INTERVIEW. Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal channel in Africa: 'It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.'

Studio Universal (DStv 119) became the latest movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv bouquet in South Africa and 46 other countries across Africa on September 30.

In Johannesburg I spoke with Colin McLeod from Universal Networks International, the managing director for emerging markets and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, who visited South Africa for the launch of the channel.

What's your expectation for Studio Universal in whatever form from Universal Networks International here in Africa and South Africa?
Colin McLeod: Studio Universal is one of those brands that we have to be very careful with. It's got the Universal name in there, and it's about movies. So we have to be careful about how and where we launch it. We did spend a lot of time with DStv in looking at overall what's on the platform and the rhythm of viewing across movie channels and scheduling. The brand will come first and foremost and the content will feed the brand if you like. The brand of Studio Universal will play a critical part in satisfying the demand for subscribers who want to watch movies – both the Premium and Compact. We're going to do a focus group next year.

Maybe a difficult question. Maybe something that doesn't really have an answer, but when I looked at the promos and heard the American voice-overs and the kind of movies, and deconstructed it a bit I suddenly thought, 'oh will it just be American movies?'. It's American product. And obviously you guys wouldn't have done it if the appetite for American culture and American movies didn't exist in Africa. Is it something that you think is still very strong in the world – the allure of American movies and the world it shows, the aspirational values?

It changes from market to market. It changes from country to country and that's also why we have a portfolio of channels. In the Netherlands we have 13th Street and Syfy. In Poland we have 13th Street, Syfy and The Universal Channel. It depends on the dynamics of the market; the competition. It changes from market to market and the genre of movies. It's easier to market a series than a movie, because a movie is gone in one afternoon or one evening; where you can build the appeal of a series.
Of course movies perform incredibly well on channels and there continues to be a strong interest. It does change however from market to market. Russia for example is not good for American suburban comedies, they don't play that well; whereas in the United Kingdom they will. The Brits like American comedy. You know, as long as it's not baseball – anything else will work. Down here we went for three core tentpole genres that broadly positions the channel because we've seen in all the research we've done time and time again that there's strong, strong interest in American movies.

From what release date, and how recent will the movies be that's seen on Studio Universal?

Okay, we've worked long and hard on that. We analysed what is on the platform [DStv] already and the rhythm. The majority of movies on Studio Universal will be under 20 years. We thought [fought?] hard to have some slightly older movies. You want the early Jaws. But most will be recent Hollywood blockbusters. If we do something on Spielberg, you want E.T. in there. Some will be slightly older but we're focusing on recent blockbusters.

Why did you guys decide to make the Studio Universal logo different and not keep it yellow?

When we did the analysis on Africa we decided the approach of Studio Universal is about the celebration of movies from Hollywood; about entertainment. In Italy the channel is a bit different, they have black and white movies, or great Western movie series, or the love of Charlie Chaplin. And in Italy Studio Universal is an incredibly, incredibly successful channel. It's such a strong brand, that performs so well. So for Africa we thought about celebration and building a similar channel that is about the great things from Hollywood and we've packaged Studio Universal for Africa to give that sense. We've recoloured the logo and we've added a couple of elements that are not in the existing one but it was really to speak emotionally what we want the brand to say.

ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.
ALSO READ: Addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent is another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on launching Studio Universal in Africa: ''It's a cherised brand we don't just launch everywhere.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils its programme grid; shows how movies will be themed with different genres on various nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv in 47 countries across Africa.

Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look on DStv in Africa.

You're reading it here first.

Studio Universal (DStv 119) changed the movie channel's logo and look from bright yellow to lava-like orange for Africa, adapting the on-air look which includes moving idents, programme boards and promos to a colour palette that Universal Networks International feels is more suited to the sensibilities of viewers in Africa.

Africa is only the 3rd territory in the world, after South America and Italy in Europe, getting the Studio Universal movie channel where the logo and on-air imaging is decidedly more brighter yellow. For the channel's roll-out in Africa the colour scheme was adapted and changed to a slightly softer orange, with some sparkly glitter added to the moving idents emanating from the elliptical arch.

