Paramount Skydance ends Paramount Africa and 4 TV channels on DStv including BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality end of 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa is shutting down 31 December 2025 as part of dramatic Paramount Skydance corporate downsizing, ending its localised Africa operations after more than two decades, with linear TV channels BET Africa, MTV Base as well as CBS Justice and CBS Reality run by CBS AMC Networks International also shutting down at the end of the year.

All four TV channels will go dark on 31 December on DStv run by Canal+'s MultiChoice in South Africa as well as across the Rest of Africa (RoA) territory and its Bryanston head office in Johannesburg is closing down.

In July, Craig Paterson, Paramount Africa senior vice president and general manager, as well as Monde Twala, senior vice-president and general manager of Paramount Africa and lead of BET International, told Paramount Africa staff that Paramount is considering shutting down local operations in Africa as the company "evaluates its pay-TV strategy and local channel footprint here in Africa".

Paramount Africa (then Viacom International Media Networks Africa or VIMN Africa) launched BET Africa (DStv 129) a decade ago in April 2015 to bring African audiences a localised version of "Black Entertainment Television". 

As previously reported, it will burn off episodes later this month of its last original, the South African telenovela Black Gold from Black Brain Pictures, to amortise what's left of its final local production before BET Africa is gone for good.

MTV Base was launched 20 years ago in South Africa in February 2005 and grew to split into three distinct channel feeds for West Africa and East Africa.

MultiChoice in response to a media query told TVwithThinus "MultiChoice can confirm that BET Africa and MTV Base will be discontinued on the DStv and GOtv platforms from 1 January 2026 at 9:00 CAT, following updates from our channel partner, Paramount. Our customers can continue to enjoy other international channels from Paramount, including Nickelodeon, NickToons, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, and MTV."

"We thank Paramount for their continued partnership and look forward to working with them on the remaining channel offering."

The CBS Reality (DStv 132) and CBS Justice (DStv 170) channels on DStv are also getting axed.

CBS Reality (previously Zone Reality) was added to DStv in November 2001. CBS Justice was added to DStv in November 2019.

"In response to a media query, MultiChoice says "MultiChoice confirms that CBS Reality and CBS Justice will be leaving the DStv platform on 31 December 2025 at 23:59 SAST."

"Following a strategic review, CBS AMC Networks EMEA Channels Partnership – the owner of CBS Reality and CBS Justice – has decided to close both channels."

"We thank CBS for their continued partnership and look forward to working with them in future. Customers can continue to enjoy a wide range of local and international reality and investigative content across our bouquet of channels."

Paramount Africa, in response to a media query, told TVwithThinus "Paramount is adjusting its international pay-TV strategy in response to industry-wide changes and evolving audience habits".

It said that "Paramount is proud of the legacy these channels have built and thanks their viewers and partners for their support over the years."

ALSO READ: Paramount Africa burns off Black Gold in double episodes further raising fears about future of BET Africa

ALSO READ: Paramount Skydance to get rid of 2 000 workers in the United States and globally, also affecting Africa 

MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales now sells AMC Networks International's CBS Justice and CBS Reality channels.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales has now also taken over selling of advertising inventory on AMC Networks International's CBS Justice and CBS Reality channels.

DStv Media Sales says that it's now "the new commercial home" of CBS Justice and CBS Reality with  CBS Justice (DStv Channel 170) already available for commercial opportunities and CBS Reality becoming available from 1 August 2023.

MultiChoice makes CBS Justice available to DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers, while CBS Reality extends down to the DStv Access package.

"We are excited to showcase the international factual content line-up coming to CBS Reality, availing opportunities for advertisers to connect with engaged audiences," says Piwe Motshegoa, head of sales, general entertainment at DStv Media Sales, in a press release.

"The channel brings compelling real-life documentaries and series all day, every day. Audiences can look forward to new exclusives such as Close Calls on Camera in August as well as the timeless classic favourite, Judge Judy, an ever-green environment for advertisers."

According to DStv Media Sales, CBS Justice "continues to deliver riveting expert-led true crime programmes to DStv audiences".

"The channel has invested in fresh, thrilling content coming to screens in August and September such as The Fatal Attraction Murder, and Killers: Caught on Camera. In the latter part of the year, Bloodline Detectives returns for a fourth season of crimes solved by the expertise of genealogists and the latest forensic technology."

"Advertisers will be able to explore various media opportunities and bundle packaging on AMC networks channels and beyond, giving brands optimum mileage for spend."

StarSat to add CBS Reality, CBS Justice, Kartoon Channel! and FilmBox Action; improves value of its StarSat Super bouquet.

by Thinus Ferreira

StarSat is adding four new TV channels in late-March and during April, and is improving the pay-TV operator's mid-tier package with four other TV channels as well.

