Spring cleaning: Here are the 9 big changes coming to DStv channels from September and later this month.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service is doing some spring cleaning with multiple changes, channel additions and channel replacements, channel removals, as well as channel number changes coming into effect from today, with two more later this month.

The major changes revolve around MultiChoice and M-Net restructuring and reducing its M-Net Movies collection of channels, the SuperSport collection of channels being restructured into thematic and thematically named channels, BBC Studios' BBC First channel taken away, and the new option of a M-Net Movies add-on package being introduced.

Here are the changes:


1. Tellytrack, the South African horseracing channel, has moved from DStv channel number 239 to channel 249.


2. The BBC First channel that was available to DStv Premium subscribers has been axed from DStv as part of what MultiChoice calls "a refresh of its British entertainment line-up". Some of the British drama content that used to be on BBC First will now be placed on the BBC Brit channel.


3. Fashion One (DStv 178) that has been running outdated and old content on a loop, abruptly stopped broadcasting without warning a few days ago. MultiChoice that tried to engage the Fashion One owners has removed Fashion One with immediate effect from the DStv line-up.


4.  MultiChoice will add the tlnovelas channel as a pop-up channel on DStv channel 133 between 14 and 30 September that will broadcast an array of English-dubbed Mexican telenovelas.


5. MultiChoice will launch its new DStv Rewards loyalty programme for DStv subscribers in South Africa sometime this month but hasn't specified or announced a specific date for September yet. With DStv Rewards subscribers will earn upgrades, discounts and other vouchers depending on what bouquet and for the duration they've been subscribers.


6. M-Net and MultiChoice reduced its set of M-Net Movies channels from 6 to 4 TV channels which are also renamed to M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104), M-Net Movies 2 (DStv 106), M-Net Movies 3 (DStv 107) and M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108). The number of films shown won't be reduced but movies are structured better to decrease the number of repeats on DStv.


7. M-Net's kykNET Afrikaans channels division is making the December holiday pop-up channel fliekNET (DStv 149) a permanent Afrikaans film channel from today. The channel will broadcast classic Afrikaans films as well as new locally-produced Afrikaans movies.


8. MultiChoice has created an "Add Movies" add-on package for DStv subscribers that costs an additional R99 per month. DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access, DStv EasyView, and DStv subscribers on the Indian packages can add the Add Movies add-on to their normal subscription. The Add Movies package has the M-Net Movies 1, M-Net Movies 2 and fliekNET channels and will also include possible M-Net Movies pop-up channels when DStv run them for a limited time.


9. The collection of SuperSport channels are getting names from today and channel number changes to help make it easier for DStv subscribers to know what type of content to expect on which channel.

The new SuperSport arrangement will go live at 12:00 on 1 September.

SuperSport's flagship channel, SuperSport Grandstand is now on DStv channel 201 and will carry the best of live sports content, with SuperSport Blitz on DStv channel 200 that will carry 24-hour sports news and highlights.

Channel 202 as SuperSport PSL will now carry Premier Soccer League (PSL) and other South African football, DStv channel 203 as SS Premier League will now carry English Premier League, UCL, UEL and international games, while SS LaLiga on DStv channel 204 will now carry LaLiga, UCL, UEL and international games.

SuperSport Football on DStv channel 205 will now carry soccer like Serie A, additional EPL, UCL, UEL and international games.

On SuperSport Variety 1 on DStv channel 206 SuperSport will broadcast cycling, swimming, additional golf, cricket, tennis, rugby and soccer. On SuperSport Variety 2 on DStv channel 207 SuperSport will show gymnastics, squash, sailing, hockey and additional football content.

On SuperSport Variety 3 on DStv channel 208 subscribers will find a variety of athletics, marathons, WWE wrestling, PSL and additional soccer coverage, while SuperSport Variety 4 on DStv channel 209 will showcase a variety of local sports ranging from school rugby and university sports, to netball, BNL, MDB and SRC, as well as WWE wrestling highlights.

DStv channel 210 now named SuperSport Action will showcase adrenalin sports like UFC, EFC, boxing, additional rugby and cricket, as well as cricket and motorsport, while DStv channel 211 as SuperSport Rugby is now the main channel for rugby including Springbok games, Super Rugby, the Currie Cup, test matches as well as Sevens matches.

DStv channel 212 as SuperSport Cricket will mainly house cricket coverage like the Proteas, ICC tournaments, international cricket games and IPL, while DStv channel 213 as SuperSportGolf is now where major golf tournaments reside like PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour.

