Development Alert: Zee Dunia, A Swahili Dubbed Bollywood Channel Will Also Be Added To MultiChoice's DStv

Not long ago, it was reported that MultiChoice will be adding Sporty TV to DStv platforms soon most likely in Kenya. As the channel is already distributed on eMedia Investments' Openview platform for viewers in South Africa.

Now it looks like MultiChoice will be adding another TV channel to DStv platforms soon, Zee Dunia.

Zee Dunia is a Swahili and English dubbed Bollywood channel operated by ZEE Africa. It offers  storytelling with dramas, romance, action, family shows, movies, local programs, and international news since 2025.

Zee Dunia will be joining Zee TV, Zee Alem, Zee World, Zee Magic, Zee Bollymovies, Zee One and Zee Zonke list of channels to be 

It is broadcast on free-to-air platforms like Pang and Signet in Kenya, plus live streaming on its official YouTube channel. It is aimed mainly at Kenyan audiences so there's no doubt that Zee Dunia is aimed at East Africa as seen with Maisha Moto.

Compared to Zee Zonke, most of Zee Dunia's content had already been seen on Zee World. This includes Begusarai, Curse Of The Sands and Zara's Nikah with the only real exceptions being Marafiki Milele and Maisha Yangu Mdundo Wangu.

Reminder: NBA Playoffs Begin On ESPN Africa From April 19, 2026

NBA PLAYOFFS

The NBA playoffs is the annual elimination tournament of the National Basketball Association (NBA) held to determine the league champion. The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the league's regular season and its preliminary postseason tournament, the NBA play-in tournament.

The Playoffs begin on 19 April 2026.

NHL PLAYOFFS

The Stanley Cup playoffs is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League. The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular season. 

Please note: 

All fixtures and schedules are subject to change. 

Broadcast times are provided in CAT (Central African Time) 

How to tune in to ESPN:

ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 

ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249

April 2026 On History Across Africa | Channel Premiere: History's Deadliest With Ving Rhames | Returning Shows Including American Pickers | More

Brand New Episodes

AMERICAN PICKERS S26 

01 April

Wednesdays 20:15

American Pickers continues with Mike Wolfe, Robbie Wolfe, and Danielle Colby. Together they travel the back roads of America meeting fascinating people, searching for rusty treasures and telling the history of America, one pick at a time. This season their finds include saloon relics, classic cars, and even a carnival collection. Repeat: Thursday 12:35

Brand New Episodes

THE UNXPLAINED WITH WILLIAM SHATNER

04 April

Saturdays 20:15

From alleged UFO encounters to sudden disappearances and evil possessions, host William Shatner attempts to get to the truth behind the most bizarre and mysterious events ever reported. With the help of the world’s top scientists, first-hand “experiencer” accounts, and dramatic re-enactments, viewers gain shocking insight into what’s really happening--and why. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island. Repeat: Sunday 19:25

Brand New & Exclusive

HISTORY’S DEADLIEST WITH VING RHAMES 

07 April

Tuesdays 20:15

History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames is hosted and executive produced by the awardwinning actor from ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Pulp Fiction’ fame. Exploring the deadliest criminals, missions, battles, tyrants and more, the documentary series will reveal the stranger than truth facts behind some of the world’s most prolific and powerful killers. Repeat: Wednesday 12:35

Brand New & Exclusive

SWAMP PEOPLE S17 

09 April

Thursdays 20:15

Swamp People is back for a brand-new season. The long-running fan-favourite show follows alligator hunters on the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin deep in Louisiana. Swamp People is a look at the rugged lifestyle and family heritage of the fiercely proud “Swampers”. Repeat: Friday 12:35

Brand New & Exclusive

MYSTERIES UNEARTHED WITH DANNY TREJO S2

18 April

Saturdays 19:25

Mysteries UnEarthed with Danny Trejo season 2 examines the fascinating stories surrounding buried artifacts and lost civilizations, offering new insight and information, on various mysteries of the past and present. Anchored by Danny Trejo’s affinity for history and his natural curiosity into exploring the unknown, the show also includes captivating archival material, expert interviews, and compelling recreations. The series seeks to unearth what the human eye cannot easily detect. Repeat: Sunday 18:40

FAITH AND MIRACLES

From 5 April to 19th April , Sundays 20:15

This April, during the Easter period, ‘Faith and Miracles’ on The HISTORY Channel explores the places, events and evidence that have shaped Christian belief. Journey to Lourdes: Faith in Miracles, exploring one of Christianity’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, uncover the truth behind The Last Hours of Jesus Christ, and delve into history and archaeology with Lost Secrets of Jesus. These compelling documentaries offer thoughtful insight into the mystery and impact of Christ’s story.

Brand New & Exclusive

LOURDES: FAITH IN MIRACLES

05 April

Sunday 20:15

Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, the cave of Massabielle in Lourdes may appear as a modest cavity in the rock. However, for more than 150 years, it has held an enduring and enigmatic place among the most significant holy sites of Christianity. Each year, up to four million pilgrims from across the globe journey here to touch the sacred rock where it is said the Virgin Mary appeared. Such is the worldwide devotion to the cave that over a thousand replicas have been constructed around the world. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

Exclusive

THE LAST HOURS OF JESUS CHRIST

12 April

Sunday 20:15

It’s one of history’s greatest mysteries. From his arrest to his burial, many questions remain about the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ’s life. What do we really know about the last days and the last hours of Christ’s life? For what real reason was Jesus arrested and crucified? Using new technologies and the advice of the best historians, physicists, archaeologists and experts, this documentary looks back at the mysteries surrounding the last hours of Christ’s life to establish what really happened on the last day of his life. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

Exclusive

THE LOST SECRETS OF JESUS

19 April

Sunday 20:15

The Lost Secrets of Jesus peels back the layers of centuries old tradition and artistic interpretation to reveal the real historical and archaeological evidence behind the life of Jesus. Taking viewers on a captivating journey from the ruins of Bethlehem to the heart of Roman politics, this special uncovers the lost cities, astonishing discoveries, and hidden truths that shaped the world of Jesus. This documentary is a deep dive into the historical context and tangible evidence of Jesus’ time. Through expert insights and new findings, The Lost Secrets of Jesus challenges what we think we know, offering a fresh perspective on the man who changed the course of history. By exploring the past, we gain a richer understanding of Jesus and the world he lived in, making this special an unforgettable exploration of one of history’s most influential figures. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

April 2026 On National Geographic And National Geographic Wild Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints | Continuing Shows Including Critter Fixers | More

National Geographic 

LOST TREASURES OF THE BIBLE: SECRETS OF FAITH (6 x 60) 

Fridays, at 18:30 from 3 April (ends 8 May) 

The series follows archaeologists across the Middle East as they embark on a new season of excavations to uncover the cities and civilizations featured in the Bible. From the story of David and Goliath to the origins of the Ten Commandments and the Dead Sea Scrolls, their discoveries shed new light on the Bible’s most famous mysteries.

