DStv subscribers in South Africa are facing a significant change as access to nearly all major HBO and first-run Warner Bros. Discovery shows has ceased. This decision stems from ongoing licensing and distribution agreements, leaving fans without popular series like House of the Dragon on live DStv channels such as M-Net or on Catch Up.
The news broke through seasoned broadcasting journalist Thinus Ferreira, who reported for News24, citing inside information from M-Net. MyBroadband reached out to DStv’s parent company, Groupe Canal+, for clarity. They provided a vague statement regarding the current licensing and distribution matters affecting show availability.
“The availability of individual series, such as House of the Dragon, is determined by ongoing studio licensing and distribution agreements,” stated the MultiChoice Group, owned by Canal+. “There is currently no further information to share, but updates will be communicated through our usual channels.”
If this change becomes permanent, it marks a substantial shift, given that HBO has been a key partner of MultiChoice and a cornerstone of the original M-Net channel. For over a decade, M-Net has been the primary broadcaster of HBO content in Africa, following a significant agreement in 2014.
This loss comes after MultiChoice, in December 2025, faced the potential of losing twelve channels due to stalled negotiations over its distribution agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery. Compounding the situation was the imminent expiration of the existing agreement on December 31, 2025.
The twelve channels at risk included Discovery, CNN, TLC, Discovery Family, Real Time, TNT Africa, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, and the Travel Channel. However, on the day of expiration, Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement.
Canal+ celebrated this renegotiated deal as a cost-saving achievement for the group. Unfortunately, it now appears that this new agreement does not cover ongoing rights for premium Warner Bros. Discovery content previously aired on M-Net.
Both Canal+ and Warner Bros. Discovery described the deal as a significant milestone in their international partnership, citing landmark agreements reached in France in 2024, including the renewal of exclusive pay-TV rights for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release.
Meanwhile, while MultiChoice continues to reduce the value of its top-tier DStv Premium package, it has made considerable enhancements to the entry-level DStv Access package.
In January 2026, DStv Access subscribers received exciting news when the Trace Ngoma, Trace Gospel, and WWE channels were added to their package, which was followed by SuperSport’s announcement in April 2026 to broadcast and stream all live matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 across most DStv packages, including Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus, and Premium—excluding only the EasyView package.
The entry-level Access package is priced at US$6.04 per month for a streaming-only option, making it significantly cheaper than the US$18.25 starting price for DStv Stream Compact on a 12-month contract.
As the company enhances its budget-friendly packages, it has yet to offer any new benefits to its top-tier DStv Premium service, prompting many customers to reassess their options.
