The new M-Net Movies channels launched in HD on DStv's Premium bouquet at 10h30 this morning (Monday, 1 October).
Here's an FAQ covering various aspects of the channels, answered by M-Net and DStv ... as you'll see it includes info. about when and where to find first runs of movies:
More about each channel:
M-Net Movies Premiere
Channel 103
The crème-de-la-crème of big budget, hit movies await on the M-Net Movies Premiere channel. This is where Hollywood royalty lives and where you can find the freshest movies appearing on TV for the first time.
M-Net Movies Comedy
Channel 14
Relax, put your feet up and prepare to laugh until it hurts with M-Net Movies Comedy. Whether you like your comedies tinged with romance, drama, slapstick humour or a little on the naughty side, the comedy channel will leave you in stitches.
M-Net Movies Family
Channel 105
Wholesome entertainment for all ages awaits you on M-Net Movies Family. A fun and enjoyable line-up featuring animation, musicals, fantasy and feel-good family movies will keep both kids and the young at heart engrossed all day.
M-Net Movies Action Plus
Channel 106
Escape on an adventure, discover what lies in the far reaches of space, fight the bad guys and save the world. M-Net Movies Action Plus will take you there with a host of blockbuster movies from Action to Westerns, Horror and Sci-Fi.
M-Net Movies Drama & Romance
Channel 107
Get swept away by an enchanting love story, or lost in a heart wrenching drama with M-Net Movies Drama & Romance. The drama and romance channel features a variety of new and entertaining content including biographies, thrillers, documentaries and war movies.
M-Net Movies Showcase
Channel 108
Revisit your most magical movie moments and discover new ones with M-Net Movies Showcase. M-Net Movies Showcase shines the spotlight on specific movies and directors with exciting festivals, themes and box sets. Plus you get to take control and recommend movies with our viewer’s choices.
M-Net Movies Action
Channel 110
Do high speed car chases, massive explosions, hot woman, ripped action stars and giant bloodthirsty mutant animals make your world go round? With M-Net Movies Action, you’ll find everything to keep you glued to your lazy boy.
M-Net Movies Stars
Channel 111
Your best loved actors and movies shine brightly on M-Net Movies Stars. Featuring cult classics and movie favourites from past and present across a variety of genres from comedy to drama and romance, it’s the channel for young and old alike.
What about the movies on M-Net Movies Premiere?
Every Friday, there are four new first-to-television movies from 18:30 until 00:30, with the biggest movie of the week on Fridays at 20:30.
In addition to this, the M-Net Sunday night blockbuster movie will be screened at 20:00 on M-Net. This movie will also be broadcast at 20:30 that same evening on M-Net Movies Premiere for viewer’s convenience.
Will the existing censoring options also exist on M-Net Movies?
Yes, movies will be broadcast with the original soundtrack and the option to select family audio option. In addition, the parental control facilities will still exist.
What will HD sound quality be like?
M-Net Movies feature 5.1 Dolby surround audio as an option where available. The family and original audio will be available in Stereo.
Are the standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) channels different?
The channel content is exactly the same and movies are screened identically. The format in which the viewer will receive the feed will depend on your decoder type. SD decoders will broadcast in SD, and HD in HD. Your decoder will automatically detect the format.
If I am a DSTV Premium subscriber do I automatically receive the HD channels?
No, you will only receive the HD channels if you have an HD PVR decoder (to enjoy the full benefits of HD it is preferable to have a HD Ready or Full HD TV).
If I am a HD subscriber, will I be able to record in SD?
Not at present.
What aspect ratio will I get my movies in?
All eight channels will be broadcast in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The 4:3 viewer will have the option to choose the arch setting on their remote. Log onto:
How to change the aspect ratio for more information.
At what time do the movies start on M-Net Movies?
The movies on M-Net Movies follow a cascading pattern of broadcast. This means that there are two movies starting every half hour.
M-Net Movies Premiere and M-Net Movies Drama & Romance have a movie each at 18:30.
Next is M-Net Movies Comedy and M-Net Movies Showcase, with a movie each at 19:00.
M-Net Movies Family and M-Net Movies Action have a movie each at 19:30.