MARTIN SCORSESE PRESENTS THE SAINTS

Sundays, at 21:00 from 5 April (ends 17 May)

Hosted, narrated, and executive produced by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull; Goodfellas; The Aviator). Each episode of The Saints focuses on a singular saint, including Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Moses the Black, Sebastian, and Maximillian Kolbe. The Saints is a docudrama that seamlessly weaves together expert interviews, elevated recreations, and insightful narration delivered by world-renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese. 

The documentary component is driven by scholars who provide the details of the saints’ lives and contextualize them within the time and geopolitical situation in which they lived, while celebrities and people of faith help dissect questions of faith in an accessible way.

CONSTRUCTION FAILS S3 (6 x 60)

Tuesdays, at 18:50 from 14 April (ends 19 May)

From the Surfside condo collapse in Florida to the Bangkok skyscraper collapse in Thailand, “Construction Fails” Season 3 features the most headline-grabbing structural disasters. With access to police bodycam footage, archival images, and the show’s signature graphics, we ask the question: what went wrong?

PLANES THAT CHANGED HISTORY S1A (5 x 60)

Thursdays, at 19:40 from 16 April (ends 14 May)

Dive into the 125 years of aviation to uncover how aircraft have reshaped our world. The series explores the engineering secrets behind its success, its humble origins, and what made these aircraft icons years after their initial success.

CHERNOBYL: INSIDE THE MELTDOWN (4 x 60) double-billed

Thursdays, at 20:30 from 23 April (ends 30 April)

The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear accident in history, releasing 400 times more radiation into the atmosphere than the Hiroshima bomb. On the 40th anniversary of this catastrophic event, this series tells the full story – from reactor meltdown to KGB cover-up, right up to the present-day war in Ukraine.

INSIDE THE CIA: SECRETS AND SPIES S1 (8 x 60)

Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 29 April (ends 17 June)

“Inside the CIA: Secrets and Spies” reveals real-life missions of elite intelligence officers, taking viewers deep into the world of espionage. From covert ops behind enemy lines to the hunt for bin Laden, uncover the untold, high-stakes stories that show what it truly takes to be a spy beyond the red line of danger.

CONTINUING SHOWS include DECODING HISTORY’S PROPHECIES S1 (5 x 60) on Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 4 March (ends 1 April); INSIDE AIRPORT LOST & FOUND S1 (10 x 60) on Thursdays, at 18:50 from 26 February (ends 30 April); YUKON RESCUE S1 (8 x 60) on Tuesdays, at 19:40 from 17 February (ends 7 April); and AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION S25 (10 x 60) on Thursdays, at 19:40 from 5 February (ends 9 April).

How to tune in to National Geographic:

DSTV: Channel 181

StarTimes: 220 on DTH, 220 on DTT (249 on DTT in Uganda)

National Geographic Wild 

SECRETS OF THE BEES

Saturday, 4 April at 18:00 (double bill, episodes 1 & 2 played back to back) 

National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory explores the extraordinary lives of bees - among the planet’s most important animals. Over three years, special cameras opened a rare window into a single hive, revealing their hidden world. But with more than 20,000 bee species pollinating one-third of the world’s food, this series uncovers their astonishing architecture and intelligence, unlocking their secrets.

BUILT TO SURVIVE STUNT

Sundays at 18:00, from 5 April (ends 26 April)

Celebrate the incredible ingenuity of life with Built to Survive, a survival-focused stunt that kicks off with the premiere of Africa’s Underground Desert. From the Kalahari’s harsh sands to Australia’s rainforests and savannahs, this stunt explores how animals adapt, outwit, and endure in the planet’s most extreme environments. Across a week of episodes and compilations, viewers encounter predators, prey, and extraordinary species whose survival skills inspire awe.

Programming includes:

Sunday 5 April at 18:00 - Wild, Smart and Deadly

In the wild, survive can hinge on secret powers and extreme abilities.

Sunday 12 April at 18:00 – Built to Survive

Phil Breslin dares into the savannah to find eagles, taipans and lizards.

Sunday 19 April at 18:00 - Africa's Underground Desert Premiere

Sunday 26 April at 17:11 - Animal Fight Club

In this treacherous terrain it's kill or be killed as angry elephants go on the rampage and hungry crocodiles fight ruthless lions.

EARTH DAY STUNT

Wednesday, 22 April at 18:00

Celebrate Earth Day with a compelling stunt that spotlights the delicate balance between nature and humanity, led by the premiere of Wild India: Nilgiris. 

From India’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the vital role of pollinators to the wonders of the ocean and frontline conservation efforts, this curated collection of documentaries showcases the beauty, resilience, and importance of the natural world - while inspiring audiences to protect the planet we all share.

SITUATION CRITTERCAL

Saturdays at 18:00, from 25 April (ends 2 May)

This special stunt celebrates the International Day of the Veterinarian by highlighting the extraordinary work of Drs. Hodges and Ferguson in Critter Fixers: Country Vets. Across a week of compilation episodes, viewers follow these heroic vets as they tackle emergencies big and small, from tiny kittens and puppies to wild animals in need.

CONTINUING SHOWS include CRITTER FIXERS S5 (12 x 60) on Mondays at 18:00, from 9 February (ends 20 April).

How to tune in to National Geographic Wild:

DSTV: Channel 182

StarTimes: 221 on DTH, 210 on DTT (250 on DTT in Uganda)

Rubi And La Fuerza Del Destino To Launch On TLN Network Across Africa

TLN Network, a Portuguese based entertainment channel operated by TelevisaUnivison will be rolling out Rubi and La Fuerza Del Destino. These shows formed part of TelevisaUnivison 2000s portfolio and recieved international acclaim during its run.

