M-Net will also be changing the AfricaMagic Swahili TV channel's name on DStv to Maisha Magic Swahili during September.
The pan-African pay-TV broadcaster already runs the M-Net Series channels and the AfricaMagic set of channels on DStv, with the AfricaMagic set of channels that suddenly all changed channel names from the beginning of August, and the M-Net Series channels which will undergo a major restructuring soon as well.
Maisha Magic is launching as a new brand name and as one TV channel on 1 September on DStv in East Africa, although multiple more Maisha Magic TV channels are envisioned to be rolled out in the future by M-Net - similar to what happened with M-Net's AfricaMagic.
In fact the existing AfricaMagic Swahili TV channel available outside of South Africa, in East Africa, will be changing its name and switching from the AfricaMagic set of channels to the new Maisha Magic group next month.
Maisha Magic will start broadcasting on 1 September on DStv channel 161 (the channel number of Mzansi magic in South Africa) and M-Net is changing AfricaMagic Swahili to Maisha Magic Swahili on 24 September.
Maisha Magic's TV schedule as a channel will largely be compiled with East African TV content, although the M-Net packaged channel will also have South American telenovelas, dubbed into English, on its programming line-up.
Other programming on Maisha Magic include sitcoms, reality shows, dramas and music programmes.
"M-Net has been building steadily on its investment in East African market, centralised in Kenya but with outreach across the region," said Michael Ndetei, M-Net East Africa regional director who announced the new Maisha Magic brand and channel on Monday at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
"Whilst the AfricaMagic brand represents a powerful philosophy about pan-African cohesion, there is definitely great potential for a customised East Africa television brand."
"We have always believed that East African talent and East African stories are as vital and as compelling as those found anywhere else in Africa. We are ready to launch Maisha Magic, both the channel and the brand," said Michael Ndetei.
"About 85% of the programmes will be produced in Kenya so that we build on the economy and also build on the capacity to produce more films in the country".
M-Net is also changing the name of its AfricaMagic Original Films initiative in East Africa to Maisha Magic Original Films.
