by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice and The Walt Disney Company Africa have confirmed the extension contract of its existing channels carriage agreement for Disney's set of linear TV channels to remain available on DStv until 2024.
TVwithThinus reported in mid-November that MultiChoice and Disney signed an extension meaning that the existing linear TV channels would remain on DStv for at least a year and a half after Disney plans to launch its new Disney+ video streaming service around June 2022 in South Africa.
In the small print of MultiChoice's 6-month financial results until the end of September 2021 is relief for DStv subscribers who have been very scared that they will lose the Disney channels like Disney Channel (DStv 303), Disney Junior (DStv 309) or National Geographic (DStv 181) when The Walt Disney Company launches its Disney+ video streaming service.
Disney's linear pay-TV channels were culled almost everywhere else in the world where Disney+ launched, for instance, the United Kingdom, as Disney focuses on bolstering its own streaming platform's offering to compete against Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
MultiChoice issued a press statement containing prepared executive quotes on Tuesday about Disney's channels carriage agreement.
MultiChoice says it didn't send the press statement to TVwithThinus since the news was already reported on this site last month.
On Wednesday TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice and Disney for the press release.
MultiChoice and Disney in the joint media statement, said that "National
Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Disney Channel, Disney Junior as well as
ESPN and ESPN2, which debuted on the DStv platform in 2020, will continue to be
carried by DStv for the next two years, taking the total of Disney-run linear
channels on DStv to 6".
According to MultiChoice and Disney, these 6 linear TV channels will be available on DStv in the following way:
- National Geographic: DStv Compact and up
- National Geographic Wild: DStv Access and up
- Disney Channel: DStv Compact and up
- Disney Junior: DStv Access and up
- ESPN: DStv Compact and up
- ESPN2: DStv Compact Plus and up
In the statement, Christine
Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company
Africa, says: "This distribution renewal with the MultiChoice Group marks another
proud milestone in our long-term relationship".
"Through this deal, our
six 24-hour channels will continue to reach viewers of all ages across the
continent, bringing them the very latest in premium, high-quality entertainment
content from The Walt Disney Company's portfolio of globally connected,
locally relevant kids, family, factual and sports brands."
Gideon Khobane, MultiChoice Group executive for general entertainment content, says: "Partnering with a brand such as Disney means that we are able to
continue to bring our audiences the international content for people of all
ages. Thanks to this contract renewal we will be able to bring the magic that
is Disney into the homes of DStv subscribers everywhere".
Programming highlights on National Geographic (DStv 181) over the coming months include The Hot Zone: Anthrax, Primal
Survivor Ultimate Journey – 60 Days in the Amazon and new seasons of Viewers will also get to
enjoy new seasons of Lost Treasures of Egypt, Trafficked with
Marianna van Zeller, and Gordon Ramsay Unchartered.
Programming highlights on National Geographic WILD (DStv 182) over the coming months include Called to the Wild
and Planet of the Reptiles as well as season 8 of Snakes in the
City and the channel's annual "Big Cat Month" with new and retold films from Beverly and Derek Joubert.
Programming highlights on the Disney Channel (DStv 303) over the coming months include new shows like Ghost Force, Disney’s
Magic Bake Off, Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Viking Skool, The Ghost
& Molly McGee, Ultra Violet and the Black Scorpion, Moon Girl and the Devil
Dinosaur.
There will also be a new season of The Miraculous Tales of
Ladybug and Cat Noir.
Programming highlights on Disney Junior (DStv 309) over the coming months include Spidey and
His Amazing Friends, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, and Alice’s Wonderland
Bakery. There is also season 2 of Mira and season 3
of Bluey.