Recap To The Month: Consumers Seek The Help Of A Rival Platform For The Soon To Be Axed HONEY On DStv

During the week, it was reported that HONEY would be shutting down on DStv by the end of October and this comes after its disappearance from some parts of Africa on GOtv in August. With consumers curious on the fate of shows like 7 Colours, Making The Menu and The Buzz.

As mentioned, several shows from HONEY could resurface on various local channels from M-Net alongside Moja Love. A majority could end up dying out alongside the channel while other shows like Yes, I Have HIV Zambia could be restricted to only Zambezi Magic.

Similar to Novela Magic, consumers will be missing out on programming that is if no plan is set to motion to supplement this offering. Following the cancellation of HONEY, consumers have requested the help of another platform in order to keep the spark alive.

Even if an option was available (e.g. StarSat), they may not have the financial means to sustain it and another dealing with the content. Since it was technically funded by DStv, they have as much right to the content as Media24 meaning StarSat would need to find other content.

Although HONEY would end its run on DStv by the end of October with no replacement on the cards. Consumers can find a variety of entertaining shows on BBC Lifestyle (channel 174), Food Network (channel 175), TLC (channel 135) and Real Time (channel 155).

Channel Termination: HONEY To Go Dark On DStv From 31 October 2023

HONEY was Africa's first Pan-African lifestyle channel operated by Media24 who also manage the Afrikaans brand, Via. Catering to most parts of Africa in which MultiChoice operate would offer bold and unscripted content that could connect with Africans.

Some of the shows to have been viewed on the channel include Yes, I Have HIV, Making The Menu and What's Wrong With Me? alongside M-Net productions like Our Perfect Wedding and Date My Family.

After a 3 year run, MultiChoice decided to axe the lifestyle channel with viewers only getting word on the termination through the programme guide. They don't provide any detail regarding the sudden cancellation only that it would bow out from 31 October 2023.

The termination of HONEY coincide with Novela Magic and Maisha Magic Movies all of which were tailored to African audiences. If one had to guess, HONEY struggled to garner traction and similar to these two MultiChoice went as far as bundling these channels to Access.

It's likely that these changes will be applicable to consumers only in South Africa and overtime more markets will follow. This would have to do with the original productions produced on HONEY which we assume Mzansi Magic and Moja Love will pick up for their brands.

Although there has been no word on a replacement, MultiChoice had begun production on another local channel likely a sister channel to Zambezi Magic. Should it launch in South Africa, it might be added to the same consumers that viewed HONEY being Access consumers.

Another channel in which the pay-tv company is set to launch in the coming months is Play Room. A children's channel which looks to combine fun and learning with popular animated series like CoComelon in Zulu alongside live-action shows like Game Shakers.

Recap To Last Year: The Racing Partnership And The Via Duplicate Channel Likely Scrapped On DStv As Seen With BBC UKTV On Openview

Last year, MultiChoice and BBC Studios unveiled the general entertainment channel, BBC UKTV. It features drama series and game shows from BBC Brit alongside lifestyle and factual content from BBC Lifestyle and BBC Earth and kiddies entertainment from CBeebies.

Before it's rollout on the pay-tv platform, plans were underway for the channel to make its free-to-air debut on eMedia Investments' Openview platform. For unknown reasons, those plans fell through as the red brand and BBC Studios remain silent on the channel.

During that year, MultiChoice had conducted tests on additional channel to Media24's Via which has seen a boost in popularity following its induction back in 2015. The channel similar to the already mentioned BBC UKTV would supply existing content to more DStv customers.

Another channel which was also in development was a possible rival to 4Racing TV's Racing240, The Racing Partnership. It is described as the exclusive betting shop to which all of the owners Arena Racing's content is delivered to bookmakers.

Although no official name was given to this duplicate channel, the channel's 24 hour lineup was available to browse at the time while The Racing Partnership only had this test card pictured above.

MultiChoice Might Have Scrapped Another New Channel On The DStv Platform

In March, MultiChoice announced plans to terminate eMedia's 4 channels on which they were reluctant on retaining its status on the DStv platform for another 6 months but the pay-tv idol already sourced the necessary alternatives which were somewhat bizarre.

Firstly, they just took an existing batch of channels and made them accessible to more consumers as if the higher ups weren't watching those channels and put most of their efforts on channels 101-106 worse is when they left a single channel to fill the void of eMedia's channels.

They also added DreamWorks which has been viewed as a replacement as opposed to a new offering considering the similarities with eToonz shocking was how expensive it got considering how the cheaper offering was ahead. Joining the channel is Movie Room which is somewhat niche from eMovies.

As several consumers had noticed eExtra was the only channel fortunate enough to not get replaced and this was before the announcement of kykNET's Turkish offering on kykNET & Kie that a new Afrikaans lifestyle channel would be making way soon to the DStv platform.

In May which was the same period of eMedia's demise, they had begun tests on this channel and from the looks of it this HD channel had a lot of already viewed content from Media 24's Via which led to believe that maybe this channel was curated for Access customers.

I mean Via hasn't been on DStv for that long I mean they launched around 2013/4 which is almost 10 years but a portion of content can be viewed on the main channel and plus this wouldn't be the first channel to serve as a catch-up.

