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.

Forget The Curse of Oak Island - that cursing you hear comes from thousands of DStv subscribers left confused, angry, resentful and very scarred after discovering that the once oh-so-wonderful marriage between dad and mom MultiChoice and A+E Networks has irrevocably fallen apart and turned very nasty.

Citing "irreconcilable differences" the damage of the divorce between MultiChoice and A+E Networks has a biggest loser: The children - because it's always the children who have to pay the price, in this case DStv subscribers.

While MultiChoice will continue on, and while A+E Networks will continue (while A+E Networks Africa is undoubtedly in for a rough time), it is ordinary DStv subscribers who are getting the TV mat pulled out from under their feet.

It's ordinary DStv subscribers and consumers who don't understand what happened, who are not privy to the fights behind the bedroom door, and who are left dazed, confused and crying over what went so wrong.

It's ordinary Dstv subscribers and consumers - not sure if it's perhaps their fault - who will end up with the biggest sense of loss when MultiChoice takes their beloved History (DStv 186), Crime+Investigation Network (DStv 170) and Lifetime (DStv 131) channels away from them at the end of October.

It doesn't matter who is "right" and who is "wrong" or which one of the parent's side you're on - MultiChoice or A+E Networks.

In the end, the commercial relationship between the two companies had turned sour, the partners are parting ways, and the TV kids are left with nothing in the middle.

Unlike in America where multiple pay-TV operators exists, all carrying most of the available TV channels, when a channel carriage dispute arises during renewal negotiations and channels end up going dark, consumers who really want one or certain channels are able to switch to another service.

That's not possible in South Africa.

The vast majority of pay-TV channels available in South Africa are only carried on MultiChoice's DStv, meaning that consumers are stuck with one option to get a channel like History for instance, since China's StarTimes has an extremely weak offering in its StarSat service that constantly deteriorates (like the abrupt and shocking loss after Disney pulled all of its FOX-channels this week).

As most divorces go, the MultiChoice and A+E Networks break-up is an ugly one - there's no "amicable parting".

It's sad that the parents failed to work better together for the sake of whom they both love: the viewer.

As literally thousands of DStv subscribers have already been vocal and signed a petition for the channels to remain on DStv, they'll probably need some bereavement counselling to get over the fact that mom and dad was unable to work together on their relationship and ended up breaking up what was a happy TV home.

Tragically, the MultiChoice and A+E Networks break-up isn't a "based-on-real-life" Lifetime movie that DStv subscribers can choose to tune in to watch.

Instead, it is one the pain of which they themselves are forced to feel personally as a stakeholder who has absolutely no choice in the TV divorce, with no other option but to work through the painful sadness, tinged with a sense of terrible loss, anger and extreme disappointment at parents who should have done better.


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: 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: 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.

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.

M-Net explains why it passed on picking up The Bold and the Beautiful after the SABC dropped it: 'We did consider it but our schedule is full and timeslot ratings up 120% with lifestyle reality'.

M-Net (DStv 101) has considered taking over The Bold and the Beautiful after SABC3 dropped it earlier this year but the pay-TV broadcaster ultimately decided against picking up the American weekday soap because it's late afternoon schedule is already full and timeslot ratings up 120% with lifestyle reality shows.

The South African public broadcaster abruptly ended The Bold and the Beautiful, produced by Bell-Phillip Television Productions Inc., in March 2019 as the last remaining American soap opera left on the SABC's channels, after the struggling SABC could no longer pay for it.

The Bold and the Beautiful remained a very strong ratings performer during its many years on SABC1, as well as with its move to SABC3 for three years, until the end in March.

Bold was the 6th most-watched show overall on SABC3 in March 2019, excluding once-off sport events, when it left with 358 864 viewers. The Bold and the Beautiful is running on EVA (DStv 141) but with episodes that are two years behind what was shown on SABC3.

e.tv couldn't accommodate The Bold and the Beautiful as a second American soap since it already took over Days of Our Lives from the SABC3 since September 2017 when the SABC dumped that soap.

