MultiChoice Secures Disney Entertainment on DStv Through 2027

MultiChoice, a prominent video entertainment and internet company in South Africa, alongside Walt Disney Company Africa, has officially announced the renewal of a multi-year distribution agreement, ensuring that Disney's selection of linear channels will remain accessible on the DStv platform well into the year 2027.

The extension of this partnership is a significant development for DStv subscribers, as it guarantees the continuation of six Disney 24-hour channels for the next four years. This collaboration reinforces DStv's commitment to providing its audience with high-quality, diverse entertainment options.

Nomsa Philiso, the General Entertainment CEO at MultiChoice South Africa, has expressed that the renewed partnership with Disney not only enhances the value of DStv's service offering but also cements its position as a leading entertainment provider in the country. Acknowledging the importance of this move, Philiso articulates that this agreement is pivotal in elevating DStv's contribution to family entertainment and customer satisfaction.

At the other end of the partnership, Christine Service, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Walt Disney Company Africa, conveyed her satisfaction with the renewal. She emphasized Disney's ongoing commitment to storytelling and creativity, which has been instrumental in building a significant emotional connection across generations of viewers. Service highlighted that the collaboration enables DStv customers to continue enjoying a broad spectrum of Disney’s premium content, ranging from kid-centric shows to factual series and sports programming.

While the deal represents a substantial stride forward in terms of content availability, it is worth noting that Disney's freshest releases, namely from sought-after franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars, are not included in the linear channel offerings via DStv. Instead, these recent properties have been funneled through Disney's dedicated streaming service, Disney+, which made its debut in South Africa in 2022.

Prior to Disney+ establishing its market presence in South Africa, fans had limited options for accessing new titles from these popular series – often resorting to downloading content through pirated websites. Despite such challenges, the official launch of the streaming service now provides a legitimate platform for South African viewers to enjoy the latest Disney releases, like "The Mandalorian," while the continuation of the linear channels caters to a diverse range of content preferences.

To sum up, this distribution deal between MultiChoice and Walt Disney Company Africa not only represents a positive outcome for DStv subscribers but also illustrates the evolving nature of media consumption, where traditional television and streaming services coexist, each serving distinct viewing needs and preferences.