MultiChoice-owned DStv has officially confirmed the impending loss of a major suite of channels from the Warner Bros. Discovery stable, with a dozen popular networks set to be terminated from its platform on December 31, 2025, at 23:59 CAT.
This mass channel exodus is primarily due to the failure to finalize a new carriage agreement between MultiChoice and WBD, though the channels' declining popularity on traditional broadcast platforms, hastened by the rise of streaming and specialized online content, is a significant backdrop to the decision. The current distribution deal is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
The channels confirmed for termination are Discovery Channel, TLC Africa, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and CNN International.
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The shift isn't surprising given the rise of the internet, where people prefer to watch their favorite travel vloggers on YouTube, and true crime enthusiasts follow creators like Kendal Rae. With confirmation bias increasing, news channels like CNN are becoming less popular, and children are gravitating toward shows like Cocomelon and Peppa Pig Tales on YouTube instead of traditional broadcast TV. Clearly, these channels have lost their appeal.
The termination underscores the fierce competition DStv faces from digital platforms where viewers are shifting their habits. Travel and lifestyle channels are competing directly with on-demand content from professional YouTube vloggers.
True Crime and factual channels like Investigation Discovery face strong rivalry from popular YouTube true crime creators. The loss of channels like Cartoon Network and Cartoonito is less surprising given the massive appeal of digital platforms, where shows like Cocomelon and Peppa Pig Tales dominate YouTube with billions of views.
The struggle of CNN International is emblematic of the current media landscape, where increasing confirmation bias drives viewers away from traditional news outlets toward specialized social media channels. The potential loss of these WBD channels is a significant blow to DStv's non-sports content catalogue and comes alongside other confirmed channel closures, including BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Reality, and CBS Justice, all ceasing operations by January 1, 2026.
"Please be advised that Discovery Channel, TLC Africa, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito & CNN International will not be available from 31 Dec 2025 at 23:59 CAT."
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