M-Net dropping 'HD' from its channel ident: 'Change was made to create a uniform look and feel across the DStv platform,' says MultiChoice.

The M-Net channel on MultiChoice's DStv got rid of the "HD" behind its on-screen channel ident just over a week ago, and the pay-TV platform is responding and says its been done to create a more uniform look.

The M-Net channel on channel 101 on DStv adopted the M-Net HD logo from October 2012 when the M-Net HD channel - which was a separate channel on DStv with slightly differentiated content - fell away and the standard definition (SD) M-Net channel became able to carry the full HD content in terms of ads, filler and its programming content.

Responding to the use of just the stylistic blue-ribbon device "M" from now on for channel 101, MultiChoice says "this change was made to create a uniform look and feel across the DStv platform".

"The M-Net and M-Net Movies channels are simulcast HD/SD channels; just like Universal, Studio Universal and FOX. The various DStv HD decoders automatically pick up these channels in HD - customers who have HD equipment will always see the simulcast channels in HD without having to do anything. The only exception is SuperSport HD channels which are not yet simulcast".

M-Net does away with the 'HD' in its M-Net on-screen channel ident on MultiChoice's DStv platform, no reason given.

M-Net quietly dumped the "HD" from the M-Net on-screen logo on channel 101 on MultiChoice's DStv platform on Friday without giving a reason, although the channel remains a high definition (HD) channel.

The "M HD" has made way for just the stylistically used blue-ribbon device "M" on-screen, without the silver "HD" letters at the end.

There's been no explanation from M-Net as to the reason behind the quiet M-Net channel ident change; a media enquiry was made late on Friday.

The M-Net channel 101 adopted the M-Net HD logo from October 2012 when the M-Net HD channel which was a separate channel on DStv with slightly differentiated content, fell away and the standard definition (SD) M-Net channel became able to carry the full HD content in terms of ads, filler and its programming content.

BREAKING. M-Net and M-Net HD channels to become 100% the same simulcast from 1 October.

The M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net HD (DStv 170) TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv will become 100% the same simulcast channels from 1 October this year.

Up to now M-Net HD was a packaged simulcast channel with somewhat less adverts and a marginally different schedule that the "original" M-Net channel.

That will all change in 3 months' time when from 1 October there will only be one M-Net HD feed going out. The M-Net HD feed will in fact be downscaled for the M-Net channel, I'm told.

FUNNY. What does M-Net HD say on its default on-screen break in transmission bumper? ''Our rocket scientists are working on it. Relax.''

As all TV channels have from time to time, how does M-Net HD's (DStv 170) static break in transmission bumper look when the channel has a momentary break in transmission due to technical problems?

It's this funny break bumper that reminds every TV viewer - especially ones like me who always want to take and treat television oh soo seriously - to not. ''The Magic in HD will return shortly. Our rocket scientists are working on it. Relax. Take a breath'' says the funny break bumper that cut in for about 20 seconds when M-Net had a problem between the switchover from Idols to Carte Blanche this evening.

And for what TV viewer would forgiveness not come easier when a broadcaster has a funny default break bumper like this?

BREAKING. M-Net's new logo for its M-Net HD channel has a more streamlined, chrome-finish look.

Here's your first look at the brand-new logo for the M-Net HD (DStv 170) channel that came into effect as a channel ident just after midnight this morning, 1 April.

The new gleaming M-Net HD logo changed the font of the ''HD'' wording to a sans serif font, made the ''M'' blue ribbon bigger and now separate from the ''HD" to be more visible and to also be exactly the same as not jus the ''M'' of the main M-Net channel (DStv 101) but also similar to how the ''M'' is now big and at the front of all the other M-Net sister channels (M-Net Stars, M-Net Action, M-Net Series).

Exactly as I broke the news last year, all the logos changed today, 1 April and all the channel idents for M-Net Stars, M-Net Action, M-Net Series, M-Net Movies 1, M-Net Movies 2, M-Net Movies 1 HD jumped from the top right corner to the top left corner.
M-Net HD was first to change its logo and TV screen corner, followed by M-Net Movies 1, then M-Net Movies 2, then M-Net Action, M-Net Stars and M-Net Series.

ALSO READ: How the new M-Net Series logo looks.
ALSO READ: How the new M-Net Stars logo looks.
ALSO READ: How the new M-Net Action logo looks.

M-Net: M-Net HD and the M-Net channel not becoming exact mirror channels from April yet, but ''it is definitely coming.''

You're reading it here first.

M-Net says its M-Net HD (DStv 170) and M-Net channel (DStv 101) won't become exact mirror channels from April yet since it still needs to accomodate some high definition sport broadcasts on the M-Net HD channel - although the pay broadcaster says that eventually all of its channels will be broadcast in high definition (HD).

Yesterday I asked M-Net specifically about the broadcaster's HD strategy moving forward and whether the M-Net channel and M-Net HD will become exact simulcast channels by 1 April. Last year sources told TV with Thinus that the plan was for M-Net and M-Net HD - both on satellite - to become 100% simulcast channels when M-Net does the split between its M-Net channel on satellite and its analogue channel this year, and which will now happen on 1 April.

''HD is the future of television. In the end all channels, all M-Net's channels, will be in HD,'' says Lani Lombard, M-Net's communications manager. ''It's very difficult still, and very very expensive to shoot in HD as well, so moving to HD is a gradual process. At this stage the M-Net channel (DStv 101) on DStv and M-Net HD (DStv 170) are very close and the gap is getting smaller and smaller,'' she says.

