A new decade is dawning and DStv customers are in for the best entertainment from Africa and the world. Here is sneak peek of everything you can expect from your DStv in 2020.
You no doubt remember Back to the Future II, the popular sequel to the classic flick that catapulted Michael J. Fox to superstardom. Released in 1989 and set in 2015, the film introduced audiences to a future where humans operate remote-controlled litterbins and dog walkers, TV screens replace waiters and Marty McFly rocks size-adjustable, self-drying jackets.
We know now the real 2015 didn’t resemble the one depicted in that movie. What is clear, though, is that the future is now. We are living in days that entertainers of the past pictured for decades. Movies like The Blade Runner (1982), The Running Man (1987) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014) were set in 2019 and depicted a world created by the out-of-this-world imaginations of their scriptwriters and film producers.
Just as these iconic movies were all birthed from the minds of creatives, it’s undeniable that the ringing in of the new decade brings with it limitless possibilities that will stretch our imaginations with more entertainment, more technology, more magical moments and more power to our screens than we ever thought possible.
They say hindsight is 20/20 but at DStv, our foresight for the 2020s is crystal clear - as Africa’s leading storyteller, DStv is committed to maintaining the highest-quality content offering our customers expect. From new channels and brand new shows, to increased local entertainment and even more trending conversation starters, we’ve set up a gigantic year of the most explosive content.
Here is everything you can look forward to in 2020 on DStv:
1. Brand new telenovela for Mzansi Magic
The start of the 2010s brought with it the launch of Mzansi Magic (161). Launched with the intention to boost the production of local content, the channel has grown to become the home of some of the most popular content on South African television.
Mzansi telenovelas like The Queen, Isithembiso and Isibaya, have captivated audiences everywhere, and are regular constantly trending topics on Twitter. Fans love these shows so much, in fact, that they started a petition to bring back SK Khoza’s character Shaka on The Queen.
As part of our ongoing commitment to invest in the local television industry, Mzansi Magic (161) will introduce a new telenovela in April 2020. This new show will complement Mzansi’s existing local entertainment offering, bolstering the riveting nightly Mzansi telenovela slot that our customers have come to love. More details on this new show will follow so keep checking back for more news, hot off the press.
2. Even more local entertainment
In our journey to contribute to the growth of the local entertainment industry, we have watched with pride as South Africans became increasingly gravitated to local content. Series such as The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Survivor South Africa and many of the shows on the 1Magic channel have pushed numerous boundaries, resulting in tremendous growth in both local viewership and production.
Going forward, we will continue to bolster our local offering across all of our channels. The Bachelor South Africa, for example, returns to M-Net (101) on 13 February at 21:00 with a second season and there will be a surprising spin-off of the runaway hit show Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Madame, that will be all the rage when it launches along with the new show; The Single Wives South Africa, that tracks the lives of newly divorced women looking for the next (and maybe final) husband.
In addition, KykNet (144), South Africa’s leading Afrikaans entertainment channel, will introduce three dramas from January 2020; a new season of Sara se Geheim, the second season of Die Byl and, brand new, Projek Dina. This is particularly exciting because KykNet has never launched multiple tent-pole dramas simultaneously.
If that’s not enough, we’ve got even more local content ready to entertain the whole family. We’ll have more of the out-of-this-world entertainment that makes Moja Love (157) a consistent fan favourite and the second half of the hilarious Celebrity Game Night on E! (124) in January, while BET (129) welcomes brand new shows early next year; Black Tax and Boity – Own Your Throne.
3. Taking African stories to the world
Trackers Season 1, produced by M-Net (101) in collaboration with Cinemax and ZDF, was the biggest original drama co-production in African history and quickly became one of the most talked-about weekly events on African television. By the time season 1 finale aired on Sunday 24 November 2019, it was already the most-watched television series on M-Net – surpassing the likes of Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies and the much-loved Sunday 20:00 movie.