Synopsis for Rubi

The story follows Rubí Pérez, a stunningly beautiful but impoverished university student living in a poor neighborhood with her hardworking sister, Cristina, and their sick mother, Refugio. 

Rubí befriends Maribel de la Fuente, a wealthy but shy girl who is self-conscious about a childhood accident that left her with a leg brace. Rubí secretly envies Maribel’s wealth and despises her own poverty.

Through Maribel, Rubí meets two men: Alejandro Cárdenas, a handsome orthopedic doctor, and Héctor Ferrer, a wealthy architect.

Rubí falls deeply in love with Alejandro, but when she discovers he is not a millionaire—he is a middle-class scholar—she cruelly dumps him despite her feelings. She decides to seduce Héctor, Maribel’s fiancé, solely for his money. 

It starred Bárbara Mori as Rubí Pérez Ochoa, Eduardo Santamarina as Dr. Alejandro Cárdenas Ruiz, Jacqueline Bracamontes as Maribel de la Fuente, Sebastián Rulli as Héctor Ferrer Garza and Ana Martín as Refugio Ochoa Vda. de Pérez.

Synopsis for La Fuerza Del Destino 

The story begins in Álamos, Sonora, where 14-year-old Iván Villagómez and his mother, Alicia, return to seek recognition from his biological father, the wealthy and powerful Juan Jaime Mondragón. Juan Jaime rejects them, forcing Alicia to work as a servant for the Lomelí Curiel family. 

As a young man, Iván is seduced by the frivolous Maripaz Lomelí Curiel, who becomes pregnant. To hide the scandal and protect their family's name, Maripaz's mother, Lucrecia, orders her thugs to beat Iván. During the confrontation, a man is killed, and Iván is framed for the murder. With no other choice, he flees illegally to the United States. 

In Los Angeles, Iván is adopted by a kind businessman, Anthony McGuire, who provides him with an education and a new identity as Iván McGuire. Eleven years later, Iván returns to Mexico as a successful professional to clear his name and find his mother, only to discover she has died. 

He soon finds himself entangled with the Lomelí Curiel family once more, but this time his focus shifts to Lucía, Maripaz’s virtuous younger sister who has loved him since they were children. Together, they must navigate a web of secrets.

It starred David Zepeda as Iván, Sandra Echeverría as Lucía, Gabriel Soto as Camilo, Laisha Wilkins as Maripaz, Juan Ferrara as Juan Jaime and Alejandro Tommasi as Gerardo.

e.tv Unveils New Daily Drama Emzini Set To Replace Smokes & Mirrors

Every family protects its secrets. But when a legacy is built on blood, betrayal, and deception, accountability becomes the ultimate price to pay. This is the world of Emzini, e.tv’s new prime-time daily drama set in the vibrant, fast-paced heart of Alexandra Township.

Centred on a popular and lucrative lounge of the same name, Emzini unfolds in a world where power, status, and family legacy are everything. On the surface, the brand carries all the hallmarks of success: wealth, influence, and a commanding presence in the community. Below that surface lies a history of personal sacrifice, moral compromise, and decisions that can never be undone.

The Creative Vision:

Emzini is brought to life by respected storyteller Loyiso Maqoma, whose work on Imbewu: The Seed and Smoke and Mirrors has built sustained audience loyalty through emotionally layered narratives and authentic South African storytelling. The series is executive produced by Zuko Nodada, the same creative team behind Smoke and Mirrors, returning to the 9 PM slot with another story that earns its place there.

The show’s visual identity reflects its central tension. The gold logo anchors the Emzini brand in the wealth, power, and premium lifestyle associated with the family’s successful lounge business, while the tagline “Family Legacy”cuts to the heart of the story: a dynasty built through ambition, sacrifice, and difficult choices. The creative direction holds both sides of that tension without resolving it. The glamour is real, and so is the cost.

The opening title track was created to carry that same weight. Haunting and deeply symbolic, it was composed with the director’s conceptual vision at its core, specifically the image of blood being washed away, a powerful metaphor for a past that cannot be outrun. The track draws on themes of ancestry, sacrifice, and consequence, reinforcing what the series asks of its audience: that every legacy leaves a mark.

Additional details about the Emzini cast and creative team will be announced in the coming weeks.

BBC Studios Expands It's Footprint With The French-Language Launch Of BBC Earth With Canal+ In Africa

The launch will bring world-class natural history programming and premium factual storytelling to a wider African audience, providing 22 French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries access to the channel.

The new French-language feed will bring BBC Studios’ award-winning factual catalogue to millions of additional viewers, offering a breathtaking window into the natural world, pioneering scientific documentaries and extraordinary human stories.

At launch, BBC Earth will present a standout line-up of landmark natural history series and powerful documentaries from BBC Studios’ acclaimed factual library. Viewers can expect celebrated productions from BBC Studios Natural History Unit, including Seven Worlds, One Planet, The Green Planet, Frozen Planet II and Blue Planet II, all narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

The channel line-up also features a wide selection of specialist wildlife documentaries such as Natural World: Giraffes – Africa’s Gentle Giants, My Congo, Cheetah Family and Me, and Natural World: Cheetahs Growing Up Fast offering intimate portraits of remarkable species and the people working to protect them. Global series including Africa, Earth, Universe and The Planets will also be available on the channel, providing perspectives on the natural world.

Adventure and exploration are also central to the channel, with titles such as Where the Wild Men Are, Life Below Zero, Arctic with Bruce Parry and Steve Backshall’s Extreme River Challenge taking viewers into some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.

The channel’s programming will be dubbed into French and expertly curated scheduling tailored to the interests and viewing habits of Francophone markets.

Pierre Cloete, VP for Africa at BBC Studios, said: “The French-language launch of BBC Earth on Canal+ marks a significant milestone in BBC Studios’ commitment to making exceptional factual content accessible to global audiences in their own language. We are thrilled to expand BBC Earth’s footprint in partnership with Canal+. African audiences have a deep passion for documentary storytelling and we are proud to bring even more people the very best of BBC Studios’ natural history, science, and factual catalogue.

Fabrice Faux, Channels & Content director for French-Speaking Africa said: “Canal+ is happy and proud to offer its subscribers the high-quality factual entertainment from BBC Earth, which will ideally complement its discovery vertical. Educational programming is also a key component of Canal+’s offers in Africa, and BBC Earth is a strong addition in this area."

The channel will be available on Channel 203 within Tout Canal+.

