9 American series renewed for further seasons: Bull, Madam Secretary, Hawaii Five-O, MacGuyver, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Blue Bloods, and NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans.

The American TV network CBS on Wednesday renewed 9 TV series seen in South African and Africa for further seasons, most of which are broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101).

Further season pick-ups went to Bull that got a 3rd season (M-Net), Madam Secretary got a 5th season (M-Net), NCIS: Los Angeles got a 10th season (M-Net), NCIS: New Orleans got a 5th season, Hawaii Five-O got a 9th season (M-Net), MacGuyver got a 3rd season (M-Net) and Blue Bloods got a 9th season (M-Net).

The Amazing Race seen on The Sony Channel (DStv 127) and SABC3 got a 31th season, and Survivor (SABC3) got picked up for its 37th and 38th seasons.

These shows joins the already renewed Young Sheldon (M-Net), The Big Bang Theory (M-Net and SABC3), Mom (M-Net), NCIS (M-Net and The Universal Channel), SEAL Team (M-Net and S.W.A.T (M-Net).

Still waiting for possible renewal news are Elementary (M-Net), Criminal Minds (M-Net City), Scorpion (M-Net), Code Black (M-Net), Kevin Can Wait (M-Net) - with one or more or all that could be cancelled due to low and falling ratings.

M-Net and MultiChoice launch Express to Explora, adding new series to DStv Explora first before broadcast; adding first episodes of series on M-Net, M-Net Edge.

In response to the flurry of streaming video-on-demand (VOD) services that started in South Africa M-Net and MultiChoice are now adding several new TV series straight to its DStv Catch Up service on the DStv Explora for DStv Premium subscribers before its been broadcast on M-Net linear channels.

The new M-Net and DStv service - essentially a whole new M-Net provided "channel" - is branded as "Express to Explora".

M-Net and MultiChoice will add episodes of the new thriller procedural drama series Limitless and hospital drama Code Black from tomorrow, Thursday 24 September to the DStv Explora, as well as the new 6th season of Blue Bloods, all within 24 hours of their American broadcasting dates. The new season of Blacklist will be added from 3 October.

M-Net will broadcast Limitless, Code Black, Blue Bloods and Blacklist later on the linear M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net Edge (DStv 102) channels when the linear play-out schedule allows.

M-Net and MultiChoice are also from now on adding the first episodes of all shows on M-Net and M-Net Edge to DStv Catch Up for the DStv Explora for DStv Premium subscribers, with viewers who now longer have to remember or know to record the first episode of a show when a new series starts.

"Instead of waiting for a gap on the already bumper-to-bumper prime time schedule on M-Net or M-net Edge, hand-picked series will be available exclusively on the DStv Explora within 24 hours of their United States launch times," says M-Net.

"Our superfast Express from the US delivery service has already revolutionised the way in which many people watch TV," says Gideon Khobane, M-Net director for general entertainment.

"We believe that series fans will love being able to watch more shows for which there simply are no available time slots yet, as they play out in the US. We're thrilled that we're able to make use of the incredible technology provided by the DStv Explora to make Express to Explora happen".

M-Net and MultiChoice are also from now on giving DStv Premium subscribers the first episodes of series as they premiere on M-Net and M-Net Edge.

"The new age of television is all about convenience - as a result of their busy lifestyles, viewers sometimes miss out on an entire series because they couldn't watch the first episode that introduced the main characters and vital story lines," says Gideon Khobane.

"We're now making it easier for them to never miss out on one of our excellent series again".