Development Alert: 1Magic Adds Lee Daniel's Star Formerly Viewed On FOX, Could The Channel Undergo Yet Another Rebrand?

After Disney axed the FOX brand in 2021 across Africa ripping away The Simpsons and Grey's Anatomy as further content shifts to Disney+. M-Net had acquired rights to the 2017 musical drama Lee Daniel's Star which serves as a spin-off to one of FOX's leading shows Empire.

Except M-Net had opted to add the show onto 1Magic which is somewhat strange as the channel was basically their BET. That meant airing first run programming if not fresher content but the drop in quality could signal something that was announced much earlier in the month.

As some readers are aware, MultiChoice was looking to axe 1Magic and Me as it was confirmed in most parts of Africa with Southern Africa diverting that attention to Me. Since then, no termination notice had been put up at the time which led to various speculation.

One of which is the possible dismemberment of Compact+, 1Magic was one of those leading brands on the bouquet as most content had been integrated onto lower bouquets. Cancellation would probably signal the end of Compact+ that was until it was replacement was reported.

Although not much details had been announced about 1Magic's successor, we believe it could retain most programs seen on the channel and likely come from a third party. With the addition of Lee Daniel's Star, cater to other consumers particularly those viewing brands like Me.

As mentioned, MultiChoice could have delayed the terminations as they seek a replacement channel. Da Vinci Kids was also another victim to MultiChoice's endeavours as they had attempted to use Moonbug as leverage before going for something more locally produced like Play Room.

Recap To The Month: 1Magic Becomes The LOL Channel On DStv As M-Net's Me Dishes On The Wipeout And Home Economics

In the coming weeks, MultiChoice is set to axe both M-Net's Me and 1Magic on the DStv platform or at least from what initial reports suggests. The pay-tv company has confirmed this on various occasions and since then gone silent removing any mention of the terminations.

If anything it's likely that MultiChoice had decided to no longer move forward with these plans or at least on the estimated date: 2nd February 2024. They often review the costs of their products and services and unveil them within February so it's likely an update could follow by then.

As for 1Magic should the channel stay on past the reported cutoff date would air Laugh Out Loud - The Comedy Show in place of The River and 1802: Love Defies Time for 9 hours straight. Me has taken up a similar stigma with Wipeout and Home Economics which is just half of LOL's airtime.

This only confirms that MultiChoice hasn't changed their initial plans but possible the date. If anything, it wouldn't seem far fetched if these changes occurred in other African countries as they've been known to axe channels earlier and also not a lot of consumers reside within each market.

Another is that MultiChoice has been known for removing channels even after having a full schedule put in place e.g. Zambezi Reloaded and Da Vinci Kids.

As for Southern Africa, MultiChoice has over 8 million subscribers and closures of 1Magic and Me would anger consumers. They are looking to produce a new channel soon (specifically for 1Magic) but it is yet to be seen if any content would be retained.

But if M-Net is looking to do away with 1Magic and Me it only means that something big could be brewing on DStv. Perhaps the merger of Premium and Compact+, another could be that MultiChoice is diverting all the attention to M-Net and Showmax.

They are scheduled to revamp Showmax with more content from Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky added to the lineup. It could be another streamlining attempt orchestrated by MultiChoice, as seen with M-Net Movies which reduced the movie offering from 6 to 4 channels.

End Of The Road For SuperSport And WWE??? As Netflix Banks On RAW, SmackDown, NXT And Premium Live PPVs

In 2022, MultiChoice and WWE were looking to bundle Raw, SmackDown, NXT alongside various PPVs like WrestleMania and SummerSlam on Showmax. But the deal appeared to have fallen flat as this never materialized with the streamer now partially owned by Comcast.

After e.tv halted further distribution of Raw, SmackDown and various other WWE content from their platforms in 2017. SuperSport became the official home to the WWE Network for the past 7 years and all of that is likely to change in the coming future.

As reported moments ago, Netflix had exclusive rights to Raw and various other content from WWE which will start streaming in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America beginning January 2025. There are plans underway to add more international markets to the lineup.

This puts SuperSport's current linear offering in a precarious position especially the WWE Channel. As Netflix scooped up WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects alongside the premier shows Raw, SmackDown and NXT.

The mere thought of less sporting events on SuperSport wouldn't seem far fetched a stretch. Initially, they weren't going to broadcast AFCON as they were more focused on European football even the rebranded Showmax service will only feature Premier League.