TVwithThinus asked M-Net what the possible future of The Bold and the Beautiful is on M-Net and whether it wouldn't be a fit for the late afternoon 17:00 or 18:00 weekday slot, since the high viewership indicates that there are a lot of South African viewers who like and watch the show despite the SABC no longer able to afford to broadcast it.

"The Bold and the Beautiful is not something we've got planned for M-Net. We did consider it. We met with Christine Waage, vice president of international sales at BBL, but at the same time we didn't believe that a soap is something that we want to do," says Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, M-Net's head of acquisitions and scheduling.

"We know what our audiences are liking in that time of day which is very much family viewing, which is why the lifestyle reality does so well."

"So we don't have plans for that or to bring talk shows back to M-Net at 17:00 because the changes that we've done there has increased the ratings for our slot by over 120% as it stands. So what we've got there is working but obviously we will see what comes out from America because Kelly Clarkson has now brought her talk show, I've watched it, I'm a fan."

"But the fact of the matter is that on M-Net right now and what we've seen, is that audiences are chasing in terms of talk is topical and current affairs - Carte Blanche and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. You will not believe the ratings that Last Week Tonight gets live on a Sunday night when it's on."

"Viewers of M-Net as channel 101 on DStv want to be engaged with the world," says Tracy-Ann van Rooyen. "They have the opportunity to engage with real, topical conversations like on Carte Blanche and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and of course the documentaries.


Talk show delays
About the delay of episodes of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Tracy-Ann van Rooyen says "there are challenges because of licensing because of his music".

"We have to wait for all of that to be cleared, sometimes because of who the artist is. So we do the delay on purpose to make sure that we can get everything cleared before we broadcast it. Music rights is such a big deal, especially on Ellen."

"So M-Net has to wait for all of that to be cleared before we can put it on the air. We go as close as possible but sometimes we have to delay because we don't have all of the rights for the music broadcast. It's music rights that make our TV talk shows be delayed," she explained.

"And they keep putting more and more music in them all the time, so Kelly Clarkson's new talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, would be very difficult for me to license because she sings almost all the time." 

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.

MultiChoice on axing the A+E Networks channels from DStv after a bitter carriage fee fight: 'Unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended'.

In response to questions about why MultiChoice is not supporting an international TV channel supplier like A+E Networks that is investing in local content in South Africa, and which of the channels from A+E had content that didn't resonate with viewers, MultiChoice says that channel carriage renewal negotiations failed and that "unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended".

An ugly relationship breakdown saw channel carriage negotiations fail during which MultiChoice and A+E Networks UK - that operates a local affiliate office, A+E Networks Africa, from Johannesburg - couldn't settle on the terms and price MultiChoice has to pay to keep the channels set.

As a result, History (DStv 186), Crime+Investigation (DStv 17) and Lifetime (DStv 131) will now all become history on MultiChoice's pay-TV platform at the end of October 2019, inflicting massive mutual damage on both companies.

MultiChoice and DStv is suffering growing brand and reputation damage after the news of the channels axing unleashed the wrath of thousands of DStv subscribers threatening to cancel their subscriptions, and even going so far as starting a petition demanding that MultiChoice must keep the channels.

If DStv subscribers follow through on their threats to dump their subscriptions or downgrade to cheaper packages, it will also have an negative income impact on MultiChoice in terms of subscription fee revenue.

A+E Networks, in turn, is facing a precarious position as well with all of its revenue-generating channels eviscerated in a sudden and wholesale culling from DStv.

With the removal of the channels from DStv it places all of the already-announced newly commissioned content for South Africa from A+E Networks in danger of all getting scrapped and cancelled.

In addition, a dark cloud is now hanging over its A+E Networks Africa office where 12 jobs are now in jeopardy, as well as its ongoing local expansion plans, with A+E Networks that can't sustain an expanding local office when it has no channels on the air in the territory. 

TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice 4 specific questions, all pertaining to content.

