South Africa's Fairy Godmother of Entertainment bids goodbye: Irreplaceable Disney Africa boss Christine Service to exit after 23 years

by Thinus Ferreira

The true ending of an epoch: the absolutely beloved Christine Service, general manager of direct-to-consumer (DTC) and country manager for sub-Saharan Africa at The Walt Disney Company, is exiting after 27 years at Disney, 23 of which she spent at Disney in Africa.

The illustrious, highly respected and extraordinary Mouse House maestro built out Disney in Africa and all its brands over two decades into a highly desirable want-to-have under consumers of all ages - from TV to film, and retail to corporate social responsibility and DTC like Disney+ - ever since she first moved to South Africa in 2003.

The highly regarded Christine Service - essentially South Africa's Fairy Godmother of Entertainment - will exit Disney in the spring.

If Disney in South Africa were a highly desirable private school where everything was just better, brilliant, ran perfectly and seemed absolutely immaculate down to the finest details, Christine Service was the efficient, respected, highly capable, friendly and trusted principal managing all the magic with the sway of a hand.

"It has been the privilege of a lifetime to be part of the exceptional EMEA Disney team and to lead the company's business on the African continent," says Christine Service.

"I have decided that it is now time to pass the baton to a new leader of The Walt Disney Company in Africa. Disney Africa is a dynamic, successful, and growing business, and I am excited to see my successor, together with the phenomenal Africa team, continue to take it from strength to strength."

Tony Chambers, The Walt Disney Company EMEA president, says "Christine has been an invaluable part of our leadership team".

"After 27 years at The Walt Disney Company, most recently as general manager, DTC & Networks and country manager sub-Saharan Africa, she has decided to embark on new adventures. Under Christine's leadership, Disney in Africa grew into the dynamic business that it is today; well-positioned for long-term growth. I wish her nothing but continued success in her exciting new chapter."

Over decades in South Africa, Christine Service has been an immutable, ever-present presence wherever Disney brought its dazzle.

Disney launching its multiplex of linear TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv? There's Christine Service. 

Disney launching Disney+ in 2022 in South Africa? There's Christine Service. 

Disney doing unrivalled upfronts presentations showcasing upcoming TV and film to the media, advertisers and retail partners? There's Christine Service, perpetually behind the podium doling out pure magic like Mickey Mouse in Fantasia.

Christine Service joined Disney in 1998 and served as vice-president of ventures and business development in WDI Television in London.

Then, bravely, she moved to South Africa in 2003 and set about establishing what is now referred to as the Disney Entertainment business in Johannesburg -  aligning with the already-established Cape Town DCP (Disney Consumer Products) office, to create a fully integrated Disney business serving Sub-Saharan Africa.

The expansion of Disney's pan-African multiplex of linear TV channels followed, with channels like Fox, National Geographic and ESPN and she was part of the team that launched the first run of The Lion King stage show in South Africa (which remains the greatest-attended theatrical production in South African history).

Christine Service then oversaw the integration of the Fox TV Networks business locally into Disney Africa in 2019, launched Disney+ in 2022, and expanded Disney's footprint across East, West and Southern Africa.

She also oversaw local programming initiatives that includes the first-ever National Geographic long-form TV series for kids on the continent (Team Sayari) as well as various short and long-form shows for Disney Channel – as well as local language-dubbed versions of Doc McStuffins (Sotho) and The Lion Guard (Zulu).

Besides all this, the truly indefatigable Christine Service oversaw the establishment of the formal CSR business in South Africa, including the 10-year Disney Healthy Happy Play Program, that will reach a milestone of impacting 200 000 children in 2025.

Christine Service also led the team in obtaining a remarkable run at the African box offices that includes 4 of the top 5 films of all time in Southern Africa - as well as 4 of the top 10 and 4 of the top 5 films of all time in East and West Africa.

Disney in South Africa has 60 employees and 2 offices based in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Walt Disney Company Africa distributes six linear TV channels across Africa through affiliate broadcasters such as MultiChoice Group, StarTimes, Azam and Wananchi, reaching millions of viewers each day.

Christine Service's work ethic, approach, impact and the way she truly knew everything and engaged with everyone set her miles apart and ahead of her contemporaries in the business. South Africa's TV and film biz will never see someone like her again.

