About Repeat Programming on DStv Channels

1) MultiChoice does not schedule channel programmes
MultiChoice doesn’t schedule programmes but buys ready-made local and international channels. Each channel schedules new and recurring programmes according to a programme or movie’s license specification. MultiChoice arranges the channels into DStv packages and broadcasts the channels.

2) Pay-TV business model requires repeats
Internationally multi-channel platforms like DStv offer channels that have to include a mix of new and repeat programmes to make it affordable with the added benefit of creating catch-up viewing opportunities.

3) DStv repeat rate lower than average
A single channel requires 8760 hours of content per year. DStv’s repeat rate is lower than in most countries around the world. The movie repeat rate is for example up to 60% lower than similar digital television platforms abroad like SKY and DirecTV. (Source: Comsys).

4) Most Hollywood movies appear on DStv
Film and television studios produce a limited amount of programming each year. Hollywood, for example, only produces 600 new movies annually but a single movie channel contains 8760 hours per year. Once a movie has completed its cinema and video run, the first television appearance is on M-Net.

To ensure a wide variety of the best content available, MultiChoice sources channels with movies and series from most top Hollywood studios like FOX, Warner Bros., Disney, Sony, NBC / Universal, CBS, Paramount, Dreamworks, MGM and independent studios like Mandate, Content Films, Summit Entertainment.

5) Different channels have different repeat patterns
Repeat scheduling on each channel varies as channels have different format models and programmes have different ratings. A 24 hour channel like M-Net schedules every hour and block channels like The History Channel schedule 4 hour blocks which repeat within 24 hours of it premiering.

6) Multiplexing
Multiplexing, a form of programme repetition occurs when an entire block of programming is scheduled and then repeated in sequence on the same channel or on an alternate channel. Channels like M-Net Series, M-Net Movies 1 and M-Net Movies 2 use multiplexing.