TVwithThinus wanted to know:

1.A+E at the end of September announced that it has commissioned more local programming for its international channels, including a gender-violence special, Loved Like Crazy that would have broadcast in November, series like Crime Stories SA, a new series Don’t Tell the Bride SA, etc. – none of which DStv subscribers will now see. What is MultiChoice’s response to DStv subscribers about taking this new local content away from them?

2. MultiChoice says it’s looking for content that resonates with its customers. Did the content of History resonate with DStv subscribers? Did the content of Lifetime resonate with viewers? Did the content on C+I resonate with viewers? If it didn’t, did all 3 channels' content deteriorate during the past 2 and a half years since the last channels carriage agreement was signed?

3. DStv Premium customers have been complaining that for the price they pay the package doesn’t offer enough value. MultiChoice is now taking away 3 channels for its upper-tier product and says it will replace it with 2. What is MultiChoice’s message to customers who have to pay the same but get less and content taken away that they like?

4. A+E Networks says it remains open to negotiating with MultiChoice to keep carrying the channels, that MultiChoice decided that History, C+I and Lifetime don’t offer enough value, and that A+E was pro-active to try and reach a deal with MultiChoice to keep the channels on DStv. Is MultiChoice open to continue negotiations, if not, why not, and what is MultiChoice’s response to what A+E is saying?

MultiChoice didn't answer these 4 specific questions.

Instead, MultiChoice responded with a statement, saying that the pay-TV operator "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."

Here is the full statement from MultiChoice in response to the 4 questions asked.

"At MultiChoice we are always looking to improve our customers’ viewing experience."

"This is motivated by our drive to ensure that we listen to and respond to our consumers, basing our decisions on their needs that are identified through detailed research. This includes the content they receive, and ultimately the value-for-money offering they get."

"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."

"We will be saying goodbye to the History channel, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels on the DStv platform at the end of the current contract term, which ends on 1 November 2019."

"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."

"Negotiations with channel suppliers will also consider the bundling of content."

"It would make little sense to take a whole portfolio of channels if they don’t suit our customers’ tastes and requirements. When one is unable to come to terms on the specific channels and shows that are of interest and appeal to our customers, reaching agreements becomes difficult."

"We need to negotiate in a manner that ensures a good return on investment and protects the value-for-money offering for our customers. Unfortunately, some deals don’t go as intended and that’s the nature of the business."

"We’re conscious about the content that our customers enjoyed on the A+E Networks channels and we are in talks with other suppliers to get similar content."

"We’re also currently in the process of onboarding two new channels, both promising top shows for our customers. The first is an established global brand and the other, a new innovative brand."

"Both channels will bring exciting new titles and genres that viewers will really enjoy, including among others, blue chip documentaries, history and factual reality shows. In addition, we continue to increase our significant investment in local shows and content, which have great resonance with customers and are a key driver of engagement."

"We value our customers and are continuously reviewing our content line-up and channel selection to provide them with more compelling content offerings."

"We are quite conscious about what our customers want, and we are confident that our future plans will ensure they continue to get the best in local and international entertainment."


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: 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: 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.

Loss of a Lifetime sees thousands of livid DStv subscribers sign petition demanding that MultiChoice keeps the History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels.

The loss of a Lifetime has seen thousands of livid DStv subscribers sign a fast-growing petition that continues to rake in signees after  after MultiChoice's shocking decision to axe A+E Networks' History (DStv 186), Crime+Investigation Network (DStv 170) and Lifetime (DStv 131) channels at the end of the month after contract renewal talks soured and broke down.

After just 3 days, a petition on Change.org where DStv subscribers are demanding MultiChoice keep the 3 channels it plans to drop, has quickly shot up to become one of the week's most popular after it was started on Wednesday and reached over 2 200 signatures and comments and counting by Saturday morning.

"DStv has decided to remove the History, Crime+Investigation and Lifetime channels off their platform from 1 November 2019. These are amazing channels and very loved by the South African DStv community," reads the petition.

