MultiChoice content boss Aletta Alberts on the ways DStv is reducing TV repeats: 'We are improving our product dramatically'.

MultiChoice says that is has heard DStv subscribers' complaints about too many repeats and that the pay-TV provider is "improving our product dramatically" in terms of reducing repeats and adding new content.

The pay-TV provider that runs the DStv pay-TV service in South Africa and across Africa said that it is in the process of cutting down on the number of rebroadcasts across TV channels, scheduling new content where it works best for viewers and finding ways of helping DStv subscribers to find new content.


ALSO READ: MultiChoice and M-Net executives reveal some of the pop-up channels, new content and scheduling changes coming to DStv in 2017.
ALSO READ: The 101 in 2017: DStv and M-Net boosting efforts around content discovery and 'seasonality' in TV viewing behaviour.
ALSO READ: What MultiChoice learnt from an Appletiser can- and how it will bring a change to DStv decoders.

Speaking during a conference call, Aletta Alberts, the general manager: content for MultiChoice, said that "we want to say to customers we've heard you and we are making changes".

Aletta Alberts told TVwithThinus that "it's not like repeats will go away but in general we are improving our product dramatically".

MultiChoice, together with its third-party channel suppliers as well as M-Net, is working to bring DStv subscribers less repeats and more new content across the various series channels over weekends, to lessen the overall number of repeats seen across TV channels during the week, and to bring down the repeat rate of movies whilst adding more series and limiting series overlap across channels.

Giving background as to what MultiChoice has been doing given the flurry of complaints from DStv subscribers regarding repeats, Aletta Alberts said that "one of the key issues over the years is that repeats have been at the forefront of our challenges".

"When we talk to suppliers and we talk about repeats and we tell them there's very little tolerance in our territory for repeats, they all say 'Oh yes but that's everywhere', but then we say 'We're just warning you that in this territory our consumers are incredibly vocal about this".

"Then shortly after the channels launch they will basically say 'Yes, you are actually right, we haven't seen a market that's this engaged in the detail, and really as vocal anywhere in the world'. The pay-TV business is basically built on repeats because there's not enough content to just have first-run content on any channel."

"We also know that over the years we've had so many more channels on, and because we have so many more bouquets, that there was an overlap of content on channels, and the repeat rate [of content] went higher."

Aletta Alberts said MultiChoice has done very extensive subscriber research into insights especially around the repeats and rebroadcast of content.

"Over the last 6 months we have been slowly but surely started changing stuff and we're now in full momentum."

"Customers have told us there's lots of repeats; we've done channel reviews, we've done audits on the content and we're in the process of addressing all these issues. We want to say to customers we've heard you and we are making changes".

"There's a lot of exciting stuff happening. It's not like repeats will go away but in general we are improving our product dramatically, and there's a lot of new and exciting stuff that we're very excited about."

"We've already terminated the AMC channel, True Movies and two movie channels because we felt the movies are too old, there's too much duplication.We really looked very, very carefully at everything and made sure that on every tier there's enough value," said Aletta Alberts.

"Also the movie curation and selection on the M-Net Movies channels is better and the films are more recent, and we're now seeing ratings spikes."

"In 2017 there's more exciting things coming in the first four months after our budget's been approved."


More new content over weekends
"In terms of TV series and channels doing series, is that for a very long time M-Net basically bought everything and we still buy everything."

"The output of series from 2010 to 2016 has more than doubled. That means that the international channels we acquire, they still buy second-window series [a programme already seen previously on another channel], but 'we're working very hard in conjunction with them to bring and add new titles rather than four channels buying the same NCIS or The Mentalist".

"We're seeing a huge infusion of new content on channels like The Universal Channel (DStv 117) and FOX (Dstv 125)," said Aletta Alberts.

"The Universal Channel still has NCIS exclusively, then they have Rosewood, Law & Order: SVU, The Librarians, and then all their made-for-TV movies and whatever more they're buying".

"FOX has Pitch, Atlanta, the new upcoming Star, The Walking Dead, Empire's new episodes, The Strain, 24: Legacy, Tyrant, Scream Queens, Legion and Outcast to mention just a few of the things that's new."

