DStv Customers Are Shocked And Utterly Disappointed By MultiChoice's Decision To Possibly Cancel TLC, HGTV And Food Network

MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery might have settled their carriage dispute as 8 out of the 12 channels might be exiting DStv. These include TLC, Real Time, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoonito And CNN.

A termination notice had already been spotted for these channels and it as goes follows:

Dear viewer, please note this channel may no longer form part of our content line-up from 31 December 2025. Thank you.

The channels in question come as a shock to viewers like myself specifically for TLC as it's basically what Bravo is to NBCUniversal or MTV is to Paramount. But this was to be expected I mean Canal+ Afrique only distribute 5 channels from the brand including CNN.

I'd like to believe that more channels could end up joining Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Cartoon Network and CNN. 

If you had to sum it up, several factors contribute to the possible demise of these brands firstly MultiChoice had implied renewing their agreement with the company had been deemed non-viable. This is where brands like Food Network and CNN factored in.

Another may have something to with their viewership particularly for the likes of Travel Channel. Canal+ is shedding costs at MultiChoice and one way would probably be phasing out niche and redundant brands.

As for the content, MultiChoice had stated they're more than willing to replace these channels which does lead us to wonder. Could these replacements perhaps carry shows like 90 Day Fiance and Evil Lives Here I mean it wouldn't seem far fetched.

Warner Bros. Discovery had run into similar issues in New Zealand and since then channels have come in place to carry this content. MultiChoice had done similar actions in the past with the likes of Animal Planet (under Real Time) and ITV Choice (under M-Net).

Developing Story: Channels Likely Remaining On DStv Include Cartoon Network, TNT, Discovery Channel And Discovery Family

As consumers have already heard, talks between MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding the carriage agreement for Cartoon Network and 11 other channels are on the line. MultiChoice sent a notice out earlier in the month about the pending disaster.

Since then, a petition had started to garner traction online from a concerned DStv subscriber and has since crossed the 300 milestone.

In recent developments, it appears that Cartoon Network, TNT, Discovery Channel and Discovery Family won't be leaving DStv. As a termination notice has only been sent out for TLC, HGTV and Warner's 6 other channels.

The message goes as follows Dear viewer, please note this channel may no longer form part of our content line-up from 31 December 2025. Thank you.

The fact MultiChoice states "may no longer" doesn't mean their fates are set in stone just yet but that some progress has already been established. This comprises of brands such as Cartoon Network, TNT, Discovery Channel and Discovery Family.

It's very likely that more channels could join the lineup but as of right now it appears MultiChoice will be removing 8 additional channels alongside the 4 channels by Paramount. They had recently extended the DStv Upsize promotion giving them ample time to resolve the matter.

Developing Story: Channels Likely Going Dark On DStv Include TLC, Real Time, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Cartoonito And CNN

As consumers have already heard, talks between MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding the carriage agreement for Cartoon Network and 11 other channels are on the line. MultiChoice sent a notice out earlier in the month about the pending disaster.

Since then, a petition had started to garner traction online from a concerned DStv subscriber and has since crossed the 300 milestone.

At the time, it was stated by MultiChoice that should a new agreement not be reached consumers would lose 12 additional channels by 31 December 2025. But that may not be the case for Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family and TNT.

Termination cards are being spotted on TLC, Real Time, HGTV, Travel Channel, Food Network, Cartoonito, CNN International and Investigation Discovery with the following message:

Dear viewer, please note this channel may no longer form part of our content line-up from 31 December 2025. Thank you.

MultiChoice had implied that Warner Bros. Discovery is asking for too much money to extend the carriage agreement for these 8 channels. Honestly, I was right to suspect that Food Network or even HGTV are likely goners in this carriage dispute.

The fact MultiChoice states "may no longer" doesn't mean their fates are set in stone just yet but that some progress has already been established. It's possible that some of these 8 could remain onboard I mean Canal+ Afrique does offer CNN International.

But as of right now, MultiChoice had extended its DStv Upsize promotion which can only imply several scenarios. Firstly talks between the two extend to 2026 which is unlikely and, second is that 8 channels are likely done for and this promotion is just a distraction.

Could Canal+'s MultiChoice Be Hinting At A Grim Future For Warner Bros. Discovery?

Warner Bros. Discovery serves as MultiChoice's largest entertainment provider behind BBC Studios, Disney, NBCUniversal and Paramount. It provides shows like House Of Dragons to M-Net alongside cable networks like Discovery Channel, CNN and Cartoon Network.

The fate of this offering now hangs in the balance as MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery struggle to finalise to a new agreement. Aside from Paramount's 4 channels, consumers stand a chance of losing an additional 12 channels bringing to 16 channels.

A petition had been going around in order to try and save these channels. Because let's face it within this 12 everyone has a favourite and some have even threatened to cancel their subscription.

MultiChoice was asked what they're next grand plan would be if the 12 channels were axed and of course it would be replacing them. But none of the content viewed on Cartoon Network or TLC would make it which is what consumers are paying for.

So now they're extending the DStv Upsize promotion to 31 January 2026. Not as a thank you for being a loyal subscriber but rather a way for them to say we're screwed without these channels.

Consumers missing out on Cartoon Network would have Disney Channel and Nickelodeon to keep occupied. Those missing out on AEW on TNT would have access to live episodes of Raw and SmackDown alongside PPV events.

This is all until 31 January 2026 which would give them ample time to find replacements. If I'm being honest here, there's a 50/50 chance that all 12 channels will be exiting or maybe 4-6 get retained.

According to insiders, talks between them aren't looking good so consumers should expect something major to get axed. This is why there's talks of replacements and for Paramount's brands which are definitely exiting aren't getting replaced.

DStv Upsize Promotion Receives Another Extension Amidst A Carriage Dispute

MultiChoice has announced that DStv customers with decoder-based subscriptions will be upgraded to higher-tier packages for free until the end of January 2026. This is because consumers are likely to lose 12 additional channels by the end of this month.

DStv has been running a promotion that gives customers on its mid-tier and entry-level packages access to higher-end bouquets until the end of December. This has now been extended by a month as Warner Bros. Discovery and MultiChoice try to reach an agreement.

Until 31 January 2026, DStv Compact and Compact Plus customers will have access to all Premium channels, while Family and Access customers will be upgraded to Compact. 

DStv Premium subscribers receive two extra concurrent streams, for a total of four, and will get more DStv Rewards points than usual.

While the upgrade promotion is exclusive to decoder-based subscribers, MultiChoice said that DStv Stream customers will get separate offers on DStv Rewards.

To make it easier for customers to get a decoder and other products, DStv is relaunching its online store later this month, offering free delivery and a simpler ordering process.

MultiChoice launched its Upsize promotion on 10 November, immediately following its successful Open Weekend that gave all decoder-based subscribers free access to DStv Premium.

“With the summer holidays fast approaching, families can enjoy a wide range of local and international entertainment,” MultiChoice stated.

It stated that no action is required from customers to receive the upgrade, and normal billing will resume in February 2026.

DStv said the Upsize promotion forms part of its broader plan to improve customer value. MultiChoice CEO for Pay TV South Africa, Byron du Plessis, said the campaign was part of a bigger value reset.

“We’re focused on making DStv more accessible and rewarding, with affordability and customer experience at the heart of our strategy,” Du Plessis said.

The campaign follows several recent initiatives since the company’s takeover by Canal+, including decoder price cuts and a refreshed DStv Rewards programme.

While the DStv Rewards refresh had been in the works since before the takeover, it has been allowed to proceed with Canal+’s blessing.