More about Me - the new M-Net TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv that will replace the axed M-Net City and VUZU from November.

by Thinus Ferreira

The earthy, scribbly, camo-esque Me from M-Net will launch on Monday 1 November at 16:00 when it will replaced the two axed M-Net-packaged channels M-Net City and VUZU on DStv channel number 115.

M-Net City (DStv 115) and VUZU (DStv 116) will officially close on Friday 29 October on DStv.

Last week TVwithThinus reported that MultiChoice and M-Net are ending M-Net City and VUZU and replacing the two channels with one channel as it continues its process and strategy to consolidate its linear TV channels line-up on DStv to try and strengthen its offering in the facing on the video streaming wars.

While VUZU is available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers, M-Net City is only available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers.

MultiChoice and M-Net is therefore making the softer-looking, pastel-coloured Me available down through all of the DStv packages to DStv Family.

In effect DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers lose a TV channel, although DStv Family subscribers don't lose anything.

Me is targeted at DStv Family and DStv Compact viewers but will also be available to DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus audiences.

M-Net describes the new "Me" channel as "TV made personal. It's a place to unwind. It's a channel that will change and evolve to continue to offer viewers more of what they like".

M-Net says that "Me will feature the best of both its predecessors, while establishing a new identity strategically crafted with the discerning audience in mind."

M-Net says that Me is "a destination for primarily the 18 to 34-year-old market, and, in addition to international scripted content, it will feature lifestyle shows and celebrity content that has been previously broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101) and 1Magic (DStv 103)".

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO of general entertainment and connected video, says "We're changing the way we package content and creating a single, extensive, well-curated destination".

"Me will give our viewers and subscribers a multifaceted, competitive channel offering, and we're pleased to offer the best international entertainment in one place."

"Me is taking us in an exciting direction that speaks to the multiplatform world we live in and further sharpens our aim to give our subscribers content that they connect with."

M-Net's Me channel will launch with daily episodes of The Rookie, NCIS: New Orleans, Survivor Australia and Young Sheldon from 17:00 to 20:00. 

From 20:30 DStv subscribers will be able to watch a mix of local and international series like Lioness, Prodigal Son, All American and 911. 

The Real Housewives (starting with The Real Housewives of Atlanta) will be shown every weekday at 21:30, leading into a late-night slot at 22:30 where Me will feature international dramas and thrillers like Godfather of Harlem, Clarice and Flight Attendant.

Over weekends Me will have The Bachelorette SA or a movie on Friday nights. 

On Saturdays and Sunday Me will broadcast game shows, talent shows and reality shows like Beat Shazam, American Idol and Growing Up Hip Hop. Sunday evening at 20:00 Me will feature drama series like Queen Sugar. 

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and M-Net to end the M-Net City and VUZU channels on DStv to be replaced by Me from November.

MultiChoice and M-Net to end the M-Net City and VUZU channels on DStv to be replaced by Me from November.

by Thinus Ferreira

As linear pay-TV channels faces an increasingly uphill battle to not only attract but retain subscribers, MultiChoice and M-Net are ending both the M-Net City and VUZU channels on DStv at the end of October and will combine their content into yet another new M-Net packaged channel called Me from November.

After Disney ended and took away its FOX general entertainment channel just after midnight this morning on DStv and StarSat, some DStv subscribers were shocked to receive a SMS message from MultiChoice late on Thursday telling them that they're losing another two TV channels and that M-Net City and VUZU are getting axed to be replaced by just one channel called Me from 1 November. 

M-Net on Friday morning confirmed the news to TVwithThinus.

"The launch of Me will see two channels, M-Net City (DStv 115) and VUZU (DStv 116), merged to create a bigger, better channel aimed to give viewers their famous, world-class series and reality shows in one place," M-Net says.

"Me will feature the best of both its predecessors, while establishing a new identity strategically crafted with the discerning audience in mind."

Me will take the channel number spot of M-Net City on channel 115.

The M-Net City channel identity was born out of the M-Net Series Zone channel in April 2015 and will now be retired after 6 years. 

M-Net relaunched its GO youth channel in July 2009 as VUZU, that eventually spawned a spin-off TV channel called VUZU AMP that was axed and relaunched as 1Magic. The move to end VUZU and turn it into Me means that M-Net is retiring the VUZU brand name after 12 years.

While VUZU is available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers, M-Net City is only available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers.

It's conceivable that MultiChoice and M-Net will have to make the replacement Me channel available to all DStv packages down to DStv Family, otherwise DStv Family subscribers would effectively lose a TV channel.

Ellen to end: Ellen DeGeneres to end her American daytime TV talk show with season 19 in 2022, 'ratings have tanked and she knows her time is up'.

by Thinus Ferreira

With plunging ratings of over 40% this year following revelations of bullying and a toxic workplace Ellen DeGeneres has announced that she is ending her American daytime talk show with season 19 of The Ellen Show in 2022 that will be the last.

Staffers at The Ellen Show were told on Tuesday and will discuss her decision in the episode that will be broadcast in America on Thursday with Oprah Winfrey as her sit-down guest.

According to sources who spoke to The Daily Mail who broke the news before Ellen was ready to announce it, "she has had enough and told her team that she's done". "The ratings have tanked and have been truly appalling this year and Ellen knows her time is up".

Ellen has lost millions of viewers in the United States in the latest 18th season that M-Net broadcast on VUZU (DStv 116) after shocking revelations surfaced of how staffers have been treated behind-the-scenes at the Warner Bros.'s Telepictures produced show.

Several top executives were fired after an internal investigation into the toxic workplace at Ellen.

The revelations severely damaged the reputation of Ellen DeGeneres known for her "be kind to another" public image, who opened her 18th season with an apology when she told viewers that "I learned that things happen here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously. And I want to say I am so sorry to the people."

On the episode of Ellen that was broadcast on Wednesday in America, Ellen said "Today I am announcing that next season, season 19, is going to be my last season."

Her audience laughed.

"So, the past 18 years, you have to know, has changed my life. You all have changed my life. And I'm forever grateful to all of you for watching, for laughing, for dancing, sometimes crying. This show has been the greatest experience of my life, and I owe it all to you."

