Could Channel O, Mzansi Music And kykNET NOU Also Exit The DStv Platform?

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

With the decline in linear consumption on the top tier bouquets, this was very much anticipated from various DStv customers. Now, MultiChoice will have to work around the clock to find suitable candidates to fill the gap of both 1Magic and M-Net's Me channel.

With the cancellation of 1Magic and M-Net Essentials, it does lead some viewers (including myself) to wonder what future awaits M-Net's music offering and this includes kykNET NOU, Channel O and Mzansi Music.

Channel O was shuttered across Africa (excluding South Africa) as they were struggling to compete with the likes of MTV Base and Trace Urban. As we embrace the new year, Channel O hasn't been updating its content as much in recent years and the international offering was axed.

kykNET NOU and Mzansi Music are probably in a way better position than Channel O in terms of programming. But Mzansi Magic is basically the VH1 of music something which MultiChoice has been trying to limit while kykNET NOU serves as niche tier.

Unlike Channel O, kykNET NOU could merge with the existing kykNET channels to help give the content more exposure. As for the latter, we feel that M-Net could exit the music space similar to how they exited the kids space as brands like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel edged them out.

Could MultiChoice And Ngwato Nkosi Group Be Looking To Ramp Up A Replacement For 1Magic And M-Net's Me?

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

Even more strange about this termination is that 1Magic had a slate of upcoming shows in the month of February which will probably fold under Showmax and M-Net's linear offering. A replacement could be in development but MultiChoice remains silent which leads to various theories.

The first, a replacement might not be allocated during the time which would bring out a lot of disgruntled DStv customers. Maybe M-Net will have an open window or place a pop-up channel nothing is certain yet.

Something that wouldn't seem far fetched would be Ngwato Nkosi Group allocating another channel(s) in place of the affected. They already provide other general entertainment brands Movie Room and Play Room both of which skew toward the African audience.

Most of the new channels to have been allocated such as One Freestate Televisual, NWTV, SuperSport Schools and Zee Zonke all possessed some local aspects. This possible new channel(s) would offer its own set of local programming like Moja Love and SABC with international aspects.

My first impression guess is that the first channel will be more like eReality perhaps under the trademark Kasi Room would also rival with Moja Love. The second would be more like eSeries perhaps under the trademark Story Room featuring various drama series and telenovelas from around the world.

Possible Channel Termination: Could 1Magic And M-Net Essentials (ME) Be The Next Channels To Exit The DStv (And GOtv) Platform, Here's Why?

Update: the channels will close 31 March 2024 and for an updated statement: click here 

During the week, it was reported that MultiChoice will be losing another TV channel, Emmanuel TV. The controversial TV channel founded by T.B Joshua will exiting all pay-tv platforms subsequently by January 17th with further telecasts broadcast through online platforms.

Now there's reports surfacing from a viewer that both 1Magic and Me will be going dark on the DStv platform by the end of January - February 2nd. We are still awaiting confirmation from M-Net but from both channels EPG in the coming weeks it wouldn't seem that far fetched.

1Magic was launched back in 2019 as a replacement to VUZU AMP combining the Mzansi Magic formula would feature curated local productions like The River, Unmarried And The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg alongside international content like Moesha and Grownish.

Me (also known as M-Net Essentials) followed two years later in 2021 as a replacement to both VUZU and M-Net City. The channel was catered for Family and Compact consumers while being made available to Premium and Compact+ featuring content from M-Net and 1Magic.

Both channels had their turnoff for 1Magic, there was Moesha, Hits and The Talk which had been bombarding the channel's line-up the only keeping viewers onboard was The River. But the drama only managed to garner even much traction once it was allocated onto Mzansi Magic.

Me suffered from the rippling effects of M-Net City, a brand which M-Net and several viewers held high on a pedestal serving as the more edgier and robust version to both M-Net and 1Magic with The Blacklist, Black Lightning and Power. 

Although Me was able to retain this offering, the channel was still a big turnoff to viewers of M-Net City as opposed to those of VUZU particularly Family consumers who got more programming.

