As part of M-Net and MultiChoice’s ongoing commitment to broaden the accessibility and entertainment value of its content offerings, Novela Magic on DStv channel 165 will be made available to DStv Access customers from Friday, 22 January 2021 at 18:00. That means, together with DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, and Family customers, DStv Access viewers can now experience the best of Africa.
Launched last year in November, Novel Magic celebrates Africa’s love for storytelling as well as the local creative talent by showcasing a variety of unique local stories with themes that resonate and engage with the viewers. The channel is MultiChoice and M-Net’s first-ever African only telenovela channel.
Along with the expansion to DStv Access customers, the exciting telenovela channel continues its mission of delivering the best African stories with the launch of Enakhe and Riona on Friday, 22 January.
It's been confirmed that all the Star TV channels in the UK & Europe, will rebrand from Friday 22nd January – the channels will be rebranded to:
■ Star Plus HD will now be Utsav Plus HD (Sky 705, Virgin Media 803, Yupp TV)
■ Star Gold HD will now be Utsav Gold HD (Sky 717, Virgin Media 801)
■ Star Bharat will now be Utsav Bharat (Sky 704, Virgin Media 802, Yupp TV)
The Star branding isn't completely dead besides India it will be used as an international adaptation for Hulu as a standalone service with some launching a dedicated channel for it on Disney+. It's even a placeholder for the FOX branded channels.
Gaurav Jandwani, Senior Vice President & Business Head (UK, Europe & SOUTH AFRICA), “As much as the past year has been challenging for all of us, it has equally brought out a sense of gratefulness and celebration for all things positive. To reiterate this sense of optimism, it gives me great pleasure to announce the brand refresh of our network from the 22nd January 2021 with the same promise of touching lives through our inspirational characters.”
The network says, “Since its UK launch over 2 decades ago, Star has established a special relationship with its loyal viewers through a string of hugely successful iconic shows. These shows have gripped viewers with countless hours of premium entertainment, with the addictive K-series dramas of early years to glossy A-List chat show Koffee with Karan, the renowned ‘Masterchef India’, the innovative ‘Satyamev Jayat’e or the recent staggering success of ‘Anupamaa’, to name a few. This special relationship has catapulted the Star Network to No.1 in the UK’s official TV ratings (BARB) for over a decade.
“As we move forward in 2021 with a sense of hope and optimism, there could not be a better time to reflect the same spirit in our brand. We are thrilled to announce that Star will rebrand its channels to Utsav’ (meaning celebration) on 22 January 2021 in the UK and Europe to celebrate positivity and energy reinforced through our loved characters. The Utsav logo, infused from the Star logo, signifies stability and progress while the trademark swoosh pays homage to the insurmountable human spirit.”
Disney Africa supplies FOX and 3 Star channels (StarPlus, Star Vijay and Star Life) under Star India. It would make more sense to replace Indian channels so that it doesn't cause a riot the day FOX adapts to the Star branding.
Disney+ is not available in Africa as they're still rolling out in other parts of Europe so viewers might get the service by 2022. They could take even longer to roll it here due to existing contracts with other suppliers for their content. These changes won't wait for Disney+, Turn to the defunct channels, Disney XD and FOX Life as a prime example.
The switchover will likely occur before the year ends I wouldn't be shocked if it happened within the next 3 months. These channels can all be found on DStv with portions on StarTimes (Starsat) and Openview.
Update: Star Vijay rebranded into Vijay so that channel will be excluded from Utsav
Straight Up (2019, TNT Original)
Todd and Rory are intellectual soul mates. He might be gay. She might not care. A romantic-comedy drama with a twist; a love story without the thrill of copulation.
The Best Man (1999, TNT Original)
An advance copy of Harper's first book lands in the hands of an ex-flame. He is the best man at a wedding and he is afraid that she will spill out that he had had an affair with the to-be bride.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite (New Show)
A world-class roster of diverse male and female wrestlers give fans a new wrestling experience for the first time in 20 years. Featuring Cody & Brandi Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Hangman Adam Page, Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley.
TNT is available on DStv and StarTimes
Cartoon Network:
Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese (New Show)
In an animated comedic take on a blended family sitcom, with Dad’s “sons” — a boy, a dog and a mouse — and Mom’s “daughters” – a girl, a cat, and a piece of anthropomorphic cheese – learning to live together under one roof.
Ninjago S2
While fighting foes across Ninjago City and beyond, the ninja embark on new quests and gain newfound allies as the power of their friendship is tested.
Cartoon Network is available on DStv and GOtv
Boomerang:
Mush-Mush and the Mushables (New Show)
follows the adventures of Mush-Mush, his best friends Chep and Lilit, and the rest of the Mushable community as they explore, grow and discover just how fun and wild life can be.
Scooby-Doo And Guess Who? S2
The team is back and just as courageous, adventurous, humorous and obsessed with cases like before. They are joined by celebrities in their adventures and ghost hunts and in search of puzzles to solve.
For the rest of Africa likely Nigeria, there has been talks to bring Teen Africa TV to the platform for now the channel is available on StarTimes.
There's also a rumor of a new channel called Furist that will be added soon.
Furist is described to be a 24/7 channel offering tv gaming, athletics, sports and many more. The brand is said to be coming from the makers of Ginx eSports TV.
SABC 3:
Earth's Great Seasons - 596 656
News - 586 381
Bundesliga Fc Bayern Munchen vs Rb Leipz - 491 769
Amazon: the Lost World - 486 281
Betway Test Series: South Africa vs Sri L - 484 457
Earth From Space - 425 496
The A-Team - 388 081
Knight Rider - 369 585
Generations the Legacy (Repeat) -342 063
Narcos - 328 003
Mela - 325 770
Airwolf - 320 994
Wrap up - 318 005
Kfc T20 International: South Africa vs En - 314 639
The Greatest Dancer - 304 885
The Essentials - 298 843
City of God Movie - 288 760
Afternoon Express - 284 200
Music - 277 997
Fa Women Super League Manchester City Vs - 271 448
e.tv:
Scandal - 4 698 809
Rhythm City - 3 744 228
Imbewu - 3 724 787
The Tuxedo Movie - 2 859 277
Johnny English Movie - 2 675 022
South Africa Tonight News - 2 468 296
E.TV News - 2 351 858
Johnny English Strikes Again Movie - 2 262 186
Taxi Movie - 2 198 839
Etv News Presidential Speech - 2 178 212
Madeas Witness Protection Movie - 2 125 663
Chips Movie - 2 106 649
National Security Movie - 2 054 950
Imbewu (Repeat) - 1 885 070
Tropic Thunder Movie - 1 874 053
Checkpoint (News) - 1 793 100
Durban Gen - 1 755 758
Scandal (Repeat) - 1 661 700
Just for Laughs Gags Filler - 1 559 692
Rhythm City (Repeat) - 1 488 022