Last year, MultiChoice shuttered Showmax PRO which served as digital counterpart for SuperSport with La Liga, PSL and various other sporting content. Now the streamer will only offer a price plan for Premier League while further sports can be streamed on DStv Stream.

 

As mentioned, Netflix will become the exclusive home to WWE in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America by January 2025. It's currently unknown whether WWE will be purged on Netflix for consumers across Africa at the same time.

Its also possible that SuperSport could slide in a better deal but from what we've already seen in the past months there's some doubts. Another would be for Raw, SmackDown and NXT to be retained on the platform alongside PPVs with everything else on streaming.

SuperSport is structured for first run programming and not delayed or week old sporting events. With the possible discontinuation of channel 128 alongside various content from WWE, I wouldn't be shocked if MultiChoice were to add SuperSport Action in place.

SuperSport Action serves as an alternative offering to WWE as it broadcasts a range of extreme sports as well as major boxing matches and EFC mixed martial arts programming. They are also home to UFC which alongside WWE are owned by TKO Group Holdings.

Could Content Cuts Lead To The Closure/Merger Of Disney Channel And Disney Junior In Europe And Africa Alongside Disney XD In The United States?

Following Disney+ inception, Disney has been consolidating their content thus leading to closures of several linear channels across the world. To date, most of the company's linear offering reside within Europe, Middle East and Africa as the streamer's trail goes dry.

From what was established, Disney's remaining linear offering will stick around for the foreseeable future. This was partially due to the absence of Disney+ in parts of the above-mentioned regions and another income as these brands help sustain Disney+.

As seen in the last few months, Disney Channel has been running low on content with shows like Bunk'd and The Ghost And Molly McGee axed. The channel has become a graveyard for Disney+ with programming like Cars On The Road and Chip'n Dale: Park Life.

Part of this may have to do with the actor's strike back in 2023 but honestly it wouldn't seem far fetched if more consolidation were underway. There's been a decline in linear consumption and also these affects have been underway across the world.

If anything, Disney XD could as well shut down in the United States with content being integrated between Disney Channel and Disney+. While Disney Junior's remaining linear offering in parts of the world could revert back to a mere programming block on Disney Channel.

M-Net On DStv Compact: Could This Be The Possible Outcome To The Cancellation Of Me And 1Magic?

With M-Net Essentials (ME) and 1Magic serving as M-Net's last secondary channels set to exit the DStv platform by early February. Some have led to wonder if a possible restructure to DStv packages could be in development as MultiChoice remains silent on how they'll retain their Compact+ consumers.

For several years now, MultiChoice's premium market has been declining rapidly similar to HBO and even Discovery Channel in the United States has seen a fall in consumption. These consumers have all integrated to Netflix and various other affordable plans.

Although MultiChoice has seen a decline in premium consumption their lower markets continues to rise. In the last annual results dated 30 September 2023, their mass market had increased from 54% to 57% while their premium and mid market decreased from 46% to 43%.

It kind of leads one to wonder what fate awaits their remaining premium offering particularly M-Net. As mentioned, there's been less consumption so much that MultiChoice remains discrete on its viewership numbers with House Of Dragons being the only notable show pulled around 8000 views.

Again with M-Net's Me and 1Magic exiting, could it be possible that Me's content will remain exclusive to M-Net as 1Magic's offering migrates to Mzansi Magic. When you kind of look at DStv, it offers Universal TV and Comedy Central brands seen airing selected content from M-Net.

Demise in Me would reduce the repetition seen amongst channels and could help elevate the viewership numbers on Universal TV and Comedy Central. Of course, if M-Net were to be added as compensation for Me where does that leave premium consumers.

Theoretically, a possible restructure to packages wouldn't seem far fetched a stretch if all bets were on M-Net becoming accessible. Compact+ has been losing value as the latter ESPN 2 and E! Entertainment all migrated to lower bouquets and a similar outcome arose when it launched snatching Premium channels.

If Premium and Compact+ merged, consumers on top tier bouquet would get exclusivity to brands like Discovery Channel, CBS Justice, History, Curiosity Channel, SuperSport Action, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Qwest TV.

What If The M-Net Series Trademark Were Revived Perhaps In Place Of M-Net 101?

With MultiChoice and M-Net set to axe secondary networks M-Net Essentials (Me) and 1Magic in the coming weeks. It kind of leads one to wonder if the main M-Net channel which had been exclusive to premium consumers since it's inception will get purged.