MultiChoice has a long list of catch-up channels such as Mzansi Wethu, kykNET Lekker, Moja 9.9. and Novela Magic so the idea of Via getting similar treatment doesn't seem far fetched considering how most of these are local channels.

Of course the question that's been bottling up my mind is why the channel hadn't launched as intended. MultiChoice already launched further channels like Hilaal TV, INX Prime and the already mentioned Movie Room but not this Via duplicate.

Could it have something to do with those transponder constraints as they don't have a lot of space for more channels so they often need to remove one to launch another or do they feel that the amount of viewers on Access particularly those watching kykNET Lekker just can't cover it.

Honestly I can see them launch this channel if they aren't planning to make Via accessible to Access consumers as seen Media24's other channel HONEY which is said to be not getting that much attention by audiences which is why it was added to more consumers.

Roundups #45: High Society Scandal Loses A Timeslot On eExtra, I'll Never Say Goodbye Launches On ST Novelas E Plus And HONEY Rumoured To Be Made Available To DStv Access Customers

The Indians are coming I repeat the Indians are coming

During the past week, the second season of Dokter Ali debuted on eExtra and while the first season only resort to reruns were e.tv the second season came with an omnibus likely in an attempt to align themselves with eVOD or viewers got bored of the duplicated Zee TV offering.

But that's not only adjustment coming to the channel. Apparently, High Society Scandal will lose their 23:00 timeslot but viewers can still catch it at 5:00, 14:05 and 17:30 on eExtra and those on Openview also got a repeat on eXposed.

 

 

Naagin returns for a fourth season and will occupy the timeslot for Blue Venom Girl and the 23:00 spot once reserved for High Society Scandal in the new month.

ST Novelas E Plus on the series I'll Never Say Goodbye

Amid a beautiful Island in the youth, Waldo and Aryaan were once deeply in love. But they are apart by deep tragedy, when Waldo goes to jail after accidentally killing Aryaan's uncle who attempted to molest her.

 

I'll Never Say Goodbye (Magpahanggang Wakas) 2016 Philippine revenge drama television series based on the 1980 film Kastilyong Buhangin. It stars Jericho Rosales, Arci Muñoz and John Estrada.

Media24 might be growing their offering on DStv Access

According to sources, HONEY is currently seen on DStv Premium, Compact+ and Compact will be made available to Family and Access customers in the new month.

 

Honey owned by Media24 is a bold and unscripted lifestyle TV channel created and connected for Africans. It has a mix from lifestyle to reality, food, and culture across the African continent.

Media24 also operates the Afrikaans lifestyle channel Via which is set to get a duplicate channel in the coming weeks likely to replace eExtra when it goes off air by the end of May alongside the other e.tv channels.

Could The Via Duplicate Channel From Media24 Be A Replacement To eExtra On DStv?

MultiChoice was scheduled to remove e.tv's 4 additional channels currently seen on the DStv platform earlier this month with their fate hanging on a cliff for another 2 months as MultiChoice sources more channels.

Recently, MultiChoice registered an untitled Afrikaans channel which was revealed to be an extra Via channel likely for their Access customers as all the content hits the restart button on the supposed station.

Although MultiChoice won't say anything, the idea of them pawning this brand should they remove eExtra by the end of May doesn't seem far fetched at this point.

 

Why this channel might replace eExtra?

In March, MultiChoice put up a termination notice redirecting viewers to several other channels currently seen on their platforms and eExtra's alternatives were Mzansi Wethu and kykNET - local channels.

Further replacements were announced but none of them were for eExtra.

 

kykNET and Via are kind of niche compared to eExtra as they're distributing actual local content and not dubbed soapies. At this point, most of the focus is directed at the content and not the language.

eExtra is a telenovela channel and this upcoming channel is more or less another eReality but for local programming.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets (Lnk.Bio).

New Channel Alert (Rumoured): Media24 To Launch Second Afrikaans Channel On DStv

Media24 is Africa's largest publisher, printer, and distributor of magazines and related products, as well its largest newspaper publisher. In charge of online publications like News24 and newspapers like Daily Sun and City Press.

Media24 partnership with MultiChoice first began in 2015 with the launch of VIA an Afrikaans lifestyle channel and it wasn't long till the concept would expand to the rest of Africa with the launch of HONEY.

 

Now Media24 became not only Africa's largest publishing company but entertainment brand for its selection of original programmes – from food shows to true-life dramas and nail-biting reality shows.

After nearly a decade, MultiChoice awarded VIA with a second TV channel. Just like Moja 9.9., the brand will repeat content consumers on the family package would have come across on VIA such as Huisgenoot, Minki, Koskuns Met Lientjie Wilhelmela and Musiekpaniek.

Details on the rollout haven't been confirmed if I had to guess it will either rollout by the end of the month or sometime in May. Just like Moja 9.9., it will likely be made available to Access customers on channel 151 as VIA to fliekNET/Woordfees occupy 147-150.

 

This news comes after eMedia Investments also rolls out an Afrikaans channel to the Openview platform, ePlesier home to Turkish dramas seen on eMedia's linear and OTT platforms.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets (Lnk.Bio).

