Reminder: NBA Playoffs Begin On ESPN Africa From April 19, 2026

NBA PLAYOFFS

The NBA playoffs is the annual elimination tournament of the National Basketball Association (NBA) held to determine the league champion. The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the league's regular season and its preliminary postseason tournament, the NBA play-in tournament.

The Playoffs begin on 19 April 2026.

NHL PLAYOFFS

The Stanley Cup playoffs is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League. The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular season. 

Please note: 

All fixtures and schedules are subject to change. 
Broadcast times are provided in CAT (Central African Time) 

How to tune in to ESPN:

ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 
ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249

MultiChoice Might Be Adding Sporty TV To DStv Consumers In Some African Countries

Sporty TV is a 24/7 free-to-air sports channel operated by Sporty Group, known for SportyBET. It positions itself as a "home of premium football" for African audiences, offering a mix of live matches, highlights, and specialized sports programming.

Since last year, it had been distributed on eMedia Investments' Openview platform offering a variety of events from Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. Most of which is already accessible via MultiChoice and Canal+ Afrique consumers.

Now it looks like MultiChoice might be adding Sporty TV soon but not to DStv customers in South Africa and probably most of Africa. As tests for this channel has been labelled as Sporty TV Kenya.

Why would MultiChoice want with Sporty TV as it a majority of content is on SuperSport?

But my understanding in this regard is that Canal+ took control of the company since September 2025 and stripped SuperSport of its decision making in Randburg as all of this is now done in Paris.

Post the takeover, Canal+ has been very vocal about the difference in strategies between both parties. 

MultiChoice offered Africa's leading streaming service Showmax which rivalled with it's DStv offering and cost the company billions in losses. Canal+ was all about alignment with it's content spread across platforms.

The same could be said about Canal+'s procurement of content they've done deals with Sky Sport, Bein Sport and DAZN. MultiChoice tried piling up these duties under SuperSport and that never panned out when ESPN first exited the African space.

You can only assume with the addition of Sporty TV, Canal+ has taken up a new approach in procuring content for MultiChoice customers. Canal+ is more focused on leveraging of existing IPs while MultiChoice wanted to be that have it all company.

Could Canal+ Afrique Also Be Looking To Add Base Pulse Soon?

During the month, MultiChoice added Base Pulse which serves as a Pan-African based brand operated by Pulse Entertainment. It serves as a replacement to MTV Base broadcasting African music ranging from Amapiano, Gqom and Kwaito.

Questions making the round now is whether Base Pulse could be looking to debut on Canal+ Afrique as a test card for MTV Base had also been inserted on their platforms.

Considering Canal+ Afrique's parent company also owns MultiChoice it wouldn't seem far fetched to think Base Pulse could be included on their platforms. Seeing as they already distribute M-Net Movies and Zee World as part of an add-on. 

It could also be another TV channel seeing as MultiChoice caters for English speaking markets while Canal+ Afrique manages French markets.

Maybe a French version to Base Pulse seeing as the channel is distributed across MultiChoice markets and not only in South Africa. It could also be the same feed seen in MultiChoice markets as Canal+ Afrique also offers Anglophone content.

April 2026 On History Across Africa | Channel Premiere: History's Deadliest With Ving Rhames | Returning Shows Including American Pickers | More

Brand New Episodes
AMERICAN PICKERS S26 
01 April
Wednesdays 20:15
American Pickers continues with Mike Wolfe, Robbie Wolfe, and Danielle Colby. Together they travel the back roads of America meeting fascinating people, searching for rusty treasures and telling the history of America, one pick at a time. This season their finds include saloon relics, classic cars, and even a carnival collection. Repeat: Thursday 12:35

Brand New Episodes
THE UNXPLAINED WITH WILLIAM SHATNER
04 April
Saturdays 20:15
From alleged UFO encounters to sudden disappearances and evil possessions, host William Shatner attempts to get to the truth behind the most bizarre and mysterious events ever reported. With the help of the world’s top scientists, first-hand “experiencer” accounts, and dramatic re-enactments, viewers gain shocking insight into what’s really happening--and why. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island. Repeat: Sunday 19:25

Brand New & Exclusive
HISTORY’S DEADLIEST WITH VING RHAMES 
07 April
Tuesdays 20:15
History’s Deadliest with Ving Rhames is hosted and executive produced by the awardwinning actor from ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Pulp Fiction’ fame. Exploring the deadliest criminals, missions, battles, tyrants and more, the documentary series will reveal the stranger than truth facts behind some of the world’s most prolific and powerful killers. Repeat: Wednesday 12:35

