South Africa’s television and streaming industry could be entering a new phase, with Netflix facing calls for closer local partnerships as DStv reshapes its channel offering.
Lawmakers are calling for increased cooperation between Netflix and the SABC to create more opportunities for South Africa’s broadcasting and creative sectors. The issue came into focus after the committee visited Netflix’s One Piece production at Cape Town Film Studios.
Following the visit, the committee said disagreements between Netflix and local stakeholders were limiting opportunities for greater cooperation. Key concerns include intellectual property ownership and differences in business models.
The committee wants Netflix to strengthen its relationships with the South African government and local film industry. It has also called for a comparative assessment of South Africa’s competitiveness in the global broadcasting and streaming market.
Its recommendations include encouraging government to play a greater role in improving cooperation between Netflix and the SABC, particularly around opportunities that could support local production and the wider creative economy.
The discussions come as the government continues to consider new ways of funding the public broadcaster. One proposal raised is a levy on local and international streaming services such as Netflix.
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi said in 2025 that a streaming levy could be considered as an alternative funding source for the SABC. At the time, he indicated that households already paying TV licence fees would be exempt.
However, the minister’s spokesperson later stressed that no specific funding model had been formally adopted, with the department still examining different options.
The idea of making commercial entertainment platforms contribute towards public broadcasting is not new. The SABC has previously proposed similar measures, including a system under which DStv would help collect television licence fees.
DStv prepares for channel changes.
While discussions around Netflix and the future funding of public broadcasting continue, DStv is also changing its channel offering.
MultiChoice SA LicenceCo is set to discontinue several channels, including M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Music. The channels are scheduled to stop broadcasting at 23:59 SAST on 16 September 2026.
MultiChoice said the changes form part of an ongoing review of the DStv channel lineup, with content from the affected channels expected to remain available through other platforms.
The company is also making changes to its SuperSport offering. From 19 August 2026, several channels will receive new names and clearer sport-specific identities to make it easier for viewers to find the content they want.
The updated lineup will include SuperSport Football Plus, focused on premium football and selected UEFA Champions League matches, as well as SuperSport Africa, which will showcase South African and African sport.
SuperSport KickOff will provide additional football coverage, while SuperSport Extra 2 will add capacity for major live sporting events when several competitions take place at the same time.
MultiChoice said the changes are part of an effort to streamline and optimise its channel portfolio.
These developments highlight a rapidly changing media landscape in South Africa, with industry players reassessing how they compete, collaborate and engage audiences.
