Q&A: We are Reshuffling M-Net Movies Channels to focus more on local content – MultiChoice Uganda’s Colin Asiimwe From September 1, 2020, M-Net Movies channels on Dstv will be reshuffled; MultiChoice Uganda Head of Marketing Colin Asiimwe tells CEO East Africa Magazine, all this meant to make it easier for the customers to navigate and discover fresh, new content and so much more.

Why is MultiChoice making changes to the M-Net channels on DStv?

We are reshuffling our channels as part of our business strategy to focus more on local content investment.  This will see a launch of local channels in future. Another benefit is a more streamlined content offering making it easier for our customer to navigate and discover new content. It also means we will reduce repeats.

When are these changes taking place?

On Monday 31 August 2020 and Tuesday, 1 September 2020.

How are you changing the M-Net channels and where can I now find the M-Net Movies Channels?

Why are there now only Four M-Net Movie channels instead of Six?

M-Net Movies has reduced the number of older library movies in the schedule, to keep the movie offering new and fresh. Viewers can also look forward to more seasonal pop-up channels, like the recent M-Net Movies Blackout channel and last year’s massively successful M-Net Movies Tom Cruise pop-up channel.  

What type of movies will I find on each of the M-Net Movie channels?

Why do I still pay the same for fewer channels?

We are continuously reviewing our content line-up and channel selection to improve our entertainment offering to our customers, as well as ensuring customers get the best value with a wide variety of content on offer.  We’ve integrated genres and sub-genres which will make navigation more user-friendly further enhancing the customer’s viewing experience.  We are confident that our valued subscribers will continue to find content that is compelling and entertaining in our new restructured channels. 

Does this mean that there will be no more repeats on DStv?

No. This channel reshuffle will only reduce the duplication of content across channels with similar genres. Unfortunately, not everyone has the freedom to watch what they want, when they want to. Each of our subscribers leads a busy life – some work during the day while others work at night, and others are just too busy to watch their favourite show when it goes on air. That’s one of the reasons why we give our customers more than one chance to watch what they want. The number of repeats vary from channel to channel based on our viewers’ needs. These channels offer the latest shows and movies, sometimes even at the same time as the US (as with our Express from the US service). Our DStv Premium customers see the latest shows, first.

All channels, especially movie channels, need to offer a mix of new and repeat content. Hollywood makes about 600 movies every year – that’s roughly 1 200 hours of movies. A single movie channel needs 8 760 hours to fill up the schedule every day for a year. It is for this reason that you see a mix of brand-new movies and old favourites on our movie channels.

I need to do anything to get access to these revamped channels?

Yes, customers are required to rescan/reboot their decoders on 01 September 2020 after 12:00 CAT to allow for changes to come to an effect.

What will happen to my PVR recordings after the channels are no longer available?

Any recordings of shows from these M-Net movie channels will remain on your PVR until you delete them, so they will still be available for you to watch.

Will I get a discount on my subscription?

No, subscribers will not receive a discount. MultiChoice does not adjust its price every time a channel is added or removed from the DStv packages.