Yusuf Nabee out as A+E Networks Africa boss after embarrassing channel carriage conflict with MultiChoice; Johannesburg office restructured as Nazarene Khan takes over as regional manager.

by Thinus Ferreira

Yusuf Nabee is out as A+E Networks Africa boss following the hugely embarrassing and highly damaging channel carriage conflict in late-2019 between A+E Networks UK and MultiChoice in South Africa.

Nazarene Khan, currently head of marketing and sponsorship for the past two and a half years at A+E Networks Africa, is taking over as A+E Networks Africa regional manager from Yusuf Nabee who is gone from the end of February 2020. He was appointed as A+E Networks Africa general manager in May 2016.

A+E Networks Africa held a channels upfront in mid-September 2019 despite no contract extension that was in place for its channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for South Africa and MultiChoice Africa in sub-Saharan Africa despite MultiChoice that warned A+E Networks Africa not to go ahead with an upfront media event.

A+E Networks Africa did it anyway, followed by brand damage and embarrassment when MultiChoice shortly after announced that it's dumping the A+E Networks' Crime+Investigation Network and History and Lifetime channels provided by A+E Networks UK from November 2019.

MultiChoice executives were adamant that they won't pay what A+E Networks wanted for the channels and that the pay-TV operator isn't willing to accept the terms of a channels carriage agreement renewal.

Angry DStv subscribers started a petition that lured thousands of signatures.

Following the public channels termination announcement, MultiChoice went back to the negotiating table with A+E Networks and hammered out a new deal to keep carrying only History and Lifetime and dropping Crime+Investigation Network.

Yusuf Nabee and the A+E Networks Africa office declined multiple interview requests since November and refused to talk to the media about the embarrassing channel negotiation skirmish which further damaged media relations between A+E Networks Africa and the South African press.

In contrast high-level MultiChoice executives spoke to the media several times about the unfolding matter.

A+E Networks Africa also damaged its image and relationships with local South African production companies who were kept in the dark by A+E Networks Africa after it commissioned them to do shows, not knowing if their shows would go ahead or what's happening.

Disgruntled local producers who were commissioned by A+E to do local shows were upset that their productions - some just-commissioned and some already in post-production - won’t be seen and that they have been kept in the dark about what's going on. 

South African production companies who spoke privately to TVwithThinus were extremely upset, saying they were kept in the dark that A+E Networks didn’t have a channel renewal when their recent content was announced at A+E Networks Africa’s upfront showcase. 

Dean Possenniskie, the managing director of A+E Networks for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, spoke at A+E Networks Africa's content showcase upfront on 19 September 2019 in Johannesburg where he touted the ongoing, increasing production spending going to the creation of local South African programming on its set of channels. 

The media and content producers slammed A+E Networks for being having been dishonest and secretive, creating a perception that everything was fine and remaining "as is" while A+E Networks in reality didn't disclose that it was at risk of losing its entire set of channels in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa.

"Yusuf who has been instrumental in establishing A+E's local presence and building our brands has decided the time is right to step down from his role," says Adrian Pilkington, senior vice president for commercial and strategy at A+E Networks for the Africa, Middle East, Nordics and Benelix region, in a statement.

A+E Networks Africa will now be overseen by Nazarene Khan who is promoted to regional manager.

"Nazarene Khan has been a key part of the team for the past few years and working alongside Fatime Kaba, our head of programming and scheduling, we have two very talented executives to build upon the foundation that Yusuf has created. I'm delighted to have her heading up our Africa team."

EXCLUSIVE / BREAKING. It’s Halloween and the living dead are alive! MultiChoice to keep axed History and Lifetime on DStv after reaching new channel carriage deal with A+E Networks.

TVwithThinus can reveal that MultiChoice has made a U-turn after reaching a new channels carriage deal with A+E Networks and will no longer take away the History (DStv 186) and Lifetime (DStv 131) channels from DStv subscribers although the Crime+Investigation Network (DStv 170) will still go dark on Halloween.

Negotiation brinkmanship between MultiChoice and A+E Networks led to a breakdown in the relationship between the Randburg-based pay-TV operator and A+E Networks UK that operates a local affiliate office, A+E Networks Africa, after channel carriage negotiations failed when neither companies could settle on the terms and price that MultiChoice had to pay to keep the channels set.

Following MultiChoice's shocking announcement that History, Lifetime and C+I would disappear from DStv at the end of October,  renegotiations started up again between MultiChoice and A+E Networks although it's still unclear who blinked and made the first overture.

Furious DStv subscribers added massive pressure when they started a petition that by Thursday morning had over 8 700 signatures and comments since it started in early-October, while shocked and angry South African production companies making content for the channels were also vocal in their unhappiness about losing channels as platforms that allow them to make shows and earn a living.

Disgruntled local producers who were commissioned by A+E to do local shows were upset that their productions - some just-commissioned and some already in post-production - won’t be seen and that they have been kept in the dark about what's going on. 

South African production companies who spoke privately to TVwithThinus were extremely upset, saying they were kept in the dark that A+E Networks didn’t have a channel renewal when their recent content was announced at A+E Networks Africa’s upfront showcase. 

Producers said that they have been kept out of the loop about what is going and about what will be happening with their shows - including programming already commissioned, produced and scheduled for November 2019 all the way to February 2020. 

These shows range from plans to do Don't Tell the Bride SA, to Crime Stories SA (from Clive Morris Productions), Loved Like Crazy (from Nala Media), as well as Your People, Our People (from Pillay Media). 

Dean Possenniskie, the managing director of A+E Networks for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, spoke at A+E Networks Africa's content showcase upfront on 19 September in Johannesburg and touted the ongoing, increasing production spending going to the creation of local South African programming on its set of channels. 

