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MultiChoice South Africa grew out as the subscriber management arm and has been quietly getting on with the business of bringing you world-class entertainment.

Mzansi Magic’s new drama, Ingoma

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Mzansi Magic’s new drama, <em>Ingoma</em>

The local music industry is often a harsh, cutthroat world of lies, and heartbreak, where people go to extremes to make it. But exactly how far would you go, or what would you put a loved one through to achieve success? That is the central question Mzansi Magic’s new drama, Ingoma explores.

Ingoma, which airs on 9 April, follows the story of three aspiring artists from the Eastern Cape town of Alice: Sino (Anita Sibozo), Ezekiel (Ayanda Makayi) and Angel (Oros Mampofu). Lured to Cape Town’s big lights and fast life by businessman and record label owner Leo Black (Buyile Dladla), the very naive trio are soon introduced to a life of glamour, wealth and extravagance, with the promise of breaking it in the industry, through Black’s Platinum Record label. But all’s not what it seems, and it’s soon revealed that Leo Black’s intentions are not as savoury as what the group were first led to believe.

The move to Cape Town is a make-or-break opportunity for the story’s main character Sino, who has the hopes and survival of her entire family back in Alice dependant on her success, but she may have bitten off far more than she’s ready for. Sino and her band’s world quickly unravels when a sinister deal is struck between one of the trio and Leo Black.

M-Net’s director of Local Entertainment Channels, Reneilwe Sema commented on the new show, “Ingoma has all the essential trademarks of a brilliant drama: a strong female protagonist with an unwavering will to succeed, an enthralling world in which the story is set, and what at first seems to be a malicious villain. The plot soon provides a massive twist which will leave viewers questioning whose corner they’re really in.”

 The Cast

Sinovuyo ‘Sino’ Mdledle: A beautiful, lost queen, gifted but afraid of her full potential. This self-sacrificing young talent has the hopes of her family riding on her success in the big city.

Ezekiel ‘Ezee’ Biko: Sino’s boyfriend, Ezee is an imaginative and thoughtful poet with a wealth of ideas. He is hard-working, generous and deeply loyal.

Buntu ‘Angel’ Mdlele: Angel is a charming, small-time hustler with his finger on the pulse. He is impulsive, impressionable and optimistic to a fault. Sino’s brother and Ezekiel’s best friend.

Leo Black: Leo is a charming and charismatic businessman and record label owner, but all is not what they seem when the group gets to know the ‘real’ Leo after moving into his Cape Town mansion.

Bongi: Matsepho Sekgopi plays Sino’s younger sister Bongi, who is jealous of Sino’s looks and popularity. Bongi wants to be the centre of attention for once, and this is a catalyst for drama.

Mam’ B: The orderly matron played by Peggy Tunyiswa. Religious and motherly, she is the hardworking single parent who will do anything to see her son Ezekiel succeed.

Zola Mabaso: Sive Matiswane portrays a big friendly giant who’s not afraid to throw his weight around.  Zola hopes to ultimately be a lawyer and maintain peace among the people he loves.

China Mthimkhulu: A loudmouth and wanna-be Kung-Fu fighter played by Siphenathi Qeja. The show’s ultimate funny man yearns for female attention. China also desperately wants to go to Asia to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a Kung-Fu fighter.

Ingoma is a weekly half-hour drama produced by Paw Paw Productions – a sister company to Penguin Films.

Will the group survive the betrayal and treachery? All will be revealed in season one of Ingoma, starting on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) on Monday, 9 April at 20h00.

Follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and at mzansimagic.com.

No VAT increase for DStv customers

MultiChoice Press
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No VAT increase for DStv customers

MultiChoice has announced that there will be no further increase to the prices announced for 2018, despite the change in the VAT rate from 14% to 15% announced by former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba during the 2018 Budget Speech.