India: A Love Story, Brand New Brazilian Drama Launches On eExtra

eExtra, a South African based channel operated by eMedia Investments that offers dubbed telenovelas from Turkey and around the world has announced the rollout of India: A Love Story. The Brazilian Drama replaces Kuma: The Other Wife in April.

Synopsis for India: A Love Story 

Maya, a modern woman working at a call centre, falls deeply in love with Bahuan. Her world is shattered when she learns Bahuan is a Dalit (an "untouchable"), making a relationship between them a social taboo.

Raj is an executive who fell in love with Duda, a Brazilian woman, while working abroad. His traditional family, led by his strict father Opash, refuses to allow him to marry a foreigner. 

Under intense family pressure, Maya and Raj are forced to abandon their "impossible" loves and enter into an arranged marriage with each other. Maya enters the marriage with a massive secret: she is pregnant with Bahuan's child.

Known in Brazil as Caminho das Índias, it was broadcast on 19 January 2009 and concluded on 11 September 2009 after 160 episodes internationally.

It starred Juliana Paes as Maya Meetha, Rodrigo Lombardi as Raj Ananda, Letícia Sabatella as Yvone Oliveira Magalhães, Tony Ramos as Opash Ananda, Alexandre Borges as Raul Cadore and Débora Bloch as Sílvia Cadore.

Prior to its rollout on eExtra, India: A Love Story was initially slated to rollout on the now defunct eBella channel before getting pulled off from the lineup. The drama was also broadcast on M-Net's Mzansi Magic alongside the former Caribbean Love.

India: A Love Story will broadcast weekdays at 23:00 from 21 April.

eExtra Resumes Broadcast Of Uzozisola: Regrets Following It's Departure From e.tv

Last month, e.tv yanked the Zulu dubbed Bollywood drama Uzozisola: Regrets and replaced it with a rebroadcast of Broken Vows. This came after it was removed from e.tv's primetime offering and moved onto late nights.

Now it's scheduled to broadcast on eExtra from 14 April at 09:00 when most viewers will not be in their homes during this time.

The short-lived drama series likely had low ratings during its broadcast on e.tv which is why it went to eExtra. Even Broken Vows was met with a similar fate before getting redirected to eExtra.

Unlike Broken Vows, e.tv had misled the viewers labelling Uzozisola Regrets removal on the channel as an "finale". While those who already saw it on Glow TV know that wasn't the case and others that could only see on e.tv will be missing out.

The reality here is that eMedia Investments shunned this offering on eExtra to weekday mornings or late nights. Despite the existence of ePlesier and daily repeats on e.tv, rebroadcasts to Dokter Ali, Chrysalis and Yosef take up these timeslots.

That even getting to shows like Naagin, This Is Love and Two Women is just a luxury that viewers aren't willing to latch by the horns.

The last anyone got word on the ratings for eExtra it had around 300,000 to 500,000 viewers for shows like Gebroke Harte. Then there was Annekan Die Swa Kry which had 1.8 million viewers on e.tv and now imagine if that was Uzozisola: Regrets.

For Gebroke Harte and Annekan Die Swa Kry these were primetime slots where the viewership is larger compared to Uzozisola: Regrets where it's lower.

Canal+ To Shutter Showmax Streaming Service By The End Of April As Content Moves To DStv Stream

Showmax has today confirmed key dates marking the end of the streaming service that has operated across 44 markets in Sub-Saharan Africa for the past 11 years.

In an email sent to subscribers on Wednesday evening, the platform outlined a phased wind-down of its current service, with 31 March 2026 set as the final day for subscription renewals and voucher redemptions. From 1 April 2026, new subscriptions and renewals will no longer be available.

Existing subscribers will continue watching content until their subscription expires, or until the end of April 2026, whichever comes first.

This new update provides the clearest consumer-facing timeline yet, following the announcement roughly two weeks ago that Canal+ would shut down Showmax, citing “unacceptable” losses at the African streamer as it sought cost-saving measures.

That announcement sent shockwaves across the industry, from Nairobi to Lagos to Johannesburg, with filmmakers and actors raising concerns over the loss of a key African platform that had, for over a decade, commissioned and amplified local storytelling at scale.

At the same time, the announcement was also met with uncertainty, particularly due to the absence of a clear shutdown timeline or transition plan for subscribers.

Even now, some subscribers have already begun expressing frustration over the short transition window. “It’s really annoying how little time is left,” one subscriber and regular Showmax viewer said in a WhatsApp message.

Showmax Originals will now move to DStv Stream, positioning it as MultiChoice’s central hub for streaming offering, at least for now.

“Showmax is starting a new chapter, and your favourite shows are getting a shiny new home on DStv Stream,” the company said in the email.

But the language used in the communication also suggests that there is more to come. In stating that the content will join “a bigger world of entertainment, all in one place,” MultiChoice hints at a broader consolidation strategy — one that could see Canal+ and MultiChoice’s currently fragmented digital products folded into a more unified streaming ecosystem. There have been reports that Canal+ is exploring a single “super app”, one to rule them all, though this remains unconfirmed at this stage.

In the meantime, it remains unclear whether Showmax users will be migrated to DStv Stream, and what that process would look like in terms of pricing, packaging and access, especially given the current price disparity between the two services. 

The company says further details on how subscribers can continue “enjoying Showmax Originals and more” on DStv Stream will be shared soon.

For now, it’s confirmed without a doubt that Showmax is entering its final weeks.

April 2026 On Studio Universal Across Africa | Epic Easter Weekend With Channel Premiere: Fast X | Comedy After Dark With Cocaine Bear | More

 

Epic Easter Weekend

3rd – 6th April - All Day Every Day

We have an exciting line-up for the four-day weekend, including channel premieres Uncharted, Gran Turismo, and Fast X!

Gran Turismo

3rd April at 18:00

This high-octane drama, based on a true story, makes its channel debut. An ambitious marketing executive and the management of video game Gran Turismo launch a competition offering the winner a chance to become a real-life, professional racer. Fate brings together dedicated Welsh gamer Jann (played by Archie Madekwe) with cynical former driver Jack (David Harbour) and together, they set out to turn Jann from a console champion to fully fledged king of the racetrack in a Nissan-sponsored car.

