"There Are A Variety Of Other Channels That Contain Similar Content", MultiChoice On The Closures Of MTV Base, BET, CBS Reality And CBS Justice On DStv

As reported moments ago, CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET and MTV Base will be exiting DStv soon due to a corporate restructure at Paramount. For DStv consumers particularly high end subscribers that are hoping to be compensated there no plans to replace these channels.

MultiChoice when asked about the matter pertaining to BET and MTV Base 

"There are a variety of other channels that contain similar content, such as Sound City, Channel O, Trace Urban or Trace Africa for music, or Mzansi Magic, M-Net, Bravo, and Movie Room for viewers who prefer series and movie entertainment.”

MultiChoice when asked about the matter pertaining to shows like Judge Judy on CBS Reality 

"Customers can continue to enjoy a wide range of local and international reality and investigative content across our bouquet of channels.”

However the fact that MultiChoice has no workaround to such doesn't mean there won't be one eventually. Best guess here is that MultiChoice will be widening the reach certain channels within 2026.

For MTV Base, this could as well be Trace Africa to DStv Access but like MultiChoice has stated there's plenty of channels for local music. There's been an increase in online usage for platforms like Spotify which partially contributed to the channel's demise.

For CBS Reality, this could as well be the additions of Discovery Family to DStv Access or Curiosity Channel to DStv Family subscribers. As highlighted, there's a wide range of local and international reality and investigative content.

Lastly for other DStv consumers, MultiChoice had been part of a corporate buyout by French broadcaster Canal+. Through its sub division, Canal+ Afrique had boasted about 4000 hours of African content which is currently being integrated with MultiChoice. 

From 9 December, MultiChoice will be adding Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka, Maboke and Zacu TV currently seen on Canal+ Afrique to DStv. These channels form part of 4000 hours content slate the company is introducing in select African markets.

Scheduling Update: BET And MTV Base Will Stop Airing On DStv From January 1st At 9AM CAT

As reported moments ago, CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET and MTV Base will be exiting DStv soon due to a corporate restructure at Paramount. This had led to several linear channels to shut down from across the globe and this included various MTV branded channels.

MultiChoice sent a notice to various DStv consumers informing them that these 4 channels would be exiting DStv by 31 December 2025. Yet on the programme guide, BET and MTV Base are only scheduled to close by 1 January 2025 at 9AM CAT.

This could mean several things the first Paramount could be curating special programming for the channels. As I understand it, MTV Base had been curating content to celebrate 20 years perhaps BET with its 10 year presence is being stringed along.

Their closures seemed abrupt when it was first announced and this could be their way of trying of settling the score or rather make amends. 

On the MultiChoice side of things, the company will now to have work around the clock to allocate more content or risk losing subscribers. Since their buyout by Canal+, DStv consumers have seen some enhancement with the addition of Ligue 1 and NBA on SuperSport.

Canal+ is expected to provide a detailed report about its plans for MultiChoice by next year. Some of which include merging their operations with that of MultiChoice a process in which the company is expected to conclude within 12 to 18 months.

Channel Closure: CBS Reality And CBS Justice Will Stop Airing On DStv From 31 December 2025

Due to a corporate restructure at Paramount, DStv consumers will be bidding farewell to both BET and MTV Base as the channels are set to close by 31 December 2025. Joining the duo will be CBS Reality and CBS Justice in which the company operate alongside AMC Networks International.

This will follow a slate of channels by both companies which are set to shutter by the end of 2025. This includes CBS Reality in Poland, BET in France, Nickelodeon's channels in New Zealand and MTV's music channels across the whole of Europe.

CBS Reality was added onto MultiChoice's DStv by November 2001 as Zone Reality offering reality based content and documentaries. It was known for shows like Cheaters, Judge Judy, Dogs Behaving Very Badly, Border Patrol: Beyond Borders and Hardcore Pawn.

It's closure means DStv consumers won't be seeing the final season of Judge Judy as CBS Reality was currently broadcasting it's 21st season. 

MultiChoice added CBS Justice as a replacement to Hearst's Crime + Investigation by November 2019. Serving as a spin-off to CBS Reality, it offered shows like Murder Made Me Famous, World's Most Evil Killers and Donal MacIntyre's Murder Files.

