Alternatives For The Deceased DStv Channel, MTV Hits

MultiChoice and Paramount decided to call it quits for the underperforming pop brand, MTV Hits with the channel set to go off air by 31 October 2022. Neither brand is willing to acknowledge the brands existence as the pay-tv brand gears the launch of the jazz infused channel, Qwest TV.

Qwest TV as mentioned is a jazz infused channel by none other than Grammy awarded musician Quincy Jones featuring content that resonates with fans of R&B, Soul and Gospel. Basically geared to a new audience and MultiChoice's way of making up for MTV Hits.

As advised a while ago, MTV Hits won't be supplemented by another channel with similar roots so we looked up a batch of alternatives. Not saying it will be the same or any better but it's better than nothing basically.

Here are some of the alternatives we were able to find for MTV Hits:

1. TRACE Urban

We are very much aware that most music channels on DStv are reaching to MTV Base's standards and tragically this channel fell prey to all that. If it's any consolation, there's still plenty of international to go around although I wouldn't say it appears as frequently as MTV Hits.

2. SoundCity

Yep, the Nigerian based music channel does offer a variety of international hits and yes it's reasons for functioning like MTV Base is justified. But viewers should turn their attention to a weeknight slot usually 9pm as they often to international countdowns and add City Divas to the mix on Sunday mornings.

3. DMX

We are aware all channels aren't dedicated to the talents of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande so we were able to list some of the channels where you can listen to a variety of pop hits: Adult Contemporary, Today's Hits, Y2K Hits.

4. Social Media

These are one of the many ways I've managed to keep up with most music trends these days. I dwell on sources such as Pop Crave, Billboard and Rap-Up if I ever want to keep tabs on current favorites and explore new artists.

5. Streaming services

For those who can afford to binge an entire season of Grey's Anatomy then this is for you, the world of iTunes, Apple Music, JOOX and Spotify is in your hands and I hear SoundCloud is where several rising stars like Doja Cat promote their music.

What To Expect On TNT Africa In November 2022? (Final Version)

Rising Above
‘Head down, bum up’ is the Australian way of telling someone to rise above a situation. At TNT, we do it with movies…

In November, we’re celebrating characters who beat difficult circumstances with grace, grit – and a bit of Tarantino-style retribution.

TUNE IN DETAILS (channel premieres)

Sunday, 6 November
17:35   –   The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
20:00   –   Django Unchained (2012)
Sunday, 13 November
18:20   –   Mr. Deeds (2002)
20:00   –   Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Sunday, 20 November
17:50   –   The Power of One (1992)
20:00   –   White House Down (2013)
Sunday, 27 November
17:55   –   The Family Man (2000)
20:00   –   The Karate Kid (1984)

Reckless Behaviour
One person’s ‘reckless’ is another’s ‘enthusiastic’. Some are clumsy, some are bumbling, and some are blind to consequences. What do all these traits have in common? They make for plenty of unpredictability – which makes for great viewing, only on TNT!

TUNE IN DETAILS (channel premieres)
Friday, 4 November
18:40   –   Lethal Weapon (1987)
20:30   –   The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Friday, 11 November
18:35   –   Baby Driver (2015)
20:30   –   Driven (2001)
Friday, 18 November
18:50   –   Rush Hour (1998)
20:30   –   Bull (2021)
Friday, 25 November
18:50   –   Primal (2019)
20:30   –   Spree (2020)

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Fan Month
He once had 'The People's Eyebrow', and now he's 'The People's Hero'! Since his star turn in The Mummy Returns, Dwayne Douglas Johnson - also known as 'The Rock' – has become one of Hollywood's best-loved, best-paid actors. Each Tuesday in November, tune in to TNT to see what The Rock is up to.

TUNE IN DETAILS
Tuesday, 1 November
20:30   –   Faster (2010)
Tuesday, 8 November
20:30   –   Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)
Tuesday, 15 November
20:30   –   Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
Tuesday, 22 November
20:30   –   San Andreas (2015)
Tuesday, 29 November
20:30   –   Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Openview Postpones The Launch Of BBC UKTV

Openview planned to launch the BBC UKTV channel on its platform on Tuesday, 18 October 2022. However, over a week later, the channel still isn’t available.

The eMedia-owned broadcaster said the much-anticipated launch had to be postponed saying that it still has to finalise details for the channel.

“We confirm that we planned to launch the BBC UKTV channel on Openview on 18 October,” Openview told sources.

“We are disappointed to announce that the much-anticipated launch had to be postponed. We are working on finalising details for the channel.”

Openview said it cannot provide a launch date for the channel on its platform for now.

On 29 September 2022, Openview and BBC Studios announced its partnership with the free-to-view satellite TV provider that would see the launch of BBC UKTV on channel 114.

It said the new channel would provide a range of programming, including natural history series, soaps, and children’s shows.

“From British soaps, fascinating documentaries and children’s shows, BBC UKTV has been carefully crafted to match the viewing habits of the whole family,” BBC Studios commercial director for Africa, Pierre Cloete, said.

It also promises to broadcast various cooking and motoring shows, such as The Great British Bake Off, Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook, Mary Berry Cooks, Top Gear, and Million Dollar Car Hunters.

BBC UKTV’s soap content will include Casualty, which will air every Thursday at 18:20, and Doctors will broadcast on weekdays at 19:00.

