Home And Garden Channel HGTV Coming ToDStv In July

Discovery and MultiChoice will add the HGTV channel to its DStv satellite pay-TV service from mid-July, bringing DStv subscribers a new TV channel with fresh content about home improvement, do-it-yourself house renovations, design, real estate and gardening.

HGTV will launch on 15 July on DStv and will be available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers in South Africa.

It's not yet known whether HGTV, which initially stood for "Home and Garden Television" when it started in 1994, will launch as a high-definition (HD) channel on DStv in South Africa.

HGTV ended 2018 as the 4th most watched pay-TV channel in the United States, where it is the leading home and lifestyle channel and often gets cited by pay-TV subscribers as one of the "must-keep channels" and one of the reasons why viewers pay for subscription television.

In November 2017 MultiChoice did a 3-week marketing research tryout of HGTV on DStv, when the channel was run as a prime time content block on the Travel Channel during weekdays and over weekends. It led to a hugely favourable response from DStv subscribers.

Besides America, HGTV is already available in Canada, the Caribbean, Asia and Australia and will also launch in Germany in June, marking the channel's first European rollout since Discovery completed its takeover of Scripps Networks Interactive in 2018.

Former Scripps sister channels – now all belonging to Discovery like the Travel Channel (DStv 179 / Cell C black 255), the Food Network (DStv 175) and Fine Living (Cell C black 251 / StarSat 281) – are already available in South Africa and throughout the continent on various pay-TV services.

Yet the addition of HGTV makes it Discovery Inc.'s first channel brand from what was Scripps, to be launched in South Africa and Africa as Discovery realigns and scales its expanded collection of lifestyle channels in the territory.

HGTV's content covers six basic pillars, ranging from buying and selling property, home renovation, investing in improving property to sell it for a profit (flipping), home improvement and dream homes.

HGTV will launch with an extensive slate of home interest programming, with many of the shows on the schedule during South African prime time that have never been seen here on television before or are first-to-market episodes.

The home improvement and aspirational property programming on HGTV will aim to help DStv subscribers with inspiration, instruction about renovations and the selling and buying of homes, as well as providing entertainment, fresh ideas, the latest trends, and access to celebrity homes and sought-after real estate listings across the globe.

"HGTV shows were placed on the Travel Channel in late-2017, and the content flew. HGTV is now going to launch on 15 July on DStv, and we're very, very excited about the content on the channel," says Henry Windridge, the head of brand at Discovery Inc. for the African and Middle East region.

"It's very much focused on the genres that we know work very well in the United States Renovation shows, for instance, are such a core part of HGTV. It's not about decorating."

HGTV'S PROGRAMMING SLATE
HGTV's programming launch line-up on DStv between 20:00 and 22:00 will be stratified according to days of the week that will each have a soft theme.

Viewers will be able to see property buying and selling shows on Mondays, renovation shows on Tuesdays, property seeking shows on Wednesdays, property flipping shows on Thursdays, renovation and flipping shows on Fridays, "tiny" home shows on Saturdays, and ending with aspirational and dream home shows on Sundays.

On Mondays, DStv subscribers will be able to watch shows like My Lottery Dream Home and Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation; Good Bones and Home Town on Tuesdays; House Hunters USA and House Hunters Renovations on Wednesdays; and Flip or Flop Nashville and Boise Boys on Thursdays.

Flip or Flop Atlanta and Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation will be shown on Fridays; Tiny House, Big Living and Tiny Paradise on Saturdays; and with Sundays belonging to Beachfront Bargain Hunt and Mediterranean Life.

MultiChoice Brings Edutainment Fun For Children With The Launch Of PBS Kids

Multichoice is always looking for the freshest in kid’s entertainment and has partnered with PBS to bring PBS KIDS’ high-quality educational content to the DStv platform available in all of sub-Saharan Africa. For three months, starting Wednesday, 22 May through Thursday, 22 August 2019, DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family & Access customers will have PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC, ARTHUR and other well-known PBS KIDS series available on DStv Channel 313.

“MultiChoice is always open to exploring ways to expand our customer offering, adding a children’s channel that is not only entertainment for the entire family but also experiential and educational adds value to the DStv packages,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of General Entertainment for MultiChoice.

Andrea Downing, Co-President of PBS Distribution, comments, “We are excited to offer this new audience the opportunities that PBS KIDS content offers.  PBS KIDS is the number one educational media brand for kids, offering children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds. DStv is inviting parents and children to experience this trusted content that helps children learn and grow.”

To stimulate the intellect of our young ones on the go, they can stream PBS KIDS live with parental controls for a safe viewing environment anytime, anywhere via the DStv Now mobile app or online now.dstv.com.

Among the series included in the channel are:

PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC®
PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC®, based on the beloved book series by Victoria Kann, encourages children to engage in self-expression and to explore the arts, including music, dance, and visual arts. Kids will be inspired to get creative by Pinkalicious, Peter, and their friends through adventures in their neighborhood of Pinkville!

ARTHUR
Based on the best-selling children's books by Marc Brown, ARTHUR follows the adventures of 8-year-old Arthur Read. Join the beloved aardvark for heartfelt and humorous stories about family, friends, and the challenges of growing up.

WORDWORLD
The lovable WordFriends take children on adventures in a world of words where they encounter problems that can only be solved by building a word. Playfully demonstrating the connections between letters, sounds, words, and meaning, WORDWORLD empowers children to advance from learning letters to learning how to read.

PBS KIDS on DStv will also feature episodes from POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER, PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD, and TIME WARP TRIO.

Always Entertaining Kids Being It's Forte, DStv Has Added PBS Kids A New Education Based Entertainment Channel, Offering The Opportunity For Children To Explore New Ideas And New Worlds. From May 22nd To August 22nd, On Channel 313 On All Our Packages By MultiChoice Ethiopia

Its only temporary so MultiChoice could be testing out the content again if all goes well it could come back or stay after August 22nd since it is a 3 month pop-up channel.

The PBS content expires at the end of May a few days before the pop-up channel arrives. So don't be surprised if there was some announcement that it would be a permanent addition to DStv later in 2019.

What To Expect From The New Youth Channel Coming Soon On DStv? [Updated 10/05/2019]

MultiChoice has been quite lately with channel additions either they don't have the time or there's nothing exciting to boast about. They recently launched the overdue news channel Newzroom Afrika and now their next target is PBS Kids. 

For sometime I've been following the latest developments of this youth channel with less input from MultiChoice. PBS Kids was first added through their Catch-Up service on DStv Now as an experimental channel last year to see if the content would blend with its viewers. 

Thanks to MultiChoice Kenya we finally know that it will be a new channel addition to DStv. As some may already know PBS Kids exists as a programming block on PBS and a video channel in the United States. 

From what I've heard in other markets those who get the standalone channel through cable recieve the outdated version while those who stream the channel and possibly get it as a programming block get the latest content. All these shows are costly so whenever PBS commissions a new youth oriented show they either cancel the show or put it on an indefinite hiatus with Cartoon Network only falling through the hiatus and lack of cancellation. 

For those living in Africa you'll discover that PBS Kids' latest shows like Ready Jet Go, Wild Kratts and Daniel Tigers Neighbourhood are available through MultiChoice's Showmax cancels any possibilities of the PBS Kids video app. MultiChoice is currently working on some tests for the channel in the i-plate section so we could expect an official announcement in the next 2 weeks. My assumption is the channel will launch on the 3rd of June if not later on channel 318 when the contents expires at the end of May. 

