DStv to Drop JimJam After 13 Years on November 11, 2026

DStv will remove JimJam, the international preschool children's channel on Channel 310, on November 11, 2026, ending 13 years of preschool entertainment for subscribers. MultiChoice and Canal+ confirmed the removal to veteran broadcast journalist Thinus Ferreira. Neither broadcaster gave a specific reason for dropping the channel.

JimJam first launched on DStv in November 2013. The channel is provided by AMC Networks International. Its exit comes after Canal+'s takeover of DStv's parent company.

Subscribers told to check alternatives

DStv subscribers who watch JimJam can turn to PlayRoom, Cartoonito, CBeebies and DreamWorks. MultiChoice spokesperson Sthembiso Semenya framed the decision as part of a broader effort to refine the broadcaster's channel offering.

Semenya said: "DStv continues to invest in preschool children's entertainment, including PlayRoom, which brings together local and international programming."

He added: "Families can also enjoy preschool entertainment on Cartoonito, CBeebies, DreamWorks, depending on their package."

A year of channel cuts

The planned removal of JimJam is the latest in a series of channel cuts DStv subscribers have experienced throughout 2026. At the start of the year, MultiChoice removed BET Africa, MTV Base, CBS Justice and CBS Reality from its lineup.

Magic Showcase and CineMagic followed, both shutting down on June 30, 2026. Then, in September, four more channels stopped broadcasting: M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop and Mzansi Magic. MultiChoice said content from those channels would continue to be available through other channels on the platform.

The broadcaster also renamed several SuperSport channels in August 2026, saying the change would make it easier for subscribers to find their preferred sports content.

Indian add-on changes

Subscribers on DStv's specialist Indian add-on package face a separate set of changes. Five channels, SET Asia, ZEE TV, SET Max, Zee Cinema and WION, are scheduled to leave the package on October 31, 2026.

In a message to affected customers, MultiChoice said it was trimming the lineup to better reflect how subscribers watch content. The company said: "Rather than spreading similar content across many channels, we're focusing on fewer, stronger channels to create a simpler viewing experience."

DStv has also overhauled its entire package structure, pricing and branding in South Africa, with the changes set to take effect on September 17, 2026. The company described it as the most significant shake-up to its products in 15 years.

The broadcaster repositioned itself under French media giant Canal+, which completed its acquisition of DStv's parent company. DStv's new slogan, "Expect+", reflects the shift toward the Canal+ brand identity.

With JimJam's exit confirmed for November 11, families who rely on the channel for children's viewing will need to check which alternative preschool options are available under their current DStv packages. For subscribers, the immediate impact is fewer preschool options on Channel 310 and a need to confirm package alternatives. The broader trend is a leaner channel lineup under Canal+ ownership.