From Tuesday 1 September, DStv’s six existing M-Net Movie channels will be re-organised and consolidated into four slick, fuss-free channels.
Get ready for streamlined M‑Net Movies channels, new Asian channel KIX, FliekNET and much more
Call it Movies 2.0! Or: The streamlined upgrade of the M‑Net Movies channels on DStv. Come Tuesday 1 September the current six M‑Net Movie channels will be re-organised and consolidated into four slick, fuss-free channels .
To keep it simple, these four carefully curated channels, with its array of must-see films, will be known as M‑Net Movies 1, M‑Net Movies 2, M‑Net Movies 3 and M‑Net Movies 4.
Even though DStv have streamlined the M‑Net channels, this will not impact the number of movies on the DStv packages, audiences will benefit from a leaner, spruced-up M‑Net slate.
But that is not all, the popular holiday pop-up channel FliekNET will become a permanent fixture on the platform from 1 September as well.
Adding to this, is the new KIX channel launching in October this year, bringing viewers the best of Martial Arts from the old-time favourites such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan and more. Film fanatics can also rest assured that DStv and M‑Net team will continue to create popular pop-up channels built around popular franchises or themes.
“It’s important for us to facilitate the best possible viewing experience for our DStv customers in our ever-evolving world of entertainment”, says MultiChoice SA CEO, Mark Rayner. “ While the proposition of the current six movie channels - M‑Net Movies Premiere, Action Plus, Action, Smile, Zone and All Stars – made perfect sense when they launched years ago, recent comments and requests from our movie-loving DStv audiences indicated that it was time for a reboot.”
According to Yolisa Phahle, CEO of General Entertainment and Connected Video at MultiChoice Group, this is just the beginning – the first step onto an exciting planned journey of developments on the film front. “In our quest to remain Africa’s most-loved storyteller, innovation and quality will always be key. Local movies will also play an increasingly important role, alongside screening handpicked Hollywood films first on all our platforms.“
MultiChoice Group’s platforms include DStv satellite television, Showmax, Box Office, DStv Catch Up and DStv Now.
The streamlined M‑Net Movie channels arrangement for different DStv audiences will make it easier to find the right movie, at just the right time:
M‑Net Movies 1
(Channel 104 on DStv Premium)
This is the new number-one destination for the latest local and international feel-good, wholesome movies for the entire family. Those who loved the kid-friendly Animania festivals on M‑Net Movies Smile, as well as blockbuster romcoms and gripping dramas, will need an ample supply of popcorn for the good times ahead.
M‑Net Movies 2
(Channel 106 on DStv Premium)
Buckle up! M‑Net Movies 2 will unleash an adrenaline rush with recent heart-pumping, explosive action films. The schedule will be packed with all kinds of adventures and thrills and spills at maximum velocity!
M‑Net Movies 3
(Channel 107 on DStv Premium, Compact)
Welcome to the place where all the movie heroes and heroines hang out, either saving the day in adventure classics, or inhabiting the imaginary worlds of sci-fi and fantasy. Sometimes, they even tickle the funny bones in star-studded comedies, or show off their acting chops in gripping dramas.
M‑Net Movies 4
(Channel 108 on DStv Premium. Compact, Family, Access)
The world’s biggest blockbusters, as well as their prequels and sequels, are lined up here. While movie franchise lovers can enjoy great movies for hours on end, friends and family can join all the action and fun too.
FliekNET
(Channel 149 on DStv Premium)
This channel will be showcasing locally produced blockbuster movies, classic favourites and a variety of Afrikaans film formats such feature films, short films, story films, made-for-TV movies and documentaries. The channel will also feature new straight-to-kykNET films produced by South African filmmakers as part of the continuous investment in the local film and television industry.
KIX
(Channel number to be confirmed)
Everybody was kung-fu fighting on this channel. The best of all Martial Arts movies will live here. This channel promises to bring all the viewers the best scenes from all-time favourites, from Jackie Chan to Bruce Lee – the family will definitey have to dedicate a day of the week to all the action.
M‑Net Movies Pop-Up
(Channel 111 on DStv Premium)
To keep it fresh and exciting, there will be a host of festivals and themed surprises on these channels. Furthermore, the M‑Net Movies team will continue cooking up more binge fests with M‑Net Movies Pop Up channels. In future, these pop-up delights will be served on DStv Channel 111.
FAQS: DStv spruces up its movie offering
Why is MultiChoice making changes to the M-Net channels on DStv?
