Channel X: MultiChoice Teases The Launch Of A Revamped Showmax Curated Offering On DStv

During the week, MultiChoice adjusted the prices for each DStv package which comes to effect in April. They've also unveiled several attractions like La Liga and ESPN on Access with Compact Plus customers set to get revamped offering curated on Showmax.

As reported moments ago, the offering in question is most likely 1Magic as MultiChoice had planned to axe the channel earlier in the month. But it turns out only the first run offering was what shuttered as Champions debuted on Mzansi Magic after being greenlit for 1Magic.

This has left readers curious on MultiChoice's next phase of action for 1Magic. In a story published on News24, it had been revealed that MultiChoice has a project in development known simply as X (working title).

Channel X has no relation to Elon Musk as the name implies and if anything is based off the new Showmax logo. The project is set to reboot one of M-Net's linear channels and assist with the promotion of Showmax with a lineup of locally produced and international content.

There's still no word on Me

As mentioned, Me channel would have exited alongside 1Magic earlier in the month. As seen with the latter, Me has expanded catch-up to weekdays with 5 episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles for 5 straight hours something that most linear channels would confine on weekends.

On top of that several primetime shows like Tulsa King and Based On A True Story are seeing doubles. There's lots of theories going around as to why this may be the case one of which is that M-Net could be looking to merge Me with X seeing as both are second fiddle.

1Magic has a variety of content that would probably conflict with Me and therefore limit the airtime for several shows. Another theory that comes to mind here is that M-Net could look to restructure Me's programming (if not package) even throw a new coat of paint.

Mzansi Magic gets front row seat

Mzansi Magic has been evading shows from 1Magic with The River moving to 18:30 while Adulting which was slated for 2023 debut launching on 1Magic. Maybe Me will expand their catch-up offering outside of Housewives to include shows like The Mommy Club and Outlaws.

With the way some content rollout on Me, it's only a matter of time till there's not much catching up left for the channel so getting these shows away from Mzansi Magic would probably help build up the ratings.

March 2024 On Investigation Discovery Across Africa | New Series Alert: On The Case With Paula Zahn | Returning Shows Including Death By Fame For Season 2 | More

Murder Tapes S6A

NEW EPISODES

Homicide investigations unfold through dramatic real footage in this groundbreaking series. Viewers get an up-close perspective of each case using raw, unfiltered footage from body cams at the crime scene.

First TX: 20 March 

TX Day: Wednesday 

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 17 April

Body Cam S5A

NEW SEASON

Raw, intense and action packed, Body Cam uses body camera footage to show the dangerous, fast-moving situations officers face and the life or death decisions they must make in the blink of an eye.

First TX: 6 March 

TX Day: Wednesday 

TX Time: 22:00

Last TX: 8 May

On the Case with Paula Zahn S12A

NEW SEASON

Veteran journalist Paula Zahn steps out of the studio and into the field to unravel criminal investigations, tracking the drama of each story by featuring the opinions of those closest to the case.

First TX: 28 March 

TX Day: Thursday 

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 11 July

Death By Fame S2

NEW SEASON

Uncovering the sinister side of fame and celebrity as investigators reveal the shocking true stories behind the rise, fall, and murder of some of Hollywood's most promising stars.

First TX: 15 March 

TX Day: Friday 

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 3 May

Megan Thee Stallion Vs Tory Lanez: Five Shots

NEW TO CHANNEL

Get the inside story on the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion. Told from two perspectives, insiders and legal experts look at how Tory Lanez still protests his innocence and examine why Megan was vilified on social media despite her terrifying ordeal.

First TX: 15 March 

TX Day: Friday 

TX Time: 22:00

Last TX: 15 March

March 2024 On Food Network Across Africa | New Series Alert: Hot Dish With Franco | Returning Shows Including Outchef'd And Pioneer Woman | More

Kids Baking Championship S12

NEW SEASON

Valerie Bertinelli and Duff Goldman host as 12 kid

bakers head "bake to school" to create tasty treats

inspired by the best parts of being in school -- all in

hopes of becoming head of the baking class and winning the $25,000 prize!

First TX: 1 March 

TX Day: Friday 

TX Time: 17:00

Last TX: 26 April

Outchef'd S2

NEW SEASON

Eddie Jackson challenges amateur home cooks to go head-to-head in an intense, one-round cookoff against acclaimed celebrity chefs. To even the odds, the home cook only needs one vote from a panel of random tasters to walk away with the $5,000prize.

First TX: 12 March 

TX Day: Tuesday 

TX Time: 18:00

Last TX: 16 April

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives S37

NEW SEASON

Guy Fieri road trips across America to check out classic greasy spoons. With a new generation of owners and delicious homemade food, these are the kind of places that make America special.

