Ignition, run by Times Media TV only ran on weekends since it launched in 2008, but now wants to try and double its viewership within the next year.
Ignition's programming and broadcasting expansion comes after the launch late last year of the Bi-Cars TV channel on Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite TV platform which is centred around the lifestyle of bikers, motorist who love street Moto-sport, Moto-fashion, Moto-sport trend setters, spinners, drifters, dragsters and followers.
Ignition plans to expand its programming slate with 20 new hours of programming weekly, promising "some of the best motoring content from around the globe", as well as more local TV production covering the South African motoring industry.
Ignition, stylised as IGNITION, "has proved a hit with car-mad viewers over the past five years and the opportunity to give them a chance to feed their obsession during the week as well, has been long awaited," says Lindsay Vine Smyth, the executive producer of the channel.
"South Africans don't just love cars, they live cars," says Vernon Matzopoulos, Times Media TV head, in a statement.
"While our new Ignition line-up stays true to the passion of the brand, it's also becoming a bit younger, hipper and funkier.
"Ignition has gone from strength to strength as a weekend offering and we're delighted that this much-loved TV channel will now be available 24 hours, 7 days a week on the DStv platform," says Aletta Alberts, the general manager for content for MultiChoice.
"Local entertainment is very important to our customers and Ignition will continue to deliver more exciting local content to a predominantly male audience in the lifestyle genre," says Aletta Alberts.
Ignition is developing Laduma with Vooma, a peek into the motoring lives of South Africa's top soccer stars and Tuned in SA, a showcase of what the country's top tuners are up to.
The Bike Show, That 4X4 Show and Street Rods Africa are also planned for the coming months.
New international shows on Ignition include Supercars, a German-produced series going under the hoods of the world's fastest and most expensive vehicles, and I Want That Car which takes British vehicle buyers to famous race tracks in the United Kingdom to size up three different options.
Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex looks at celebrity rides.
