by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice is axing another linear TV channel of DStv Premium subscribers with M-Net's time-shifted channel M-Net +1 (DStv 901) that is getting culled from the DStv channel line-up from 16 May after 5 years.
The M-Net +1 channel was launched in May 2016 specifically for DStv Premium subscribers and was an exact replica of the existing M-Net (DStv 101) channel on DStv, but with programming running one hour later on channel 901 on DStv.
When it launched M-Net +1, M-Net said that the channel caters "for a diverse audience with different lifestyles and viewing time preferences and we believe that the addition of M-Net Plus 1 will be welcomed by many of our viewers."
"While our prime-time scheduling is at convenient times for the majority of our series lovers, there are also many people - especially parents with young families, who can only start watching television a little later. With M-Net +1, viewers who don't have PVRs can now continue to enjoy linear television and stay on top of M-Net's excellent series."
The axing of M-Net +1 is the 3rd TV channel that MultiChoice is removing from DStv in South Africa in 2021, and the 4th TV channel for the rest of sub-Saharan Africa as part of the pay-TV operator's ongoing content rationalisation drive of linear TV channels.
In response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus, M-Net confirmed that M-Net +1 is being shuttered on 16 May.
Asked why the channel is being taken off DStv, M-Net says that "We are
constantly reviewing our content offering in line with our customers' evolving
viewing needs. The
termination of M-Net +1 is informed by our customers' increasing preference to
view content on the DStv app and Catch Up."
