MNET RE-BRANDS AFRICAMAGIC, EXPANDS LINE-UP OF CHANNELS FROM APRIL

First launched on DStv nearly a decade ago, M-Net’s pioneering AfricaMagic channels have grown to become the home of great African storytelling, music and entertainment. 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. 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, ” confirms M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi.

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.”

The new changes will exclude South Africa and Lesotho.