Small Broadcasters Are Likely At Risk Of Being Removed From MultiChoice's DStv

A few years ago, ICASA held talks with various broadcasters (like Cape Town TV for instance) regarding its must carry bill. As it stands this conditions only included public broadcasters such as the SABC.

Cape Town TV and various other provincial broadcasters wanted their services to form part of these laws and wanted companies like MultiChoice to pay for their services under this agreement. But ICASA had since then turned them down.

ICASA has stated that rules only apply to public broadcasters and not any other tier of broadcasting. It is on this basis that the existing regulations are considered sufficient to address local content and must-carry.

This not only puts Cape Town TV at risk of being removed from DStv but also Soweto TV, Mpuma Kapa TV, 1KZN TV, GauTV and Tshwane TV. 

It was stated during this briefing years ago that some of these channels very much like your SABC News and eNCA are dependant on DStv for their survival. Without them, there's no way they continue to be in operation.

Look at what happened when StarSat was shut down in South Africa after failing to renew it's broadcasting licence. One Freestate Televisual and Rising Sun TV had to scale back on its operations and are now grasping through straws.

MultiChoice had not only been distributing some of these channels exclusively but helping them out with content and other expenses. With them continuing to lose subscribers and under French hands this luxury might come to an end.

Canal+ came into an agreement with regulators to ensure they continue sourcing services from these brands. But that doesn't stop them from scaling back on costs and overtime deciding to no longer offer some of these services on DStv.

The Rooms Network Confirms Additional Channels In Development At Canal+'s MultiChoice

Last year, Paramount had closed down its operations across Africa affecting brands like BET and MTV Base as well as local productions on MTV and Nicktoons. Similar to Amazon Prime Video, they no longer produce original content in Africa. 

Canal+ which took over MultiChoice's operations late last year had told regulators and the media that DStv consumers should expect more content during the year. This prompted the inclusion of BASE Pulse as a replacement to MTV Base.

It looks like MultiChoice might be eyeing Newzroom Afrika's parent company The Rooms Network for channels. Not long ago, The Rooms Network announced that Movie Room will be producing its first feature film, Thuli's Doek.

Within the description column of their press release, it was also stated "additional channels in development". The Rooms Network had expressed interest venturing toward general entertainment as seen with Movie Room and Play Room.

With BASE Pulse that launched in place of MTV Base, we can only assume The Rooms Network could be looking to replace BET on DStv. 

The Rooms Network has been dubbing international films and TV shows in Zulu with the announcement of its first feature film, Thuli's Deck. It wouldn't seem far fetched a stretch to think that one of the channels in development was BET inspired. 

Following the removal of 1Magic and Me, there had been talks of another TV channel in development. This channel was said to be locally infused while boasting content from other TV channels and it's likely this formed part of the additional channels.

After rivalling with Cartoon Network, TNT and likely the rest of M-Net's linear offering. We can assume if another TV channel(s) is in development it would either target Bravo or most definitely Telemundo.

June 2026 On Nickelodeon Across Europe And Africa | Channel Premiere: Sonic Prime | Returning Shows: Rugrats (2021) | More

It's time to say goodbye to Nickelodeon's most iconic diaper-wearing characters, while we can finally welcome the blue hedgehog to the main channel as well.

As quiet as May was, June brings a packed schedule from the main Nickelodeon channel. The second half of the new Marsupilami premiere batch arrives with fresh episodes at the beginning of the month, continuing to air in the morning slots. After the little furballs, we stay on in early June with an unexpected continuation. It seems Rugrats is still not a favorite of the programming team, as the series gets no mention again from either Nickelodeon or Paramount. It last returned in March, also quite unexpectedly. Back then, Nickelodeon aired the remaining episodes of Season 2. Now, however, Season 3 arrives as a world premiere, once again with zero reruns. The premiere times favor night owls, as the new episodes start in the final quarter-hour of late evening.

The two evergreen characters, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star, are returning with a shorter batch than usual. Instead of the usual two weeks, the iconic duo is back for just a single week in mid-June. For us, this means the 16th season of the series will conclude at the end of the month at 9:00 AM. Finally, we have a channel premiere: Sonic Prime, which was previously aired on the local Nicktoons almost exactly 11 months ago. The lightning-fast hedgehog arrives on Nickelodeon screens at the end of June, with the first season spilling slightly into July. The new series will debut in the morning, but thanks to the global feed, each day's episode will be shown in multiple time slots.