“We have great news for our DStv customers – MultiChoice will absorb the 1% increase in VAT. We want to assist our customers by not increasing our prices further.  This means there will be no further change to our DStv fees that will come into effect on 1 April,” read the statement form DStv.

DStv customers can view DStv prices for 2018 online or the DStv Now app to see what they will pay from 1 April 2018.

 

Love, marriage and everything in-between in the new drama, Unmarried

MultiChoice Press
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Love, marriage and everything in-between in the new drama, <em>Unmarried</em>

Unmarried is a fun, fresh and sexy new drama about the lives of three young female friends living in Johannesburg, as they deal with the pressures of juggling marriage, motherhood, relationships, and their careers. The drama revolves around three different women who represent a diverse cross-section of South African life, from the township to the suburbs, to the high-end apartment lifestyle of the “super blessed”.

Set in the City of Gold, we get to know three completely different women brought together by their friendship. Brenda, played by Renate Stuurman is the perfect definition of #relationshipgoals with her husband of nearly ten years. She boasts a fierce corporate career at a highly fashionable private bank, where she’s quickly rising in the ranks, despite the fact that she is one of the few women in senior management.  While, one of her closest friends Lesego, played by Keke Mphuti is the hottest in the group, she’s used her looks to get what she wants. Thembi, played by Thembisa Mdoda happens to be the only one of the three with children. Having fallen pregnant at 17 by her childhood sweetheart Bongani played by Nyaniso Dzedze.

Director of M-Net’s Local Entertainment Channels,  Reneilwe Sema affirms, “Unmarried is about friendship, love, and relationships, and how those three simple elements of everyday life can get awfully entangled! The show also touches on the pressures of coming of age for young South Africans and societal expectations they face.”

The Cast of Unmarried:

Renate Stuurman (Brenda)

At 33 Dikeledi, who was born and raised in Soweto seems to have it all. The life that every young woman dreams of. Raised from a nuclear family, she grew up with a sense of security and her ambitions were natured from a young age.

Keke Mphuti (Lesego)

A go-getter of note, who never lets anything get her down until she came into her own as a young woman and discovered that she was not like any of the other girls – but a beauty to be regaled.

Thembisa Mdoda (Thembi)

Thembi was always the star of the trio, the prettiest girl in school and the brightest one in class. She lives with her high school sweetheart Bongani.

Nyaniso Dzedze (Bongani)

A township guy who knows that his role is to provide for his family. He is Thembi’s live-in partner and the father of her two children. He is a good man; some say he is a unicorn, as men like him no longer exist.

Fezile Makhanya (Donald)

Donald is the quintessential entitled man, who believes that he can have whatever he wants. He is defined by his masculinity, which struggles to adjust to his wife Branda’s success.

Stevel Marc (Vuyo)

Believes he is God’s gift to the female species. He is as charming, as he is arrogant and he knows how to use that to his advantage.

Unmarried will be on 1Magic channel 103 starting Friday, 2 February 2018 at 19h30.

 

MultiChoice and Discovery Networks renew contract to carry Discovery’s portfolio of channels on DStv

MultiChoice Press
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MultiChoice and Discovery Networks renew contract to carry Discovery’s portfolio of channels on DStv

MultiChoice and Discovery Networks are pleased to announce that DStv customers will continue to enjoy their favourite Discovery channels on DStv – world-class factual entertainment and documentaries on Discovery Channel; great fashion and lifestyle tips on TLC; the best in family entertainment on Discovery Family; and suspense-filled, real-life crime stories on Investigation Discovery (ID).

To complement the linear channels, the new agreement includes extended video-on-demand and Catch Up hours for Discovery’s entire portfolio (including for the first time, TLC, ID and Discovery Family shows). All four of Discovery’s channels will be available to launch on DStv Now from early 2018, meaning DStv customers will be able to enjoy the best of Discovery, anywhere, anytime. On top of this, from early next year, DStv customers will be able to watch both ID and Discovery Family in HD, while TLC will also launch in HD.

