MultiChoice dumps History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation from DStv in South Africa and across Africa after channel carriage renewal negotiations break down with A+E Networks.

MultiChoice is ripping the very popular and long-running channels of History, Crime+Investigation Network and Lifetime away from DStv subscribers after channel carriage contract renewal negotiations between the pay-TV operator and A+E Networks supplying the channels, turned ugly and broke down.

A+E Networks UK says that DStv plans to take these channels away from subscribers although it tried very hard to reach a new channel carriage agreement and is still willing to work with MultiChoice to keep the channels on the air for DStv subscribers in South Africa and across the African continent.

A+E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst and Sky, says that if the channels disappear, DStv subscribers will have to bear the brunt of MultiChoice's decision when they will no longer be able to watch a slew of shows ranging from Little Women and Homicide Hunter to Curse of Oak Island, The First 48, Lifetime movies and specials like Surviving R Kelly.

All three of these successful international, so-called "third party" channels have been available to DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers in South Africa and across sub-Saharan African countries for years.

Now DStv subscribers who have been paying for History (DStv 186), Lifetime (DStv 131) and C+I (DStv 170) will lose them all in one go when they will all be removed at the end of October 2019.

After A+E Networks and MultiChoice last renewed the channels package deal in mid-2016, negotiations between the two soured for a new carriage agreement. The unresolved stalemate between the companies lead MultiChoice to pull the plug and to take the channels away from DStv subscribers' existing channel line-up.

MultiChoice has carried the History channel for 16 years since 2003 and it has since become a popular legacy channel and viewing destination within DStv's documentaries and lifestyle block. The Crime+Investigation has been on DStv for 11 years since 2007, and Lifetime has been available on DStv for 5 years since mid-2014.

All three are now abruptly coming to an end under the auspices of Yolisa Phahle as MultiChoice's CEO for general entertainment and Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content strategy and third-party channels, with the loss of the A+E Networks content that will further dent the perceived value offered by the struggling DStv Premium package.

The subscriber numbers of the most expensive DStv tier continue to plummet as subscribers no longer see this package as offering enough value for money, something that the loss of the A+E Networks channels will likely make worse.

MultiChoice considers all three of A+E Networks' channels to be such premium content that it used all of them numerous times in the past as loss-leaders to promote and drive DStv subscriber uptake and to help rope in new subscribers through promotional "open time" periods during which they would be made available to lower-tiered customers.

MultiChoice and A+E Networks also created pop-up channels to drive audiences and subscriber uptake in the form of the History of Football and 100 Years of War channels.

The loss of History, Lifetime and Crime + Investigation will come as a massive shock to not just DStv subscribers in South Africa and across Africa but also to the broader local TV industry that MultiChoice will damage through removing the channels.

MultiChoice's decision to axe the channels has already caused massive embarrassment for A+E Networks' local A+E Networks Africa venture based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A+E Networks held a content showcase for all of its channels barely a week ago telling the media what it will be showing in the upcoming months and in 2020, not saying a word that all of its channels would be off-air and off DStv in South Africa and Africa in a month's time from now.

At its presentation, A+E Networks unveiled a growing slate of local original productions with companies ranging from Clive Morris Productions to Katy Katopodis' Nala Media working on programming like Crime Stories SA and a gender-violence TV special, Loved Like Crazy voiced by Iman Rappetti.

Together with a new local series, Don't Tell the Bride SA earmarked for Lifetime, it's unclear as to whether any or all of the these announced productions will still go ahead or are getting cancelled since A+E Networks won't be able to recoup the expensive production costs of creating specific local TV content for DStv subscribers in Africa that none of them will actually be able to see.

Also unclear is what will happen to the locally-established and growing office of A+E Networks Africa headed up by Yusuf Nabee, as general manager for Africa, that has grown to now employ 12 people.

Awkwardly, Dean Possenniskie, the managing director for A+E Networks for the EMEA region, at the upfront said that "both Hearst and Sky fully support the focus and development of investment of A+E Networks Africa where we stand today, but more importantly where we'll go in the future".

That future is now completely unclear.