On DStv channel 214 is SuperSport Tennis with tennis like the Grand Slams, ATP 1000, ATP 250 and ATP 500; with motorsport like Formula 1, Formula E, Moto GP, Superbikes and Supercars on DStv channel 215 as SuperSport Motorsport.

DStv channel 236 will be the main home for WWE wrestling coverage, including WWE live events, WWE RAW, WWE SmackDown, WrestleMania and WWE SummerSlam.

MultiChoice adds the fashion channel Fashion One already available on StarSat to DStv to replace the dumped FashionTV from March.

MultiChoice is adding Fashion One to DStv from March as a new fashion travel to replace the dumped FashionTV that's going dark on Sunday.

Rival satellite pay-TV platform StarSat, operated by On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes Media SA added Fashion One two years ago in February 2013.

Now the fashion channel from Fashion One LLC that was started by Michael Gleissner in 2010 will be available on DStv as well.

Fashion One will be on channel 178, on the same DStv Premium, DStv Extra, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access packages that FashionTV was available on. MultiChoice will show Fashion One in 48 countries.

"We are thrilled about the collaboration with MultiChoice which brings us to the position of number one fashion channel in Africa," says Fashion One. "The channel will introduce African audiences to fashion like they've never seen it before, as well as great stories about local fashion and lifestyles".

"Fashion One will give our DStv customers front row seats to the biggest international fashion shows and runways that they've become used to seeing," says Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content.

"They'll also be introduced to a rich blend of local fashion, entertainment and lifestyle shows."

Programming on Fashion One include Style Wars, Eco Fashion and Fashion on a Plate.

Fashion ... hot ... NOT! MultiChoice yanks FashionTV on DStv from the end of the month; Michel Adam's rhinestone channel to go dark on 28 February.

"Fashion ... hot".  Only ... it's not.

It used to be that diamonds at least were forever, only in television even they don't last forever.

FashionTV is quietly going dark at the end of this month, gone from MultiChoice's DStv platform on channel 178 with no explanation so far as to why the Michael Adam channel is no longer ready to wear watch.

Founded by its president, Michel Adam, FashionTV calls itself the biggest fashion medium in the world.

But its the end of the runway for the hot to trot channel that will now be abruptly discontinued on DStv at the end of February.

FashionTV (StarSat 282) is still available on StarSat after the channel went dark for a while in 2015. StarSat also carries the Fashion One (StarSat 179) channel that was started by Michael Gleissner.

So far DStv subscribers are only told in an electronic programme guide (EPG) message on DStv that "Fashion TV will stop airing on 28 February 2016. Thank you for watching".

There's been no explanation from DStv or FashionTV as to why the rhinestone encrusted Eiffel tower  channel is being removed.

Asked why FashionTV is being discontinued and if the channel will be replaced by another similar type channel, MultiChoice tells me: "FashionTV will be replaced by another channel - we will make the relevant announcements soon".

FashionTV didn't respond to a media enquiry.

The demise of FashionTV on DStv follows a year after the Style Network from NBCUniversal International Networks was shuttered on DStv at the end of January 2015.

Goodbye, "midnight haute".

Is HiFashion Afrika the next reality modelling TV nightmare to be unleashed on South African viewers after Africa's Next Top Model?

More possibly tragically bad television seems to be on the way with HiFashion Afrika, a new reality series from Faith History Productions that will be on Fashion One (StarSat 179) from sometime in August.

Africa's Next Top Model on DStv's AfricaMagic was a shocking sadness, and now there's word about HiFashion Afrika.

As a TV critic I cannot help but wonder whether HiFashion Afrika - which I haven't heard anything about, nor been told, will scrape even more extreme nightmare production lows than Africa's Next Top Model or manage to be better.

HiFashion Afrika apparently had a media launch somewhere in May or June but failed to actually invite any TV critics and those covering television.

Say it with me people: Not a good start for what already creates a first impression of trash television.

HiFashion Afrika, executive produced by Faith "History" Nsa is a new reality series purportedly about fashion wannabes, giving viewers insight into the modelling biz "through the journeys of aspirant fashion wannabes as they experience a day in the life of some of Africa's most successful fashion insiders and icons" who mentor them.

Good luck. Maybe the first task can be to compile an accurate and proper press list, contact them and send them publicity information. All of the ones besides the monthlies of course which already closed their August issues - the month this thing is supposedly starting and who can't include HiFashion Afrika anymore even if they want to.

