DStv warns subscribers of possible loss of CNN, discovery, 10 other channels in 2026 - Newstrends
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DStv warns subscribers of possible loss of CNN, discovery, 10 other channels in 2026

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DStv warns subscribers of possible loss of CNN, discovery, 10 other channels in 2026

MultiChoice has warned that DStv subscribers may lose access to CNN and 11 other Warner Bros. Discovery channels from January 1, 2026, if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a new broadcast agreement.

The pay-TV operator issued the alert to customers on Monday, noting that its current carriage contract with Warner Bros. Discovery will expire on December 31, 2025.

According to MultiChoice, “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.”

Channels that could go dark include CNN International, Discovery Channel, TNT Africa, TLC, Food Network, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Cartoonito, Investigation Discovery, Real Time, Discovery Family, and Travel Channel.

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The potential blackout comes at a difficult time for MultiChoice, which has been battling significant subscriber losses across Africa. In the last two financial years, the company shed 2.8 million active users, with 1.2 million lost in 2025 alone.

In Nigeria, the company lost 1.4 million DStv customers over two years, as rising subscription prices and economic pressures forced households to cut entertainment spending.

The channel uncertainty adds to MultiChoice’s widening content challenges. Paramount Africa has already announced that BET Africa and MTV Base will be withdrawn from DStv on January 1, 2026, while CBS Reality and CBS Justice will cease operations on December 31, 2025.

The disruptions reflect broader shifts within the global media industry. Warner Bros. Discovery is restructuring amid reported takeover interest from Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix. Reports indicate that Paramount is interested in acquiring the entire company, while Comcast and Netflix are eyeing studio and streaming assets.

Meanwhile, MultiChoice’s new parent company, Canal+, is moving to reposition DStv for Africa’s increasingly competitive streaming market through price adjustments, investment in local content, and a renewed focus on premium sports broadcasting.

Together, the Canal+–MultiChoice group now serves more than 40 million subscribers across nearly 70 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia, employing about 17,000 staff worldwide. A full strategic update is expected in early 2026.

Industry analysts warn that losing CNN, Discovery Channel, and other major Warner Bros. Discovery brands could significantly weaken DStv’s documentary and entertainment offerings, leaving sports content as its strongest competitive edge.

DStv warns subscribers of possible loss of CNN, discovery, 10 other channels in 2026

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Why Gospel Singer Omije Ojumi Wasn’t Flown Abroad for Treatment

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Bunmi Akinnaanu “Omije Ojumi”
Bunmi Akinnaanu “Omije Ojumi”

Why Gospel Singer Omije Ojumi Wasn’t Flown Abroad for Treatment

Nigerian gospel singer Omije Ojumi, celebrated for her inspiring worship songs, was not flown abroad for specialized medical treatment due to her fragile health, fellow gospel artiste Alayo Melody has revealed.

In a video shared on social media, Melody said that although plans were underway to take Omije Ojumi to India for advanced medical care, doctors eventually declared her too weak to travel after a prolonged battle with a serious leg ailment.

Melody also highlighted the support from Prophets Sam and Taiwo Ojo, who reportedly covered the visa and medical expenses and made repeated attempts to secure travel documents before her condition worsened.

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The news of Omije Ojumi’s death at age 46 has deeply affected the Nigerian gospel community, with fans and fellow ministers sharing tributes to her ministry. Plans for her burial, initially scheduled to start with a service of songs on January 20 and a private interment on January 21, were delayed due to family disputes.

Her passing has also sparked discussions about the challenges Nigerian artists face accessing medical treatment abroad and the difficulties families encounter during serious illnesses. Despite her untimely death, Omije Ojumi’s music continues to inspire worshippers, solidifying her legacy in Nigerian gospel music.

Why Gospel Singer Omije Ojumi Wasn’t Flown Abroad for Treatment

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Yeni Kuti Speaks Out on Seun–Wizkid Feud Over Fela’s Iconic Legacy

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Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti,
Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti,

Yeni Kuti Speaks Out on Seun–Wizkid Feud Over Fela’s Iconic Legacy

Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has finally broken her silence on the escalating Seun Kuti and Wizkid feud, calling for calm and mutual respect as the online dispute continues to dominate Nigeria’s entertainment space.

The controversy began after Seun Kuti publicly criticised comparisons between Wizkid and his late father, arguing that such narratives diminish Fela’s legacy and misrepresent Afrobeat history. His comments triggered strong reactions from Wizkid FC, leading to a heated exchange online that later drew a response from the Afrobeats superstar himself.

Reacting to the development, Yeni Kuti expressed disappointment that her father’s name and cultural legacy were dragged into what she described as an avoidable clash between artists and fanbases. Speaking during a media appearance, she stressed that Wizkid has long enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Kuti family, recalling his past performances at the New Afrika Shrine and his respect for Fela’s influence.

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Yeni described Wizkid as a “friend of the family” and appealed to both camps to de-escalate tensions, warning that prolonged public disputes only distract from celebrating Nigeria’s musical heritage. She noted that the frequent reference to Fela decades after his death reflects his enduring relevance, but insisted that his legacy should not be weaponised in modern fan wars.

The feud has continued to attract widespread reactions from fans, industry commentators and cultural analysts, reigniting debates around fan culture, music comparisons, and how legends should be honoured without undermining contemporary artists.

As conversations around the clash persist online, Yeni Kuti’s intervention is being seen as a call for unity within Nigeria’s creative community, urging artists and supporters alike to prioritise respect over rivalry.

Yeni Kuti Speaks Out on Seun–Wizkid Feud Over Fela’s Iconic Legacy

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DNA Tests Clear Davido in Paternity Dispute, Adeleke Family Confirms

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Nigerian music superstar Davido (David Adeleke)
Nigerian music superstar Davido (David Adeleke)

DNA Tests Clear Davido in Paternity Dispute, Adeleke Family Confirms

Nigerian music superstar Davido (David Adeleke) has been cleared by multiple DNA tests in a long‑running paternity dispute, his family confirmed, even as renewed claims have surfaced on social media.

Speaking publicly, billionaire businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke, Davido’s father, said that no fewer than five separate DNA tests all showed zero biological connection between his son and the girl at the centre of the dispute. He described the renewed allegations as “unnecessary” and stressed that scientific evidence must be respected in resolving such matters.

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Dr. Adeleke also disclosed that he had previously supported the girl’s welfare, including education expenses, but maintained that DNA results are conclusive. The singer himself has rejected calls for further testing, emphasizing that prior results have already established the truth.

The case resurfaced after the teenager appealed on social media for a fresh DNA test, claiming Davido is her father. Her mother, however, insists the tests were flawed and has suggested an independent test, even proposing involvement by US authorities, citing Davido’s American citizenship.

The dispute has reignited social media debate, highlighting issues of celebrity privacy, transparency in DNA testing, and the emotional impact of public paternity controversies.

DNA Tests Clear Davido in Paternity Dispute, Adeleke Family Confirms

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