On a personal note:

When I think of Christine Service, I think of someone - in what is such a transient and fickle industry - who is truly the embodiment and personification of a highly self-actualised leader and high EQ individual with the power to inspire. 

In a sense, Christine Service is the very real-world embodiment of when you think back on who your "most favourite teacher" was at school, with the perfect mix of always speaking with knowledge and authority, insight and inspiration.

Christine Service didn't "sell" anything ever - she didn't have to. 

Like an inspiring teacher, she simply kept opening up the world of Disney to an ever-growing consumer audience and trade - not making a case but simply showcasing why Disney and its multiple brands deserve attention and time.

I've travelled with Christine Service across Africa once and had many conversations and many laughs over many years at events and red carpets and media launch events, where she somehow finds real time to really talk to everyone.

The person she is when she tells a crowd about Marvel and Star Wars and Sofia the First during a presentation is exactly the same person when you're sitting next to her, waiting for your next flight, to the next place together.

Christine Service knows everybody and over the years fully ascended to true A-lister status among South African showbiz cognoscenti. And yet, you'd almost have to drag Christine into the limelight where she rightly belongs.

Once, at one of the numerous A-lister Disney media events, standing behind the red velvet rope as a journalist who forever tries to capture it all, I was focused on the red carpet and the step-and-repeat banner in front of me, when who I spotted walking up behind me, who decided to take the non-celebrity, non pose-and-smile route to a venue's entrance?

"No Christine," I said. "Please. You belong on this side. Very please can you go around and walk on the red carpet because we need some photos?"

And indeed she did and then got to me again. And quipped: "I'm not really one of the famous ones here."

And again her arm went out as she swayed it like Yen Sid (Disney spelled backwards) in Fantasia - that powerful sorcerer and mentor, with a lot of patience, who always shows up and who you just know will always fix everything.

"It's really for them all," she said as she motioned to the glitterati alongside her, "to experience what we do at Disney". 

IN IMAGES. 25 Photos of National Geographic Africa's 2025 Autumn Upfront anchored to David Blaine Do Not Attempt

by Thinus Ferreira

The Walt Disney Company Africa held an upfront event for its National Geographic TV channels and upcoming new programming over the next few months, anchoring it around the new David Blaine: Do Not Attempt series that is starting on National Geographic (DStv 181) and Disney+ on Friday 28 March.

Held at Artistry Sandton in Johannesburg, Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, took media, influencers and advertising sales partners through upcoming National Geographic programming on the National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD channels.

In the cinema, those who attended watched sizzle reels, after which the South African-filmed episode of David Blaine: Do Not Attempt was screened, followed by a Q&A session.

Mickey remains on MultiChoice as Disney extends channels carriage deal with DStv to 2027.

by Thinus Ferreira

Mickey will remain on MultiChoice with Africa's largest pay-TV operator that has signed a new channels carriage agreement with The Walt Disney Company for its collection of TV channels to remain on DStv until 2027.

The new deal between MultiChoice and the Mouse House ensures that channels like The Disney Channel (DStv 303), Disney Junior (DStv 309), National Geographic (DStv 181), Nat Geo Wild (DStv 182), ESPN and ESPN will remain available to DStv subscribers for another four years. 

According to MultiChoice and Disney, National Geographic will remain available to DStv Family subscribers and up, Nat Geo Wild will be accessible to DStv Access subscribers and up, The Disney Channel will be for DStv Compact and up, while Disney Junior will be for DStv Access subscribers and up.

The sports channels ESPN (DStv 218) will be for DStv Access and up while ESPN2 (DStv 219) is for DStv Compact subscribers and up.

"This distribution renewal ensures that we will be able to continue bringing our six 24-hour channels to audiences across the continent and marks another proud milestone in our long-term relationship with the MultiChoice Group," says Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

"With a strong foundation of creativity, story-telling, exploration and multi-generational emotional connection, we are proud to continue offering DStv viewers the very latest from our high-quality, premium kids, factual and sports content."

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice South Africa CEO for general entertainment, says "Championing our mission to enrich lives and elevate entertainment experiences, we're thrilled to ensure our customers can savour their favourite shows and movies effortlessly, anytime, anywhere, thanks to our state-of-the-art platforms".