Possenniskie described it's channels supplied to MultiChoice as its "core business" and part of a long-standing partnership with DStv, and that A+E Networks had already invested R30 million in creating local content in South Africa in 2019.


Trick or treat: Two further channels to be added
MultiChoice on Thursday morning told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that both History and Lifetime will now remain on DStv after the signing of a new multi-year contract with A+E Networks but that C+I will still get axed.

MultiChoice will also still add the two further replacement channels that it promised to give in the place of the channels that would have been removed.

MultiChoice has removed the channel termination notices for both History and Lifetime from its electronic programme guide (EPG) on DStv.

Similar to the radio silence of the past 4 weeks when it had no comment, A+E Networks publicists didn't respond to a media enquiry on Thursday about A+E Networks Africa, led by Yusuf Nabee, as general manager, and its latest channel carriage developments.

"We're reached an agreement with A+E Networks for terms that we think are acceptable to our DStv subscribers for both History and Lifetime but Crime+Investigation is still ending," Mark Rayner, MultiChoice SA CEO said.

"Two further new channels will still be announced before the middle of November as a replacement for C+I from another provider, as well as another factual documentary channel from a new provider. We're just finalising technical launch plans so that we can be clear on a launch date."

MultiChoice was asked what the damage has been to both the pay-TV provider, A+E and South Africa's TV industry because of the earlier announcement that A+E Networks' channels are getting axed when negotiations stalled.

"Some customers voiced their concerns and the media. The reality is that the two parties just couldn't find each other and expectations were not met on either side. As soon as we realised we can't, we're obligated to give proper notice. We can't just cancel channels at short notice."

"As soon as we realised we don't have a deal that triggered our legal obligation to advise our customers of a potential change. I think it's worked out well for everybody that we've come to agreement on those two channels."

"We welcome History and Lifetime back and look forward to continuing with those and there's no break in service because they haven't gone down and won't go down."

A+E Networks renegotiating or trying to renegotiate with MultiChoice about its channels set on DStv - sources.

A+E Networks, which will see its set of channels including History, Crime+Investigation Network and Lifetime disappear from DStv at the end of this month, is negotiating with MultiChoice again or apparently trying to negotiate a new deal, according to insider sources.

Furious DStv subscribers remain up in arms about the Randburg-based pay-TV operator's abrupt culling of the popular and sought-after premium TV channels, while South Africa's TV industry and producers have been left agog at the shocking turn of events.

It follows after a period of protracted brinkmanship over carriage fees during contract renewal negotiations, which saw the partnership between MultiChoice and A+E Networks UK break down in an acrimonious split after MultiChoice remained adamant that it won't pay the increases channel carriage fees that A+E Networks demanded for its content as part of a contract extension.

Insiders told TVwithThinus on Tuesday night that A+E Networks executives have expressed a desire to reopen negotiations with MultiChoice over its channels following the brinkmanship that saw both sides walk away, and that negotiations might actually have started again.

A+E Networks UK and its local Johannesburg-based office, A+E Networks Africa, have remained silent despite being asked multiple times the past three weeks what is happening.

Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks Africa general manager, is shying away from interviews following the company's recent content showcase presentation last month where it announced several new local content initiatives that are now in limbo.

On Wednesday, A+E Networks Africa publicist Lauren Holley, in response to a media enquiry seeking comment about confirmation about whether negotiations have restarted and a request to interview executives, said "we have no updates to add to our statement. We will let you know as soon as there are any updates". 

MultiChoice was also asked whether negotiations have restarted. Joe Heshu, MultiChoice corporate spokesperson, on Wednesday said that "we do not comment on any channel or content contractual discussions whether past or present".


Petition growing
While A+E Networks remains silent about the loss of its valued channels on DStv at the end of the month a petition to keep the History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation Network on DStv has already soared to over 7400 signatures by Wednesday morning. 

Disgruntled local producers who were commissioned by A+E to do local shows that now won’t be seen are privately fuming about being kept in the dark. 

MultiChoice has now posted Channel Termination notices across its DStv electronic programme guide (EPG). 

MultiChoice is telling DStv subscribers that channels will be ending and sending them to competing channels' alternative, for instance saying "The History channel will stop airing on 1 November 2019. Find similar content on Discovery Channel (121), Discovery Family (136) and National Geographic (181)."

With A+E Networks calling the channels that it supplies to MultiChoice its “core business”, dark clouds are hanging not just over the uncertain future of A+E Networks Africa employing a staff of 12 – but also over the just-announced local South African content slate that could very likely all be axed since nobody will get to see it if produced.

South African production companies who spoke privately to TVwithThinus are extremely upset, saying they were kept in the dark that A+E Networks didn’t have a channel renewal when their recent content was announced at A+E Networks Africa’s upfront showcase. 

Producers say that they are still in the dark about what is going and about what will be happening with their shows - including programming already commissioned, produced and scheduled for February 2020 that is in the final post-production stages. 

These shows range from plans to do Don't Tell the Bride SA, to Crime Stories SA (from Clive Morris Productions), Loved Like Crazy (from Nala Media), as well as Your People, Our People (from Pillay Media). 


'Channels not performing given the costs concerned' 
Dean Possenniskie, the managing director of A+E Networks for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, spoke at A+E Networks Africa's content showcase upfront on 19 September in Johannesburg and touted the ongoing, increasing production spending going to the creation of local South African programming on its set of channels. 

Possenniskie described it's channels supplied to MultiChoice as its "core business" and part of a long-standing partnership with DStv, and that A+E Networks had already invested R30 million in creating local content in South Africa in 2019.