"We're working very hard with the channels to try and reduce the overlap of titles," said Aletta Alberts.

"In addition to that the M-Net team has done a fantastic job at repositioning M-Net City (DStv 115) and then the launch of M-Net Family (DStv 162)."

"M-Net City specifically is doing a fantastic job at curating a second-window of the content to lower tiers. Even in the DStv Premium market the channel has improved in the ratings dramatically."

"Then we've terminated the CBS Drama and CBS Action channels to eliminate repeats."

"In general we work with all the channels because we know that binge-watching and super-stacking [the broadcast of multiple episodes of a season] is a big thing, but we also find that if everyone is do that, there's very little new content over the weekend."

"Especially in the economic climate, there's a great need for consumers to actually see new content on some of the channels over weekends, so we are doing a big job to make sure that there's enough new content over weekends on the series channels for our consumers".

Growing in-season stacking rights
MultiChoice is also aggressively growing its catalogue of what is known as "in-season stacking rights" where every episode of a current season that's been broadcast becomes available, and remains available, to a subscriber to watch at any time to help them get into and to catch up with a particular show.

"View-on-demand is becoming as important as linear broadcast for us. On DStv Catch Up Plus we are now stacking in-season box sets where we have rights, and where we don't have that we are really acquiring those aggressively if they haven't been bought by other over-the-top (OTT) players," said Aletta Alberts.

MultiChoice already has deals in place with HBO, Disney BBC Worldwide and ITV Studios Global Entertainment for in-season stacking rights for DStv.


Less repeat stacking on doc and lifestyle channels
Aletta Alberts said documentary and lifestyle channels have been ahead of the curve in terms of the "binge-viewing" phenomena, where these channels offer up multiple repeat episodes of a season or seasons on certain days - mostly over weekends.

 "We have done full reviews on all the channels that do stacking over weekends. There's been these very, very large stacks. So it might be one show in the morning, one show in the afternoon and one show at night."

"It basically means that if you don't like Pawn Stars or you don't like Gold Diggers, then basically you can't watch that channel. So we're working with those channels and since December you'll see improvements on the stacking."

"Where it works the channels will retain it but maybe in smaller blocks and other channels might stack but it might not be the same episodes or titles, it might be a slot to give more variety."


Less Ancient Aliens and old Top Gear
Aletta Alberts said MultiChoice is also aware that some channels have scheduled some TV shows too excessively and that the pay-TV platform is working with channels to ensure a better balance of titles.

"We know that some titles on some channels have been scheduled excessively, like Top Gear [on BBC Brit], which obviously still delivers for BBC Worldwide huge ratings but customers do get very disgruntled because they see these titles that just don't go away."

"It's really to trying to find a balance and introducing new content or repeating it in such a way for customers that it's not in 20 places on the schedule."

"Consumers are very vocal about the History (DStv 186) channel and the fact that it's playing less and less what we call 'real history' and titles that don't work."

"Their strategy in the United States - we've seen push-back - so they haven't recommissioned things like Duck Dynasty and those kinds of things because Duck Dynasty simply doesn't not make sense on a History channel."

"So you're going to see the introduction of a block of history at 19:20 on the History schedule and then over weekend they're going to start doing event history which we're very excited about".

"National Geographic (DStv 181) is currently doing MARS, in 2017 BBC Earth (DStv 184) is doing Planet Earth II, and then the return of Strictly Come Dancing UK and local content like The Great South African Bake Off [on BBC Lifestyle, DStv 174] scheduled over weekends."


Marked 'NEW'
"We're working on indicators on the DStv electronic programme guide (EPG) where we're going to say 'new' when an episode or a show is new to the territory," said Aletta Alberts which is another thing MultiChoice is doing to help subscribers to discover new content.

"So it's won't be things like when NCIS: Los Angeles [that is first-run on M-Net] is the first time on The Universal Channel, we won't brand it as 'new', but when it is on M-Net we will will brand it as new."

"But when The Universal Channel has Rosewood then that will be branded as new. So new to the territory."

"Channels like The Universal Channel and FOX and TLC Entertainment and the documentary channels they now do on-screen an indicator saying 'new episode' or 'brand new' all to help our customers," said Aletta Alberts.

