The Grinch Who Stole New Year's

The festive season is a time for goodwill, family, and escapism, but for millions of South African households, the year is set to end not with a bang, but with a blackout.

As the clock ticks down to January 1, a corporate standoff between MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is threatening to deliver the ultimate Grinch-like act: stealing 16 of the country’s most beloved channels right at the stroke of midnight. This looming content void, including heavy hitters like CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC, represents an irreplaceable loss.

WBD’s data confirming its portfolio captures 49% of all kids' channel viewing, and that CNN remains a critical news source, underscores that these are not minor cuts – they are vital components of the DStv experience. For a parent, the loss of the number one kids' channel is a nightmare; for a citizen, the loss of an international news staple is a blow to access.

This crisis is compounded by the harsh reality of South Africa's depressed economy. When salaries barely edge above inflation – which MultiChoice’s own price adjustments have sometimes exceeded – subscribers expect greater value, not a drastic reduction in content. MultiChoice’s insistence on maintaining its price despite a massive content shed is therefore an astonishing act of corporate arrogance.

It suggests a complete disregard for the financial strain on its customer base, asking them to pay the same for significantly less. In this high-stakes poker game, MultiChoice, perhaps emboldened by its new Canal+ ownership and cost-slashing mandate, is betting that its subscribers will simply endure lesser, cheaper alternatives. MultiChoice should remember that its primary responsibility is to the South African consumer.

A Happy New Year is one where families can enjoy the full value of the service they pay for. Do not let this festive season gift be an emptier screen and a lighter wallet. Restore the value, or face the inevitable exodus.