"Extending our partnership with The Walt Disney Company and the incredible linear channels on DStv elevate our offering and amplify the joy of entertainment!"

National Geographic goes HD on DStv, as Nat Geo Africa unveils upcoming Summer 2022 factual content slate.

by Thinus Ferreira

The National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD linear TV channels finally switched to high-definition (HD) on MultiChoice's DStv this week with National Geographic using the upgrade to unveil its upcoming Summer 2022 factual entertainment content slate for Africa, including its first pan-African kids show Team Sayari, more Bear Grylls, and the celebrity chef-adventurer Gordon Ramsay competing against other chefs and eventually also his own daughter in a new series.

After many years as standard-definition (SD) channels, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD - also available on China's StarTimes and StarSat in Southern Africa - finally switched to high-definition (HD) on Wednesday on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV service in South Africa and across pan-African countries.

"The exciting line-up of National Geographic programming delivers on our core purpose to tell exceptional stories that ignite wonder and inspiration for people of all ages, enabling them to better understand the world and their place in it," said Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

"We can't wait to bring these wildly entertaining documentary series, feature documentary films and extraordinary natural history shows from the best storytellers in the world to viewers across the continent, and especially in HD for the very first time."

Speaking at the National Geographic Africa Summer 2022 factual showcase about how The Walt Disney Company Africa keeps its collection of linear TV channels like National Geographic strong with vibrant, first-run content to keep these channels a compelling TV destination amidst the growth of video streaming, Christine Service said "our linear channels business is hugely important to us - and certainly on the African continent".

"We continue to produce vast amounts of for all of our different distribution platforms - our linear business, our direct-to-consumer [Disney+], for cinema. So we're just about great storytelling and great content that we can deliver in many different ways to audiences across the globe."

Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, senior manager for programming and scheduling at The Walt Disney Company Africa, said she's personally looking forward to keep watching Primal Survivor: Mighty Mekong, as well as another season of Running Wild with Bear Grylls.

"Hazen Audel is that real adventurer with that real spirit and he goes through the Mekong basin and it just happens to be monsoon season and he has to go through all of the treachery of climbing mountains. Every season of Primal Survivor has showcased this man's mental capacity to just overcome what he's doing."

"You as a viewer sit back and go 'why?' but it's that adventure spirit that you just keep tuning into. I've been a fan of Bear Grylls for many years and I love what he's done with Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Not only are you watching him teach survival skills but also going on an emotional journey".

"Gordon Ramsay's next series is Gordon Ramsay: Unchartered Showdown. He'll be going up against other Michelin-star chefs and in the final episode you'll see him go up against his own daughter. So it's really a question of practice what you preach, who did you raise?"

Amping up pan-African content

On supporting the South African and pan-African TV industry, Tracy-Ann van Rooyen said "we're doing the best we can with Team Sayari".

As National Geographic's first locally-produced pan-African children's production starting on Saturday 24 September at 13:00, Nat Geo hopes the series which features a group of young conservationists will be the springboard for even more local content.

"We're making sure that the story we're telling is pan-African and in South Africa we have our satellite production companies which are producing and telling the stories that you see, and we are briefing them from a National Geographic perspective - so grooming production teams in South Africa to be able to meet a brief that is of a National Geographic standard."

"Alongside that, we do have local series such as Snakes in the City and of course the stories being told by filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, so we are amping up."

From Arabia to athletes and Tut to cooking

Bear Grylls is back with Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge on Wednesday 28 September at 21:00 in which he goes on more survival outings with American celebrities ranging from Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman to Simu Liu and Anthony Anderson.

The fourth season of Europe from Above will start on 28 September at 19:00 on National Geographic, tracking the changing seasons across a year in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania, Serbia and Scotland. 

Lost Treasures Of Arabia starts on Friday 28 October at 19:00, investigating AlUla's unsolved mysteries. This TV special reveals the historical heritage, natural assets and immense legacy of art that continues to inspire future generations in this Middle-Eastern city.

To celebrate the centennial anniversary of the tomb of King Tutankhamen by Howard Carter 100 years ago in 1922, National Geographic will premiere Tut’s Toxic Tomb on Friday 18 and 25 November at 19:00, with library content King Tut in Color on Friday 4 November at 19:00 and Tut’s Treasures, The Golden Pharaoh on Friday 11 November at 19:00.