Michael Weatherly leaving NCIS after 13 seasons and the role of special agent Tony DiNozzo after nearly 300 episodes.

The NCIS star Michael Weatherly is leaving the popular American forensic procedural drama and the role of special agent Tony DiNozzo after 13 seasons and nearly 300 episodes.

Michael Weatherly's character who was part of the show since it started in 2003 will exit the current season of NCIS when it ends around May and it was Michael Weatherly's decision to leave the show after he's been involved in the production side of television the past two years.

In South Africa NCIS is seen on M-Net (DStv 101), SABC3, Universal Networks International's Universal Channel (DStv 117) on MultiChoice's DStv, as well as on Fox International Channel's FOX (DStv 125 / StarSat 131).

NCIS , distributed by CBS Studios International to more than 200 TV markets worldwide, has been named the most watched and most popular TV drama in the world for the second consecutive year in 2015.

"After 13 years on NCIS, Michael Weatherly is leaving the show at the end of this season," says CBS in a statement.

"He is a valued part of the CBS family, and the immense charm and talent he brings to the screen as 'Very' special agent Tony DiNozzo has helped make NCIS what it is today – the number 1 drama in the world. We thank Michael for all of his contributions to this successful franchise and look forward to continuing to develop projects with him as part of our ongoing development deal."

Michael Weatherly shared an image on social media of him sitting at his NCIS desk and tweeted: "DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character and I couldn't have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons."

The actor said "I will miss the amazing crew and cast, who are like family to me, and to the fans all over the world — Thank you, its been a fantastic ride!"

REVIEW. The Librarians on The Universal Channel a dull, missable rehash of Relic Hunter, Tropical Heat and Stargate SG1.

If you've watched syndicated shows like Relic Hunter, Tropical Heat and Stargate SG1 you've already done your TV homework and you can skip the dull and mostly missable The Librarians starting tonight on The Universal Channel (DStv 117) - you've already seen what you're going to see.

Probably the most commendable thing about it all from Universal Networks International (UNI) is that its bringing The Librarians to South African and African viewers on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform just a day after it started in America on TNT.

However, TNT showed the first two episodes of The Librarians last night in America and South African viewers will only get to watch the first one with Noah Wyle (who will, by the way, only be making guest appearances), while Rebecca Romijn picks up the slack in this new TV series franchise based on his former tele-movie series.

Having watched the first two episodes of The Librarians this afternoon the word that comes to mind is ... pedestrian. 

Noah Wyle is much better is FOX's Falling Skies than his over-the-top Indiana Jones caricature in The Librarians and Rebecca Romijn was better in Ugly Betty and King & Maxwell .

In this series in the role of Eve, she takes over from Noah Wyle's character to become a guardian of the "librarians" who try to recover ancient artifacts, solve arcane mysteries and fight against the evil society known as the Serpent Brotherhood.

If you've followed the Da Vinci Code-esque Zero Hour, you'll be familiar with the cut-and-paste pattern The Librarians is clearly using. It's Sanctuary all over again in a been-there, done-that series.

Remember the repository of magical, secret objects in Da Vinci's Demons under the Vatican of last year? You'll start yawning when within 10 minutes into the first episode Rebecca Romijn also takes an elevator mechanism down to a similar place below the Metropolitan Public Library.

Basically every single scene, every plot device and every line in The Librarians is derivative of something you've seen before - either decades ago like when history professor and explorer Sydney Fox did it, or in other current TV series.

Childish Noah Wyle comes across like dwarf Simon McKay in the 80s fantastical kid show The Wizard. Yet the problem is that The Librarians isn't aimed at kids but adults. Sword fighting in an underground library with Excalibur the sword? Really?

The Librarians on The Universal Channel feels hokey ... because it is. 

Starting it as a new TV show during December when TV viewers neither care nor are really aware, nor have the energy to bother isn't going to do it any favours.

Happily hop along and don't bother watching. The Librarians on The Universal Channel is a TV book you've read numerous times already and can recite in your sleep. 

There's nothing to miss, nothing worth watching, and nothing that Tia Carrere didn't do better more than a decade ago.

BREAKING. Alphas on The Universal Channel cancelled after two seasons; viewers thanked for their 'tremendous support'.

