As a result of this growth, and part of its annual content review, OpenView HD has announced some changes to the offering available on the popular free digital satellite TV platform. The changes will see four channels – ASTV, Spirit Word, Wild TV Africa and Ekurhuleni TV – no longer being available on the platform. These channels will start to go off air at the  end September through to mid-October.

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the Platform’s Channel and Acquisitions Executive, says that the departing channels played a significant and integral role in getting the platform to where it is today, but that the company’s overall audience and business imperatives require constant reassessment of the channel offering.  “The decision to terminate the 4 channels’ contracts came after careful consideration of their performance and the overall OpenView HD strategy going forward.” she says.

Addressing concerns about the availability of OpenView HD decoders, Managing Director, Patrick Conroy, says this was a problem in the past but is being addressed. “Our retail partner, Game, has pumped tens of thousands of boxes into the market with a further 70 000 decoders destined to be in stores next month,” he says. Conroy adds “Two additional retailers will also be stocking OpenView HD decoders over the festive period, to cope with the high demand we are experiencing”.

OpenView HD says it will shortly be announcing a new channel launch in October to coincide with its 3^rd birthday.

TRACE Sport Stars is the first global entertainment channel dedicated to sports celebrities. The channel brings a great variety of content where sport meets glamour. Viewers will see their favourite sport stars sharing and revealing their real lives during detailed and exciting interviews.

“TRACE Sport Stars will take a unique view on sport stars, giving our viewers access to content that is not currently available on the OpenView HD offering”, Said Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Channel Acquisitions Executive at Platco Digital.

Over the past few months, the platform has grown significantly and will soon hit another milestone of reaching half a million decoder sales, Mngomezulu added.

TRACE Sport Stars provides an intimate and in-depth understanding of the much loved international champions, their passions, commitments and their secrets 24/7. The channel will also delve into the lives of prominent sport legends who have made a significant difference in the history of sport.

“We are delighted about the new partnership with OpenView HD. Viewers will get the opportunity to know the real stories behind the sport stars they admire”, said, Leo Manne TRACE Senior Vice President Southern Africa.

Talented media personalities and presenters from the local and international entertainment industry will host different shows on TRACE Sport Stars. Popular London blogger Craig Mitch, together with the up and coming presenter Maya Jama and sports presenter Layla Anna-Lee, will host the show Star Rated. Star Rated takes the biggest stars in the world of sport and rates them to find out who’s at the top of their game. Who’s the coolest male sport star? Which footballer holds the craziest parties? Who will be crowned the sexiest WAG of all time?

Exceptional personal trainer and TV presenter Lisa Raleigh, and South African male model, actor and television presenter Maps Maponyane present an insight into the world of World Cups in the 101 World Cups and 101 Exercises To Do Before You Die.

The Ultimate Sport Survival Guide is presented by the witty TRACE Sport Star presenter Will Best. The show uses hilarious home video clips to show the funny perils that await exercise enthusiasts. It provides useless tips on how to avoid injuries such as don’t ever stand directly behind someone holding a golf club.

Catch all the latest updates and interviews on TRACE Sports Stars (channel 154), on OpenView HD.

Above Ground is a South African Hip Hop television show that takes the viewer through an enthralling journey by unpacking the social significance and evolution of Hip Hop in Mzansi. The documentary styled series connects both the front and the back end of local Hip Hop culture, showcasing various elements of Hip Hop such as dance, crews, ciphers, battles, graffiti, beat makers, DJs, fashion, social commentary and entrepreneurs.

The 13 part docu-reality series will be presented by the Hip Hop sensation Ndabaningi “Zubz” Mabuye.  Zubz is an acclaimed South African rapper and lyricist who has been in the entertainment industry for 15 years. He started his first rhymes at the age of twelve and is rated as Africa’s Hip Hop ambassador.

“In the journey to diversify our youth programming, we are excited to introduce a brand new show that showcases and elevates the Hip Hop culture in South Africa. Local Hip Hop has come of age, it continues to give youth a means to express themselves in a powerful manner and its major cultural influence in undeniable. Above Ground captures untold stories behind our rich Hip Hop culture in a format that has never been done before.,” said Monde Twala, Managing Director at e.tv.

