BREAKING. The Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel on DStv to shut down for a 3rd time as Oscar Pistorius is sent for mental evaluation.

The Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel (DStv 199) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform will very likely shut down for a 3rd time - and an extended time period this time - after the murder accused, Oscar Pistorius on trial for the alleged premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has been referred by the court for mental observation.

With no new court proceedings to follow, analyse and broadcast, the Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel could possibly shut down tomorrow, or keep running with repeats until this coming Tuesday, 20 May, when judge Masipa will hand down the official order for Oscar Pistorius to undergo a mental evaluation.

After next Tuesday - the only day of new court coverage - the TV channel face an extended period of nothing to broadcast from the North Gauteng High Court.

Oscar Pistorius referral for mental evaluation follows the revelation from a psychiatrist for Oscar Pistorius' defence team that he has been suffering from "general anxiety disorder" or GAD, since he was just 11 months old.

Since it takes seven to eight months generally to find a place in a state-run mental institution in South Africa, and the mental evaluation can take up to 30 days, it is clear that the Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel will be shutting down again for an extended period of time soon while this evaluation is taking place.

The Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel will remain live until the end of Wednesday night.

The Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel will be live this coming Tuesday.

TV with Thinus asked, but the channel has so far been unable to say what is happening from Thursday to Sunday - whether repeats will be shown or whether its shutting down.

There's also no announcement yet on the shut down after Tuesday.