Alphas seen in South Africa on The Universal Channel (DStv 117) just got cancelled after just two seasons.

The science fiction drama about people with superhuman powers and abilities who solved cases for the CIA, FBI and the Pentagon, got axed.

"We've been proud to present this entertaining, high-quality series for two seasons and to work with an incredible ensemble of talented actors, producers and creatives as well as our partners at BermanBraun Television," says the Syfy channel which showed Alphas in America in a statement.

"We'd like to thank the show’s dedicated regular viewers for their tremendous support."

Programming note: The 3rd season of Haven on The Universal Channel starting on Sunday 6 January at 20:00.

The 3rd season of the supernatural series Haven will be starting on The Universal Channel (DStv 117) on Sunday 6 January at 20:00 (South African time) for 13 episodes.

In the new third season of Haven (which is actually filmed on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada but is set in a town in Maine called Haven, the search will continue for the FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) - who went missing in the second season finale.

By now viewers of Haven will know some of the mythology of the show which is tied into things repeating every 27 years - such as a murder mystery, and that Audrey has been in Haven before, 27 years ago but then known as Lucy Ripley.

Audrey's helped by the policeman Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) and Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour), this sleepy port town's smuggler.

This season viewers can get ready for a string of ocean-related deaths, a haunted house during Halloween, another clue about the Colorado Kid's real identity, a killer who harvest organs, a string of murders at Haven High School, everyone mysteriously falling asleep in the town and a cool episode which takes place in Haven in 1955.

BREAKING. Psych on The Universal Channel renewed for an 8th (and possibly final) shortened season of 8 episodes.

Psych, seen in South African on The Universal Channel (DStv 117) has just been renewed for an 8th and most probably final shortened season of 8 episodes.

The new 7th season of Psych will include its 100th episode as well as a 2 hour musical episode.

Meanwhile I can report that the 6th season of Psych will start on The Universal Channel in South Africa from Tuesday 19 February at 20:00 for 16 episodes.

"Santa Barbara's favourite fauz psychic and his sidekick, played by James Roday and Dule Hill, will return with eight new episodes featuring the zany crimes, hilarious antics and a bevy of guest stars that the series has been known for since its premiere in 2006," says the USA Network in a press statement which carries Psych in America.

"Psych is one of those rarities - a show that continues to grow its fan base season after season, with exceptional storytelling, a consistently inspired cast and talented guest stars. We thought that Shawn Spencer would have seen this coming..."

Studio Universal on DStv tripled its audience in South Africa in the past year; now second most watched movie channel in the country, says UNI.

Since launching a year ago in October 2011 on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform, the South African viewership of the Studio Universal (DStv 112) channel has more than tripled, making it the number two most watched movie channel in the country, says Universal Network International (UNI).

Studio Universal got upgraded to a high definition (HD) channel on DStv at the beginning of this month, as well as The Universal Channel (DStv 117) which is also run by UNI.

"The HD launches correlate to remarkable viewership growth for both channels across Africa and demonstrate UNI's ongoing committment to the African market," says UNI in a statement.

The Universal Channels' audience has grown consistently year-on-year for the past three years, increasing by 60% in January to September 2012, compared to 2010.

"The entire UNI portfolio - which includes Studio Universal, Universal Channel, the recently refreshed E! Entertainment (DStv 124) and Style (DStv 173) - has gone from strength to strengh, with strong year on year growth in audience share," says UNI.

"The [Studio Universal and Universal Channel in Africa] channels' high-quality international series and movies, tailored to the local market, have resonated with the African audience and we will continue our investment in the region to further enhance viewer experience," says Colin McLeod, the managing director for emerging markets at Universal Networks International.

DEFIANCE. M-Net? Fox? Universal Channel? Who will grab the new hot looking sci-fi TV drama, Defiance, set for April 2013, for South Africa?

Defiance, the hot hot hot looking new upcoming science fiction drama which starts in April 2013 will be essentially a three horse race for South Africa television in terms of who will be able to get it and bring it to South African pay-TV audiences first and as quickly as episodes unspool in America.