“Our customers love the Discovery family of channels and we’re pleased that we could renew this agreement, including offering this world-class content to our customers wherever they are, to watch whenever they are ready,” said Yolisa Phahle, CEO: General Entertainment, MultiChoice.

Animal Planet is not included in the new agreement and will stop airing on DStv on 30 December 2017. However, customers will not miss out, as some of the much-loved shows will be available on the other Discovery channels, including shows such as Treehouse Masters, which will move to Discovery Channel, while shows such as Tanked and Insane Pools: Off The Deep End will move to Discovery Family. Some of Discovery’s other popular animal and wildlife content will also be made available on a new channel to launch mid-2018, details of which will be announced in the new year.

“Our channels and content have been providing hours of enjoyment for DStv customers for many years and we’re thrilled to continue this legacy, with an unbeatable slate of programming across our portfolio which, thanks to this renewed agreement, DStv customers will now be able to access whenever and however it suits them. We look forward to making more announcements about our content offering on DStv in the new year,” said Dilek Doyran, VP and country manager for Africa, Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

Discovery’s network of channels promise an exciting line-up of new entertainment for DStv customers over the next few months.

Discovery Channel will serve up a new season of Fast n’ Loud and Street Outlaws and help you discover brand new shows like Riaan Manser: Pacific Honeymoon, Finding Escobar’s Millions, and Mutiny: Survival on the Oceans.

 TLC’s brand-new shows include Dr Miami, Judge Jenkins, The Healer and Thando Bares All, while new wedding shows Diva Brides and Curvy Brides Boutique join returning seasons of 90 days to Wed and Surrounded by Daughters.

Discovery Family will serve up NASA’s Unexplained Files, The Carbonaro Effect, Freaks of Nature, Don’t Blink, and a new season of Finding Bigfoot.

Meanwhile, on Investigation Discovery (ID) new seasons of I speak for the dead, Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, and People Magazine Investigates, will join brand new shows including Son of Sam: Hunt for a Killer, The Dating Game Killer, and Shattered, ensuring DStv customers remain glued to their seats as the drama unfolds.

More information and schedules are available on DStv.com.

 

MultiChoice Tanzania celebrates 20 years of changing lives

MultiChoice Press
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MultiChoice Tanzania has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates 20
years of changing lives through innovative delivery of ground-breaking content.
The celebration will involve a two days special exhibition set to take place at the
Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam where the public will get to witness first-hand
MultiChoice Tanzania’s journey.

MultiChoice recognised the need for multi content for varied consumer needs when it
commenced its operations in Dar es Salaam in July 1997 providing Tanzanians the
Pay TV service, DStv, at a time when conventional TV services was a novel.

The company’s spirit to deliver revolutionary content in entertainment and education
remain the same to date when it has grown considerably with 5 regional offices across
the country with significant investment in infrastructure, technology and human
resource.

Initially DStv started with only 3 channels being SuperSport, M-Net and Movie Magic
and today DStv boasts of over 100 TV and radio channels in various packages (DStv
Premium, Compact, Compact Plus, Family and Bomba) allowing customers flexibility in
pricing and choice.

Multichoice Tanzania shareholder and board chair ambassador Ami Mpungwe reflected
on the company’s 20th anniversary by saying “MultiChoice Tanzania has been a
champion in offering world-class entertainment to Tanzanians. We started our
services in this market when the TV business was at its infantry and has through the
years become a part and parcel of the vast transformation in the TV industry in the
country.’

“We pride ourselves for being a part of the lives of Tanzanians, assuring not only
quality services but offering reasons for families and friends to come together, share
dear moments and creating cherished memoirs,’ said ambassador Mpungwe.

While marking its 20th Anniversary, MultiChoice Tanzania has impacted the lives of
millions of Tanzanians creating employment for over 100 staff working directly at the
company, over 1,000 independent DStv installers and over 500 Direct Sales (alias
foot-solders) across the country creating well-being for themselves and their families.

