Recap To The Decade: Legacy Made Its Debut On Magic Showcase On DStv Easyview, Snubbed From Mzansi Wethu On Access

After MultiChoice and M-Net opted to scrap Novela Magic to DStv and GOtv consumers Africa. Content such as Zuba, Arendsvlei and The Throne had seen then been folded under Southern African/Pan-African infused entertainment channel, Magic Showcase. 

Since the channel's inception by November 2022, Magic Showcase has not only been giving consumers content already viewed on Africa Magic and Mzansi Magic but has also been serving as open window to shows viewed on Zambezi Magic and M-Net.

This includes dramas like Legacy and as mentioned Zuba and reality shows like Date My Family Zambia. 

These are content that once had an open window on HONEY and Novela Magic but that window had since then been shattered. Particularly for Legacy, as the only other alternative Me went dark on the platform last month, where does that leave shows like Reyka and Summertide?

Mzansi Magic had further distanced themselves from 1Magic's scraps with The River that moved to an earlier timeslot in favor Champions. Mzansi Wethu hasn't bothered to broadcast any of M-Net's original shows including Legacy leaving only Magic Showcase. 

Considering the outcome of Magic Showcase could it be possible that MultiChoice will look into rolling it out on more DStv platforms. Especially with the lineup of content that has been restricted from selected consumers or is that no longer viewed as a priority. 

Although other DStv customers have access to a lineup of entertainment from Mzansi Magic, Moja Love and KykNET. That wasn't the case for MultiChoice's Easyview consumers as they were hovering around provincial channels for comfort. 

But with various channels like Real Time, BBC UKTV, Mzansi Wethu and Nicktoons having around top to mid tier consumers Magic Showcase could join the lineup with proper restructuring. 

Homegrown Entertainment: Another Openview Vs. DStv Saga

SABC 1-3 and e.tv were basically the only channels you could view the bulk of local content. As they are the first channels you spot when purchasing at a TV outlet and the same to could be said when purchasing a digital terrestrial television platform or in this case, Openview.

Now in 3 million households, Openview continues to further boost their entertainment with the likes of Zee One, France24, eXposed and The Home Channel+ with plans to kind of add more channels on top rolling out a new pay-tv service, Openview+.

But if you look over this above-mentioned list of channels you'd notice that there's not much local content in store not that I watch anything from that field but if you had to look the amount of views SABC 1 gets on a monthly basis you know local is power.

I mean a series like Doodsondes can only pull less than 2 million viewers on e.tv while as a show like Scandal can almost triple that. Not saying one show is better than another but when you reside in a particular region these things are common but it's nice to have alternatives.

Point being made here is that if you didn't have a DStv you basically lose as you don't have anything that can replicate Skeem Saam, 7de Laan or The Estate but what some may not was that MultiChoice had been excluding some of their audiences.

In this case, DStv Easyview a package which some may consider as dead weight for the lake of premium entertainment channels and if we had to compare with Openview you could literally write a book. If there was one thing that these two excel at it was definitely local content.

Just like most of South Africa they were missing out on shows like Being Bonang, My Kitchen Rules SA, Battleground, Isibaya alongside another never ending list of local content. As seen these past years, the bulk of entertainment on Openview had led customers to flee the package.

Also resulting in MultiChoice to drop the fee for Easyview from R39 to R29 on a monthly basis and for years we hadn't got much update and consumers weren't given a lot of new or rather watchable content aside from TNT and Real Time.

Last month, MultiChoice announced plans to prep two entertainment channels particularly for those consumers as they plan to use the platform as an outlet to analogue following similar endeavours to eMedia's Openview.

The first already launched Magic Showcase will offer the above-mentioned shows and the latter CineMagic will offer a mixture of local and international movies 18 hours a day.

Sure it may be a bummer viewers ain't getting 24 hour screening but it's better than nothing and on the bright side eMedia is very much padded with 16-18 hour channels ranging from People's Weather, ePlesier, eToonz, eReality and eXposed.

In some way, there's a reason to get Openview mostly for third party content and finally after so many years Easyview can be used for something other than SABC 1.

Magic Showcase Vs. Novela Magic: List Of Content You'll Probably Miss Out On? + Potential Content Suggestions

MultiChoice and M-Net decided to the halt the distribution of Novela Magic to consumers in South Africa with the channel expected to go off air from 27 November as it will be supplemented by two other channels ahead of time, Magic Showcase and CineMagic.