Gordon Ramsay: Unchartered Showdown starts on 9 November at 21:00 on National Geographic in which the Michelin-star faces off against those closest to him, including going head-to-head with his daughter Tilly in a culinary showdown.

The Navy veteran Big Moe Cason goes on an epic journey to seek out the most mouth-watering dishes cooked over an open flame in World of Flavour with Big Moe Cason starting on National Geographic on 30 November at 21:00, exploring the connections between American barbeque and cultures around the world.

The second season of Critter Fixers will premiere on Friday 11 November at 18:00 on Nat Geo WILD with Dr Hodges and Dr Ferguson, two longtime friends who operate their veterinary hospital in Georgia in the United States.

Edge of the Unknown starts on Sunday 25 December on National Geographic as an epic new 10-episode series by the Oscar producers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. Audiences get to go inside the minds of pioneering adventure athletes as they recount the most consequential moments of their lives on their journey to perfect the mastery of their craft.

MultiChoice starts giving Disney+ for free to DStv subscribers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is starting to give away Disney+ for free to DStv subscribers, offering users the video streaming service that will launch on 18 May in South Africa as a free bundled service with DStv for three months.

In a partnership with The Walt Disney Company, similar to its existing contracts with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video made available as over-the-top (OTT) apps on its DStv Explora Ultra decoder, MultiChoice will carry the Disney+ app on this decoder when the streaming services launches in South Africa next week.

MultiChoice is yet to announce the details of which DStv subscribers and which DStv packages might get Disney+ for free as a promotional add-on, what the pricing for DStv subscribers will be who might want to make use of Disney+-bundling and subscribe to it through their DStv bill, and how specifically it will work.

As a new stand-alone video streamer, Disney+ at launch will cost R119 per month or R1190 per year as a once-off annual subscription, with Disney also offering a promotional R950 annual subscription for South Africans who register interest on its Disneyplus website before it launches on 18 May.

MultiChoice is now telling DStv subscribers of its DStv Rewards loyalty programme that they will get three months of Disney+ free as part of an "exclusive 3 month reward".

"Our new plus one is launching is launching on 18 May and as a valued Rewards member, we are giving you 3 months of Disney+ on us," MultiChoice is telling DStv subscribers who have to ensure that DStv has their correct cellphone number which will be used as a DStv subscriber's "unique Disney+ identifier".

Christine Service, The Walt Disney Company Africa senior vice president and general manager, has said last week that Disney+ SA will be a "mobile-first platform" where "users can sign up and sign in using their mobile phone and number, adding a layer of efficiency in the logging on process".

She said that MultiChoice and Disney will be announcing DStv's bundling offers for Disney+ for South Africa soon.

ALSO READ: Disney+ in South Africa: The screens you'll watch and how to pay - with one notable catch.

ALSO READ: How you can watch Disney+ in South Africa from 18 May for R19.79 per month - or less than the price of a litre of petrol.

ALSO READ: 4 months free: Disney+ in South Africa sweetens introductory annual subscription fee.

ALSO READ: Disney+: The Complete Launch List of its vast video vault for SA.

Disney+ in South Africa: The complete Launch List of content Disney+ SA it will offer at launch on 18 May as it aims to have 60 productions from Europe and Africa on the streamer by 2024.

by Thinus Ferreira

It's a document that runs to 12 pages - the Launch List of the complete customised content catalogue that Disney's video streaming service Disney+  will have when it launches in South Africa on 18 May.

Christine Service, The Walt Disney Company Africa senior vice president and general manager, on Thursday afternoon anchored a virtual media presentation for the launch of Disney+ in South Africa.

She mentioned that the Disney+ catalogue will encompass 1 000 films and 1500 series, including 200 original series at launch in South Africa.

Christine Service said the aim is to produce 60 local productions from across Europe as well as Africa by 2024 which will be available in Disney+.

"I am confident that Disney+ will become a favourite streaming service in South Africa," she said.

ALSO READ: Disney+ in South Africa: The screens you'll watch and how to pay - with one notable catch.

