Could DStv Compact Plus Also Be Discontinued/Merged With DStv Premium??? As MultiChoice Looks Into Rolling Out An Unbundled DStv Package

A few years ago, MultiChoice began to test out a new unbundled package known as DStv Flex which is basically a cheaper DStv Premium package as you browse a selection of premium entertainment channels with sports from SuperSport and films from M-Net Movies curated on as an add-on.

MultiChoice hasn't stated when this package would launch but if we had to guess presumably within the next decade. With the current state of Premium and Compact+, don't be shocked if a restructuring was what awaited all their packages with these two merging into one.

Several channels that were once exclusive to Compact+ such as Comedy Central, E! Entertainment and ESPN 2 have all migrated to lower packages. Few other brands such as History and Nickelodeon could reside within Premium giving it an advantage over Compact.

Compact+ created a rift between Premium and Compact packages snatching several content and making it affordable. MultiChoice was restructuring Compact+ as how M-Net structured VUZU AMP with VUZU which is where Compact resides now both brands have become a thing of the past.

As for the unbundled package, we feel this could lead to the offloading of more channels and who knows Premium could be minimised by then. One thing for certain is the only way this package and premium can live harmoniously would be minimising their rates.

February 2024 On History Channel Across Africa | New Series Alert: Truthseekers | Returning Shows Including Forged In Free And Forbidden History

Brand New TRUTHSEEKERS

3 February 

Saturdays 19h25 

Throughout history certain civilizat ons, events and objects have fascinated and inspired us to dig deeper, climb higher and go further on our endless quest to be the fi rst to fi nally uncover the truth. In this 12-part series, we look at some of the most iconic and enduring mysteries the world has known. We go back to the beginning to see how myths passed down through t me have become some of the greatest modern mysteries. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that where there is mystery there will always be ‘Truthseekers’, people that will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind myths and legends. Repeat: Sunday 18h35

Brand New & Exclusive MOUNTAIN MEN S12

8 February 

Thursdays 19h25 

Winter in the North American wilderness cannot be conquered, at best, it is endured. Only very few chose to live off the grid and in the unspoiled wilderness enduring the age-old tradit on of ‘mountain men’. Season twelve of Mountain Men features a diverse set of pioneers with unique skills, knowledge and expert se. From trapping and hunt ng to building shelters and craf ing essent al tools, these individuals possess an unrivalled connect on to nature.

Repeat: Next Day 11h45

Brand New FORBIDDEN HISTORY S7

13 February 

Tuesdays 20h15 

Host Jamie Theakston at empts to uncover the truth about historical mysteries, ancient relics, hidden treasures, conspiracy theories and lost civilizat ons. Have these stories been omit ed from the history books? Repeats: Next Day 12h35

Brand New Episodes FORGED IN FIRE S9B

19 February 

Mondays 20h15 

In these new episodes of Forged in Fire season 9, the best bladed weapon-makers again go head-to-head for bladesmith glory. As part of these all new episodes, a four-episode SUPERSIZED event will see four smiths bat le it out to take home $10,000. They’ll have their work cut out for them, from salvaging steel from a massive railroad track to make their signature big blades to salvaging steel from coil springs to make massive San Mai blades.

Could Universal TV And Mzansi Magic Be The Final Outcome Of M-Net Essentials (ME) And 1Magic??? As The River Draws To A Close And Showmax 2.0. Rolls Out

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.

M-Net's Me and 1Magic will be exiting DStv from February 2nd and MultiChoice doesn't appear to be looking to commission another channel in place. This is through an ongoing enquiry where a representative only confirms the channel but no substitution.

When VUZU and M-Net City merged to form Me, MultiChoice highlighted that in their response to several DStv consumers in 2021 and fast forward to the new year the pay-tv company is hush hush. It wouldn't seem far fetched if none of these channels were replaced.

Where does that leave further shows from 1Magic?

When 1Magic launched in 2018, M-Net was basically ripping several local shows away from Mzansi Magic and making them available exclusively on the channel. They even had a line-up of international shows like The $100,000 Pyramid and Gossip Girl whose future will be on M-Net's linear offering and Showmax.

Funny thing about this was The River was also scheduled to close around the same date as 1Magic, February 2nd. As several fans predicted, 1Magic built it's whole existence around 1 show and couldn't survive in the long run.

Where does that leave further shows from Me?

Me was a mashup of the former M-Net City and VUZU which was basically M-Net Series. A catch-up channel tailored for lower bouquets like Compact and Family and with its termination consumers need to wonder if the whole acquisition and revamping of Showmax had a part in the cancellation.

Despite Me getting poor reception from several DStv consumers, would it seem far fetched if MultiChoice probably wanted to prioritise Universal TV as it had garnered popularity following the demise of M-Net City and both channels reside within the same packages.

Universal TV is operated by NBCUniversal that manage channels like Studio Universal, DreamWorks and Telemundo. They even have a 30% stake on the soon-to-be-revamped Showmax streaming service.

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.