“I’m excited to be part of the movement that showcases the true journey of South African Hip Hop, where it began and where it’s going. Viewers will get a VIP pass to the talented artists what have made waves in the local scene” said Zubz.

Each episode will feature different artists who will take the viewers on a journey to understand the history of Hip Hop culture. Baloji Youssoupha will share his thoughts on Hip Hop in Africa. Shameema Williams will share her views about the “Social Ills” of woman in Hip Hop. Siyabonga “Slikour” Metane will discuss the Social impact of Hip Hop and how some of African Hip Hop artist use the platform. Khulu Chana delves deeper into the influence of Hip Hop collaborations while Proverb talks about  the importance of unity in the industry.

About Zubz

After graduating from varsity he won a major battle at legendary club 206 and graced the stage alongside Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Black Thought and Jeru da Damaja at Black August. His grooming as an award worthy artist started with his highly acclaimed first album/mix tape,Last Letta. He has gone on to pen three albums Listener’s Digest (2004), HeadphoneMusic in a Parallel Universe (2006) and the 2009 release Cochlea: One Last Letta. Throughout this he’s stuck to his definition of Hip Hop: True, Lyrical, Brave and wholly Zubz.

Catch the first episode of Abouve Ground on eKasi+, channel 105 on the 27^th of October 2015 only available on OpenView HD.

“We are delighted to introduce the three radio stations as part of our offering. We hope to enhance the listeners experience by providing them with excellent digital audio quality from their favourite radio stations”, said Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Channel Acquisitions at Platco Digital.

Gagasi FM, Heart FM and OFM, are leaders in their respective provinces and play significant roles in providing their listeners with hit music shows, talk shows and current affairs show. Gagasi FM is the number one commercial radio station in KwaZulu Natal with a strong urban black youth following. Heart FM prides itself as the Western Cape’s top all-round entertainer in touch with the values of Capetonians.

Catering to an English and Afrikaans audience across the Free State, North West Province, Northern Cape and the south of Gauteng, OFM is the largest independent radio station in South Africa. It plays a mix of old and new classic hits while providing content that is engaging and entertaining.

“Our viewers will be spoiled for choice with radio content from the three provinces. They now have the opportunity to easily access Mzansi’s best and loved radio shows which have a strong local identity. The platform will further boost the reach of the stations, from regional to national influence,” added Mngomezulu.

In addition to the new radio stations, LM radio will is also back on the platform. The station was awarded a licence to broadcast in Gauteng in 2014 after it was established in 2009. It plays classic jazz and funk from the 1960s down to the nostalgic sound of modern day artists, dance hits from the 70s and pop from the 80s. The tone and selection of the music is intimate and reminiscent. Its Radio genre is described as Nostalgic Adult Contemporary and Golden Oldie.

The radio stations will be available on the following channel:

LM Radio: Channel 602
Gagasi FM: Channel number 603
OFM: Channel number 604
Heart FM: Channel number 605

About the radio station:

Gagasi FM is the number one commercial radio station in KwaZulu Natal to reach the black urban and peri-urban black youth. The station harnesses a strong local identity and embraces KZN’s urban and peri-urban black youth market by boradcasting in Zunglish – a combination of English and isiZulu.

One of the Western Cape’s top commercial radio stations, Heart FM is a thought leader, trusted member of the community, and all-round entertainer in touch with the values Capetonians hold close to their hearts. The station enjoys a fiercely loyal and highly interactive relationship with its well over 600 000 strong fan base, which has a core listenership of LSM 6-10 and ages 35-45. Heart FM is well known for its music line-up which includes a mix of old and new that inspires and energises. It also hosts a number of exciting signature events: Mommy & Me; HeartBeats4Youth and Women At Heart.

OFM started broadcasting on the 1st of July 1985. Since then the station has established itself as the media power house of central South Africa. Today the station broadcasts in English and Afrikaans across four provinces – Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Southern Gauteng. The station boasts with more than half a million listeners in the LSM 7 – 10, age 25 – 49 target audience. Our listeners are innovators; enjoy leisure activities, sport and the outdoors.

About OpenView HD
OpenView HD is the only free digital satellite platform in South Africa, powered by e.tv, which brings you a wonderful new world of entertainment – 19 new TV channels in digital quality. The decoder is available from all leading retailers from as little as R399 (excludes dish/installation).