M-Net shuts down Channel O Africa from Tuesday, 31 March

This should be the MOST shocking news in TV media in the last 5 years.

The channel that started the TV music revolution in Africa, Channel O, closes down in less than 2 weeks. M-Net today announced that the music on Channel O Africa is moving house on 31 March when the channel stops airing on DStv channel 320 and GOtv channel 70 (where available). Channel O will hand over the baton to AfricaMagic, who are taking over as the new home of local music in Africa.

As M-Net continues to evolve, the decision was made to refocus its strategy to achieve a more efficient and streamlined approach that will enhance our subscribers’ television experience by providing them with regionalised music content.

One of the results of this new approach was the termination of the rest of Africa feed of Channel O, effective on Tuesday 31 March 2015, to allow M-Net to create customised music content according to regional preferences on its existing Africa Magic brands where the rest of Africa’s music talent will get ample space to shine.

From 1 April, subscribers can tune into AfricaMagic World (GOtv channel 10 and DStv channel 155) to keep abreast of the best in West African music talent. The channel will get viewers into party-mode with an hour-long daily music show which will showcase the latest music videos made in Africa. Maisha Magic Swahili on GOtv channel 4 and DStv channel 158 will continue to support the East Africa’s musicians by promoting their music videos on various music shows.

But wait…there’s more! Music lovers can also continue to enjoy various local and international music genres on our other music channels on the DStv platform: MTV Base, Trace Urban, Afro Music Pop, Sound City, B4U Music and One Gospel and on the GOtv platform: MTV Base and One Gospel.

The decision to review the Africa feed of Channel O has certainly not been an easy one, however, the termination of the channel in the rest of Africa will also enable M-Net to refocus investment efforts in local dramas and series productions where the market is growing.

M-Net would like to assure our subscribers that we’ll continue to deliver compelling local content by means of distinct, complementary brands.