M-Net is now confirming that it will be starting two new TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform and indeed named Mzansi Wethu and M-Net Movies Zone which I reported yesterday is what the TV industry had been talking about.
Sources told me it would start on 7 May and M-Net now confirms it, saying the channels starting on 7 May will "welcome new viewers to the magic of pay-television on the newly-launched DStv Access package".
Also as I was told earlier, it is now confirmed that the two new TV channels will also be upscaled and be available on MultiChoice's DStv Family, DStv Compact and DStv Premium bouquets.
Mzansi Wethu on channel 163 will indeed a general entertainment channel, M-Net Movies Zone will be on channel 139 as a movie channel and as sources said "aimed at a black audience".
Mzansi Wethu will have locally-produced content but will start off with the bulk of content having been on other channels before. Similar to how kykNET & kie is a "cheaper" version of kykNET to make that type of channel available to a lower-paying viewership bracket, Mzansi Wethu will also be programmed with library titles such as iNkaba, Top Shayela, Nonhle Goes to Hollywood and Running with the Reps.
Mzansi Wethu will have its own brand-new studio-based soap however, filmed in the Lokshin-style entitled Zabalaza which will also be shown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
Zabalaza with Seputla Sebogodi, Baby Cele, Thami Afrika, Matli Mohapeloa and Khanya Mkhangisa will be shown on weekdays at 21:00 on Mzansi Wethu and will revolve around the struggling Cele clan.
Mzansi Wethu will also have My Perfect Wedding with Thuli Thabethe, a wedding reality show following 12 couples across South Africa trying to create the perfect weddings.
"We are proud to introduce Mzansi Wethu to the pay-TV scene and we are delighted that it is available on an affordable package," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's director for local interest channels.
"Mzansi Wethu authentically reflects the day-to-day reality of many South Africans and we trust that viewers will love all the new vernacular programming and other not-to-be-missed shows. Our fantastic content can now reach a much wider audience and this can only be good for the local television industry."
Pierre Cloete, director for M-Net and M-Net Movies says M-Net Movies Zone is "all about great stars, great stories and great movies".
M-Net Movies Zone will go live at 13:00 om 7 May and Mzansi Wethu will go live at 18:00 on 7 May.