"We're proud to say that in the last 5 years we have invested in excess of R50 million into local productions which I think is very important for the local production community and which is something I believe that we will absolutely go on and do more of in the future."

While he mentioned that a slate of "exciting new local productions are coming your way in 2020 for our subscribers and viewers" all of that is now apparently under threat of never being produced – or not to be seen.

At A+E Networks Africa's upfront event, Fatime Kaba, A+E Networks Africa's head of programming and scheduling, said that "There are more announcements to come in the next few months as we continue to close deals and invest in these channels that we all love and also invest in our local creators and industry". 

MultiChoice in response to a media enquiry about why the A+E Networks channels have been dropped said that it "needs to consider the costs for the channel, the terms which may apply and whether we can get better value elsewhere".

"In some instances decisions will be made due to channels not performing up to expectations, particularly given the costs concerned, but the world over its not unusual for channels to be changed if parties cannot agree on terms, for whatever reason."

Local plans in peril: Cancellation threat hangs over A+E Networks Africa's entire local content slate after MultiChoice dumps its channels from DStv.

The just-announced local TV content slate of A+E Networks Africa for its set of channels carried on DStv in South Africa and across Southern Africa is in danger of getting scrapped, with huge uncertainy over what - or if any - of the projects will go ahead after MultiChoice's shocking decision to dump all of A+E Networks' channels from its pay-TV service. 

The termination of the long-standing commercial partnership between A+E Networks and MultiChoice comes as Yolisa Phahle is currently MultiChoice's CEO for general entertainment, with Aletta Alberts as MultiChoice's head of content strategy and third-party channels, and with Calvo Mawela as MultiChoice CEO.

MultiChoice, through its decision to dump A+E Networks Africa's channels after having carried the slowly growing channels collection for an established number of years on DStv, is inflicting some direct damage on South Africa's TV industry as well as the local content production industry.

MultiChoice is making victims of South African production companies commissioned to produce local content for A+E Networks Africa, ranging from established ones like Clive Morris Productions doing Crime Stories SA to new companies like Nala Media from Katy Katopodis and Penny Peppa producing the gender-based violence special Loved Like Crazy.

These production companies might all likely have their programming cancelled, with their work - even if produced - that won't be seen by South African viewers since the channels will no longer be available in Africa for Dstv subscribers.

MultiChoice is also endangering jobs within the local South African TV industry with A+E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst and Sky, that established a localised A+E Networks Africa office in Johannesburg a few years ago that has slowly expanded to employ 12 people and is overseen by Yusuf Nabee as general manager.

With A+E Networks' "core" business - its History (DStv 186), Crime+Investigation Network (DStv 170) and Lifetime (DStv 131) channels that MultiChoice decided to remove from DStv - it is likely that jobs at A+E Networks Africa will now be under threat, if not the future of the entire local office which now remains unclear.

TVwithThinus asked A+E Networks and A+E Networks Africa in a media enquiry through its publicists how MultiChoice's axing of its channels on DStv will affect its announced programming.

A+E Networks didn't respond to the question.

A+E Networks and A+E Networks Africa was asked whether A+E will continue to produce the recently announced localised format show Don't Tell the Bride South Africa set for 2020 on the Lifetime channel. A+E Networks didn't respond to the question.

A+E Networks and A+E Networks Africa was also asked what is happening with the Loved Like Crazy special announced as earmarked for a broadcast date in November and which is supposed to be produced by Nala Media, and whether the second season of Crime Stories SA will still be produced by Clive Morris Productions.

A+E Networks didn't respond to the question.

A+E Networks and A+E Networks Africa was asked that if the commissioned programmes were to be produced, why A+E would go ahead since viewers won't be able to see it - or if the shows were to be cancelled, what the impact is on A+E Networks Africa and the production companies, as well as South Africa's local TV industry, and how A+E feels about having to cancel announced shows.

Again A+E Networks didn't provide any response to the question.

Dean Possenniskie, the managing director of A+E Networks for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, spoke at A+E Networks Africa's content showcase upfront on 19 September in Johannesburg and touted the ongoing, increasing production spending going to the creation of local South African programming on its set of channels.

Dean Possenniskie described it's channels supplied to MultiChoice as its "core business" and part of a long-standing partnership with DStv, and that A+E Networks had already invested R30 million in creating local content in South Africa in 2019.

"We're proud to say that in the last 5 years we have invested in excess of R50 million into local productions which I think is very important for the local production community and which is something I believe that we will absolutely go on and do more of in the future."

While he mentioned that a slate of "exciting new local productions are coming your way in 2020 for our subscribers and viewers" all of that is now apparently under threat of never being produced - or not to be seen.

At A+E Networks Africa's upfront event, Fatime Kaba, A+E Networks Africa's head of programming and scheduling, said that "There are more announcements to come in the next few months as we continue to close deals and invest in these channels that we all love and also invest in our local creators and industry".

This premature pronouncement now looks like a pipe dream.

TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice in a media enquiry what MultiChoice's response is to DStv subscribers about taking this new local content like Don't Tell the Bride SA, Crime Stories SA and Loved Like Crazy away from them.

MultiChoice didn't answer the specific question but said in a broad response that "We encourage fresh content from all our channel suppliers, including our third-party channels as well as our owned channels that are constantly renewing their content".

MultiChoice said that "When making changes to channels on our platforms, we need to consider the content, how it resonates with our customers and its longevity".

"In addition, we need to consider the costs for the channel, the terms which may apply and whether we can get better value elsewhere".

"In some instances, decisions will be made due to channels not performing up to expectations, particularly given the costs concerned, but the world over its not unusual for channels to be changed if parties cannot agree on terms, for whatever reason."


