You're reading it here first.
M-Net is confirming the news I broke RIGHT HERE last year (but not mentioning a new M-Net channel) that the pay broadcaster is indeed looking at moving most of the local content off of the M-Net channel (DStv 101), but stressing at the same time that it's committed to, and is definitely producing more local content than anytime in its almost 25 year old history.
As I've reported last year, M-Net want to build the M-Net channel as a premier channel with just the hottest and biggest shows - both locally and internationally, and will keep iconic local shows like Carte Blanche and reality shows that perform well, while moving the bulk of local shows elsewhere (M-Net won't say what shows and to what channels, but it could also include the nascent M-Net City channel the broadcaster wants to start for exactly this purpose.)
''The biggest blockbuster shows, the big blockbuster reality shows - international and local - will remain on M-Net. Carte Blanche will remain on M-Net,'' says Lani Lombard, M-Net's communications manager when I asked what specifically M-Net's strategy and outlook is pertaining to local programming on the M-Net channel. ''All the other smaller shows – not all of them but most of them – and we constantly evaluate every show – will be moved to other channels. The Trevor Noah Show for example is already on Mzansi Magic. So yes, that is happening,'' she says about the move of most local shows off the M-Net channel.
''Regarding All Access, yes, we are looking at that [possibly moving it] and where it's fitting best. What we want to do is to garner the most viewers for every M-Net channel. So that is how we will decide where shows move to.''
''In terms of budget – if you think of big reality shows – they're local shows and they cost quite a lot. M-Net is most definitely not scaling down on local content,'' says Lani Lombard. ''We're constantly doing more, financially, in terms of local shows. Then there's also M-Net the channel, and M-Net the company. M-Net the company is growing local production and local production capacity immensely. M-Net the channel going forward will only have certain specific big blockbuster shows. That is where the channel is going.''
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