DStv Slashes 16 Channels in South Africa: What’s Next for Viewers?

Since the start of 2026, MultiChoice has eliminated 16 television channels in South Africa as part of efforts to streamline its offerings and reduce expenses in light of falling revenue.

These reductions followed extensive cost-cutting measures over five years preceding the broadcaster’s acquisition by France’s Groupe Canal+, coinciding with DStv’s most significant package overhaul in more than 20 years.

As the new year approached, DStv subscribers faced some trepidation. A last-minute agreement allowed the broadcaster to keep 12 popular Warner Bros. Discovery channels in its lineup.

The channels preserved included Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, CNN, Discovery, Discovery Family, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Real Time, TLC, TNT Africa, and Travel Channel.

Nonetheless, viewers still experienced the loss of four channels following the closure of Paramount Africa at the end of December 2025.

MultiChoice announced that access to BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Reality, and CBS Justice would be terminated on 1 January after the collapse of Paramount Africa’s partnership with CBS AMC Networks.

This initial cut foreshadowed further adjustments throughout the year, as changes to the Warner Bros. Discovery relationship began to impact available programming.

The agreement with Canal+ led to the loss of HBO content, including House of the Dragon, which had been available through M-Net for many years.

In June, MultiChoice revealed plans to shutter two DStv channels associated with its M-Net division by the end of that month.

Cinemagic and Magic Showcase were subsequently removed from DStv’s channel lineup on 30 June 2026.

“This process enables us to deliver unbeatable entertainment while ensuring that our DStv services continue to meet the evolving needs and viewing preferences of our customers,” the company stated at the time.

Four additional channels were discontinued in September, with MultiChoice informing viewers that M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop, and Mzansi Magic would stop broadcasting on 16 September.

However, the company assured that content from these channels would be accessible through other outlets as it initiated its new package rollout.

16 fewer channels over 11 months

Changes took effect on 17 September, marking a comprehensive revamp and rebranding of all DStv packages except for DStv Compact Plus.

While this package was no longer available for new customers, existing users could retain it at the same rate, later transitioning to DStv Premium.

A notable shift involved the migration of DStv Compact customers to the new DStv Sports package, which maintained a price of R399 per month for a streaming-only service.

“Your ticket to the game. Thrilling local and international sport comes together with Premier League, PSL, Champions League, cricket, local rugby, UFC, and WWE,” DStv conveyed about the new offering.

Subscribers to the new DStv Sports package gained access to Wethu+, a mega-channel that aggregates content from Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Magic, Bioskop Movies, and the PSL.

The restructuring allowed DStv Compact customers to enjoy four extra channels, with MultiChoice indicating plans to enhance its premium packages for viewers.

In the following month, MultiChoice announced an impending removal of five channels from its specialized Indian package, effective 31 October 2026.

“We are refining the channel lineup to better match how our customers watch and enjoy content,” the company noted in communication with its customer base.

“Rather than spreading similar content across many channels, we’re focusing on fewer, stronger channels to create a simpler viewing experience.”

Consequently, five channels in the R280 add-on would be removed: SET Asia, ZEE TV, SET Max, Zee Cinema, and WION.

The broadcaster later declared the termination of international preschool channel JimJam, effective 11 November 2026, marking 13 years since the channel’s introduction.

A representative for DStv emphasized ongoing investments in preschool entertainment, noting the availability of channels like PlayRoom, Cartoonito, DreamWorks, and CBeebies.

From 1 January to 11 November, DStv will have discontinued a total of 16 channels from its packages in South Africa.

Canal+ reported on 22 October 2026 that a drop in DStv subscription revenue in South Africa led to a decrease in like-for-like revenue for the MultiChoice Group during the first nine months of the year.

Channels cut by DStv since January 2026