"I want you to know that I've thought a lot about this decision. I sat with it for a while. I meditated on it. I talked to Portia. I talked to myself." 

Mike Darnell, Warner Bros. unscripted television president, in a statement says "Although all good things must come to an end, you still have hope that the truly great things never will".

"The Ellen Show started as the little programme that could and became an absolute phenomenon. Over the years, it established itself as the premier destination for both superstars and incredible heartfelt human interest stories."

"The show and Ellen brought comedy, joy, happiness, comfort (and dancing!) to countless millions every day for 18 years. It was and is an indelible piece of the television landscape, and it will be sorely missed."

Gone but not forgotten: Here’s why and how Ellen, TelkomONE, The Braai Show, Fight Sports and PBO TV all went MIA.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has quietly disappeared from MultiChoice's DStv, the SABC abruptly postponed The Braai Show with AKA, the TelkomONE streaming service failed to start on its promised launch date, e.tv has dropped the Fight Sports channel, and the PBO TV channel is missing from StarSat. Here's what happened to them all: 

Here's what happened to Ellen on DStv:

Last week The Ellen DeGeneres Show abruptly disappeared from DStv without any warning or explanation. 

The 17th season of Ellen ended on Thursday 29 October on VUZU (DStv 116) but the 18th season of Ellen that had already started in America didn't continue seamlessly.

Instead, M-Net (DStv 101) that is broadcasting the new second season of The Kelly Clarkson Show, is now rebroadcasting old episodes of the first season of The Kelly Clarkson Show on VUZU in the timeslot where Ellen used to be.

In the United States, Ellen has been engulfed in a behind-the-scenes production scandal that has seen ratings for the new 18th season plunge to series lows, not just in America, but in various countries, with viewers as far away as Australia saying they've been turned off from Ellen and her talk show.

Ellen and her talk show suffered brand and reputation damage since current and former staffers at the Warner Bros. show came forward with their stories of racism, sexual harassment, mistreatment, and the terrible working conditions behind-the-scenes, and how Ellen DeGeneres is not as "nice" as she claimed to be on TV.

The executive producers were fired. When the 18th season of Ellen started in America, the talk show host apologised on-air and said that she has "learned that things happened here that should never have happened. I take that very seriously and I wanna say I'm so sorry to the people affected."

"I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power and I realise that with that comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."

TVwithThinus asked M-Net what has happened to Ellen on the schedule. 

Nomntu Mngengi, M-Net spokesperson, in response to the media enquiry says that "the license for The Ellen Show is currently being re-negotiated with the studio. The Kelly Clarkson Show season 1 will therefore be scheduled on Vuzu until then".

Here's what happened to The Braai Show on SABC1:

On 26 October SABC1 announced that a new 13-episode series, The Braai Show with AKA would start on Thursday 5 November at 19:30 on the channel.

The Braai Show with Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, would have seen the controversial rapper braai and get a "glance into the lives of Mzansi's most-intriguing and controversial South African personalities".

Yesterday SABC1 abruptly did a schedule change, quietly removing The Braai Show from its schedule without any explanation a day before it was supposed to start.

TVwithThinus asked executive produced David Phume of Cake Media what happened. 

David Phume says "Television stations change schedules for a variety of reasons. At this stage we do not know why SABC1 has made changes to their schedule. As such we eagerly wait to hear from SABC1 about a new time slot for the show."

Phillip Mabitsela, SABC1 publicist was asked why The Braai Show would no longer start on Thursday but in response gave no reason and said a new date will be communicated. On Thursday morning the SABC announced that The Braai Show has been moved to 12 November at 19:30.

Here's what happened to the launch of Telkom's TelkomONE streaming service: 

Wanda Mkhize, Telkom's executive for smart home and content, said that Telkom would launch its new TelkomONE video-on-demand (VOD) streaming service in South Africa on Thursday 5 November 2020.

Thursday arrived and TelkomONE failed to materialise.

On Wednesday night at 22:00, DNA Brand Architects abruptly cancelled a TelkomONE media launch event with the press that was set for Thursday without any explanation.

The SABC that plans to have the public broadcaster's linear TV channels added and be available on TelkomONE, also abruptly cancelled pre-arranged interviews with executives that were set up for Thursday, also without any explanation.

So far there's been no official communication or any explanation as to why TelkomONE failed to launch and what issues caused it.

Hi Fans, today we’re bidding farewell to Fight Sports.

Stay tuned as exciting news is coming your way! pic.twitter.com/ox8wxXpJ3M

— Openview (@openviewforever) October 29, 2020

Here's what happened to the Fight Sports channel on Openview:

e.tv quietly removed The Fight Sports channel after just a year on its free-to-air Openview satellite service last Thursday without any announcement to the media.

On 29 October Openview on its Twitter feed suddenly just said "All good things come to an end. Fight Sports". e.tv added the Fight Sports channel to Openview in November 2019.

Here's what happened to Premium BoxOffice Television on StarSat:

On 30 September China's StarTimes pay-TV service, run under the StarSat brand banner in South Africa, announced that it was adding the Premium BoxOffice Television (PBO TV) channel to StarTimes across sub-Saharan Africa, and to StarSat in South Africa from October.

The problem is that the channel from the Nigerian production company Big Idea Mediaworks that was supposed to go live on StarSat channel 184 as a Nollywood TV channel, broadcasting series, films, sitcoms, music and late-night comedy never materialised as promised.

After adding PBO TV to its website as a channel listing and an announcement, StarSat has now removed all traces of it after subscribers kept asking why it was announced and failed to start.

Luyanda Cele, StarSat publicist, told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that PBO TV "is pending approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) but it has been launched in other countries for StarTimes. Once we have a confirmed date for South Africa we shall communicate and share".

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 29 October 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:

■ Some of the responses to the scandal swirling around the cheater SABC3 Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe and Outsurance frontman shows that attitudes over abuse in South Africa need to change. (subscription required)

■ No sign yet of the GoBinge sit-down interview that the YouTube channel teased days ago with Monique Muller claiming that she endured physical abuse from Katlego Maboe.

