DStv May Lose 12 Warner Bros. Channels in 2026

DStv may lose 12 Warner Bros. channels, including CNN and Discovery, from January 2026 if MultiChoice and WBD fail to agree on renewal

DStv subscribers may lose access to 12 major Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) channels, including CNN, Discovery Channel, TLC, and Cartoon Network, from 1 January 2026 if MultiChoice and WBD do not finalise a new distribution agreement.

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MultiChoice, now owned by Canal+, alerted customers on Monday via text messages that its current carriage deal with WBD will expire on 31 December 2025, and negotiations to renew the contract are ongoing.

“While discussions between the parties continue, no agreement has been reached at this stage. If this remains unchanged, several Warner Bros. Discovery channels may no longer be available on DStv from 1 January 2026,” the company stated.

The channels at risk include Discovery Channel, CNN International, TLC, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and Travel Channel.

The potential loss comes amid significant subscriber declines for MultiChoice.

The broadcaster has shed 2.8 million active linear subscribers over the last two financial years, including 1.2 million in 2025 alone, representing an eight per cent decline across South Africa and the rest of Africa.

In Nigeria, MultiChoice has lost 1.4 million subscribers in the past two years, largely attributed to repeated subscription price increases.

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Further content disruptions are expected, with Paramount Africa set to discontinue BET Africa and MTV Base from 1 January 2026, while CBS Reality and CBS Justice will cease operations on 31 December 2025.