M-NET NEW CHANNELS

M-Net innovates with new youth programming featuring significant amount of local content.

Leading South African television content provider M-Net, has conceptualized two new channels to be broadcast to DStv audiences that are specially focused on the younger market and feature a significant amount of local content.

“M-Net is constantly monitoring the performance and positioning of our channels as part of our mission to deliver the best content and service to our viewers,” says newly appointed Channel Director Yolisa Phahle. “These new channels are part of a bigger strategy to focus on local content and a younger market and we are confident that they are going to become firm favourites amongst viewers.”

M-Net will use its extensive experience in producing world class local programming to create the two new channels. First to be launched will be a dedicated children’s channel aimed at preschoolers between the ages of one and six. Due to make its debut on April 6, the channel will offer 15 brand new locally produced programmes combined with classic international series. The creation of this channel has seen increased investment in South Africa’s local puppetry, dubbing and production industries. Initially it will launch in Afrikaans, but by 2010 will also broadcast in Zulu with other language options planned for the future.

The new channel addresses the gap in locally produced programming for pre-school children. It is designed to stimulate and entertain young minds with its mix of innovative, responsible content delivered in the mother tongue of many young viewers. It will add value to the DStv bouquet which currently boasts an array of leading international channels for older children such as Disney, Boomerang, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. On March 31, K All Day will close to make way for the new channel, whilst the current K-TV block will continue on the M-Net channel. In exciting news for the youth market, July will see the launch of a new multiplatform service aimed at 18 to 24 year olds to replace the current youth channel GO. This innovative channel will be M-Net’s first fully interactive multiplatform service and will be supported by a social network that is integrated to television.

“Television remains a big part of this demographic’s lifestyle and we are planning to launch a channel that will provide a continental platform for young people to have access to the best and most relevant entertainment on their phones, PCs and TVs. This is an exciting new era in South Africa television and we are thrilled to be leading the charge,” says Phahle.

Tapping into 21st century global youth trends, the new channel will feature international, first and exclusive programming alongside locally produced gaming, entertainment and extreme sport. “The broadcast landscape is changing, people are consuming media in new and different ways and this channel has been designed to appeal to arguably the most savvy and avid media consumers of all,” says MultiChoice content GM, Aletta Alberts.

Further details of the content of both channels will be released over the coming months.