■ SABC3's Trending SA show finally addresses the issue after days; Frames it as Katlego Maboe's "private life" although it is his private life, hotel sex cheating with another woman and allegations of a STD, that were made part of public life on social media.

- Katlego Maboe fans who are fine with the swirling abuse and cheating claims around the presenter, attack SABC3's Expresso on Facebook.

- Katlego Maboe becomes a meme using his infamous gown-wearing admission that he's a cheater.

■ Sylvia Tladi, SABC TV Licence fees boss, admits that under new plan where people will be forced to pay a licence fee even if they only watch Netflix SA or MultiChoice DStv consumers won't be getting value for money.

■ Zoom: A naked man shows up on Canada's morning TV.

- And another full frontal "wardrobe malfunction" with Joel Dommett on ITV in Britain.

■ The dark, distorted world of Nicole Kidman's new TV murder mystery The Undoing that will be on M-Net (DStv 101).

■ Ellen DeGeneres, seen on VUZU (DStv 116) but getting axed there soon, lost more followers in 2020 than any other celebrity because of her talk show scandal.

- Wendy Williams unmasked as Lips in The Masked Singer.

■ The overstaffed and overburdened SABC with a monstrous wage bill and dreary programming is a broadcaster that is very hard to like.

■ eMedia Investments refuses to talk about it but e.tv has upgraded its Openview decoders that have a WiFi hotspot option and functionality now - very likely in anticipation of the launch of its Openview Plus streaming service.

■ America's TV news and its plans for 2020 election night coverage.

■ The blessing of the Chinese censors? China's state-run CCTV shows a portrait of the Prophet Muhammad in a TV series.

American talk shows and late night hosts including Trevor Noah shun studio audiences as coronavirus fears grow.

by Thinus Ferreira

South African and African viewers will soon notice the start of the absence of live studio audiences in several American shows which are doing away with in-studio audiences for an unspecified period as coronavirus cases worldwide and in the United States and fears of in-person transmission increase.

In South Africa, where the number of coronavirus cases is increasing, the TV industry has not yet implemented any changes in terms of in-studio audiences for local talk shows, game shows, youth shows and other programming which are filmed before rows of seats filled with people from across the country.

Producers of The Wendy Williams Show carried on ViacomCBS Networks Africa's BET (DStv 129) is immediately doing away with the New York in-studio audience that Wendy Williams often refers to as her "co-hosts".

"Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation but in light of the current health climate, The Wendy Williams Show will not have a live studio audience until further notice. We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right," the show says in a statement.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show carried on M-Net's VUZU (DStv 116) says that "With the rapidly changing nature of the Covid-19 outbreak and out of concern for our audience attending The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Telepictures will suspend audience attendance during tapings effective Monday 16March," Telepictures says in a statement.

The Real shown on BET - also produced by Warner Bros from the same Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank in Los Angeles as Ellen will however start to screen people before allowing them to sit as in-studio audience members.

"We are asking all guests to confirm that neither they nor any member of their household have traveled within the past 3 weeks to or through a location that has been deemed Level 3 by the Centre for Disease Control, currently China, Italy, Iran and South Korea," says Warner Bros. in a statement.

"These new and temporary precautionary measures have been put in place out of an abundance of caution and out of concern for the health and safety of our guests and staff."

No longer seen in South Africa, Dr. Phil is also axing the in-studio audience for now. "The health of our audience members, staff and crew are the priority," says Carla Pennington, the show's executive producer in a statement

The Late Late Show with James Corden done from Los Angeles and seen on M-Net (DStv 101) will continue with a live in-studio audience. The Talk seen on 1Magic (DStv 103) and done from The CBS Studio Centre in Los Angeles is also still taking audience members during late March and early-April.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah carried on ViacomCBS Networks Africa's Comedy Central (DStv 122) and that records episodes in New York is currently still making tickets available for audience members this week but will get rid of the audience from next week.

"Our top priority is the safety of our guests and staff. Beginning Monday 16 March The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will film without a live, in-studio audience," says Comedy Central in a statement.

"This move is being made out of an abundance of caution and concern regarding the spread of the Covid-19 virus and per guidance from New York City officials to take appropriate actions. There have been no developments at The Daily Show’s studio to cause concern for audience members who have plans to attend the show tonight or tomorrow."

"Measures have been taken to protect everyone who enters and works in the office and studio with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures."

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert shown on e.tv and also recording in New York from inside the Ed Sullivan Theatre is also stopping letting people in.

"Beginning Monday 16 March The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will film without a live, in-studio audience," says CBS in a statement. "This move is being made out of an abundance of caution regarding the spread of the Covid-19 virus and the uncertainty of the situation for future weeks."

"Per guidance from New York City officials, CBS and The Late Show are doing their part to help decrease the potential rate of transmission in our communities. There have not been any specific developments at The Ed Sullivan Theater to cause concern for audiences."

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver seen on M-Net (DStv 101) is also removing the in-studio in New York.

"As of this coming Sunday 15 March Last Week Tonight With John Oliver will film without a live, in-studio audience," says HBO in a statement. "We are taking this precaution in accordance with best practices as outlined by New York City officials. We will continue to monitor the situation."

TV presenter Lalla Hirayama gets restraining order against her allegedly abusive father.

Lalla Hirayama got an urgent temporary protection order against her allegedly abusive father who will have to appear in court later in September to argue why the restraining order shouldn't be made permanent after he allegedly tried to derail the TV presenter's career and was abusive to her mother and grandfather.

The Sunday World newspaper first reported about the interim restraining order that the presenter of V-Entertainment of M-Net's VUZU (DStv 116) applied for at the Randburg magistrate's court.

The protection order was granted after her estranged dad, Lance Cooper tried to allegedly derail Lalla Hirayama's career, and verbally threatened her mother and her colleagues.

He allegedly also threatened to break down a door when he showed up at her Randburg house on 2 September where she lives with her mother and her 97-year old grandfather and threatened to break down a door if not let inside.

Lance Cooper allegedly continued to harass the family, and allegedly threatened to prevent Lalla Hirayama to leave South Africa as part of her career to cover the upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament with SuperSport in Japan.