Will M-Net get it? Although burned by the shortlived Terra Nova, to get Defiance would help M-Net to keep up its new momentum and impetus. M-Net has the ability to how it on M-Net (DStv 101) in HD or on M-Net Series (DStv 114) and will finally have science fiction show again as a worthy counter to the almost similarly-themed Falling Skies on Fox Entertainment (TopTV 180).

Will NBC Universal International place it on The Universal Channel (DStv 117), since the Syfy channel in America belong to their conglomerate anyway? The Universal Channel is now also in HD and in an advantageous position to showcase a TV drama such as this in high definition.

Acquiring Defiance would give The Universal Channel the street cred the channel wants, and will bring it into the current two horse race of M-Net and Fox getting select overseas high quality and buzzworthy TV shows for viewers very quickly. Also for The Universal Channel Defiance would be its own counter to Falling Skies, whereas Universal had to make do with more lower rent science fiction shows such as Haven and Alphas.

Of course Fox International Channels Africa could also potentially, possibly get Defiance. For FIC Africa Defiance could be a great companion piece to the existing Falling Skies and The Walking Dead, and further cement and establish its flagship channel Fox Entertainment and FX on On Digital Media's TopTV platform as the go-to place for quality hot science fiction drama.

Defiance is a bit of Alien Nation crossed with Revolution, sprinkled with Falling Skies and a touch of the video game Mass Effect (yes I've played all 3 Mass Effect's. Hours of my life. Gone.) Defiance is the new name of the town of what was once St. Louis where now what remains of human culture and society and technology is integrated with alien culture and society and technology.

The show is set about 30 years into our future where a race of aliens known as Votans have come to Earth, have different but on par techonology to us. We didn't want these immigrants to stay, they attacked and landed anyway, and some of their technology has started to transform the Earth. After a bitter equal war most of the Earth's civilization and humanity and the Votans have been wiped out. Those who remain, on both sides, start to work together to survive. Imagine Dr Quinn and Terra Nova with a future setting.

Defiance looks very cool, as does the special effects. The show starts in America in 2013, and because it ties into the global release of a video game as well as other things, whichever South African broadcaster or channel do acquire the rights or get the show, they'll have to get it for close to April 2013 as well, or run the risk of looking stale and old. (What happens in the global mass player online game for instance will affect the narrative of the TV show for instance in a new immersive entertainment kind of event tried for the first time.)

BREAKING. Common Law on M-Net cancelled after one season; Fairly Legal on Universal Channel likely over after two seasons as well.

The American TV drama Common Law on M-Net (DStv 101) is cancelled, and the unexciting Fairly Legal on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) is likely a gonner too, Deadline reports.

The options on the lead actors in Common Law has expired without being picked up, which makes a second season basically impossible.

The executive producer of Common Law has also left to become the executive producer of the new Sherlock Holmes drama Elementary.

Fairly Legal with Sarah Shahi is probably over too after two seasons, the second season of which was retooled but still failed to lure in viewers or create enough buzz.

Programming note: The 5th season of Psych to start on The Universal Channel on Tuesday 17 July at 20:00.

Shawn and Gus are back from Tuesday 17 July at 20:00 on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) for the 5th season of Psych.

After Shawn's relationship with Abigail ended at the end of the 4th season, Shawn is single again, but fresh potential for romance has its own oddities in store.

This season's investigations for the intrepid detective duo include drag racing, finding a Triad leader's kidnapped daughter, investigating an alien abduction, and a guest appearance by Freddie Prinze Jr. as one of Shawn's friends.

Rookie Blue renewed for a 4th season of the Canadian police drama seen on SABC1 and The Universal Channel.

Rookie Blue, the Canadian produced TV drama following the policemen and woman of 17th Division in Toronto has been renewed for a 4th season with production which will start on 20 August.

Rookie Blue is shown on Global in Canada, ABC in America and in South Africa Rookie Blue can be seen on both SABC1 and The Universal Channel (DStv 108).

"Rookie Blue's fourth season renewal in simulcast is unprecedented territory for any Canadian original series and we're excited to lead the way," says Barbara Williams, the senior vice president for content at Shaw Media in a press statement.

Programming note: New science fiction drama Alphas coming to The Universal Channel from Sunday 25 March at 20:00.

A new science fiction drama, Alphas will start on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) Sunday at 20:00 for a first season of 11 episodes.