Novela Magic offered a lot of content from Mzansi Magic which is enough justification to have it removed but the brand existed for multiple brands as well including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic, Zambezi Magic, Pearl Magic and Maningue Magic.

While as Mzansi Magic and kykNET can make up for the chunk of SA content alongside kykNET & Kie, kykNET Lekker and Mzansi Magic. Viewers will basically lose access to content from the above-mentioned brands with Access receiving the most blows.

Africa Magic hosts a ray of linear channels none of which can be viewed on the Access package so it's bye bye to The Johnsons, Zuba and Battleground unless you plan to upgrade to the Family package in order to continue watching these shows or Easyview better yet.

Magic Showcase is a general entertainment channel which will be sourcing out content from Mzansi Magic such as Being Bonang and The Imposter while as supplying content outside of that namely Zuba, Arendsvlei and Legacy.

All this kind of gave me an idea for another channel which is hovered with rebroadcasts and basically a waste to Compact bouquets, Mzansi Wethu.

As much as MultiChoice refuses to acknowledge the fact Mzansi Wethu is basically how Magic Showcase could have been had they made it accessible to more consumers. I know I say this channel sucks a lot but maybe there is a way to keep it onboard.

In July, kykNET introduced their Turkish offering on kykNET & Kie which kind of helped give the channel its own identity as opposed to being viewed as kykNET+. Mzansi Wethu could do something similar but instead of sourcing Turkish they go for African.

Africa Magic Family already supplies Isibaya to their audiences so what's the harm in getting Battleground and Zuba onto Mzansi Wethu as it can help reduce that repeat tier tendancy for those using the Compact bouquet.

New Channel Alert: Magic Showcase And CineMagic Coming Soon To DStv, Novela Magic To Stop Airing In South Africa

M-Net is adding two brand new channels to its roster, Magic Showcase and CineMagic, an exciting win for subscribers on the DStv EasyView package in South Africa. For only R29 a month, subscribers get a taste of the best high-quality content, in line with MultiChoice’s core promise to bring top-tier local entertainment – made by Africans to Africans – at the lowest price.

With analogue on its way out, now’s the perfect time to switch to digital – and DStv continues to make it even easier for consumers to do so.

Magic Showcase launches on Monday 31 October and is an 18-hour channel with content showing the best of MultiChoice’s locally-produced series, specials, and documentaries – all new to EasyView subscribers. Now it will be easier than ever for viewers to enjoy the group’s award-winning content, tiered down from DStv premium channels.

Content will be in various languages and hardcoded subtitles for content not in English. Magic Showcase features shows across different genres: subscribers can expect an artful mix of drama, lifestyle, reality, kids’ programmes, music specials, and stand-up comedy.

Some of the shows on the channel include the viewer favourite Our Perfect Wedding, reality TV's modern classic Being Bonang, and the award-winning telenovela Legacy.

The 12-hour movie channel CineMagic launches on Monday 14 November. Exclusive to DStv EasyView subscribers, it showcases the best in locally made African films as well as international independent titles. CineMagic is a celebration of storytelling and the common narrative threads that bind us from all parts of the world.

Similarly to Magic Showcase, content on CineMagic will be in various languages (and hardcoded subtitles for films not in English) and across several genres. The channel’s viewing is family-friendly, offering uninterrupted top-notch entertainment for households. All featured films are new to the EasyView package.

The two new channels will be available exclusively on the DStv EasyView package in South Africa and on the DStv Access and Lite packages in the SADC regions.

“As MultiChoice Group, we are committed to giving our subscribers on varying packages the best content there is to offer. We are proud to grow the EasyView content slate, allowing our subscribers on this package to enjoy award-winning and top-tier local shows and movies from across the continent. It’s all about giving our audience the best value for their money, and we are committed to continuously increasing what each DStv package has on show,” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment.

Director of M-Net Channels, Jan Du Plessis, adds: “The addition of two new M-Net channels to the EasyView package only further enhances the subscriber viewing experience. We’ve used the M-Net model in conceptualising and branding the channels – the look and feel are inspired by the "mother brand", Novela Magic. We trust that viewers will be pleased with the channels and their offerings once they go live.”