At the moment, PBS Kids' schedule on the i-plate consists of double bills with 7/8 shows currently seen on DStv Now air new episodes 7 days a week like Zee World. It could change when it launches only time will tell, here's what to expect from this new youth channel:

ARTHUR (1996-)
The show is set in the fictional American city of Elwood City, and revolves around the lives of 8-year-old Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other.

MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBOURHOOD (1968-2001)
Fred Rogers explores various topics for young viewers through presentations and music, both in his world and in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

PEEP AND THE BIG WIDE WORLD (2004-2011)
Viewers follow Peep, Chirp, and Quack as they investigate and explore the world around them.

PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC (2018–)
Pinkalicious imagines creative possibilities
everywhere she looks. Aimed at kids 3-5,
Pinkalicious & Peterrific encourages
viewers to engage in the creative arts and
self-expression, including music, dance,
theater and visual arts. Get creative with
Pinkalicious, Peter and all their friends in
Pinkville!

POSTCARDS FROM BUSTER (2004-2012)
Young rabbit Buster Baxter is a familiar face from the hit children's series "Arthur." Now he has his own show, traveling across America, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico with his dad.

TIME WARP TRIO (2005–2006)
For his tenth birthday, Joe receives a
mysterious blue book from his magician
uncle and namesake, "Joe the Magnificent,"
known only as "The Book". Using a number
of often unpredictable and/or unintentional
voice and print cues, The Book frequently
transports Joe and his friends, Fred and
Sam, to a variety of places in history, like
Ancient Egypt, the Old West and to the year
2105, where they meet their own great-
granddaughters, Jodie, Samantha and
Freddi. The only way they are able to return
present-day Brooklyn, New York is to find
The Book again within whatever time period
they are in. Later in the series, Joe's evil
uncle, Mad Jack, makes several attempts to
capture the children and The Book with his
crafty tricks, whether stranding them in
Antarctica (where The Book doesn't work)
or trying to make their new home in China
(during the Tang Dynasty).

WORDWORLD (2007-2011)
Come along for an adventurous romp into a colorful, vibrant world of words with Duck and his lovable, legible WordFriends — animals whose bodies are made up of the letters that spell the word they are.

UNKNOWN:
According to insiders, PBS Kids lost the rights to this show. That could explain Pinkalicious' double bills and Ruff's absence from the i-plate unless they're plans in place to launch it later. Just like NickToons did with Totally Spies! and SpongeBob Squarepants with Disney Junior being Elena of Avalor.
FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN (2006-2010)
Blending live-action and animation, FETCH revolves around an animated dog named Ruff Ruffman, who develops, produces, and hosts his own reality TV show. Ruff runs the show from his state-of-the-art headquarters, otherwise known as his dog house, and issues wild and wacky real-world challenges to a group of 10-14 year old kid contestants.

FORMAT OF THE SCHEDULE (RECAP)
Please take note of the following:
1.If you see two different times separated by a / that means its a double run or bill. This format is applied to 99% of the schedule on a daily basis.
2.The 1% doesn't have a double bill and usually occurs at midnight (12am) or morning (6am) depending on the times in days.
3.The times are the only things that change on this channel drastically especially at midnight and morning e.g. Arthur does at 18:33 on Monday, 19:00 on Tuesday and 18:52 on Wednesday. The format and order remain the same (excluding 11pm-12am and 5am-6am).
4.When the channel does launch the schedule could be different from the i-plate perspective but I doubt that's gonna happen anytime soon.
5.Even though 99% of the schedule is double runs, it will change overtime. Some shows will fall off  the schedule to make way for new shows while others share a timeslot meaning less double runs.

Daily Schedule
Friday 10 May
06:01  Wordworld
06:28/06:50  Peep And The Big Wide World
07:12/07:37  Pinkalicious And Peterrific
08:02/08:26  Arthur
08:53/09:19  Postcards From Buster
09:46/10:09  Time Warp Trio
10:32/11:01  Mister Rogers Neighbourhood
11:29/11:56  Wordworld
12:23/12:45  Peep And The Big Wide World
13:07/13:32  Pinkalicious And Peterrific
13:57/14:22  Arthur
14:48/15:15  Postcards From Buster
15:41/16:05  Time Warp Trio
16:28/16:56  Mister Rogers Neighbourhood
17:24/17:52  Wordworld
18:19/18:40  Peep And The Big Wide World
19:02/19:27  Pinkalicious And Peterrific
19:52/20:17  Arthur
20:43/21:10  Postcards From Buster
21:37/22:00  Time Warp Trio
22:23/22:52  Mister Rogers Neighbourhood
23:20/23:47  Wordworld
Saturday 11 May
00:14/00:36  Peep And The Big Wide World
00:58/01:23  Pinkalicious And Peterrific
01:48/02:15  Arthur
02:41/03:09  Postcards From Buster
03:37/04:00  Time Warp Trio
04:23/04:51  Mister Rogers Neighbourhood
05:20/05:47  Wordworld

And, The Show Goes On - Tellytrack Continues To 'Run' On All DStv Platforms

For over 15-years, DStv has been the ‘race track’ of choice for many horse racing lovers across the country, through the broadcast of the Tellytrack channel. This almost two-decades long partnership, between Tellytrack and Multichoice, will continue to run on DStv channel 239 enabling viewers to experience the ‘Sport of Kings’ in the comfort of their homes.

‘’Over the years we have seen consistency in the channel’s viewership ratings, indicating that the South African television market has an appetite for the sport,” explains Rob Scott – Sports Betting Executive for Phumelela Gaming. “As such from a business perspective, extending the contract became key, as the partnership continues to provide extended reach of the sport.”

The channel will see a ‘look and feel’ as well as content facelift – launching new content propositions as well as injecting a more lifestyle feel into the programming. “We will be introducing an hour-long daily Morning Show, that will carry 30 minutes of horseracing content and 30 minutes of other sports. Our objective is to provide our viewers with variety through the morning show but through our other offerings, become a channel that features predominantly local horseracing,” says Scott.

Currently the channel, on DStv 239, is available across five packages with the lowest – Access – costing only R105 per month and adds to the variety of sport available on our platform. “The Tellytrack channel forms part of our platform’s strategy to bring great quality and diverse content to SA audiences,” explains Aletta Alberts – Head of Content Strategy for Multichoice. “Through our content we celebrate our diverse audiences’ interests, and this can be demonstrated in the number of channel offerings available on our packages. The Tellytrack channel allows us to continue to meet this mandate – of continuously serving our viewers with content that is relevant and excites them.”

The revamped channel will go live on 4 May 2019.

Khalik Sheriff In Aspirational And First Public Speech As New eMedia CEO Says e.tv's Free-To-Air Satellite TV Service Openview Is Transitioning 'From The Outbuilding To The Main House'.

In his first public speech as new CEO of eMedia Investments, Khalik Sherrif says e.tv's rebranded and fast-growing free-to-air digital satellite TV service, Openview, is moving to the "main house", shedding its image as a TV service just for domestic workers and granny.

