Is MultiChoice Looking To Replace KykNET Lekker And People’s Planet With ePlesier And eXplore?

Last month, news broke that Canal+’s MultiChoice was looking to add eMedia’s eXplore and ePlesier channels to DStv after test cards for the channels were spotted. The company had also been testing eReality and eSeries as potential new channels for the DStv platform.

ePlesier is a repeats spin-off channel from eExtra’s Kuiertyd, offering former shows that previously aired on the channel. This would include hit series such as Elif and Blink Kant Bo, alongside other titles like Roekeloos Dade, Die Vertroueling and Stiletto Vendetta.

eXplore is a factual channel featuring a mix of wildlife programming and true-crime documentaries. Its lineup would include shows such as *The Cheetah Diaries*, *The Great Penguin Rescue*, *All For Nothing: The Life And Death Of Bruno Bron* and *Planet Africa*.

With the possible addition of eXplore, one can’t help but wonder whether MultiChoice is considering adding some — or even most — of eMedia’s channels to other African countries. This is especially relevant now that they appear to be looking at these channels alongside eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra.

MultiChoice and M-Net axed KykNET Lekker a few months ago and replaced it with KykNET & Kie for DStv Starter customers. Since ePlesier is an Afrikaans channel, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them place it closer to Via on channel 148.

eExtra is currently licensed exclusively for viewers in South Africa, so ePlesier could potentially serve as a way to offer similar content in other African countries. Many DStv subscribers had expected KykNET & Kie to launch its own Turkish channel, but this could work as an alternative.

MultiChoice already offers Zee Zonke and Star Khanya for Zulu-dubbed Bollywood dramas, so in a way an Afrikaans-dubbed channel has been long overdue.

People’s Planet was removed from the Openview platform (and earlier from DStv). Since then, eMedia Investments has placed eXplore in its spot. It’s natural to wonder whether MultiChoice plans to allocate eXplore to channel 180 — the former People’s Planet channel number.

These are channels that feature a lot of local and repeat programming, so in many ways they seem like a natural fit for the DStv platform.