DStv to Lose 16 Major Channels

MultiChoice has confirmed that 16 Warner Bros. Discovery channels will be removed from DStv on 31 December, following failed carriage fee negotiations between the broadcaster and the US media giant.

The channels set to disappear include Discovery Channel, TLC, Cartoonito, Cartoon Network, CNN International, Food Network, The Travel Channel, TNT, Investigation Discovery, Real Time, HGTV and Discovery Family.

Major shake-up to DStv’s third-party channel lineup

The development comes after months of mounting uncertainty. It follows earlier reports that DStv would also lose Paramount Africa’s BET Africa and MTV Base, as well as AMC Networks International’s CBS Justice and CBS Reality.

Together, these losses mark one of the most significant shake-ups to DStv’s third-party channel lineup in recent years and could noticeably weaken the platform’s entertainment and news offering, particularly for Premium subscribers.

Subscribers formally notified

Subscribers were formally notified on Monday, 1 December, via email and on-screen messages. MultiChoice explained that although negotiations with Warner Bros.

Discovery is continuing, the current distribution agreement is set to expire on 31 December 2025, and no new deal has been reached. The company warned that if the deadlock persists, the affected channels will be unavailable from 1 January 2026.

Public backlash grows online

The announcement has sparked intense backlash on social media, with many subscribers expressing frustration over shrinking channel selections despite continued subscription fee increases.

A growing number say they are considering switching to alternative streaming platforms, which they feel now offer better value and more reliable access to international content.

Fee dispute at the centre of the standoff

In its communication to customers, MultiChoice hinted that the disagreement may centre on higher fees demanded by Warner Bros. Discovery. The broadcaster emphasised that it must balance content costs with affordability, stating:
“Our priority is to provide you with the best entertainment experience at the best possible pricing. Every time you subscribe, you trust us with your money, and we take that responsibility seriously.”

What this means for DStv in 2026

MultiChoice added that its platforms still offer an extensive mix of local and global programming, and promised to bolster its offering in 2026 with new channels, content partnerships and services; nonetheless, the loss of several long-standing and high-profile Warner Bros.

Discovery Channel is expected to have a notable impact on DStv’s value proposition, especially for loyal Premium customers.