ALSO READ: MultiChoice dumps History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation from DStv in South Africa and across Africa after channel carriage renewal negotiations break down with A+E Networks.
ALSO READ: Loss of a Lifetime sees thousands of livid DStv subscribers sign petition demanding that MultiChoice keeps the History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice on axing the A+E Networks channels from DStv after a bitter carriage fee fight: 'Unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended'. 
ALSO READ: Knowing there's no channel carriage renewal deal in place, MultiChoice warned A+E Networks not to go ahead with its 2019 upfront and content showcase event - but A+E Networks Africa did it anyway. Then came the shocking revelation.
ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. In the ugly divorce between dad and mom MultiChoice and A+E Networks the biggest loser is the kids - viewers - who will bear the brunt of TV parents who now dislike each other.
ALSO READ: A+E Networks goes into hiding after MultiChoice axes its channels; petition grows to over 5 000 signatures from angry DStv subscribers as MultiChoice posts Channel Termination notices on the DStv EPG.

Knowing there's no channel carriage renewal deal in place, MultiChoice warned A+E Networks not to go ahead with its 2019 upfront and content showcase event - but A+E Networks Africa did it anyway. Then came the shocking revelation.

"Tonight's dining experience is all about the drama, mystery and suspense - much like our channel brands I guess," said Yusuf Nabee, the general manager for A+E Networks Africa, when he spoke at A+E Networks' content showcase held on the evening of 19 September.

Ironically, the majority of the invited guests - feasting on a channels-inspired, immersive 3-course dining experienced prepared and brought out by private chef Neill Anthony - had no idea that Yusuf Nabee's words were applicable to the very channels of History, Crime+Investigation Network and Lifetime: Themselves shrouded in a tense behind-the-scenes drama of mystery and suspense.

While Yusuf Nabee and other A+E Networks executives were poised to announce a slate of new local content and wow with sizzle reels of upcoming international content for the channels in 2020, A+E Networks had no deal in place to actually keep its channels on DStv from November 2019 following a brutal and bruising channel carriage negotiation stand-off.

From this in medias res, the tale rewinds to a short while earlier.

When MultiChoice got word that A+E Networks Africa was planning a content showcase event for 19 September, it sent major alarm bells ringing inside the pay-TV operator's Randburg-based MultiChoice City headquarters.

With the existing channel carriage contract between A+E Networks and MultiChoice for its trio of channels including History (DStv 186), Crime+Investigation Network (DStv 170) and Lifetime (DStv 131) expiring at the end of October and up for renewal, no deal was in place.

In fact, despite protracted to-and-fro negotiations over months between MultiChoice and A+E Networks UK over the terms and conditions for the channels and what A+E demanded MultiChoice to pay for them, neither companies have found each other by late-September at which time the soured relationship had already fractured and turned ugly.

Meanwhile A+E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst and Sky, went ahead and invited journalists; producers like Clive Morris and Katy Katopodis; as well as TV and radio presenters like Iman Rappetti and John Robbie to the event.

Even Dean Possenniskie, the managing director of A+E Networks for the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, was diarised to fly to Johannesburg to host the event.

MultiChoice, cautious and apprehensive over the unrealistic expectations that an A+E Networks presentation for the press about upcoming new content would create in the media and with the public, fired off an unambiguous and stern warning to A+E Networks and A+E Networks Africa about its planned A+E content showcase event.

In no uncertain terms MultiChoice warned A+E Networks not to go ahead with its planned A+E Networks content showcase and that MultiChoice would not be involved, with no MultiChoice executives, publicists or any of the pay-TV operator's staffers who ended up attending as is customary for the upfront presentations of channel partners.

Earlier this past week TVwithThinus asked A+E Networks UK and A+E Networks Africa why it decided to push through and go ahead with its A+E content showcase when it was aware that there was no contract renewal deal in place with MultiChoice, and after MultiChoice as a commercial partner specifically warned it not to go ahead with the presentation.

A+E Networks didn't respond to the media enquiry.

Don't Tell the Media South Africa
Yet A+E Networks Africa did a dazzling presentation for the press inside the Daytona showroom at Melrose Arch, announcing a flurry of new local programming.

This ranged from Don't Tell the Bride SA for 2020 as a new local commission, a 13-episode second season of Crime Stories SA from Clive Morris Productions, and a local gender-based violence special Loved Like Crazy from Nala Media set to broadcast in November 2019 on C+I - a channel which now won't even be on the air or available anywhere in South Africa past the end of this month.

Besides the new and expanded local content slate - programming that is now all under threat of possibly getting cancelled - A+E Networks Africa gave a preview of sparkling upcoming content over the next few months on its various channels, ranging from 60 Days In: Narcoland, Marrying Millions, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars, Watergate and The UnXplained.

"A+E Networks Africa promises a robust schedule of exciting and impactful original programming, as well as brand-new local and international content that will resonate with audiences," said A+E in its press statement.

The statement oddly and very conspicuously didn't contain any trace of the words "MultiChoice" or "DStv" anywhere in the 3-page content showcase announcement, with channels that always refer to the pay-TV services by name and the channel numbers that their channels reside on.

Creating a fake sense of 'future'
A few days later after A+E Networks's upfront presentation, the bomb exploded when MultiChoice - with a month left before the channels would go dark on its service - was forced to confirm to its subscribers that A+E's entire available channel collection on DStv is getting scrapped at the end of October.

The utter shock to paying DStv subscribers, the media, as well as South Africa's TV industry over the imminent loss of the A+E Networks channels was magnified by several degrees, and the ongoing brand and reputational damage inflicted on both MultiChoice and A+E has been much bigger, directly because of the showcase presentation that created buzz and hyped up new upcoming content.