MultiChoice: Saying goodbye to History

MultiChoice didn't issue a statement about shutting off the channels but on its website under the euphemistically titled heading "Channel changes" now says that as part of "efforts to refresh our content line-up and optimise the suite of channels on offer, the MultiChoice Group will be saying goodbye to the History, Crime + Investigation and Lifetime channels" at the end of the current contract term.

MultiChoice isn't telling DStv subscribers that it plans to remove the channels because it couldn't reach a new deal.

MultiChoice says it will soon be "announcing the introduction of two new channels to DStv. The first is an established global brand and the other a new innovative brand".

Ironically, MultiChoice says that "we continue to increase our significant investment in local shows and content which have great resonance with customers and are a key driver of engagement".

That is exactly what History, Lifetime and C+I have been doing for DStv even though, as third-party international channels, they don't need to do local content. History did its first local production for Africa, Miracle Rising in 2013.

TVwithThinus on Tuesday asked Benedict Maaga, MultiChoice's senior manager for corporate communications, why specifically the channels are being dropped and if he can confirm that History, Lifetime and C+I are being axed because MultiChoice wasn't willing to pay A+E Networks what it wanted in carriage fees for its channels. He said that MultiChoice can't comment on that. 

MultiChoice was also asked when it decided and informed A+E Networks that it will remove the channels and if A+E Networks was informed of that before the company had its just-held showcase presentation. MultiChoice also declined to comment on that question. 

A+E Networks: DStv decided we don't offer good value 

On Tuesday evening A+E Networks confirmed the channels' removal.

In response to a media enquiry, A+E Networks told TVwithThinus that "DStv announced that they plan to take away the A+E Networks Africa family of channels, including History, Crime+Investigation, and Lifetime from their customers".

"DStv has decided that our channels do not offer good value to their subscribers."

"Fans of our channels could soon miss out on the thousands of hours of new and unique shows we provide across our world-class global brands including Surviving R Kelly, Forged in Fire, American Pickers, Curse of Oak Island, Damien Lewis Spy Wars, The First 48, Homicide Hunter, Married at First Sight, Little Women, Lifetime movies, Lost Gold of World War 2, Watergate, Treasures Decoded, and many more."

"This includes current and upcoming local programming such as Crime Stories SA, Don’t Tell the Bride SA and Loved Like Crazy."

"We have been very proactive in trying to reach an agreement that is best for our viewers and for DStv. Our goal is to continue to bring our high-quality, award-winning programming to our local audiences."

"Our channels are available to viewers in over 160 countries around the world, and we negotiate several of these deals every year.  We are willing to keep negotiations open and we sincerely hope DStv will find a way to work with us to keep our channels so we can continue to share our great upcoming local and international programmes with our loyal fans."

"Everyone at A+E Networks Africa is committed to continue working with DStv to try to achieve a positive outcome."

Complaints

While MultiChoice doesn't have a customer complaint email, DStv subscribers who are unhappy about the removal of either History, Crime + Investigation or Lifetime or desperate to try and save their channel, can email help@dstv.com to say why they don't want channels that they are paying for, to be removed from their pay-TV platform.

ALSO READ: Loss of a Lifetime sees thousands of livid DStv subscribers sign petition demanding that MultiChoice keeps the History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels. 

ALSO READ: MultiChoice on axing the A+E Networks channels from DStv after a bitter carriage fee fight: 'Unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended'.

ALSO READ: Knowing there's no channel carriage renewal deal in place, MultiChoice warned A+E Networks not to go ahead with its 2019 upfront and content showcase event - but A+E Networks Africa did it anyway. Then came the shocking revelation.

ALSO READ: Local plans in peril: Cancellation threat hangs over A+E Networks Africa's entire local content slate after MultiChoice dumps its channels from DStv.

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. In the ugly divorce between dad and mom MultiChoice and A+E Networks the biggest loser is the kids - viewers - who will bear the brunt of TV parents who now dislike each other.

ALSO READ: A+E Networks goes into hiding after MultiChoice axes its channels; petition grows to over 5 000 signatures from angry DStv subscribers as MultiChoice posts Channel Termination notices on the DStv EPG.

Crime & Investigation Network (CI) launches on DStv in Mozambique and Angola in Portuguese.