"The decision is illogical and clearly shows DStv only worries about their profits and not the quality of shows for their customers. Imagine DStv without these. Further to this, A+E Networks has amazing local productions and many more coming. They have also opened up an African office which is growing and creating local employment, this will all come to an end if these channels are cut."

"I urge you to show your support for A+E Networks in terms of their channels and their contribution to our country," the petition reads.

MultiChoice that has carried the three channels for years failed to come to terms with A+E Networks UK over the increased carriage fees the pay-TV operator must pay for the content as part of a possible renewal deal.

The History channel has been on DStv for 16 years since 2003, Crime+Investigation on DStv for 11 years since 2007, and Lifetime on DStv for 5 years since mid-2014.

According to insiders MultiChoice was allegedly forced to take all three channels as a packaged "all-or-nothing" deal but didn't necessarily want all 3 channels anymore, and also balked at the price. A+E Networks Africa was asked about it but didn't respond to a media enquiry made Friday morning.

MultiChoice alluded to the content on the channels and the channels themselves allegedly not resonating with viewers as the reason for the culling, but the massive outcry from DStv customers has shown that subscribers are heavily invested emotionally in viewing these channels and the shows on them.

Earlier the week A+E Networks said that "we have been very proactive in trying to reach an agreement that is best for our viewers and for DStv" but that "DStv has decided that our channels do not offer good value to their subscribers."

We are willing to keep negotiations open and we sincerely hope DStv will find a way to work with us to keep our channels so we can continue to share our great upcoming local and international programmes with our loyal fans."

MultiChoice in response to a media enquiry says "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."

"We conscious about the content that our customers enjoyed on the A+E Networks channels and we are in talks with other suppliers to get similar content."


DStv subscribers tired of channels being removed
"This is b.s. ,we are sick and tired of channels being removed and with History and C+I and Lifetime gone, it devalues the DStv Compact Plus package and we have this package to get these channels. Sis on you," said Jenni Mahlnecht who was one of thousands of people who signed the online petition and left a comment.

"My dad loves History and I love Crime+Investigation. Do you really want to push more of your viewers to Showmax and Netflix? Both subscriptions together cost less than a DStv Premium subscription," said Nicole Carrick.

"Those are educational and my best channels now I will have nothing to watch," remarked Nonhlanhla Dlamini.

"I personally upgraded my subscription to watch Lifetime. It has great content and moreover all Lifetime, C+I and History channels' picture quality are worth paying for," said Khathutshelo Mudau.

"There are other useless channels that can be cancelled, just not these ones. There is so much to be learned from these channels," said Thandeka Ndlela.


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: 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: 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.

MultiChoice is shuttering DStv Select November 2019 with legacy subscribers losing the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels; DStv customers face almost 100% fee increase to continue watching what they used to get.

Many DStv subscribers are set to lose access to the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels with MultiChoice that in turn will lose DStv customers altogether after the pay-TV operator told subscribers that it will shut down its two DStv Select packages at the end of the month.

DStv Select subscribers who have had access to kykNET for instance, are suddenly facing an almost 100% increase in what they will have to pay if they want to continue watching it, with many shocked customers saying they can't afford it and are done with DStv.

MultiChoice is eliminating its two legacy packages - DStv Select 1 that contains Mzansi Magic as a TV channel as part of its collection of channels, as well as DStv Select 2 that contains kykNET as a part of its collection of channels.

MultiChoice is putting DStv Select customers before the choice of either cancelling their DStv subscription, switching to the DStv Family package which doesn't contain these channels, or to suddenly pay a lot more for access to the channels they used to get.

DStv Select 1 subscribers who are paying R265 will now have to pay R399 per month for DStv Compact to get Mzansi Magic.

DStv Select 2 customers will suddenly have to fork out R519 per month - a sudden once-off increase of around 96% - which many existing DStv customers say that they simply can't afford.

DStv Select subscribers have complained that they don't know what's going on, can't understand why MultiChoice is taking their package away, and are accusing MultiChoice of not having communicated with them properly.

They are saying that they are being forced to now drop DStv as loyal customers because they can't afford the massive subscription fee jump just to continue to watch the channels and shows that they used to get.

