Could MultiChoice Risk Losing More DStv Channels Ahead Of Paramount Africa's Exit In The Market?

As reported, MultiChoice is set to lose four channels by the end of 2025 including CBS Reality, CBS Justice, BET and MTV Base. This forms part of a corporate restructure at Paramount that will see the closure of several international channels.

In an email sent to various DStv consumers not long ago, MultiChoice has now warned it's subscribers that they could be losing an additional 12 channels by the end of 2025. For sometime, they've been embroiled in a carriage dispute with Warner Bros. Discovery and no agreement is in place.

This means Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, CNN, TNT, Discovery Channel, TLC, Discovery Family, Real Time, Investigation Discovery, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel could be going dark on DStv and GOtv by 1st January 2026.

MultiChoice has been involved in multiple carriage disputes in the past there was one with A+E Global Media for History, Lifetime and C+I. Followed by eMedia Investments who provide eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra which dragged on for 2 and half years.

It's currently unclear what led to this but from what I understand Warner Bros. Discovery will be closing off Cartoon Network in New Zealand and possibly Italy. It had been alleged that Warner Bros. Discovery wants more money and MultiChoice refused.

Again nothing is confirmed here but its also been alleged MultiChoice which is now owned by Canal+ wants to pay less for these channels. A few months ago, they decided to reduce payments to various suppliers and contractors by 20%.

But if you had to look at past disputes particularly the one with A+E Global Media there's a strong chance that CBS Justice, CBS Reality, BET and MTV Base won't be the only ones leaving DStv.

"our priority is to provide you with the best entertainment experience at the best possible pricing"

While it's too soon to speculate, MultiChoice does mention wanting to provide the best entertainment experience at the best possible pricing. To me this seems like an indicator that the company could be looking to shed costs or minimise rates.

If there are channels expected to leave DStv soon which I believe might be the case I'd imagine niche brands like Travel Channel would be axed. Followed by TNT as MultiChoice already boasts a diverse lineup of films through M-Net Movies, Movie Room and KIX.

Through an enquiry, MultiChoice had said to DStv subscribers that it is ready to replace Warner Bros. Discovery's TV channels with alternatives. But it's unlikely that all channels would be replaced some like TNT already come with those alternatives.

Cartoon Network, TNT Africa And 12 More Channels Could Be Exiting DStv As MultiChoice And Warner Bros. Discovery Enter A Carriage Dispute

DStv parent MultiChoice Group on Monday sent a warning to its subscribers: that 12 Warner Bros Discovery-owned channels could be removed from all DStv bouquets in the coming weeks should the two parties fail to reach a new distribution agreement.

In a letter, which was sent as an on-screen pop up and e-mail to DStv customers, MultiChoice said it will continue to strive to give customers an “exceptional entertainment package”, whether a new deal is struck or not.

“The distribution agreement between MultiChoice and Warner Bros Discovery is scheduled to end on 31 December 2025. While discussions between the parties continue, no agreement has been reached at this stage. If this remains unchanged, a number of Warner Bros Discovery channels may no longer be available on DStv from 1 January 2026,” MultiChoice said in a letter to subscribers on Monday.

The 12 channels that could be affected are:

• Discovery Channel

• CNN International

• TLC

• Discovery Family

• Real Time

• TNT Africa

• Food Network

• HGTV

• Investigation Discovery

• Cartoon Network

• Cartoonito

• Travel Channel

MultiChoice hinted at a possible refreshed channel line-up in 2026: it said it is “preparing to further strengthen and enrich its line-up with new content, channels and services” in the new year.

The changes will affect all DStv customers across Africa; customers of sister company Showmax will not be affected should the Warner Bros content be removed from DStv.

Subscriber losses

The news comes as MultiChoice parent company, French pay-TV giant Groupe Canal+, stated its commitment to stemming the subscriber decline at MultiChoice. In a presentation to investors, Canal+ revealed that a 1.2 million year-over-year loss in subscribers to the year-ended 31 March had accelerated to 1.4 million year on year by end-June. Canal+ said it will leverage cost optimisation to reset the cost base across its African operations while taking advantage of groupwide technology “synergies” to drive costs down even further.

“What matters most is ensuring that your viewing experience remains rich, diverse and enjoyable. You will continue to enjoy an exceptional entertainment experience across your package, supported by strong alternative channels across every genre,” MultiChoice told customers about the Warner Bros Discovery talks.  

Could CBS Reality Be Shutting Down Around The World Alongside True Crime UK???

