Earlier this month M-Net revealed its exciting plans for the expansion of the popular AfricaMagic channels on DStv and now more details on the channels are being released.

For subscribers in East, West and Central Africa, the five channels they will see from April 16 include the flagship AfricaMagic channel, now focused into a family themed channel, along with the dedicated AfricaMagic Movies channel, which was formerly AfricaMagic Plus. In addition, viewers will see the new AfricaMagic Movies 1 channel and the existing MagicWorld channel is also going to be rebranded into AfricaMagic World.

Rounding off the changes is a brand new channel AfricaMagic Entertainment which will serve as the home for all M-Net’s glittering and original African productions from East, West and Central Africa. The AfricaMagic channels therefore become the home to a wide range of African content while the M-Net channel (channel 101/102) will focus on international movies and series.

Summing up the new channels simply, M-Net Africa MD Biola Alabi says, “It makes business sense to listen to your consumers when they express their needs and this is what we’ve done. 2012 is going to be a flagship year for AfricaMagic. We want it to be remembered as the year African viewers pushed forward a revolution in television, making African content the star of African screens!”

And just what can fans expect from the 5 channels? Read on…

AfricaMagic World:

A channel created to introduce new AfricaMagic viewers to a variety of African programming! Formerly the MagicWorld channel, this general entertainment channel offers a wide range of African programming to audiences including re-screenings of series and movies that they may not have had the opportunity to view previously. Available to all DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus and Premium packages (channel 112).

AFRICAMAGIC (Family):

A ‘family friendly’ African entertainment channel with programming that can be watched and enjoyed

by everyone in your home!  AfricaMagic will feature family focused movies, series, sitcoms and

documentaries that you can watch with your parents or your children. This will ensure that no-one in

your home will miss out on great African entertainment! AfricaMagic is available on DStv Family,

Compact, Compact Plus and Premium (channel 114).

AfricaMagic Movies:

A channel for movie audiences who want to celebrate the vibrant legacies and traditions of Africa! From

African heritage to village life, this 24-hour dedicated movie channel tells stories that relate to Africa’s

rich history and cultural legacy from traditional practices to rural society. Look out for familiar faces

from Nollywood and established African film icons. AfricaMagic Movies is available on DStv Family, Compact, Compact Plus and Premium packages (channel 115, formerly AfricaMagic Plus).

AfricaMagic Entertainment:

A brand-new, stylish African entertainment channel for the bold viewer who wants to watch the best

African TV programming available! This 24-hour channel is dedicated to glossy soaps, glam drama series,

glitzy lifestyle shows, great comedy, grade-A movies, gorgeous talk-show queens and gripping reality

TV…all made in Africa for Africa! The channel is home to some of Africa’s biggest and most popular

Productions including Tinsel, Jacob’s Cross, Big Brother Africa, Changes, Mashariki Mix, 53 Extra, Jara,

Moments with Mo, The Patricia Show and Comedy Club. AfricaMagic Entertainment is available on DStv

Premium (channel 128).

AfricaMagic Movies 1:

A channel for the movie fan who wants to see Africa’s hottest stars in the latest contemporary African movies! Africa’s bustling and growing cities provide the busy urban backdrop for the dynamic stories of modern life and love showcased on this 24-hour dedicated movie channel. From dramas to comedies, from action to romance, it’s non-stop African movie entertainment. AfricaMagic Movies 1 is available on DStv Compact, Compact Plus and Premium (channel 145).

In addition to its five English language AfricaMagic channels, AfricaMagic Hausa, Swahili and Yoruba will continue to be screened in the different regions as it is currently.

Ends.

Currently the AfricaMagic channels deliver original stories, dramas, series and talk shows which capture the diverse imagery, culture and thinking of the continent.

This has stimulated phenomenal growth and interest and has inspired M-Net to further expand its AfricaMagic channel offering to meet its viewers increased demand for content made in Africa for Africa.

As a result, M-Net has now announced that is developing the AfricaMagic channels further to ensure that audiences get the best possible selection of African programming available under one brand.  Thus, all M-Net productions in East, West and Central Africa will now be found on an expanded line-up of AfricaMagic channels.

“Big Brother, Jacob’s Cross, Tinsel, Changes, 53 Extra, Mashariki Mix and Naija Sings are just some of the shows that audiences have rated highly,” confirms M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi.

“They were previously shown on the M-Net channel but we are increasing our range of AfricaMagic channels and moving these programs to an exciting new AfricaMagic branded channel. This is in fact the ideal home for them, where they will become part of a homegrown brand that viewers have themselves made one of the biggest names in Africa.”

She goes on to say that the focus for the M-Net channel will be to showcase the best of international movies and series while the AfricaMagic channels are the ultimate destination for anyone eager to view African programming.

“We made this decision for a variety of reasons not least the fact that research indicates that these programs are widely viewed when scheduled on the AfricaMagic channels.”

“We’re taking all the African content available to us and packaging it into new specifically designed channels which together will form a comprehensive African TV viewing line-up,” reveals Alabi.

She explains further, “We’re revising and increasing our current catalogue of channels in East, West and Central Africa into five dynamic channels, each with their own clear identity. From April, DStv will feature AfricaMagic Entertainment, AfricaMagic Family, AfricaMagic Movies, AfricaMagic Movies 1 and AfricaMagic World. In addition, we will continue to offer the African language channels AfricaMagic Hausa, Swahili and Yoruba in the relevant regions.”

Thanking suppliers who’ve supported AfricaMagic, Alabi says, “This AfricaMagic expansion is also a tribute to their talent and faith in us. We’re fortunate to partner with professionals who recognize that many African businesses are forging bold futures, futures that they too will benefit from in the long-term. So we want to salute them because, together with our viewers, they’re bringing the African legacies of community and storytelling into a new era.”

In conclusion Alabi says, “We’re optimistic about the future. We know there’s a lot of work to be done to make these channels really live to their full potential but we’re determined to do so. Our motto is that we want to make programming and channels that speak to the African heart.”

Ends.