''As soon as possible M-Net HD and M-Net will become exactly the same mirror channel. We will put all of our schedules and programming together in HD and then down convert it to standard definition.''.

Is there a specific date and will it be 1 April? ''There is not a specific date for that... yet,'' she says. ''But it is coming. It's definitely coming.'' For the time being M-Net HD still needs to accomodate some HD sport broadcasts, while all sport will move away from the M-Net channel from April. Therefore M-Net HD and the M-Net channel can't yet look exactly alike.

BREAKING. M-Net HD to become a full and proper high definition simulcast channel of M-Net in April 2011.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively reveal that M-Net HD (DStv 170) will become a full and proper HD simulcast channel version of M-Net in April 2011.

Currently M-Net HD is not a full mirror channel of M-Net and sometimes show sport or different movies, as well as slightly different starting times for several shows since the TV schedule is a close reflection of M-Net - but not a 100% simulcast version.

That is set to change from April 2011 though when M-Net HD will become a 100% high definition version of M-Net, I'm told. ''Movies, entertainment shows - everything will be completely synchronised with a HD version on M-Net HD exactly the same as on M-Net. The problem has been that some TV content simply isn't available in HD yet but moving forward from April next year M-Net HD is going to exactly reflect what you see on M-Net.''

Programming note: TV coverage today of the live Fifa World Cup draw.

The post below details what the eNews Channel will be doing today, covering the live final draw for the World Cup soccer tournament. Here is what the other channels are up to, and a comprehensive summary of where you can watch regarding this evening's live final Word Cup tournament draw:

More than 200 million people worldwide should be following today's live final draw taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Center in Cape Town. The 2005 draw in Leipzig, Germany pulled 134,5 million viewers in 137 countries.

SABC1 has the official broadcasting rights for the event and will broadcast it from 18:30. The duration of the broadcast is 90 minutes. Fifa's secretary general Jerome Valcke will do the draw, viewers will be able to see Charlize Theron and David Beckham.

SuperSport 3 (DStv 203) and M-Net HD (DStv 170) will both cross LIVE at 18:00 and 18:30, with a rebroadcast at 22:30 on SS3.

CNN International (DStv 401) also has LIVE coverage from 18:30. CNN International also broadcasts a special documentary, South Africa 2010 at 19:00 this evening.

CNBC Africa (DStv 410) didn't give me any info, but I have reliably learned that the channel has a presence at the draw and will be filming inserts that will go out on Monday night on the channel, and will also do telephone interviews with the CNBC Europe feed through the course of this morning.

BREAKING. Survivor SA will be broadcast in High Definition (HD).

You're reading it here first. I've asked on 5 November for the first time (and I STILL haven't heard as much as a peep after asking a few times again) but I can now be first to EXCLUSIVELY CONFIRM that Survivor SA is filmed - and will be broadcast - in High Definition (HD).

Survivor SA, currently being filmed in Mozambique, will start on Wednesday, 20 January at 20:00 on M-Net. Viewers with an HD PVR will however also be able to follow the reality show that is filming a celebrity version on the Mozambique coast close to Inhassoro, in a spectacular High Definition version as well.

Survivor SA will also be broadcast in HD on the M-Net HD channel (DStv 170), since a source close to the Endemol SA production has finally confirmed what I've enquired about a while ago already: The show is indeed being filmed with HD cameras by Endemol SA, which means that Survivor SA would have an upscaled HD version as well - perfect to see all the celebs and all the action on Paradise Island up close!
The only current HD channel on DStv is M-Net HD, and Survivor SA is also an M-Net show.

The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards: I'm blogging it LIVE

This is a blog and since TV's biggest night is happening in the wee hours of Monday morning and South African viewers will once again be getting the chance to watch it LIVE, I will be blogging the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards LIVE while I watch it in HD.

I'll sleep later on Monday when I get to the airport to dash off to Johannesburg and an M-Net visit later on Monday, but I'll definitely be up, and you can join me on Monday morning from 02:00 for my thoughts on the Emmys red carpet coverage as well as the live ceremony.

I will be the only South African TV writer blogging the event LIVE and I'll make sure that you don't miss any of the interesting, funny or important bits in print.

Here is where you can watch 61st Primetime Emmy Awards coverage:

Emmys official red carpet pre-show, 02:00 - 03:00, M-Net HD (DStv 170)

Emmys official red carpet pre-show, 02:00 - 03:00, M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103)

Emmy ceremony, 03:00 - 05:30, M-Net HD (DStv 170)

Emmy ceremony, 03:00 - 05:30, M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103)

E! Live from the Red Carpet red carpet pre-show, 00:00 - 03:00, E! Entertainment (DStv 124)

BREAKING. Emmys now broadcast LIVE in HD as well on M-Net HD!

You're reading it here first. Check below for M-Net's other Emmy broadcast options, but it just happened right now and M-Net is now going to show the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards now in full high definition (HD) as well, LIVE and on the M-Net HD channel (DStv 170)!

TWO THINGS:

1.The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will go out in HD on M-Net HD from 02:00 until 05:00 this Monday morning, 21 September.

2.The HD broadcast - and only the HD broadcast (also because it's starting at 02:00) - will include and feature the Emmy's official PRE EMMY RED CARPET SHOW!

Besides this just added HD broadcast, you can catch the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on:

Monday, 21 September, M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103), LIVE at 03:00 - 05:00

Monday, 21 September, M-Net, 21:30