It will also air the long-running sitcom, My Family at 06:00 and 19:30 daily.

The channel’s natural history shows include Wild Africa, Africa with Ade Adepitan, and a selection of Sir David Attenborough’s docuseries.

It will also broadcast various children’s programming between 06:00 and 09:00 every morning.

Openview group executive for programming Marlon Davids said the move would help the broadcaster appeal to a wider audience.

“Openview is a growing platform and constantly adding new channels and genres to appeal to a broad audience,” Davids stated.

“We are pleased and excited to give our audiences even more choice, and more of the best in world-class entertainment with the addition of BBC UKTV.”

DStv Updates: Comedy Central And MTV To Be Made Available To More DStv Customers And Rumoured Developments For Nickelodeon And The Upcoming Pan-African Channel, Magic Showcase

Comedy Central to be made available to DStv Compact with MTV added to DStv Family from 1st November

Last month, MultiChoice hosted an open window for BET to their DStv Family and Access customers and it wasn't until October that it had been announced that the channel would be made available to consumers full-time. Now more of Paramount's channels are set to reach more DStv customers.

Comedy Central which is home to The Daily Show which was only seen on DStv Premium and Compact+ will now be made available to Compact and the Compact exclusive channel MTV will be available to consumers on the Family package.

It means DStv Compact customers will now have to access to Trevor Noah before he leaves his post alongside endless repeats of The Big Bang Theory, Two And A Half Men and Friends with Family customers being introduced to Ridiculousness, Ex On The Beach and Teen Moms.

While this may as well be good news to some customers. It kind of makes you wonder what could become of Premium and Compact+ now that there's less exclusivity amongst packages and this news will just make more consumers downgrade or cancel their subscription.

With MultiChoice attempting to rollout an unbundled package it wouldn't be shocking if they were to merge these packages or replace it with DStv Flex as those packages alongside Compact haven't seen much success in the recent financial year.

Now that Comedy Central, BET and MTV reach more DStv customers it means MultiChoice and Paramount are leaving Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. to die out like Nicktoons and MTV Base is doing alright wouldn't make much difference to me.

Rumoured developments for both Nickelodeon and Magic Showcase

According to sources, Nickelodeon which is currently available on DStv Premium and Compact+ in South Africa was said to be added to DStv Compact, Family and Access as seen in various regions but this might be due to the recent developments with Nicktoons.

Nicktoons has been on autopilot for several months as Paramount hasn't tried updating the schedule with more content and seem to be adding more content which ended or are on the verge of ending on Nickelodeon with SpongeBob and The Casagrandes carrying the channel.

The Casagrandes could be a supplement for The Loud House seeing as it has been deemed offensive as other regions usually have their most popular shows on during the day as seen with Cartoon Network and from the looks of it ALVINNN!!! is one of them.

Magic Showcase is said to be a Pan-African entertainment channel

Reported here first, MultiChoice and M-Net will be sourcing out more content from their archives for yet another channel as if viewer's aren't seeing plenty of rebroadcasts on Mzansi Wethu and Novela Magic but cable is dead at this point so why bother.

Magic Showcase is gearing to launch by November 1st but MultiChoice had already delayed launches of Moonbug Kids and INX Prime so here's hoping that there's a bit of accuracy coming forward with this brand.

The channel is said to be available to all customers but catered to DStv Access for Legacy and Survivor SA and mostly Easyview getting the full pie as they don't have any means to view the bulk of local entertainment such as Being Bonang and The Imposter.

As for the channel number, nothing has been mentioned but my guess would be channel 159/169.

Further Seasons Of Doctor Who To Stream Exclusively On Disney+ By Late 2023

Under the landmark deal Disney+ will exclusively stream all upcoming seasons of the show outside of the U.K. and Ireland, where they will remain with the BBC. The announcement, which had been rumored for months, was made by incoming Doctor Who Ncuti Gatwa during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, with the first episodes from the new partnership expected in November 2023 to coincide with its 60th anniversary.

“I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds – with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the TARDIS all around the planet, reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the UK,” said Russell T. Davies, the returning showrunner who succeeded Chris Chibnall.

“For Doctor Who to have the backing of two of the most innovative and respected media organizations in the world is a testament to the unique drive and vision at the heart of this show,” said Jane Tranter & Julie Gardner, executive producers and co-founders at Bad Wolf, who are co-producing with the BBC. “Bad Wolf are beyond delighted to be once again working with the genius that is Russell T Davies and, with the exciting new partnership between the BBC and Disney, we can together reach to even greater heights, producing from Wolf Studios Wales ambitious stories through time and space for audiences across the globe.”

Added Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+: “We’re excited by the opportunity to bring new seasons of this beloved franchise exclusively to Disney+ and introduce the show to the next generation of audiencesin more than 150 markets around the world. The series is a perfect addition to our ever-growing catalog of global content that continues to make Disney+ the home for exceptional storytelling.”

Although Gatwa official run as the 15th Doctor will kick of in late 2023, before then David Tennant will return to the TARDIS for three specials.

“We’re delighted to join forces with a partner who shares our vision and ambition for one of the most iconic shows in British TV history,” said Rebecca Glashow, CEO, Global Distribution, BBC Studios. “This is great news for everyone who loves Doctor Who, and for all the new fans we will reach through this powerful partnership.”