by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice is axing its 1max channel on DStv with the channel - that reran streaming content from its Showmax video streaming service on a linear schedule - that will be removed at the end of this March.
The 1max channel is the first linear TV channel that MultiChoice is taking away from DStv subscribers in 2025.
MultiChoice, M-Net and Showmax added the 1max linear TV channel a year ago from April without any announcement.
That was a very unusual move since MultiChoice press releases are always issued for new channel additions. It means that 1max will have existed for exactly a year on DStv when it is culled at the end of this month.
The 1max channel logo, name and colour comes from the "new" Showmax that MultiChoice and Comcast's NBCUniversal launched just over a year ago.
The "1" is from the 1Magic channel that M-Net shut down a year ago, with the "max" as a suffix from the word Showmax, to indicate that it was a derivative linear TV channel from the streamer.
Showmax Originals that got a second window on 1max will now be scheduled and shown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
Similar to how it didn't announce the start of 1max, MultiChoice and Showmax didn't announce its axing. Late on Wednesday confirmed the channel is being removed from DStv, in response to a media query.
"As part of its ongoing channel simplification, MultiChoice will be integrating its 1max programming onto the Mzansi Magic channel and bringing 1max to a close on the DStv platform, effective 31 March 2025," MultiChoice.
According to the pay-TV operator, "The decision follows detailed research into audience consumption behaviour. Notably, the new development will see 1max's slate of upcoming titles now move onto Mzansi Magic, further boosting that channel's already significant local content line-up".
MultiChoice says Showmax subscribers can watch series like Youngins, Adulting and Soft Life directly on the streaming service.
"The outcome of the latest changes means that audiences can access their favourite title either within a scheduled channel, or on demand, depending on their product and their viewing preference."
Byron du Plessis, MultiChoice CEO, says the update to remove 1max channel from the DStv line-up is part of MultiChoice focus on improving content discovery for customers.
"We know that our customers want to find their content as quickly as possible, without having to navigate across multiple channels or platforms. This consolidation also allows Mzansi Magic to further build its stellar lineup, becoming a stronger premium local content offering than ever before."