As reported, MultiChoice will be adding four pop-up channels for the festive holidays: DStv 30, AFCON, fliekNET and The Holiday Channel. They are also running an Upsize promotion on various DStv packages which will just serve as distractions.

Canal+ is currently integrating it's African operations with that of MultiChoice following its acquisition of the company. This has led to the further additions of Sunu Yeuf (Senegalese), Pulaagu (Pulaar/Fulfulde), Mandeka (Mandinka and related Manding languages) and Maboke (Lingala).

New Channel Alert: Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka And Maboke Coming Soon To DStv

During the month, it was reported that MultiChoice would be adding Rwandan based channel Zacu TV to the DStv platform. This forms part of Canal+'s integration plans with MultiChoice following its acquisition of the company a few months ago.

DStv consumers will soon have access to more African based programming with the additions of Sunu Yeuf, Pulaagu, Mandeka And Maboke. Currently seen on Canal+ Afrique, the channels will be made available to DStv consumers in select markets by 9 December.

Sunu Yeuf is operated by Senegalese production company Marodi TV, one of the major players in the creation of series in Africa. These include Pod & Marichou, Maitresse D'un Homme Marié (Mistress Of A Married Man) and Karma.

Pulaagu is a general entertainment channel offering series in Pulaar/Fulfulde, highlighting the customs and traditions of the Fulbe with cult, recent, and unpublished series like Hakkee Rewbe, Thierno Abou and Jamano (Cultural Epic).

Mandeka is a general entertainment channel that focuses on 100% African content, specifically films and series in the Bambara and Malinke languages. It offers a variety of programs, including dramas like Polygamie and N' Khele. 

Maboke is a general entertainment channel which broadcasts solely in Lingala which is widely spoken in Congo. The programming focuses on local productions such as Chez Coco, Bilombe Ya Basi, and Tribunal Ya Bolingo.

DStv Getting Four New Pop-Up Channels For The Festive Season

• DStv has confirmed the four pop-up channels that will be available from now, throughout the festive season.

• Each of the channels will be available until specific dates in January next year.

• DStv is also adding a dedicated channel for AFCON 2025.

With schools set to close soon, and children spending more time at home for the festive season, DStv has confirmed that four pop-up channels will be made available to subscribers to enjoy more content over the coming weeks and into the New Year.

The channels are also part of the company’s 30th birthday celebrations.

“DStv subscribers have welcomed us into their homes for 30 years, and 2025 has been our year of giving back,” noted Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice, in a release with Hypertext. 

“From 10 November, the DStv Upsize campaign has given DStv Family and Access subscribers automatic access to all DStv Compact channels, and all DStv Compact and Compact Plus subscribers access to every DStv Premium channel. Now, as families reunite over the festive season, DStv is coming to the party – and since we never arrive empty-handed, we’re bringing a feast of four pop-up channels that celebrate thewatch-together spirit,” he added.

As for the new pop-up channels, they are as follows:

• The Holiday Channel (Channel 198) – until 3rd January 2026,

• DStv 30 (Channel 197) – from 1st December 2025 to 21st January 2026),

• FliekNET (Channel 149) – from 12th December 2025 to 11th January 2026,

• SuperSport AFCON 2025 (Channels 202 and 222) – from 18th December 2025 to 19th January 2026.

As far as content is concerned, the Holiday Channel is fairly self explanatory, but DStv 30 is focused on nostalgia. In particular, it will showcase some of the best original television that DStv created over the past three decades.

“DStv 30 is nostalgia in overload mode as Scot Scott jumps back in his helicopter for Fortuinsoekers Season 2 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 6PM. Catch the early-early days of Our Perfect Wedding on Saturdays at 6PM, oil empire drama series Jacob’s Cross on Wednesdays at 8PM, M-Net’s filmed-on-location game lodge telenovela The Wild on Thursday nights at 8PM, Carte Blanche’s most impactful episodes on Sunday nights at 7PM, and much more,” the broadcaster highlighted.

As for fliekNET, it will be serving up the best Silwerskerm shorts from the last two editions, DStv pointed out. “This includes Noise & Neighbours (on Tuesday, 16 December at 8:05PM), which recently won Best International Short Film at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York,” it continued.

Lastly, for the 35th Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), taking place in Morocco, two dedicated channels – SS AFCON 2025 Channel 202 and SS AFCON 2025 Channel 222.