Fast X

4th April at 20:00

Channel premiere. Louis Leterrier directs the tenth entry in the franchise, which sees Dom enjoying family life. After he and his team are asked to organise a theft in Rome, Cipher arrives warning him that Dante (Jason Momoa), Hernan Reyes’ son, wants revenge for his father’s death. Dom and wife Letty head to Rome, where Dante tries to cause mayhem with a bomb, but Dom ends up in the frame for the crime. With the Agency wrongly on his heels, Dom seeks to put an end to Dante, once and for all.

Gods Of Egypt

5th April at 17:50

Brenton Thwaites and Gerard Butler lock horns in this sword-and-sandal fantasy, in which Bek (Thwaites), a thief, sets out to defeat Set (Butler), the god of darkness. He has snatched the Egyptian throne, plunging the world into chaos and putting Bek’s lady love in peril. The streetwise mortal makes an unlikely ally in the form of Horus (Nikolaj Coster Waldau), a powerful deity, and together they take on the merciless Set, aiming to restore the Egyptian empire to its rightful glory.

Uncharted

5th April at 20:00

Channel premiere. Bartender Nate is spotted pick-pocketing clients by treasure hunter Sully, who invites him on his latest job: to find explorer Magellan’s gold. What Sully doesn’t know is that Nate’s missing brother had the same dream. After a bumpy start, the two men team up to locate the loot. However, they reckon without a ruthless rival, who dogs their steps at every stage of the globe-trotting hunt. Can they stay one step ahead and find the booty first? Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg star.

Action Weekend Warriors

11th – 26th April - Double-bills from 8pm War, what is it good for? Action Weekends, that’s what!

The Hard Corps

11th April at 20:00

Ex-soldier Phillip Sauvage, who has PTSD, joins the bodyguard team of heavyweight boxer-turned-businessman Wayne Barclay, after rap mogul Terrell Singletery is released from jail. He blames Barclay for his imprisonment and quickly targets him for assassination. Sauvage realises he needs to bolster Barclay’s security and calls in an old friend to train some hand-picked new recruits. But can they protect him from Singletery when the chips are down? Jean-Claude Van Damme and Vivica A. Fox star.

The Marine

12th April at 20:00

John Cena flexes his muscles and leans heavily into our Weekend Warriors theme, playing John Triton, a soldier who was sent home from the Iraq War against his will. Once back on U.S. soil, he must call on all his military skills after the head of a sinister criminal gang kidnaps his wife. Cue a deadly game of cat and mouse in the wilds of South Carolina as John faces arguably the most perilous – and urgent – mission of his life. Good support comes from Kelly Carlson and Robert Patrick.

Sisu

19th April at 20:00

Jorma Tommila heads the cast in this World War II drama, inspired by real events and set in Finland. During the German army’s violent retreat from the north of the country, ex-soldier and gold prospector Aatami’s latest haul is stolen by a ruthless SS officer. However, the latter reckons without the Finn’s implacable determination to take back what belonged to him, even in the face of impossible

odds. Before long, there’s a visible and bloody trail

of destruction. Aksel Hennie also features.

The Art Of War II: Betrayal

26th April at 20:00

Wesley Snipes stars in this sequel to the 2000 original, reprising the role of covert operative Neil Shaw. This time around, he’s reluctantly drawn out of hiding and thrust back into the fray after an old friend, who was harbouring political ambitions, is murdered. Shaw joins forces with the man’s daughter to track down the culprit, but the pair are caught up in a corrupt weapons maker’s deadly web, while Shaw is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. With Lochlyn Munro and Athena Karkanis..

Comedy After Dark

20th – 24th April - Monday-Friday @9pm

Five nights of funnies, including the channel premiere of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in Anyone But You

You Don’t Mess With The Zohran

21st April at 21:00

There are giggles galore in this action comedy from director Dennis Dugan. A bequiffed Adam Sandler heads the cast as Zohan Dvir, a top-class Mossad agent who dreams of being a New York hair stylist. After faking his own death with the help of his arch enemy, Zohan hot-foots it to the Big Apple, landing his ideal job in the salon of Palestinian owner Dalia. Life is perfect – until a face from his past threatens to destroy everything. Good support comes from John Turturro and Emmanuelle Chriqui.

The Hangover: Part III

22nd April at 21:00

Two years after the second movie, three quarters of the Wolf Pack – Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha) – have happily embraced the stability of domesticity. The same can’t be said of Alan (Zach Galifianakis), whose family send him to a clinic and ask his friends to escort him there. Trouble ensues when the quartet are abducted by someone who demands to meet Mr Chow, and things only go downhill from there. The sparkling cast includes John Goodman and Melissa McCarthy.

Cocaine Bear

22rd April at 21:00

Elizabeth Banks directs this action comedy, which is based on real events. In 1985, a bag crammed with millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine falls from a drug runner’s plane into Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, where it becomes a 500-pound American black bear’s lunch. While the criminals who lost the bag scour the wilderness for their missing booty, the animal embarks on a cocaine-fuelled, hours-long rampage, threatening everyone who gets in its way. Ray Liotta and Keri Russell star.

Anyone But You

24th April at 21:00

Will Gluck’s romantic comedy makes its channel premiere. Glenn Powell and Sydney Sweeney play a young couple whose first date goes like a dream. The following day, a miscommunication prompts the pair abruptly to go their separate ways, with no intention of ever meeting again. But fate has other plans, and the pair run into each other on the other side of the world, at a wedding in Australia. Instead of keeping their distance, they pretend they’re a couple, and comedic chaos ensues.

April 2026 On Universal TV Across Africa | Returning Shows Including Blue Ridge And The Equalizer | More

 

BLUE RIDGE

Season 2 - Territory Premiere

Premieres Thursday 2nd April @8pm

Blue Ridge returns with Sheriff Justin Wise facing a new wave of threats in the Appalachian Mountains – from bounty hunters and deadly drugs to old enemies resurfacing.

THE EQUALIZER

Season 5 - Channel Premiere

Premieres Friday 3rd April @8pm

In its fifth and final season, The Equalizer delivers a high-stakes conclusion as Robyn McCall (Queen Latifah) faces her most personal and dangerous mission yet.

NCIS: SYDNEY

Season 3 - Territory Premiere

Premieres Monday 6th April @8pm

Season 3 opens with the discovery of two missing U.S. Navy aviators adrift in the Coral Sea, pulling the multinational task force into a high-stakes terrorist plot.

