Millions of GOtv and DStv customers across Africa may be forced to say goodbye to several popular television channels at the end of the year, as a crucial carriage agreement between MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) nears expiry. Unless a new contract is signed before December 31, 2025, channels under the WBD umbrella could disappear from both platforms beginning January 1, 2026.
The uncertainty has sparked growing concern among viewers who rely on these global networks for news, kids’ shows, lifestyle programming, documentaries, and entertainment content.
The channels affected fall under Warner Bros. Discovery’s expansive international portfolio. Based on the current contract, the channels most likely to be removed if negotiations fail include:
- CNN International
- Cartoon Network
- Discovery Channel
- TLC
- Food Network
- HGTV (Home & Garden TV)
- TNT Africa
- Investigation Discovery (ID)
- Discovery Family
- Travel Channel
- Adult Swim programming blocks (where applicable)
These channels play major roles in MultiChoice’s content offering — from 24-hour global news and award-winning documentaries to children’s entertainment and home-improvement shows.
Separately, MTV Base (Africa) is also listed to cease broadcast on January 1, 2026, following internal restructuring by Paramount Global. This exit is independent of the MultiChoice–WBD negotiations but adds another layer of disruption for viewers.
The potential blackout is tied to the expiration of a long-standing distribution agreement between MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery. This contract governs how WBD channels are carried on GOtv and DStv across Africa.
WBD is reportedly seeking revised commercial terms that reflect global content rights inflation. For MultiChoice — already under pressure from weakening currencies and rising operational costs — absorbing a significant price increase poses financial challenges.
The company has spent the last two years restructuring its international channel business, merging brands and redirecting more content toward digital streaming platforms such as Max. As a result, some of its traditional TV networks have either been closed, consolidated, or reassessed for long-term viability.
As streaming competition intensifies in Africa, MultiChoice has struggled with subscriber losses and reduced profitability. The company is increasingly cautious about renewing expensive channel contracts that could force subscription price hikes.
These tensions have created a difficult negotiation environment months ahead of the deadline.
MultiChoice has not issued a definitive statement confirming channel removals. Instead, the company has indicated that discussions are ongoing and that any changes will be communicated to customers in advance.
Behind the scenes, insiders acknowledge that the current risk communicated to the public is a standard but serious warning — signalling that the negotiations are proving difficult.
Viewers are already familiar with such standoffs. Over the past decade, similar disputes led to the temporary or permanent loss of channels such as Disney XD, Lifetime, and FOX Africa, before streaming disruptions pushed many global companies to rethink linear TV.
If no agreement is made, the affected channels may go dark immediately after December 31, 2025. MultiChoice would then need to fill the gaps with replacement channels, enhanced local content, or alternative partnerships.