Not only did the content showcase of A+E Networks Africa create anticipation over new and upcoming programming, it also created and reaffirmed a sense of stability and "future" - that the presence of A+E Networks, A+E Africa, and its channels on DStv, were secure and ongoing.

"The core of our business is a long-standing partnership with DStv. We highly value this partnership and we always look to innovate with DStv," said Dean Possenniskie from the stage, who mentioned that A+E had invested R30 million in creating local content in South Africa in 2019.

"We're proud to say that in the last 5 years we have invested in excess of R50 million into local productions which I think is very important for the local production community and which is something I believe that we will absolutely go on and do more of in the future."

"This evening you're going to see that - you'll see more of the exciting new local productions that are coming your way in 2020 for our subscribers and viewers."

Fatime Kaba, A+E Networks Africa's head of programming and scheduling, said that "There are more announcements to come in the next few months as we continue to close deals and invest in these channels that we all love and also invest in our local creators and industry".

"Our goal across our entire portfolio is to entertain, engage, challenge and make a difference in our viewers' lives. Lifetime helps our viewers to celebrate life in all its messiness, all its fun - with just a little controversy thrown in for good measure."

Then she quipped: "We love a good scandal here."


ALSO READ: MultiChoice dumps History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation from DStv in South Africa and across Africa after channel carriage renewal negotiations break down with A+E Networks.
ALSO READ: Loss of a Lifetime sees thousands of livid DStv subscribers sign petition demanding that MultiChoice keeps the History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice on axing the A+E Networks channels from DStv after a bitter carriage fee fight: 'Unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended'. 
ALSO READ: Local plans in peril: Cancellation threat hangs over A+E Networks Africa's entire local content slate after MultiChoice dumps its channels from DStv.
ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. In the ugly divorce between dad and mom MultiChoice and A+E Networks the biggest loser is the kids - viewers - who will bear the brunt of TV parents who now dislike each other.
ALSO READ: A+E Networks goes into hiding after MultiChoice axes its channels; petition grows to over 5 000 signatures from angry DStv subscribers as MultiChoice posts Channel Termination notices on the DStv EPG.

Pay-TV operator Azam TV adds A+E Networks' History channel from December.

The pay-TV operator Azam TV will be adding A+E Networks' History channel to its channels line-up from December.

History that has been popular on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa since it was added in 2003, will be become available on Azam on channel 505 in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

"A+E Networks Africa is excited to be adding History to the Azam platform," says Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks Africa general manager.

" Over the past year History has launched a series of new services including two pop-up channels and H-Vault, a video-on-demand service that offers viewers a broad array of curated collections."

Jacob Joseph, Azam TV CEO, says "We are glad to partner with A+E Networks. We know the pulse of our customers and for sure, History channel will be a game changer".

MultiChoice adds a 2-week World Wars pop-up channel from A+E Networks on DStv during November looking back at a century of global conflict.

MultiChoice will be adding a pop-up channel from A+E Networks looking back at the World Wars for two week during November.

The 100 Years of War will run for two weeks from 29 October until 11 November on DStv channel 199 as a History spin-off channel to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice when the guns on the western front finally fell silent and signaled an end to "the war to end all wars" on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November 1918.

It's not clear yet what DStv subscribers will be having access to this MultiChoice pop-up channel.

The 100 Years of War channel will look at the impact and legacy of war worldwide through the 20th century and beyond and how conflict and war shaped nations, international relations and the world today.

Besides shows about the two World Wars, the 100 Years of War channel will also broadcast feature documentaries about the Angolan Civil War, the Gulf War and the Boer War. The channel will show 6 hours of fresh content daily.

The channel will look at how the collapse of the old European powers in the first half of the 20th century gave rise to the era of super power conflict and arms race in the second half, and how this led to battles in so-called "spheres of influence" from the war in Vietnam as well as wars in Africa and the Middle East, to the end of Apartheid in South Africa and Communism in Russia and Eastern Europe.

The 6-part series, The World Wars, focuses on the leaders of World War II including Churchill, Roosevelt, Hitler, Mussolini, Patton and Stalin.

The series contains a mix of dramatic re-enactments, archive footage as well as interviews with political figures like the late American senator John McCain and the former US secretary of state, Colin Powell

South Africa - The Land of Hope, is a three-part series that examines a time span from 1652 to 2010.  The legacy of apartheid is examined.

Honor Deferred looks at the stories of seven black Congressional Medal of Honor winners who were among the million black Americans who served within the US army's segregated ranks.

"We want to give our customers access to a wide range of entertainment across different genres. Documentaries such as the ones featured on this pop-up channel, tell the stories of where we come from and help us to make sense of our world," says Yolisa Phahle, CEO for general entertainment at MultiChoice.

"The 11th of November marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the first World War. Our channel is a fitting homage to commemorate this," says Yusuf Nabee, A_E Networks Africa general manager.

"100 Years of War will run for two weeks with more than 80 hours of exclusive war content, including untold short stories related by veterans, victims and survivors of these wars."


Editor: MultiChoice and A+E Networks creates unintentional humor, making it sound as if John McCain and Colin Powell fought in the First World War. 

"Through a mix of dramatic re-enactment, archive, and interviews with political figures such as the late US Senator John McCain and ex-US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the series chronicles how their experiences as younger men in the First World War shaped them into the war leaders they became," they say in the press release announcing the channel.

M-Net and the History channel frontloading mid-July with a DStv pop-up channel and Nelson Mandela programming to celebrate what would have been Madiba's 100th birthday.

