M-Net

M-Net (originally an abbreviation for Electronic Media Network) is a subscription-funded television channel in South Africa, established in 1986 by a consortium of newspaper companies.

Similar to Canal Plus in France, the channel offers a mix of general entertainment, children's programmes, sports and movies, most of which are acquired from overseas but some are also locally produced. While the TV signal is generally encrypted, M-Net shows some programmes 'free to air' in its "Open Time" slot between 5 PM and 7 PM.

In the early 1990s, M-Net added a second channel, and also began broadcasting via satellite to the rest of Africa, under the brand name MultiChoice .

With the introduction of MultiChoice's multi-channel digital satellite TV service, DStv , in 1995, several different channels have been created to complement the original M-Net terrestrial channel: SuperSport; Movie Magic; the Series Channel (dramas and soap operas); KTV (for children); Channel O (a music channel) and KykNet, for Afrikaans speakers. Other European channels are offered either rebranded (such as MTV) or unchanged (such as VH1 and the Travel Channel) for an African audience.

External Link

• M-Net website