by Thinus Ferreira
As MultiChoice's linear TV channel bundle continues to unravel the pay-TV operator is losing PBS Kids at the end of this month as the 12th TV channel gone just this year.
PBS Kids (DStv 313) aimed at younger viewers between the ages of two and eight, in an on-screen message notified DStv subscribers that the channel will be removed by the end of this month, saying "Dear viewers, please note that PBS Kids is closing on the 31 August 2024. Thank you for watching".
MultiChoice confirmed the axing of PBS Kids but didn't give any reason why the channel is being removed and whether it is because of MultiChoice, or because of America's Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States.
"MultiChoice regularly reviews its channel line-up to
ensure we offer customers the best in local and international content. As part
of this ongoing process PBS Kids will no longer be available on GOtv channel 65 and DStv channel 313 effective 31
August 2024," MultiChoice said in response to a media query.
In July 2018 MultiChoice added PBS Kids content for the first time but just accessible on its DStv Now Catch Up service.
In May 2019 MultiChoice and PBS added PBS Kids as a linear TV channel to DStv but initially just as a DStv pop-up channel, after which it became permanent.
At the time, MultiChoice told TVwithThinus that it had "received a lot of positive feedback from our viewers when PBS Kids was made available on DStv Now and our parents appreciate the fact that DStv is providing the kind of kids' programming that will help to make them classroom ready, while also keeping them entertained".
At the time, Andrea Downing, PBS distribution co-president, said that PBS was "excited to offer this new audience the opportunities that PBS Kids content offers" and that DStv and PBS Kids were "inviting parents and children to experience this trusted content that helps children learn and grow".
Since the beginning of this year DStv subscribers who are paying more since April, have had 11 TV channels on MultiChoice's pay-TV platform go dark.
MultiChoice is technically insolvent, with Vivendi's Canal+ in France which is in the process of an aggressive takeover and buyout of the company despite stringent South African regulations on foreign media ownership that is supposed to prevent it.
So far this year DStv subscribers have lost access to Deutsche Welle, Emmanuel TV, B4U Movies, 1Free State TV, NWTV, People's Weather, the 1Magic and ME channels, GinX, WildEarth and Africa Magic Urban.
1Magic and ME were replaced by the 1Max channel showcasing a collection of Showmax streaming content.
