MultiChoice Will Be Removing Qwest TV From The DStv Platform From 14 May, No Word On Showmax
This will be the second TV channel within the year following the closure of 1Max in March. It also joins a list of channels the pay-tv broadcaster failed to accommodate as they undergo a possible takeover by Canal+.
Qwest TV was a jazz infused music channel home to musical icons such as Erykah Badu, Questlove, Salif Keita, Gregory Porter and Fatoumata Diawara. They hosted exclusive concerts and documentaries, and similar to 1Max was also made available to stream on Showmax.
MultiChoice doesn't state why Qwest TV is being removed from DStv after 2 years or whether like 1Max the latter will continue on Showmax. But the usual "it forms parts of ongoing efforts to refresh our local content line-up and optimise the suite of channels on offer".
Best guess would be low viewership as Qwest TV was added as a replacement to MTV Hits both of which were Compact+ (and by default that's Premium). Another reason may have to do with revamping of Showmax or MultiChoice's financial position.
Since last year, MultiChoice has been technically insolvent which led to the closure of numerous channels and sale of NMIS Insurance Services.
Although Qwest TV goes dark on the DStv platform in the coming weeks, MultiChoice does however offer an alternative lineup. For Qwest TV viewers this would be Trace Gospel and Dumisa with the latter ranging from funk, soul and jazz on DMX.
Reminder: E!’s Unforgettable Red Carpet Coverage Will Air On Tuesday, 6 May At 7pm Across Africa
E! Live From The Red Carpet: The 2025 Met Gala will air on E! (DStv 124) on Tuesday, 6 May at 7pm. From exclusive details about what inspired the stars' looks to interviews with celebrities as they arrive at the soirée, South African viewers won't want to miss a moment of the fashion frenzy.
Co-hosted by fashion expert Zanna Roberts Rassi, producer and NBC Sports host Maria Taylor, journalist Elaine Welteroth, actress and comedian Yvonne Orji and designer Christian Siriano, the show will treat fans to insider scoop on what the stars will be wearing, details about this year's party and sneak peeks of celebrity attendees departing from The Mark Hotel, The Carlyle Hotel and The Pierre Hotel in their jaw-dropping looks.
And, of course, Access Hollywood co-host Zuri Hall will be on site at the Metropolitan Museum of Art bringing you exclusive interviews from the Met Gala steps as the biggest names in fashion make their grand entrance, dressed to the nines.
The theme for this year’s Met Gala is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and the dress code is “Tailored for You.” Drawing inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, the dress code will focus on menswear and suiting. Throughout the show, E! will also highlight Black celebrities, influencers and stylists to honour diversity and its impact on fashion.
Zendaya, Doechii, Law Roach, Olympic track star Sha’Carri Richardson, Ayo Edebiri, Spike Lee, WNBA player Angel Reese, Janelle Monaé, Usher and Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens are just a few of the stars expected to attend this year's Met Gala.
While the official guest list is still under wraps, fans may get a glimpse of Met Gala staples who often attend, like Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Lil Nas X, Rihanna, Cardi B, Billie Eilish and Zoë Kravitz.
E! Live From The Red Carpet: The 2025 Met Gala is produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager and Barb Bialkowski.
Watch E! Live From The Red Carpet: The 2025 Met Gala on E! on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 7pm.
May The 4th Be With You! Travel To A Galaxy Far, Far Away To Celebrate Star Wars Day On The Disney Channels And Disney+
• Galactic Programming Across Disney Channels and Disney+
• An Array of Star Wars Product from Lego to Figurines and Plush Available
Say “May the 4th Be With You” out loud and you’ll hear the pun that Star Wars fans worldwide have turned into a rallying cry to proclaim their love of the saga.
This Sunday - 4 May - is the day to say “May the Force be with you” to all and celebrate the beloved Star Wars story that binds our galaxy together. From dressing up as their favourite characters, reliving the classic film moments by holding Star Wars movie marathons, holding Star Wars-themed parties (complete with blue milk and Death Star Popcorn Balls, Wookie Cookies and more) – the only limit is a fans imagination that stretches a galaxy (far, far away)!