Like Heroes before it, Alphas revolve around a group of people who have special abilities - subtle ''superpowers'' who are recruited and work for the Defense Criminal Investigation Service helping to solve crimes and battle a group of equally extraordinary criminals.

The ''alphas'' who look for others with special abilities, are led by the psychiatrist dr Lee Rosen.

Bill Harken is a hyperadrenal Alpha. He can summon amazing strength thanks to a rush of adrenalin. Cameron Hicks has hyperkinesis. Thanks to minute muscle control he has flawless aim and perfect balance. Nina Theroux can influence people's thoughts and make them vulnerable to suggestion. Gary Bell is a ''transducer'' - his neural synapses have the ability to ''read'' and see a wide range of frequencies such as all TV signals, radio and even cellphones. Rachel Pizad is a ''synesthete''. She can enhance one sense by temporarily switching off all of the others.

Programming note: Double episodes of the 7th season of NCIS kicks off tonight on The Universal Channel.

The 7th season of NCIS kicks off tonight with double episodes, every Monday, on The Universal Channel (DStv 108).

From 20:00 on Mondays, starting tonight, The Universal Channel is showing the 7th season's 24 episodes of NCIS - two of them, with the second episode starting immediately after the first one every Monday.

NCIS, currently in its 9th season in America, will pass the massive milestone when its 200th episode goes out tomorrow night on CBS in America.

Million Dollar Listing on the Universal Channel renewed for a 5th season; getting a spin-off this year heading to New York's real estate market.

Million Dollar Listing, the reality real estate show see in South Africa on The Universal Channel (DStv 108) has been renewed for a 5th season with a spin-off that will head to New York.

The show which follows 3 real estate agents in Los Angeles' upmarket residential areas has just been renewed for a 5th season. In the 4th season South African viewers saw last year, Madison Hillebrand, Josh Flagg and Josh Altman struggled to sell extremely overpriced mansions in the sluggish American economy.

Bravo, the channel showing Million Dollar Listing in America announced a spin-off for this year which will be entitled Million Dollar Listing New York and which will start this year together with Million Dollar Listing's 5th season.

A Million Dollar Channel: How The Universal Channel is using clever scheduling and smart shows to turn itself into a Million Dollar Listing.

With quiet determination and a month shy of its first birthday, The Universal Channel (DStv 108) that got rebranded from The Hallmark Channel almost a year ago in March, is starting to look a lot like a million dollar channel.

With a delicate (but persistent) and hands-on programming strategy, a consistent and consistently getting better schedule and flowing line-up, newer shows and even soon a sought-after territory series premiere, as well as courageously venturing out with clever genre expansion and quality reality shows, the place of The Universal Channel on DStv's electronic programme guide (EPG) is starting to echo the title of one the shows helping to turn around and invigorate it as a brand: Million Dollar Listing.

''Awareness of The Universal Channel is up remarkably on all brand parameters,'' Laxmi Hariharan, director of marketing for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for Universal in London tells TV with Thinus when I asked what viewer reaction has been like since the introduction of the new channel last March. ''The Universal Channel is our flagship entertainment channel. Its core emotion is sensation; engaging viewers through its world class shows, characters and stories that connect with you on a deeper level.''

From recent focus group research under viewers that Universal conducted in South Africa its clear that viewers enjoy shows such as Law & Order, Two and a half Men, Monk, House and Haven that the channel added very soon after its American premiere last year. ''In terms of general TV viewing behaviour there's a clear pattern of wanting to watch TV as they get home to relax on weekdays. Sundays are also key viewing times for entertainment and Universal Channel is focused on fulfilling this need with its high quality award-winning series and movies,'' says Lamxi Hariharan.

For more on how The Universal Channel has steadily been changing into a much better TV channel, click on READ MORE below.

BREAKING. The Universal Channel grabs the hot new show Fairly Legal; set to start in April starring Sarah Shahi.

You're reading it here first.

I can break the news exclusively that The Universal Channel (DStv 108) has the rights to the brand-new show Fairly Legal and I can tell you that it will start on The Universal Channel in April.