Brand New & Exclusive
SWAMP PEOPLE S17 
09 April
Thursdays 20:15
Swamp People is back for a brand-new season. The long-running fan-favourite show follows alligator hunters on the swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin deep in Louisiana. Swamp People is a look at the rugged lifestyle and family heritage of the fiercely proud “Swampers”. Repeat: Friday 12:35

Brand New & Exclusive
MYSTERIES UNEARTHED WITH DANNY TREJO S2
18 April
Saturdays 19:25
Mysteries UnEarthed with Danny Trejo season 2 examines the fascinating stories surrounding buried artifacts and lost civilizations, offering new insight and information, on various mysteries of the past and present. Anchored by Danny Trejo’s affinity for history and his natural curiosity into exploring the unknown, the show also includes captivating archival material, expert interviews, and compelling recreations. The series seeks to unearth what the human eye cannot easily detect. Repeat: Sunday 18:40

FAITH AND MIRACLES
From 5 April to 19th April , Sundays 20:15
This April, during the Easter period, ‘Faith and Miracles’ on The HISTORY Channel explores the places, events and evidence that have shaped Christian belief. Journey to Lourdes: Faith in Miracles, exploring one of Christianity’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, uncover the truth behind The Last Hours of Jesus Christ, and delve into history and archaeology with Lost Secrets of Jesus. These compelling documentaries offer thoughtful insight into the mystery and impact of Christ’s story.

Brand New & Exclusive
LOURDES: FAITH IN MIRACLES
05 April
Sunday 20:15
Located at the foot of the Pyrenees, the cave of Massabielle in Lourdes may appear as a modest cavity in the rock. However, for more than 150 years, it has held an enduring and enigmatic place among the most significant holy sites of Christianity. Each year, up to four million pilgrims from across the globe journey here to touch the sacred rock where it is said the Virgin Mary appeared. Such is the worldwide devotion to the cave that over a thousand replicas have been constructed around the world. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

Exclusive
THE LAST HOURS OF JESUS CHRIST
12 April
Sunday 20:15
It’s one of history’s greatest mysteries. From his arrest to his burial, many questions remain about the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ’s life. What do we really know about the last days and the last hours of Christ’s life? For what real reason was Jesus arrested and crucified? Using new technologies and the advice of the best historians, physicists, archaeologists and experts, this documentary looks back at the mysteries surrounding the last hours of Christ’s life to establish what really happened on the last day of his life. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

Exclusive
THE LOST SECRETS OF JESUS
19 April
Sunday 20:15
The Lost Secrets of Jesus peels back the layers of centuries old tradition and artistic interpretation to reveal the real historical and archaeological evidence behind the life of Jesus. Taking viewers on a captivating journey from the ruins of Bethlehem to the heart of Roman politics, this special uncovers the lost cities, astonishing discoveries, and hidden truths that shaped the world of Jesus. This documentary is a deep dive into the historical context and tangible evidence of Jesus’ time. Through expert insights and new findings, The Lost Secrets of Jesus challenges what we think we know, offering a fresh perspective on the man who changed the course of history. By exploring the past, we gain a richer understanding of Jesus and the world he lived in, making this special an unforgettable exploration of one of history’s most influential figures. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

April 2026 On National Geographic And National Geographic Wild Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints | Continuing Shows Including Critter Fixers | More

National Geographic 


LOST TREASURES OF THE BIBLE: SECRETS OF FAITH (6 x 60) 
Fridays, at 18:30 from 3 April (ends 8 May) 

The series follows archaeologists across the Middle East as they embark on a new season of excavations to uncover the cities and civilizations featured in the Bible. From the story of David and Goliath to the origins of the Ten Commandments and the Dead Sea Scrolls, their discoveries shed new light on the Bible’s most famous mysteries.


MARTIN SCORSESE PRESENTS THE SAINTS
Sundays, at 21:00 from 5 April (ends 17 May)

Hosted, narrated, and executive produced by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull; Goodfellas; The Aviator). Each episode of The Saints focuses on a singular saint, including Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Moses the Black, Sebastian, and Maximillian Kolbe. The Saints is a docudrama that seamlessly weaves together expert interviews, elevated recreations, and insightful narration delivered by world-renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese. 

The documentary component is driven by scholars who provide the details of the saints’ lives and contextualize them within the time and geopolitical situation in which they lived, while celebrities and people of faith help dissect questions of faith in an accessible way.


