Mzansi Magic is a South African

digital satellite Satellite television is a service that delivers television programming to viewers by relaying it from a communications satellite orbiting the Earth directly to the viewer's location. The signals are received via an outdoor parabolic antenna commo ...

and

general entertainment Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and delight. It can be an idea or a task, but is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have developed over thousand ...

channel created by

Multichoice MultiChoice is a South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa and GOtv, a minor service operating in over 9 countries of this area and Showmax service. MultiChoice was formed out of the sub ...

and run by

M-Net M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...

's local interest division, and is broadcast on

DStv Digital Satellite Television, commonly abbreviated to DStv, is a Sub-Saharan African direct broadcast satellite service owned by MultiChoice and based in Randburg, South Africa. Launched on 6 October 1995, the service provides multiple audio, ...

History

The channel launched in mid-July 2010 on channel 107 as M-Net's platform to boost local production and showcase entertainment in South Africa. Through the channels development, M-Net would engage with local producers, partnering with South African filmmakers to create gripping content with universal appeal while empowering new and upcoming talent and ensuring that key skills are transferred to the industry. The channel launched with a six-hour programming block with a mix original local series and international movies. It was headed by film veteran Lebone Maema. The channel began broadcasting in HD on the 24th July 2015.

Programming

Mzansi Magic primarily focuses on original local productions and feature films from South Africa, with a few additions of international content.

Soapies, Dramas and Telenovelas

The channel carries original drama series and telenovelas. Titles include

The Queen In the English-speaking world, The Queen most commonly refers to: * Elizabeth II (1926–2022), Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death The Queen may also refer to: * Camilla, Queen Consort (born 1947), ...

, Gomora,

Isibaya ''Isibaya'' was a South African daily drama series that started production in 2013, premiering on Mzansi Magic and created by Angus Gibson, Desiree Markgraaff, Teboho Mahlatsi, Catherine Stewart and Benedict Carton. Siyabonga Thwala leads the mal ...

,Umbuso , Housekeepers and DiepCity. The channel also carries drama series from its sister channels and co-productions from

Showmax Showmax is an online subscription video on demand (SVOD) service which launched in South Africa on 19 August 2015. Showmax uses a localisation strategy to take on established video on demand competitors with a focus on local content and partner ...

Jacob's Cross Jacob's Cross is an African prime time drama series that premiered on M-Net in January 2007 and ended its 8 series run in 2013. Produced in South Africa, the show initially aired on M-net series but was later repurposed as a drama for M-Net's Afri ...

Diep City ''Deep'' ( nl, Diep) is a 2005 Dutch drama film about the 14-year-old girl Heleen (played by 15-year-old Melody Klaver). Many scenes are in extreme close-up. Plot Heleen practises tongue kissing first on her arm, then on another girl who is ...

, The River ,

Grassroots A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at t ...

and Trackers.

Reality, Talk and Magazine

The channel has a strong focus on highly popular reality series, most notably Date My Family, Our Perfect Wedding, Mnakwethu,

Idols South Africa ''Idols'' is a television show on the South African television network Mzansi Magic, and previously on M-Net, based on the popular British show ''Pop Idol''. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa. The general ...

, Living The Dream with Somizi and Being Bonang amongst others. It also includes international talk shows like The Talk and The Doctors.

Sports

The carries some content which is simulcasted with SuperSport. This includes highlights of

WWE Raw ''WWE Raw'', also known as ''Monday Night Raw'' or simply ''Raw'', is an American professional wrestling television show, television program produced by WWE that currently airs live every Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time Zone, ET on the USA Networ ...

and

SmackDown ''WWE SmackDown'', also known as ''Friday Night SmackDown'' or simply ''SmackDown'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that as of currently airs live every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Fox Deportes simulc ...

, as well as the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search.

Music

The channel has music specials and interviews with local artists.

Movies

Initially, the channel carried several international movie titles and as time went on it worked with new upcoming producers and veterans in the industry. The channel has come to categories these made-for-TV movie titles as 'Lokshin Bioskop' and proved to be popular amongst DStv subscribers.

References

Satellite television Television stations in South Africa 2010 establishments in South Africa Mass media companies established in 2010 Television channels and stations established in 2010 {{Africa-tv-station-stub