Big changes hitting DStv viewers this December
If you have been scrolling through the DStv channel list lately, you may already have noticed some disappearing names. This December, a wave of closures is coming for four older favourite channels. DStv will remove BET Africa, MTV Base Africa, CBS Justice, and CBS Reality, leaving many South African viewers to rethink their evening line-ups.
As confirmed by MultiChoice, the channels will stop broadcasting on DStv and GOtv after 31 December 2025.
What is behind the closures
The removal of these channels follows a corporate restructure by their parent companies. BET Africa and MTV Base were part of the music and youth-focused brands managed by Paramount Global in Africa. CBS Justice and CBS Reality belonged to AMC Networks International, and their shutdown is linked to the same global shift away from traditional linear channels.
For many viewers, this feels like the end of an era. BET Africa launched in South Africa in 2015, while MTV Base Africa has been on screens since 2005. Over the years, it influenced youth culture and music discovery, from Kwaito and Afrobeat to the rise of amapiano.
Viewer reactions and local context
South African social media lit up immediately after the announcement. Some viewers were shocked to lose their favourite music video and reality show channels. Others argued that the closures were inevitable as more people turn to streaming platforms and curated online content.
In a South African lounge, a teenager may wonder how to keep up with new amapiano drops without MTV Base. A parent may miss the familiar crime investigations of CBS Reality. It is a reminder of how deeply these channels have been woven into everyday viewing habits.
Television habits in South Africa have changed dramatically over the last decade. As internet access grows and streaming options multiply, traditional pay TV channels are fighting to stay relevant. This move by DStv fits into a broader global shift.
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗱. @BET_Africa, @MTVBaseAfrica, CBS Justice and CBS Reality axed on @DStv after decades:https://t.co/EnKJJM1NrT
— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) November 29, 2025
What else is changing and what to expect
MultiChoice has said that although these four channels will go dark, viewers will still have access to other channels with similar content. Music lovers may turn to Trace Africa, Channel O, or Sound City. Reality and crime fans have other general entertainment and documentary channels to choose from.
Still, the impact is real. These channels have entertained South Africans for years, and their departure will be felt. The closures signal a new chapter in how local audiences consume content. Streaming libraries, YouTube channels, and on-demand platforms may take up the space these channels leave behind.
A farewell to old favourites
For two decades, BET Africa and MTV Base Africa offered a cultural thread connecting African youth from Lagos to Johannesburg. CBS Justice and CBS Reality brought gripping real-life storytelling into homes across the country. Their final sign-off this December marks the end of a familiar comfort.
For many viewers, this is an invitation to adjust. Some may rediscover music channels that focus on African artists. Others may shift fully into streaming. South African broadcasters may even respond by boosting more locally produced shows.
Whatever your viewing routine looks like, the end of December will bring a noticeable change to the DStv guide. The big question now is what new habits will replace the old ones.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Angelo Zachos
