Mounting uncertainty surrounds the future of several high-profile television channels on MultiChoice’s DStv platform, as renewal discussions between Warner Bros. Discovery and Canal+ SA have hit a standstill. According to people with knowledge of the talks, price disagreements have stalled progress, leaving the long-standing content partnership in doubt just weeks before its scheduled expiration.
While neither company has publicly disclosed details of the impasse, Warner Bros. Discovery’s suite of channels—ranging from CNN International to Cartoon Network—forms part of a distribution agreement that is set to conclude on December 31. MultiChoice, in a written response to questions, emphasized that renewal talks remain part of the normal course of business but offered no indication of when negotiations might resume.
The potential fallout comes at a delicate moment for the Johannesburg-based pay-TV provider. Now fully owned by Canal+ after a September acquisition, MultiChoice is working to steady its subscriber base following the loss of nearly three million customers over the past two financial years. In a notice circulated to viewers last week, the company cautioned that several Warner Bros. Discovery channels may no longer be available from January 1, though it did not specify which ones.
Compounding the pressure, MultiChoice is also preparing for the withdrawal of channels from Paramount Skydance Corp., including audience favorites such as MTV Base, BET Africa, CBS Justice and CBS Reality.
Paramount’s decision to exit South Africa will see several branded channels vanish from the lineup, even as MultiChoice assures customers that subscription pricing will remain unchanged for now.
These developments mark a significant shift for a platform that once prided itself on exclusive access to top-tier international content. MultiChoice’s relationship with Warner Bros.—renowned for franchises such as Game of Thrones and The Sopranos—dates back to 1999, when the broadcaster was among only a few global operators with direct studio agreements.
Formed as a Naspers offshoot in 2019 and later spun out, MultiChoice has seen its market environment tighten. The company’s premium service, priced at roughly $60 per month, has become harder to defend amid rising competition from global streaming platforms and shifting consumer habits. Meanwhile, industry speculation continues around Warner Bros. Discovery, which is reportedly in discussions with Netflix regarding a potential sale of its business.
As the year-end deadline approaches, viewers and industry observers alike are watching closely to see whether Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery can revive stalled negotiations—or whether DStv’s channel lineup is headed for a significant shake-up.