DStv's new channels: broadcast dates, packages, more

Written by TVSA Team from the blog DStv on 04 Sep 2020
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Just in...

TVSA has a confirm from MultiChoice on the details of the new DStv channels we told you about in our TV News Shorts.

As we mentioned, five channels are on the way to DStv, but their finer details weren't confirmed, specifically their pop-up status and the packages they'll be on.

They're all new but they aren't necessarily permanent. Four of them are pop-ups and MultiChoice tells us that their future depends on how well they perform, meaning their broadcast window is a test and the channels need to engage audiences if they're going to last.

We presume this means they need to keep offering new shows instead of rehashing re-runs, side-eye to Eva which has devolved into a massive r<<wind button - there's only one new show airing from mid-September.

And we use the term new like a second-hand shop because it's the two-year-old Bold and the Beautiful and that's it.

It's a similar situation with FOX Life who are running off their telenovelas in three-and-two-for-one specials, turning the schedule into a train wreck.

We suspect this turn of events could mean the end of both channels, as suggested by blogger and TVSA reader Insidus, because two of the upcomings are telenovela channels.

Here's a look at the five:

tlnovelas
Channel: 133
Broadcast dates: 1 October 2020 to August 2021
(Please note: this launch date changed to 14 September 2020)
Packages: DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family.

English-dubbed Mexican telenovelas, not made by Telemundo.

ZooMoo
Channel: 314
Broadcast dates: 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021
Packages: DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family.

Canadian interactive pre-school channel featuring a mix of live action combined with animation and puppets. Aimed at kids aged 2-7.

KIX
Channel: 114
Broadcast dates: Permanent channel, starting on 1 October.
Packages: DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact.

Asian action movies. KIX features martial arts, action and thriller movies from the East and West, all presented in English.

Timeless Drama Channel
Channel: 123
Broadcast dates: 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021
Packages: DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family.

Turkish telenovelas and costume dramas dubbed into English.

TVN
Channel: 134
Broadcast dates: From 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021
Packages: DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family.

South Korean dramas, also presented in English.

8 Comments

Insidus
04 Sep 2020 15:53

there's some inaccuracies with your post but no one's perfect. KIX and TLnovelas will be available on Compact the rest is quo. TLnovelas launches 14 September not 1st October.

TVSA Team
04 Sep 2020 15:58

Hi Insidus - the info. we have in the article is what we've just received from MultiChoice this week, on Wednesday and today.

TLnovelas was originally listed as starting on 14 September but it's obviously changed.

Insidus
04 Sep 2020 16:03

Wow and they've been saying that KIX is coming to DStv Compact since August

TVSA Team
04 Sep 2020 16:26

TVSA Team edited on
9/4/2020 4:27 PM

Yes it is on Compact - see the bottom of the article... all are on Premium to Family.

TVSA Team
04 Sep 2020 18:31

Oh! You mean they're advertising it as only being on Compact?

We've just double-checked with MultiChoice and that's correct.

KIX is only up to Compact but the novelas are up to Family. We've updated the article.

Of course all this may change on the day, but that's the latest story.

Oyin Bucknor Arigbede
06 Sep 2020 15:00

Since this will happen in South Africa, Can this happen in the rest of Africa?

TVSA Team
08 Sep 2020 11:31

Hi Oyin, yes - we've asked MultiChoice and they say it's happening in all countries, both KIX and the pop-up channels, on the same packages as in South Africa.

TVSA Team
14 Sep 2020 19:10

Hi everyone - a heads-up that tlnovelas started today (14 September) instead of 1 October - the date we were given.

On 2 September MultiChoice's communications agency told us it's starting on 1 October after we specifically asked if the broadcast dates of 14 to 30 September are correct!

These were the dates originally listed in a DStv release about the channels and it seemed strange that the channel would only last for two weeks.

We were then told the confirmed dates are 1 October 2020 to August 2021.

It's never been so difficult to get one small piece of correct information.