DStv may drop 11 major TV channels by December 31 as MultiChoice–Warner Bros. deal stalls

MultiChoice Group says 11 television channels could be removed from the DStv platform by December 31 following the possible expiration of its distribution deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a notice to subscribers, the company listed the affected channels as Discovery Channel, TLC Africa, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery (ID), Cartoon Network, Cartoonito and CNN International.

MultiChoice said the channels will cease to be available from 23:59 CAT on December 31 unless a new agreement is reached.

Responding to enquiries from TheCable on Thursday, MultiChoice said its current distribution contract with Warner Bros. Discovery officially ends on December 31, 2025, and negotiations for a new agreement have not been concluded.

“Should this remain the case, these channels will no longer form part of the DStv lineup from 1 January 2026,” the company said.

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Despite the uncertainty, MultiChoice assured subscribers that the platform will maintain a strong entertainment lineup.

“We can confidently assure that customers will continue to enjoy a rich, diverse and growing entertainment offering… with fresh content, new channels and new services in the year ahead,” the company added.

It directed viewers to alternative news, lifestyle, kids, and entertainment channels, including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, DreamWorks, National Geographic, History Channel, BBC Lifestyle, Sky News, Al Jazeera, and others.

Unless MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery reach a fresh agreement, all 11 channels will be completely removed from the DStv platform by the end of the year.

The development comes at a time when MultiChoice is undergoing significant restructuring under new ownership. In September, Canal+ Group—which now holds a majority stake—reconstituted the board after increasing its direct holding to 46 percent, plus an additional 2.2 percent through shareholder acceptances.

Before the acquisition, MultiChoice had been struggling with falling numbers, particularly in Nigeria. In its audited results for the year ended March 31, 2025, the company reported that its Nigerian operation lost 1.4 million subscribers over two years, primarily driven by economic pressures and rising subscription costs.

The stalled Warner Bros. negotiations add another layer of uncertainty as the company works to stabilise its business across key markets.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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