
DStv launches new channel to combat load shedding disruptionsMultiChoice has announced the launch of a new channel called DStv SWITCH'D ON to help combat the load shedding crisis.
by Garrin Lambley
24-01-2023 09:08
in Entertainment
MultiChoice has announced the launch of a new channel called DStv SWITCH'D ON to help combat the load shedding crisis. Image via Multichoice
South African broadcasters are having to get creative in response to the ongoing load shedding in Mzansi.
--
The latest initiative announced by MultiChoice is the launch of pop-up channels dedicated to repeating popular content that viewers may have missed while sitting in the dark.
PICTURES | GUPTA FAMILY MANSION IN CONSTANTIA UP FOR SALE FOR R20 MILLION
MultiChoice has launched such a channel on DStv called SWITCH'D ON, while Openview has launched Power-UP!.
--
According to BusinessTech, MultiChoice said that the channel is an intervention to lessen the frustration of DStv viewers due to the impact of the ongoing load shedding, which reduces their opportunity to consistently watch prime-time television .
This intervention will give viewers up to five times to watch their favourite primetime shows when the lights come back on, it said.
WARNING | INTEREST RATE HIKE ON ITS WAY THIS WEEK
--
DStv SWITCH'D ON will operate on channels 109 and 110, starting TODAY, Tuesday, 24 January 2023.
The two new pop-up channels will air selected prime-time content from Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu and Kyknet & Kie.
ALSO READ | WHEN IS THE NEXT PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN SOUTH AFRICA?
According to BizCommunity, some of the shows that will be airing include The River, DiepCity, Gqerberha the Empire, Gomora and Arendsvlei, which will repeat multiple times over a 24-hour period.
DStv subscribers can continue to watch MultiChoice added that DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers will continue to be able to view their favourite content through Catch-up and on the DStv app as well.
PICTURES | SOUTH AFRICA'S 7 MOST WANTED CRIMINALS
The move from MultiChoice follows a similar anti-load shedding' channel announced by Openview, which launched on Monday this week.
Openview's channel, called Power-UP!, offers 18 hours of catch-up content. It operates on channel 114, showing prime-time shows like Durban Gen, House of Zwide, Scandal! and Imbewu.
Shows repeat from Monday to Friday, running in two-hour loops from 06:00 to 00:00.
MUST READ | SOUTH AFRICA TO GET TWO EXTRA' PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN 2023
SOAPIE QUIZ: How well do you know Skeem Saam'? WIN R1 000 in cash! ENTER NOW!
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
05/10/2026
Eutelsat has announced that Airbus Defence and Space has completed the first 32 new OneWeb Low Earth Orbit satellites at its facility in Toulouse, France. The s...
05/10/2026
Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has appointed Andrew Demaria as its first Chief Content Officer, effective October 6.
Demaria joins from a career spanning more th...
05/10/2026
SMPTE will host SMPTE Bootcamp: Precision Timing for ST 2110 on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 9:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 3D03 at the Javits Center durin...
05/10/2026
Nexstar Media Group and DAZN have announced a partnership to simulcast 15 regular season Indiana Pacers games on Nexstar television stations and free on DAZN si...
05/10/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and repo...
05/10/2026
Telos Alliance has announced that Zephyr Connect SE, a new hardware codec, is now shipping. The unit joins the Telos iPort High Density multi-codec gateway and ...
05/10/2026
Sofascore and the NHL have announced a multiyear global partnership that will bring new NHL statistics and analytics tools to Sofascore's platform beginning...
05/10/2026
The New Orleans Pelicans have announced broadcast coverage for the 2026-27 season. Gray Media and the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network (GCSEN) will c...
05/10/2026
As sports broadcasters look for new ways to make live action more immersive, ins...
05/10/2026
New multi-pattern LDC revealed
Austrian Audio have announced the upcoming launch of a new multi-pattern large-diaphragm capacitor mic that occupies the midd...
05/10/2026
Software gains Tonex Board rig support
When IK Multimedia launched the Tonex Board, they mentioned that it would soon be followed by a significant update to...