In order to make way for these two brand-new exciting channels, Novela Magic will be closing as of 27 November in South Africa but will remain in the rest of Africa.

To borrow from Magic Showcase’s tagline, the content slate on DStv EasyView continues to be "every bit of magic".

Comedy Central, MTV, Qwest TV And M-Net's Magic Showcase: Here's What We've Heard So Far About These DStv Channels

Earlier in the month, MultiChoice launched a new preschool channel Moonbug Kids home to YouTube sensations Blippi and CoComelon. They also plan to launch a new jazz infused channel Qwest TV by Quincy Jones by the end of the year.

BET which was exclusive to consumers on the Compact, Compact+ and Premium package has been added to consumers on the Family and Access packages. Now we got word from Paramount that more of their channels will find their way to more households.

To top it off, MultiChoice will be rolling out another new channel Magic Showcase ahead of the launch of Qwest TV. Here's a look at the 4 channels:

1. Comedy Central
Channels: 122
Current packages: Premium and Compact+
Additional packages: Compact from 1st November

Home to shows such as The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, viewers will also get access to The Carbonaro Effect, Impractical Jokers, Just For Laughs and Two And A Half Men.

2. MTV
Channels: 130
Current packages: Premium, Compact+ and Compact
Additional packages: Family from 1st November

Home to shows such as Ridiculousness, Catfish, The Challenge, Ex On The Beach, Teen Moms and Geordie Shore alongside award shows like the MTV EMAs and VMAs.

3. Magic Showcase *NEW*
Channels: 143
Packages: Premium, Compact+, CompactEasyview from 1st November

Basically another Real Time which gives certain DStv customers access to dramas such as Legacy, Rionaand The Imposter alongside reality shows such as The Marriage Counsellor, Being Bonang and Survivor SA.

4. Qwest TV *NEW*
Channels: 330
Packages: Premium, Compact+ and Compact by December 2022

A jazz infused channel home to legends such as Billie Holiday, Esperanza Spalding, Sun Ra, Kamasi Washington, Bill Evans and Flying Lotus. It also features documentaries, interviews, concerts and archived material.

DStv Updates: Comedy Central And MTV To Be Made Available To More DStv Customers And Rumoured Developments For Nickelodeon And The Upcoming Pan-African Channel, Magic Showcase

Comedy Central to be made available to DStv Compact with MTV added to DStv Family from 1st November

Last month, MultiChoice hosted an open window for BET to their DStv Family and Access customers and it wasn't until October that it had been announced that the channel would be made available to consumers full-time. Now more of Paramount's channels are set to reach more DStv customers.

Comedy Central which is home to The Daily Show which was only seen on DStv Premium and Compact+ will now be made available to Compact and the Compact exclusive channel MTV will be available to consumers on the Family package.

It means DStv Compact customers will now have to access to Trevor Noah before he leaves his post alongside endless repeats of The Big Bang Theory, Two And A Half Men and Friends with Family customers being introduced to Ridiculousness, Ex On The Beach and Teen Moms.

While this may as well be good news to some customers. It kind of makes you wonder what could become of Premium and Compact+ now that there's less exclusivity amongst packages and this news will just make more consumers downgrade or cancel their subscription.

With MultiChoice attempting to rollout an unbundled package it wouldn't be shocking if they were to merge these packages or replace it with DStv Flex as those packages alongside Compact haven't seen much success in the recent financial year.

Now that Comedy Central, BET and MTV reach more DStv customers it means MultiChoice and Paramount are leaving Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. to die out like Nicktoons and MTV Base is doing alright wouldn't make much difference to me.

Rumoured developments for both Nickelodeon and Magic Showcase

According to sources, Nickelodeon which is currently available on DStv Premium and Compact+ in South Africa was said to be added to DStv Compact, Family and Access as seen in various regions but this might be due to the recent developments with Nicktoons.

Nicktoons has been on autopilot for several months as Paramount hasn't tried updating the schedule with more content and seem to be adding more content which ended or are on the verge of ending on Nickelodeon with SpongeBob and The Casagrandes carrying the channel.

The Casagrandes could be a supplement for The Loud House seeing as it has been deemed offensive as other regions usually have their most popular shows on during the day as seen with Cartoon Network and from the looks of it ALVINNN!!! is one of them.