MultiChoice stopped offering the DStv Select packages in April 2013 which it started as an offering in conjunction with Vodacom. At the time MultiChoice promised existing DStv Select subscribers that they can remain on DStv Select for as long as they keep paying for it.

Over the past 5 years MultiChoice took several channels away from DStv Select and didn't replace channels that it terminated with new ones like it does on other its other bouquets. It also didn't add any new channels.

Yet DStv Select subscribers kept holding on to their DStv Select subscriptions and for good reason - the Mzansi Magic and kykNET channels.

When MultiChoice terminated its legacy M-Net analogue package, MultiChoice moved those loyal subscribers to a like-for-like DStv service that still included M-Net without making them pay more but the same isn't happening for DStv Select subscribers.

MultiChoice told DStv subscribers that they will be moved to DStv Family at R265 per month from 29 October 2019. DStv Select subscribers have the option to contact the pay-TV operator and cancel their service altogether or upgrade to a much more expensive package.

"Your favourite channels are however still available on our various other packages,” MultiChoice is telling DStv Select subscribers.

"This is so painful. I have supported DStv and kykNET for many years as a loyal subscriber but I can't suddenly pay double," said a distraught DStv Select subscriber from Port Elizabeth. "What about my Binnelanders? Or Boer Soek 'n Vrou? I'm sad. You know what, if this is how DStv is treating loyal customers they can now take it and shove it if my money isn't enough."

MultiChoice was asked in a media enquiry why it is taking kykNET and Mzansi Magic away from customers who have had access to it, how many DStv Select customers MultiChoice has and what same alternative is available for them. MultiChoice was also asked about customers saying that they have not been told or informed about the change and how MultiChoice informed them.

MultiChoice said that "DStv is continuously reviewing its content line-up, packaging structure and pricing to ensure that customers have access to the best fresh content at great value. As a result we will be discontinuing some packages and redirecting customers to the main packages where the same programmes and channels can be found."

"Select 1 and Select 2 packages will not be available as of 29 October 2019."

"Customers can still watch their much-loved programmes and channels on our other packages. Customers will be migrated to DStv Family which has 25 more channels than the current package. If they would like to move to any other package, they are welcome to contact us before the package end date."

MultiChoice added that "It’s important to note that no DStv Select customer is being forced into any particular direction or package".

"From a practicality point of view, if they take no action, DStv Select customers are being migrated to the DStv Family package, which has no negative financial impact on them, but offers an increased number of channels compared to what they previously had."

"They also have the option, just like any other customer, of signing up for any other DStv package that suits their viewing needs and affordability."

MultiChoice said that "Any changes to a customer’s offering are always communicated directly via their chosen method of communication. As a business we endeavour to update their contact details whenever we interact with them and it is important that they share any changes with us, to ensure we can reach them when required".

"Having discontinued the DStv Select packages some 6 years ago, it does not make commercial sense to continue investing in these packages with newer, more costly content, into packages whose audience numbers are very small."

"It is also unfair to the majority of customers who pay full price to get great value content which comes at a huge investment, whilst others potentially received a discounted price indefinitely."

Disney pulls all FOX-supplied channels from StarTimes’ StarSat over 'commercial issues' after negotiations fail while StarSat in bizarre claim tells its customers the satellite-TV channels are gone because of alleged '5G-signal interference'.

Fed-up with ongoing commercial issues at the StarTimes pay-TV operator, Disney has abruptly pulled all of its FOX-supplied channels from StarSat after negotiations failed, while the the Chinese-run satellite pay-TV operator bizarrely claims that the channels disappeared because of alleged 5G cellphone signal testing interference.

 Angry and confused StarSat and StarTimes subscribers who no longer get the slew of channels they’ve paid for that and that was removed without any prior warning, are furious over the blackout of the channels.

 The blackout of the additional FOX-channels collection follows a month after the two FOX Sports channels – FOX Sports and FOX Sports 2 – were supposed to change to ESPN and ESPN2 on StarTimes and StarSat at the beginning of September but failed to materialise.

