DStv And Openview Channel Changes From 01 January 2025 To 31 March 2026

Continuing onto 2024, MultiChoice hasn't been productive in new channel allocations we can only assume this had to do with the loss in DStv consumers. With Canal+ that takeover in 2025 is working on trying to reverse these losses.

We're going to divulge on the number of developments to have occured between 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2026.

As we've previously mentioned, MultiChoice hasn't done much in terms of additions with Star Khanya that made its 2025 slate followed by Base Pulse in 2026. There was also the rebrand of E! to Bravo and Trace Africa to Trace Ngoma.

With Canal+ taking the heels they do promise new content for 2026 so we'll see what happens. But to a lot of people that worked around this industry, 2025 for MultiChoice was kind of sloppy but an improved from the bloodbath of 2024.

MultiChoice lost about 12-14 within the 2024 period and only got 2 to 3 new channels added. Last year, these cuts only affected 7 channels including 1Max, Qwest TV, CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET, MTV Base and TLNovelas.

These numbers could have skyrocketed to 19 channels if Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery couldn't come to an agreement to continue carriage of Discovery Channel, TLC and Cartoon Network.

Aside from this, consumers got to see the expansion on existing DStv services with Compact and Access that got 5 channels and Family that got 6 channels. These would include DreamWorks Channel, History, Comedy Central and Zee World.

eMedia Investments had also moved at a slow pace in terms of additions on Openview but in their case it's understandable considering there's no monthly fees. In 2024, consumers welcomed two channels to their offering, Sporty TV and Star Khanya.

It was also a disastrous and embarrassing year as it's failed pay-tv venture Ultraview was silently discontinued. To top it off, eMedia Investments opted to keep the closure details of this offering under wraps from the media.

Unlike OUTtv and FUSE whose offering formed part of eVOD, eMedia Investments didn't retain any of the content from Star Select and Zee Family. The only way anyone can view the lineup would be getting the DStv Indian package.

JioStar and Zee Entertainment Enterprises that serve as the distributors of Star Select and Zee Family also distribute Star Life and Zee One on Openview. So it's likely that some of the content will resurface dubbed on these channels.

Below is a summary of the changes 

DStv

New channels/rebrands

Star Khanya

Bravo (formerly E!)

Trace Ngoma (formerly Trace Africa)

Base Pulse 

Closure

1Max

Qwest TV

CBS Reality

CBS Justice

BET 

MTV Base

TLNovelas 

Expansion

SuperSport Action - from DStv Compact+ to Compact 

History - from DStv Compact+ to Compact 

Curiosity Channel - from DStv Compact+ to Compact 

CBS Justice - from DStv Compact+ to Compact 

Africa Magic Showcase - from DStv Compact+ to Compact 

Disney Channel - from DStv Compact to Family

HGTV - from DStv Compact to Family 

Comedy Central - from DStv Compact to Family 

Nickelodeon - from DStv Compact to Family 

Nick Jr. - from DStv Compact to Family 

DreamWorks Channel - from DStv Compact to Family 

Nicktoons - from DStv Family to Access 

Zee World - from DStv Family to Access 

SuperSport Schools - from DStv Access to Easyview 

WWE - from DStv Family to DStv Access

Trace Ngoma - from DStv Family to DStv Access

Trace Gospel - from DStv Family to DStv Access

Openview

New channel

Sporty TV

Star Khanya

Closure 

Star Select

Zee Family