M-Net's Abandonment Of Me On DStv Explained

M-Net Essentials (Me) was a pay-tv channel that was operated by M-Net that would distributed a variety of South African produced and international content. Curated for Compact and Family, Me would serve as an open window to programs from M-Net and 1Magic. 

Following its decent from M-Net Series Zone, the 24 hour open window will conclude after 11 years by the end of March. With consumers stripped off third party shows like Survivor and House Of Dragons alongside originals like Reyka and Lioness.

Consumers will not longer be paying more for less channels but M-Net would be losing an audience. Although, Me was just another Mzansi Wethu it was the the only reason any of M-Net's shows gained any relevance.

News of 1Magic's demise doesn't surprise a majority of viewers as the channel was struggling to outgrow Mzansi Magic. Although, it offered originals like The River and Unmarried all of this went unnoticed during their run on the channel. 

With M-Net doing away with Me one of several factors could have come to play:

• Competition - after the axing of M-Net City, it was reported by NBCUniversal that Universal TV had seen a surge in viewers. Despite Me getting with the times, it's likely Universal TV and other TV channels edged them out.

• Decline in premium consumption - following the global impact of streaming, M-Net had been stripped off content like Shogun and Only Murders In The Building. As more consumers opt for Disney+ or Netflix it makes M-Net redundant. 

If anything, it does lead one to wonder how long it would be till content from BBC Brit, Universal TV and Comedy Central integrate into Showmax and other streamers.

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