Unlike Me and 1Magic, M-Net hadn't undergone any rebranding, name change or drastic reshuffling to programming if anything it has seen a decline in audiences. Similar to the United States were brands like HBO and NBC had lost at least 10% of their audience yearly.

M-Net has hit rough patch so much so that neither them or MultiChoice are ever public about the viewing numbers of their programs. When 1Magic debuted, their lowest rated show V-Entertainment had at least 10,000 viewers so M-Net would need to have something around that range.

Not that the channel has become irrelevant, but it's basically how SABC would view SABC 3 - niche. It's still dominant in the field it caters for or at least on linear platforms offering latest seasons to shows alongside films.

But with the downfall of the secondary networks and decline in viewership on M-Net, MultiChoice should consider unifying these brands under one name. I get that Me still had that M-Net trademark but by styling it's more like SABC 3 (S3) making it more alienated.

A brand that comes to mind would be M-Net Series, one of M-Net's most iconic trademarks was basically M-Net Movies but for drama series and reality shows. M-Net has been causing conflict with its premium movie channels airing select content before them.

M-Net Series would help reduce the rift between M-Net and M-Net Movies and if anything could help M-Net lure in viewers. M-Net (better yet M-Net Series 1) could add just add series like RuPaul's Drag Race and Power Book 4 Force in the timeslots allocated to movies.

The other two channels would serve as secondary brands rehashing content viewed on M-Net Series 1 and similar to 1Magic recieve first run programs. The second channel would tailor toward reality and lifestyle and the last would revive the M-Net City/Edge concept.

From my understanding, this concept was used several years back as M-Net Series Showcase, Reality and Zone. Only one out of the three garnered relevance but was partially due to the other two being folded under premium alongside the downsizing of content.

Again, I don't think the M-Net Series concept failed but how MultiChoice executed it was what led to its downfall. If anything, VUZU was more like how one would interpret M-Net Series Reality while Showcase was more like a rival brand to M-Net with content sharing between channels.

Could The River Be Changing Channels On DStv As Champions Debuts On Mzansi Magic?

Mzansi Magic is set to rollout Champions a sports based drama starring Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Tumisho Masha, and Jo-anne Reyneke by early February. It brought various questions from consumers as the show will debut in the timeslot of The River.

As several readers are aware, MultiChoice will be axing both 1Magic and Me prior to Champions debut. For several days, media outlets had been wondering how MultiChoice plans to retain their black premium audience as 1Magic serves as the M-Net's BET channel.

In ongoing conversations with the pay-tv company, it had been mentioned a replacement channel for specifically 1Magic was in development but no word on Me. Leading us to believe that M-Net and MultiChoice could be looking to merge these two channels.

Compact+ has been declining in linear consumption for several years as MultiChoice moves channels like ESPN 2 and Comedy Central to lower tailored bouquets. If anything, it's only a matter of time till MultiChoice opts to discontinue or fold it onto premium.

Although the content for this rumoured channel has yet to be confirmed, we presume M-Net could try to make it a more independent tier from Me as seen with 1Magic at the time. This channel would be the exclusive home to The Real Housewives alongside Beat Shazam and Bel-Air.

If possible from what other outlets presume, they could burn off The River onto this channel making Mzansi Magic the premier destination for local content while brands like Mzansi Wethu serve as the backburner.

Showmax had been producing various content that would often fold under Mzansi Magic. Perhaps, MultiChoice will look at redirecting these shows should a replacement channel be in the works.

Early reception never mentioned a replacement, if anything fans of local dramas on 1Magic would migrate to Mzansi Magic with selected content from Me on Universal TV. But when you look at it doesn't seem far fetched as M-Net also offers content you won't find elsewhere.

Me despite how the channel was perceived is very much necessity to DStv consumers. How else are consumers going to view shows like Summertide or Kitchen Rules SA I mean they could as well transmit on Mzansi Wethu to give the channel purpose to the Compact household.

Rumour: 1Magic (And Possible Me) To Be Replaced/Merged Onto Another TV Channel On DStv

Update: the channels will close 31 March 2024 and for an updated statement: click here 

MultiChoice is set to axe an additional two channels by early February, 1Magic and Me. The pay-tv company remains discrete on further information pertaining to these brands and have gone as far as hiding this news from DStv consumers until later this week.

In ongoing conversations with the pay-tv company, it was revealed that 1Magic will be replaced with another channel unlike Me. Considering that these terminations sort of affect consumers on the Family and Compact bouquet it's likely that this channel will be accessible to them.