After deciding that StarSat won't do any price increase in 2023, China's StarTimes Media SA that runs StarSat from Midrand with the Randburg-based MultiChoice as its main rival, is adding the CBS Reality, CBS Justice, Kartoon Channel! and FilmBox Action channel later this month and in April to its StarSat Super package.

CBS Reality will be added to StarSat channel 170 on 22 March and carries shows like Judge Judy and Cheaters. CBS Justice will be added to StarSat channel 222 from 22 March and is for crime-lovers with true-crime series, ranging from crimes committed by the rich and famous to passion killings by the guy next door.

Kartoon Channel will go live on StarSat on channel 304 on 10 April and is aimed at kids between two and 10 years of age. The channel has kids shows on weekdays and family-friendly movies over weekends, with content ranging from Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten to Peppa Pig.

FilmBox Action will be added to channel 140 on StarSat on 10 April and is dedicated to the action genre, with iconic action heroes in classic Hollywood films, spectacular series from America, Europe, and Asia, and modern blockbusters.

StarSat is also improving its mid-tier offering with the four channels of Manchester United TV (StarSat 252), Real Madrid TV (StarSat 254), MSNBC (StarSat 263) and Fashion TV Africa (StarSat 282) being made available to StarSat Super package subscribers.

StarSat says that with South Africans having experienced a year marked by a "state of emergency, rising inflation and flooding, the average consumer struggles to make ends meet. Service providers should try assisting their customers in this time of need".

"StarSat, unlike some of its competitors, will keep prices for all TV bouquet offerings unchanged in 2023," says John Yan, StarSat CEO.

"Just like all other service providers, our costs go up yearly. We at StarSat, however, have decided to absorb that cost to allow South Africans to continue to afford our rich and diverse content offer."

"We're very pleased that we managed to secure four new channels for our Super Package subscribers," says John Yan. "We trust that these channels will be a boon to our customer's television enjoyment."

From 17 March StarSat, as part of a new content marketing initiative, StarSat is also going to make one higher-tiered TV channel available to StarSat Special package subscribers, starting with the launch of a new English-dubbed telenovela, Marry Me, Marry You.

StarSat says the pay-TV operator plans to announce the acquisition of several new TV channels in the second half of 2023.

ALSO READ: StarSat: 0% price increase for 2023 'is the least we can do'.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice adds Qwest TV to DStv, StarTimes adds Kartoon Channel! for StarSat as 2023's first TV channel add-ons.

For Halloween, Paranormal Nightshift is coming to CBS Reality from 11 October telling tales from workers seeing things during 'the witching hour'.

by Thinus Ferreira

A new show, Paranormal Nightshift is coming to CBS Reality (DStv 132) from Monday 11 October until 27 October, on weekdays at 07:30 and repeating at 21:10, with each hourlong episode that will tell 3 stories of supernatural encounters, each one more terrifying than the last from those who loved through them.

Episodes of Paranormal Nightshift will repeat on weekends at 07:05, 20:20 and 00:35 from 16 to 27 October.

While a narrator keeps the plotline moving in Paranormal Nightshift episodes, the vast majority of the storytelling is done by the men and women who have lived through it.

These interviews are first hand intimate peeks into the spine-tingling world of those who work "the witching hour".

Also on CBS Reality in October will be the start of the third season of Borderforce USA: The Bridges on Saturday 16 October at 08:40, repeated at 19:30, bringing more stories from the world's busiest international boundary: the 2 000 border that separates ruthlessly efficient Mexican drug cartels from the USA state of Texas.

On the United States side, Customs and Border Protection officers have the job of keeping goods and people flowing in both directions while making sure that guns, drugs and other contraband don't make it across the border.

The challenge is daunting: on one side is the ruthlessly-efficient Mexican drug cartels; on the other, the

biggest and most lucrative drug market on earth.

Borderforce USA: The Bridges follows CBP officers stationed at 12 of the 28 international bridges that straddle the border and documents the immense challenges that the officers face on a daily basis. 

Seasons 6 to 10 of Random Breath Test will premiere on CBS Reality in October from 1 to 29 October with double episodes on weekdays at 11:10, 14:50 and 23:45, repeated on weekends, stacked, at 06:00 between 9 October to 21 November.

Random Breath Test follows the Australian police units for a unique, behind-the-scenes look at RBT patrols testing for alcohol and drug affected drivers.

In episode 1 of season 6 officers in Wollongong are diverted from their regular RBT duties by an emergency call over the radio. They join in the hunt for a runaway driver who fled from police when they tried to pull him up for a breath test.

