Style (DStv 173) will remain as a TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for the time being, although Style in America - the original channel feed of the version seen in the United Kingdom and South Africa - is being terminated in America as a brand on 23 September.
Style in America is called "redundant" and is being changed from the female-centric channel its been, to a male-skewed Esquire Network.
That leaves major question marks behind what will be happening with Style as seen in South Africa and the content on the channel once the bulk of the content specially commissioned and produced for Style is abruptly ending and no longer created to funnel to Style in South Africa.
Universal Networks International (UNI) which runs the adapted version of Style on MultiChoice's DStv as well as channels such as E! Entertainment and Universal Channel says in response to a media enquiry that Style as seen on DStv will remain for the time being, despite the channel's sudden and surprising termination in the United States.
"Whilst we will evaluate options for the channel, Universal Networks International will continue to maintain the international Style brand in its present format until further notice," says UNI in a single sentence response.
It's not clear where the additional programming will originate from to continue to populate a Style feed when the original Style channel in the United States disbands its programming unit of about 100 staff.
It's highly likely that some Style channel signature shows such as Giuliana & Bill will be shifted to E! Entertainment in America, which would mean that those shows will still be funneled to Style outside of America.
The bulk of Style programming however will terminate with the closure of the channel, which means that UNI will have to source additional programming from third party programmers and content providers to fill the Style schedule.
The closure of Style in America comes after the on-screen revamp of the channel in June last year; the rebranding of which was rolled out since April for Style in South Africa.
