MultiChoice adds the CBS Justice and CuriosityStream channels; returns euronews to Southern Africa.

MultiChoice is adding two further TV channels to DStv including CBS Justice and CuriosityStream and is returning the TV news euronews.

As a crime channel CBS Justice (DStv 170) will replace A+E Networks UK's Crime+Investigation Network and joins the existing channels set supplied by AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI) and CBS Studios International.

CuriosityStream (DStv 185), launched by John Hendricks who was the founder of the Discovery Channel, is a factual entertainment channel.

euronews (DStv 414) which used to be on DStv and was re-added in sub-Saharan Africa outside of Southern Africa after it was removed a few years ago, is being returned for DStv subscribers in South Africa and Southern Africa.

The three channels will become available from 21 November.

"We're thrilled to finally announce the launch of these channels that will expand the line-up of new programming for our DStv customers to enjoy," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment.

"CuriosityStream will give our viewers informative entertainment that the family can enjoy together and it’s with great pride that we are able to launch CBS Justice, a new true crime channel which is part of the CBS AMC Networks EMEA portfolio of channels."

"We’re also delighted to expand our viewers' choice of news and actuality programming with euronews."

CuriosityStream has factual programming including original and exclusive films and series, with titles ranging from Deep Time History, The History of Food, Age of Big Cats and Breakthrough .

"CuriosityStream is thrilled to premiere on DStv, collaborating with MultiChoice as our inaugural bundled distribution partner in Africa," says Clint Stinchcomb, president and CEO of CuriosityStream. "Viewers are hungry for high-quality, engaging and entertaining factual shows and CuriosityStream is proud to offer our channel to this important media market."

CBS Justice will feature a curated selection of original and acquired programming. CBS Justice will become available with original productions like The Real Prime Suspect, Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files, Secrets of a Psychopath, Evidence of Evil; and acquisitions Cold Justice, Fame Kills and Stalker!.

Crime experts include Jackie Malton (The Real Prime Suspect), the real-life inspiration behind Helen Mirren’s character in the award-winning UK drama Prime Suspect, and undercover investigative journalist and professor of criminology, Donal MacIntyre (Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files).

"This new launch highlights the growing demand for true crime content in the region, and we are thrilled to offer MultiChoice’s DStv customers exclusive access to authentic documentaries and series for the first time on CBS Justice," says Louise Cottrell, senior vice president, affiliate partnerships for AMCNI UK.

"CBS Justice joins a lineup of our other popular brands that continue to deliver value and high-quality entertainment. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with MultiChoice in the years ahead."

euronews will become available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers in Southern Africa.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with DStv to reach even more households on the African continent," says Carolyn Gibson, chief revenue officer at euronews.

MultiChoice Africa is adding the Eva+ channel on DStv and GOtv as a sister telenovela channel to Eva from AMC Networks International UK.

MultiChoice Africa is adding the sister channel to the telenovela channel Eva, Eva+, from AMC Networks International, to DStv in several South African countries from 1 November.

Eva+ will not be available on DStv in South Africa, but will be added to the DStv and GOtv platforms in several African countries.

Eva+ will be the first channel from AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI UK) to be made available on MultiChoice's GOtv service in Africa.

The addition of Eva+ follows after Eva was added in late-March 2015 to DStv in South Africa and across Africa.

Just like Eva, Eva+ will have Latin American telenovelas dubbed in English and Portuguese.

"We are delighted to be expanding on our telenovela offering and introducing Eva+ to the African market, in partnership with MultiChoice," says Louise Cottrell, the vice president for affiliate sales for AMCNI UK.

"'Telenovelas are increasingly popular in the region, so it's exciting that with Eva+ offered on GOtv in addition to DStv, we will now be able to reach brand new viewers with our top quality content."

Tim Jacobs, MultiChoice Africa CEO, says "with our focus now on putting our customer first, we are delighted to be adding Eva+ on to our platforms".

"Telenovelas have always been a sensation with our customers and we hope this addition further demonstrates our commitment to bringing programming that will make viewers eager to tune in to DStv".

Eva+ will broadcast double bills of four telenovela titles every weekday and marathons over the weekend, including Buscando a Maria (Searching Maria) on air from Tuesday 1 November at 11:20 every weekday, then on Saturday at 06:00 and on Sunday at 16:00.

Cuando me Enamoro (Timeless Love) willbe broadcast on Eva+ from Thursday 1 December at 11:20 on weekdays at 17:00, then on Saturday at 06:00 and on Sunday at 16:00.

TOLDJA! MGM channel on DStv and StarSat rebranding and changing to AMC from 1 December, launching AMC VOD and adding TV series.

The MGM (DStv 140 / StarSat 115) channel on MultiChoice's DStv and on On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes South Africa's StarSat satellite pay-TV platforms will rebrand on 1 December, AMC Networks International Zone just announced, as TV with Thinus reported early this morning.

AMC Networks International announced the global name-change for its MGM channel in August and said that MGM will rebrand globally in all the different territories before the end of the year.

The MGM to AMC change originally planned for November according to sources who spoke about it in August, was then moved to December.

After my story this morning, AMC Networks International Zone just issued a statement saying that it "will rebrand MGM channel as AMC from 1 December across sub-Saharan Africa".

Alongside the new AMC TV channel which will now carry TV series and no longer just movies like MGM, there will also be the launch of a video-on-demand (VOD) service called AMC VOD and "TV Everywhere" services to multiple devices.

South African TV viewers with DStv and StarSat will be able to watch TV series like the just-cancelled drama series The Divide, and the reality show Game of Arms about American arm wrestling, as well as movies from the film library of MGM. 

AMC will however start to expand the movie catalogue beyond just MGM's film valut, to include movies from Sony and the Paramount film libraries.

The Divide will start on AMC on 5 January 2015 at 20:00 with new episodes weekly.

Game of Arms will start on AMC on 2 December at 20:00 with new episodes until 16 December and then again with new episodes starting on 6 January 2015.

"With the introduction of AMC to the African market, our aim is to satisfy the local audience's growing appetite for high-quality international content including original series as well as a wide selection of popular Hollywood movies," says Louise Cottrell, the vice-president for affiliate sales for AMC Networks International Zone in a just issued statement.