has added just one channel despite making plenty of space.

One possibility is that DStv is gearing up to upgrade some of its channels to 4K or launching standalone 4K channels, which will require lots of bandwidth.

The 4K (2160p) resolution has four times the number of pixels as a full HD (1080p) resolution.

DStv’s satellite channels are broadcast at a lower quality resolution called 1080i, a variation of full HD, or 720p HD.

Broadcasting a 4K channel takes up about eight times the capacity that these channels consume.

Even with the 12 channels cut by DStv during the year, it would only have opened up capacity for one new 4K channel.

However, that ignores any improvements in codecs or other technology upgrades that allow for more efficient use of satellite spectrum.

In addition to removing some of its standard channels, DStv recently also confirmed it had revoked the capability to receive around 100 free regional channels with a simple setting change.

The table below summarises the channel changes on DStv from January to August 2024.

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