Lalla Hirayama has now safely travelled to Japan. On 11 September on social media she posted a photo on Twitter showing that she had arrived in Nippon, saying "There's a lot going on but it's time to work".

It comes after she earlier said on 9 September that "it comes at a time when getting away from a dangerous personal situation at home is also a big blessing. I have been fortunate to take my mother with me, to ensure that she is safe" and that "Restraining orders are unfortunately only pieces of paper, at the end of the day".

An arrest warrant was also issued for Lance Cooper but was suspended on the condition that he doesn't violate the restraining order. Lalla Hirayama asked the court to stop her father from stalking her, damaging property, from coming to her workplace, or phoning her or her family or contacting them on social media.

In court papers Lalla Hirayama said "My father is known to consistently carry weapons such as knives, blades, axes, daggers and knuckle dusters on his person and has expressed his desires and consistent attempts to acquire a gun", with the presenter who asked that the police seize all weapons from him.

Bonang Matheba producing and filming a new TV reality show, Bonang - Coming to America, chronicling her latest adventures in New York.

South Africa's Bonang Matheba is currently producing and filming another TV reality series in New York, entitled Bonang - Coming to America.

It's the second reality series following Being Bonang broadcast on M-Net's 1Magic (DStv 103) channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service with later rebroadcasts on VUZU (DStv 116).

The broadcaster and channel for Bonang - Coming to America hasn't yet been announced.

Bonang Matheba who has been to New York several times now is apparently looking for a more permanent place to stay in the Big Apple.

"Bonang is currently in the city shooting a new reality TV series, Bonang – Coming to America, amongst other opportunities," says her PR team in a statement.

Bonang – Coming to America is being produced by Red Button Films, CSA.global, and Bonang Matheba Entertainment.

"I'm excited to explore my personal style and narrative in the United States as well as share projects I'm working on. While the world has become a lot smaller, Africa's place in it has got a lot bigger and it's a massive honour to be part of this growth," says Bonang Matheba.

In Bonang – Coming to America, Bonang Matheba will be seen "attending A list events; holding various new venture meetings; photo shoots with top designers & photographers; attending film festivals on her various projects – while also spending time with other African and diaspora talent who are making a name for themselves globally".

DStv relents after ripping the 67th Miss Universe 2018 beauty pageant away from lower-tiered subscribers, competition added back to VUZU as a live broadcast besides 1Magic.

MultiChoice capitulated after initially taking away the broadcast of the Miss Universe competition from DStv Compact Plus and lower subscribers with the beauty pageant that will now be shown on M-Net's lower-tiered channel VUZU (DStv 116) as well, as a live broadcast.

After MultiChoice and M-Net broadcast the 66th annual Miss Universe pageant competition as a live broadcast on VUZU in November 2017 - a pageant that Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters ended up winning - the pay-TV service oddly decided to take away the programming from DStv subscribers on cheaper packages.

M-Net and MultiChoice decided to broadcast Miss Universe 2018 and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters handing over the crown to her successor only on 1Magic (DStv 103).

Now MultiChoice and M-Net have made an about turn after the Miss South Africa organisers "begged and pleaded", with DStv Premium as well as DStv Compact Plus and lower subscribers who will be able to see Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green take plart.

M-Net on Sunday confirmed that the Miss Universe 2018 broadcast will now also be shown live and be simulcast on VUZU besides 1Magic, but didn't respond to questions as to why the programming change was made and when, and what prompted the decision.

The 67th Miss Universe competition is taking place is Bangkok, Thailand and will be broadcast live on Monday morning, 17 December at 02:00 on 1Magic and VUZU. It will then be repeated during prime time on Monday on 1Magic at 20:30.

The pageant will repeat on VUZU on 22 December.

We begged and pleaded and can finally share the good news!

South Africa, show your support for Tamaryn Green on the @MissUniverse stage by watching @vuzutv at 2 am on the 17th of December. #TamarynForMissUniverse pic.twitter.com/0MeXBcniS0

— Miss South Africa (@Official_MissSA) December 13, 2018

As M-Net repositions the youth channel on DStv towards family-oriented programming, it rebrands VUZU with a new black disk logo for a more sophisticated look.

As M-Net repositions its youth channel towards family-oriented programming, VUZU (DStv 116) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform got a rebranded on-air look that rolled out this past Friday.

The new black disk logo with white lettering completely does away with the skewed "V", together with a more elegant looking and sophisticated black title boards used for upcoming programming promos and ad break interstitials. 

TVwithThinus asked VUZU about the on-air brand change.

Wicked Pixels is responsible for the idea and came up with the design after M-Net asked for the VUZU identity refresh.

Asked why M-Net decided to change the VUZU logo and look, Ryan van Heerden, M-Net's PR manager for local entertainment channels, says "VUZU underwent a content revamp in 2018, now with a more family-orientated feel in its programming.You'll notice more family sitcoms alongside local reality shows like My Kitchen Rules and Wedding Bashes airing on channel 116 now."

Lowena Waries, M-Net's marketing manager for youth and music channels says "the new channel imaging reflects VUZU's new positioning, which speaks to a broader audience base. This new imaging will connect the brand with the targeted audience.The aim was to create a beautiful, sophisticated, aspirational brand".

When M-Net rebranded VUZU AMP, the higher-tiered version of VUZU as 1Magic (DSTV 103) at the beginning of the year, M-Net said it will look whether VUZU will remain as a brand. M-Net then said "for now VUZU on 116 will remain as a channel as we will communicate should there be any changes to that channel".

The latest VUZU rebrand indicates that M-Net remains serious about retaining the channel and the name identity and doesn't have plans to shut it down. 

Asked again over the weekend what the future currently is of VUZU and if M-Net feels strongly about the channel and the name and investment in the channel as something important, Ryan van Heerden says "VUZU remains a valued M-Net property".

M-Net replacing VUZU AMP with 1Magic on DStv Premium from February 2018, adds local dramas like The River, Unmarried.