Following the magnificent success of Trackers, M-Net 101 will boost its broadcast schedule with a host of exhilarating local series in 202 and beyond. First among them, is a 13-part family drama, Still Breathing. Starting Thursday 27 February at 20:00, Still Breathing tells the tale of a group of old friends who have drifted apart as they have grown older, but are then brought together when tragedy strikes. The drama unfolds as old wounds burst open, old flames of passion rekindle and secrets that have lay buried, are finally uncovered. This powerful series is directed by SAFTA award winner Johnny Barbuzano (The River, The Gift, Isozo Connection), with his wife Tiffany serving as Scriptwriter and Co-Producer. The impressive cast also includes formidable leading ladies Kate Liquorish (Catching Feelings, Eye in the Sky), Lorcia Khumalo (Lockdown, Zulu Wedding, The Queen) and Shannon Esra (The Throne, The Queen).
4. International content you won’t find anywhere else
DStv has been the home of the world’s best entertainment for decades, and this trend will continue in the 2020s. From pop-up channels that bring together the best of the best, to shows like Prodigal Son (premiering Wednesday, 19 February on M-Net 101 at 21:00) that are produced by one of the world’s leading television studios, the content on DStv has been specially selected to feed the interests of our diverse customer base. Prodigal Son, in fact, is set to become one of the most talked-about shows on SA television in 2020 and beyond. The series centers on Malcolm Bright (The Walking Dead’s Tom Payne), a profiler for the NYPD who also happens to be the son of infamous serial killer Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen). As Malcolm helps the NYPD investigate bizarre and gruesome murders, he must also deal with the psychological impact of reuniting with his father.
Is there any more iconic movie franchise that Rocky, spanning decades and delivering quote upon quote, fans will have the opportunity to binge all eight Rocky movies, in chronological order, all on one channel in January. And speaking of legends, in February, movies led by the baddest leading men of all time; Denzel Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Idris Elba, Michael B Jordan and more, in M-Net Movies’ second Blackout pop-up channel (109). Tom Cruise fans will be excited to hear that there will be an entire festival dedicated to this action superstar in March.
If you’re into factual entertainment, we’ve got everything you need on DStv. Feed your guilty pleasure with Dr. Pimple Popper on TLC (135), enjoy the hilarious antics of Gordon Ramsay in 24 Hours to Hell and Back on BBC Lifestyle (174) and learn about the historic Watergate scandal on HISTORY (186) all in January. Then in February, it’s all about Big Cat Month on Nat Geo (181) before March becomes Snake Month. David Attenborough has always been the voice of the nature documentary but now, as he is looking to pass the baton of planetary responsibility to all of humanity, he has also become a Social Media phenomenon. In March we will experience his most spectacular show yet, Seven Worlds, One Planet, tracking the birth of the world as Pangea ripped apart to create the continents of the modern world to the reality of the challenges faced by animals today as they face the challenges created by humankind.
5. Your kids’ favourite stop: This is the School of Laughter
Kids love DStv, and with non-stop kids entertainment across multiple channels, it’s easy to see why. At the same time, DStv loves kids so much that we’re going to school with them! On the first day of the 2020 academic year, the DStv School of Laughter in partnership with 947 will visit one lucky Grade 1’s school for an epic #1stDayTakeover. We’re taking goodie bags for all the kids plus R10 000 in cash for one lucky parents.
Throughout 2020, we’ll continue to lead the kids entertainment offering in Africa with brand new shows like Young Dylan and Wonderpark coming to Nickelodeon (305) in February, Spongebob The Musical Special, Jojo D.R.E.A.M Concert Special air on Nicktoons (308) in February and the Kids Choice Awards returns with all of the slime in March, also on Nicktoons (308).
It may be the start of a new decade - but at DStv, the promise remains the same. We will remain the trusted source of entertainment for content lovers in South Africa and the rest of the continent, celebrating and investing in homegrown talent while bringing the best of the world to your screens.
With more entertainment than ever before and unmatchable selections for our customers to choose from, we’re ensuring our audience never misses an opportunity to feel every moment with DStv