 The ESPN channels no-show has been a cause of massive embarrassment to both Disney who hyped ESPN’s Africa-return and to the FOX Networks Group that it now owns, when there was no actual platform for viewers to see these channels.

 After the ESPN gaffe, the channels blackout on StarSat has now expanded with the FOX Networks Group’s FOX, FOX Life, FOX Portuguese, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Portuguese, Baby TV, Voyage, National Geographic French, and Nat Geo WILD French channels that have all suddenly gone dark since October as well.

This again happened without any prior warning to StarSat subscribers.

Disney says that it decided to pull its channels from StarTimes’ satellite pay-TV service because of “ongoing commercial issues with StarSat” that StarSat failed to resolve.

Disney says that the FOX, FOX Life and Nat Geographic channels remain available on MultiChoice’s DStv satellite pay-TV service in South Africa and throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

StarSat in a bizarre message to subscribers however blames alleged 5G cellphone signal testing interference for the loss of the channels.

StarSat said that it is working on replacement channels for the FOX channels that Disney took away.


Disney suspends channel feeds after negotiations failed 
“We can confirm that our channels – FOX, FOX Life, ESPN, ESPN2, FOX Portuguese, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic Portuguese, Baby TV, Voyage, National Geographic French, and Nat Geo WILD French – are currently not being provided to StarSat,” The Walt Disney Company Africa told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry.

"This follows ongoing commercial issues with StarSat,” Disney Africa said.

“Despite Disney’s negotiations in good faith and significant efforts to find a resolution, The Walt Disney Company Africa has had to suspend the feeds of all of our channels to StarSat at this time.”

“We continue to work to find a positive resolution but in the meantime our channels will remain available on various other platforms across the continent. Viewers are encouraged to visit FOXAfrica.com, NatGeoTV.com and ESPN.com to find tune-in information.”

Disney Africa said that it is responding to consumer queries.

StarSat in a message to its subscribers blamed alleged terrestrial 5G signal testing for the loss of the satellite-delivered TV channel signals on its pay-TV service. It’s not clear why 5G testing apparently only affects specifically the Disney-FOX channels.

“Please be advised that the following channels have been offline since 1 October 2019: FOX, FOX Life, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD. Proliferation of 5G signal testing stations due to 5G network expansion has created interference with signal feeds of the above channels, resulting in adverse viewer experience,” StarSat tells subscribers in a message.

“Channel replacement measures to revitalise our content offering are currently underway. StarSat would like to thank you for your patience and continued support.”

StarSat in response to a media enquiry said that the 5G problem is in South Africa "due to the rapid expansion of 5G network" and that the 5G-signal testing "is specifically interfering with C-band satellite frequency which has in turn compromised viewer experience in terms of sound and picture quality".

It's not clear how 5G interferes with sound and picture quality of satellite channel signals, or why it only affects the FOX-supplied channels that specifically belong to the Disney group.

If the 5G interference in South Africa is real as StarSat claims, it's also unclear why the channel blackout happened on StarTimes and StarSat's service it is running in other countries outside of South Africa as well where there are no 5G testing happening.

The StarTimes rival MultiChoice is mired in its own channel carriage contract fight with A+E Networks UK, with DStv subscribers set to lose the entire A+E set of channels at the end of October including History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation.

A+E Networks, that established a local A+E Networks Africa office in Johannesburg employing 12 people who might lose their jobs and that has been ramping up local content production that might now be cancelled, says that it remains hopeful that MultiChoice will sign a new carriage deal to pay to keep the popular channels on DStv.


Consumers ask: 'Do you think we're a bunch of idiots?' 
StarSat customers are extremely angry after the unannounced removal of the channels, with a litany of complaints on StarSat's Facebook page.

Calvine Mugombi asked "How do you remove channels without a warning especially after we just paid?" 

"Such testing is not interfering with the same channels at MultiChoice," said Kayvee Under. "Why are you telling us lies, come clean please. It was your plan to remove them and not replacing them but taking our money because you believe that we're fools".

