M-Net reaches 40 years, solidifying its status as an elder millennial. Let’s explore the highlights, the low points, and Open Time, along with what lies ahead.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary today, M-Net has officially entered elder millennial territory: it recalls a time before on-demand entertainment while still embracing the digital world.
Launched on 26 October 1986, this significant occasion coincides perfectly with the premiere of Hit Point, a stylish new crime drama, on DStv channel 101.
Reflecting on the influence of local talent showcased on its platform, M-Net remarked that if you ask a South African of a certain age to complete the names Shaleen, Ashley, Trevor, Brümilda, Heinz, or Nico, responses like “Surtie-Richards,” “Hayden,” “Noah,” “van Rensburg,” “Winckler,” and “Panagio” are likely to follow.
This prompted the team at The Citizen to revisit the channel’s triumphant moments, its awkward stages, and what’s still ahead.
The inception in 1986
M-Net originated as a project supported by the press. A consortium of newspaper organizations, led by Naspers, secured the license in 1985, under strict stipulations: no news coverage, no political content, and no advertisements. When it first broadcast on 26 October 1986, it marked South Africa’s inaugural private subscription television service and the first of its kind on the continent.
The channel started modestly, offering 12 hours of daily programming with a main staff of just 25 individuals. A crucial element of its success was “Open Time,” an unscrambled segment that allowed non-subscribers to sample it—and, importantly, become engaged. Additionally, there was the uninterrupted Sunday evening film slot, always introduced with the Carte Blanche theme.
“Witnessing the transformation from a small channel broadcasting 12 hours a day with a limited team to a dominant player that has set the benchmark in pay-TV broadcasting is extraordinary,” remarks Waldimar Pelser, director of premium channels at MultiChoice, a Canal+ entity.
The golden era
In 1988, Carte Blanche catapulted Derek Watts and Ruda Landman into the ranks of respected and formidable journalists nationwide. 1992 saw the introduction of Egoli: Place of Gold as South Africa’s first daily soap opera, which continued until 31 March 2010, and in December 1999, it became the first local program of any type to achieve 2,000 episodes.
The early 2000s marked a surge in reality television. Big Brother South Africa made its debut in 2001, soon followed by Idols South Africa in 2002, giving rise to standout performers and countless discussions among viewers across 19 seasons until 2023. Furthermore, a rebranding occurred in 2001, introducing a new logo and the tagline “We Call it Magic”.
On the international front, a vast array of imports made their way to M-Net, including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Malcolm in the Middle, Friends, ER, Lost, True Detective, and the NCIS franchise, alongside a long-standing association with the Taylor Sheridanverse.
Ashley Hayden, a former continuity presenter, stated it was “a remarkable time to have joined M-Net at the start of the station’s journey and to observe how one pay-TV channel evolved into a streaming powerhouse”. Actress Brümilda van Rensburg expressed that Egoli “was part of the foundation of an incredible journey”.
The uncertain times
Reaching 40 means M-Net, like many, has its share of less than stellar decisions.
The channel faced challenges early on, reporting a deficit of R37 million after its first year. An initial plan for a news channel was abandoned in 1991 in favor of focusing on local productions.
“Open Time,” the insightful slot that captured the interest of a generation (and familiarized some with shows like Angel’s Song) was withdrawn from terrestrial broadcasts as of 1 April 2007, following a regulatory ruling in 2005.
A significant lineup transformation in 2011 resulted in the removal of Afrikaans content and sports from the satellite feed, alongside the discontinuation of the children’s channel K-TV.
MultiChoice, M-Net’s parent company, acknowledged a breach of the Competition Act in 2017, agreeing to a R22 million fine.
The announcement in February 2023 that Idols SA would make its “final bow” drew mixed reactions. Some viewers believed the show’s time had passed, pointing to winners who faded from the spotlight post-finale and declining ratings. The trend of contraction persisted with discontinuations of M-Net +1 in 2021, and the closures of M-Net City and VUZU that same year.
The oversight of M-Net has also shifted. Following Canal+ acquiring MultiChoice, Showmax ceased operations on 30 April 2026, transferring Showmax Originals to DStv Stream and certain titles to M-Net’s traditional channels.
Maturing and digitizing
M-Net quickly expanded beyond Gauteng. Broadcasting commenced in Lagos in early 1994, extending to Uganda, Namibia, and Lesotho by 1995. The digital satellite service DStv launched in October 1995, followed by kykNET in 1999, and the inaugural Africa Magic channel debuted in 2003.
The analogue terrestrial signal was eventually terminated on 31 March 2018.
Currently, M-Net is a component of the updated DStv Movies & Series package, available for R500 to both streaming-only and decoder-based subscribers, which MultiChoice claims allows the channel to reach more DStv subscribers than ever before.
Looking ahead
As a birthday gift, M-Net presents Hit Point, a six-episode crime thriller from BAFTA-awarded creator Howard Overman, famed for Misfits. It debuts on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Monday, October 26 at 8 pm CAT, airing weekly until 30 November. This series blends the intensity of a heist thriller with elements of police procedural, dark comedy, and romance.
The storyline follows Detective Bella (Saffron Hocking) and her partner Leo (Nick Blood) as they search for loot taken from a French drug lord, with the twist being Leo is in love with Bella and is also the perpetrator of the crime they investigate. The ensemble cast features Peter Serafinowicz, Nadia Parkes, William Abadie, and Brendan Coyle. Overman has indicated it leans more towards a thriller than a traditional cop series.
Additionally, there’s A conversation with Kgalema Motlanthe, a 70-minute documentary special hosted by Khaya Sithole set for broadcast on Wednesday, October 28 at 9 pm.
This documentary features the former president reflecting on the seven months he spent as South Africa’s third democratically elected president, from 2008 to 2009, alongside his journey from Alexandra to Robben Island and the Union Buildings.
“Khaya Sithole is the perfect host for this journey, as he brings intellectual depth, inquisitiveness, and a profound grasp of South Africa’s political scene,” Pelser states.
Furthermore, M-Net is collaborating with Quizzical Pictures, the force behind Reyka and White Lies, on a new co-production series, with more information forthcoming. According to Pelser, M-Net aims to “continue bringing the ‘Magic’ to an ever-growing audience.” At 40, the channel appears to be just beginning its adventure.