In a fiery and aspirational public speech at the exclusive black tie launch event of Openview's new TV commercial, Khalik Sherrif who took over as new eMedia CEO since the beginning of this month, weighed in on Openview's growth, future prospects and ambitions, and the platform's role in South Africa switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) - a process known as digital migration.

The experienced veteran TV executive who has been with eMedia for over 15 years, started with an anecdote of how e.tv that in October celebrated two decades of broadcasting in the country, helped to change and shape the South African television landscape.

"When e.tv started, nobody gave us a chance. Twenty years ago they said, 'What do those guys know about TV? Who are they? They are not going to last?' Twenty years later we are still here and we are growing because we dared to be different over all those years."

"When all of you grew up watching the TV news at 20:00 on the SABC, there came these little fellas and they said 'South Africa, stop. Don't watch your news at 20:00 anymore, watch your news at 19:00. And we moved the whole nation."

"When we put our eNews at 19:00 so many years ago, everybody else put the news at 19:00. Do you know why they did that? Because we said 'Watch the news on e.tv at 19:00 because by 20:00 it's history' and they came along to join us at 19:00."

About digital terrestrial TV migration - the switch from analogue to digital TV in South Africa, Khalik Sherrif said "8 million South African TV households have already been migrated - 6.5 million on DStv and 1.5 million on Openview."

"South Africa has 14 million TV households which means that another 5.5 million TV households still need to be migrated."

"We had a meeting with the department of communications, saying 'We will help you to get to the other 5.5 million'. The department of communications will give R400 per household that can't afford to buy a set-top-box (STB), and they will go out to the market, and they will buy a box."

"The department of communications has 500 000 more STB to sell and they're not manufacturing any more. They will buy a box and they will buy Openview. Why? Because for the first time in the South African landscape there is world-class television in high definition (HD), for free," said Khalik Sherrif.

"People in South Africa will buy a STB at any of the retailers for about R400 and will then have world-class television - 20 channels on Openview at the moment; all of the SABC - SABC1, SABC2, SABC3, and all of e.tv - and e.tv isn't just one channel any more."

"There is eMovies, there is eExtra, eReality, there's OpenNews, there's Star Life, there are plenty of them," said Khalik Sherrif , "with Openview growing at 30 000 to 35 000 box activations per month."

Openview: Transitioning from the outbuilding to the main house
"We started Openview on this premise: When the government was pushing digital television to us, the little fellas in Hyde Park realised the following - that we need to own some property in the TV space," said Khalik Sherrif.

"The SABC is the public broadcaster. MultiChoice has their property in Randburg which is the DStv decoder. What do we do? If MultiChoice is fed up of us one day and kicks us out, where do we take our channels? If we maybe don't like the [government-supplied] DTT [STB] performance because it's inferior and standard definition and not high definition, what do we do?"

"So we decided 5 years ago, let's launch our own little thing. We started it with OpenView HD, and now it's Openview.  Let me tell you, when we started it, we made some mistakes. We made some mistakes," said Khalik Sherrif.

"And the mistake we made is that we positioned it for the outbuilding. We didn't think about it really. People were buying it for the outside house. If it was not for the helpers, it was for granny. Today you are witnessing the transition of Openview from the outbuilding to the main house - that's where we belong," said Khalif Sherrif.

"Mark my words: Openview is going to be the biggest thing in South African television. Why do I so confidently say this? Because throughout the world, traditional pay-TV is declining. Free-to-air television viewing is increasing."

"If you visit the United Kingdom, you'll know that the most popular medium of receiving television is Freeview - not Sky, not BT. Freeview. Why is this so?"

"While a lot of people are lucky enough to be able to afford pay-TV, they're not watching it because they're watching Netflix. We're streaming this; we're getting Amazon Prime Video. So you're viewership of traditional pay-TV is declining and you're viewership of Netflix is increasing."

"And as that happens, people are coming to the realisation of 'What am I really paying them for? I'm not watching them anymore?' And when you seize to pay them, when you stop paying for television, you know what will happen? You won't throw away your TV set because your lounge suite has to face somewhere," said Khalik Sherrif.

"The TV set belongs in the lounge and when you stop paying for TV and your TV set is not receiving pay-TV anymore, your TV set will receive something else - it will receive Netflix, it will receive Amazon, it will receive Google. It will receive Apple. It will receive Facebook."

"But you will also need to know the local news, you will also need to catch up with the local TV soapies, you will also need to know the local gossip, so you will have Openview. Don't say to anybody I didn't tell you," Khalik Sherriff concluded.

M-Net City Creates A Sizzling Experience For DStv Compact Customers

M-Net City, channel 115 on DStv, has great news for DStv Compact series fans: The channel is adjusting its prime-time slots to create a jam-packed schedule and a seamless viewing experience. From 31 October 2018, viewers will be able to enjoy their favourite shows in prime time between 18:20 and 22:50 with fewer breaks. The tweak in the schedule then also allows for an additional late-night slot (at 22:50) during which viewers who missed series with a high age-restriction can catch up on those episodes.

“As M-Net City is the place where DStv Compact viewers see the hottest series from Hollywood exclusively for the first time, we often receive requests or suggestions from viewers to amp up the schedule. The tweak to the starting times of shows allow us to address some of these requests,” says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard.

"Even though M-Net City often showcases shows that have previously been on M-Net 101, available to DStv Premium customers only, it should not be seen as a ‘repeat’ channel,” Lombard adds. “Over the past few months, an exceeding number of series have made their African debut on M-Net City." 

Among these premiere shows are the new seasons of popular series Supernatural and The 100.  

The new M-Net City line-up and times will look as follows: 
·  Each evening at 18:20, Mondays to Fridays, the hot and charming former Criminal Minds star Shemar Moore swoops in to save the day in S.W.A.T. season one. Starring as Sgt. Daniel Hondo Harrelson, Moore’s character helms a special tactical unit in Los Angeles. The dedicated actor was captivated by the similarities he shared with his alter ego on the show, and has since received a tattoo inspired by his character. Catch this tattoo up close, along with the action, in the season premiere of S.W.A.T (starts Thursday 1 November) . 
·  Mondays to Thursdays at 19:10, the channel will air a variety of international dramas: viewers can watch Emmy award winner Dick Wolf’s Chicago Fire season six on Mondays and Chicago PD season five on Tuesdays. The season finale of Elementary will air on Wednesday, 31 October and a brand new series starting on Wednesday, 7 November is the fast-paced medical instalment of the popular Chicago series, Chicago Med, season three. On Thursdays, catch the intriguing medical drama The Good Doctor season one, starring Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel) as Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism who uses extraordinary medical gifts to help patients at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital.  
·  Then, at 20:00 the Superheroes come to the rescue, Mondays to Thursdays:
Mondays:  Supergirl season three episode 2 continues on Monday 5 November at 20:00 and she takes to the skies to battle the many villains rising up in an era of disruption.
Tuesday: (from 30 October)- Arrow season six shows how Oliver (star Stephen Amell) is determined to embrace his new role as a father in this season, while still serving and protecting his city as the Mayor and the Green Arrow. 
Wednesdays (starts 31 October) - In The Flash season four, the Fastest Man Alive continues his quest to protect his city after being struck by a dark matter lightning storm.  
Thursdays - In the usual style DC's Legends of Tomorrow season three starts on Thursday 1 November at 20:00. 
The multi-talented Jennifer Lopez stars as Harlee Santos, a charismatic single mother and resourceful detective at the heart of a tight-knit crew of Brooklyn detectives, in Shades of Blue season three. The unit is led by enigmatic Lt. Matt Wozniak (Ray Liotta) who often directs the team to step outside the limitations of the law in order to effectively protect their precinct and their own. Season three of Shades of Blue picks up after a near-death experience on Wednesday, 21 November at 20:50.
The brilliant and critically acclaimed historical period drama Jamestown returns for a second season on M-Net City – with as many twists as before. It will be screened from Tuesday, 13 November at 21:45. Viewers will enjoy yet another season of dazzling ventures in love, war and diplomacy.
On Fridays, viewers can enjoy double episodes of Seth McFarlane’s offbeat sci-fi comedy The Orville at 19:10 and 20:00 (starts Friday 2 November).  Set 400 years into the future, Captain Ed Mercer of the U.S.S. Orville and his crew, ex-wife and best friend explore space and try to figure out how to deal with life on a spaceship. With advanced species and galaxies light years away, how difficult could it be?