Three years after launching the M-Net AMP and M-Net Edge channels in October 2014 with M-Net Edge that had already fallen away at the beginning of 2017, M-Net and DStv are now also ending VUZU AMP and replacing it from 29 January 2018 with 1Magic (DStv 103).

Like VUZU AMP, 1Magic will only be available for DStv Premium subscribers.

For now, M-Net says that the lower-tiered VUZU channel on DStv channel 116 will remain, although M-Net says the change from VUZU AMP to 1Magic is to align all the channel names to the "Magic" moniker.

"For now VUZU on 116 will remain as a channel as we will communicate should there be any changes to that channel."

VUZU AMP has struggled to gain ratings traction the past three years and with the rebranding to 1Magic and a content programming shuffle, M-Net hopes to help lift the existing VUZU AMP ratings closer to that of the existing set of Mzansi Magic channels.

M-Net says 1Magic will carry local drama series, telenovelas, reality shows, movies and international reality, drama and films.

1Magic will broadcast series like The Fixer, How To Get Away with Murder, The Real Housewives, Power and later in 2018 the latest seasons of Ballers, Queen Sugar and Insecure.

In response to a media enquiry about the channel change, M-Net says 1Magic will be "introducing a bigger exclusive local content slate than what we currently have on VUZU AMP".

"The name change was necessary in order for the brand to fit into the M-Net brand architecture where all our channels across the continent carry the name "magic", for instance Zambei Magic, Africa Magic, Maisha Magic and Mzansi Magic".

"The new name is memorable and not specific to any language group as we are appealing to a wide audience that has a viewing appetite for local and international content".

M-Net says this will include firsts like a daily local telenovela to the channel.

On 29 January 2018 when VUZU AMP changes to 1Magic, it will launch a new local telenovela entitled, The River, with Sindi Dlathu, Hlomhla Dandala, Moshidi Motshegwa and Larona Moagi like SABC3's Isidingo set in a mining community.

On 2 February 1Magic will start the new urban drama Unmarried, which unpacks themes of love, urban hustle and bustle, and the daily challenges faced by young urban couples in trying to juggle life and aspirations. 

Unmarried stars Fezile Makhanya, Thembisa Mdoda and Renate Stuurman.

"In line with our vision to be the best African storytellers in the world, M-Net has identified a need to invest in more local entertainment for our viewers, in the premium segment. 1Magic will fill a viewing gap by combining new and exclusive local shows with international content,” says Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net general manager for South Africa.

M-Net replacing Ellen with James Corden; Ellen moving to VUZU on DStv as the British talk show host takes the 5pm slot.

M-Net is replacing Ellen DeGeneres in the pay-TV broadcaster's late afternoon timeslot with James Corden.

After several years on M-Net (DStv 101), Ellen will start on VUZU (DStv 116) on Monday 11 September, with The Late Late Show with James Corden that will start in Ellen's place on the M-Net channel on 18 September in the 17:00 timeslot.

M-Net gave no reason for moving Ellen away, although the channel did the same with fellow talk show The Talk a few years ago that was shipped from M-Net to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

The Late Late Show with James Corden was previously exclusively available on Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax, but since his pop culture success with his "carpool karaoke" James Corden has seen a dramatic rise in his showbiz profile worldwide.

"Don't be misled by the words 'Late Late' in the show's title," says Lani Lombard, M-Net head of publicity.

"Even though the programme is broadcast late in the evening in the United States, it's the perfect entertainment to put you in a good mood for the bumper prime-time offering each night."

"M-Net continues to bring you the very best entertainment from around the globe and we're thrilled to add this trendy programme to our schedule."

Like Ellen, the British James Corden's couch is filled with American entertainers, performers, singers, film stars and artists, and like Ellen he often sings along with them.

M-Net has been showing reruns of the 14th season of Ellen, with the 15th season of Ellen that will start in America on Tuesday 5 September and is the season that will show on VUZU.

It's not clear what season of The Late Late Show with James Corden will be on M-Net, although it will likely be the new third season starting in America on Tuesday 5 September.

M-Net dumps entertainment magazine show V-Entertainment after 8 years on VUZU AMP, says show's 'going on a break' but will return in future.

M-Net has decided to dump its youth-centric weekday entertainment magazine show V-Entertainment  on VUZU AMP (DStv 103) that it believes is no longer properly aligned to the youth entertainment culture, saying the show is abruptly "going on a break" but telling TVwithThinus that it isn't cancelled.

V-Entertainment served as VUZU's flagship daily half hour entertainment magazine show since 2009 when M-Net's GO channel rebranded as VUZU, and again transitioned to the premium channel VUZU AMP when that channel launched in October 2014.

V-Entertainment, produced by Don't Look Down Productions, as a South African pop culture version of E! News, gave rise to presenters like Lalla Hirayama while providing opportunities for people ranging from Nonhle Thema and Siya Ngwekazi, Dineo Moeketsi, Denise Zimba and Shelton Forbez.

The show inflicted brand and reputation damage when a new crop of presenters introduced in April 2016 didn't gel with viewers.

M-Net told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that V-Entertainment isn't cancelled. Yet the show is going off the air after 8 years for a break, instead of staying on-air while doing a retool. V-Entertainment will end with a "special" hour long episode on Friday 30 June at 18:00.

According to insiders, a reformatted V-Entertainment is likely to return as a weekly episode from August but definitely won't be back as a weekday show. The show that's been seen on VUZU AMP and VUZU will likely also become a VUZU AMP show only.

"V-Entertainment broke boundaries and introduced audiences to fresh new talent," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels. "Entertainment culture is always evolving and we must change along with it."

M-Net said "fans need not despair though, as the changes coming in August will reflect our aim of being at the forefront of innovative entertainment".

In the past year, MultiChoice literally added 1 712 new DStv subscribers per day. I asked a TV expert to help explain why - and here is what she told me:

Pay-TV uptake in South Africa continues strong growth and with the DStv subscriber base that's grown with another 625 000 subscribers in the past year, a TV expert says it is because the SABC is in crisis while DStv is more creative with content, that it's driven by sports rights, and that watching pay-TV is a family activity that's cheaper than other out-of-house activities.