Modelling biz icons who will presumably appear in HiFashion Afrika include the likes of David Tlale, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Merwelene van der Merwe, Nick Boulton, Ephraim Molingoana and others.

Front Row back for a third season on Fashion One on TopTV from Thursday at 21:00.

Front Row, Fashion One's (TopTV 179) lifestyle and fashion magazine show is returning for its third season to Fashion One from Thursday, 13 June at 21:00 (South African time) with international stylist Rachel Anthony, fashion presenter and model Sam Simmons, and celebrity correspondent Kiri Bloore.

The three Front Row presenters are at red carpets and catwalks around the globe to bring viewers the latesst news and views and a VIP pass to cutting-edge fashion shows and celebrity trends.

"I want the audience to feel informed but also to feel that it's fun to watch, like engaging into a conversation with us," says Rachel Anthony.

Kiri Bloore is the presenter of a new celebrity segment, revealing VIP's sitting in the front row of fashion shows and showing clips of celebrities spotted wearing designer gowns.

"Front Row is more than just a fashion reportage show with seasonal critique, obligatory controversy and some well-tailored tittle-tattle," says Ashley Jordan, executive producer. "The third season of Front Row will have a 360 degree view of fashion as the added red carpet segment will show fashion in the real world and not just on the runway."

Front Row is produced by Michael Gleissner and Ashley Jordan with Angie Dowling as senior producer and Sarah Walker as director.

Fasion One Correspondent Search Benelux coming to Fashion One on TopTV from Tuesday 21 May at 22:00.

Fashion One Correspondent Search Benelux is starting on Fashion One (TopTV 179) on Tuesday 21 May at 22:00 (South African time) with a two episode premiere, a new reality show looking for a fashion correspondent for the fashion television network in the Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg region known as the Benelux region.

Adam Child is the presenter of Fashion One Correspondent Search Benelux, with judges Zoe Van Gastel, Tom van Der Borght and Jim York. The show follows a similar search for a fashion correspondent for Fashion One in London.

Fashion One Correspondent Search Benelux has 6 episodes with 9 contestants who have the potential to become a correspondent for the TV channel. "We are looking for the perfect correspondent that not only have great knowledge about fashion, but also have the capability to think independently and work under pressure," says Adam Child.

Fashion One Correspondent Search Benelux will be filmed on location in "the most stylish fashion hot spots throughout the region". "The Benelux region has the ability to bring fashion to all aspects of life - whether it be music, food, decor or art. The Fashion One correspondent winner will report within these three different countries to audiences worldwide," says Ashley Jordan, CEO of Fashion One.

Fashion Show One Correspondent Search Benelux has Michael Gleissner and Ashley Jordan as executive producers with Rebecca Piket as producer.

Eco Fashion on Fashion One starting its 2nd season on 22 April; will include South African designers creating eco-friendly products.

Eco Fashion, the eco-friendly docu-series looking at environmentally aware fashion designers and and fashion creation, will start its second season on Fashion One (TopTV 179) on 22 April at 20:30 (South African time) and will include a look at South African designers as well.

Viewers will see indigenous fabrics, grass reed mats, cloth scraps and hand made beads made from dirt and even discarded taxi upholstery which are all used by a new set of designer brands which will be shown in the second season of Eco Fashion.

South African designers will be included in the new second season, alongside those from the Phillipones, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Germany and the USA as viewers get a glimpse into these designers' studios. They will show their eco-friendly products from conception to completion.

"Not only are the materials and production process used sustainable, these products are made by the local people, thus creating livelihood to the communities in the region," says Eco Fashion.

"After we aired the first season, we were overwhelmed by the response we got from both the viewers and the industry, requesting more eco-labels to be featured in the show," says Ashley Jordan, Fashion One CEO. "This series is not just about the brand or the product, it's about the people and the visionaries that create them."

Fashion One to show Aurora Fashion Week from the runways in St. Petersburg from 17 April.

Fashion One (TopTV 179) will show the Aurora Fashion Week Russia (AFWR) from Wednesday 17 April from the runways in St. Petersburg for South African viewers and worldwide.

Fashion One will  focus on the big-buzz Russian designers and their latest collections.

"Aurora Fashion Week is one of the key fashion events in Eastern Europe. The Fashion One network provides a platform for the Russian designers to showcase their works globally," says Ashley Jordan, the CEO of Fashion One.

"We are glad to partner with Fashion One, this cooperation provides us with the opportunity to bring the fashion and style from Aurora Fashion Week Russia to the world," says Artem Balaev, the general producer of the AFWR.

