Discovery Bolsters South African Presence

LONDON: Discovery Networks EMEA has struck a deal with Africa’s Multichoice to move Discovery Channel to DStv’s entertainment block, while Discovery World will take over the slot in DStv’s documentary lineup.

Discovery Channel moves to Channel 121 in the entertainment section of the DStv Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) as of March 1. Discovery World will then replace Discovery Channel on Channel 250 in the documentary segment. As of March 1, four channels from the Discovery Networks’ portfolio will be on air in South Africa: Discovery Channel, Discovery World, Discovery HD Showcase and Animal Planet.

"This significant deal with Multichoice means that Discovery Channel will now be broadcast from the more high-profile, entertainment block on the leading pay-TV platform in Africa," said Arthur Bastings, the executive VP and managing director of Discovery Networks EMEA. "Discovery Channel is already the leading factual-entertainment channel across the region and the move into DStv’s entertainment EPG will allow us to capitalize on this even further in South Africa."

Aletta Alberts, the head of content at Multichoice, added, “The launch of Discovery World and the relocation of Discovery Channel to the entertainment genre, forms part of our ongoing enhancements of the DStv service and will broaden the already wide selection of factual and entertainment content available to our subscribers. Discovery Channel will continue to provide viewers with factual entertainment whilst Discovery World will provide our subscribers with new, high-quality documentary content that they’ve come to expect from the Discovery brand."