“Thanks to our dedicated leadership team, employees and partners, we have
experienced a steady growth and continue to thrive,’ further stated Mpungwe. “Of
recent we have been recording remarkable growth in subscriber base despite
increasing competition. This shows how the team is well geared to innovatively
compete in this stiff market’ affirmed the ambassador.

MultiChoice Tanzania has enjoyed being a good corporate citizen through social
investments in sports sponsorship; like the recent gold medal win by DStv
ambassador Alphonce Simbu during the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon earlier
this year and again the Bronze Medal later in the year at the World Championships.
Orphanages support: centres like Al Madinnah in the outskirt of Dar es Salaam have
benefited from over 5 years of support including the recent launch of a tailoring
project that will enable the centre to generate income sustainably.

As a leading entertainment brand, MultiChoice Tanzania continues to put customers
first by listening and responding to evolving needs. The introduction of a tailor-made
Tanzanian Channel – Maisha Magic Bongo (MMB) has significantly aided in recruiting a
huge number of new customers making MMB the leading channel in Tanzania and the
most preferred channel of many across the country.

Through MMB, dozens of local studios, film directors, producers and hundreds of
actors and actresses are benefiting by the airing of their productions. A significant
amount of money continues to be invested in local productions, giving the local film
industry the biggest boost since time immemorial.

MultiChoice Tanzania’s 20th Anniversary marks a time of change for the organisation
as it reshapes the business to stay ahead of the curve in delivering latest and greatest
local and international content. “I am delighted to report that our business is solid and
that we are looking forward to an even brighter future as we remain motivated to
shape the next 20 years of content delivery through innovative and cutting edge
technology that lets you watch whatever, whenever, wherever!’ concluded
ambassador Mpungwe.

For more information, please visit DStv or
follow the hashtag on social media #20YearsOfAwesomeness.

DStv Now breaks live streaming records with The Money Fight

MultiChoice Press
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DStv Now has broken all previous records with the live stream of The Money Fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Conor McGregor. The daily live stream audience peaked at 40% above any previous high on the DStv Now platform, including those driven by events in traditional “prime time’.

Live sport has been one of the main drivers of growth for DStv Now. With its unrivalled and exclusive sports offering of up to 12 live streaming SuperSport channels, DStv Now has grown monthly usage more than 50% in just three months and has doubled in the last six months. To put the growth of live streaming on DStv Now in context, the Money Fight audience was 30 times larger than that for the Mayweather vs Pacquiao live stream just two years ago.

And it wasn’t just the main event which drove up audience numbers. Almost as many fans visited the live stream for the build-up and undercard as the main event, while many others used Catch Up in the DStv Now app to view the fight at a more civilized hour or watched the “All Access’ documentary. The Fight coverage started at 03:00 CAT, with the main event starting just before 06:00 CAT. Users tuned in on their decoders, or the DStv Now website and APP (iOS and Android).

Worldwide, the fight between the boxing superstar and the MMA phenomenon was mostly available on a “pay per view’ basis. However, SuperSport made sure DStv Premium customers across Sub-Saharan Africa could view The Fight live, at no extra cost.

And it’s not just once-off boxing spectaculars that are big on DStv Now. In the past two weekends, DStv Now users have had exclusive live streaming access to The Rugby Championship. The first of two games between South Africa and Argentina resulted in the second highest live streaming numbers seen to date on DStv’s online platforms. These exclusive live streaming events create unprecedented excitement and value for DStv Premium customers.

There have been many other drivers for the stellar growth in DStv Now usage. Nineteen additional live streaming channels have been added since April 2017, bringing the Premium offer to more than 70 channels, as well as making the service available to Compact and Compact Plus subscribers in recent months.

“Exclusive live sport is a key drawcard for our customers,’ says Graeme Cumming, head of DStv Digital Media. “We were proud to be able to stream The Money Fight live to our Premium customers at no extra cost’.