Following the cancellation of 1Magic, there had been questions pertaining on how MultiChoice intended to distribute The Real Housewives and retain their black premium subscribers who'd view content like Power Book 4: Force Beat Shazam and 1802: Love Defies Time.

As I hypothesised in early stories, MultiChoice and M-Net are probably looking to substitute 1Magic (and possible Me) with a more robust offering. M-Net is filtered to the audience of SABC 3 and 1Magic was one way they could position themselves to SABC 1 and Mzansi Magic.

If anything, it's likely that this channel will offer the best of Me and 1Magic (which were basically VUZU and M-Net City) in one space. That is if all this turns out to be accurate, as mentioned they are looking to officially update consumers later this week on the fate of these channels.

New Channel Alert: Africa's First Housing Channel Debuts On StarTimes Channel 149, To Launch On DStv By March 2024

During the month, Nigeria’s leading affordable housing advocate, Festus Adebayo had announced the establishment of a first of its kind African home channel, Housing TV Africa. It is set to take on brands like HGTV and The Home Channel with a curated local offering.

According to a press statement, the purpose of establishing Housing TV Africa on StarTimes Channel 149 is basically to bring awareness campaigns down to various homes in Africa.

He further stated that the TV channel was to be extended to DStv before the end of 2023, until it was delayed to March 2024. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa would have marketed the launch on the pay-tv platform had it launched earlier.

Housing TV Africa will have 65% housing related contents, leaving the remaining 35% to contents around educative, political, sports, religion, entertainment, among others. Basically, it will not only be duplicating The Home Channel but Soweto TV as well.

In other developments, MultiChoice will be axing both 1Magic and Me from the DStv platform by early February. They served as M-Net's remaining linear offering to boost an extensive line-up of international content with the latter now folded under existing linear channels and Showmax.

More About M-Net's Me And 1Magic's Closure On DStv

Update: the channels will close 31 March 2024 and for an updated statement: click here 

During the week, we recieved word from various DStv consumers that MultiChoice will be axing both M-Net Essentials (ME) and 1Magic by February 2nd, 2024. In an enquiry, we were able to retrieve confirmation of the terminations which comes weeks before the demise of Emmanuel TV.

Since then, 1Magic has been allocating more airtime to their remaining shows while repeating past programs. Me on the other similar to The River on 1Magic, has been trying to wrap up remaining shows like And Just Like That and Lucky Hank in the form of a double bill.

An official statement from MultiChoice:

This is in line with our strategy to continuously review international and local content line-ups and optimise the suite of channels on offer on DStv. Due to this, we will bid farewell to 1Magic and Me. This is done to ensure we deliver unbeatable content to our consumers and that our services cater for the needs and viewing requirements of our customers.

MultiChoice is looking to produce more channels but it remains to be seen whether any of the content viewed on 1Magic and Me will be accessible on these channels. We presume they could require assistance of Ngwato Nkosi Group as seen with Movie Room and Play Room.

By early February, fans of crime and medical dramas on Me can tune into Universal TV for Chicago PD, Magnum Pi, Transplant and The Equalizer. Sitcoms such as Young Sheldon and Bob Hearts Abishola (both of which are ending) can be viewed on Comedy Central.

As for 1Magic, fans of local dramas can tune into the new series Champions on Mzansi Magic this February while 1802: Love Defies Time is streaming on Showmax. Other productions on the platforms include My Brother's Keeper, Gqeberha: The Empire and uThando Nes'Thembu.

MultiChoice will be revamping the Showmax streaming service in a joint venture with NBCUniversal. Serving as the streaming service made by Africans for Africans will feature content from Universal Pictures, NBC, Peacock, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo. 

The Real Housewives is an NBC property and as such will fold under the streamer with variants being divided amongst M-Net's linear offering. Same applies to international variants viewed on these channels: Bel-Air, Beat Shazam and Power Book 4: Force.

Could MultiChoice Look Into Another Restructure/Revamping Of The SuperSport Channels?

In the month of February, MultiChoice will be revamping the Showmax streaming service which now serves as a joint venture with Comcast's NBCUniversal. It will feature various shows from Universal, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo alongside a revamped sports offering.

Last year, MultiChoice decided to do away with Showmax PRO which served as a digital version to SuperSport's linear offering on DStv. It featured PSL, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Moto GP and Formula One all of which had been folded on DStv Stream.