It wasn't mentioned by the viewer if MultiChoice plans to substitute 1Magic and Me with another channel. But if we had to guess, 1Magic's content will probably fold under M-Net's linear offering and Showmax as part of another streamlining attempt.

It would mean that Compact+ might lose of the few valuable channels on the platform. But again, termination hasn't been confirmed as various new content is slated for February on 1Magic unless this affects consumers outside South Africa which is where the news surfaced.

Me will most likely get replaced with another channel unlike 1Magic there's not much alternatives to the offering. Another would be a possible restructure to M-Net's offering where the channel adopts selected shows like Power Book 4: Force while other content fold under Mzansi Magic.

Update: Both channels will be terminated on DStv from February 2nd and we are currently working on an updated version to this report and hope to share it soon. Here is the link: click here

Development Alert: FOX Turkey Will Also Be Rebranding This February Most Probably To FX As Seen In Parts Of Europe

During the week, it was reported that the FOX channels residing in Portugal, Mozambique and Angola would fold under Star. Following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Studios, they had to retract the FOX trademark which is set to expire soon.

This brought on various questions regarding the future of the FOX brand in Turkey. Unlike other FOX feeds, it established itself as one of the leading brands in Turkey having produced various content seen on eExtra including Doodsondes (Yasak Elma) and Dokter Ali (Mucize Doctor).

According to a story on Birsenal Tuntas, the FOX brand will be retracted in Turkey by February. Of course, a name or a date has yet to be announced for the channel but we can only assume that Disney will most likely fold the channel under the FX trademark.

There's already a local broadcaster referred to Star unless Disney wants to infringe on another broadcaster's trademark. FX will most likely replace FOX as Disney's remaining linear offering in the region are headed by the offices in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Disney EMEA manage brands like Disney Channel, Disney Junior, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild alongside FX. I don't see Disney trying to create new trademark after the performance of Star on Disney+ and decline in linear consumption.

It would make more sense to expand the footprint of FX to Turkey giving it a more broader range of content. Unlike Star, FX has longevity establishing itself as Disney's HBO with shows like American Horror Story, Fargo and Legion. 

Another issue pertaining to that would be the current existence of FX in the region. Maybe, Disney could look into merging both channels and another would be expanding of the FX trademark perhaps the current FX could rebrand to FX Premium while FOX becomes simply FX.

News Shorts: Bookie Renewed On Max For Season 2, Gerald Butler Reprises Role Of Hiccup's Father In Live-Action How To Train Your Dragon And Jack Black Boards The Live-Action Minecraft Feature

Bookie returns for season 2

The sports book is reopening after Max renewed Bookie, starring Sebastian Maniscalco, for a second season.

The series, which premiered on November 30, follows bookie Danny (Maniscalco) as he and his partner, former NFL star Ray (Omar Dorsey), romp around Los Angeles trying to keep their illegal sports betting operation in play.

Update on upcoming feature for How To Train Your Dragon

Universal Pictures‘ live-action adaptation of the DreamWorks Animation franchise How to Train Your Dragon is bringing back a familiar face, as sources tell Deadline that Gerard Butler, who voiced Hiccup’s father Stoick in the original movies, will reprise the role. Mason Thames and Nico Parker are set to star as Hiccup and Astrid, with Dean DeBlois directing, writing and producing.

The film is set to bow on June 13, 2025.

Jack Black joins another gaming adaptation

Production is about to get underway on Warner Bros/Vertigo/Legendary’s feature take on Mojang/Microsoft’s Minecraft, and sources are telling us that Jack Black is joining the cast of the Jason Momoa-led movie.

Also starring in Minecraft are Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks and Sebastian Eugene Hansen. The Mojang sandbox title is the bestselling video game of all time, with 300 million copies sold and nearly 140M monthly active players.

The Minecraft film hails from Vertigo, co-financier Legendary, Mojang/Microsoft and Momoa’s On the Roam. Jared Hess is directing. Producers include Roy Lee, Jon Berg, Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Momoa, Torfi Frans Olafsson, Vu Bui and the late Jill Messick. EPs are Todd Hallowell, Kayleen Walters, Brian Mendoza and Jonathan Spaihts.