What To Expect On Media24's New Pan-African Lifestyle Channel For DStv (UPDATED)

In November 2020, MultiChoice unveiled a new lifestyle channel for DStv customers called Honey. The channel is owned by Media24 the brains behind the Afrikaans lifestyle channel, VIA.

Honey is set to launch February 12 for DStv Compact, Compact+ and Premium customers.

It looks like the channel with only start with 5 programs however there's more content in the pipeline from various companies including Zambia's Media 365 Productions, South Africa's Media Club Productions and Nigeria's Rucksack Productionz.

The following shows will be available on the channel at launch:

African Farming (South Africa)
Genre: Lifestyle
A show that highlights successful black farmers in South Africa, and educates new entrants to agriculture.

Hoot, Cook, Go (Nigeria)
Genre: Cooking
Three teams have an hour to prepare a meal that shows who they are, When they hear the hooter, it's time to go off the next setting. A ton of exploration of Africa's diverse food culture and relationships.

Love Swap Africa (Nigeria)
Genre: Romance
Two couples who don't know each other meet up: While making a healthy meal, they swap partners for an intimate view of each other's relationships. The kitchen gets hot - and we aren't talking about the oven.

Pastor's Wives
Genre: Reality
We meet the women who keep it together in well-known religious households. This reality show reveals all the opulence, difficulties and drama that you are wondering about.

Yes! Ndio! Beeni!: Kenya
Genre: Reality
A top team of event planners help a man propose to the love of his life.

Other programs which have yet to be confirmed, please note this is note the complete list:

MEDIA CLUB PRODUCTIONS
Untitled wedding show
The show will uncover the story behind the love story through the eyes of the couple as well as their family and friends.

MEDIA 365 PRODUCTIONS (ZAMBIA)
The Perfect Plate (title is subjected to change)
Mother and Daughter-In-Law have to prepare a meal for man of the household.

Ehe! It's A Match: Zambia

One person gets a chance to introduce their two single friends to each other. While the host plays chef and Cupid.

Matchmaking (title is subjected to change)
In this one, random people go on a blind date to find their perfect match.

Untitled home show
In this show, people will be giving your house or flat a makeover.

Untitled food program
Make a meal in 1 hour and also judge your contestants food.

Untitled wedding show
In this show, someone is trying to purpose marriage on someone else.

Husband Vs. Father (title is subjected to change)
Men put their cooking skills to use.

Email regarding content: honey@mediaclubproductions.co.za (South Africa), production@media365.co.zm (Zambia), info@rucksackproductionz.com (Nigeria), info@nusu-nusu.com (Kenya) and info@burntonion.co.za (South Africa)

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New Channel Alert: Honey Coming Soon To DStv

As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our customers’ viewing experience and delight them with content, MultiChoice is thrilled to bring this latest venture in African storytelling.

HONEY is a bold, unscripted lifestyle TV channel for interrogative and connected Africans. The channel is about celebrating and exploring African lives and loves, and the content is focused on lifestyle, fashion, food, weddings, dating, as well as reality.

MultiChoice CEO of General Entertainment, Yolisa Phahle, says the move follows consistent, upward lifestyle-viewership trends on the continent. “DStv is thrilled to launch HONEY. The channel is part of our commitment to keep bringing fresh, authentic and local content to our African subscribers. For many years, we’ve seen lifestyle is a popular genre on the continent; and now our subscribers will see their own talent, food, celebrations, and their families as the well-deserved hero.”

The channel will be broadcast in all key African regions including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, DRC, Cameroon and South Africa. Keeping with the continent’s effervescent energy and vibrancy, the channel will be a tapestry of African producers with exciting storylines and cross-continental casting, making HONEY, a go-to channel for authentic African storytelling.

Head of Content at MultiChoice, Aletta Alberts says: “Africa’s dynamism and way of life is the perfect ingredient for this exciting channel. HONEY is going to add sweet and sticky flavour to our subscriber offering. Lifestyle content is the ideal vehicle to reflect the continent’s diversity and sameness. Everyone who is curious about food, style, and weddings is in for a treat.”

The MultiChoice channel is packaged by Media24’s television unit which is also responsible for Afrikaans lifestyle channel, VIA (DStv channel 147).

Izelle Venter, HONEY’s Channel Head says: “Media24 is delighted to collaborate with MultiChoice on this new adventure. The goal is to combine both companies’ best qualities, experiences, and knowledge to serve DStv subscribers with a new channel that is familiar, unique and entertaining.”

The key ingredient to HONEY is the channel’s focus on authentic African storytelling. In a ground-breaking content creation model, the channel has partnered with producers from all corners of the continent to create hundreds of fresh hours of exciting African shows, ensuring that HONEY is indeed the place where all Africans feel at home.

“We are working with producers across the continent to ensure the lifestyle stories we tell are real and relevant,” says Zinzi Velelo, HONEY’s Head of Content. “Our goal is to showcase the characters, talent and dynamics of everyday African life as never before.”

HONEY will be available for Compact, Compact Plus and Premium customers from Friday, 12 February 2021.

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