Warner Bros. Discovery and MultiChoice had this carriage dispute for sometime regarding the future of these networks and it's content on M-Net. As reported, Netflix had won the bid to acquire the portion that licenses to M-Net.
MultiChoice under its new owners Canal+ seemingly implied that rates to renew such agreement is higher. And as I've mentioned for a while now things about to get messy from insider's reports that things aren't looking good.
It could imply two scenarios
The first DStv consumers will lose all 12 channels meaning no more reruns of Regular Show on Cartoon Network and Holiday Baking Championship on Food Network. Superman, Green Lantern and Harry Potter on M-Net Movies those are gone as well.
From 2026, MultiChoice will lose DStv consumers at an alarmingly rate as seen in Kenya where it lost 85% of its audience. While they promise to replace the affected channels, none of the content from these brands would form part of the lineup anyways.
MultiChoice will find it hard trying to convince consumers across the DStv bouquet to retain their subscription. Even with replacements, there would be no Sister Wives or AEW Dynamite which is what the paying consumer subscribed for.
Various outlets are putting most of their bet on the first scenario and if you've seen what happened in the week was Netflix's possible acquisition of Warner Bros. Lots of websites placed their bid on Paramount winning as the deal would have included the cable networks.
But I'm putting my cards out for the second scenario where MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery are able to finalise an agreement - eventually.
"Things Aren't Looking Good" could imply instead of 12 additional channels joining the 4 existing channels from Paramount to exit DStv. It could as well be between 4-7 channels and I've stated this before MultiChoice doesn't need all these channels.
Travel Channel had been in decline that even MultiChoice Africa no longer offer it to DStv consumers. HGTV similar to BBC Earth wasn't even licensed to consumers in some African markets making it a strong contender to get the axe.
Under previous management, MultiChoice was prioritising on content which led to the exit of a couple of popular brands like Animal Planet and BBC First. Maybe under French hands, they could look to keep channels with massive appeal and remove ones deemed expensive or redundant.
Popular brands within their stable include Discovery, TLC, Cartoon Network and TNT, with expensive or low rated brands like HGTV, Food Network and Discovery Family.
If theres one thing I believe would be a priority is the part that deals with M-Net and Showmax as a loss would lead to viewer erosion. The part in which M-Net contract with has major IPs under their belt and is a contributor to M-Net's success.
The linear part doesn't even appear in South Africa's 20 most watched channels making the content part a liability.
The second scenario seems probable although they would lose subscribers it wouldn't be severe if this number went up to 16 channels. MultiChoice can do without some of these brands as it would give them time to calm the masses and seek alternatives.
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