05/10/2026
Offers a modern take on classic chorus effects
fedDSP's latest creation has been designed to offer a modern take on the classic chorus effect, combining...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/10/2026
URSA Cine 12K LF Captures Poste Italian's Anniversary Film
Brie Clayton October 4, 2026
0 Comments
Jacopo Mutti reveals the practical choices behi...
05/10/2026
Green Hippo Estuary Series MC1 and MC2 Media Controllers are Now Shipping
Brie Clayton October 4, 2026
0 Comments
Made for Shows that Don't Have T...
05/10/2026
Telos Alliance Announces Telos Zephyr Connect SE Is Now Available
Search
Cleveland, Ohio (October 5, 2026) - Telos Alliance , trusted global leader in br...
05/10/2026
RT will provide comprehensive coverage and analysis of Budget 2027 across online, radio and television on Tuesday 6 October, with extensive reporting and analy...
05/10/2026
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women - yet the gaps in care are wide. A majority of women over age 40 skip the recommended a...
04/10/2026
Dedicated streaming mic gets an overhaul
Following on from the success of their dedicated streaming microphone, the MV6, Shure have announced the launch of ...
03/10/2026
The broadcaster's capability as an internal production house continues with ...
03/10/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
03/10/2026
Olivia Colman stars in Wicker, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festi...
03/10/2026
Nielsen is evolving its cross-platform content measurement solutions to give every corner of the media industry studios, distributors, content creators, right...
03/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
03/10/2026
Bantaray Mobile Sports Production Delivers Niche Sports to Growing Audiences wit...
02/10/2026
Design reflects feedback on graphics introduced for MLB Red Sox and Pirates games
Boston Bruins games on NESN and Pittsburgh Penguins games on SportsNet Pittsb...
02/10/2026
NEP SS7/ST7 anchors Big Ten Saturday Night; nine Peacock games are produced from...
02/10/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
02/10/2026
GameTime Productions provided national broadcast production services for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) 2026 season, with coverage distributed ac...
02/10/2026
Audio-Technica has introduced the HP-HBM50x, a genuine replacement headband for the ATH-M50x professional studio monitor headphones. The HP-HBM50x is compatible...
02/10/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has helped audio professional Steve Schatz design and build Black Lava Studios, a 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering facility i...
02/10/2026
Cobalt Digital has received Best of Show awards from TV Tech and TVB Europe at IBC2026 for solutions from its PACIFIC compression line.
TV Tech recognized the ...
02/10/2026
ESPN and TMRW Sports have announced a multi-year extension of their U.S. media rights agreement for TGL presented by SoFi. The 2027 TGL season will open Sunday,...
02/10/2026
Devlin Design Group (DDG) and Clickspring Design (CSD) have announced a strategic alliance combining their design capabilities for broadcast, media, workplace, ...
02/10/2026
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has announced a partnership with CSMG (Collegiate Sports Management Group) making the firm the exclusive representativ...
02/10/2026
Mediaproxy will exhibit at NAB Show New York (Booth 561, Javits Center, October 21-22), demonstrating new AI capabilities in its LogServer compliance platform a...
02/10/2026
Mesh Broadcast Services has installed a Calrec Argo M console in the production area of its Eclipse 40-foot mobile unit, recently moved onto a 2025 Freightliner...
02/10/2026
Vizrt has announced that Richmond AFL has signed on to use Viz Libero Teams for coaching analysis and content creation. The platform provides 3D match analysis ...
02/10/2026
Oak View Group (OVG) has announced Cisco as an Official Technology Partner. Thro...
02/10/2026
Clear-Com has announced that the Audiovisual Training Centre in d , Poland, has installed an Arcadia Central Station as the communications hub for its broadca...
02/10/2026
A major figure in international football, three-time French champion and three-time Ligue 1 top scorer, Sonny Anderson will chair the SPORTEL Awards 2026 Jury. ...
02/10/2026
California-based Bantaray Mobile Sports Production has built its mobile producti...
02/10/2026
Overtime has announced a new strategic investment led by Eldridge Capital Management. Eldridge has investments across sports and media including the Los Angeles...