DStv customers in South Africa are about to see an exciting new addition to their channel offerings, as Canal+ is set to debut a drama-centric television channel beginning 1 July 2026.
The channel, named Novelas+, will be accessible to viewers subscribed to DStv Access, Family, Compact, Compact Plus, and Premium packages, delivering a blend of international telenovelas and dramatic series to households across the nation.
This launch is part of Canal+’s larger initiative to broaden its content availability throughout Africa and comes as the company works to enhance its partnership with MultiChoice, which operates DStv.
One of Canal+’s most favored channels
As per Canal+, Novelas+ has quickly turned into the top-rated channel in French-speaking Africa based on audience numbers.
The network is confident that there is a strong interest in this format from English-speaking audiences, particularly in light of the lasting appeal of telenovelas throughout the continent.
Starting in July, viewers in South Africa will have the opportunity to enjoy an English-language version of the channel, showcasing dramas from Latin America, the United States, Portugal, and Turkey.
Additionally, Canal+ intends to introduce a Portuguese-language variant of the channel for audiences in Angola and Mozambique.
Turkish dramas and popular Telenovela series
Nomsa Philiso, Canal+’s director for content and general entertainment targeting English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, stated that the channel has been developed to meet Africa’s strong demand for dramatic content.
“We’re bringing all the passionate flavours of global dramas to their screens, with new episodes every day,” she mentioned.
Philiso noted that Turkish dramas, in particular, have emerged as a global sensation and will be included in the channel’s lineup.
Turkish series have seen remarkable growth recently, capturing audiences well beyond their domestic market and particularly resonating in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.
What viewers can look forward to
As stated by MultiChoice, Novelas+ is set to feature a specially curated lineup of both exclusive and popular telenovelas.
The network intends to showcase four different series each weekday, with new episodes available from Monday to Friday.
This approach reflects the classic telenovela format that has cultivated dedicated audiences globally, where viewers tune in daily to stay engaged with ongoing plotlines.
By providing multiple series at the same time, the channel aims to attract a diverse audience, accommodating various preferences ranging from romance and family dramas to intense suspense narratives.
The debut of Novelas+ is the latest in a range of enhancements designed to boost value within DStv’s lower-tier packages.
Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo, mentioned that this new channel follows the recent launch of Base Pulse, a channel focused on music and cultural content, as well as SportyTV, a dedicated 24-hour sports programming channel.
“The launch of Novelas+ comes hot on the heels of music and culture-focused Base Pulse, and 24/7 sporting channel, SportyTV,” Ngwepe stated.