MultiChoice added another 625 000 DStv subscribers in South Africa in the past year according to the latest Naspers annual results for the year until 31 March 2017 that was released on Friday. 

That is equal to a whopping 1 712 new DStv subscriptions that South African TV households signed up for per day over the past year, despite DStv raising subscription fees every year, falling consumer confidence, worsening economic conditions and with retailers struggling to get consumers to open their wallets.

While South African consumers are tightening their belts and cutting back on expenses they not just loathe getting rid of their direct-to-home (DTH) satellite pay-TV but more are ditching the public viewing fare from the SABC and parting with their hard-earned cash to sign up and pay monthly for subscription television.

MultiChoice that doesn't operate a loyalty programme in South Africa, now has a massive 6.36 million pay-TV subscribers in South Africa (11% growth compared to the previous year) as paying viewers are boosting the viewership figures and ratings of a flurry of pay-TV channels ranging from Al Jazeera and Animal Planet to SuperSport and Zee World.

"Watching TV is a leisure experience that can be enjoyed in a family setting and might be comparatively less expensive than leisure activities that take place outside of the house," TV expert and academic Dr Alexia Smit from the University of Cape Town's Centre for Film and Media Studies told TVwithThinus.

"It's much cheaper than dinner and a movie, shopping or going to a bar. This might explain the retention of DStv numbers as people cut down on other leisure activities," she says.

Dr Smit, with a PhD in Television Studies, says DStv has been very clever in the way that the pay-TV behemoth has grown its audience share.

"They've put a lot of effort into producing packages that are accessible to a large audience of lower to middle income South Africans. They also invest a lot of resources into audience research and retention."

"Sport cannot be overlooked. Many South Africans buy into DStv to have access to important sporting events. It is also worth noting that not all DStv viewing takes place in the private home but also in bars and community spaces where access to sports matches are key."

"In many cases the SABC cannot afford the rights to key sporting events like the Protea's recent tour of New Zealand or Premier League soccer.

Dr Smit says DStv subscriber uptake is also driven by culturally relevant content.

"DStv's Mzansi Magic and Vuzu TV channels offer original programming that is carefully designed to appeal to the needs and desires of South African viewers, particularly those understood to be part of South Africa's so-called ‘emerging black middle class’."

"DStv is providing a style of programming that fills certain gaps for local audiences who have a hunger for representations of themselves and their interests. Shows like Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding are pitched in a way that really works," she says.

She says these shows "don't offer a didactic 'rainbow nation' message. They are about love, families, consumption, aspiration, leisure, tradition and local culture" and that this programming is the result of  very careful audience research.

"While people in the top end of the market might be lured away by free downloads and competitors like Netflix, there isn't much competition in the pay-TV sector when it comes to accessing original local content, though the switch to digital TV might start to threaten this."

Many DStv shows also have a remarkable online life, says Dr Smit. "There is often a Twitter storm that accompanies the first airing of episodes of Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding. I believe this online culture might drive a certain amount of desire for access to this programming."

She says the growth in South African pay-TV subscribers "is not necessarily about TV viewing becoming more popular. Rather pay-TV viewing is seen as affordable for a larger segment of the population". 

"The SABC is in a deep state of crisis. It is likely that this has had an effect on programming quality and audience engagement," says Dr Smit.

"Aside from the institutional difficulties the SABC has been experiencing, we must also factor in the difference between the role of a public broadcaster and a pay-television network."

"The SABC is beholden to a public service remit so the SABC has historically been tasked with producing programming that is educational or aligns with the interests of the nation. DStv is a commercial broadcaster with an expansive array of options and much more freedom with regards to the kind of programming they distribute."

"They have the capacity to cater for niche audiences in a way that the public broadcaster cannot. They are also free to develop local content that does not need to share a public service message."

"I think audiences may appreciate a shift away from the more didactic address of the SABC. I think DStv is a lot more creative with local content and more responsive to audience needs but this has to do with having a lot of resources and using them well."

"If the SABC really wants to compete for viewers they need to find ways to put real money, support and infrastructure behind producers of local content, they need to invest in ways of understanding the changing needs of their audiences and they need to get access to more key sporting coverage," says Dr Smit.   

BREAKING. M-Net dumps M-Net Edge, M-Net Family, M-Net Movies Showcase channels on DStv from April as it further contracts it channels offering.

M-Net and MultiChoice are further reducing M-Net's channels offering on DStv with the M-Net Edge (DStv 102), M-Net Family (DStv 162) and M-Net Movies Showcase (DStv 107) channels that are all culled from 1 April - the same date when the new DStv price hike kicks in.

By cutting down and doing channel consolidation, M-Net is following hot on the heels of the accelerating trend of international pay-TV services and channel providers dumping under-performing and niche channels from their bouquets and channel line-ups as the pull of the traditional pay-TV bundling offer for consumers starts to fray.

M-Net says the channels are taken away based on DStv subscriber research.

ALSO READ: Edged out: Why MultiChoice and M-Net's decision to shut down M-Net Edge is a big regressive step backwards for DStv subscribers.

M-Net as a linear TV channel supplier to a pay-TV bundle is following Viacom and NBCUniversal that are all killing off niche and under-performing channels in an attempt to strengthen their core channel collections and to refocus their content output energy on big general entertainment channels and desirable brands.

"The entertainment landscape is changing faster than ever - we've made these changes based on what our customers have told us. We know they want to see the best new and returning series, and that is exactly what they will get," says Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net South Africa's group general manager.

The termination of M-Net Edge just three years after it launched in late 2014 to replace the floundering "M-Net Series" brand, means the loss of the additional premium channel for DStv Premium subscribers that promised to provide a cutting-edge second destination for quality, sophisticated and premium programming on DStv.

In July 2016 M-Net dumped channels like M-Net Movies Comedy, M-Net Movies Family and M-Net Movies Romance combining it into M-Net Movies Smile. The downsizing from 9 to 7 is continuing with the loss of a further M-Net Movies channel and 2 M-Net general entertainment channels.

MultiChoice and M-Net abruptly ending M-Net Edge, at the same time as raising DStv subscriptions on 1 April comes as a double blow for DStv Premium subscribers who will have to pay more but see more TV channels taken away.