ALSO READ: How you can watch Disney+ in South Africa from 18 May for R19.79 per month - or less than the price of a litre of petrol.

ALSO READ: 4 months free: Disney+ in South Africa sweetens introductory annual subscription fee.

MultiChoice adds Disney+ to its DStv Explora Ultra.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will add the Disney+ to DStv Explora Ultra decoders as a bundled service when The Walt Disney Company launches its video streaming service on 18 May in South Africa.

Disney+ will join Netflix SA and Amazon Prime Video which are already available on the DStv Explora Ultra as subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) apps. 

The Disney+ fold-in is similar to the American and British launch of the streamer that comes included on the traditional pay-TV offerings of US and UK pay-TV services like Comcast and Sky, with linear TV channels carried on the traditional pay-TV packages and Disney+ made available as an extra.

"DStv customers can enjoy the benefits of exclusive contract packages and bundle deals, bringing all their entertainment needs to one central place. The partnership with Disney+ leads with an expanded choice of content, ease and convenience of subscription and payment, with the DStv Explora Ultra as an enabler," Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO, says in a statement.

"Our customers can enjoy their favourite shows and movies anywhere, anytime, on our world-class platforms. The digital world has brought with it fundamental shifts and our customers are looking for convenient access to a portfolio of entertainment options."

Christine Service, Walt Disney Company Africa senior vice president and general manager, says "This is yet another proud milestone in our partnership with the MultiChoice Group".

"We are delighted to be collaborating to bring South African DStv subscribers access to Disney+'s incredible catalogue of films, series and exclusive content."

2022 Big Cat Month on Nat Geo WILD in February roars with local filmmaking labour like Dereck and Beverly Joubert's first cheetah documentary.

by Thinus Ferreira

National Geographic has released the programming rundown for its annual Big Cat Month for 2022 that roars with legendary local filmmaking labour and that will run on weekends during February on the Nat Geo WILD (DStv 182 / StarSat 221) channel.

Nat Geo's WILD's 11th annual Big Cat Month will once again showcase visually impressive and powerful stories from around the world about lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards on Saturdays and Sundays at 18:00 during February, including the premiere of legendary big cat filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert's first film on cheetahs.

Narrated by the award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, The Way of the Cheetah will premiere on Nat Geo WILD on Sunday 6 February at 18:00, following Immani, a cheetah female with 4 new cubs who must navigate the plains of the Mara ecosystem.

Living here is also a coalition of 5 males, and to save her cubs, Immani must avoid them. The Way of the Cheetah goes under the cover of darkness with thermal cameras, and the Joubert’s capture the lush colours of Africa. However, when it comes to the hunting scenes, these shape-shifting cats appear from nowhere in a blur, captured in ultra-high-speed motion and the battles turn epic. 

In Big Cat Odyssey (Revealed), premiering on Sunday 6 February at 18:45, Dereck and Beverly Joubert dive deeper into the issues that surround big cats, specifically African lions and leopards.

What struggles do these iconic big cats face? How have these lions and leopards survived and adapted over the decades? The Joubert’s lead viewers on a journey through the lives of big cats and their most iconic moments.

On Saturday 5 February on the day that Nat Geo WILD's 2022 Big Cat Month starts, Relentless Enemies will be the first show of the month-long event. It chronicles an epic story of how buffalo and lions survive and adapt to each other. 

A buffalo herd of over 1 200 is forced to move through three lion territories while being confined by the floodwaters on a small island in the Okavango. As the buffalo strategize their advancements, the lions react every move they make, all captured through the Joubert's lens from their home base in Botswana.

The Big Cat content continues throughout February with various premieres, culminating in War of the Lions on Sunday 27 February at 18:45. From Savannahs bursting with game to deserts with not a drop to drink, all lion kingdoms are not created equal - so who is the real king of the beasts?

"Big Cat Month continues to be an exciting annual television event, and certainly a firm fan-favourite. This year we are delighted to honour prolific local filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert, whose lifetime of impactful and thought-provoking documentaries have brought viewers a greater appreciation for Africa’s big cats," says Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

"Families can look forward to a month of fascinating, premiere, in-depth programming that reveals astounding new insights into these remarkable creatures, as well as highlighting the threats they face and the urgent action needed to conserve and protect our big cats for future generations."