HUDSON AND REX

Season 8 - Territory Premiere

Premieres Tuesday 14th April @8pm

Season 8 of Hudson & Rex marks a dramatic new chapter as Detective Hudson steps in to lead Major Crimes alongside Rex, thrusting the duo into high-stakes investigations.

Continuing shows include LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT Season 27.

Channel Premiere: Impilo Kasuman Coming Soon To Star Khanya

Star Khanya, a Zulu dubbed Bollywood entertainment channel operated by JioStar will be rolling out a new series called Impilo Kasuman. Known in India as Suman Indori, it will broadcast on the channel daily at 6PM CAT.

Synopsis for Impilo Kasuman 

The central plot revolves around Suman's reluctant marriage to Teerth Mittal (Zain Imam), an ambitious politician from a powerful family. 

Suman’s brother, Rishi, is a loyal supporter of Teerth. During a protest, Rishi is critically injured and, as a deathbed request, begs Teerth to marry Suman to ensure her protection. Teerth, originally set to marry his sister-in-law’s sister, Kritika, for political leverage, agrees to the marriage to preserve his public image and out of a sense of duty to Rishi. 

Once Suman enters the Mittal household, she faces intense opposition from Devika (Anita Hassanandani), the manipulative elder daughter-in-law (jethani). 

Suman eventually suspects that her brother's death was not an accident but a murder orchestrated by Devika and her associates. Much of the series follows her efforts to find clues and expose Devika’s true nature. 

Based on the Colors Kannada's TV series Kendasampige, Impilo Kasuman was broadcast on Colors TV on 3 September 2024 and concluded on 27 April 2025 after 236 episodes.

It starred Ashnoor Kaur as Suman Sharma Mittal, Zain Imam as Teerth Mittal, Anita Hassanandani as Devika Gupta Mittal, Sai Ballal as Chandrakant Mittal, Nishigandha Wad as Geetanjali Mittal and Aman Sharma as Gururaj Mittal.

Ultimate Survival Test: Naked And Afraid Returns For Its Most Extreme Season Premiering On Discovery Channel Africa On Wednesday, 18 March At 20:05

Discovery Channel dives deep into one of the most audacious and high-stakes challenges on Naked and Afraid S12, premiering on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv 121) on Wednesday, 18 March at 20:05. 

 

This season, a fresh crop of intrepid survivalists will be plunged into what can only be described as hell on Earth. Stripped of every comfort and convenience without water, food, or even clothing. They face the ultimate reckoning of body, mind, and spirit. From scorching deserts to unforgiving jungles, they're abandoned in five of the planet's most brutal and diverse landscapes, armed with nothing but their raw determination.

 

The two-hour season premiere kicks off with a bang, as Naked and Afraid legend Matt Wright makes a surprise appearance. He throws a rookie and a returning challenger, desperate for redemption, into the punishing Florida Everglades. Here, intense heat, severe storms, swarming mosquitoes, and aggressive alligators conspire to turn the swampy terrain into a relentless battle for survival. As the season pushes deeper into its global challenges, the series returns to southern Africa, where survivalists face the raw wilderness of Botswana’s arid desert terrain and the dense, wildlife-rich landscapes of Zambia, two locations long known within the franchise for their extreme heat, scarce resources, and close encounters with predators.

 

In a new move for the franchise, this season features a first: expert survivalists Ky Furneaux and Dan Link face a staggering 14 days on a remote island, completely devoid of tools, firestarter, pot, or blade. It’s the most extreme test of human ingenuity and resilience ever conceived. Adding another fascinating twist, a group of five fearless social media influencers will trade their filtered feeds for raw reality, attempting to prove if their online personas can truly withstand the primal force of Mother Nature.

 

Don’t miss the drama, danger, and raw human resilience on full display.

Naked and Afraid Season 12 premieres 18 March, airing Wednesdays at 20:05, until 3 June on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv 121).

Canal+ Announces Plans To Deploy OpenAI To Its Streaming App, Forms Partnership With Google Cloud

Enhanced Canal+ App Experience With OpenAI Technology

Starting June 2026, CANAL+ will roll out a major evolution of the CANAL+ App using the technology from OpenAI to power content search and discovery. This new feature represents a major breakthrough in delivering a more intuitive, intelligent, and personalized user experience - a world first innovation in the entertainment industry that further confirms CANAL+’s position as a pioneer and consistent trend setter.

The CANAL+ App will offer a uniquely enhanced search experience that goes beyond traditional keyword based queries. Thanks to OpenAI frontier models, subscribers will be able to express what they want to watch in their own words - based on their preferences, their mood, or even spontaneous curiosity - and receive tailored content suggestions that truly meet their expectations.

Whether a subscriber types “I would like a comforting romantic comedy” like BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY, “an epic historical series” like KING & CONQUEROR or “something lighthearted, fun and entertaining to watch” like LOUPS-GAROUS into the search bar, the CANAL+ App will be able to suggests tailored content that matches subscribers’s queries.

Deploying OpenAI is a natural continuation of CANAL+’s long-standing tradition of pioneering innovations that shape the future of entertainment experiences. Just as CANAL+ pioneered the ability to watch the best content all in one place with its aggregation strategy in 2019, and was the first to offer a content viewing experience in connected vehicles in 2024, this collaboration continues to redefine how its subscribers access and enjoy entertainment.

Maxime Saada, CEO of CANAL+ : “We are delighted to collaborate with OpenAI, one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies, to enhance the entertainment experience of our 40 million subscribers. This collaboration is part of CANAL+’s long-standing tradition of innovation and its commitment to continuously reinventing entertainment. Today, our subscribers already access the very best international and local content on the CANAL+ App. With this technological collaboration, we are proud to take a major leap forward, redefining how audiences discover content.”

Ashley Kramer, VP of Enterprise of OpenAI : “People increasingly expect technology to understand them the way they naturally express themselves. By bringing OpenAI into the CANAL+ App, subscribers can describe exactly what they feel like watching. It’s a great example of how advanced AI can make everyday entertainment experiences simpler, more intuitive, and more personal.”

CANAL+ will use Google Cloud’s AI technology to optimize content discovery and propel video creativity

CANAL+ and Google Cloud have announced a new multi-year partnership focused on artificial intelligence. Starting in June 2026, CANAL+ will deploy Google Cloud’s latest generative AI technologies across European and African markets where the CANAL+ App is available, unlocking a new era of creative possibilities for the group.

