DStv subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as the 12 Warner Bros. Discovery channels, which were scheduled to disappear on January 1, are staying put. Canal+, which owns MultiChoice, secured a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery just hours before the midnight deadline on December 31, ensuring continued access to these popular channels.
The channels that were initially at risk included major names such as CNN, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, TLC, TNT Africa, and Travel Channel. More importantly, the deal also guarantees access to HBO content on M-Net and Showmax, meaning subscribers will still enjoy shows like The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, and the upcoming Game of Thrones spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Negotiations and Deal Details
According to TVwithThinus, MultiChoice had been in negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery for months, but discussions were stalled over pricing and terms. In December, MultiChoice had warned subscribers that without an agreement, these channels would be removed from their services by New Year’s Day, which would have significantly impacted DStv’s premium packages, especially considering HBO’s premium content as a major draw.
The negotiations became more complex as Canal+ took over MultiChoice. They decided to bundle the African rights into a larger deal that not only covered Africa but also extended to Europe, including countries like Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belgium, and Austria. This shift in the deal structure meant that Canal+ had to negotiate on behalf of both African and European territories.
Coverage and Streaming Plans
The final agreement spans over 50 African countries, with both exclusive and non-exclusive arrangements. CNN International and Cartoon Network will be exclusive to DStv in South Africa, while other regions will have non-exclusive access. Channels like Discovery, TLC, and Food Network will be carried non-exclusively in all territories.
Additionally, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, HBO Max, is set to launch in Africa in 2026, and it is expected that MultiChoice will offer it as a tile on DStv, similar to their current offerings of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video alongside Showmax.
The multi-year deal also ensures that South African viewers will have access to highly anticipated shows like the Green Lantern series in 2026 and the new Harry Potter drama series starting in 2027. While the exact length of the agreement remains undisclosed due to commercial sensitivity, the deal strengthens Canal+’s position across both Africa and Europe.
The Loss of Paramount Channels
While DStv subscribers were able to avoid the loss of Warner Bros. Discovery content, they couldn’t escape other changes. Four Paramount Africa channels—BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Reality, and CBS Justice—were still shut down, with these channels going dark on January 1. This marks the end of Paramount Africa’s South African operations, which had a reach of over 100 million viewers across 52 African territories.
Impact of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Deal
Despite Warner Bros. Discovery facing takeover interest from both Netflix and Paramount Skydance, Canal+ managed to secure a deal that strengthens its position in both African and European markets. This successful negotiation ensures that DStv subscribers continue to have access to some of the most sought-after content in the industry.