We are reshuffling our channels as part of our business strategy to enhance our offering to customer and responding to their needs for fresher content and greater viewing experience. There will also be focus more on local content investment which will will see a launch of local channels in March 2021 for Ghana, Ethiopia, Angola and Mozambique. Another benefit is a more streamlined content making it easier for our customer to navigate and content discovery of their favourite international series and movies.
When are these changes taking place?
On Monday 31 August 2020 and Tuesday, 1 September 2020.
How are you changing the M-Net channels and where can I now find the M-Net Movies Channels?
- M-Net Movies 1 replaces M-Net Movies Premiere & M-Net Movies Smile Channel 104/5 for DStv Premium
- M-Net Movies 2 replaces M-Net Movies Action+ on Channel 106 for DStv Premium
- M-Net Movies 3 replaces M-Net Movies Action & M-Net Movies All Stars on channel 107 for DStv Compact
- M-Net Movies 4 replaces M-Net Movies Zone on Channel 108 for DStv Access & GOtv, DTT
- M-Net Movies Pop Up will run occasionally on channel 111
Why are there now only four M-Net Movie channels instead of six?
M-Net Movies has streamlined its movie offering to ensure that we schedule the freshest and latest movies from local and international studios. Viewers can also look forward to more seasonal pop-up channels as well.
What type of movies will I find on each of the M-Net Movie channels?
- M-Net Movies 1 (Previously M-Net Movies Smile): Family, Animation, Kids, Comedy, Romance, Drama
- M-Net Movies 2 (Previously M-Net Movies Action+): Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Thriller
- M-Net Movies 3 (Consolidation of Previous M-Net Movies Action & M-Net Movies All Stars): Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy, Family, Local, Drama
- M-Net Movies 4 (Previously M-Net Movies Zone): Action, Comedy, Family, Animated, Drama, Local
Why do I still pay the same for fewer channels?
M-Net Movies has streamlined its movie offering to ensure that we schedule the freshest and latest movies from local and international studios. Viewers can also look forward to more seasonal pop-up channels, like the recent M-Net Movies Blackout channel and last year’s massively successful M-Net Movies Tom Cruise pop-up channel.
Does this mean that there will be no more repeats on DStv?
No. This channel revision will only reduce the duplication of content across channels with similar genres. Unfortunately, not everyone has the freedom to watch what they want, when they want to. Each of our subscriber leads a busy life – some work during the day while others work at night, and others are just too busy to watch their favourite show when it goes on air. That’s one of the reasons why we give our customers more than one opportunity to watch what they want. Some channels, like M-Net 101, are specifically chosen for the DStv Premium package. These channels offer the latest shows and movies, sometimes even at the same time as the US (as with our Express from the US service). Our DStv Premium customers see the latest shows, first.
These same shows and movies will be screened a few months later on channels that are available on other packages. This means you may have seen a show or movie on DStv Premium, and will come across it again when it is broadcast on a channel that serves DStv Compact customers. Offering shows and movies across our channels on all packages means that, sooner or later, everyone gets a chance to see it and enjoy it.
All channels, especially movie channels, need to offer a mix of new and repeat content. Hollywood makes about 600 movies every year – that’s roughly 1 200 hours of movies. A single movie channel needs 8 760 hours to fill up the schedule every day for a year. It is for this reason that you see a mix of brand-new movies and old favourites on our movie channels.
What will happen to my PVR recordings after the channels are terminated?
Any recordings of shows from the terminated M-Net movie channels will remain on your PVR until you delete them, so they will still be available for you to watch.
Will I get a discount on my subscription?
No, subscribers will not receive a discount. MultiChoice does not adjust its price every time a channel is added or removed from the DStv platform.
ABOUT FLIEKNET FAQs
Where can I find Afrikaans movies?
We are proud to announce the upcoming launch of FliekNET as an official channel on our movie channels slate
What happens to all the other Pop-up channels?
Viewers can still look forward to more seasonal pop-up channels as well like the Marvels & Tom Cruize Pop-up channel.
When will FliekNET launch?
FliekNET will be available for viewers from 1 September 2020
Will I have to pay more for FliekNET?
No, MultiChoice does not adjust pricing every time a channel is added or removed from the DStv Platform
What content can I expect on FliekNET?
The popular holiday pop-up channel FliekNET will become a permanent fixture on DStv channel-149 showcasing locally produced blockbuster movies, classic favourites and a variety of Afrikaans film formats such feature films, short films, story films, made-for-TV movies and documentaries. The channel will also feature new straight-to-kykNET films produced by South African filmmakers as part of the continuous investment in the local film and television industry.