To celebrate with fans, Disney has prepared an out-of-this-world array of special programming and exciting retail products that offer the perfect way to celebrate the Star Wars universe – there is something for everyone.
This Is The Way…To Binge It All On Disney+
Lucasfilm’s critically acclaimed, “certified fresh” “Andor” Season 2, is now streaming with the first three episodes, exclusively on Disney+. This final season is unfolding over 12 episodes broken down into four chapters of three episodes each, with a new chapter debuting each week over the course of the series.
Lucasfilm Animation’s “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,” an all-new anthology series of animated shorts from creator Dave Filoni, will premiere on 4 May exclusively on Disney+. Enter the galaxy’s dangerous underworld in this 6-episode journey through the experiences of two iconic villains. Former assassin and bounty hunter Asajj Ventress is given a new chance at life and must go on the run with an unexpected new ally, while outlaw Cad Bane faces his past when he confronts an old friend, now a Marshal on the opposite side of the law.
Also available is the full catalogue of films from the Star Wars saga, original series from Ahsoka and The Mandalorian to animated offerings like The Clone Wars and The Bad Batch and much more.
Hyperspace Jump Into Special Programming
Watch Star Wars animation on both Disney Channel (DStv channel 303) and Disney Junior (DStv channel 309) this coming weekend.
On Saturday, 3 May and Sunday, 4 May catch a marathon of season 2 episodes of “Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures” from 17:00 CAT – 20:00 CAT On Disney Junior. Set 200 years before “The Phantom Menace,” during the High Republic era, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures follows Jedi younglings Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay, and Nubs as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way.
Disney Channel will screen “Lego® Star Wars: Summer Vacation” on Friday, 2 May at 17:00 CAT. Finn has arranged a surprise vacation for his friends aboard the Galactic Starcruiser, The Halcyon! But Finn’s plan quickly goes awry when he’s separated from the group. Alone on board the Halcyon, Finn encounters three Force Spirits -- Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Princess Leia, who each share their own unexpected stories of vacations gone wrong.
On Saturday, 3 May and Sunday, 4 May Disney Channel has a special marathon of Star Wars-themed episodes from “Big City Greens”, “The Owl House”, “Ducktales”, “Hamster & Gretel” and “Phineas & Ferb”, all from 11:55 CAT – 13:35 CAT.
Power The Force With Exclusive Product
Retailers nationwide will stock the latest and greatest collectibles, accessories and toys from the Star Wars Power the Force celebration.
The Star Wars Lego® range is the perfect imagination-builder for both adults and kids alike. Some of the highlights are Lego® AT-TE™ WALKER, Lego® GROGU™ WITH HOVER PRAM, R2-D2™, Lego® Star Wars Sign, Lego® C3PO and Lego® DROIDEKA™
Hasbro has an extensive toy range from their value range lightsabers, masks and role-play and their Titan and Olympys figures to their animatronic Grogu. There are also Imaginext R2D2 figures, the Darth Vader bot and the XXL Stormtrooper that will keep kids occupied for hours.
DStv Might Be Losing Another TV Channel As Virgin Media Announces The Closure Of NHK World-Japan
Virgin Media, a broadcaster based in the UK had announced the discontinuation of the feed by April 30, 2025. But this is not the first time the channel was taken off a platform as several affiliates in the US had reportedly removed the channel from the lineup.
Interesting to note, NHK World-Japan unlike BBC News and CNN doesn't have a localised feed for its offering within the regions it resides. It's likely more countries could join the lineup as the Japanese based news channel might be undergoing a potential restructure/streamlining.
My guess is NHK World-Japan is restricting its linear footprint to only Japan (or Asia) as seen with PBS KIDS when it halted it's operations in Australia and Africa. They'll continue to maintain its online presence with PBS KIDS and NHK World-Japan that offer YouTube channels.
Sky News which serves as a rival broadcaster has also emphasized an online first future which incorporates AI and reduces jobs so we might be seeing a lot more of this in future.
MultiChoice which serves as another one of its affiliates might be losing another TV channel later in the year as it continues bleeding DStv consumers and battling tough economic conditions. NHK World-Japan started out as online only service through DStv Stream before getting a linear network.
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