MultiChoice and M-Net are adding the Pearl Magic Prime channel on channel 148 to the channel line-up of MultiChoice Uganda from Monday 8 February 2021, two years after Pearl Magic was launched.
Pearl Magic Prime will be a more premium channel in the same way that M-Net created 1Magic (Dstv 103) for higher-tiered DStv subscribers than its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel in South Africa.
MultiChoice and M-Net launched Pearl Magic in October 2018 to help promote local Uganda TV content creation.
MultiChoice and M-Net say they are "amplifying" the Pearl Magic experience with the premium version of the channel that will only be accessible to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers in Uganda.
Pearl Magic Prime will have a sprinkling of new shows, blended with several of the existing programming and shows on Pearl Magic like Date My Family Uganda, My Wedding Day, Pablo Live, Ekibbitu, Between Us, Half London and The Honourablez.
The package of new and exclusive Pearl Magic Prime shows will eventually over time be seen on Pearl Magic as well by lower-tiered DStv subscribers.
MultiChoice was asked for help with the Pearl Magic Prime information in a media enquiry last week but a publicist told TVwithThinus that a media release is only scheduled to be issued this week.
"Our mandate as a channel is to provide our viewers with thought-provoking and entertaining content which captures Ugandan cultural nuances, we cannot wait for audiences to experience this new addition to our stable," says Timothy Okwaro, M-Net's director for East and Southern Africa channels, on M-Net's corporate web page.
MultiChoice says that it will continue to work with established and upcoming local producers to deliver content on the Pearl Magic channels in the region.
Pearl Magic Prime will at launch feature a drama entitled Prestige; as well as Mama and Me, a TV series that falls within the dramedy category; Sanyu that is a telenovela, as well as Story Yange, a docu-series that explores the humble beginnings, meteoric rises, devastating falls and crippling vices of the most popular social influencers in Uganda.
Prestige (Mondays to Fridays at 20:30) revolves around the ad executives of a family and their lust for power that is fuelled by love, jealousy, grief and hatred, featuring Alvin Emitu, Cleopatra Kyoheirwe, Evelyn Namtovu Kironde as well as Nana Kagga and Simon Kalema who are also producing the show.
Mama and Me (Wednesday and Thursday at 19:30) tells the story of a middle-aged teacher whose husband steals her money to give to his concubines.
After his accidental death, she is accused of murder and must use her wits to stay out of jail and to fight off in-laws who want to take her property. Mama and Me will star Debbie Bakuseka, Nambozo Gloria Catherine, Suubi Nalwanga and Kaylar Kirabo Elizabeth.
Sanyu (Mondays to Fridays at 20:00) tells the story of an innocent, rural teenage girl that is forced to leave her family and her pursuit for education to do a domestic worker's job for a complex, wealthy urban family where she falls in love with the son of her employer in a story of love, emotion and drama between the privileged and underprivileged.
Some of the cast members of Sanyu are Tracy Kababiito, Timothy Lwanga, Farida Nabagereka, Blessing Naturinda, Kyeyune Shalom, Kuddzu Isaac, Allan Katongole, Marion Asilo Dorothy, Abbey Mukiibi Nkaaga, Housen Mushema, Elenour Nabwiso, Sharon Nalukenge and Racheal Nduhukire.
Story Yange (Saturdays at 20:00) profiles Uganda's influencers and the rise, setbacks and personal struggles of people like Dr Martin Aliker, Alex Mukulu, Princess Evelyn Komuntale, Judith Heard, Hon Dr Miria Matembe, Captain Mike Mukula, Irene Namubiru and Moses Matovu.
Hassan Saleh, MultiChoice Uganda, managing director, gave a speech on Monday morning at a media launch event for the Pearl Magic Prime TV channel that was held in Kampala.
Hassan Saleh's speech wasn't made available but he said in a press statement with prepared quotes that the additional creation of Pearl Magic Prime will see further investment in overall local content in Uganda's TV and film indsutry.
"Pearl Magic Prime is set to live up to its tagline of delivering more value to the customer like never before. We are proud of the role we are playing in the entertainment sector in Uganda and look forward to connecting with our audiences."
"As per our ongoing commitment to our customers, we will continue to enhance our viewer experience by offering more value to our customers. We are confident that Pearl Magic Prime will connect with DStv audiences and reinforce our strategic vision to be the leading African storyteller."
