by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice has launched WildEarth (DStv 183) as a new "wildlife and nature"-viewing pop-up TV channel for 2 months that will be available for DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers until 25 November.
TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice for more information after WildEarth launched on Tuesday 25 August on DStv and for a WildEarth channel logo, since MultiChoice failed to communicate or notify the press about the launch of the channel beforehand.
MultiChoice on Tuesday afternoon said that it will make the announcement about WildEarth on Friday 28 August. DStv subscribers already have access to the WildEarth channel and can watch it. As it stands, there is no statement or press release from MultiChoice about WildEarth.
WildEarth's flagship programme is safariLive that has previously had broadcast slots on SABC3, National Geographic and elsewhere as an expert-hosted, live-broadcast wildlife safari show done from various African wilderness hotspots for 6 hours per day.
Sunrise safariLIVE is broadcast between 06:00 and 10:30, with Sunset safariLIVE that is broadcast between 15:00 and 18:00.
safariLIVE is currently done from the Djuma private game reserve, Chitwa Chitwa in The Sabi Sands, &Beyond Ngala private game reserve, and the Tswalu Kalahari.
The rest of the WildEarth schedule consists out of various pre-recorded wildlife programming revolving around animals and their sights and sounds, and safariLIVE Highlights.
WildEarth also employs the "Djuma Dam Cam" - a 24-hour live camera installed at the Gowrie Dam just outside of the Vuyatela lodgeat the Djuma private game reserve that shows what happens at the African waterhole.
"WildEarth is all about sharing nature with everyone so we can all see why we must conserve our beautiful home," says Graham Wallington a co-founder and CEO at WildEarth.
Emily Wallington, WildEarth co-founder and executive producer, says WildEarth's intention is "not that the viewer is wowed and awed through gruesome or dramatic behaviour of wild animals. Rather our mission is to enable them to have serendipitous moments of unscripted magic that touch the heart and let them suspend their disbelief and feel as if they are actually there".