DStv's reduced M-Net channels offering will also dramatically curtail M-Net's "Express from the US" concept - the rolling out of episodes of American series in South African quickly after its American broadcast.

With the consolidation of two channels' content, there's simply not enough physical timeslots available for the number of series and shows carried by M-Net as a pay-TV broadcaster to do justice to the "Express from the US" concept on a single linear premium channel basis.

There's more HBO and Showtime series as well as from the major Hollywood studios and distributors like Disney-ABC, CBS International and NBCUniversal than what can be packed on a single premium channel like M-Net (DStv 101) without the existence of an "exhaust vent" like the "overflow" channel that M-Net Edge provided for edgier "American cable" shows.

M-Net says it will beef up and incorporate M-Net Edge programming into the M-Net (DStv 101) channel to give DStv Premium subscribers "a supersized channel with bumper-to bumper entertainment".

However - all previous channel integrations in the past by MultiChoice of two TV channels into one (think BET and BET2, think any previous M-Net channels amalgam) have all proved that a temporary bump in bigger TV volume programming eventually peter out to what a single channel can accomodate.

The promises of M-Net to improve the M-Net channel with more content a few years ago also showed that after just a few months, the number of first-run shows and films in given rotation fall back down.

It's therefore highly unlikely that the volume of content that was on M-Net Edge as its own channel will entirely be sustained when the channel brand folds into the M-Net channel from April.

M-Net says it will be extending the M-Net channel's primetime from 18:00 to midnight and that it will mean "fewer repeats on M-Net".  

It's not clear if programming like M-Net's recently started premium foreign TV series from Europe, and quirky, well-received enhanced programming like the Game of Thrones aftershow, After the Thrones companion show will survive.

When M-Net Edge programming is shunted to M-Net is likely that the migration will see casualties like when (the safe) series like Game of Thrones and others are reverting back to the main M-Net channel.

The reality is that one premium TV channel - in this case M-Net (DStv 101) cannot over the longterm sustain more than a certain number of premium programming titles when it comes to series and film, purely due to the finite number of weekly hours and timeslots  available and a repeat ratio that must happen.

Schedule changes are also coming.

With a premium film at 20:05 on M-Net (DStv 101) on Sunday nights, there's no way that a premium foreign art film that was at 21:00 on M-Net Edge (DStv 102) on Sundays will be shown at 21:00 on M-Net - it physically isn't possible.

M-Net will once again be disrupting DStv subscribers' viewing pattern just months after introducing the new M-Net Edge schedule in mid-December 2016.

Another channel casualty is M-Net Movies Showcase (DStv 107) that is also being dumped as M-Net continues to cut down its M-Net Movies channels offering.

M-Net says M-Net Movies Showcase is terminated in favour of doing more limited-run pop-up channels on DStv.

"Our pop-up channels are extremely popular," says Nkateko Mabaso. "Viewers love the fact that they can easily find a collection of their favourite movies packaged under a specific theme on one channel".

The under-performing DStv Family (DStv 162) is also being dumped by M-Net and MultiChoice will replace DStv Family with the VUZU (DStv 116) channel on the DStv Family bouquet with VUZU that will retain its channel number position of 116.

JustFlicks launches as a video-on-demand (VOD) service in South Africa at R1 per day, replacing Times Media Group's failed VIDI service.

JustFlicks has launched as a new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service in South Africa, taking over the failed VIDI streaming streaming the Times Media Group shut down earlier this year.

JustFlicks joins Netflix South Africa, Naspers' ShowMax, PCCW Global's ONTAPtv.com from China and MTN's VU offering video streaming services.

JustFlicks subscriptions start at R1 per day and fees are collected through a user's mobile phone operator.

JustFlicks, owned by Marble Gold 322 (Pty) Ltd and operated by STS that is a wireless application service provider (WASP), says users must have an internet connection speed of at least 1Mbps, although faster speed will mean a higher quality of video streaming.

JustFlicks offers 1 000 hours of library TV series and films and it plans to add 100 further titles per month. The service says it's available in South Africa only.

JustFlicks incorporates a green "play" symbol in its logo that's also prominent in its user interface.

The green reuleaux triangle is interestingly exactly the same colour and looks exactly like the one used by MultiChoice for its DStv BoxOffice VOD film service.

According to the latest research by Digital TV Research regarding so-called over-the-top (OTT) and VOD services, "subscription VOD packages in South Africa are expensive" and is further held back by pricey broadband packages and the slow roll-out of infrastructure.

As Vuzu turns 5 years old, is M-Net ready to have the TV channel spawn a baby possibly called Vuzu Amp in September?

Vuzu (DStv 116) turns 5 years old today; so is pay-TV broadcaster M-Net ready to spawn a brand-new spin-off TV channel called Vuzu Amp around September?

That is what I've heard.

Vuzu replaced GO five years ago when that youth entertainment channel from M-Net faltered and failed to meet rating and performance targets.

Where Vuzu as a youth-tainment experiment initially had clearly defined boundaries and saw M-Net shift all youth entertainment TV drama shows to Vuzu, that presice and channel content proposition has blurred over the past few years.

Vuzu has become a sort of "all-sorts" TV channel over the past five years - making it impossible to predict exactly what type of TV content and shows would end up on Vuzu.

While V Entertainment remains a standard local production bringing Vuzu viewers youth-tainment-showbiz info on a weekday basis and anchors the line-up, the rest of Vuzu - including erratic and often badly done scheduling - is frequently all over the place.

The content of the Vuzu schedule has blurred over the past few years, resembling an often perplexing melange of disparate content and shows, akin as to if a TV executive mixed chunks of America's VH1, Bravo and E! Entertainment channels together.

The newly somewhat famous, the wannabe famous (both Americans and South Africans) and those past the prime of the fame shelf life, litter the Vuzu schedule.

The result is somewhat of a witches' brew of largely B-grade, often pandering American reality, sometimes have-to-watch, sometimes why-on-Earth? shows.