"What a crap response from Starsat," noted Percy Mitchell. "Do you really think that we are all a bunch of idiots to believe the crap you feed us?" 

"IF 5G testing was interfering with signal reception from a satellite, that interference would NOT be limited to a handful of channels,"said Kerwin Budden. "It would cause disruption to the entire spectrum relayed from satellite to satellite-dish and all channels would be affected. A grade 1 learner would understand that. StarSat stop feeding the subscribers lies." 

"Just last month I asked StarSat if they are cancelling FOX etc. also when they cancelled channels on 1 August," said Gerhard Deyzel. "I still have the messages where they assured me that they are not cancelling FOX and National Geographic... kept it as proof. I saw this coming long time ago. 

"This is disgusting. The only channels worth watching are gone without warning. Thankfully I haven't paid yet. Goodbye Starsat," remarked Laura van der Westhuizen.

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.

MultiChoice is ripping the very popular and long-running channels of History, Crime+Investigation Network and Lifetime away from DStv subscribers after channel carriage contract renewal negotiations between the pay-TV operator and A+E Networks supplying the channels, turned ugly and broke down.

A+E Networks UK says that DStv plans to take these channels away from subscribers although it tried very hard to reach a new channel carriage agreement and is still willing to work with MultiChoice to keep the channels on the air for DStv subscribers in South Africa and across the African continent.

A+E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst and Sky, says that if the channels disappear, DStv subscribers will have to bear the brunt of MultiChoice's decision when they will no longer be able to watch a slew of shows ranging from Little Women and Homicide Hunter to Curse of Oak Island, The First 48, Lifetime movies and specials like Surviving R Kelly.

All three of these successful international, so-called "third party" channels have been available to DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers in South Africa and across sub-Saharan African countries for years.

Now DStv subscribers who have been paying for History (DStv 186), Lifetime (DStv 131) and C+I (DStv 170) will lose them all in one go when they will all be removed at the end of October 2019.

After A+E Networks and MultiChoice last renewed the channels package deal in mid-2016, negotiations between the two soured for a new carriage agreement. The unresolved stalemate between the companies lead MultiChoice to pull the plug and to take the channels away from DStv subscribers' existing channel line-up.

MultiChoice has carried the History channel for 16 years since 2003 and it has since become a popular legacy channel and viewing destination within DStv's documentaries and lifestyle block. The Crime+Investigation has been on DStv for 11 years since 2007, and Lifetime has been available on DStv for 5 years since mid-2014.

All three are now abruptly coming to an end under the auspices of Yolisa Phahle as MultiChoice's CEO for general entertainment and Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content strategy and third-party channels, with the loss of the A+E Networks content that will further dent the perceived value offered by the struggling DStv Premium package.

The subscriber numbers of the most expensive DStv tier continue to plummet as subscribers no longer see this package as offering enough value for money, something that the loss of the A+E Networks channels will likely make worse.

MultiChoice considers all three of A+E Networks' channels to be such premium content that it used all of them numerous times in the past as loss-leaders to promote and drive DStv subscriber uptake and to help rope in new subscribers through promotional "open time" periods during which they would be made available to lower-tiered customers.

MultiChoice and A+E Networks also created pop-up channels to drive audiences and subscriber uptake in the form of the History of Football and 100 Years of War channels.

The loss of History, Lifetime and Crime + Investigation will come as a massive shock to not just DStv subscribers in South Africa and across Africa but also to the broader local TV industry that MultiChoice will damage through removing the channels.

MultiChoice's decision to axe the channels has already caused massive embarrassment for A+E Networks' local A+E Networks Africa venture based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A+E Networks held a content showcase for all of its channels barely a week ago telling the media what it will be showing in the upcoming months and in 2020, not saying a word that all of its channels would be off-air and off DStv in South Africa and Africa in a month's time from now.