New reality show, Design Genius, on TopTV's Fashion One starting on Tuesday 19 March at 21:30.

Design Genius is a new reality show which will start on Tuesday 19 March on Fashion One (TopTV 179) at 21:30 in which three designers are pitted against each other for competing for $25 000.

The fashion designer turned reality star Indashio is the host and judge.

In each episode three designers are surprised with three unconventional materials and one "inspirational element". They're then tasked with the challenge of creating an accessory, undergarment or wardrobe item by only using the items provided.

"It's amazing to watch these designers create high fashion garments out of bicycles, beach balls and first-aid kits and then bring these individual pieces together to create an overall vision," says Idashio.

With little time, obscure materials and unpredictable inspirations, designers battle it out and find their design skills put to the test.

"Viewers can expect amazing drama and design from these different contestants from all over the world," says Ashley Jordan, Fashion One CEO.

BREAKING. Fashion One on TopTV as a newly added replacement channel will start to add African focused fashion TV content.

Finally a statement and communication from TopTV after Fashion One (TopTV 179) was added to the TopTV pay-TV platform as a replacement channel for Star with the new fashion TV channel saying it will start working to add African focused fashion TV content on the channel and TopTV saying that it is excited to add "this glamorous channel".

TopTV already has the fashion television channel FTV on channel 179, which is also available on MultiChoice's DStv platform on channel 178. Now Fashion One, beamed from Hong Kong, is replacing Star which carried entertainment news and gossip. Fashion One however has a much more narrower focus as a replacement channel with its emphasis on fashion.

Fashion One which calls its TopTV channel feed Fashion One Africa says that Fashion One will "start covering more major African cultural events from art and music to dance and food and will place a special spotlight on the best of local fashion designers, creative talents and innovative design within the region."

"We are pleased to be able to announce the launch of Fashion One Africa with TopTV in South Africa and excited to be part of the country's growing global importance," says Ashley Jordan, the CEO of Fashion One in a just-issued statement.

"In addition to bringing the latest fashion, entertainment and lifestyle programmes from around the world to our audience in South Africa, Fashion One will also showcase African talent with our increasing investment in local productions and, at the same time, provide regular worldwide exposure to the designers and labels in the region through our worldwide network," says Ashley Jordan.

"From Morocco to Cape Town, including Johannesburg, more and more African fashion weeks and other relevant events will be covered and broadcast on the channel," says Ian Woodrow, the vice president for channels at TopTV in the statement.

"TopTV is every excited to add this glamorous channel, with a strong focus on local fashion and content, to our current offering. We are confident that it will soon garner a large following among fashion devotees, creatives, retailers and stylistas alike," says Ian Woodrow.

Shows on Fashion One include Eco Fashion, Yoga, Health and Well-being and Fashion One will also show Fashion Frontline as well as African Fashion International 2012.

BREAKING. TopTV adds Fashion One as a new replacement channel in the place of Star.

You're reading it here first. 

On Digital Media (ODM) quietly added the fashion-centric Fashion One TV channel, a TV channel broadcast from Hong Hong, as a new replacement TV channel on Friday to its TopTV bouquet on channel 179.

Fashion One is the replacement for the entertainment news and gossip channel Star which was one of the three TV channels which Turner Broadcasting System International yanked from TopTV's platform at the end of December without any public explanation.

TopTV already has the fashion television channel FTV on channel 179, which is also available on MultiChoice's DStv platform on channel 178.

Not before it was added to the line-up of channels on Friday nor days after Fashion One has now been added, has TopTV issued any press release about Fashion One or made any public statement to the press.

TopTV alerted subscribers through an on-screen message that TopTV "would like to inform you that Fashion One has been added on channel 179".

TopTV has been working for a month and a half to add the Asian TV channel from Bigfoot Entertainment, awaiting regulatory approval from the regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), as well as approval from the South African Reserve Bank.

TV with Thinus first asked TopTV in January about Fashion One and was told that the South African pay-TV operator still needs clearance from Icasa as well as the Reserve Bank and to "please hold" on any news about Fashion One (which I did) with the promise that there would be information issued.

Fashion One is very similar to FTV, and doesn't contain the general entertainment news and gossip of precedessor Star.

Fashion One's programming contains a litany of segments focusing on fashion weeks, fashion documentaries, fashion travelogues, catwalk, ramp, set and design coverage as well as coverage of models.

Fashion One is a very new channel which was only launched in April last year.