Tailor made entertainment experience fueled by Google Cloud content video Indexing

Using Google Cloud’s technologies, CANAL+ will accelerate the content video indexing of its extensive content library. The new content classification will provide the global media and entertainment group with an in-depth multimodal database combining sound, video, and text data. This increased granularity in content classification will enable smarter, more personalized content recommendations on the homepage of the CANAL+ App, matching each subscriber’s preferences according to their viewing habits. This will make it easier than ever for subscribers to discover even more content they love on CANAL+.

CANAL+’s multimodal database of video content paves the way for a wide range of opportunities - from enhanced content discovery to entirely new business models.

A new creative frontier fueled by innovation and faster experimentation cycles

CANAL+ will also leverage Veo3, Google’s new genAI video technology to provide its production partners and creative teams with tools that will unlock the creative ambitions of their talent, for instance, previsualizing a scene before shooting it or recreating historical moments from a single archival photo.

The partnership guarantees a very secure technical environment, where rights, assets ownership are deeply protected. Using these tools & platform, CANAL+’s partners will have full control of their production, of their editorial decision, with opportunities to try new approach while ensuring cost control, thanks to significantly shorter experimentation cycles.

This secure technical platform and tools will be made available to production who wish to use it in films supported by CANAL+.

Stéphane Baumier, Chief Technology Officer of CANAL+ : “We are pleased to leverage Google Cloud’s most advanced AI technologies to drive CANAL+’s technical innovation. Building on a long-standing collaboration with Google, this strategic partnership paves the way for limitless possibilities. Content video indexing for CANAL+ at scale gives the group a significant edge, notably by enabling us to deliver sharper discovery and truly enhanced personalized journeys on the CANAL+ App across all our markets. Creativity is the cornerstone of CANAL+’s content production. We are excited to push creative boundaries by providing creators with tools that enable AI-generated video scenes, impossible to produce using traditional methods.”

Matt Renner, President, Chief Revenue Officer of Google Cloud : "The entertainment industry is at a pivotal inflection point where the intersection of creativity and compute power defines market leadership. Our deepened collaboration with CANAL+ is a testament to a shared culture of relentless innovation. By leveraging Google Cloud’s generative AI technologies, CANAL+ is not just adopting tools; they are architecting the future of media and fundamentally transforming the entertainment landscape on a global scale.”

You Are My Love, Former Glow TV Series Has Been Picked Up By Star Life

A few years ago, eMedia Investments removed South African based entertainment channel Glow TV from their platforms. With no other platform available to package the channel, Nismedia that served as the parent company ended it's operations.

Since then, various shows from Glow TV had started to resurface in South Africa with the short lived Uzozisola - Regrets on e.tv while Star Life aired Saras & Kumud and Forbidden Love. Now Star Life will expand this lineup with You Are My Love.

Synopsis for You Are My Love

The story revolves around the intense love story of Pankti Sharma, a beautiful, kind-hearted young girl with dreams of becoming a successful singer, and Ahaan Dhanrajgir, a charming, aspiring rockstar musician from a wealthy family.

Pankti lives under the control of her materialistic and failed actress mother, Anita Sharma, who is deeply in debt and bankrupt. In a shocking and exploitative twist, Anita "sells" her daughter Pankti to JD (Jayant Dhanrajgir)—Ahaan's rich, powerful, cruel, manipulative, and much older uncle—for money to sustain her lavish lifestyle. Pankti is forced into a exploitative arrangement as JD's mistress, trapping her in a life of emotional and financial bondage.

When Ahaan meets Pankti, he falls deeply in love with her at first sight, and she reciprocates his feelings. Ahaan, unaware at first of the dark reality behind Pankti's situation, becomes determined to rescue her, help her pursue her singing dreams, and free her from JD's clutches. Their romance faces immense obstacles, including family opposition, JD's ruthless interference, betrayal, societal judgment, and dramatic twists involving blackmail, revenge, and emotional turmoil.

Known in India as Tu Aashiqui and broadcast on Glow TV as The Cost Of Love. It was broadcast on 20 September 2018 and concluded on 12 October 2018 on Colors TV after 288 half hour episodes.

It starred Jannat Zubair Rahmani as Singer Pankti Dhanrajgir, Ritvik Arora as Musician Ahaan Dhanrajgir, Rahil Azam as Jayant Dhanrajgir, Gauri Pradhan as Anita Sharma, Rushal Parekh as Uday Mathur and Nidhi Shah as Poorva Sharma.

You Are My Love will broadcast daily at 16:00 CAT from 19 March on Star Life.

Channel Premiere: Mannat, Colors TV Original Launches On Star Life

Star Life, a Bollywood based channel operated by JioStar has announced that they'll be launching a new series called Mannat. Known in India as Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki, the series will air daily at 21:30 from 19 March.

Synopsis for Mannat

The story is set in vibrant Mumbai and centers on Mannat, a talented, happy-go-lucky, and determined young chef who aspires to become one of India's renowned chefs. Abandoned as a newborn at Marine Drive by her biological mother, she was saved by a young boy and raised by her loving maternal aunt (maasi), Shruti, whom she initially believes to be her mother.

After graduating from culinary college, Mannat lands her first job at a high-end restaurant called "Mezbaani," owned by the cold, ruthless, and critical Aishwarya (her biological mother, who abandoned her) and her business partner Vikrant Saluja (the male lead, who becomes supportive and romantically involved with Mannat).

Unaware of her true origins, Mannat faces challenges in the professional world, including prejudice due to her disadvantaged background. Aishwarya, initially harsh toward Mannat and even fires her at one point, shares a deep but hidden connection with her. The narrative explores Mannat's journey to fulfill her career dreams while uncovering shocking truths about her birth, family ties, and identity.

It starred Ayesha Singh as Mannat Khanna, Adnan Khan as Aman "Vikrant" Saluja, Mona Vasu as Sonia "Aishwarya" Khanna Raisingh, Manit Joura as DCP Dhairya Kumar, Mamata Verma as Shruti Khanna and Yami Khandelwal / Trisha Sharda as Dua Saluja.

Since it's inception on Colors TV, Mannat continues to be broadcast on the channel with over 390 episodes having being filmed. It will join Noyontara: The Hidden Truth as another TV show to have aired on Colors TV.

Mannat will broadcast daily on Star Life from 19 March at 21:30 CAT replacing Sweet Love.