CONSTRUCTION FAILS S3 (6 x 60)
Tuesdays, at 18:50 from 14 April (ends 19 May)

From the Surfside condo collapse in Florida to the Bangkok skyscraper collapse in Thailand, “Construction Fails” Season 3 features the most headline-grabbing structural disasters. With access to police bodycam footage, archival images, and the show’s signature graphics, we ask the question: what went wrong?


PLANES THAT CHANGED HISTORY S1A (5 x 60)
Thursdays, at 19:40 from 16 April (ends 14 May)

Dive into the 125 years of aviation to uncover how aircraft have reshaped our world. The series explores the engineering secrets behind its success, its humble origins, and what made these aircraft icons years after their initial success.


CHERNOBYL: INSIDE THE MELTDOWN (4 x 60) double-billed
Thursdays, at 20:30 from 23 April (ends 30 April)

The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear accident in history, releasing 400 times more radiation into the atmosphere than the Hiroshima bomb. On the 40th anniversary of this catastrophic event, this series tells the full story – from reactor meltdown to KGB cover-up, right up to the present-day war in Ukraine.


INSIDE THE CIA: SECRETS AND SPIES S1 (8 x 60)
Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 29 April (ends 17 June)

“Inside the CIA: Secrets and Spies” reveals real-life missions of elite intelligence officers, taking viewers deep into the world of espionage. From covert ops behind enemy lines to the hunt for bin Laden, uncover the untold, high-stakes stories that show what it truly takes to be a spy beyond the red line of danger.


CONTINUING SHOWS include DECODING HISTORY’S PROPHECIES S1 (5 x 60) on Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 4 March (ends 1 April); INSIDE AIRPORT LOST & FOUND S1 (10 x 60) on Thursdays, at 18:50 from 26 February (ends 30 April); YUKON RESCUE S1 (8 x 60) on Tuesdays, at 19:40 from 17 February (ends 7 April); and AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION S25 (10 x 60) on Thursdays, at 19:40 from 5 February (ends 9 April).

How to tune in to National Geographic:
DSTV: Channel 181
StarTimes: 220 on DTH, 220 on DTT (249 on DTT in Uganda)

National Geographic Wild 

SECRETS OF THE BEES
Saturday, 4 April at 18:00 (double bill, episodes 1 & 2 played back to back) 

National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory explores the extraordinary lives of bees - among the planet’s most important animals. Over three years, special cameras opened a rare window into a single hive, revealing their hidden world. But with more than 20,000 bee species pollinating one-third of the world’s food, this series uncovers their astonishing architecture and intelligence, unlocking their secrets.


BUILT TO SURVIVE STUNT
Sundays at 18:00, from 5 April (ends 26 April)

Celebrate the incredible ingenuity of life with Built to Survive, a survival-focused stunt that kicks off with the premiere of Africa’s Underground Desert. From the Kalahari’s harsh sands to Australia’s rainforests and savannahs, this stunt explores how animals adapt, outwit, and endure in the planet’s most extreme environments. Across a week of episodes and compilations, viewers encounter predators, prey, and extraordinary species whose survival skills inspire awe.

Programming includes:
Sunday 5 April at 18:00 - Wild, Smart and Deadly
In the wild, survive can hinge on secret powers and extreme abilities.

Sunday 12 April at 18:00 – Built to Survive
Phil Breslin dares into the savannah to find eagles, taipans and lizards.

Sunday 19 April at 18:00 - Africa's Underground Desert Premiere

Sunday 26 April at 17:11 - Animal Fight Club
In this treacherous terrain it's kill or be killed as angry elephants go on the rampage and hungry crocodiles fight ruthless lions.

EARTH DAY STUNT
Wednesday, 22 April at 18:00

Celebrate Earth Day with a compelling stunt that spotlights the delicate balance between nature and humanity, led by the premiere of Wild India: Nilgiris. 

From India’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the vital role of pollinators to the wonders of the ocean and frontline conservation efforts, this curated collection of documentaries showcases the beauty, resilience, and importance of the natural world - while inspiring audiences to protect the planet we all share.


SITUATION CRITTERCAL
Saturdays at 18:00, from 25 April (ends 2 May)

This special stunt celebrates the International Day of the Veterinarian by highlighting the extraordinary work of Drs. Hodges and Ferguson in Critter Fixers: Country Vets. Across a week of compilation episodes, viewers follow these heroic vets as they tackle emergencies big and small, from tiny kittens and puppies to wild animals in need.


CONTINUING SHOWS include CRITTER FIXERS S5 (12 x 60) on Mondays at 18:00, from 9 February (ends 20 April).


How to tune in to National Geographic Wild:

DSTV: Channel 182
StarTimes: 221 on DTH, 210 on DTT (250 on DTT in Uganda)