Looking for only the best international series on DStv Compact? M-Net City channel 115 is the place to be this November. The channel features never-before-seen series and great family entertainment.

Be part of the M-Net City conversation on mnet.tv, or follow the conversation on Twitter @MNetSeries (#MNetCity) or on the official M-Net Facebook page.

No VAT Increase For DStv Customers

We have great news for our DStv customers!

MultiChoice will absorb the one% increase in VAT. We want to assist our customers by not increasing our prices further.

This means there will be no further change to our DStv fees that will come into effect on 1 April.

Customers can log on to their account on DStv.com or the DStv Now app to see what they will pay from 1 April 2018.

New Supersport Channel Line Up Coming Soon On DStv With New Esports Channel

SuperSport has introduced a new channel line up to give sport lovers a better viewing experience and make it easy for fans to find their favourite sport. DStv customers can look forward to 14 SuperSport and one eSports channel, with less duplication of sports across channels and more predictable scheduling.

DStv customers on all packages can look forward to a rebranded SuperSport Select, now on SS10, and DStv Extra customers will get more sports channels – SS7 and SS8.

Fans of football can follow La Liga on SS7 exclusively, and SS11 (new channel) and SS12 will become permanent events channels to be the home for overflow sport.

“We believe that these changes will give our customers an even better viewing experience, making it easier to navigate our wide variety of sports in the back-to-back channels. As there will be less duplication and repeats of sport, and no impact on live events, the overall sport viewing will be enhanced,” said Gideon Khobane, CEO for SuperSport.

eSports is growing in popularity, so GINX eSports TV that is currently available on DStv Now, will find a home on DStv channel 240. DStv Premium, Extra and Compact customers will be able to enjoy the action on this unique channel.

And of course, most of the channels will be in glorious HD – SS Blitz, SS1-9 and SS11 will be in HD, as will GINX eSports TV. SS8 is currently in SD and will change to HD.

Gideon reassured fans “SuperSport is still the home of the best sporting action on the African continent.”

The new channel line up will take effect on 4 July. Sports fans will start their viewing on Channel 200 on SuperSport Blitz through to SuperSport 12.

DStv customers can go to DStv.com or SuperSport.com to see how the sports are allocated across the different SuperSport channels.

And remember to tune in – at home on your decoder, or through DStv Now online or via the DStv Now app on your tablet or smartphone. DStv Now is available to our Compact, Extra and Premium customers at no extra charge. You don't have to miss a second of the action.

Summary of changes

SS7 and SS8 will go to DStv Extra customers
SS7 will be home of La Liga Football
SS Select will no longer exist on DStv – replaced with SS10 for all customers who currently get it including DStv Select customers
SS11 and SS12 will become permanent events channels – no more overflow channels
GINX eSport, currently available on DStv Now, will be on DStv channel 240
12 HD channels available – SS Blitz (to all DStv customers), SS1-9, SS11 and Ginx eSports. SS8, currently in SD, will become HD.

SuperSport Channel Optimisation FAQ’s

What is happening to the SuperSport channels?
SS7 and SS8 will go to DStv Extra customers
SS7 will be home of La Liga Football
SS Select will no longer exist on DStv – replaced with SS10 for all customers who currently get it including DStv Select customers
SS11 and SS12 will become permanent events channels – no more overflow channels
GINX eSport, currently available on DStv Now, will be on DStv channel 240
12 HD channels available – SS Blitz (to all DStv customers), SS1-9, SS11 and Ginx eSports

What is the benefits of the optimization to customers?
Fewer repeats and less duplication of sports
Predictable events channels on SS11 and SS12
Know which channel you can find your sports – SS7 dedicated to La Liga

Which channel will be rebranded?
SuperSport Select will now be called SS10. All customers who received SuperSport Select, will get SS10.

Which new channels are being added?
SS11 is being added as an event channel for overflow sport for live events.
Also GINX eSport is added to DStv channel 240.

Are any channels being changed?
SuperSport 12 - currently a 24-hour La Liga (Spanish football) channel - will become an events channel like SS11. La Liga will find a permanent home on SS7.

When do the changes come into effect?
The new line-up will come into effect on Tuesday, July 4.

Do customers need to do anything?
No need to do anything as the changes will happen automatically on 4 July. We encourage customers to go to DStv.com and SuperSport.com to familiarize themselves with where they will find their favourite sport.

What will be the total number of channels available on SuperSport after July 4?
14

Which DStv package will carry which channel?
Blitz: On all packages, Premium, Extra, Compact, Select 1, Select 2, Family, Access and Easy View.
SS1: Premium only
SS2: Premium only
SS3: Premium, Extra and Compact
SS4: Premium, Extra and Compact
SS5: Premium only
SS6: Premium only
SS7: Premium and Extra
SS8: Premium and Extra
SS9: Premium, Extra and Compact
SS10: Premium, Extra, Compact, Select 1, Select 2 and Family, Access.
SS11: Premium only
SS12: Premium only
Maximo: Premium only
GINX eSports: Premium, Extra and Compact

This means our Extra customers get 3 more sports channels – SS7, SS8 and GINX
Our Premium customers get 2 more sports channels – SS11 and GINX
Our Compact customers get 1 more sport channel - GINX

In the repurposing, will there be any SD channels upgraded to HD?
Yes. SS8 will be upgraded to an HD channel, this will bring the total number of HD channels available to 12.

DStv Customers Get More Entertainment

On Wednesday, 17 May, DStv customers will get even more entertainment as we add four new e.tv channels to the DStv family. These channels are eMovies+ (Channel 138), eMovies Extra (Channel 140), eExtra (Channel 195) and eToonz+ (Channel 311). Three of thesre channels will be available in crystal clear HD: eMovies+, eMovies Extra and eExtra.

These channels offer a broad range of entertainment, which will give our customers a more expansive viewing experience. The shows will appeal to the entire family: eToonz+ offers a safe and sunny space for the kids; eMovies Extra packs a punch with robust action movies; eExtra gives mom a chance to tune into telenovelas and the rest of the family can enjoy sitcoms; while eMovies+ offers an escape with the stars.