New Series Alert: Parineeta Coming Soon To Zee One

Zee One, a Bollywood based entertainment channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises offering English dubbed content has announced the addition of a new show, Parineeta. It is scheduled to broadcast daily on Zee One from 28 March.

Synopsis for Zee One

The story begins with the contrasting worlds of Parul, an ambitious girl with a thirst for knowledge, and Rayan, a wealthy, sharp-tongued city-bred man. 

Their lives collide when a series of events—including threats from a local character named Tapoti—compels Rayan and Parul into an unwanted marriage. Rayan initially rejects Parul, harboring deep resentment from their brief, antagonistic time at university.

After moving into the domineering Basu household headed by Rayan's grandfather, Ashutosh, Parul faces constant hostility from Rayan and a complex love triangle involving Shirin, who attempts to sabotage her at every turn.

Parineeta debuted on Zee Bangla on November 11, 2024 and since then over 470 half hour episodes have been produced. It starred Parul Adhikari as Ishani Chatterjee, Rayan Basu as Uday Pratap Singh and Shirin as Surabhi Mallick.

Parineeta premieres 28 March 2026 on Zee One replacing Padamatis Love. Other shows set to rollout on the channel during the month include How Do I Say This and Undercover Love.

Reminder: Hawaii Five-O Returns For It's 10th And Final Season On eSeries Alongside CSI: Miami And NCIS: Los Angeles

CSI: Miami Season 10 (FINAL)

This is the tenth and final season of the American crime drama series CSI: Miami, which follows a team of forensic investigators in Miami using cutting-edge science and police work to solve complex crimes. It premiered on CBS on September 25, 2011, and concluded on April 8, 2012, consisting of 19 episodes—the shortest season in the show's run. 

The season picks up from the previous cliffhanger, with Horatio Caine and his team pursuing a serial killer while dealing with personal and professional challenges, including betrayals and high-stakes investigations like a hotel murder and a tornado-destroyed crime scene. 

It starred David Caruso as Lt. Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Calleigh Duquesne, Jonathan Togo as Ryan Wolfe, Rex Linn as Frank Tripp, Eva LaRue as Natalia Boa Vista, Omar Miller as Walter Simmons and Adam Rodriguez as Eric Delko.

Key episodes include the premiere "Countermeasures," where the team tracks a killer, and the finale "Habeas Corpse," wrapping up major storylines. 

CSI: Miami has been airing on the channel at 21:25 since March 2.

 

NCIS: Los Angeles Season 10

This season of the action-packed spin-off series focuses on the elite Office of Special Projects (OSP) team in Los Angeles handling high-stakes undercover operations against threats to national security. It aired on CBS from September 30, 2018, to May 19, 2019, with 24 episodes. 

The plot kicks off with the team recovering from a dangerous mission in Mexico, introducing new allies like retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride, and tackling cases involving stolen military tech, assassins, and international intrigue. 

It starred Chris O'Donnell as G. Callen, LL Cool J as Sam Hanna, Daniela Ruah as Kensi Blye, Eric Christian Olsen as Marty Deeks, Barrett Foa as Eric Beale, Renée Felice Smith as Nell Jones and Linda Hunt as Henrietta "Hetty" Lange.

Standout episodes feature "To Live and Die in Mexico" as the opener and "False Flag" as the finale, emphasizing team dynamics and espionage. 

Season 10 starts March 16 at 20:30 

Hawaii Five-0 Season 10 (FINAL)

The tenth and final season of the rebooted police procedural series centers on an elite task force combating crime in Hawaii, blending action, drama, and island culture. It premiered on CBS on September 27, 2019, and ended on April 3, 2020, with 22 episodes. 

The storyline wraps up long-running arcs, including Steve McGarrett solving his father's case from a decade ago, while handling cases like mob assassinations, tunnel collapses, and Halloween horrors. Former cast members like Masi Oka and Michelle Borth return as guests. 

It stars Alex O'Loughlin as Steve McGarrett, Scott Caan as Danny "Danno" Williams, Ian Anthony Dale as Adam Noshimuri, Meaghan Rath as Tani Rey

Beulah Koale as Junior Reigns, Chi McBride as Lou Grover and Katrina Law as Quinn Liu.

Notable episodes include the premiere "Ua 'eha Ka 'ili I Ka Maka O Ka Ihe" and the series finale "Aloha," providing closure to the team. 

The tenth and final season of Hawaii Five-O starts March 17 at 19:35.

Disney Channel Relaunching In Spain This April In Place Of Disney Junior

Last month, it was reported that Disney XD would be shutting down its remaining international feed in Poland by April. As Disney is looking to launch its preschool oriented brand Disney Jr. with AMC Networks International likely to be a partner.

Now reports are going around that Disney is looking to revive some of linear operations with Disney Channel set to relaunch in Spain. This comes after its reported relaunch in the UK was debunked for Disney Jr. in 2025.

Very odd part about this is the channel is said to be replacing Disney Junior with the preschool brand downsized to a programming block in April. 

Press statement 

The historic Disney youth channel is preparing its return to television in Spain after its disappearance at the beginning of 2025. The company is finalizing a strategic move that will mean the recovery of Disney Channel in the Spanish market, after the brand disappeared from the television landscape.

The channel stopped broadcasting in Spain on January 7, 2025, putting an end to more than two decades of continuous presence in Spanish homes. Its closure marked the end of an era for a channel that had been one of the benchmarks for youth entertainment since its launch in 1998 and that, for years, was also part of the DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) offering.

Now, the channel is preparing its return through a brand change that will directly affect Disney Jr. The children's channel, currently dedicated to the youngest members of the household, will be transformed into Disney Channel through a rebranding process, thus recovering one of the company's most recognizable brands on television.

The move will not involve the total disappearance of preschool programming. Within the new Disney Channel, a daily window dedicated to Disney Jr. content will be maintained, with series and programs aimed at a preschool audience, while the rest of the schedule will be oriented toward a family and youth audience, following the classic model of the channel.

This change will allow the company to reorganize its television presence in Spain and reposition the Disney Channel brand in the linear offering, at a time when children's consumption continues to combine traditional television and streaming. The channel will be available on all platforms where Disney Jr. currently broadcasts.

The official announcement of the brand change will take place in mid-March, at which time the company will reveal more details about the channel's new stage and its programming. The transformation of the current Disney Jr. into Disney Channel will become effective on April 1, the scheduled date for the channel's relaunch in Spain.