The Crime & Investigation Network (CI) has launched on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform in two further African countries, Mozambique and Angola, this time in Portuguese.

CI has been running for a number of years in South Africa and other African countries on DStv in English, as well as also a French language channel and is supplied by A+E Networks.

The new Portuguese language CI is operated by History in Iberia, a joint venture between A+E Networks and ChelloMulticanal.

"We're pleased to expand our relationship with MultiChoice through the launch of CI in Portuguese for the growing audiences of Angola and Mozambique," says Dean Possenniskie, the managing director, Europe for A+E Networks in a statement.

Crime & Investigation Network orders a new factual series, A Town and Country Murder; renews Crimes That Shook Britain for a 4th series.

The Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) has commissioned a new factual series, A Town and Country Murder, and has renewed Crimes That Shook Britain.

The Crime & Investigation Network, a joint venture betweek A+E Networks UK and BSkyB, has ordered eight episodes of a new series, A Town and Country Murder. It will explore some of the darkest murder stories in British history and will be shown on the channel in 2013.

The Crime & Investigation Network has also ordered a new 4th season of Crimes That Shook Britain.

"I am delighted to announce the commission of a brand-new series, A Town and Country Murder and the return of the acclaimed Crimes That Shook Britain," says Koulla Anastasi, the head of acquistions and commissioning for the Crime & Investigation Network at A+E Networks UK.

"Both programmes offers viewers an informative and detailed insight into some of the most harrowing murders to have taken place in the United Kingdom. Both series expose the dark side of Britain's criminal landscape and the far-reaching and profound impact that these have on the population."

Programming note: Britain's Bravest Cops starting on the Crime & Investigation Network on Sunday 22 July from 21:00.

Britain's Bravest Cops is a new documentary series that will start on the Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) on Sunday 22 July at 21:00.

Britain's Bravest Cops with Rav Wilding as the presenter, tell the stories of some of the most courageous police officers in Britain and highlights their day-to-day bravery in unexpected real-life cases on the streets.

Each episode of Britain's Bravest Cops reconstructs extraordinary acts of heroism, and follows police units up and down the country in hazardous operations as they crack down on crime.

Crime & Investigation Network starting midweek docudrama movies on Wednesdays at 21:00 from today as new 'appointment viewing' timeslot.

The Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) is starting with special midweek docudrama movies on Wednesday nights at 21:00 (South African time) from today, kicking off with Hunt for the I-5 Killer tonight which is based on a true story.

Hunt for the I-5 Killer, a dramatisation of the yearlong manhunt for the killer suspected of murdering 14 victims up and down the I-5 corridor through California, Washington and Oregon, will be followed in June by
The Killing Game on 13 June at 21:00 (based on the bestselling crime novel of Iris Johansen), Girl Fight on 20 June at 21:00, and And Baby Will Fall on 27 June at 21:00.

I asked the C&I Network why the TV channel has now taken this approach with dramatised crime movies.

"At Crime & Investigation Network we remain committed to bringing the best in true crime to our loyal audiences," says David Clifton, the spokesperson from A+E Networks UK which runs the Crime & Investigation Network. "We are constantly evolving our programming schedule towards new and exciting directions that we're confident will be just as gripping as our traditional real documentaries, and our TV movies are part of this," he says.

"They are scheduled on a Wednesday as 'Midweek Movies', providing a regular appointment to view for our audience."

Crime & Investigation Network very cleverly puts a lock on the box for the 2nd season of Britain's Biggest Heists.

The couriers often buzz in at TV with Thinus central with all kinds of stuff from TV channels, production companies and operators with material about their channels as well as specific shows and TV events but I haven't gotten something quite as aptly cool as what the Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) recently sent to my door.

This silver box had a lock on it with a note saying ''On what DStv channel can you find real crime all the time?'' and then a combination lock that would open the box. The combination is 255 of course (I will win in any competition by the way, for ''call out the channel number of a channel on either DStv or TopTV - I know them by heart.)

This clever way actually reinforces the channel number. Instead of lazy South African TV critics just getting something again (and many of them blatantly often just want stuff rather than do any actual work like - gasp - write something) they have to physically interact with a channel and its channel number.

