MultiChoice is set to discontinue four channels on its DStv platform from September 16, 2026, as the pay-TV company continues to restructure its channel lineup in response to changing viewing habits and growing competition from streaming services.
The channels scheduled to leave the DStv lineup are M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Music.
MultiChoice said content previously available on the affected channels would continue to be accessible through other DStv offerings, with the changes aimed at reducing duplication and creating a more streamlined channel portfolio.
The latest closures form part of a broader overhaul of the company’s DStv and GOtv offerings throughout 2026. While some channels are being removed, MultiChoice is also introducing new sports and entertainment options as it seeks to keep its platforms competitive.
One of the notable additions is SportyTV, a 24-hour sports channel that has been introduced on selected DStv and GOtv packages. DStv customers on the Yanga package can access the channel on 236, while GOtv subscribers on the Jolli package can find it on channel 58.
SportyTV features a range of sporting content, including live football, basketball and combat sports, alongside sports news, analysis and match highlights.
MultiChoice is also expanding its SuperSport offering. From August 19, 2026, four additional SuperSport channels are expected to become available on DStv, increasing the amount of live sports programming available to subscribers.
The new channels include SuperSport Football Plus, which will feature premium football content including selected UEFA Champions League matches. SuperSport Africa will focus on sporting events from South Africa and across the continent, while SuperSport KickOff will cater for football matches taking place simultaneously.
SuperSport Extra 2 will provide additional coverage when several major sporting events are scheduled at the same time, helping MultiChoice accommodate periods of heavy activity on the sporting calendar.
The company has also made changes to its entertainment lineup. Novelas+ launched on DStv on July 1, replacing Tlnovelas, which was removed from channel 131 earlier in the year.
The latest channel closures follow another round of changes earlier in 2026 after Paramount announced plans to wind down its linear television operations across Africa. That development resulted in the removal of channels including BET Africa, CBS Reality, CBS Justice and MTV Base.
MultiChoice’s latest restructuring reflects the broader transformation taking place in the pay-TV industry as audiences increasingly turn to streaming platforms and on-demand entertainment.
Rather than simply expanding the number of channels available, the company is attempting to focus its lineup on content that attracts consistent viewer interest while eliminating channels it considers duplicated or less strategically valuable.
Despite the changes to its channel portfolio, MultiChoice has confirmed that DStv subscription prices will remain unchanged in 2026. The decision marks a departure from the company’s usual pattern of conducting annual subscription price reviews.
For DStv subscribers, the September 16 closures will mean the removal of four familiar channels, but MultiChoice says their content will not simply disappear, as some programming will continue to be available through other channels on the platform.
The latest move ultimately highlights how traditional pay-TV operators are adapting their offerings as competition from streaming services continues to reshape the way audiences consume television content.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