Magic Showcase is said to be a Pan-African entertainment channel

Reported here first, MultiChoice and M-Net will be sourcing out more content from their archives for yet another channel as if viewer's aren't seeing plenty of rebroadcasts on Mzansi Wethu and Novela Magic but cable is dead at this point so why bother.

Magic Showcase is gearing to launch by November 1st but MultiChoice had already delayed launches of Moonbug Kids and INX Prime so here's hoping that there's a bit of accuracy coming forward with this brand.

The channel is said to be available to all customers but catered to DStv Access for Legacy and Survivor SA and mostly Easyview getting the full pie as they don't have any means to view the bulk of local entertainment such as Being Bonang and The Imposter.

As for the channel number, nothing has been mentioned but my guess would be channel 159/169.

Magic Showcase: Potential Outcome For Upcoming M-Net Channel

A few days ago, it was announced that M-Net and MultiChoice will be launching a "new" channel Magic Showcase inspired by one of their current channels Novela Magic which too is based on a variety of local brands from the company but how do these two differ nobody knows yet.

Novela Magic inspired by the likes of Telemundo and Zee World is telenovela based basically another female led channel while as the duplicate Magic Showcase doubles down on the rebroadcast with Legacy, Enakhe, Zuba and Arendsvlei.

Magic Showcase is set to be unveiled from 1st of November but not much is known about the channel except for the launch date and content which might not be the final outcome as it could most likely be a Pan-African brand like The Africa Channel.

Another thing to note is just like Novela Magic did at launch the same could await Magic Showcase as other outlets in neighbouring countries seem to not be familiar with this reported channel as most don't seem to be aware of such a brand existing probably cause it's early.

But we're almost at the end of the month so how early is early in this case.

Magic Showcase seems more geared to the Easyview package as consumers on that package have no means to watch the bulk of local content coming to M-Net but what makes me think that just like Real Time it will tag other customers has to do with Legacy.

The 2 seasoned soap finished it's run on M-Net with reruns currently seen on Me. Mzansi Wethu which would probably be the only means to view Legacy at one point hasn't broadcast the show alongside Novela Magic.

So consumers might be getting the Real Time treatment which benefited the weakest of the pack and was much of a burden to other customers. Overtime Real Time evolved but there's no telling if the same is expected for Magic Showcase as the content is all over the place.

New Channel Alert (Rumour): Novela Magic Ripoff Magic Showcase Coming Soon To DStv???

Novela Magic is Pan-African telenovela channel basically the first of its kind to ever be introduced in the region. As you know, M-Net ain't investing in any new content for the channel as it airs yesteryear stock to M-Net's lower grade channels, Mzansi Wethu and Africa Magic Family.

Basically, M-Net has been building up their local portfolio by launching various adaptations to Mzansi Magic such as Pearl Magic, Maisha Magic and Abol TV. As some viewers are aware, the content basically dramas viewed on this brand can be viewed through Novela Magic.

As much as one would want to complain about the offering the load of repeats on a "new channel" you got to admit M-Net beat you to the punch with this one. Now viewers are enjoying the best of Mexican, Indian, Turkey and African stories.

Now there's just 1 problem, MultiChoice might be looking to launch a second Novela Magic type channel as several content which might as well have folded under the current Novela Magic had been added to this supposed channel: Arendsvlei, Legacy, Enakhe and Zuba.

Honestly I do wish this channel burns off the production table like that Via+ channel but it's launch seems definite from the looks of it. Although I see no reason of launching another Novela Magic.

The current one has plenty of repeats and certain shows have the audacity of restarting from scratch e.g. Zuba so I don't see the need of having such a channel a lot of consumers will probably get irritated by.

Perhaps this channel just like kykNET Lekker and Moja 9.9. is catered to certain DStv customers e.g. Easyview as they don't have any means to view the local junk from M-Net. But how many people are still using that package if there's plenty to watch on Openview.

The only thing I'm curious about the channel would be availability and it's presence as it is most channels entering DStv usually come to consume the place of another channel so you never know with MultiChoice.

Seeing as Novela Magic is on channel 165 perhaps this possible new channel will be allocated on channel 169 where ROK3 is sitting. Honestly, a lot of channels seem like potential targets e.g. ID, Real Time, NTA International, Spice TV, TLNovelas and Tshwane TV.