MultiChoice looks to prioritise Premier League as part of the revamped Showmax streaming service which will feature all 380 matches live. With the winding down of sports on Showmax one has to wonder when the pay-tv platform will look to hit it home.

SuperSport offers over 10 sports channels which is more than Sky Sports in the UK can offer. Majority of channels are tailored for football with various others for tennis, motorsports, golf and rugby but the thing about Sky is majority of this don't have their own platform.

For several years, MultiChoice has been struggling to sustain their top tier bouquets over the likes of Netflix and IPTV. This has led to channels being cut down if consolidated on lower tailored bouquets as the pay-tv company looks to rollout an unbundled package.

Similar to AddMovies, sports will serve as an add-on and not like a standalone service as seen in parts of Europe. Again, with the decline of linear consumption it wouldn't seem far fetched if MultiChoice were to look at restructuring the sports line-up on DStv.

Earlier, they opted not to acquire AFCON granting the rights to SABC and StarTimes. According to sources, they want put more emphasis on European football which kind of brings questions pertaining to the future of PSL and La Liga standalone services.

As mentioned, Sky Sports doesn't have that much of a wider linear offering if anything it's more like how SuperSport previously set up their content. Instead of golf and tennis operating as separate entities it's more like how SuperSport Variety is currently set up.

If anything, Sky Sports' linear offering revolves on dominance which is football, rugby and cricket while some other sports are packaged like SuperSport Variety.

With SuperSport prioritising European football, perhaps La Liga and PSL will be folded under one channel, SuperSport Football Plus. SuperSport Premier League could serve as the linear counterpart to the one boarding Showmax while non-performing channels fold under SuperSport Variety.

Summary of possible outcome for SuperSport 

• SuperSport PSL and La Liga become SuperSport Football Plus

• SuperSport Tennis and Golf are folded under SuperSport Variety reducing repeats

• SuperSport Blitz, Grandstand, Premier League, Action, Rugby, Variety 1-4, Cricket, Motorsports and Schools remain intact.

• In total, SuperSport would be operating 14 channels with Ginx TV, 2 ESPN channels and Racing240 MultiChoice has 18 sports channels.

Could NBCUniversal Acquire The Real Housewives For E! Entertainment Or Could It Fold Under M-Net Once 1Magic Exits DStv?

During the week, we recieved word from various DStv consumers that MultiChoice will be axing both M-Net Essentials (ME) and 1Magic by February 2nd, 2024. In an enquiry, we were able to retrieve confirmation of the terminations which comes weeks before the demise of Emmanuel TV.

Since then, several DStv customers are looking to cancel or migrate to a cheaper price plan. This puts their Compact+ tier under junk status while their Compact consumers have access to ESPN, Comedy Central and Disney Channel.

While Me was basically an outlet to access content from M-Net, 1Magic had garnered prestige for shows like The River, Unmarried and Being Bonang. It was also the home to reality franchise The Real Housewives by Bravo TV with consumers left in the dark about the fate of the franchise.

As mentioned, it was reported that Me would be exiting alongside 1Magic leaving M-Net as the only other contender for the franchise. 1Magic catered for a different target group so either way consumers on M-Net may not be very welcoming of the inclusion of Housewives.

MultiChoice in partnership NBCUniversal will be rolling out a revamped Showmax streaming service. It had been speculated that MultiChoice probably wants to prioritise Universal TV also owned by NBCUniversal in place of Me as both reside within the same package.

When Me and 1Magic cancellation were reported no word on a follow-up for either brand was announced as seen when M-Net City and VUZU were axed.

Several content from Me can be viewed on Universal TV and this included Magnum Pi, The Equalizer, Chicago PD and NCIS: Los Angeles. If anything, could it be possible that The Real Housewives may end up on E! Entertainment I mean it wouldn't seem that far fetched.

E! Entertainment had been airing content from Bravo TV for a while now and this included shows like Below Deck Mediterranean, Million Dollar Listing and Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. Similar to Telemundo, the channel has been running short of new content.

The Real Housewives could help build up the schedule with the number of adaptations already produced. It would align NBCUniversal closer to their own assets as the latter would often get scooped up M-Net.

MultiChoice will be sharing more updates about these channels by next week.

Channel Termination: 1Magic And M-Net Essentials (ME) Will Stop Airing On DStv Platforms By 2 February

Update: the channels will close 31 March 2024 and for an updated statement: click here 

During the week, we recieved word from various DStv consumers that MultiChoice will be axing both M-Net Essentials (ME) and 1Magic by February 2nd, 2024. In an enquiry, we were able to retrieve confirmation of the terminations which comes weeks before the demise of Emmanuel TV.

