HGTV channel added to DStv for 3 weeks as a programming block on Travel Channel from 6 November.

The HGTV channel, a home and lifestyle programmng TV channel is getting added to DStv but only for 3 weeks and in the form of a programming block on The Travel Channel from 6 November.

HGTV will be available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers on channel 179 where The Travel Channel is broadcast.

HGTV will run from 6 to 26 November and will replace The Travel Channel during prime time between 18:00 and 23:00, and on weekends between 15:00 and 20:00 with American home and decor shows.

HGTV, that originally stood for "Home and Garden Television", will be competition for The Home Channel (DStv 176) from the Tiso Blackstar Group, that ironically has already been showing programming from HGTV like the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan, for years and will now also be on HGTV.

The HGTV prime time and weekend replacement on The Travel Channel is possibly a trial period, similar to when BET and other channels were first temporarily tested before added permanently.

The currently programming on The Travel Channel like Ultimate Braai Master, Bizarre Foods and Mysteries at the Museum will continue to be shown.

"HGTV is one of the most viewed channels for women in the United States, and we are excited to be bringing this popular content to South African audiences," says Phillip Luff, the managing director for Scripps Networks Interactive for the United Kingdom and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions.

"We are certain viewers will be inspired by HGTV, and come away with practical ideas to make their homes beautiful."

The HGTV programming block will bring viewers shows like Brothers Take New Orleans, Fixer Upper, Tiny House Hunters and Flip or Flop.

In Brothers Take New Orleans Jonathan and Drew Scott compete to remodel rundown homes.

In Fixer Upper Chip and Joanna Gaines renovate rundown properties, as does Tarek and Christina El Moussa in Flip or Flop.

Food Network's celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad teaming up to present new show, Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy.

The Food Network (DStv 175) celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad have teamed up and are filming a brand new edutainment cooking teaching show Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy in South Africa which will be broadcast on the channel from later this year.

It's the first TV production in which Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad, both beloved and recognised faces on the Food Network in their own shows, are starring and working together as co-presenters of the new show teaching would-be chefs how to create a delicious feast while passing on cooking tips.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy, a first season which will consist out of 25 half hour episodes, was commissioned by Scripps Networks UK & Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with filming which recently started at Okuhle Media's studios in Cape Town.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy was commissioned by Gareth Williams, the vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks UK & EMEA, with Louise McClelland of Okuhle Media as executive producer.

In Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad help amateur chefs across South Africa in their custom-designed studio with tips and techniques on how to cook like a professional.

From basics to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, the chefs bring their unique and now combined sense of humour to this new show as they put the participants through their paces.

"We are proud to be launching a new format with Jenny and Reza who have been a huge hit with our audiences across the region," says Phillip Luff, the managing director for Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

"Our continued investment in our talent and original commissions has allowed for us to expand our portfolio as one of the world's leading producers of engaging lifestyle content."

BREAKING. Discovery and MTV joint winners of SatCom Broadcaster of the Year award for 2012 in Africa.

Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMA) and MTV were honoured last night as the joint winners for SatCom Broadcaster of the Year for 2012 in Africa at the annual satellite television conference and awards ceremony.

"We are delighted to have been announced as the Broadcaster of the Year, especially in Africa, where we continue to experience phenomenal demand and growth on all of our channels," says Phillip Luff, the vice president country manager, Discovery Networks Africa.

"We have increased our investment into Africa, and are working to identify content and stories with particular relevance for African audiences wherever it originates. Winning a SatCom Stars Award is seen as a recognisable standard of industry excellence and innovation," says Phillip Luff.

Discovery's one reality TV star, Buddy Valastro from Cake Boss on TLC (TopTV 453 / DStv 186) is in South Africa at the Cape Town Good Food and Wine Show.

BREAKING. MultiChoice, Discovery Networks adds TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery channels to DStv from 14 October.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively break the news and reveal that MultiChoice and Discovery Networks CEEMEA will be adding and launching two new channels on DStv, TLC as well as ID: Investigation Discovery from Friday 14 October.

I can reveal that TLC will be added on DStv channel 186 and that ID: Investigation Discovery will be seen on DStv channel 252.

I've known for about a month about the coming addition of TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery, which will go live just two weeks after MultiChoice's just-added Studio Universal movie channel on the DStv platform. TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery are two of the three Discovery channels that's already been available on competitor pay TV platform On Digital Media's TopTV, but which will now be getting much wider availability within South Africa.

TLC, that just started in South Africa out of the retired Discovery Travel & Living brand is a female-skewed lifestyle, reality and factual entertainment channel, whilst ID: Investigation Discovery (ID for short) offers viewers a line-up of world-class crime-related documentaries.

This major addition of two Discovery channels bring Discovery Networks' portfolio on DStv to a massive 6 TV channels including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery World and Discovery HD Showcase. (Besides TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery, TopTV still has the great Discovery Science channel). Both TLC and ID: Investigation Discovery will start to run commercials and sell commercial airtime from the beginning of 2012 on DStv.

''We have had an outstanding relationship with DStv over the last 15 years and are confident that with the addition of TLC and ID, this will go from strength to strength,'' says Phillip Luff, the country manager for emerging business for Discovery networks CEEMEA.

''TLC and ID have been hugely successful in markets all over the world and their addition to DStv's Premium and Compact bouquet forms part of our continued investment in Africa. We're sure that DStv’s subscribers are going to love both channels,'' he says.

''The Discovery brands are world-famous for engaging audiences with a mix of entertainment and information, presented with emotion, spirit and style,'' says Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's general manager for content.

''They continue to be global television leaders with innovative programming ideas and concepts that resonate with viewers, succeeding time and again in capturing the imagination. DStv understands that as our audience grows and their viewing needs become more diverse, we must evolve. To do so with a partner like Discovery, who really are dedicated to the needs of our audiences, is a significant step forward in building our products,'' she says.