Bad start for new DStv owner
MultiChoice and DStv’s new owner, Canal+, promised South African customers that its acquisition of the broadcaster would mean a slew of new content.
However, it appears that customers will enter 2026 with fewer channels while still paying the same prices.
Veteran broadcasting journalist Thinus Ferreira highlighted the irony of the situation while speaking to Cape Talk.
“So Canal+, quite ironically, just before they clinched the buyout, said or promised that DStv subscribers, of course, we’d get more content, more and better services,” he said.
“Now the irony is that subscribers might end up paying more from next year for less content.”
This comes after MultiChoice informed customers that DStv would lose four channels from Paramount and CBS AMC, while a further 12 channels from Warner Bros. Discovery are at risk of being cut.
On 1 December 2025, the DStv owner notified customers that negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery had deadlocked. Its distribution agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery expires on 31 December.
It also confirmed that Paramount Africa was shutting down BET Africa and MTV Base, with the channels set to be discontinued on DStv at 09:00 on 1 January 2026.
“Our customers can continue to enjoy other international channels from Paramount, including Nickelodeon, NickToons, Nick Jr, Comedy Central, and MTV,” MultiChoice said.
It also confirmed that CBS AMC Networks will be shutting down CBS Reality and CBS Justice on 31 December. It thanked Paramount and CBS for their partnership.
In a separate announcement, MultiChoice notified customers that it had been unable to renew its agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery.
The twelve channels at risk are Discovery, CNN, TLC, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and the Travel Channel.
“While discussions between the parties continue, no agreement has been reached at this stage,” MultiChoice said.
“If this remains unchanged, a number of Warner Bros Discovery channels may no longer be available on DStv from 1 January 2026.”
No plans to reduce prices
Negotiations between Warner Bros. Discovery and Canal+ regarding the renewal of their distribution agreement stalled over pricing, people familiar with the matter revealed this earlier this week.
MultiChoice also revealed that it has no plans to lower DStv subscription prices if it were to lose the 12 channels from Warner Bros. Discovery.
“While channels may be added or removed from time to time, there is currently no change to DStv subscription pricing,” it said.
“This includes Paramount pulling BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality from our platform.”
However, in its communication to customers, DStv promised it would make it up to its subscribers through “strong alternative channels”.
“What matters most is ensuring that your viewing experience remains rich, diverse, and enjoyable,” it said.
“You will continue to enjoy an exceptional entertainment experience across your package, supported by strong alternative channels across every genre.”
There is still hope that negotiations over the distribution agreement will result in a deal. Warner Bros. Discovery informed Ferreira that it was aware of the concerns surrounding potential channel losses.
“This situation arises because we have not yet reached a mutual agreement with MultiChoice to continue broadcasting our much-loved brands,” it said.
“We want to assure our viewers that Warner Bros. Discovery remains unequivocally committed to finding a resolution.”
Many DStv customers are frustrated with the situation, considering that Canal+ Africa CEO David Mignot said South African customers should expect a slew of new content through the company’s acquisition of MultiChoice.
In September 2025, Mignot stated that DStv customers can expect Canal+ and MultiChoice to combine their content catalogues.
“MultiChoice content is incredible. We will have the ability to use the strengths of the two groups,” he stated.
“So customers can expect all that is available at Canal+. We have the biggest library of European content, including a lot of American content … like 9,000 movies.”
He added that Canal+ creates 4,000 hours of African content in up to 15 languages annually, which will complement MultiChoice’s 6,000 hours of local content produced each year.
“Combined, we will roughly provide 10,000 hours per year in 20 to 35 languages,” Mignot said.
“So, in a 10- to 15-year period, we are building up a catalogue of more than 100,000 to 150,000 hours, and then we will be able to make that content travel.”
He said that ultimately, content can be provided to a larger audience through dubbing and rescripting, providing a “fantastic competitive advantage”.
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