''We've added some sparkle,'' says Chrystele Fremaux, programming and on-air programming director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at Universal Networks International. ''The customised look of Studio Universal reflects the dynamics of the African market.''

''Studio Universal [for Africa] is a studio look for big blockbusters. It's built around the big illuminating arc. Comedy, action and family are the big elements comprising this Hollywood channel and what Studio Universal will be about,'' she says.

''Studio Universal is not another movie channel, it's the destination for Hollywood movies, it's the destination for entertainment. Showing the right movie, at the right time for the right audience is what we do. We're bring that expertise to this new TV channel,'' says Chrystele Fremaux.

''Here, when you look at the channel proposition here – and it comes out in all of the feedback and analysis we got – just big Hollywood movies for the channel is the best to go with,'' says Colin McLeod, managing director for emerging markets for EMEA at Universal Networks International. ''Studio Universal will be a recent library movie channel. There's always new stars, new franchises, new movies and that will keep Studio Universal fresh.''

''When you think about this platform [DStv] it's already very rich. There's great movie channels across Compact and Premium. What we can do is that we can take the movies and package them up and use the brand to give them to viewers, so they can view them differently than they possibly can on other channels. Theme nights, and over weekends, and big movie events, or holidays. Studio Universal will have a relevancy there,'' he says.

TV with Thinus asked whether there will be other content besides just movies on Studio Universal, since the version of the channel in Italy carries shorter movie related shows and Studio Universal in South America carries some series [although The Universal Channel doesn't exist there].

''It will be movies on Studio Universal for Africa but there might be some short form content about newly released movies, or interviews with stars, or behind the scenes, but it will all be to complement the movie offering on screen,'' says Chrystele Fremaux.

Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.

The new Studio Universal (DStv 119) movie channel suffered technical problems during the channel's launch with the movie The Fast and the Furious, while viewers are complaining about some of the promo language of the supposed family channel.

The Studio Universal channel went live and ran a loop of promos this week on channel 119 on DStv before the official channel launch time of 19:00 on Friday evening, September 30.

Then, when Studio Universal started with the channel's launch debut movie The Fast and the Furious, it seems as if the movie was ... too fast. Studio Universal was plagued by sound problems with the movie's soundtrack that was completely out of sync with the film. The soundtrack lagged behind and viewers found the audio and video that didn't match, disturbing.

Meanwhile viewers are also complaining about the one Studio Universal promo touting the start of the channel - a promo shown in heavy rotation since the channel started showing promos days ago - using a clip of a screaming Eddie Murphy shouting ''mother of g*d!''. Viewers say they're put off by the unexpected crass language use in a heavily shown promo for what is touted as a so-called ''family channel''.


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel in Africa.
ALSO READ: The addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent is another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''A cherished brand we don't just launch everywhere.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: The new Studio Universal unveils its programme grid; shows how movies will be themes according to genre on different nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv Premium and DStv Compact in 47 African countries.

Addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.

You're reading it here first.

Universal Networks International that just launched the new Studio Universal (DStv 119) movie channel on MultiChoice's DStv pay platform in Africa, regards the continent as a very important territory and sees the continent as a perfect market to launch a new studio movie channel. MultiChoice says international suppliers are increasingly seeing Africa as a key focus and the continent very important to them when it comes to pay TV growth.

Universal Networks International just launched Studio Universal in South Africa and 46 other African countries, making the African continent only the 3rd territory after South America and Italy in Europe where this studio movie channel is rolled out.

''It's hard to find markets where we can with confidence launch this channel and make sure that we do a good job,'' says Universal Networks International's Colin McLeod, managing director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. ''You have to work your way into the complex windowing of studio product and understand how to be good at adding relevancy with that product. And it takes time to expand and to work your way through the studios.''

