Paying more for less? DStv subscribers face losing 12 major channels in 2026

The countdown to 2026 has become a countdown to a blackout as millions of South African households are staring down the barrel of a New Year's Eve deadline that could see 12 of the country’s most popular channels vanish from their screens at the stroke of midnight.

While families prepare for celebrations, a corporate war is raging behind closed doors.

At the heart of this saga is a high-stakes negotiation deadlock between pay-TV giant MultiChoice and global media titan Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

The stakes couldn’t be higher. If a deal isn’t struck by December 31, DStv subscribers will wake up on New Year's Day to a significantly emptier entertainment landscape, losing heavy hitters like CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel and TLC, among other favourites.

This potential loss comes on top of the already confirmed exit of four Paramount channels (MTV Base, BET Africa, CBS Justice and CBS Reality), bringing the total casualty count to 16 channels overnight.

Despite this massive content shed, MultiChoice has confirmed one thing will remain the same: the price.

"While channels may be added or removed from time to time, there is currently no change to DStv subscription pricing. This includes Paramount pulling BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality from our platform.

"Customers continue to have access to a broad range of entertainment, sport, news, lifestyle and kids content across their packages," shared the MultiChoice Group. 

The "irreplaceable" defense

MultiChoice has publicly postured that it is ready to walk away, sending emails to subscribers claiming they have "strong alternatives" lined up to fill the gap.

They argue their priority is providing the "best entertainment experience at the best possible pricing", hinting that WBD’s asking price is simply too high for the new budget-conscious era under French owner Canal+.

"We remain committed to delivering the best possible entertainment experience. MultiChoice has extensive global content partnerships and is already working on enhancements to the 2026 line-up, including new content, new channels and new services to ensure customers continue to receive exceptional value," they added.

But can you really replace Cartoon Network or CNN with a generic alternative?

Warner Bros. Discovery doesn’t think so. In an exclusive response to questions about the standoff, WBD broke its silence to remind the pay-TV giant exactly what they, and their subscribers, would be losing.

"We can’t speak to MultiChoice’s plans … but what we can share is the continued strength and relevance of Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio. Audiences in South Africa have loved our channels for almost 30 years," a WBD spokesperson stated.

WBD unleashed a barrage of data to back this up, effectively arguing that they aren't just participating in the DStv ecosystem; in many ways, they are carrying it.

According to their figures:

• WBD’s portfolio captures a staggering 49% of all kids' channel viewing on DStv. Cartoon Network remains the number one kids' channel, delivering double the audience of its nearest competitor.
• TNT is the number one international movie channel, and TLC holds the crown for lifestyle content.
• CNN International remains a critical source for breaking world news, a staple for millions across the continent.

"These figures highlight the unique value our portfolio continues to deliver to South African families," WBD added. 

The subtext is sharp: MultiChoice might have "alternatives", but they don't have equivalents.

Squashing the "Netflix" rumour

For weeks, industry insiders have speculated that the deadlock was a ripple effect of global chaos, specifically, the pending acquisition of WBD by Netflix and a hostile counter-bid by Paramount.

Analysts feared that uncertainty over who would actually own these channels in 2026 was stalling the deal.

WBD has moved swiftly to shut down that narrative.

"The current discussions with MultiChoice are solely focused on the renewal of our channels on DStv and GOtv ... Other factors have no bearing on these negotiations," they said. 

The message is clear: The blockage isn't happening in a boardroom in Hollywood, but right here, over the price and value of the content on DStv.

The Canal+ shadow and the "nuclear" option

Two major questions remain unanswered, shrouded in the secrecy of the negotiation room.

First, has the dynamic changed now that the cost-slashing French giant Canal+ is effectively pulling the strings at MultiChoice?

Second, what happens if the screens go dark?

Buried in their response was a thinly veiled warning. While stating they are working hard to stay on DStv, WBD added, "We are working hard to ensure our portfolio remains with Multichoice and are also exploring other ways to deliver our loved brands and content to consumers."

This is the "nuclear option".

In this era of streaming, WBD could be signalling that if DStv closes the door, they might just go direct-to-consumer, potentially partnering with a rival streaming service or launching their own platforms, taking their 49% share of the kids' audience with them.

The bottom line

As the negotiations grind on, MultiChoice is betting that subscribers will accept cheaper, lesser-known alternatives to save on subscription costs.

WBD is betting that DStv cannot afford to lose the #1 movie, #1 lifestyle, and #1 kids' channels all at once.

With the contract expiring on December 31, the two sides are officially still talking, but for the subscriber, the difference between a Happy New Year and a black screen is coming down to the wire.