You're reading it here first.
I can be first to tell you that The Universal Channel (DStv 108) has secured the broadcast rights to the brand-new drama Haven (based on a Stephen King short story) and will debut on the channel on Sunday, October 17 at 20:50.
The Universal Channel - the past few months ramping up its science fiction quota with various mini-series and made-for-TV movies - is now fast becoming a new science fiction destination that the channel wasn't before. The name change from The Hallmark Channel to The Universal Channel earlier this year is indeed turning into more than just a cosmetic face-change with channel execs definitely heeding MultiChoice's advice to improve the offering on the DStv channel. The Universal Channel has bravely added reality programming to its slate with shows like Launch My Line, and
will be experimenting with even more reality shows in the future like the first season of Million Dollar Listing starting on Tuesday, October 12 at 22:00. The channel is now also adding its first science fiction drama in the form of Haven that just started in America.
I've just finished watching the first episode screener that The Universal Channel has couriered to me after the show started in America on July 9. Haven (The X-Files meets Twin Peaks) is a feather in the cap of The Universal Channel, especially for the channel to be able to show it so quickly in South Africa as well. Haven tells the story of FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) who goes to the town of Haven to solve a murder and in the process uncovers a deeper mystery. The townsfolk of Haven have supernatural conditions but they live in the town deliberately because it mutes their powers.
Other shows on The Universal Channel starting soon besides the new Rookie Blue (currently on Fridays at 21:00) include the 9th season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Wednesday, October 6 at 21:00) and Shattered (Monday, November 1 at 21:00) about a homicide detective with multiple personality disorder. Sci-fi fans can also watch The Hades Factor (starting Thursday, October 7 at 21:00) and Stonehenge Apocalypse (Thursday, October 21 at 21:00).
