History channel to broadcast History of Football from May ahead of the 2018 World Cup as part of a special programming strand with over 40 hours of content.

The History (DStv 186) channel will broadcast History of Football from 28 May to 10 June in South Africa and across Africa as part of a 14-day programming strand that A+E Networks will run globally in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup.

History of Football will be broadcast in 160 territories and countries, including South Africa and across Africa and include over 40 hours of content that will be a blend of global and local programming.

History will broadcast a slate of original, globally-focused, premium documentary series as well as short-form specials, complemented by a careful curation of World Cup films, as well as locally-sourced TV series and documentaries that will offer a unique lens into each country’s particular passions for football.

“We conceived History of Football as a deeply immersive television event capitalising on one of those rare moments in our global culture, the World Cup, when a huge segment of the world population becomes so passionately connected,” says Patrick Vien, A+E Networks International’s executive managing director.

“History’s world-class storytelling has produced and curated a unique combination of global and local programming, long-form and short-form, to give viewers a wide swath of football content that, all combined, will tell the many phenomenal stories that define the game. It’s the biggest international programming initiative History has undertaken and I could not be prouder of our team.”

“With opinions on football so strong among fans worldwide, History’s vast programming slate for this event will aim to engage and ignite an entertaining debate on exactly what were the ultimate historic moments of the sport, who stands as the best player in history, which coaches most shaped the game and so much more,” says Dan Korn, the executive producer of History of Football and the vice president of programming for A+E UK.

“For both the most intense and the more casual fans, History will present 14 days of nothing but the story of the game.”

A+E Networks' Crime+Investigation in Africa on DStv goes 'red cross' as it debuts a new on-air look, improves programming and adds Leah Remini Scientology must-see series.

The Crime+Investigation (CI) channel (DStv 170) rebranded its Africa channel feed today with a new on-air look emphasising its "red cross" plus sign and stacked white lettering, two months after rolling out the new on-air look in the United Kingdom and in America on the channel feed for Africa that's packaged by A+E Networks UK.

Besides the new on-air look, Crime+Investigation is improving its content line-up, adding must-see shows like the controversial Leah Remini Scientology series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath from May that made waves in America as the actress speaks out and helps Scientologists desperate to leave the organisation like she did.

The latest Crime+Investigation on-air rebrand follows three years after the last on-air update of the channel that specialises in true crime documentary series.

A+E Networks says Crime+Investigation is evolving as a TV channel and will be "taking viewers to places far beyond any other crime channel".

As part of the improved Crime+Investigation channel proposition, C+I says its investing in content that will immerse viewers into real crime scenes and labs, police investigations and courtrooms and that will allow viewers to join detectives and distraught family members in their pursuit of truth.

"Crime+Investigation will redefine the genre by exploring fascinating insights into what makes people tick – their greatest hopes and aspirations, deepest fears and darkest motivations."

"Crime+Investigation has a fiercely loyal and passionate fan base worldwide," says Patrick Vien, A+E Networks's executive managing director.

'We are thrilled to unveil this evolved vision which will help us to continue elevating the crime genre with thought-provoking, investigative storytelling driven by human ingenuity."

"Paired with significant investment in original programming, we are confident that Crime+Investigation will reach new heights as we bring both core fans and new audiences even deeper into some of the most galvanizing investigations of our time."   

Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks general manager for Africa says "The slate of new content on Crime+Investigation is one that will without a doubt appeal to super fans and captivate new ones."

"With the focus on the investigation and getting viewers closer to the truth, the themes and storylines will resonate with viewers. The refresh will further build on our 10 years of bringing viewers the best in quality programming."

The true crime series Cold Case Files narrated by Danny Glover returns to Crime+Investigation with new episodes on 16 March.

Cold Case Files highlights different approaches to solving cold cases that are more wide-ranging than ever before, spanning from repressed memories and witnesses finally coming forward, to enlisting crowd-solving and social media.

Other programming on Crime+Investigation include:

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, from 3 May, 20:00

The much-anticipated American series will start on Crime+Investigation in which actress Leah Remini brings her shocking story about the world of Scientology to viewers across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv.

After she abruptly left Scientology after 34 years, Leah Remini helps Scientologists desperate to leave, in the 8-episode series. Leah also tells the story of her dramatic and often painful personal journey of having been involved with Scientology, from the age of 9 until she abruptly left in 2013.

Crimes That Shook Britain, from 20 March, 20:00

Dermot Murnaghan returns to uncover the truth behind the crimes that shocked the United Kingdom with a look at some of Britain's most disturbing cases.

The Jail: 60 Days In, from 10 April,20:50

An unprecedented look at life behind bars at Indiana's Clark County Jail as seven innocent volunteers are sent to live among its general population for 60 days without officers, fellow inmates, or staff knowing their secret.

Monster in My Family, from 18 April, 20:50

The stories of the dual lives of some of the most notorious serial killers, from the inside, with unprecedented access to their family members and intimate friends who reveal what was happening on the seemingly normal and non-criminal side of the killers, while they were carrying on their reigns of terror on the outside.

Britain's Darkest Taboos, from 28 April, 20:50

Some of the most shocking and disturbing crimes within families and relationships. Every family's worst nightmares are relived and re-told in unflinching detail by those left behind – by the families and friends, and by others whose lives have been touched  – like the police officers and reporters involved in the cases.

A+E Networks' Crime+Investigation channel on DStv rolling out a new logo and on-air look to give the true crime channel a more contemporary look and feel.

A+E Networks is once again revamping and rolling out an on-air brand refresh for the Crime+Investigation (DStv 170) channel that will also see a makeover of the channel from A+E Networks UK carried and seen on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and other African countries.

The global refresh of C+I already started last month at the beginning of 2017 for the channel in the United Kingdom, and will soon be rolled out for South Africa on DStv, as well as in other countries.

The upcoming new look for the Crime+Investigation channel follows just three years after the last on-air update.

A+E Networks says the new on-air look will help to position Crime+Investigation clearer, and give the channel showing crime programming, a more contemporary look and feel.

"Crime+Investigation has long taken a unique and intelligent approach to the true-crime genre. We do what we do because truth is worth pursuing - through powerful storytelling across multiple platforms," says Amanda Hill, A+E Networks' chief marketing officer. (CMO).

"We made some brave decisions with our channel partners on logo design, imagery, use of typography and brand spots. The result is a distinctive, modern package about which we are all hugely proud and which we know viewers will enthusiastically embrace."

As part of the new Crime+Investigation logo and on-air look, A+E Networks will unveil 250 new hours of real crime programming that will be announced within a few months.

The new programming include more hours of the true crime series Cold Case Files, and a new series with actor Danny Glover as the narrator.

"Crime+Investigation has a fiercely loyal and passionate fan base worldwide," says Patrick Vien, A+E Networks' international managing director.

"We are thrilled to unveil this evolved vision which will help us to continue elevating the crime genre with thought-provoking, investigative storytelling driven by human ingenuity."

"Paired with significant investment in original programming, we are confident that Crime+Investigation will reach new heights as we bring both core fans and new audiences even deeper into some of the most galvanising investigations of our time."