At the beginning of the year RIGHT HERE I wrote about 2011's most-anticipated hot new shows starting this year and Fairly Legal is on the list. No local broadcasters could tell me though that they already snagged it and now I know why: The Universal Channel grabbed this hot property first in what the trade refers to as a ''territory premiere'' - a serious upping of its gamemanship for this almost a year old channel. Fairly Legal just started in America this month and could very well be the new Ally McBeal (minus the dancing baby).

It stars Sarah Shahi as lawyer Kate Reed who goes all lovey-dovey after the death of her dad and decides to rather help people settle their differences before they go to court. Cue the crazy cases, a big mystery (Richard Dean Anderson is going to be seen in a recurring role), an ex flame she has to work with and a hyper secretary (think of a male version of Elaine). The first season will definitely have 10 episodes.

ALSO READ: 2011's hottest new shows: The most-anticipated new shows everone will be talking about.

Christmas wishes from Universal Networks International for 2010 that runs The Universal Channel.

I just received this really beautiful Christmas card by courier from Universal Networks International with Christmas wishes for 2010. Universal Networks International runs The Universal Channel (DStv 108) in South Africa.

BREAKING. The Universal Channel will continue with the second season of Haven in 2011.

You're reading it here first.

The Universal Channel (DStv 108) currently showing the first season of Haven on Sundays, is confirming that it will also show the second season of this supernatural drama.

With some South African press doing a junket and some phoners with the cast, it seems that The Universal Channel has high hopes for this drama in South Africa that is one of 19 territories where the show premiered this year, and which has already been renewed for a second season in America.

The Universal Channel says the second season of 13 episodes of Haven starring Emily Rose will be shown later in 2011 in South Africa.

ALSO READ: The Universal Channel picks up Haven.

BREAKING. The Universal Channel is quickly becoming a Haven with a vastly improved schedule; quality new shows.

You're reading it here first.

I can be first to tell you that The Universal Channel (DStv 108) has secured the broadcast rights to the brand-new drama Haven (based on a Stephen King short story) and will debut on the channel on Sunday, October 17 at 20:50.

The Universal Channel - the past few months ramping up its science fiction quota with various mini-series and made-for-TV movies - is now fast becoming a new science fiction destination that the channel wasn't before. The name change from The Hallmark Channel to The Universal Channel earlier this year is indeed turning into more than just a cosmetic face-change with channel execs definitely heeding MultiChoice's advice to improve the offering on the DStv channel. The Universal Channel has bravely added reality programming to its slate with shows like Launch My Line, and
will be experimenting with even more reality shows in the future like the first season of Million Dollar Listing starting on Tuesday, October 12 at 22:00. The channel is now also adding its first science fiction drama in the form of Haven that just started in America.

I've just finished watching the first episode screener that The Universal Channel has couriered to me after the show started in America on July 9. Haven (The X-Files meets Twin Peaks) is a feather in the cap of The Universal Channel, especially for the channel to be able to show it so quickly in South Africa as well. Haven tells the story of FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) who goes to the town of Haven to solve a murder and in the process uncovers a deeper mystery. The townsfolk of Haven have supernatural conditions but they live in the town deliberately because it mutes their powers.

Other shows on The Universal Channel starting soon besides the new Rookie Blue (currently on Fridays at 21:00) include the 9th season of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Wednesday, October 6 at 21:00) and Shattered (Monday, November 1 at 21:00) about a homicide detective with  multiple personality disorder. Sci-fi fans can also watch The Hades Factor (starting Thursday, October 7 at 21:00) and Stonehenge Apocalypse (Thursday, October 21 at 21:00).

The Universal Channel's new foray into the reality television genre is a part of its open-minded programming strategy.

You're reading it here first.

The Universal Channel (DStv 108) is expanding its programming into the reality TV genre with reality shows now being added to the entertainment channel's schedule - and the promise of more to come in the future.

I asked the Universal Channel's programming director Chrystele Fremaux about the reality genre addition, who says that the Universal Channel hopes ''that the introduction of it will be successful''. Although ''the heart of the channel is still and will remain drama,'' she says, the channel is looking into widening its appeal with this ''highly appealing'' genre addition.

Click on READ MORE below for the complete Q&A with Universal Channel's Chrystele Fremaux.