At its presentation, A+E Networks unveiled a growing slate of local original productions with companies ranging from Clive Morris Productions to Katy Katopodis' Nala Media working on programming like Crime Stories SA and a gender-violence TV special, Loved Like Crazy voiced by Iman Rappetti.

Together with a new local series, Don't Tell the Bride SA earmarked for Lifetime, it's unclear as to whether any or all of the these announced productions will still go ahead or are getting cancelled since A+E Networks won't be able to recoup the expensive production costs of creating specific local TV content for DStv subscribers in Africa that none of them will actually be able to see.

Also unclear is what will happen to the locally-established and growing office of A+E Networks Africa headed up by Yusuf Nabee, as general manager for Africa, that has grown to now employ 12 people.

Awkwardly, Dean Possenniskie, the managing director for A+E Networks for the EMEA region, at the upfront said that "both Hearst and Sky fully support the focus and development of investment of A+E Networks Africa where we stand today, but more importantly where we'll go in the future".

That future is now completely unclear.

MultiChoice: Saying goodbye to History

MultiChoice didn't issue a statement about shutting off the channels but on its website under the euphemistically titled heading "Channel changes" now says that as part of "efforts to refresh our content line-up and optimise the suite of channels on offer, the MultiChoice Group will be saying goodbye to the History, Crime + Investigation and Lifetime channels" at the end of the current contract term.

MultiChoice isn't telling DStv subscribers that it plans to remove the channels because it couldn't reach a new deal.

MultiChoice says it will soon be "announcing the introduction of two new channels to DStv. The first is an established global brand and the other a new innovative brand".

Ironically, MultiChoice says that "we continue to increase our significant investment in local shows and content which have great resonance with customers and are a key driver of engagement".

That is exactly what History, Lifetime and C+I have been doing for DStv even though, as third-party international channels, they don't need to do local content. History did its first local production for Africa, Miracle Rising in 2013.

TVwithThinus on Tuesday asked Benedict Maaga, MultiChoice's senior manager for corporate communications, why specifically the channels are being dropped and if he can confirm that History, Lifetime and C+I are being axed because MultiChoice wasn't willing to pay A+E Networks what it wanted in carriage fees for its channels. He said that MultiChoice can't comment on that. 

MultiChoice was also asked when it decided and informed A+E Networks that it will remove the channels and if A+E Networks was informed of that before the company had its just-held showcase presentation. MultiChoice also declined to comment on that question. 

A+E Networks: DStv decided we don't offer good value 

On Tuesday evening A+E Networks confirmed the channels' removal.

In response to a media enquiry, A+E Networks told TVwithThinus that "DStv announced that they plan to take away the A+E Networks Africa family of channels, including History, Crime+Investigation, and Lifetime from their customers".

"DStv has decided that our channels do not offer good value to their subscribers."

"Fans of our channels could soon miss out on the thousands of hours of new and unique shows we provide across our world-class global brands including Surviving R Kelly, Forged in Fire, American Pickers, Curse of Oak Island, Damien Lewis Spy Wars, The First 48, Homicide Hunter, Married at First Sight, Little Women, Lifetime movies, Lost Gold of World War 2, Watergate, Treasures Decoded, and many more."

"This includes current and upcoming local programming such as Crime Stories SA, Don’t Tell the Bride SA and Loved Like Crazy."

"We have been very proactive in trying to reach an agreement that is best for our viewers and for DStv. Our goal is to continue to bring our high-quality, award-winning programming to our local audiences."

"Our channels are available to viewers in over 160 countries around the world, and we negotiate several of these deals every year.  We are willing to keep negotiations open and we sincerely hope DStv will find a way to work with us to keep our channels so we can continue to share our great upcoming local and international programmes with our loyal fans."

"Everyone at A+E Networks Africa is committed to continue working with DStv to try to achieve a positive outcome."

Complaints

While MultiChoice doesn't have a customer complaint email, DStv subscribers who are unhappy about the removal of either History, Crime + Investigation or Lifetime or desperate to try and save their channel, can email help@dstv.com to say why they don't want channels that they are paying for, to be removed from their pay-TV platform.

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: 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.