“We’re always on the lookout for ways to add more value to each of our DStv packages – it’s about offering our customers the best entertainment in one place. These e.tv channels, of which three are in HD, will bring hours of viewing delight to the whole family,” commented Mark Rayner, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.

eMovies+ (Channel 138) and eMovies Extra (Channel 140) will be available to DStv Access, Family, Compact, Extra and Premium customers. eExtra (Channel 195) and eToonz+ (Channel 311) will be available to DStv EasyView, Access, Family, Compact, Extra and Premium customers.

The addition of three more HD channels means that customers on the DStv EasyView package will now have access to three HD channels, DStv Access customers will have seven, DStv Family 12, DStv Compact 21, DStv Extra 26 and DStv Premium 41.

The schedule for these channels will be available From Wednesday, 17 May on DStv.com or the TV Guide on your decoder.
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More about the channels

eExtra (in HD)  will offer viewers an enticing variety of premium entertainment in HD –  including sitcoms, drama series, reality, telenovelas, court shows, lifestyle and movies. While the channel is infused with a good measure of suspense, drama and action, a touch of comedy adds a light-hearted flavour to the line-up. eExtra can best be described as young, urban, modern and cosmopolitan.

eMovies Extra (in HD) is a premium movie channel playing big-name, high profile movies, with a skew towards ACTION in prime time. Loaded with enough shoot outs, shouts, kicks, punches, explosions and chases to delight even the most craven action junky, the channel also offers quieter quality moments along with family friendly fare in daytime. Find extra adventure, suspense, action and revenge on eMovies Extra.

With a movie to suit every taste eMovies+(in HD) is the go-to destination for wall to wall entertainment. Whether it’s romance, drama, action, a good fight, a good laugh or simply some family fun - eMovies+ offers it all in an easy to navigate package. Here the stars shine at all hours of the day and full-on escape is just a remote click away.

eToonz+ offers a safe and sunny space for kids aged 2 – 12 from which to explore the world. Programming is hand-picked to support the developmental needs of three age groups.

HIGHLIGHTS

eMovies+ May 2017 Highlights:

A Few Good Men - 17.05.17 at 19:30

Two Marines stand accused of murdering a member of their platoon during an unsanctioned disciplinary action. Hoping to obtain a quiet plea bargain, the Navy appoints young Lt. Daniel Kaffee to defend the accused Marines Starring Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise.

In Time - 22.05.17 at 19:50

In a future where time is literally money and aging stops at 25, Will Salas teams up with a beautiful young heiress to destroy the corrupt system. Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - 23.05.17 at 19:30
British pensioners on a tight budget move to a retirement home in India, and their adventures there give them a new lease on life. Starring Dev Patel, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy.

Life Of PI - 30.05.17 at 19:40

After a shipwreck, a young man embarks on an epic journey of discovery as he shares his lifeboat with the ship's only other survivor - a fearsome Bengal tiger, with whom he shares an unexpected connection. Starring Irfan Khan, Suraj Sharma.

eMovies+ June 2017 Highlights:

Digging For Fire - Tuesday 06.06.17 at 20:00

The discovery of a bone and a gun send a husband and wife on separate adventures over the course of a weekend. Starring Jake Johnson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Sam Rockwell, Orlando Bloom.

The Kids Are All Right - Sunday 11:06.17 at 20:00

Two children conceived by artificial insemination bring their biological father into their non-traditional family life. Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo.

Garden State - Tuesday 13.06.17 20:00

A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade. Starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard.

Curse Of The Golden Flower - Wednesday 14:06.17 at 20:00

A dying love between two powerful people leads to deceit, infidelity, and conspiracy in this epic-scale historical drama. Starring Chow Yun Fat, Li Gong, Jay Chou.

Cleaner - Monday 19.06.17 at 20:00

A former cop who now earns a wage as a crime scene cleaner unknowingly participates in a cover-up at his latest job. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Eva Mendez.

Knight And Day - Wednesday 28:06.17 at 20:00

A single girl en route to a family wedding gets swept up in a fight between a rogue government agent and the FBI in this globe-trotting action comedy. Starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard.

eMovies Extra May 2017 Highlights:

The Big Year - Friday 19.05.17 at 20:00
An elite fervent breed of birdwatchers face off in a secret competition that will become the biggest year of their lives. Starring Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson.

Braveheart - Saturday 20.05.17 at 20:00
In the late 13th century, William Wallace returns to a Scotland ruled by the ruthless Edward the Longshanks and leads a ramshackle yet courageous army determined to vanquish the greater English forces. Starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau.

Enough Said - Sunday 21.05.17 at 20:00

To help distract her while her beloved daughter prepares to leave the nest for college, a divorced masseuse starts dating a sweet but somewhat clueless man with whom she shares a fun rapport, only to discover that he's her new friend's ex-husband. Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener

Spider-Man 3 - Tuesday 23.05.17 at 20:00

A strange black entity from another world bonds with Peter Parker and causes inner turmoil as he contends with new villains, temptations, and revenge. Starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Topher Grace

Independence Day - Tuesday 30.05.17 at 20:00

When extraterrestrials arrive on Earth and threaten to wipe out the human race, a handful of survivors armed only with inferior technology, wits and courage must stop them. Starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum.
               
eMovies Extra June 2017 Highlights:

Fantastic Four - Saturday 03.06.17 at 20:00
Based on Marvel's longest running comic book series, the film chronicles the superhero world’s most famous dysfunctional family. Starring Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd.

Gamer - Sunday 04.06.17 at 21:30

Set in a near future, as humans control each other in mass-scale, billionaire Ken Caste develops the shooter game, 'Slayers' which activates the humans' savage fantasies. Starring Gerard Butler, Ludacris, Michael C. Hall.

Poseidon - Monday 05.06.17 at 18:20

After luxury cruise ship is suddenly capsized by a huge wave, Dylan Johns and a small group are determined to fight their way to the surface as the Poseidon begins to sink. Starring Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Emmy Rossum.

Walking Tall - Thursday 08.06.17 at 20:00

A retired soldier returns to his hometown and is elected as Sheriff, to fight against crime, drugs and violence. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough.

Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer - Saturday 10.06.17 at 20:00

The Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet as the enigmatic, intergalactic herald, The Silver Surfer, comes to Earth to prepare it for destruction. Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Chris Evans, Jessica Alba

Prometheus - Saturday 24.06.17 at 20:00

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, in the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. Starring Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce

eExtra June 2017 Highlights:

Cape Town – Local crime drama on Thursdays at 20h30 starting 22 June

Synopsis: Cape Town. Police captain Mat Joubert used to be the best, revered by the force for solving every case. But that before his wife Lara was murdered while working undercover, and Mat’s been on a downward spiral ever since, haunted by a blurred past, uncertain of how he did not keep her alive. Mat is assigned a new partner, Sanctus Snook, a former member of the elite HAWKS unit. When a successful businessman is found killed wearing an Albert Einstein mask, the two unlikely partners have a high profile murder investigation on their hands. When a second body is found wearing yet another mask, they realize they are tracking a serial killer. Gradually, Mat Joubert begins to overcome the ghosts of his past, but as he uncovers each layer of the investigation he must re-live his wife’s murder in order to stop the violence.

