The dramatic Channel O closure is part of the ongoing major channel reorganisation inside M-Net, which includes the shutting down of Maisha Magic, yet another name-change at the end of the month for AfricaMagic Urban Movies (DStv 153) on DStv, and the launch of an AfricaMagic Igbo TV channel from M-Net.
In a brief statement from M-Net, not given to the press in South Africa, the pay-TV broadcaster says that "from 1 April subsribers can tune into AfricaMagic World to keep abreast of the best in West African music talent".
"The channel will get viewers into party-mode with an hour-long daily music show which will showcase the latest music videos made in Africa".
M-Net is cutting Channel O in an attempt to try and provide more "regionalised" music content for Southern, East and West Africa.
M-Net says it wants to "create customized music content according to regional preferences on its existing Africa Magic brands where the rest of Africa's music talent will get ample space to shine".
Leslie 'Lee' Kasumba must have known Channel O is getting cut when she suddenly left in January this year and who worked for three years as Channel O's African channel head outside of South Africa.
"The decision to review the Africa feed of Channel O has certainly not been an easy one, however, the termination of the channel in the rest of Africa will also enable M-Net to refocus investment efforts in local dramas and series productions where the market is growing," says M-Net.
"M-Net would like to assure our subscribers that we'll continue to deliver compelling local content by means of distinct, complementary brands."
