DStv subscribers may lose access to 12 major Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) channels — including CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, and Cartoon Network — from January 1, 2026, if MultiChoice and WBD fail to reach a new carriage agreement.
MultiChoice, now owned by Canal+, issued the notice in an email to customers on Monday, stating that the current distribution agreement expires on 31 December 2025.
“While discussions between the parties continue, no agreement has been reached at this stage. If this remains unchanged, a number of Warner Bros. Discovery channels may no longer be available on DStv from 1 January 2026,” the company said.
12 WBD Channels at Risk
The channels that may be removed are:
- CNN International
- Discovery Channel
- TLC
- Discovery Family
- Real Time
- TNT Africa
- Food Network
- HGTV
- Investigation Discovery
- Cartoon Network
- Cartoonito
- Travel Channel
The potential loss would significantly impact DStv’s non-sports content catalogue, particularly across news, children’s programming, lifestyle, and factual entertainment.
MultiChoice Faces Pressure Amid Subscriber Decline
The development comes at a challenging time for MultiChoice, which continues to grapple with declining subscriber numbers and intensifying competitive pressure in Africa’s pay-TV and streaming markets.
The broadcaster has lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers over the past two financial years, including 1.2 million in 2025 alone, representing an 8% year-on-year decline equally split between South Africa and the rest of the continent.
In Nigeria specifically, Nairametrics reports that MultiChoice has shed 1.4 million subscribers in the past two years, driven largely by repeated subscription price hikes.
The platform is also preparing for further content losses. Paramount Africa will discontinue BET Africa and MTV Base from January 1, 2026, while CBS Reality and CBS Justice will shut down on December 31, 2025.
A Shifting Global Content Landscape
The uncertainty over the WBD deal reflects broader upheaval in the global media industry. Warner Bros. Discovery itself is undergoing restructuring and has reportedly attracted acquisition interest from major players including Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix.
Reports from Bloomberg indicate that Comcast and Netflix are primarily interested in WBD’s studio and streaming assets, while Paramount is exploring a full acquisition that includes its linear channels.
Simultaneously, MultiChoice’s new parent company, Canal+, is repositioning the DStv brand for Africa’s streaming wars through revised pricing, cost optimization, and aggressive moves for premium football broadcasting rights.
Industry analysts warn that losing WBD channels could further weaken DStv’s entertainment offering at a time when streaming platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Prime Video are gaining ground across the continent.
The Canal+ Acquisition and What Comes Next
Canal+ completed its landmark $3 billion acquisition of MultiChoice Group in September 2025, creating a combined media powerhouse serving over 40 million subscribers across 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Together, the merged group employs approximately 17,000 people.
Canal+ has said it will release a detailed strategic roadmap in the first quarter of 2026, outlining integration synergies, investment plans, and the future direction of the combined business.
According to the company, the newly consolidated group will prioritise:
- Local content development
- Expanded sports broadcasting
- Digital innovation and streaming
- Strengthening operations in emerging markets
The group also plans to leverage MultiChoice’s deep experience with African markets, regulatory environments, and consumer behaviour.
What It Means for Viewers
If no agreement is reached by year-end, DStv subscribers could experience one of the most significant content losses in the platform’s history. The potential removal underscores how global content realignments and corporate mergers are reshaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.
For now, viewers will have to wait for updates as negotiations continue — but the clock is ticking toward a possible January 1 blackout.