Charly’s Cake Angels – Local lifestyle show on Saturdays at 17h00 starting 03 June

Synopsis: Charly’s Cake Angels is a reality series which will take viewers down the rabbit hole, deep into a world jammed with screaming “Eat me!” cakes.  Every week viewers will be treated to the Charly’s team tackling yet another impossible cake for a fabulous function.  Our fearsome cakery will literally rise to the challenge, and lead the viewers on a journey in to the heart of the bakery – the promise, the frustration, the passionate arguments, the tears and the laughter… These are all the same ingredients which go into making a good life, and they’re the same things that go into making magical cakes and an unforgettable series!

Room 9 – Local Sci-fi investigative drama on Sundays 20h00 starting 18 June

Synopsis: In an alternate, parallel world eerily familiar to our own, and in a city that could be Johannesburg or Kampala, Nairobi or Lagos, a war is being waged; a war between light and dark, between good and evil. This is the New Azania. The provinces as we once knew them in South Africa are no more. Instead this new world is divided into Sectors. Standing in the way of perpetual darkness is a ragtag team, a special, under-the-radar division of the NAPD the New Azanian Police Department who deal exclusively with the paranormal, the supernatural, the sacrilegious, the twisted, and the unexplainable.

LOCAL COMEDY MOVIES:
Mama Jack - Saturday 03 June 20h00

Synopsis: Complications arise when a fugitive (Leon Schuster), who's masquerading as a woman, falls in love with his pretty boss (Mary-Anne Barlow).

Mr Bones - Saturday 10 June 20h00

Synopsis: A medicine man is sent looking for the son of his tribal king, and brings back an American golfer and a host of goons intent on keeping him in the golf tournament.

Mr Bones 2: Back from the Past - Saturday 17 June 20h00

Synopsis: Follow the story of Hekule, the King of Kuvukiland who is given a cursed gemstone. It is up to Mr. Bones to get rid of this cursed stone by travelling 130 years into the future, to the city of Durban where the duo encounter a beautiful woman and an unexpected adventure.

The Millenium Menace - Saturday 24 June 20h00

Synopsis: Leon Schuster’s Millennium Menace caught even himself by surprise.  A series filmed as candid camera television inserts became an instant hit with viewers and created such an hysterically funny reaction at a viewing that it was the natural decision to release the film theatrically.  South African’s have been waiting for another Schuster movie for almost three years (since Panic Mechanic) and have been begging for some comic relief from the “King of Candid Camera.”

eExtra May 2017 Highlights:

Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce – International drama series on Tuesdays at 20:30 starting 16 May

Synopsis: "Bravo’s first original scripted series, ""Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce,"" follows Abby McCarthy (Lisa Edelstein, ""House""), a self-help book author and guru of all things family, who shocks the world when she reveals that her seemingly perfect life has all been a lie. After publicly admitting that she has separated from her husband, Jake (Paul Adelstein, ""Private Practice""), America’s once-favorite girlfriend finds her career and marriage in a free fall.  As she starts to navigate life as a single woman in her 40s, Abby turns to her new divorced friends, rather than her married ones, for advice. Embarking on startling adventures with friends Lyla (Janeane Garofalo, “"Reality Bites"") and Phoebe (Beau Garrett, ""Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior""), Abby finds herself on a journey of self-discovery as she attempts to salvage her career, get back in the dating game and figure out her new identity as a single woman.

COMEDY MOVIES:
Jack And Jill - Saturday 06 May at 20h00

Synopsis: Jack and Jill is a comedy focusing on Jack Sadelstein (Adam Sandler), a successful advertising executive in Los Angeles with a beautiful wife and kids, who dreads one event each year: the Thanksgiving visit of his identical twin sister Jill (also Adam Sandler). Jill's neediness and passive-aggressiveness is maddening to Jack, turning his normally tranquil life upside down. Katie Holmes plays Erin, Jack's wife.

The Perfect Catch aka Fever Pitch - Saturday 13 May at 20h00

Synopsis: It's a love triangle - but with a twist. Instead of revolving around three people, this story involves twenty-eight: a man, a woman, and a Major League baseball team. High-school teacher Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) is a good catch. He's charming, funny and great with kids. When he meets Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore), an ambitious business consultant whose spirit is as luminous as her beauty, their attraction is immediate. Sure, they have their differences. She's a workaholic; he loves his summers off. He lives and breathes the Red Sox; she doesn't know Carl Yastrzemski from Johnny Damon. But true love overcomes all - at least until Red Sox spring training rolls around. As Ben's beloved Bosox launch one of the most incredible seasons in baseball history, Ben and Lindsey must decide if they, as a couple, will strike out or fight to keep love alive through extra innings.

The Ugly Truth - Saturday 20 May at 20h00

Synopsis: A romantically challenged morning show producer (Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

Why Did I Get Married? - Saturday 27 May at 20h00

Synopsis: A group of married college friends go to Colorado for their annual week-long reunion. On the surface, it appears it will be like all the previous reunions they have had over the years, but the mood shifts when one couples infidelity comes to light.

eToonz+ May 2017 Highlights:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Wednesdays at 17h30 starting 31 May

Synopsis: The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is funnier and "ninja-ier" than ever before, as Nickelodeon reintroduces the wildly popular band of reptile brothers to a whole new generation of fans. The action comedy explores the camaraderie of four teenage brothers learning to rely on one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and train to become the heroes they're destined to be.

Tickety Toc - Thursdays at 14h15 starting 04 May

Synopsis: Inside an old clock shop is wall full of clocks. Big clocks, little clocks, silly clocks and sensible clocks. All of them ticking away to themselves and keeping perfect time. And right in the middle is one very special clock. This is the Tickety Toc Clock. As every hour passes, the Tic Toc Clock springs into life to chime in the time. It all happens as regular as clockwork! But chiming the time isn’t as easy as it seems! For behind the face of the Tickety Toc Clock lies an extraordinary wooden world where things definitely don’t always run so smoothly. This slapstick show centres on our inseparable heroes, Tommy and Tallulah, and their remarkable friends as they race against time to keep the clock ticking. In this beautifully crafted series, the pressure is always on and every madcap minute counts!

Little Spirou - Thursdays at 16h25

Synopsis: After "Spirou and Fantasio" series' amazing success, discover in « Little Spirou » the crafty 8 year-old kid he was.From how to deal with arriving at school in slippers to how to survive a trip to the swimming pool without one's bathing suit, Little Spirou always finds a witty alternative solution to save the day.Clever and full of mischief, he's always ready to get into trouble as long as he can work his way out make someone laugh!With Little Spirou, crafty kids always come out on top.

eToonz+ June 2017 Highlights:

Julius Jr - Mondays at 14h00 starting on 26 June

Synopsis: Julius Jr. is a funky monkey with a penchant for invention. Together with his best pals, Worry Bear, Sheree, Clancy and Ping, they build a playhouse out of a simple cardboard box. But when they walk inside, to their surprise and delight, they discover that ordinary objects magically come to life and amazing adventures are just a door away. 

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom - Mondays at 14h45 starting 12 June

Synopsis: Holly, a young Fairy Princess, is still learning how to fly and her magic doesn’t always go quite according to plan. Her best friend, Ben the Elf, doesn’t have wings and he doesn’t do magic. But elves are very good at making things - especially toys. They live in the Little Kingdom – a tiny land where flowers and grass rise above the tallest towers.

Johnny Test - Fridays at 18h00 starting 23 June

Synopsis: Johnny is the ultimate test pilot where no mission is too insane, no challenge is too great, no villain is too menacing - and no sister-created concoction is too wild. As long as his dog Dukey can come along, Johnny gives it a go!

Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge - Fridays at 16h30 starting 02 June

Synopsis: With new weapons, new allies, new zords, and the new T-Rex Super Charge mode, the Rangers are ready to settle the score against one of their most dangerous enemies.

FOX Life To Launch On DStv In October

FOX Life, a bold and entertaining Pan African channel will offer an eclectic and exciting mix of US dramas, comedies, unscripted programming along with fresh local content.
FOX Networks Group Europe and Africa (FNG) today announced the launch of a bold new Pan African channel, FOX Life on 3 October 2016. Considered one of the world’s leading destinations for scripted and unscripted entertainment, FOX Life will be tailored for African audiences, and be available on DStv 126 in South Africa.
As part of the new channel, an additional 954 hours of fresh new programming will be added to the schedule over the coming months, focused on localised storytelling, created specifically for African viewers. New hit US shows to debut on FOX Life include Pitch and Atlanta.
“FOX Life is core to our global entertainment portfolio and its entry into this market signals FNG’S continued investment in Africa,” says Gary Alfonso, GM, FNG Africa. “From hit U.S. programming, to 954 hours of brand new hours which will be a mixture of locally developed and produced content and international content. Our new channels portfolio reflects the best in entertainment, factual and sports.”

The new channel will sit alongside FOX on DStv (126) and will replace FOX Crime, which will no longer be available on DStv from 28 September 2016. Select programming from this channel will be folded into the FOX daytime schedules. This is a win for DStv customers as FOX Crime was limited to only DStv Premium and DStv Extra, FOX Life will be available to DStv Premium, Extra, Compact, Family and Access customers in South Africa.
FOX Life now joins the extensive FNG portfolio in Africa, which includes FOX, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic Gold, FOX Sports, FOX Sports 2 and Baby TV.

Will Multichoice's DStv Launch The Long Awaited Channel Toonami

Turner, a family entertainment channel provider, has launched a new animation channel to boost its current children’s entertainment offering. The introduction of Toonami reinforces the organisation’s portfolio of successful kids’ channels which includes Cartoon Network and Boomerang which are carried on Multichoice's DStv and Boing across various African markets.

Toonami has been described as the ‘ultimate home of the superhero’ and is targeted at kids between the ages of eight and 12.

The 24-hour programming line-up, jam-packed with top-rated adventure series, is the go to destination for action and animation enthusiasts of all ages,” comments Branco.

Programmes include such popular franchises as DC Comics
Batman

Superman

Green Lantern

Justice League

Teen Titans - Theory

Other animated superheroes loved by viewers

Ben 10 - Upcoming

Thundercats - Upcoming

The branded Toonami Movies block will screen a host of animated feature films that showcase even more of the popular superheroes’ heroic acts and deeds.

Toonami was launched successfully in France in February, and is currently being rolled-out to other select European markets and French-speaking African countries.

During March, the channel launched on the following pay-TV platforms:

Maroc Telecom in Morocco

Blueline in Madagascar

Parabole on the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Comores and Madagascar

The channel is also expected on Gabon Telecom once this new operator launches in the country.

Turner is currently in discussions with various pay-TV operators across the continent to bring the new channel to all English-speaking territories in Africa too.

Pierre Branco, vice president and general manager of Turner Southern Europe and Africa, says: “We are pleased with the addition of Toonami to the bouquet of channels aimed at our younger audiences, as it further diversifies our robust entertainment experience and programme offering across age groups. The channel promises to meet the growing demand for premium quality action-adventure and superhero content.“The channel’s launch reflects the value of pay-TV and its evolution. With its clear positioning and strong franchising connections, it is our job to select the best shows, to editorialise them and to share them with audiences of all ages across our markets.

Turner has achieved success with Cartoon Network and Boomerang, which ranked first and second respectively among kids’ TV brands across Africa. In addition the company was the recipient of the ‘coolest brand among kids’ accolade from the Generation Next 2015 survey.

The list of channels from Turners Broadcasting (it various with regions):

TCM (Turners Classic Movies) known for its classic films favourites which inspired viewers between the ages of 16-46. It been replaced with TNT (Its not on DStv) across various African regions. Rebranded last year and offered stellar line-up from The Mummy, Back To The Future, Carrie, The Shining and many more.

Boing launched in May 2015 across Africa and expanded to Nigeria later in the same year. Boing has a similar resemblance to Cartoon Network TOO, and Hoole (DStv 197 and unexpectedly 312 with no reason from DStv exactly) for the holidays which lasted until 31 January this year. The 24 hour programming line-up include DreamWorks Dragons, The Grim Adventures Of Billy & Mandy, Angelo Rules, Codename: Kids Next Door, Johnny Bravo, My Gym Partners A Monkey and many more.

Adult Swim is the perfect destination for viewers 18+ (not a kids channel) with jam packed premium programming from American Dad, Futurama (Available on FOX), Aqua Teen Hunger Force, American Dad, Mission Hill, Home Movies, Robot Chicken (popular long running series), Family Guy (Available on FOX) and many more. This channel is currently not available in Africa yet.

Cartoonito, starting out as a preschool programming block on Boomerang (DStv 302) and Cartoon Network outside of Africa became a tv channel and discontinued as a programming block on various countries. With much anticipated and loved programming such as Jelly Jam, Ha Ha Hairies, Lazytown, Banana In Pyjamas, Baby Looney Tunes, Gerald McBoing Boing, Krypto The Superdog and much more.

BONUS
ToonCast the ultimate home for most loved cartoon superstars like Dexter Laboratory, The Flintstones, Ed Edd'n Eddy, Garfield, Top Cat, The Jetsons and many more. Not available in Africa.

"As the uptake for the channel grows in the targeted markets, a slate of exciting new programmes will be added to the line-up as acquisition deals are confirmed and signed,” concludes Branco.