1Magic was launched back in 2018 as a replacement to VUZU AMP combining the Mzansi Magic formula would feature curated local productions like The River, Unmarried And The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg alongside international content like Moesha and Grownish.

Me (also known as M-Net Essentials) followed three years later in 2021 as a replacement to both VUZU and M-Net City. The channel was catered for Family and Compact consumers while being made available to Premium and Compact+ featuring content from M-Net and 1Magic.

Both channels had their turnoff for 1Magic, there was Moesha, Hits and The Talk which had been bombarding the channel's line-up. The River was the one of the few reasons anyone would continue tuning into 1Magic but after launching on Mzansi Magic things went south.

Me suffered from the rippling effects of M-Net City, a brand which M-Net and several viewers held high on a pedestal serving as the more edgier and robust version to both M-Net and 1Magic with shows like Gotham, Black Lightning, Marvel's Runaways, Magnum Pi and Power. 

Although Me retained this offering, the channel didn't meet viewer's expectations that MultiChoice opted to not substitute it with another channel. It means consumers will have to watch Universal TV for Magnum Pi and Chicago PD while losing out on shows like The Voice and American Idol.

MultiChoice in this drastic turn of events has left their Compact+ and Compact customers without a premium tiered channel as M-Net remains exclusive to Premium customers. The only other means Universal TV resides on Family meaning consumers could just downgrade.

All of this has kind of lead consumers to speculate the possible demise of the Compact+ bouquet. As most channels like Comedy Central, ESPN 2, WildEarth, CBeebies and E! Entertainment had all migrated to other low tiered bouquets.

With the destruction of 1Magic, it leads one to wonder how long till channels like Channel O have till it drowns in its own pool of blood. Funny thing about its closure is that it occurs around the same time The River ends meaning the channel couldn't sustain itself without Lindiwe.

MultiChoice had shuttered HONEY last year and diverted content to Showmax meaning the latter (including 1Magic) would transmit on Mzansi Magic. They'll also be launching a revamped Showmax streaming service with a slate of content that might resurface on Universal TV.

Theoretically, it is believed that MultiChoice could be prioritising Universal TV as it garnered popularity following the closure of M-Net City. Although they're currently no plans to substitute the affected, MultiChoice will more likely find other means to keep viewers entertained.

Could E! Entertainment Also Be Shutting Down On DStv And The Rest Of Africa??? Here's Why

NBCUniversal International has been slowly phasing out the E! brand across European countries. After Comcast had made some budget cuts to the programming, E! Entertainment had to sought out shows like Vanderpump Rules and Below Deck Mediterranean from Bravo.

During the week, both M-Net Movies and E! Entertainment were set to broadcast The Golden Globes but to consumer's dismay E! Entertainment had opted to not broadcast the red carpet. It was viewed as one of the signature looks for the channel alongside The Kardashians.

As mentioned above, E! Entertainment had shuttered in parts of Europe with the UK that closed by 31 December 2023 after 20 years with Germany a year prior on the same date. It lead to growing fear from several DStv consumers that the same fate could await the whole of Africa.

Similar to the likes of 1Magic and Lifetime, most channels to have exited the platform would often distance themselves from their primetime lineup and E! has been falling inline with these former DStv channels.

Besides that, E! Entertainment in the UK had also lost out on the red carpet and various other programs before closing down. Now consumers in Africa are witnessing the same outcome seen in Africa so it's only a matter of time till the channel closes down.

In other developments, MultiChoice is set to lose 3 more channels later in the month: 1Magic, Me and Emmanuel TV. This comes amidst their annual price adjustment and most consumers will wonder why they're paying more if they can't minimise the bloodbath of channels.

Could DStv Compact Plus Also Be Discontinued/Merged With DStv Premium??? As MultiChoice Looks Into Rolling Out An Unbundled DStv Package

A few years ago, MultiChoice began to test out a new unbundled package known as DStv Flex which is basically a cheaper DStv Premium package as you browse a selection of premium entertainment channels with sports from SuperSport and films from M-Net Movies curated on as an add-on.

MultiChoice hasn't stated when this package would launch but if we had to guess presumably within the next decade. With the current state of Premium and Compact+, don't be shocked if a restructuring was what awaited all their packages with these two merging into one.

