Two years ago, SABC Encore was ripped away from DStv customers as MultiChoice opted to not renew the agreement for the channel. Since then, there's been several rumours about a possible revival as the SABC had stated they were looking into continuing the channel on another platform.
Aside from DTT which had a blank space, TelkomOne often supplied the channel as somewhat of a pop-up. Of course, would you consider it a pop-up if it didn't last a day better yet 8 hours.
It's evident that the channel isn't fully functional as the SABC is hoping to get some funding on the brand I mean SABC Sport was on limbo for a couple of years supplying repeats from SABC 1-3 and outdated sports and all that changed when TelkomOne and Openview were onboard with supplying the channel. Now it's one of the top 10 watched channels on Openview.
SABC Encore catered toward 18-49 of the 80s and 90s serving up content like 'Sgudi 'Snaysi, Agter Elke Man, Interster, Ubambo Lwami, Pumpkin Patch, Dikolong and Hlala Kwabafileyo, among many others.
The channel ran on DStv for approximately 3 years and the additional 2 years were served as open window kind of like EVA and Disney XD where they filled up the schedule with repeats to sort of distance viewers before closing off a channel.
The SABC's reason to zombify had to do with those 2 remaining years as MultiChoice opted to scrap the channel. Although no reason for the dismissal was given there could be a few theories that led to this decision.
Firstly, SABC Encore featured too much repeats and old programming which not a lot of viewers of this generation would follow which could explain the pop-up focus on being a catch-up to the modern SABC 1-3.
Another reason had to do with exclusivity, MultiChoice carried the second most watched channel SABC News alongside SABC Encore which again was all repeats and considering how much money was wasted on the channel. MultiChoice saw no reason in having it on an exclusive basis.
The SABC is set to unveil a couple of new channels alongside their OTT platform before the end of the current financial year and these supposed channels will be bundled on the platform alongside the existing batch of channels like SABC 1-3, Sport and Education.
MultiChoice is expected to get 3 channels, Openview and likely StarSat are waiting on 2 channels from the public broadcaster.
The SABC has tested out a brand under the branding, SABC Encore. As stated by the public broadcaster, the new channels or at least the two Openview consumers are waiting on will have existing content and as more consumers follow the channel they'll shift the percentages to make room for fresher entertainment.
If SABC Encore (or as it was initially registered SABC Entertainment) were to return questions kind amount to what type of offering should viewers expect from this supposed channel.
Despite being outdated, SABC Encore was a mashup of SABC 1-3 so I'm not expecting another eExtra to comes out of the rumoured SABC Encore.
eMedia serves as an entertainment brand while the SABC just wants to offer a little bit of everything seen on DStv. eMedia offers movies, drama series and reality shows but with the SABC they incorporate that into the local market which might be the outcome of this supposed channel.
MultiChoice did highlight some discrepancies about e.tv channels one of which were the failure to offer local programming and reduce the level of repetition which eMedia was able to counterclaim but still couldn't keep their channels onboard.
Instead of getting more alternatives to Telemundo which is what several angry DStv customers are hoping for within the replacement. Viewers will likely get another Mpuma Kapa or Soweto TV which is in no way competition but better in terms of quality.