Here is the 2022 Big Cat Month programming line-up:

Relentless Enemies, Saturday 5 February, 18:00

A buffalo herd of over 1 200 is forced to move through three lion territories while being confined by the floodwaters on a small island in the Okavango. As the buffalo strategize their advancements, the lions react to each and every move they make. From the Joubert's home base in Botswana, comes the epic story of buffalo and lions surviving and adapting to each other. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.

The Way of the Cheetah, Sunday 6 February, 18:00

There really is no other big cat on the planet that is like a cheetah. These are the most fragile cats physically and in numbers, now under 7 000 left in the world. Our story tells of Immani, a sleek female with 4 new cubs as they navigate the vast plains of the Mara ecosystem. But living here is also a coalition of 5 males, and to save her cubs Immani must avoid them.

Big Cat Odyssey (Revealed), Sunday 6 February, 18:45

Dereck and Beverly Joubert, dive deeper into the issues that surround big cats, specifically African lions and leopards. What challenges do these iconic big cats face? How have these lions and leopards survived and adapted over the decades? The Joubert’s lead viewers on an epic journey through the lives of big cats and their most iconic moments.

Ultimate Enemies, Saturday, 12 February, 18:00

Dereck and Beverly Joubert explore how some animals are thrust together by the forces of nature - sometimes through a millennium of evolution or even last year’s drought. In the aftermath of strange elephant deaths, they piece together a visually stunning story that confirms their theory that lions were hunting elephants. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.

Russia's Wild Tiger, Sunday, 13 February, 18:00

Russia's Wild Tiger records the battle for survival of the big cats and reveals intimate details of their lives. The animals they prey on are also in the film: tigers couldn't survive without sika deer, Altai wapiti, wild boars and Asian black bears. A young tiger, born in a conservation area, will guide the viewer through the film. Russia's Wild Tiger accompanies him throughout the year after he leaves his mother. The young tiger takes the viewer to places where the fate of Siberian tigers will be decided: vast forests, remote villages and the cities at the edge of the wilderness.

Living with Big Cats, Sunday 13 February, 18:45

Dereck and Beverly Joubert lead viewers on their incredible journey with big cats - from the first time big cats captured their hearts, through their boundless dedication to protecting these iconic predators. This story explores how the Jouberts got started and delves into their personal lives as National Geographic filmmakers and explorers.

Thailand’s Wild Cats, Saturday 19 February, 18:00

Hidden in the jungles of Thailand lies an ancient kingdom, a last refuge for Thailand’s wild cats. Apex hunters, nearly invisible, they bide their time as they search for prey, pursue mates and protect their young. Within this tangled forest, a world of drama and unbridled power awaits the clouded leopard, the Asian fishing cat and the king of the jungle, the Tiger.

Eye of the Leopard (Revealed), Sunday 20 February, 18:00

Dereck and Beverly Joubert set out to create a film on leopards but never imagined they would be seduced by a small, eight-day-old cub named Legadema. Eye of the Leopard follows Legadema's journey from a playful cub to a skilled huntress. Narrated by Jeremy Irons.

Shadow Cats, Saturday 26 February, 18:00

The serval, caracal and black-footed cat prove they are just as extraordinary as their African wildcat counterparts, the cheetah, lion and leopard.

Eternal Enemies (Revealed), Sunday 27 February, 18:00

The Joubert's Emmy winning film is back with stunning remastered footage. Propelled by Jeremy Irons gripping narration, Eternal Enemies reveals the story of conflict between lions and hyenas, relatively unknown or even suspected in the scientific world before this. The intense relationship and enduring rivalry between the two species play out in a battle of survival.

War of the Lions, Sunday 27 February, 18:45

From savannahs bursting with game to deserts with not a drop to drink, all lion kingdoms are not created equal - so who is the real King of the Beasts?

MultiChoice and The Walt Disney Company Africa confirm channels carriage agreement extension until 2024: 'Contract renewal brings Disney magic into homes of DStv subscribers everywhere'.

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. 

ALSO READ: The launch of Disney+ in South Africa in mid-2022 won't bedevil DStv, MultiChoice has sown up Disney channels rights until 2024.