By Business News Correspondent
Maureen Iluobe
DStv subscribers across Africa can breathe a sigh of relief following a last-minute agreement between Canal+ and Warner Bros Discovery, ensuring the continued availability of several popular television channels that were previously scheduled to exit the platform from January 1, 2026.
The agreement puts an end to weeks of uncertainty after viewers were warned in December that negotiations between both media giants had stalled, raising fears that key channels such as CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC could be removed from DStv bouquets.
New Multi-Year Agreement
Canal+ confirmed that the renewed partnership is part of a multi-year, multi-territory deal designed to deepen collaboration between the two companies across Africa and Europe. The agreement also includes plans to expand HBO Max into two additional markets, further strengthening their international content strategy.
“This expanded partnership covers the continued distribution of Warner Bros Discovery channels and the renewal of long-standing agreements across multiple regions,” Canal+ said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The deal applies to South Africa, Nigeria, the rest of Africa, and several European markets where Canal+ operates.
Channels Saved From Removal
The agreement guarantees the retention of 12 Warner Bros Discovery channels that had been under threat of removal. These include:
-
CNN International
-
Cartoon Network
-
Cartoonito
-
Discovery Channel
-
TLC
-
Investigation Discovery
-
Food Network
-
HGTV
-
Travel Channel
-
Discovery Family
-
TNT Africa
-
Real Time
Subscribers had begun receiving emails and on-screen alerts from December 1, 2025, warning that the channels could be withdrawn if talks failed.
Impact Across Africa and Europe
Industry data shows that Canal+ (formerly MultiChoice) serves about 14.5 million subscribers across Africa, with approximately seven million in South Africa and 7.5 million spread across Nigeria and other African markets—making the agreement critical to customer retention.
Beyond Africa, the deal also renews select Warner Bros Discovery channels in Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, including Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and CNN International. Additional channels such as Warner TV, Cinemax, and TVN were renewed in other European territories, though they are not available on African platforms.
Subscribers Welcome the Decision
The resolution has been widely welcomed by DStv customers, many of whom had expressed frustration over the potential loss of premium international content, especially news and children’s programming.
Canal+ described the renewed partnership as a significant step forward.
“Canal+ and Warner Bros Discovery are pleased to announce a new chapter in their long-standing collaboration, reinforcing their shared commitment to delivering high-quality content to audiences worldwide,” the company said.