M-Net and History (DStv 186) are frontloading mid-July with Nelson Mandela programming for pay-viewers to celebrate what would have been the late South African statesman's 100th birthday.

M-Net is doing a Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform that will run on channel 199 from 18 July, while A+E Networks UK's History channel is launching a mobile app along with special Madiba curated programming from 16 July, for a week, running until 22 July.

MultiChoice is also opening the History channel to DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access subscribers between 16 and 23 July.

The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel will run for 5 days starting on what would have been Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday, 18 July, and will be available to all DStv subscribers in South Africa, as well as across the rest of Africa, until 21 July.

The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel is packaged by M-Net, using archive footage from M-Net's long-running actuality magazine show, Carte Blanche, as well as celebrity interviews.

"Around the globe, Nelson Mandela is revered as a hero of the struggle and as the man who led South Africa to democracy," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice's general entertainment CEO.

"While striving for justice and freedom and shaping a nation, he also changed the world with his humility and indomitable spirit. We are immensely proud to dedicate a unique pop-up channel to celebrate the life and legacy of this beacon of selflessness and reconciliation, who gave hope to millions," says Yolisa Phahle.

All of the content from the pop-up channel will be made available on DStv Catch Up Plus through connected Explora  decoders and on DStv Catch Up on DStv Now.

Meanwhile MultiChoice will match all advertisers' investment on Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel and donate all these funds to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

"It's important to us to make a real and lasting impact where we can. Donating all the money from advertising on the special pop-up channel, and also matching it, means we can make a meaningful contribution to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund," says Fahmeed Cassim-Surtee, DStv Media Sales CEO.

A+E Networks UK's History channel is launching a mobile app that can be downloaded on the Android Playstore or IOS Store through which viewers will be able to share their personal stories or moments with Nelson Mandela.

The app will give people the choice of two filter options for their story, as well as selection of background music they can add. Some of these stories will be shown on social media like History's Facebook page.

"We are excited to launch an app that enables viewers to generate their own content and to share their moments with the icon that was Nelson Mandela," says Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks Africa general manager.

Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel line-up
The Mandela 100 Tribute pop-up channel will show a 4-part mini-series from Wednesday 18 July, with an episode per night at 20:00, of The Long Walk to Freedom with Idris Alba - a new director's cut of the 2013 film that's based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography that focuses on his early life and 27 years in prison.

On 21 July the channel will show the 2009 film Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood, with Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar. The film follows the real story of South Africa's victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup where Madiba famously walked on to the Ellis Park turf in the number 6 jersey usually worn by Francois Pienaar.

The Face of Unity is a documentary with previously unscreened footage and tributes from former American president Barack Obama, golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, musician Ray Charles and Hollywood legends like Samuel L. Jackson and George Lucas.

In the Name of Mandela, War and Peace is a documentary about the political history of South Africa from the time of the discovery of gold in 1886 to the election of Nelson Mandela as president in 1994.

Mandela's Unsung Heroes is a documentary looking at the Rivonia trial in which some of Nelson Mandela's fellow-accused in the trial that led to his incarceration on Robben Island, share their memories.

Countdown to Freedom is a documentary with James Earl Jones and Alfre Woodard as the narrators and chronicles the behind-the-scenes lead-up to South Africa's first democratic elections.


History channel channel line-up
On Monday 16 July at 19:15 History will broadcast Idris Alba: Mandela, My Dad and Me following the actor's struggle in producing and releasing an album inspired by his time researching and portraying Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.

Mandela City on Tuesday, 17 July at 19:15 is a documentary looking at the racial prejudice that Nelson Mandela encountered when he moved to Johannesburg and how it lead to his rapid politicisation.

Mandela Country on Wednesday, 18 July at 19:15 is a documentary chronicling Nelson Mandela's early years. Born in one of the most rural parts of South Africa, Nelson Mandela is adopted by the Thembu royalty after the death of his father, but the lure of the city is more powerful, and he flees to Johannesburg.

Mandela Rivonia on Thursday, 19 July at 19:15 is a documentary looking at Nelson Mandela's incarceration in Robben Island.

Flat 13 on Friday 20 July at 19:15 is a documentary that looks at the flat in downtown Johannesburg that became a hub of resistance against apartheid between the late 1940's and early 1960's.

Mandela Tribute: Farewell Father on Sunday, 22 July at 20:15 is a documentary that celebrates Nelson Mandela's life and his achievements, from the inception of the ANC, imprisonment and become a South African president.

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK. A red card for A+E Networks Africa and its silent treatment around the launch of its History of Football pop-up channel on DStv.

It would have been more productive time-wise, more informative to viewers and DStv subscribers, more pleasurable, and have made a better headline, to write and report about what executives and talent actually said and shared about and at A+E Networks' History of Football media launch event last week of the pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

Instead, due to the inability of A+E Networks Africa to communicate about it at all - either beforehand or even afterwards - it's sad having to devote time and effort on publicly reflecting how trash-bad A+E Networks has been in keeping the media (and by implication viewers) informed.

All that this TV critic is left with, is to lament the wasted opportunities, the lost exposure and the information sharing that there could have been around the latest pop-up channel from the people who programme and bring channels like History, Lifetime and the Crime+Investigation (C+I) to pay-TV viewers in South Africa and across the continent but who sadly won't include media in plans when it comes to actually talking about what it's busy with and has for viewers.

On Thursday last week A+E Networks Africa, the local business division of A+E Networks UK and A+E Networks International, held a media launch for its History of Football channel.

If you haven't seen any stories (yet) it's because there haven't been any this journalist saw.

Besides the empty chairs, none of the Johannesburg-only, sport and "lifestyle" media invited and who did show up to dribble some soccer balls have apparently bothered to do any actual reporting about what was said there by TV executives.