Important notice from DStv Media Sales to advertisers

MultiChoice Press
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DStv Media Sales will offer the bonus airtime for a period of three years from 27 July 2017. There is an annual cap for this bonus airtime, so the offer will operate on a first-come-first-served basis.

In order to qualify for this offer, agencies must:

• have a turnover in billings of less than R50 million per annum – confirmed by either independent external auditors or independent accounting practitioner.
• be majority black-owned as defined in the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 and the relevant BBBEE Codes and must provide adequate proof of its BBBEE status before the bonus airtime will be granted.

DStv Media Sales reserves the right to request any further information in order to confirm that agencies meet the above qualifying criteria. Airtime campaigns booked will carry the normal trading terms and conditions for DStv Media Sales. A copy of the Terms and Conditions can be found on the DStv Media Sales website.

This offer is part of the overall settlement reached between DStv Media Sales and the Competition Commission and aims to assist small media agencies and improve and transform our industry.

If you would like to book airtime, please contact Leanne Katemba on 011 329-5537, Leanne.katemba@dstvmedia.com.

MultiChoice Africa fighting TV piracy in Africa

MultiChoice Press
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MultiChoice said TV piracy won’t be tolerated in Africa. Three content pirates have been convicted to a 2-year jail term and the heavy fine demonstrates that content piracy is a serious offense.

MultiChoice Africa and the digital platform security specialist, Irdeto, worked together to get three Egyptian content pirates convicted. They were sentenced in Cairo to a 2-year jail term and fined US$97047. They were found guilty on all charges which included selling illegal pirate subscriptions and allowing over 163,000 pirate viewers to watch TV content from international broadcasters.

Frikkie Jonker, general manager of the Africa Piracy Department at MultiChoice Africa said: “Engaging in any form of piracy comes with consequences, and this ruling clearly indicates that piracy will not be tolerated.’
He added: “These convictions are critical to sending a message to the pirate community that piracy is a serious offence that damages the media and entertainment industry. Our collaboration with Irdeto and the unbelievable support of the Egyptian enforcement authorities, without whom this would not have been possible, demonstrates the importance of working together to combat the growing problem of piracy.’

The investigations into the suspects started through a joint criminal investigation which led to raids that uncovered several electronic components, illegal decoders and smartcards.

“These convictions are a testament to the seriousness of the piracy offence and the commitment of law enforcement worldwide to crack down on these cybercrime networks,’ says Rory O’Connor, Irdeto vice president of cyber security services.
“Our partnership with MultiChoice Africa epitomises our commitment to content owners, rights holders and operators to combat smartcard sharing and other forms of piracy. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement around the globe to shut down criminal pirate networks and ensure that justice is served.’

Source: NexTV News Africa

MultiChoice welcomes ConCourt DTT ruling

MultiChoice Press
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MultiChoice has welcomed the Constitutional Court’s (ConCourt’s) order in favour of the non-encryption of five million government-subsidised set-top boxes (STBs) for the digital migration process.

“We trust this will pave the way for the long-awaited migration to digital terrestrial television (DTT),” MultiChoice said in a statement.

Last week, the ConCourt upheld an appeal by former communications minister Faith Muthambi against last year’s judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which had ruled in favour of encrypted decoders.

The SCA at the time said a clause in an amendment to the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) policy was unlawful and invalid, and set aside the provision in the policy that suggested government-subsidised STBs would not have encryption capability.
Muthambi, the SABC and MultiChoice-owned M-Net then filed applications with the ConCourt for leave to appeal the SCA ruling, and their applications were opposed by Etv, SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa. Last week’s ConCourt judgement then set aside and replaced the SCA order.

