Multichoice, much like any forward-thinking company, continues to bring changes to its Pay-TV service, DStv. As a DStv subscriber, there are prominent changes you need to know about and that’s what we’ll be discussing in this article.
Every month and year we anticipate, new channels and the removal of some old ones, price changes, and service improvements (customer service, for example, although they still have work to do in that area).
The first quarter of 2023, has seen a few significant changes from Multichoice. There have been new features to aid performance and some other changes to channels line-up, naming, and a broad shake-up of TV shows which can be found in their TV guide.
We compared all the DStv packages in one article. Read the full comparison here.
New DStv channel to help with Load-shedding
One of the latest features from DStv is the introduction of the SWITCH’D ON channel for South Africans. SWITCH’D ON is a new DStv channel created to help make up for lost viewing time that occurs during ESKOM’s load-shedding.
For many years now, load-shedding has been a thorn in the flesh for individuals and businesses across South Africa. In recent times, residents of the “colorful nation” have seen blackouts lasting as much as 8 to 10 hours.
To help its subscribers cope with the frustration, seeing as they have refused to introduce a pay-as-you-go framework for its customer, Multichoice choice introduced the SWITCH’D ON channel.
SWITCH’D ON will repeat missed TV shows from top channels like 1Magic (channel 103), Mzansi Magic (channel 161), and Kyknet & Kie (channel 145) about 5 times after the lights come back on.
This will give customers multiple opportunities to see their favorite TV shows once load-shedding is completed by ESKOM.
What number is the SWITCH’D ON channel on DStv?
DStv is not using the conventional numbering for the SWITCH’D ON channel. It’s using a different number for top-tier packages like Compact and Premium, and a different number for smaller packages like Acces and Family.
On DStv Premium, Compact-plus and Compact, the channel number for SWITCH’D ON is 109. But on DStv Family and Access, the SWITCH’D ON channel is 110.
Sadly, the SWITCH’D ON is not available to DStv Easyview subscribers.
Boomerang is now Cartoonito Africa
Tell your kids and teenagers one of their favorite channels, Boomerang is about to get rebranded big time. Multichoice is rebranding and also renaming Boomerang to Cartoonito Africa.
Boomerang is a global television network that primarily airs animated programming for children. It is owned and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery U.S Networks, which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Source: Wikipedia.
In South Africa, Boomerang is available as a channel on DStv, a direct broadcast satellite service owned by Multichoice. DStv is the largest pay-TV provider in Africa, offering a wide range of channels to subscribers across the continent.
Boomerang was first launched as a standalone channel in the United States in 2000, and it quickly gained popularity among children and families. The channel then expanded globally, launching in various countries and regions around the world, including South Africa.
In 2015, Boomerang was rebranded and underwent a significant programming overhaul, with a focus on contemporary animated shows and reboots of classic cartoons.
As part of this rebranding, Boomerang (channel 302) was introduced as a new channel on DStv in South Africa.
Multichoice, which owns and operates DStv, has continued to expand its offering of children’s programming through partnerships with channels like Boomerang.
Today, Boomerang (now Cartoonito Africa on DStv) remains a popular channel in South Africa and across the continent, with a dedicated audience of children and families.
But it’s not just the naming for DStv customers, Multichoice has promised Cartoonito channel is coming to you with new and even more exciting and funny TV shows and animated programs.
What happened to Boomerang?
Boomerang (DStv channel 302) was rebranded in March 2023 by Multichoice and was given a new name, Cartoonito Africa. The channel number remains the same and this means Cartoonito Africa takes over channel 302 on DStv.
We’ll be updating our channels list to reflect the changes. PDF version of the channel lineups will be updated as well. If you still have old PDF files, you’ll want to download the new ones.