''You're looking for robust, special partners to work with,'' Colin McLeod said, talking about MultiChoice as a pay TV platform partner. ''It's not a small investment we're making with Studio Universal. We need to know that it's a partnership; we need to know there will be a demand. For the product that we've developed this [Africa] is one of the markets where we felt it's right; we can make this big investment and get the studios to work with us.''

''So we have a new structure where NBCUniversal falls under Comcast. Comcast has an incredible interest in international markets,'' said Colin McLeod. ''They are focusing on key territories globally and Africa is without a doubt in the top ten territories.''

''There's been a huge change and growth in terms of what we as a pay TV platform experienced,'' says Aletta Alberts, general manager of content for MultiChoice, speaking about how the international interest from global content providers, distributors, suppliers and multinational companies have changed and how their perceived importance of Africa's TV market and pay TV industry has dramatically increased the past few years.

''Where previously Africa was like, an afterthought - thought of as an important market but maybe too small to actually play in - that is shifting as the world economy is changing,'' says Aletta Alberts. ''As BRIC countries - with Africa and South Africa next to them - are becoming more important, we find that more and more of the international suppliers see Africa and this continent as a key, key focus for them.''

''They want to see the kind of growth that they saw in Eastern Europe, with Russia, because they know it can be done here. Really great news for us, because it helps when the supplier already has plans to come here and want to invest in Africa.''

''Years ago my colleagues tell me they would go to meetings; beg people 'Please can we have it?', trying to explain a multichannel environment to them. Because I don't know if you're aware of that but MultiChoice was the first multichannel pay TV platform to launch after North America, before Europe or any of those launched, so it was a new world for everybody. So from international distributors, more and more interest in the African continent,'' says Aletta Alberts.


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies on the channel.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel: ''A cherished brand we don't just launch everywhere.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal movie channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils its programme grid; shows how movies will be themed according to genres on different nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv Premium and DStv Compact bouquets in 47 African countries.

BREAKING. Studio Universal: 'We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies.'

You're reading it here first.

Studio Universal (DStv 119), the new movie channel from Universal Networks International that launched on MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa and 46 other African countries will quickly move to a place where movie titles shown on the channel are exclusive - and movies will also cycle through their window showing period quicker than most TV channels.

''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats,'' said Universal Networks International's Colin McLeod, the managing director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at the press launch of Studio Universal in Johannesburg.

''Initially movies on Studio Universal might also be elsewhere but soon the Studio Universal movies will be for us. We get them for a time period, and we'll air them, we'll rest them, we'll air them again. We'll get them for roughly 12 months and there will be a quick turn-over of movies on the channel.''

''We will have all studio movies; we're multichannel. We're used to working with other studios and platforms where there's rich content. We know how to work in markets with budgets to create relevancy,'' Colin McLeod said.

See these statements from Colin McLeod in relation to THIS STORY where Aletta Alberts, general manager of content at MultiChoice said immediately spoke after Colin McLeod - and also talked about the issue of repeat programming on television: ''There are great developments at MultiChoice around that in the next few months. I can't at this stage say too much. I can't discuss any of that. But it's not like we are not hearing you. In the next few months more will be revealed.''


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.
ALSO READ: Addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''A cherished brand we don't just launch anywhere.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: The new Studio Universal unveils its programme grid; shows how movies will be themed by genre for different nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv Premium and DStv Compact on channel 119 in 47 African countries.

Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: 'A cherished brand we don't just launch everywhere'.

You're reading it here first.

Talking about the positioning of the new Studio Universal channel in Africa and South Africa, Universal Networks International that worked for almost 2 years with MultiChoice on developing the new movie channel Studio Universal (DStv 119), calls the channel a ''cherished brand'' and a TV channel that Universal Networks International ''don't launch everywhere''.

Studio Universal that has now been added to DStv in 47 countries across Africa shows blockbuster Hollywood movies from the Universal studios stable as well as other Hollywood studios, mainly from 1991 onwards.

