The time has come! Starting today, DStv customers will be getting new Channel Numbers and more HD...

DStv recently announced that it will migrate its services to a new satellite, which will provide more capacity to add more channels and services in the future. In order to make space for the new channels and to group relevant channels together, some channel numbers will change on 1 October 2012.

General entertainment channels with international content will be located from channel 101 to 143, whilst general entertainment channels with local content will feature from channel 144 to 169. Documentaries and lifestyle channels will sit from channel 170 to 190 and the free-to-air channels such as SABC and eTV will be on channel 191 to 195. The SuperSport channels in HD and SD will be housed from channel 200 onwards.

The changes will happen automatically in the early morning hours of Monday, 1 October. DStv customers are advised to access the information about their specific decoder here or press OK on their DStv remote to see if any action is required on their part.

Customers who live in a complex or flat where they don’t have their own dish, will have to request their body corporate to verify if their system is capable of receiving new services before 1 October 2012. These customers can SMS their email address to DStv at 32444.




Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) channels on same number

Whilst some channels are being moved around, DStv is also taking the opportunity to put HD and SD channels on the same channel number. For example, M-Net and M-Net HD will be on channel 101 from 1 October 2012. This means that if you are a DStv Premium customer with an HD PVR, you will receive M-Net HD on channel 101 whilst a customer with an SD decoder will get M-Net on channel 101 from 1 October.

The only exceptions will be Discovery HD Showcase which is not available in SD and SuperSport HD channels which are not scheduled with the same content as the SD channels.

“Whilst it may take some getting used to, we trust that the new channel numbering will make for an overall better navigation and viewing experience on DStv. We want to assure our customers that we have taken every care to ensure there is as little disruption and change to their viewing routine as possible,” said Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.

Themed M-Net Movie channels

M-Net will also replace its MM1 and MM2 movie offering and expand it to six movie channels, one premiere and five themed channels: M-Net Movies Premiere, M-Net Movies Action +, M-Net Movies Family, M-Net Movies Comedy, M-Net Movies Drama and Romance, and M-Net Movies Showcase. These channels will all be available in HD.

Movies released by Hollywood studios will first be screened on M-Net Movies Premiere or on M-Net on a Sunday night at 8pm. Thereafter, the movie will be screened again on the relevant themed M-Net Movies channel. However, some niche movies will be screened directly to the relevant themed M-Net Movies channel. There are two movies starting on the M-Net Movies channels starting every half hour.

“The change to themed movie channels will make it easier for viewers to find a movie that appeals to their mood or taste at a particular time. The daily choice of movies on the M-Net Movies channels will increase and it will be more convenient to find a movie to watch,” says Pierre Cloete, Director of M-Net Movie Channels.

More channels and more HD

DStv will also be adding two Africa Magic channels: Africa Magic Entertainment and Africa Magic Movies 1. This brings the number of SD channels which will be added to the DStv platform on 1 October 2012 to six: four additional M-Net Movies channels and two Africa Magic Channels. DStv Premium customers will get all six channels.

DStv customers with HD PVRs will also get Studio Universal and Universal channels in HD from 1 October, in addition to the M-Net Movies channels which they will also get in HD. This means that there will be an additional 7 HD channels from 1 October 2012, increasing to 14 the total number of HD channels on DStv.

“We know that DStv customers are enjoying the movies on Studio Universal and the unique series on Universal Channel. We are excited to further enhance their viewing experience by making these channels available to them in HD as well,” commented Colin McLeod, Managing Director Emerging Markets, EMEA, NBC Universal.

“We want to give our customers the best entertainment experience possible, which is why we are excited to be adding more HD channels. Our focus is on continually improving the viewing experience for all our customers and we believe that as of 1 October, that experience will truly be so much more,” said Collins Khumalo.

Click here for a full list of the new channel numbers.

DStv will be embarking on an extensive communication and marketing campaign leading up to 1 October 2012, ensuring all its subscribers are informed of the upcoming changes. For more information keep checking our special feature on the channel changes, press OK on your DStv remote or go to channel 198 on DStv. A full list of the new channel numbers is also available by pressing OK on your DStv remote or in the October Dish Magazine. DStv customers can also SMS their email address to 32445 to get a PDF copy of the channel list.