MultiChoice to add new DStv kids channel Play Room with a live afternoon tween show.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is adding a third TV channel from the Ngwato Nkosi Group, with Play Room which will launch on DStv channel 300 on 6 November as a new kids channel with animation content dubbed into isiZulu and a live afternoon show aimed at a tween audience.

The Ngwato Nkosi Group already provides the Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) channel as a South African TV news channel to MultiChoice, and also added the film channel Movie Room (DStv 113) a year ago. 

"From a local content perspective, we're excited to expand on local representation in the form of content being dubbed in local languages. The launch of Play Room is an enhancement that we believe parents and children will have a strong affinity to," says Georginah Machiridza, MultiChoice head of general entertainment.

"We will also have a fresh Play Room Live offering every Monday to Friday from 15:00 until 16:00 which will see us bring back a tried and trusted format that audiences love."

The plan with Play Room is to combine education and entertainment through a mix of South African and international content like Paw Patrol and Game Shakers, together with animated titles dubbed into isiZulu.

"We are bringing dubbed content to parents who are eager for their children to learn their home languages," says  Thabile Ngwato, CEO of the Ngwato Nkosi Group.

"The languages used will be conversational and accessible, with language switching taking place as we do in everyday speech. Watching titles such as Cocomelon and Akili and Me in isiZulu empowers children to explore the world and their feelings in their own language."

"For the pre-teen kid, our content re-affirms that the way they express themselves and experience the world is also valid. Our content will give kids the tools they need to create the world they want to live in."

Morning programming on Play Room will be centred around educational material for 4 to 6-year-olds, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children's imaginations.

Afternoons will feature live action and a local live show with high entertainment value for tweens.

The afternoon live show on Play Room which will follow the KTV and YO.TV mould, will "combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens".

Play Room will use a multilingual approach and there will also be sign language representation.

MultiChoice to add the new film channel Movie Room from 27 August to DStv packaged by the Ngwato Nkosi Group.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will add a new locally-packaged movie channel to DStv, with the TV channel called Movie Room which will be going live for pay-TV subscribers on 27 August on DStv channel 113.

MultiChoice has not yet announced which DStv packages will get access to Movie Room, but the film channel comes from Thabile Ngwato and Thokozani Nkosi's Ngwato Nkosi Group which is already supplying the South African TV news channel Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) to the Randburg-based satellite pay-TV operator.

After MultiChoice ended its channels carriage agreement with eMedia Investment's e.tv earlier this year and which led to DStv subscribers losing movie channels like eMovies and eMovies Extra, MultiChoice promised that it would substitute the removal with the addition of a new film channel later this year. 

"This channel will offer entertaining local and international movies 24/7, from big blockbuster hits to unforgettable cinema classics," says Thokozani Nkosi. 

"We'll be carefully curating the line-up to cater for every mood – whether it's edge-of-your-seat action you’re after, or the comfort of an old favourite. Of course, we’ll also apply the unique perspective that we’ve become known for,."

"This is an exciting next step in our journey. Newzroom Afrika has been successful beyond all expectations, and we will use the experience of setting up the channel from scratch to make smart decisions in our approach with Movie Room."

Georginah Machiridza, MultiChoice's head of content strategy and third party channels, says Movie Room will give DStv subscribers more options in their selection of entertainment.

"We're excited to bring subscribers the widest possible choice of fine movies to satisfy all tastes and seasons."