Some consumers were likely keeping tabs on this but CBS Reality's carriage had been in decline over the years. In the UK, this offering was folded under True Crime which very much like CBS Reality has been airing a lot of Judge Judy same goes for the feeds to have closed.

MultiChoice and DStv consumers have been the latest victims in this corporate restructure of Paramount with CBS Reality and CBS Justice expected to close by 31 December 2025.

This was stated by them when addressing the press

“Following a strategic review, CBS AMC Networks EMEA Channels Partnership – the owner of CBS Reality and CBS Justice – has decided to close both channels,” MultiChoice said.

Does this mean remaining feeds for the channels are expected to close???

At the time of reporting, the only markets that would continue to offer CBS Reality would be the UK (through True Crime), Romania and the Middle East. If you had to look at the channel's reach excluding the UK, it's a lot smaller and such aren't prioritised.

Unlike MultiChoice's DStv, Paramount's Channels Are Being Replaced In Other Parts Of The World

At this current stage, MultiChoice has no plans to replace CBS Reality, CBS Justice, MTV Base and BET once they go dark on DStv. This will only enrage consumers by next year and lead to the potential loss in subscribers as seen with high end packages.

From what is understood, the decision to remove these channels was a corporate decision coming from Paramount and AMC Networks International. MultiChoice has no control over that and are as much customs as of its subscribers.

But as MultiChoice a service is being provided by them so it would only seem logical in this scenario for consumers to get some form of compensation. Rather than widening down the reach of existing channels as if your top level or mid entry subscribers don't exist.

In New Zealand, Sky had launched two channels Sky Comedy and Sky Kids that have licensed content from Paramount's cable networks.  Even in Poland whose CBS Reality is scheduled to close at the same time as Africa is treating this as a rebrand with another set to launch in place.

Even in Australia, Foxtel had launched its replacements for MTV's cable networks: CMC, Australian Played and Trending. This is despite the fact that Spotify and YouTube Music are booming within the streaming space.

Then you have MultiChoice which is losing 4 channels despite closing an additional 2 channels in the year and between 7 to 12 channels in the previous financial year. They had only managed to launch like 1 channel and another 1 or 2 in the previous year.

In general, things at MultiChoice are really a mess and those following the media can only just hope that this tie up with Canal+ can only benefit existing clients in the long run. There's likely going to be more corporate restructuring within the media landscape.

Paramount is currently in pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery and if they're able to sink their teeth into Discovery Channel and Cartoon Network. Expect a similar outcome to await these brands and MultiChoice won't have much leverage by then.

Some consumers are threatening to cancel their DStv subscription once MTV Base goes dark this was somewhat like the Mzansi Magic of music. Judge Judy that's also being axed without airing it's final season alongside reruns to Cheaters as this content won't be found elsewhere.

'Max & The Midknights' Renewed For Season Three; To Premiere On Nickelodeon Global On December 3

Based on the best-selling children's books by acclaimed author and cartoonist Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate), the medieval action-adventure comedy series follows Max, a determined 10-year-old girl with big dreams of becoming a knight, as she leads her friends on epic adventures filled with excitement, bravery, and lots of fun. In season three, Max and the Midknights embark on a quest to help a neighboring kingdom of gnomes and discover that their own kingdom could be in danger.

Max & the Midknights will premiere on the Nickelodeon Global pan-regional feed on Wednesday 3rd December 2025.

A Restless Knight, Part One: After a raucous season one, Max & the Midknights are back and ready for action! There's just one problem-Byjovia is quiet! Too quiet... (#301; season three premiere)*

*Season one of Max & the Midknights was split into two seasons, so "season one" in the episode's synopsis means both seasons one and two.

After defeating Fendra and Gastley, Max & The Midknights are living their best lives in Byjovia. Max is in training in knight school, Kevyn runs the royal library, Simon helps animals in need, Millie is in training with Mumblin, and Uncle Budrick is the royal troubadour. Although things seem perfect, Max is itching to go on another quest. When a wild beast known as a Clatterback shows up in Byjovia and threatens to do major damage, Max saves the day, making it even more apparent that she really wants to be out on the road helping people. Her desire for a new adventure is answered when Queen Nerelia of Tresk shows up begging for help.

