South Africans are expressing outrage online after DStv announced it will be removing 16 channels from its platform at the end of the year—right in the thick of the festive season. The pay-TV giant confirmed that its long-standing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery is set to expire on 31 December 2025, and negotiations to renew the deal have fallen through.

The looming blackout affects some of the most recognisable global channels on the satellite service, triggering a fresh wave of complaints from subscribers who already believe they are paying premium fees for shrinking content.

What Channels Are Disappearing?

With Warner Bros. Discovery exiting DStv’s platform, a wide mix of entertainment, kids’ content, reality shows and news programming will disappear. Affected channels include:

• Discovery Channel

• TLC

• Cartoonito

• Cartoon Network

  
  
  

• CNN International

• Food Network

• The Travel Channel

• TNT

• Investigation Discovery

  
  
  

• Real Time

• HGTV

• Discovery Family

These losses come on top of channels already confirmed to be leaving: BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice, and CBS Reality—a separate fallout from DStv’s earlier failed agreements with Paramount Africa and AMC Networks International.

Combined, the 16-channel cutback significantly alters DStv’s entertainment landscape, and many viewers worry that the platform’s value for money has reached an all-time low.

Mixed Pricing, Shrinking Content

DStv currently offers packages from R29 per month (EasyView) to its top-tier R929 Premium package. However, subscribers say the prices no longer match the diminishing offering—especially as the cuts affect channels across multiple bouquet tiers.

What remains unclear is whether MultiChoice will adjust subscription prices to reflect the loss of content or continue charging current rates despite the reduced offering. For now, the broadcaster has offered no clarity, further fueling subscriber anger.

South Africans on X: “We’re Done With DStv”

As the announcement circulated early Wednesday morning, furious subscribers flooded X (formerly Twitter) with criticisms, threats to cancel their subscriptions, and calls to switch to cheaper streaming alternatives.

“This is an official goodbye to @DStv. Plus it’s super expensive now,” one user, @DiseboDee, wrote.

Another user, @pcross_13, added:
“DStv is gone now. They should also cut down their crazy fees in this case.”

Others were more blunt, saying they saw no reason to stay:
“We might as well cancel our subscriptions,” wrote @MrDonEsquire.

The sentiment was clear—loyalty is wearing thin.

Streaming Platforms Tighten Their Grip on SA Viewers

With frustration growing, streaming services stand to gain the most. A 2025 analysis of South Africa’s digital viewing habits shows that streaming penetration continues to rise sharply.

Current audience penetration figures show:

• DStv Stream remains ahead with 16%

• Showmax follows with 11%

• Netflix sits at 10%

Despite South Africa having only a handful of local streaming platforms, these services command a significant share of viewership. And analysts expect the streaming sector to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% by 2028, meaning that competition will only grow stronger.

With Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Netflix, and a revamped Showmax all battling for the attention of South African households, DStv’s decision to cut channels at year-end may accelerate a long-predicted migration: the mass shift from satellite TV to on-demand streaming.

Will Customers Stick Around?

For decades, DStv has been the dominant force in South African television, shaping the nation’s entertainment culture. But with multiple premium channels disappearing overnight, subscribers are questioning whether it still offers real value—especially when streaming alternatives provide fresh content at lower prices and without long-term contracts.

The coming months will reveal whether DStv can retain its core audience or whether this festive-season cutback becomes the tipping point that pushes more viewers online.

FAQ Section

Why is DStv removing 16 channels?

Negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery and other content providers failed, leading to the contractual expiry of several channels.

Which channels are being cut?

Discovery Channel, TLC, Cartoon Network, CNN International, Food Network, TNT, HGTV, and several others will be removed.

When will the channels be removed?

All 16 channels will be discontinued on 31 December 2025.

Will DStv reduce subscription prices?

DStv has not confirmed any price adjustments despite major content cuts.

Are subscribers cancelling their subscriptions?

Many social media users claim they will cancel, though actual numbers remain unknown.

What alternatives do South Africans have?

Popular options include Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and DStv Stream.