Africa is only the third continent, after South America and Italy in Europe, where this TV channel has now been rolled out. The addition of Studio Universal has been helped in part by the success of The Universal Channel (DStv 108) that's the number one channel in Africa in terms of viewership on the continent.

''We've been in the African market now for a long time, working with DStv. Out of that has grown an understanding, from working together, on how the platform dynamics have changed. As DStv has grown, it's allowed us to develop with them,'' said Universal Networks International's Colin McLeod, the managing director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at the press launch of Studio Universal in Johannesburg.

''If you look at what we've done with The Universal Channel we've developed that brand over a relatively short space of time.''

''It doesn't matter of you look at DStv-i ratings, or whether you look at Saarf, The Universal Channel always rates as one of the top 5 channels. The Universal Channel is one of the top channels. We bring great entertainment content into Africa and we're the number one content provider in terms of ratings in Africa,'' Colin McLeod said.

''Alongside that – the ratings – we also do and have attitudinal research available like Ipsos, tracking attitudes and behaviour on DStv, rather than just ratings. On specifically the DStv platform, movies are the 4th most popular genre on the platform. That tells us a lot of how we developed Studio Universal to bring this new movie channel to market. There is a big demand from DStv subscribers for movies in South Africa. That is why we developed Studio Universal and is launching it on DStv as a new movie channel for Africa,'' said Colin McLeod.

''Studio Universal is our very cherished movie brand. We don't launch it everywhere. Conditions have to be right for bringing a brand like Studio Universal into the market. It's part of our DNA. We don't want to bring the Studio Universal channel in and then have to make it right,'' he said.

''Africa is a new market; working specifically with DStv, where we're launching our Hollywood blockbuster channel. It's a Hollywood blockbuster channel with different movies. Not only do we have Universal movies on it, we work with the majority of Hollywood studios to bring DStv all Hollywood movies from within the Universal environment.''

''We have great experience with building complimentary movie platforms across the world. We know how to bring a complimentary movie channel to a dynamic platform. We know that with DStv's content – already so rich – that when we build channels, on how to complement that there,'' said Colin McLeod.

''Studio Universal is about blockbusters, it's about great entertainment, it's about escapism, it's about family viewing. We thought hard about this and how we're doing this because you have to make a channel such as this work on a platform such as DStv where there's already other movie channels and rich content,'' he said.


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.
ALSO READ: Addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies on the channel.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing Studio Universal as a movie channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils its programme grid and how movies will be themed by genre for different nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv pay platform in 47 African countries including South Africa.

BREAKING. Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal channel for Africa.

You're reading it here first.

''We have been working with Aletta's team [Aletta Alberts, general manager of content at MultiChoice] for almost two years on the development of Studio Universal. It's the longest birth of a TV channel we've ever had. We've been doing this for a long time and we're really excited.''

So said Universal Networks International's Colin McLeod, the managing director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region in a wonderful Scottish accent, at the official press launch in South Africa of the new Studio Universal (DStv 119) movie channel.

Studio Universal can now be seen on MultiChoice's DStv pay platform in 47 countries throughout Africa, including South Africa.

''We've found the absolutely right partner for Studio Universal in DStv. They are one of the most special outfits for us internationally. DStv is one of the best platforms we work with. Incredibly professional, and they've whipped us into shape,'' Colin McLeod said.


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy about crass promo language.
ALSO READ: The addition of Studio Universal in 47 countries across the continent is another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies on the channel.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel on DSv in Africa: ''A cherished brand we don't just launch everywhere.''
ALSO READ: MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: ''It's a really, really exciting addition for us.''
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils its programme grid and how movies will be shown according to genre on different nights of the week.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal launches as a new movie channel on MultiChoice's DStv in 47 countries across Africa.

BREAKING. MultiChoice welcomes Studio Universal as a new movie channel to DStv: 'It's a really, really exciting addition for us'.

You're reading it here first.

Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's general manager for content, officially welcomed the brand-new Studio Universal (DStv 119) channel to the DStv bouquet with the movie channel from Universal Networks International that's now available in South Africa as well as 46 other African countries from October.

''That this is a new channel produced and packaged by one of Hollywood's biggest studios, makes us very excited; this will be the first one on the DStv platform,'' said Aletta Alberts. ''When we look at our own movie channels that are currently on DStv, we do have content from the studios, but this is a brand, a studio brand. With Studio Universal the DStv subscriber will definitely get that studio feel. It's blockbuster big. That makes this channel a really, really exciting addition for us,'' she said.

''I think as we all know, movies and sport have been and remain the mainstay of any pay television platform, and therefore movies will remain very important to us at DStv,'' said Aletta Alberts.

''Some people might ask why another linear movie channel? Well, I'm just back from a big television conference overseas. The great news is that people are not watching less television. They're not watching less linear TV now that there's other options. They're in fact watching more.''

''We believe that Studio Universal will enrich the DStv platform. DStv Premium and DStv Compact subscribers are getting access to this channel. We want to give valued subscribers as many opportunities to see movies as possible and have more options to watch; so with this I firmly believe that Universal Networks International made a great, great channel for us.''

''We have been working with Universal, in various forms, for the last 15 years,'' said Aletta Alberts. ''I think our relationship is just building and building. We already carry 3 of their channels on the DStv platform [Universal Channel, E! Entertainment, Style Network] - Studio Universal will be the fourth.''

''So thank you very much Universal team, we know what you are going to deliver is going to be excellent. And I know you still have many more channels in the Universal Networks International stable and hopefully, in the near future, we can talk again, and launch another new channel.''

''Thank you very much for your professionalism, your dedication and for actually surviving our business development people. Studio Universal, thank you; welcome to the DStv family,'' Aletta Alberts said.


INTERVIEW: Colin McLeod on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''It's about the celebration of movies from Hollywood.''
ALSO READ: Studio Universal changes from yellow to an orange logo, with some sparkle, for the new movie channel's on-air look and feel on DStv in Africa.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal suffers technical problems at launch, goes too fast with The Fast and the Furious; viewers unhappy with crass promo language.
ALSO READ: The addition of Studio Universal to DStv in 47 countries across the continent is another sign of the growing importance of Africa's pay TV market.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal: ''We get and understand the frustration from viewers about repeats; there will be a quick turn-over of movies on the channel.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International on the new Studio Universal movie channel in Africa: ''A cherised brand we don't just launch everywhere.''
ALSO READ: Universal Networks International, MultiChoice worked for almost 2 years on developing the Studio Universal movie channel for Africa.
ALSO READ: Agent Orange: Studio Universal's new TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.
ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils its programme grid and shows how movies will be themed according to different genres on weeknights.
ALSO READ: TOLDJA! Studio Universal movie channel added to MultiChoice's DStv platform in 47 African countries.

AGENT ORANGE. Studio Universal's new TV channel press launch event in South Africa is an all-orange affair.

The official press launch of the new Studio Universal channel (DStv 119) now seen in South Africa and across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv platform was a colourful and orange affair.

The press event where Universal Networks International and MultiChoice officially announced the Studio Universal channel (''for those of you who haven't already read it on TV with Thinus,'' quipped the master of ceremonies) was filled with orange balloons and beautiful orange table arrangements with spring flowers.

Executives from Universal Networks International led by Colin McLeod, managing director for emerging markets for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and MultiChoice, represented by Aletta Alberts the general manager for content, attended the official Studio Universal press event.

Universal Networks International executives introduced the new Studio Universal TV channel, explained the line-up, thematic approach, unveiled the channel's customised on-air look for Africa and they and MultiChoice fielded questions from the press regarding the channel as well their respective business operations as it relates to the channel.

ALSO READ: Studio Universal unveils the new DStv channel's programme grid and how movies will be themed according to genre on different nights of the week.