According to MultiChoice, this outcome is good news for consumers and it will serve as a stimulus for the growth of the electronics manufacturing sector and the broadcasting industry.
“The policy of non-encryption will ensure poor households benefit from and are included in the migration from analogue to digital terrestrial television and that taxpayers are spared millions of rands in unnecessary costs associated with encryption,” it further said.

MultiChoice also commented that in the chief justice’s decision, he noted that “none of the broadcasters, including free-to-air broadcasters, would be required to do any more than they have previously been required to do. Nor would any be deprived of any advantage or privilege currently enjoyed in relation to access to their viewership and profit-making opportunities.”
MultiChoice said this “allays any fears previously raised regarding the implications of the non-encryption policy”.

Meanwhile, new minister of communications, Ayanda Dlodlo, says she “has noted the judgement” and “is pleased the department can now proceed with the implementation of the DTT programme, bringing SA a step closer to meeting its December 2018 switch off deadline”.

Dlodlo previously said she would introduce the encrypted form of digital terrestrial television in line with the policy of the African National Congress, and not Muthambi’s BDM policy.

SA has been planning for digital migration since 2008 but missed the June 2015 deadline to switch from analogue to DTT.

Source: ITWeb

AMC Networks International and Multichoice sign an exclusive deal to launch Sundance TV on DStv

MultiChoice Press
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The AMC Networks International (AMCNI) has announced that it will launch SundanceTV in South Africa for the first time, on DStv channel 108.

SundanceTV, which celebrates independent feature films, world cinema, documentaries as well as outstanding original drama series, will launch on 1 June exclusively to DStv Premium customers as a 24/7 linear HD channel.

“SundanceTV will offer a selection of award winning and locally appealing programming exclusively to audiences in South Africa. We’re excited to launch this premium channel for the first time in South Africa on the DStv platform, which reinforces our long-standing partnership with MultiChoice, Africa’s leading video entertainment provider,’ said vice president of AMCNI UK, Louise Cottrell.

SundanceTV is a renowned global brand, true to the vision of its founder Robert Redford to celebrate creativity. It offers a compelling mix of exclusive festival films and original drama series and delivers an upscale and highly engaged audience of films and series fanatics.

“We’ve listened to what our customers are saying about our content, and are committed to bring them more fresh content more often and fewer repeats. SundanceTV will bring great variety through its high quality art movies and unforgettable series. We’re confident our customers will welcome SundanceTV to the DStv family and into their homes,’ commented Aletta Alberts, head of content for MultiChoice.

Launched in 1996, SundanceTV showcases today’s creative icons and the emerging talent of tomorrow while celebrating the unique spirit of creativity and independent storytelling established by the world-renowned annual Sundance Film Festival.

SundanceTV showcases award-winning films from the Festival, many of which are seen exclusively on the network. The channel will also broadcast internationally acclaimed and popular original drama series from AMC studios and other leading distributors such as Fear the Walking Dead, Into the Badlands and Breaking Bad among others.

Another great series which starts in June is The Son, starring Pierce Brosnan. It’s a sweeping saga spanning 150 years and three generations of the McCullough family and is based on the best-selling novel of the same name.

Some of the great Film Festival Selections which will premiere on the channel includes the gripping documentary Cries from Syria, which bears witness to the resiliency of the people of Syria in the wake of their exposure to unthinkable crimes against humanity.

I Smile Back is an unflinchingly authentic and humanising portrait of a suburban wife and mother dealing with depression and disillusionment that send her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion.

The Eyes of My Mother is the debut movie from writer/director Nicolas Pesce and is the tale of Francisca. She grows up in a secluded farmhouse where her mother, formerly a surgeon in Portugal, teaches her to understand anatomy and be unfazed by death. One afternoon, a mysterious visitor horrifyingly shatters the idyll of Francisca’s family life, deeply traumatizing the young girl, but also awakening some unique curiosities. Though she clings to her increasingly reticent father, Francisca’s loneliness and scarred nature converge years later when her longing to connect with the world around her takes on a distinctly dark form.

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