Harare – Millions of Zimbabwean households face the grim prospect of losing 12 popular channels from their DStv screens as a high-stakes negotiation deadlock between pay-TV provider MultiChoice, headquartered in South Africa, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) reaches a critical juncture. The countdown to 2026 has become a countdown to a potential blackout, with a New Year’s Eve deadline looming large for DStv subscribers across the region.
If a deal isn’t struck by 31 December, DStv subscribers in Zimbabwe, along with those in South Africa and other countries where the service is available, will wake up on New Year’s Day to an emptier entertainment landscape, potentially losing heavy hitters such as CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel and TLC, among other favourites.
This potential loss comes on top of the already confirmed exit of four Paramount channels (MTV Base, BET Africa, CBS Justice and CBS Reality), bringing the total casualty count to 16 channels overnight. This change will affect all DStv subscribers, including those in Zimbabwe.
Despite this massive content shed, MultiChoice has confirmed one thing will remain the same: the price. “While channels may be added or removed from time to time, there is currently no change to DStv subscription pricing,” the MultiChoice Group shared.
“This includes Paramount pulling BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality from our platform. Customers continue to have access to a broad range of entertainment, sport, news, lifestyle and kids content across their packages,” they added.
MultiChoice has publicly postured that it is ready to walk away, sending emails to subscribers claiming they have “strong alternatives” lined up to fill the gap.
They argue their priority is providing the “best entertainment experience at the best possible pricing”, hinting that WBD’s asking price is simply too high for the new budget-conscious era under new French MultiChoice owner Canal+.
“We remain committed to delivering the best possible entertainment experience,” MultiChoice added. “MultiChoice has extensive global content partnerships and is already working on enhancements to the 2026 line-up, including new content, new channels and new services to ensure that customers continue to receive exceptional value.”
However, Warner Bros. Discovery doesn’t think Cartoon Network or CNN can be replaced with a generic alternative. In an exclusive response to questions about the standoff, WBD broke its silence to remind the pay-TV giant exactly what they, and their subscribers, would be losing.
“We can’t speak to MultiChoice’s plans … but what we can share is the continued strength and relevance of Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio. Audiences in Zimbabwe, like those in South Africa, have enjoyed our channels for almost 30 years,” a WBD spokesperson stated.
WBD unleashed a barrage of data to back this up, effectively arguing that they aren’t just participating in the DStv ecosystem; in many ways, they are carrying it.
According to their figures: WBD’s portfolio captures a staggering 49% of all kids’ channel viewing on DStv. Cartoon Network remains the number one kids’ channel, delivering double the audience of its nearest competitor. TNT is the number one international movie channel, and TLC holds the crown for lifestyle content. CNN International remains a critical source for breaking world news, a staple for millions across the continent.
“These figures highlight the unique value our portfolio continues to deliver to families in Zimbabwe and across the region,” WBD added. The subtext is sharp: MultiChoice might have “alternatives” but they don’t have equivalents.
For weeks, industry insiders have speculated that the deadlock was a ripple effect of global chaos, specifically, the pending acquisition of WBD by Netflix and a hostile counter-bid by Paramount. Analysts feared that uncertainty over who would own these channels in 2026 was stalling the deal.
WBD has moved swiftly to shut down that narrative. “The current discussions with MultiChoice are solely focused on the renewal of our channels on DStv and GOtv … Other factors have no bearing on these negotiations,” they said.
The message is clear: The blockage isn’t happening in a boardroom in Hollywood, but right here, over the price and value of the content on DStv.
Two major questions remain unanswered, shrouded in the secrecy of the negotiation room. First, has the dynamic changed now that the cost-slashing French giant Canal+ is effectively pulling the strings at MultiChoice, the South African-based provider?
Second, what happens if the screens go dark? Buried in their response was a thinly veiled warning. While stating they are working hard to stay on DStv, WBD added, “We are working hard to ensure our portfolio remains with MultiChoice and are also exploring other ways to deliver our loved brands and content to consumers.”
This is the “nuclear option”. In an era of streaming, WBD could possibly be signalling that if DStv closes the door, they might just go direct-to-consumer, potentially partnering with a rival streaming service or launching their own platforms, taking their 49% share of the kids’ audience with them.
As the negotiations grind on, MultiChoice is betting that subscribers will accept cheaper, lesser-known alternatives to save on subscription costs. WBD is betting that DStv cannot afford to lose the #1 movie, #1 lifestyle, and #1 kids’ channels all at once.
With the contract expiring on 31 December, the two sides are officially still talking, but for the subscriber in Zimbabwe, the difference between a Happy New Year and a black screen is coming down to the wire.
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