The Marsupilami

2026-06-04 09:45 1x10a Smile for the Camera

2026-06-05 09:45 1x10b School Invaders

2026-06-08 09:45 1x11a Musical Mayhem

2026-06-09 09:45 1x11b Purrfect Punch

2026-06-10 09:45 1x12 Mission Park / Mar-Spooky-Lami

2026-06-11 09:45 1x13 Golfalami / Mar-Sleepwalker

2026-06-12 09:45 1x14 Shell-shock / The Amazing Coat Man

Rugrats – New Season

2026-06-01 23:45 3x01 A Tiger's Tale / Grandchild of the Month – Season Premiere

2026-06-02 23:45 3x02 Bookworm / The Cookie Test

2026-06-03 23:45 3x03 Mudville / Stepping Stone

2026-06-04 23:45 3x04 Scooped / Class Pet

2026-06-05 23:45 3x05 Desert Trip

2026-06-06 23:45 3x06 Wild Doll / The Pest Plant

2026-06-07 23:45 3x07 Forest Friends / Castle Guy

2026-06-08 23:45 3x08 Tricycle Kid / Simply Simon

2026-06-09 23:45 3x09 New Year on Ice

2026-06-10 23:45 3x10 Flower Girl / Flight of the Finster

2026-06-11 23:45 3x11 The Toy Box / The Pit

2026-06-12 23:45 3x12 Dinner Guest / Bucket List

2026-06-13 23:45 3x13 Big Cake Day Part 1

2026-06-14 23:45 3x14 Big Cake Day Part 2 – Series Finale

Sonic Prime – New Series, Channel Premiere

2026-06-22 11:00 1x01 Shattered – Season Premiere

2026-06-23 11:00 1x02 The Yoke's on You 

2026-06-24 11:00 1x03 Escape from New York 

2026-06-25 11:00 1x04 Unwelcome to the Jungle

2026-06-26 11:00 1x05 Barking Up the Wrong Tree 

2026-06-29 11:00 1x06 Situation: Grim 

2026-06-30 11:00 1x07 It Takes One to No Place 

SpongeBob SquarePants

2026-06-15 09:00 16x11 Pigskin Pearl

2026-06-16 09:00 16x12a The Green Tentacle 

2026-06-17 09:00 16x12b Happy Krabby Birthday 

2026-06-18 09:00 16x13a Karate Pals 

2026-06-19 09:00 16x13b Karen's Klatch – Season Finale

This was originally published by Mentrum

Movie Room On DStv In Production Of First Original Feature Film

Currently in production, the film boasts a distinguished ensemble cast led by Lindani Nkosi, Linda Sokhulu, Rorisang Mohapi, Vuyo Biyela, Mbalenhle Mavimbela, Slindile Nodangala, and 2026 Safta Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Magic Hlatshwayo.

Thuli’s Doek is a resonant South African film that explores themes of polygamy, legacy, blended family dynamics, fertility, faith, identity, dignity, and belonging. At its emotional core is one woman’s deeply personal struggle to preserve her voice, her dignity, and her place within her family.

“The launch of Thuli’s Doek represents an important step in Movie Room’s long-term vision to champion world-class African storytelling,” said Thokozani Nkosi, Executive Chairman of The Rooms Network.

“The overwhelming audience response to our vernacular-dubbed Hollywood blockbuster films has reaffirmed the demand for content that reflects the languages, cultures, and lived experiences of African audiences. Through Thuli’s Doek, we are deepening our investment in original local storytelling while contributing meaningfully to the growth of South Africa’s creative economy.”

The film is produced by Eclipse Television Productions.

Further details regarding Thuli’s Doek, including additional creative talent, release plans, and premiere dates, will be announced in due course.

Canal+ Is Looking To Align MultiChoice's Business With International Vendors

Last year, Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery extended their carriage agreement for the channels viewed on MultiChoice platforms. This deal was also expanded to include Warner Bros. Discovery's existing channels in Canal+ territories in Europe.

After Canal+ managed to complete it's acquisition of MultiChoice, plans were put in motion to align some of MultiChoice's business with that of its owners. This included agreements MultiChoice currently has with BBC Studios, NBCUniversal and Disney.

With them now serving over 40 million subscribers in 70 countries, there's really no point in them having to handle contracts separately. When with a combined scale they can just offer one contract and try to bring down the costs.

As some people recall Canal+ was able to call Warner Bros. Discovery bluff by having a last minute agreement put in place for MultiChoice territories.

The reality is that MultiChoice offers the most channels so basically they would serve as Warner Bros. Discovery's largest client in Africa. Despite already having agreements with other players, most of their revenue would reside with MultiChoice.

Canal+ also stood the chance to lose more DStv subscribers as Warner Bros. Discovery offers the top channels on DStv. While they expressed willingness to replace these channels there's no such thing as a like for like alternative.

Warner Bros. Discovery had expressed willingness to recover from the lost income if these channels went dark on MultiChoice platforms. There's really no recovery when MultiChoice competitors are willing to offer the bare minimum of DStv.