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

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 Paramount Africa has already announced that BET Africa and MTV Base will be withdrawn from DStv on January 1, 2026, while CBS Reality and CBS Justice will cease operations on December 31, 2025.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