He led police on a dangerous chase through the backstreets until he crashed his car into a dead end street and fled, climbing over back fences and running through yards. Police find the driver, Tyrone out of breath and worse for wear at a local Subway. He insists he was only getting a sandwich and denies he was the driver of the car police spotted him in. A breath test is just the start of Tyrone's problems.

CBS Justice (DStv 170) has season 1 of Injustice with Nancy Grace starting on Monday 11 October at 19:00, followed by the second season, back-to-back.

Killer Siblings is another new crime documentary show starting on CBS Justice on Monday 11 October at 20:00, with season 2 of How I Caught a Killer starting on Monday 11 October as well at 21:00.

All three shows will have new episodes on weeknights.

On Monday 25 October the second season of Licence to Kill will start on CBS Justice at 20:00 with the plastic surgeon Dr Terry Dubrow as the host in which he examines shocking cases of medical professionals who inflict harm on patients.

That is followed by season 1 of The Killer Within at 21:00, examining what turns someone into a murderer, with the help of forensic and criminal experts.

CBS Justice from AMC Networks International UK starts advertising sales in Africa, joins MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales portfolio.

by Thinus Ferreira

The CBS Justice (DStv 170) TV channel from AMC Networks International United Kingdom is starting advertising sales in South Africa and across Sub-Saharan Africa and is joining MultiChoice's DStv Media Sales portfolio.

Advertisers will be able to book commercials on CBS Justice from Wednesday 10 June 2020.

CBS Justice launched across Africa in November 2019 on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service and is currently available to DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers.

CBS Justice from AMCwas MultiChoice's replacement for the axed Crime+Investigation Network from A+E Networks United Kingdom that was removed from DStv after an acrimonious channel carriage renewal deal.

CBS Justice from AMCNI UK focuses on forensic investigations and dramatisations of compelling true-crime cases, with the channel's curated selection of acquired and original content.

Original productions on CBS Justice include New Scotland Yard Files, The Real Prime Suspect, Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files, Secrets of a Psychopath and Evidence of Evil.

Acquired series on CBS Justice include Cold Justice, Murder For My Man and Homicide's Elite.

MultiChoice adds the CBS Justice and CuriosityStream channels; returns euronews to Southern Africa.

MultiChoice is adding two further TV channels to DStv including CBS Justice and CuriosityStream and is returning the TV news euronews.

As a crime channel CBS Justice (DStv 170) will replace A+E Networks UK's Crime+Investigation Network and joins the existing channels set supplied by AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI) and CBS Studios International.

CuriosityStream (DStv 185), launched by John Hendricks who was the founder of the Discovery Channel, is a factual entertainment channel.

euronews (DStv 414) which used to be on DStv and was re-added in sub-Saharan Africa outside of Southern Africa after it was removed a few years ago, is being returned for DStv subscribers in South Africa and Southern Africa.

The three channels will become available from 21 November.

"We're thrilled to finally announce the launch of these channels that will expand the line-up of new programming for our DStv customers to enjoy," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment.

"CuriosityStream will give our viewers informative entertainment that the family can enjoy together and it’s with great pride that we are able to launch CBS Justice, a new true crime channel which is part of the CBS AMC Networks EMEA portfolio of channels."

"We’re also delighted to expand our viewers' choice of news and actuality programming with euronews."

CuriosityStream has factual programming including original and exclusive films and series, with titles ranging from Deep Time History, The History of Food, Age of Big Cats and Breakthrough .

"CuriosityStream is thrilled to premiere on DStv, collaborating with MultiChoice as our inaugural bundled distribution partner in Africa," says Clint Stinchcomb, president and CEO of CuriosityStream. "Viewers are hungry for high-quality, engaging and entertaining factual shows and CuriosityStream is proud to offer our channel to this important media market."

CBS Justice will feature a curated selection of original and acquired programming. CBS Justice will become available with original productions like The Real Prime Suspect, Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files, Secrets of a Psychopath, Evidence of Evil; and acquisitions Cold Justice, Fame Kills and Stalker!.

Crime experts include Jackie Malton (The Real Prime Suspect), the real-life inspiration behind Helen Mirren’s character in the award-winning UK drama Prime Suspect, and undercover investigative journalist and professor of criminology, Donal MacIntyre (Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files).

"This new launch highlights the growing demand for true crime content in the region, and we are thrilled to offer MultiChoice’s DStv customers exclusive access to authentic documentaries and series for the first time on CBS Justice," says Louise Cottrell, senior vice president, affiliate partnerships for AMCNI UK.

"CBS Justice joins a lineup of our other popular brands that continue to deliver value and high-quality entertainment. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with MultiChoice in the years ahead."

euronews will become available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers in Southern Africa.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with DStv to reach even more households on the African continent," says Carolyn Gibson, chief revenue officer at euronews.