Several channels that were once exclusive to Compact+ such as Comedy Central, E! Entertainment and ESPN 2 have all migrated to lower packages. Few other brands such as History and Nickelodeon could reside within Premium giving it an advantage over Compact.

Compact+ created a rift between Premium and Compact packages snatching several content and making it affordable. MultiChoice was restructuring Compact+ as how M-Net structured VUZU AMP with VUZU which is where Compact resides now both brands have become a thing of the past.

As for the unbundled package, we feel this could lead to the offloading of more channels and who knows Premium could be minimised by then. One thing for certain is the only way this package and premium can live harmoniously would be minimising their rates.

Could Universal TV And Mzansi Magic Be The Final Outcome Of M-Net Essentials (ME) And 1Magic??? As The River Draws To A Close And Showmax 2.0. Rolls Out

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

M-Net's Me and 1Magic will be exiting DStv from February 2nd and MultiChoice doesn't appear to be looking to commission another channel in place. This is through an ongoing enquiry where a representative only confirms the channel but no substitution.

When VUZU and M-Net City merged to form Me, MultiChoice highlighted that in their response to several DStv consumers in 2021 and fast forward to the new year the pay-tv company is hush hush. It wouldn't seem far fetched if none of these channels were replaced.

Where does that leave further shows from 1Magic?

When 1Magic launched in 2018, M-Net was basically ripping several local shows away from Mzansi Magic and making them available exclusively on the channel. They even had a line-up of international shows like The $100,000 Pyramid and Gossip Girl whose future will be on M-Net's linear offering and Showmax.

Funny thing about this was The River was also scheduled to close around the same date as 1Magic, February 2nd. As several fans predicted, 1Magic built it's whole existence around 1 show and couldn't survive in the long run.

Where does that leave further shows from Me?

Me was a mashup of the former M-Net City and VUZU which was basically M-Net Series. A catch-up channel tailored for lower bouquets like Compact and Family and with its termination consumers need to wonder if the whole acquisition and revamping of Showmax had a part in the cancellation.

Despite Me getting poor reception from several DStv consumers, would it seem far fetched if MultiChoice probably wanted to prioritise Universal TV as it had garnered popularity following the demise of M-Net City and both channels reside within the same packages.

Universal TV is operated by NBCUniversal that manage channels like Studio Universal, DreamWorks and Telemundo. They even have a 30% stake on the soon-to-be-revamped Showmax streaming service.

Could Channel O, Mzansi Music And kykNET NOU Also Exit The DStv Platform?

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

With the decline in linear consumption on the top tier bouquets, this was very much anticipated from various DStv customers. Now, MultiChoice will have to work around the clock to find suitable candidates to fill the gap of both 1Magic and M-Net's Me channel.

With the cancellation of 1Magic and M-Net Essentials, it does lead some viewers (including myself) to wonder what future awaits M-Net's music offering and this includes kykNET NOU, Channel O and Mzansi Music.

Channel O was shuttered across Africa (excluding South Africa) as they were struggling to compete with the likes of MTV Base and Trace Urban. As we embrace the new year, Channel O hasn't been updating its content as much in recent years and the international offering was axed.

kykNET NOU and Mzansi Music are probably in a way better position than Channel O in terms of programming. But Mzansi Magic is basically the VH1 of music something which MultiChoice has been trying to limit while kykNET NOU serves as niche tier.

Unlike Channel O, kykNET NOU could merge with the existing kykNET channels to help give the content more exposure. As for the latter, we feel that M-Net could exit the music space similar to how they exited the kids space as brands like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel edged them out.

Could MultiChoice And Ngwato Nkosi Group Be Looking To Ramp Up A Replacement For 1Magic And M-Net's Me?

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

Even more strange about this termination is that 1Magic had a slate of upcoming shows in the month of February which will probably fold under Showmax and M-Net's linear offering. A replacement could be in development but MultiChoice remains silent which leads to various theories.

The first, a replacement might not be allocated during the time which would bring out a lot of disgruntled DStv customers. Maybe M-Net will have an open window or place a pop-up channel nothing is certain yet.

Something that wouldn't seem far fetched would be Ngwato Nkosi Group allocating another channel(s) in place of the affected. They already provide other general entertainment brands Movie Room and Play Room both of which skew toward the African audience.

Most of the new channels to have been allocated such as One Freestate Televisual, NWTV, SuperSport Schools and Zee Zonke all possessed some local aspects. This possible new channel(s) would offer its own set of local programming like Moja Love and SABC with international aspects.