A Restless Knight, Part Two: When the Gnomes of Tresk are kidnapped by a mysterious evil, Max & the Midknights volunteer to save them, but Max's plans for her second quest go awry when she learns not all the Midknights are as eager as she is to go on the mission. (#302)

When the Gnomes of Tresk are kidnapped by a mysterious evil, Max & the Midknights volunteer to save them. Max is thrilled to go on a new quest, but her plans go awry when she learns that Simon doesn't want to go. Having just settled into Byjovia with his new family, Simon would rather stay home. Despite feeling sad, the Midknights tell him that they understand how he feels. Sadly, Mumblin must also sit out the journey after an accidental tumble down the library steps leaves him in a full body cast. The Midknights set sail down two members. The morning they leave though, Simon has a change of heart. With the help of his animal patients, Simon rushes to the docks to try and catch the Midknights before they sail away from Byjovia. As Simon nears the ship, he and the Midknights are confronted by the angry Clatterback. In the nick of time, Simon convinces the animal to let them go. Simon tells the Midknights that he has changed his mind. They are his family and he's going on this quest with them. 

The Spirit of the Sea: As Max and the Midknights sail across the sea on their quest, they get spooked when Uncle Budrick claims there's a ghost on board their ship! Meanwhile, Mumblin fears someone is out to get him. (#303)

As the Midknights sail across the sea on their latest quest, Max realizes the gang might be a little rusty. Kevyn and Millie aren't seeing eye to eye, Simon is preoccupied helping his animal clients from long distance, and Uncle Budrick is terribly seasick! However, Max is certain she can get them working as a team. But when Uncle Budrick is spooked by something sinister in the shadows below deck, he is convinced he saw a ghost! Determined to get back on mission, Max leads the charge to search the ship and find whatever mysterious presence might be haunting them. They soon find there's no ghost at all-they've been spooked by a stowaway, the former King of Byjovia, Gastley! But as the Midknights are distracted, the ship veers off course and into a powerful storm! They quickly realize they must act as a team in order to steady the ship before it capsizes! Meanwhile, back in Byjovia, Mumblin fears someone might be behind his recent spate of accidents, and takes matters into his own hands...

The Trial of Mumblin the Magician: After being blown off course, the Midknights navigate a set of treacherous waterfalls as they try to reach the Gnomes of Tresk. Meanwhile, Mumblin pleads for his freedom in Wizard Court where the odds are stacked against him. (#304)

When the Midknights' ship is set off course, the team must survive treacherous new waters. Before Max can enact her plan, she is summoned to Wizard Court where Mumblin is on trial for his life. Max must help Mumblin prove that he is a good wizard and that he escaped the afterlife to help the Midknights defeat Fendra. If Max can't, Mumblin will be sent away for good. Max calls on the Midknights to testify on Mumblin's behalf. When those attempts fail, Max takes the stand. At first, Max's emotional testimony seems to win over the court, but her pleas for Mumblin's freedom backfire and Mumblin is ultimately found guilty. Luckily, Kevyn discovers a way to save Mumblin. Max must battle the Worms of Justice and if she wins, then Mumblin will be set free. Transported to a desert, Max battles giant worms. In the end, Max defeats the worms and Mumblin wins his trial. Unfortunately, the Midknights are sent back to their boat, which is headed straight for a massive waterfall!

The voice cast behind the Midknights, a group of misfits each with their own unique talent, include: Blu del Barrio (Star Trek: Discovery) as Max, a brave and determined girl ready to take on any challenge headed her way; Melissa Villaseñor (Saturday Night Live) as Millie, a wacky yet super positive girl who brings the power of magic to the Midknights; Zeno Robinson (Transformers: EarthSpark) as Simon, Millie’s street-savvy and sometimes sarcastic companion; and Caleb Yen (Beyblade X) as Kevyn, the bookish genius with a photographic memory. Together, the group accomplishes nearly everything that they set their mind to achieve.

Alongside the Midknights, Jeremy Rowley (iCarly) lends his voice as Uncle Budrick, Max’s lovably silly parental figure and professional troubadour, Gary Anthony Williams (Central Park) voices Mumblin, a famous retired magician who helps guide the Midknights on their quests, Brian Stepanek (The Loud House) voices King Gastley, the nefarious ruler of Byjovia, willing to do whatever it takes to maintain his throne, and India de Beaufort (It’s Pony) voices Fendra, a dark sorceress working for King Gastley.

Produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, Max & the Midknights is executive produced by Lincoln Peirce (Big Nate) and Jane Startz (Ella Enchanted). Sharon Flynn (All Hail King Julien) and David Skelly (Toy Story 2) serve as co-executive producers and showrunners. Development and production is overseen by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, TV Series Animation, Nickelodeon, Nathan Schram, Vice President, Development, Nickelodeon Animation, and Stephanie Alpert, Vice President, Production, Nickelodeon Animation. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

The article was originally published by NickAlive!