A+E Networks Africa apparently believes that only DStv subscribers in Johannesburg watches History or are clients of MultiChoice's DStv service and would watch something like its History of Football channel. It couldn't bother with the rest of the country's media and to let them know that it would be doing a media event, or issue anything to the press afterwards.

Besides the irony that some of the Reporters Covering Television from Cape Town and Durban were in fact already in Johannesburg last week (again, you won't know if you don't actually communicate and reach out to the press), is how bad A+E Networks Africa was post its media launch event, failing to even issue any kind of press release, transcripts or more information.

It's not possible to report what Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content, said at and about A+E Networks' History of Football channel. A+E Networks Africa didn't bother issuing any quotes or transcript, and when asked this week for it and what she said, didn't respond.

Neither is it possible to report and let viewers and the local TV industry know what Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks' general manager for Africa, said. A+E Networks Africa apparently has nothing and didn't respond with anything when asked for what he said. 

What on earth was Yusuf Nabee and his team thinking and doing by not wanting to include national press through even a bare-minimum press release afterwards?

Ditto for the speech or quotes from Lucas Radebe, the veteran soccer player that A+E Networks Africa made the face of the channel as the so-called "brand ambassador" of the History of Football channel. What he said, we don't know (and won't).

And surprise, surprise (not) about TV exec Daniel Korn, programming head of History at A+E Networks in the United Kingdom, who apparently jetted to South Africa last week for the launch of the History of Football channel on MultiChoice's service.

Likewise for him there's no transcript, no quotes, no basic media advisory that he would be here, no interviews offered to media, and no press release.

Good luck finding something Daniel Korn said while he was here. A+E Networks during his time in South Africa couldn't be bothered.

If A+E Networks Africa cared so little to bother and couldn't reach out and include the press and communicate with media outside of a few sports writers in Johannesburg, why should/would the press bother if a channel distributor doesn't seem to take it's own content and project seriously?

It's disturbing that there wasn't even a press release sent to the press after the media launch to the media in Johannesburg who didn't/couldn't attend, and the media elsewhere in South Africa.

It's beyond ridiculous that A+E Networks Africa's marketing and PR executives somehow don't think anything is necessary after its press release about the channel that was issued in April.

Yet A+E Networks Africa trotted out executives and talent for a media launch - that came and went as if it never happened. Where is the common sense and even beyond that, the return on the investment?

With an over supply of channels and a blur of shows, it's already become so hard for TV critics and Those Covering Television to try and just keep up with everything. At least A+E Networks actively made one thing easier - giving the press a clear indication of what it can sidestep and ignore without feeling a responsibility of having to give it coverage.

By not wanting or bothering to communicate with press and the dedicated journalists covering television in South Africa - who would have tried to cover it more but now owes it nothing in time nor attention - A+E Networks Africa signalled to them exactly how much (little) they, and by implication viewers, need to care about the History of Football channel on DStv.

It's one less channel to try and worry about.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other programming on Crime+Investigation include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MultiChoice and A+E Networks renew their multi-year carriage deal for the History and Crime+Investigation channels on DStv in Africa.

It means more Ancient Aliens: MultiChoice and A+E Networks has renewed the multi-year channels carriage contract to keep History (DStv 186) and Crime+Investigation (DStv 170) channels on the DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

Channel versions of History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime (DStv 131) distributed by A+E Networks UK will continue to be available on MultiChoice's DStv throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

MultiChoice and A+E Networks are not disclosing the length of the new multi-year deal.

MultiChoice added History to DStv in 2003, Crime+Investigation (previously Crime & Investigation Network) in 2007 and Lifetime in 2014.

A+E Networks isn't providing specific viewership figures and ratings but says the channels have grown 55% since 2012 in key audiences.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with A+E Networks and to continue offering History and Crime+Investigation to our DStv customers," says Mark Rayner, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

"Through amazing shows such as Roots and Black Sails on History and the riveting investigations on Crime+Investigation, we continue to offer our customers a wide range of entertainment of some of the best content in the world.” 

"We are delighted to secure a long-term renewal for our channels with important platform partner MultiChoice," says Yusuf Nabee, A+E Networks general manager for Africa.

"The past two years have seen tremendous growth for A+E Networks' business in Africa. Today's announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to this market and we are excited about its future potential."

MultiChoice opening A+E Networks UK's History channel to all DStv Compact subscribers for a month from 13 June to sample the miniseries remake, Roots.

MultiChoice will be opening the History channel on DStv for a month from 13 June to all DStv Compact subscribers.

A+E Networks UK supplies the History (DStv 186) channel to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and the rest of the continent and has appointed Yusuf Nabee who is taking over responsibility for A+E Networks UK's TV channels in Africa as general manager.

A+E Networks UK and MultiChoice want more DStv subscribers to sample the History channel and is opening the channel - usually just available to DStv Premium subscribers - from 13 June to 11 July for DStv Compact subscribers as well to co-incide with the start of the new miniseries remake, Roots, starting on the channel on 15 June.

After its start on History, Roots will also repeat on A+E Networks UK's sister-channel, Lifetime (DStv 131) from 19 June.

The new 8-episode miniseries produced by A+E Studios is a remake of the late 1970s multi-generational story of a captured African slave fighting for freedom in America.

The SABC, along with shows like The Cosby Show and others, banned the original Roots with LeVar Burton and Louis Gossett Jr. from being broadcast in South Africa.

Part of the new version of Roots with Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker and Malachi Kirby were filmed in South Africa.

Mtunzini's Umlalazi River and the Dlinza Forest near Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal were used for filming to stand in for areas in Gambia and along the Kambay Bolongo River where the character of Kinte is captured and put onto a ship to be sent to America.