These Vuzu has spiced up with an equal measure of often questionably low production, local reality fare ranging from Vixens and Nonhle Goes to Hollywood, to Cream Cartel and TV trash supreme, Dineo's Diary.

If there's perhaps an overall theme to Vuzu its that it caters to viewers largely less interested in living their own lives than gawking through a tabloid prism at the lives of others - and the more histrionic the telenality on display, the better.

It's the channel of Mob Wives Chicago, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette; Bachelor Pad, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Mo Love and Gold Diggerz and inappropriately allocated shows like Sleepy Hollow (while Teen Wolf and Hart of Dixie are on M-Net Series Showcase and The 100 and Beauty & the Beast are on M-Net).

TV shows, TV stars and TV channels age of course in dog years; in reality Vuzu is actually closer to 21 than 5.

It's no wonder then that sources have been telling TV with Thinus that a second Vuzu TV channel is in the works which will be compiled and supplied by M-Net. It will presumablybe for MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform where Vuzu is currently residing on the line-up.

I've been told the possible name for the second Vuzu channel is Vuzu Amp (VuzuAmp? VuzuAMP? Vuzu AMP?) and should launch around September or October in South Africa.

I made a media enquiry to M-Net last week and asked whether M-Net can confirm that there's been discussions for another Vuzu channel, whether that is accurate, whether Vuzu Amp is the proposed or talked about name, and whether such a channel would start around September or October, or whether nothing of this is true.

M-Net says "at this stage we can't deny nor confirm that there are plans to launch a new channel or channels. If we do in fact launch a new channel or channels, this will be communicated to media".

TV with Thinus also reached out to MultiChoice; such a platform would presumably carry such a channel, and asked the same, whether there has been or is any discussions around another Vuzu channel, and whether Vuzu Amp is the proposed name.

"We don't comment on plans to launch new channels," says MultiChoice. "Any new channels will be communicated to the media when we are ready to announce".

BREAKING. Vuzu dumps Somizi Mhlongo and cancels his reality series, Raising the Bar, following alleged 'violent on-set confrontation'.

Vuzu (DStv 116) has dumped Somizi Mhlongo and cancelled what was to be his own new reality show Raising the Bar, following a serious, alleged violent confrontation between the entertainer while shooting the show.

"Vuzu has cancelled production of the recently-commissioned reality series Raising the Bar with Somizi," Vuzu tells TV with Thinus in a statement following a media enquiry.

Vuzu tells TV with Thinus the alleged violent confrontation happened "while shooting the show".

The new 10 part reality show of the flamboyant fashionista and dance choreographer was immediately scrapped by M-Net top brass.

"Vuzu does not condone violence against any individual or group," says Yolisa Phahle, the director of local general entertainment for South Africa at M-Net in a strongly-worded statement.

"Violence is a serious concern in our society and as a broadcaster we take issues of social responsibility very seriously," says Yolisa Phahle.

Somizi Mhlongo had an established relationship with M-Net's local entertainment channels.

He was the dance choreographer for Channel O's Channel O Music Video Awards in 2012 and 2013, made regular appearances on Vuzu's countdown show 10 over 10 and was roped in as choreographer by M-Net's Idols at the end of 2013.

Raising the Bar with Somizi was supposed to start on Vuzu in January, showing the life of the socialite.

In 2008 Somizi Mhlongo was found guilty of indecent assault on a man in the Randburg magistrate's court.

Somizi Mhlongo couldn't yet be reached for possible comment.

BREAKING. SABC and SABC3 no longer covering the J&B Met, Vuzu on DStv picks up red carpet coverage for J&B Met 2014.

In another blow for viewers of public television in South Africa the SABC and its SABC3 TV channel is done and dropping its TV coverage of the annual J&B Met horse race, with no further live broadcast.

Coverage of the J&B Met taking place on Saturday is shifting to MultiChoice's Vuzu channel which decided to pick up and do red carpet coverage this year for the first time. SuperSport, also on DStv, will broadcast the horse race.

The J&B Met, the biggest annual event kicking off Cape Town's social calendar, used to be shown live on the SABC, with vaunted live red carpet coverage and a live horse race broadcast from SABC3 and SABC Sport. As a result it saw a perennial,  heavy presence from SABC executives as well as SABC entertainment and magazine shows. Now its all over.

The SABC didn't respond to a media enquiry as to why the public broadcaster suddenly dropped its annual coverage of the J&B Met social arrivals and live horse racing, and is silent as to how the cancellation of J&B Met coverage on SABC3 - originally scheduled for the channel, but now suddenly no longer happening - came about.

During its heydey, until just before the SABC came close to financial collapse in 2009, the public broadcaster had annual stands, a lounge section in the marquee tent, and some years even its own separate tent to host VIP invitees, telegenic personalities, high-flying SABC executives and selected guests who were jetted into Cape Town for the weekend to socialize, sip champagne and show off their designer frocks.

Now there will be no J&B Met 2014 coverage on the SABC on Saturday with the theme "Made to Conquer". The M-Net supplied MultiChoice channel Vuzu (DStv 116) has picked up the J&B Met red carpet coverage but only pay-TV subscribers will now be able to see it.

A Vuzu spokesperson confirms to me that the channel is showing the J&B Met 2014 for viewers. "This is the first time we are covering the J&B Met. It will be red carpet interviews covering fashion as well as covering the main race".

J&B Met 2014 coverage will be shown on Vuzu on Saturday from 16:00 to 17:00. Vuzu's V-Entertainment presenters Lalla Hirayama, Siya Ngwekazi and Denise Zimba will cover from Cape Town. SuperSport will also be crossing to the J&B Met horse racing on Saturday from 15:30.

M-Net grabs the second season of Toni Braxton's Braxton Family Values, as well as the spin-off, Tamar & Vince.

M-Net has picked up the broadcasting rights to the second season of Toni Braxton's reality show Braxton Family Values, and also acquired the broadcasting rights to the spin-off Tamar & Vince.

Braxton Family Values also started this year on e.tv.

M-Net will be showing Braxton Family Values as well as the spin-off featuring Tamar Braxton and her record producer Vince Herbert on one of M-Net's channels on DStv.