DStv Compact Customers Across Africa Will Now Get FOX

FOX Networks Group (FNG) and MultiChoice today announce that DStv Compact customers will be able to enjoy the global entertainment channel, FOX (DStv channel 125) from 1 June 2016. Emmy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Taraji P.
Henson is set to make her first visit to South Africa in a five-day trip to Johannesburg, where she’ll do media interviews and meet and greet sessions with super-fans of the smash-hit show Empire . FOX channel is a premier entertainment channel that prides itself with bringing ‘The Best, First’, with award winning, ground-breaking and critically acclaimed programming.
The move to DStv Compact will significantly increase FOX’s reach to a wider audience, creating new fans of its riveting entertainment in the African market.
DStv Compact customers will get to experience the thrilling and exclusive premieres of the best shows on FOX within hours of the United States broadcast – and in brilliant HD. The hot lineup includes the popular and powerful hit television drama, Empire in which Taraji P. Henson portrays the feisty ‘Cookie Lyon’ with flashy fashion sense and witty remarks, opposite her ex-husband and the ruthless head of the Lyon empire, ‘Lucious Lyon’ played by Academy Award® nominee, Terrence Howard.
To coincide with her visit and to ensure viewers are all caught up on the show, DStv and FOX are offering DStv Compact customers a rebroadcast of the second season of Empire with double bill episodes starting on the weekends of 4-5 June,
11-12 June and 18-19 June - three episodes will air per day at 19:20, 20:10 and 21:00.
The month of June will also see the premiere of the much anticipated second season of Wayward Pines on the 6 that 21:00, from executive producer M. Night Shyamalan ( The
Sixth Sense, The Visit), the 10- episode, psychological thriller picks up where it left off in the first season.
Starring Jason Patric (Rush, Narc), two-time Academy Award® nominee Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, In America) and Emmy Award® and Golden Globe® nominee Hope Davis
(American Crime, The Newsroom), the residents of Wayward Pines are still battling against the iron-fisted rule of
the First Generation Dr. Theo Yedlin.
On the same night on 6 June at 21:50 Outcast, based on the Skybound/ Image comic title by creator Robert Kirkman ( The Walking Dead) and artist Paul Azaceta, follows Kyle Barnes (Patric Fugit ), a young man who has been plagued by demonic
possession all his life. Now, with the help of the Reverend Anderson, a preacher with personal demons of his own, Kyle embarks on a journey to find answers and regain the normal
life he lost. But what Kyle discovers could change his fate — and the fate of the world — forever.
“We are exceptionally thrilled at the opportunity to bring our content to even wider audiences in Africa so they get to experience the best content that is available on FOX,
within hours of U.S. broadcasts. Fans of Empire are definitely in for a treat - Taraji P. Henson has been a fan favourite with South African audiences from the first season.” says Khosi Khanyile, Fox Africa Head of Marketing.
Aletta Alberts, GM for Content for MultiChoice commented: “During the FOX two-week open window special earlier this year, we received an overwhelming response from our
Compact customers who enjoyed the FOX channel line-up. We believe that the fulltime addition of FOX with its excellent programming will enhance the entertainment experience of our
Compact customers.”
For more on this superb line-up and award winning programming tune into the home of The Walking Dead, The
Simpsons and more smash hit shows on FOX on DStv channel 125.
For more information please visit Foxafrica.com and DStv.com. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #CookieinJozi.

Fashion One Channel Launch

Fashion One’s trends and style coming to DStv! Fashion One launches 1 March across 48 countries in Africa, replacing Fashion TV.
On 1 March 2016, a wealth of ideas, trends and creativity will be coming to DStv customers with the launch of Fashion One on channel 178.
Brought to you by MultiChoice and Fashion One LLC, Fashion One is well known across the African continent and will now reach an estimated 10 million households. Fashion TV currently fills the slot on DStv channel 178 but will stop airing on Sunday, 28 February to make way for the much-awaited newcomer.
Fashion One caters to a fashionable and stylish audience with content covering the very latest in entertainment, international fashion, lifestyle news and events. Showcasing a strong portfolio of original programs from reality shows to documentaries, food to travelogues and beauty tips, the channel also covers African markets and captures the essence of local trends and styles.
The channel will debut in March with
Style Wars and new seasons of Eco Fashion and Fashion on a Plate. Style Wars is a six-episode long reality series where stylists compete to create original and inventive outfits for commercials and photo shoots. Designed to challenge each person’s versatility, the competition provides and exciting look into this colourful and performance-oriented world. Ngugi Vere, a Zimbabwean-born stylist and creative consultant, currently living in South Africa, will go up against other determined stylists from London, Los Angeles, Australia and New York. The show starts on 3 March and airs every weekend at 11pm.
When fashion and gastronomy meet, you’ll find Fashion On A Plate Season 2 which sees top chefs and restaurants from around the world using their ingenuity to interpret what ‘fashion on a plate’ means to them. From inception to presentation, we get to see how a simple ingredient is turned into a work of art in this this six-episode docu-series, starting on 21 March at 21:00 and airs every Monday.
Eco Fashion Season 3 carries on the fight against a world of waste as eco-friendly fashionistas use recycling, repurposing and other innovative techniques to create environmentally sustainable couture. This ground-breaking docu-series will take you on a mind-opening journey into the realm of environmentally sustainable fashion. It starts on 22 March and airs every Tuesday at 10:30pm.
“We are thrilled about the collaboration with MultiChoice which bring us to the position of number one fashion channel in Africa,” said Fashion One LLC.’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Gorden Li, says: “the channel will introduce African audiences to fashion like they’ve never seen it before, as well as great stories about local fashion and lifestyles. We look forward to collaborating with the local fashion and entertainment industry to bring these stories to your screens.”
Aletta Alberts, Head of Content for MultiChoice South Africa, added: “ Fashion One will give our DStv customers front row seats to the biggest international fashion shows and runways that they’ve become used to seeing. They’ll also be introduced to a rich blend of local fashion, entertainment and lifestyle shows. It’s fashion like you’ve never seen it before.”
Fashion One, the only dedicated fashion channel on DStv, will be available to DStv Premium, Extra, Compact, Family and Access customers in South Africa and Lesotho.

Lights Out For FashionTV

Cape Town – DStv is folding up the runway and packing away the Swarovski crystals with FashionTV (DStv 178) that’s going dark on MultiChoice’s satellite pay-TV platform
at the end of this month. FashionTV’s demise on DStv comes after more than a decade and some years – a lifetime in the modelling world – since the 18 year old channel started by Michel Adam first dazzled South African viewers with its unending stream of fashion shows, “midnight haute”, couture collections and fashion
weeks coverage. Sadly in television, not even diamonds
last forever, with the diamond logo’ed channel that calls itself “the biggest fashion medium in the world” that will
go dark on 28 February. Asked why FashionTV is being
discontinued and if the channel will be replaced by another similar type channel, MultiChoice tells Channel24: "FashionTV will be replaced by another channel - we will make the relevant announcements soon". FashionTV (StarSat 282) remains available on StarSat after the channel
went dark for a while in 2015 on that platform. StarSat also carries the Fashion One (StarSat 179) channel that was started by Michael Gleissner. So far DStv subscribers are only told in an electronic programme guide (EPG) message on screen that "Fashion TV will stop airing on 28 February 2016. Thank you for watching". FashionTV didn’t respond to a request for comment made Monday about its
termination on DStv. The demise of FashionTV follows a year after the Style Network from NBCUniversal International Networks was shuttered on DStv at the end of January 2015.

Fashion TV ending 28 February 2016???

Multichoice reported yesterday that Fashion TV (DStv 178) will end on 28 February 2016 and there will be a notice written on the channel even Rhema TV (DStv 343) was issued the exact same thing as well, a new channel will take place for the termination of Fashion TV. Multichoice said their hoping to be in a position to announce next week but Maybe too early to just ask the most important question about this, many customers wonder which channel it will be and what genre? because this channel was discontinued in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil...one of them replaced it with Glitz (entertainment channel) so will Multichoice's DStv add Glitz will just have to wait and see.

Africa Magic Showcase Termination

From 1 March 2016, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 150) will no longer be available on the DStv
Premium package. DStv Premium customers can still get the best of local content on our other Africa Magic channels, as well as on Mzansi and VUZU.

More Entertainment For Dstv Compact On 1 September

BBC Brit is a male skewing channel which is the home of Top Gear and is loved by young adults and women other programming Life Is Toff, Live at the Apollo, Bad Robots and The Classic Car Show

Cbeebies is a preschool channel which was only accessible to dstv premium is now available on dstv compact and will air programs like: The Furchester Hotel, In The Night Garden, Teletubbies and Nina And The Neurons