My first impression guess is that the first channel will be more like eReality perhaps under the trademark Kasi Room would also rival with Moja Love. The second would be more like eSeries perhaps under the trademark Story Room featuring various drama series and telenovelas from around the world.

Possible Channel Termination: Could 1Magic And M-Net Essentials (ME) Be The Next Channels To Exit The DStv (And GOtv) Platform, Here's Why?

Update: the channels will close 31 March 2024 and for an updated statement: click here 

During the week, it was reported that MultiChoice will be losing another TV channel, Emmanuel TV. The controversial TV channel founded by T.B Joshua will exiting all pay-tv platforms subsequently by January 17th with further telecasts broadcast through online platforms.

Now there's reports surfacing from a viewer that both 1Magic and Me will be going dark on the DStv platform by the end of January - February 2nd. We are still awaiting confirmation from M-Net but from both channels EPG in the coming weeks it wouldn't seem that far fetched.

1Magic was launched back in 2019 as a replacement to VUZU AMP combining the Mzansi Magic formula would feature curated local productions like The River, Unmarried And The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg alongside international content like Moesha and Grownish.

Me (also known as M-Net Essentials) followed two years later in 2021 as a replacement to both VUZU and M-Net City. The channel was catered for Family and Compact consumers while being made available to Premium and Compact+ featuring content from M-Net and 1Magic.

Both channels had their turnoff for 1Magic, there was Moesha, Hits and The Talk which had been bombarding the channel's line-up the only keeping viewers onboard was The River. But the drama only managed to garner even much traction once it was allocated onto Mzansi Magic.

Me suffered from the rippling effects of M-Net City, a brand which M-Net and several viewers held high on a pedestal serving as the more edgier and robust version to both M-Net and 1Magic with The Blacklist, Black Lightning and Power. 

Although Me was able to retain this offering, the channel was still a big turnoff to viewers of M-Net City as opposed to those of VUZU particularly Family consumers who got more programming.

It wasn't mentioned by the viewer if MultiChoice plans to substitute 1Magic and Me with another channel. But if we had to guess, 1Magic's content will probably fold under M-Net's linear offering and Showmax as part of another streamlining attempt.

It would mean that Compact+ might lose of the few valuable channels on the platform. But again, termination hasn't been confirmed as various new content is slated for February on 1Magic unless this affects consumers outside South Africa which is where the news surfaced.

Me will most likely get replaced with another channel unlike 1Magic there's not much alternatives to the offering. Another would be a possible restructure to M-Net's offering where the channel adopts selected shows like Power Book 4: Force while other content fold under Mzansi Magic.

Update: Both channels will be terminated on DStv from February 2nd and we are currently working on an updated version to this report and hope to share it soon. Here is the link: click here

Reminder: Disney's FOX Channels Seen In Portugal And On MultiChoice's DStv In Angola And Mozambique Rebrand To Star This February

The creative and graphic concept of the new brands was developed in Portugal. This work will be implemented in all countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East where Fox channels are present.

From February 7th, the Fox channel will become Star Channel, maintaining the same programming and position on the operators' schedules, announced Walt Disney. 

The remaining Fox channels will also change their name and image: Fox Life will be Star Life, Fox Crime will be Star Crime, Fox Movies will be Star Movies and Fox Comedy will be Star Comedy. The date was advanced on Wednesday simultaneously with the launch of the multimedia campaign “A Brilliant Change”, which was developed and implemented by the creative studio and marketing and communications team at The Walt Disney Company Portugal (TWDC). 

The campaign will be present until February in digital, television, out of home (OOH), cinema, radio, press, press office and content creators. “The Star Channel brand continues the Fox legacy, presenting itself as bold, confident, current and inclusive. With a bold and contemporary voice, the channels will continue to be the destination for major international series and films, maintaining the most watched titles on pay TV in Portugal, the same distribution, the same position on the operators' schedules and the same positioning in the market that they currently have Fox channels”, says in a press release. 

The creative and graphic concept of the new brands that replace Fox channels were developed in Portugal by the TWDC Portugal creative studio in collaboration with local agencies and studios, with the visual concept focusing on “an original detail of the logo , the central cut, which inspired the creation of a luminous 'shooting star', which will guide the public through the channels' programming.” 

This Portuguese work will be implemented in all countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East where Fox channels are present, “thus exporting Portuguese talent throughout the region”.