Open the box and suddenly a siren starts blaring! A loud police alarm goes on for as long as the lid of the box is open that immediately will get anyone's attention. Inside is a bag of silver and golden (chocolate) coins, and inscribed on the inside lid cover of the box: ''See how it's done on Britain's Biggest Heists Season 2 only on Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) every Friday at 21:00.''

One of the coolest (and cleverest) I've interacted in a long time. Clever thought went into getting the message of the show and the channel across to critics. It's a cool ''gift'' because an attention-grabbing, effective and relevant message.

Programming note: Snapped: Women Who Kill back on the Crime & Investigation Network with new episodes.

Snapped: Women Who Kill starts with 18 new hour long episodes on the Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) from tonight at 22:00.

This longrunning American series currently in its 7th season and adapted with the international market with a British narrator, looks at seemingly ordinary women - and reconstructs the events - that led them to ''snap'' and kill.

Snapped: Women Who Kill is the flagship show of the Crime & Investigation Network and is produced by Jupiter Entertainment and distributed by NBC Universal. Every episode explores the real-life stories of ordinary women who for different reasons have killed someone close to them.

''We are delighted that Crime & Investigation Network is airing this 7th series of Snapped: Women Who Kill in South Africa,'' says Koulla Anastasi, head of acquisitions and commissioning at the channel. ''The series explores crime in detail and will be compulsive viewing for our audiences.''

AETN UK appoints Stephen Roberts as new head of programme scheduling; announce several promotions.

AETN UK, the joint venture between A+E Networks and BSkyB, which runs channels in South Africa like History (DStv 254) and Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) on MultiChoice's DStv has made some programming appointments and promotions.

AETN UK has appointed Stephen Roberts in the newly created role as head of programme scheduling.

Meanwhile AETN UK also announced promotions across its commissioning, acquisitions, editorial and compliance and research divisions. ''This is an incredibly exciting time for AETN UK,'' says Adam MacDonald, AETN UK's vice president of programming. ''As a company we're keen to build on our talented programming team bringing new expertise into the business as well as promoting our in-house programming executives.''

Rachel Job has been promoted to head of acquisitions and commissioning at History, while Sarah Proctor is joining AETN UK as acquisitions and commissioning editor for History. Koulla Anastasi has been promoted to head of acquisitions and commissioning for the Crime & Investigation Network. Jinal Patel is now acquisitions & commissioning senior editor for the Crime & Investigation Network. Michelle Clarke has been promoted to acquisitions and commissioning co-ordinator across all channels at AETN UK.

Emma Beaumont has been promoted to head of editorial and compliance. AETN UK's research team is headed by Rosie Smyth-Tyrrell as research manager.

Programming note: For the 10th anniversary of the events of 9/11 the Crime & Investigation Network has scheduled 2 special documentaries.

The Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) will have 2 special documentaries to mark what will be the 10th anniversary of the terror events of 9/11 in that week.

9/11 Confessions on Sunday 11 September at 23:10 on the Crime & Investigation Network will take a look at the most famous prisoner at Guantanamo prison. ''The CIA says he has confessed to being Osama Bin Laden's mastermind behind 9/11,'' says the channel. ''This documentary begins with his arrest and follows the dark trail to today, with exclusive interviews and research from the world's terror squads.

The 2 hour premiere of Stalking Jihad will be broadcast on Wednesday 14 September at 21:00.  In 2001 several Americans were among dozens kidnapped from the Philippine Island resort of Palawan. Then 9/11 happened and America became incredibly aggressive. This documentary contains real footage of the hostage situation.

''British Crime Month'' to premiere on the Crime & Investigation Network in February 2011.

The Crime & Investigation Network (DStv 255) announced that the channel will premiere ''British Crime Month'' in February 2011, highlighting some of the most notorious crimes of recent years that took place in Britain.

February in the Crime & Investigation Network will kick off with Peter Tobin, one of the United Kingdom's most notorious serial killers. The third season of The True Story starts in January on the crime channel. Crime 360 starts in March which follows one case from start to finish, and in April Fugitive Chronicles will tell the stories of the men and women who risked their lives to bring some of the most dangerous fugitives to justice.