MultiChoice is removing M-Net's under-performing AfricaMagic Showcase (DStv 150) channel from DStv Premium in South Africa, terminating the channel from the end of February.
AfricaMagic Showcase was previously AfricaMagic Entertainment until it abruptly changed with no warning or announcement in September 2014.
As a "relaunched" channel, AfricaMagic Showcase - packed and supplied by M-Net to MultiChoice - survived only a year and 5 months on DStv Premium, the only DStv package it was available on in South Africa.
Asked why AfricaMagic Showcase is being terminated, MultiChoice, in response to a media enquiry, tells TV with Thinus that the M-Net supplied channel wasn't popular enough with viewers.
"We constantly review our DStv packages to make sure our customers are getting the very best in entertainment. Our research has shown that AfricaMagic Showcase hasn't been performing well, so while we don't often remove a channel, it's the right decision to make".
AfricaMagic Showcase will continue as a TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv in other African countries, outside of South Africa.
M-Net tells me that "AfricaMagic Showcase will nonetheless remain as one of the top performing channels for other viewers across the rest of Africa on DStv channel 151".
MultiChoice says DStv Premium subscribers can still get AfricaMagic Showcase content but admits that subscribers will now have to wait longer to see some of it before it gets broadcast on the AfricaMagic Urban (DStv 153) channel.
MultiChoice says DStv Premium subscribers "can still get the best of local content on our other AfricaMagic channels, as well as on Mzansi and VUZU" - meaning the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and other Mzansi Magic channels.
"Many of the shows and movies that were available on AfricaMagic Showcase (such as Tinsel, Jara and Stargist) can be found on AfricaMagic Urban. Please note that if you were watching content on AfricaMagic Showcase, that content might only appear later on AfricaMagic Urban," says MultiChoice.
