Newsflash: CCTV-4 To Continue Broadcast On The DStv Platform Through The IS-20 Satellite

During the month, it was reported by various outlets that MultiChoice was removing CCTV-4 by the end of March. A free-to-air channel which features documentaries reality shows, drama series, news, movies and kids shows on the Easyview package.

As seen in a press statement by MultiChoice:

“All channel and programme relationships are contractual and have an intended end-date which is then open for the parties to review,” MultiChoice explained.

“This is part of the ongoing review of our products and services. Often channels are removed from the platform due to low viewership and performance on some packages.”

“In this instance, the parties have agreed to not renew based on commercial viability and viewership of the channels.”

The channel would be terminated on all DStv platforms from 31 March 2023 at 23:59. Right???

After doing some digging around it was revealed by their PR that CCTV-4 would continue on the IS-20 platform as mentioned below:

"Following additional contractual reviews, a decision was made to continue airing CCTV4 on our IS20 satellite, which includes South Africa. – MultiChoice"

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but is it possible that MultiChoice is feeding the press half baked goods. Just the other day, QWEST TV was announced as a channel for all DStv consumers but that wasn't the case as it was allocated on Premium and Compact+.

This is the same MultiChoice which held an unannounced Showcase in 2022. So all I'm saying is could it be possible that MultiChoice was feeding the press such details as if it affected the region cause I wouldn't be shocked if that was the case here.

CCTV-4 is still going dark but in neighbouring countries while South Africa will continue supplying the channel.

But such discrepancies reminds me of when INX Prime was slated to rollout in the beginning of August only to launch closer to the end of that month. The other incident was KIX and PBS Kids brands MultiChoice used as collateral damage for e.tv's 4 channels.

They were promised by the end of March of last year, MultiChoice stood by it even when e.tv's channels got a stay of execution for another 2 months and waited for those channels to go dark before anyone could get any update on the supposed channels.

CCTV-4 Is Set To Be The First Official Channel To Exit The DStv Platform By The End Of March

Last month it was reported by Warner Bros. Discovery that the children's channel Boomerang would not only be exiting the DStv platform but the whole of Africa for a new channel known as Cartoonito catering to preschoolers and their families.

Now consumers will be bidding farewell to yet another channel, CCTV-4. It's a free-to-air TV channel from China Central Television, which broadcasts documentaries, music, news, dramas, sports, and children’s shows from the Greater China area.

It is currently available on all DStv packages —from the broadcaster’s cheapest EasyView plan to the top-end Premium bouquet.

According to MultiChoice, the decision for removing the channel had to do with low viewership and the reviewing of channels. There hasn't been any mentions of a replacement but fans of Asian programming can tune into NHK World Japan, KIX and CGTN.

Ahead of CCTV-4 termination on the DStv platform at the end of March, the pay-tv operator recently launched SuperSport Schools with Qwest TV being added back in January and M-Net Movies Action returning out for a limited time only.