First TX: 26 March 

TX Day: Tuesday 

TX Time: 17:00

Last TX: 30 April

Hot Dish with Franco

BRAND NEW

Franco Noriega loves to entertain, and the world class chef whips up simple, crowd-pleasing plates inspired by his Peruvian roots and travels.

First TX: 2 March

TX Day: Saturday & Sunday 

TX Time: 16:05

Last TX: TBC

The Pioneer Woman

S34

NEW SEASON

Ree Drummond shares down-home recipes from her family ranch. She cooks for every occasion, from last-minute family suppers to elegant celebrations.

First TX: 21 March 

TX Day: Thursday 

TX Time: 18:00

Last TX: TBC

Development Alert: MultiChoice & Disney Africa Sign Multi-Year Distribution Renewal Through 2027

The Walt Disney Company Africa and MultiChoice Group have signed a multi-year distribution deal for Disney’s portfolio of linear channels on DStv until 2027. National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Disney Channel, Disney Junior as well as ESPN and ESPN2 will continue to be carried by DStv for the next four years.

 

The channels will continue to be available on the following DStv packages:

• National Geographic: Family and up

• National Geographic Wild: Access and up

• Disney Channel: Compact and up

• Disney Junior: Access and up

• ESPN: Access and up

• ESPN2: Compact and up

 

Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, says: “This distribution renewal ensures that we will be able to continue bringing our six 24-hour channels to audiences across the continent and marks another proud milestone in our long-term relationship with the MultiChoice Group. With a strong foundation of creativity, story-telling, exploration and multi-generational emotional connection, we are proud to continue offering DStv viewers the very latest from our high-quality, premium kids, factual and sports content.”

 

"Championing our mission to enrich lives and elevate entertainment experiences, we're thrilled to ensure our customers can savour their favourite shows and movies effortlessly, anytime, anywhere, thanks to our state-of-the-art platforms. "Extending our Partnership with The Walt Disney Company and the incredible linear channels on DStv elevate our offering and amplifies the joy of entertainment!" Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment, MultiChoice South Africa.

 

The Walt Disney Company operates on 24-hour channels in Africa, in both English and Portuguese across the portfolios of family (Disney Channel and Disney Junior), factual (National Geographic, National Geographic Wild) as well as sports (ESPN and ESPN 2).

 

Disney Channel (CH 303) celebrates friendships through feel good, fun stories infused with music. It’s a place where young viewers can be themselves amongst extraordinary friends. Disney Junior (CH 309) invites kids into a magical world of fun and imagination, featuring the characters they love.

 

With a promise to inspire the explorer in everyone, National Geographic (DStv CH 181) pushes the boundaries of exploration through ground-breaking storytelling, offering viewers the opportunity to go further. National Geographic WILD (CH 182) is dedicated to providing a unique insight into the natural world and the amazing creatures that inhabit it. From the most remote jungles to the forbidding depths of our oceans, to the protected parks on our doorsteps, National Geographic WILD uses spectacular cinematography and compelling storytelling to unveil the mysteries of the natural world. 

Development Alert (Rumour): 1Magic To Undergo Yet Another Rebrand Before April With M-Net's Me "Likely" To Exit DStv Possibly For Channel 111 (NBC)

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

Earlier in the month, MultiChoice would have removed both 1Magic and Me from the DStv platform. Following their release from possible execution, 1Magic became a Showmax repeats channel moving further exclusive content like Champions to Mzansi Magic.

Prior to this fallout, MultiChoice had removed various local TV channels including Maisha Magic Movies and ROK3 as their content integrate with other brands. It is believed that they're prioritising their streaming endeavours as they plan to boost local spend on Showmax.

Not long ago, MultiChoice had announced their price adjustments for each package and it was mentioned by the pay-tv company that Compact Plus would have a "rebranded set of channels" curated on Showmax. 

It is evident here that 1Magic is one of the TV channels MultiChoice is looking to revamp soon. As seen by some DStv consumers, all the local content such as The Real Housewives Of Lagos, The Mommy Club, Adulting and Outlaws are all based from Showmax.

Not only that but 1Magic doesn't have a programme guide for the next month as the channel lists its name with no content present. That only leaves further questions as to what plans MultiChoice has for Me as it was the only means for viewers without M-Net. 

During the week, MultiChoice had begun work on a channel 111 which was always curated for M-Net Movies pop-up channels. But this channel had the working title NBC HD imprinted leading to some theories that this could serve as a predecessor to channel 115.

In an enquiry about Me and 1Magic, it was very much mentioned that Me would be exiting soon but a date had yet to be reached while more details were still awaiting 1Magic. 

This recent developments lead us to believe that NBC could be reference to the American company NBCUniversal which has minority stake in Showmax. Maybe Me and Universal will merge into one channel featuring content from M-Net and NBC for lower packages.

It could explain why MultiChoice was looking to throw away the only channel low tiered consumers would have access to local content like Reyka and My Kitchen Rules South Africa alongside international titles like The Voice and FBI: Most Wanted.