Meanwhile Yusuf Nabee will now be A+E Networks UK's general manager for Africa based in Johannesburg from 1 June. Anthea Petersen who was appointed as A+E Networks UK's regional director for Africa in February 2015, continues her relationship with A+E Networks UK as regional director, in a consultancy role.

Yusuf Nabee, a former channel head of the failed Glow TV channel that is now shutting down, also worked at the SABC as project manager on digital terrestrial television (DTT) and has now left Kagiso Media where he headed up special projects.

Yusuf Nabee will be responsible for building a full local team to drive the performance of A+E Networks' channels in Africa and to secure new distribution for channels.

Yusuf Nabee appointed as A+E Networks UK's new general manager for Africa, based in Johannesburg to look after the History, Lifetime and C+I channels.

Yusuf Nabee is taking over responsibility for A+E Networks UK's TV channels in Africa as general manager.

A+E Networks UK says Anthea Petersen who was appointed as A+E Networks UK's regional director for Africa in February 2015 continues her relationship with A+E Networks UK as regional director, in a consultancy role.

Yusuf Nabee will now be A+E Networks UK's general manager for Africa based in Johannesburg, reporting directly to Nicolas Eglau as A+E Networks UK chief operating officer.

Yusuf Nabee, a former channel head of the the failed Glow TV channel that is now shutting down, also worked at the SABC as project manager on digital terrestrial television (DTT) and has now left Kagiso Media where he headed up special projects.

Yusuf Nabee will start as general manager for Africa for A+E Networks UK on 1 June where he will be responsible for building a full local team to drive the performance of A+E Networks' channels in Africa and to secure new distribution for channels.

A+E Networks UK currently supplies channels like History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, and has commissioned local format shows like Pawn Stars South Africa and Four Weddings SA.

"I'm very pleased to be joining the A+E Networks' family," says Yusuf Nabee in a statement. "I'm particularly excited at the opportunity to build on the base that A+E Networks has already established in Africa by expanding the company's presence across the continent and bringing more local flavour to its existing brands and content."

Nicolas Eglau says "Yusuf Nabee is [a] great addition to A+E Networks' senior team. We are confident that his proven track-record of launching new channels, commissioning content and increasing audience share in the competitive African TV landscape will enable A_E Networks to gain further scale in this exciting and important market."

MultiChoice adds Kagiso Media's Glow TV, which has been available on Platco Digital's OpenView HD, to DStv from November.

MultiChoice is adding the little-watched Indian Glow TV channel which has been available on Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) satellite platform to DStv from 17 November on channel 167.

Glow TV, packaged and provided by Kagiso Media will remain on OVHD as well.

Glow TV will provide a new TV channel alternative for DStv subscribers after Saffron TV, from the Times Media group, was abruptly shuttered in August last year and disappeared from the DStv channel line-up.

Glow TV, a collaboration between Kagiso Media and Nolava Television, launched in October last year but struggled to gain ratings traction with OVHD's limited distribution since OVHD's uptake as a free-to-air satellite TV service has been below expectations.

Kagiso Media's majority-owned subsidiary, Urban Brew Studios - which packages other TV channels for MultiChoice's DStv like Dumisa and ONE Gospel and which manages community TV stations available on DStv like Soweto TV, Bay TV and 1KZN - has been producing local TV content for Glow TV.

Glow TV started with the hope of reaching South Africa's growing Indian population of 1.3 million people but so far viewership has been far below that. Bigger distribution through DStv will help Glow TV to reach a bigger potential viewing audience.

Yusuf Nabee, Glow TV channel head says hopefully more people will now be able to watch the channel with its availability on DStv. "Many South Africans are interested in Eastern-inspired content, so we're delighted to now be able to reach a wider audience through MultiChoice's digital satellite TV service".

Glow TV will be available on DStv Premium, DStv Compact, DStv Extra and DStv Family.

Glow TV plans to add 11 new shows to the channel's line-up in November.

Glow TV on OpenView HD a new Indian TV channel from Kagiso Media, will try to reach South Africa's 1,3 million Indian viewers.

While Saffron TV from the Times Media group on MultiChoice's DStv couldn't cut it and closed down at the end of August, Glow TV has now started on Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite TV platform in South Africa targeting Indian viewers.

Glow TV will try to reach and cater to South Africa's growing Indian population of 1,3 million people.

Glow TV is a partnership between Kagiso Media and Nolava Television. Glow TV broadcasts programming sourced from India, Brazil and the United States and plans to introduce South African TV content on the channel from March 2014 which will be produced by Kagiso Media majority-owned subsidiary, Urban Brew Studios.

"Our primary target market is the South African Indian audience between the ages of 20 and 45 years," says Yusuf Nabee, Glow TV channel head. "We believe that our content has great crossover appeal and will attract audiences across the South African market."

Glow TV broadcasts show such as The Kumars at No 42, and Koffee with Karan, a talk show with celebrity guests and a cooking show with chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

"We will look at content in all languages - our main criteria are compelling entertainment and high production values. Glow is a cleverly tailored offering that brings comedy, drama, movies, reality, food and game shows, in one easy-to-access, free-to-air offering," says Yusuf Nabee.

English subtitles will be provided where programming is broadcast in other languages.

"We've created very successful African language television channels for our partners, but this is the first time we're making an investment in creating our own channel," says Mark Harris, Kagiso Media CEO.

Urban Brew Studios currently packages the DUmisa and One Gospel TV channels for MultiChoice's DStv and manages the community TV channels; Soweto TV, Bay TV and 1KZN on behalf of the communities which hold the licenses.