Dark Days For DStv: MultiChoice Confirms 12 Channels Will Be Removed From December 31 – What You Need To Know

DStv subscribers are facing a major shake-up. MultiChoice has confirmed that a dozen channels will vanish from its service on 31 December 2025. This sudden change directly impacts popular channels like CNN International and the Discovery Channel. The decision comes from the pay-TV giant’s new owner, the French media conglomerate Canal+ Group, which finalised its takeover in September 2025.

Customers received the news through a push notification on the DStv app on the evening of Tuesday, 2 December 2025. The message was clear and listed the channels set for removal.

“Please be advised that Discovery Channel, TLC Africa, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery (Discovery ID), Cartoon Network, Cartoonito and CNN International will not be available from 31 Dec.”

It is noted that the notification omitted HGTV, but this channel is confirmed to be part of the group being removed. The announcement followed an earlier statement from MultiChoice that it had reached an impasse in negotiations with Warner Bros Discovery, the owner of all twelve channels. The existing carriage contract between the two companies expires on 31 December.

Why Are The Channels Being Removed?

The primary reason centres on cost-cutting by the new owner, Canal+. The French parent company has been clear about its intent to reduce expenses at MultiChoice. The Warner Bros Discovery channel bundle is seen as a key target.

Industry observers suggest Canal+ believes it is paying for channels that are not widely watched. In the mature French market, Canal+ itself carries fewer Warner channels than DStv currently does. The new owners have reportedly conducted a fresh analysis of the deal’s value.

Hilton Tarrant writes, “The new owners would’ve done their sums and calculated very clearly and neatly or exactly how much they were prepared to pay to Warner, and for what, under a new agreement.”

This is a strategic move by Canal+ to reshape its relationship with MultiChoice. The company is effectively calling Warner Bros Discovery’s bluff in high-stakes negotiations. The removal highlights a practice known as channel bundling, where broadcasters must take a package of channels to secure the most popular ones.

What Does This Mean For Subscribers?

For viewers, the immediate effect is a reduced channel lineup from the New Year. The full list of channels being removed is as follows:

Discovery Channel (121)
TLC (135)
Discovery Family (136)
TNT Africa (137)
Real Time (155)
Investigation Discovery (171)
Food Network (175)
HGTV (177)
Travel Channel (179)
Cartoon Network (301)
Cartoonito (302)
CNN International (401)

Premium subscribers who pay over R1,000 per month will see their service reduced. There is still a chance the channels could be saved. A last-minute deal before the 31 December deadline remains a possibility.

The broader context is the uncertain future of Warner Bros Discovery itself, which put itself up for sale in 2025. A Bloomberg report indicates companies like Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix are interested in parts of the business, which could further affect channel availability globally.