´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels pledged its commitment to the African market today as plans were announced to launch a suite of ´óÏó´«Ã½-branded thematic channels into the region.
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The channels will be available via MultiChoice's DStv platform, Africa's leading television provider, from 1 September 2008*.
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The new thematic channels - ´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Knowledge, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Lifestyle and CBeebies - will replace and build on the success of existing channels ´óÏó´«Ã½ Food and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Prime, enabling viewers to access even more of the award-winning and high-quality programming from the ´óÏó´«Ã½.
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Darren Childs, Managing Director, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels, said: "Today's announcement builds on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide channel's long-term relationship with MultiChoice. In asking us to provide more channels for the platform is testimony to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ brand and the quality of our content."
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MultiChoice SA Group CEO Nolo Letele, said: "MultiChoice welcomes the additions of the four new ´óÏó´«Ã½ channels, we believe it will contribute to our ongoing commitment of ensuring our customers receive high quality channels from a variety of different genres."
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Dean Possenniskie, General Manager and SVP EMEA, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels, adds: "Africa has always been of great importance to us, and we are now making a significant investment as we launch four dedicated channel feeds for Africa.
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"This new deal with MultiChoice confirms our commitment to the territory, and allows us to deliver a greater range of contemporary, award-winning programming across all four channel genres to loyal ´óÏó´«Ã½ viewers in addition to attracting new ones."
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The new ´óÏó´«Ã½ channels:
´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment showcases the very best comedy, dramaÌýand light entertainment programming from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and other UK production houses.
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The channel launched first in Asia in October 2006, and most recently in Poland, to critical acclaim.
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The South Morning Post (Hong Kong) hailed the arrival of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment as "the TV success story of [2006]. Having changed its name from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Prime and concentrating on the best of British comedy and drama, this channel now boasts the most consistently watchable primetime line-up on Hong Kong screens, and offers a welcome alternative to the monopoly American shows."
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´óÏó´«Ã½ Entertainment will be on channel number 120 and will launch on 1 September.*
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´óÏó´«Ã½ LifestyleÌýis an inimitable destination offering inspiration for home, family and life. The channel dishes up six tasty strands to entertain engage and inspire viewers.Ìý
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Favourite African series, once on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Food, will now broadcast in the Food strand.Ìý Serving up the best food and cookery shows withÌýworld-famous chefs, it promisesÌýenticing gastronomic journeys around the world.
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The other Lifestyle strands include: Home & Design, offering expert advice and design knowledge to helpÌýviewers transformÌýhouses into perfect homes; Fashion & Style, bringing honest, practical advice and fashion tips from some ofÌýthe world's top style gurus; Health,Ìýhelping to improveÌýdiet and nutrition with expert advice;ÌýParenting, providing child psychologists and advisorsÌýto help with busy or stressfulÌýfamily life; Personal Development, helping enrich mental wellbeing and achieve inspiration in all aspects of life.
´óÏó´«Ã½ Lifestyle will be on channel number 180 and will launch on 2 September*.
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´óÏó´«Ã½ÌýKnowledge showcases the best of the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s award-winning factual and non-fiction entertainment programming, The channel provides five key strands enabling simple appointment viewing:Ìý The World delves and explores new culturesÌýaround the world; Science & Technology explores new frontiers, from space to motoring;ÌýPeople explores aspects of the human body and mind; The PastÌýbrings historical events, places and peopleÌýback to life; BusinessÌýoffersÌýadviceÌýon how to stay on topÌýof today’s challenging business world.
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´óÏó´«Ã½ Knowledge will be on channel number 251 and will launch on 3 September*.
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CBeebies is a pre-school channel for children aged six years and under with a programme schedule that has an emphasis on educational entertainment and supported by the core ´óÏó´«Ã½ values that make the channel trustworthy, reliable, informative and educational.
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CBeebies offers a mix of new and landmark, high-quality programmes to educate and entertain the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s youngest audiences. The service provides a range of pre-school programming designed to encourage learning through play in a consistently safe environment.
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CBeebies will be on channel number 306 and will launch on 4 September*.
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Louise Loffel
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Notes to editors:
´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide Channels is one of seven ´óÏó´«Ã½ Worldwide businesses.Ìý Formed in 2005, the business has 23 channel brands broadcasting to over 259 million homes around the globe.Ìý
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MultiChoice provides premium digital media entertainment, content and services to multiple devices which includes Pay TV subscriber services to over 1.5 million customers.
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Its dynamic technology platform and excellent bouquet of channels, built around compelling and premium movie and sports channels has resulted in the company building a significant television business across South Africa, broadcasting more than 80 video, over 40 audio and 28 radioÌý channels and more than 6 interactive channels, 24 hours a day on its DStv platform.
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MultiChoice also owns M-Net/ SuperSport which deliver premium thematic channels and exclusive content to the growing number of subscribers.
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MultiChoice's newest company DStv Mobile, is currently investigating and trialing technologies that will play a significant role in the transmission of the 2010 World Cup; namely DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast – Handheld).
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A mobile broadcast technology that allows for the digital terrestrial broadcast of live television channels to a mobile phone.
MultiChoice is one of the outstanding examples of a pioneering South African company, owned by Naspers, an international player providing entertainment, technology and e-commerce services.
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MultiChoice's involvement in South Africa goes beyond its core business. Through its corporate social investment, the company actively participates in social transformation and through technology, enables individuals and communities to help themselves ultimately leading to growth of the economy of the country.
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