MultiChoice has announced that four more channels will leave the DStv line-up from September 16, 2026, bringing the total number of channels lost by DStv Premium to seven this year. The latest removals include M-Net Movies 1, KykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop, and Mzansi Music, intensifying concerns over the value of the platform’s most expensive package.
Seven Channels Lost in 2026
Earlier in 2026, DStv Premium subscribers already lost BET Africa, CBS Reality, CBS Justice, and MTV Base after Paramount wound down its African linear television operations. The recent removals are partly linked to external licensing decisions, but they have heightened worries about what subscribers receive from the premium tier.
MultiChoice has been cutting costs and reducing content licensing expenses to improve profitability. One major casualty was the Winter Olympics, which SuperSport did not broadcast for the first time in more than a decade. Although the event has not traditionally been a top attraction for South African audiences, its absence signaled that major sporting events may no longer automatically be part of the Premium proposition.
Showmax Shutdown and HBO Loss
Premium subscribers also lost another significant benefit when MultiChoice shut down Showmax at the end of April 2026. The streaming service had previously provided a valuable free add-on for DStv Premium customers.
The content squeeze deepened in June when major HBO and first-run Warner Bros. Discovery programmes disappeared from DStv packages following changes to licensing and distribution agreements. This was particularly significant for Premium subscribers because some affected programming had been available through channels associated with the top-tier package.
The loss of HBO content carries historical significance. M-Net founder Koos Bekker had modelled the original M-Net channel on HBO when the service launched in 1986, making the relationship a long-standing part of the company’s television history.
Focus on Affordable Packages
Since Canal+ took over MultiChoice in 2025, the company appears to be placing greater emphasis on attracting lower-income and price-sensitive customers. DStv Access, one of its more affordable packages, has received channels previously restricted to higher-priced bouquets. DStv has also expanded access to FIFA World Cup matches for customers on cheaper packages.
This strategy helped drive a significant increase in subscribers towards the end of the second quarter of 2026. MultiChoice has additionally increased decoder subsidies, potentially targeting households that lack reliable internet access or cannot afford broadband services suitable for streaming.
For Premium subscribers, however, the major new benefit has been limited to the ability to split bills between two subscribers, a feature available across DStv's customer base. As MultiChoice continues its transformation under Canal+, the biggest question is whether Premium can retain its position as the company’s flagship offering while more value is pushed towards cheaper packages.
Illegal Streaming Shutdown
Legit.ng earlier reported that authorities dealt a major blow to an alleged illegal streaming operation accused of distributing premium DStv and GOtv content without authorisation, freezing millions of rand believed to have been generated from the scheme. The development serves as another warning to individuals and businesses involved in the growing market for pirated television content, which continues to affect broadcasters and content creators across Africa, including Nigeria.
