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It’s a new week and as usual, yours truly presents the latest updates on the small screen. With so much brilliant stuff coming on the telly, there is stiff competition for viewership and no room for mediocre programming.
Zimbabweans will in the not so distant future have more television stations and the excitement is on what sort of content will be aired on the stations.
A repeat of what’s been airing on national broadcasters is a NO for most viewers who have been exposed to pay television services from companies like MultiChoice Africa Limited which were established since the 1980s.

Naturally, expectations are high on what new things the upcoming television stations will offer to viewers.
M-Net continues to churn out new programmes almost on a monthly basis.

I’m told that M-Net has acquired the rights to screen the new television series “Extant” starring Oscar Award Winner Halle Berry. “Extant” will be on the M-Net 101 schedule from tomorrow (Wednesday), July 23 at 21:30 CAT.

In this mystery thriller, Berry plays the role of a female astronaut who is trying to reconnect with her family when she returns after a year in outer space.
Her experiences in space lead to events that will ultimately change the course of human history.

With “Extant” moving into the 21:30 CAT slot, all of the series mentioned below will follow an hour later than originally advertised:
CSI 14 new episode at 22:30
RAY DONOVAN 2 repeat episode at 23:30

“Extant” repeats can be viewed on Thursdays at 15:15 and Sundays at 16:00 CAT.

Elsewhere, DStv launched an exciting new Lifetime channel.

Courtesy of Africa’s pioneering pay TV provider MultiChoice Africa and A+E Networks®, the new exciting female entertainment channel on DStv channel 131 is called Lifetime®.

The sensational new channel will be available to all DStv Premium subscribers from today.
With an emphasis on fresh and uplifting content, “Lifetime” will engage and inspire viewers with a winning formula of quality scripted dramas, Lifetime Original Movies and factual entertainment shows.

Liz Dziva, public relations and publicity manager for MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said: “The launch of Lifetime is very exciting and with a schedule packed with powerful stories, passionate people and addictive entertainment, we are confident that Lifetime will appeal to Zimbabweans.”

The launch expands the female-focused content portfolio on DStv, delivering an entertainment brand to sit alongside channels TLC Entertainment, Style Network, BBC Lifestyle.

MultiChoice Africa chief executive Nico Meyer said: “We are always striving to build a balanced, innovative and exciting home television offering for our subscribers.
“As a business we constantly research local as well as international television channels and shows with a view to further improving and enhancing our offering.

“So we are delighted to be welcoming another entertainment channel on to our DStv platform which we believe will offer even more great family entertainment.”
Here are some of the exciting programmes DStv viewers can look forward to on Lifetime TV:

“A Day Late and a Dollar Short” is a brand new and exclusive Lifetime Original Movie, premiering on 22 July at 8pm. Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ving Rhames, it tells the story of a feisty matriarch, Viola Price. When Viola learns that her next asthma attack will likely kill her, she is determined to fix her fractured family before she leaves this world.

Premiering on the 27 July at 20:00, “Flowers in the Attic” is another Lifetime Original Movie based on V. C. Andrews’ controversial, cult classic book.
It is the twisted tale of four siblings who, after their father’s unexpected death, are convinced by their mother to hide in the attic of their grandparents’ mansion so she can reclaim the family fortune.

“Dance Moms” is one of the key factual entertainment shows available on Lifetime Africa.
“It follows talented children’s early steps on the road to stardom, along with the determined mothers who will stop at nothing to help them reach the very top.
“The show immerses itself in the highs and lows surrounding the dance competition season and the cast’s intense pursuit of National Dance titles.

“Dance Moms” premieres on the 22 July at 19:10 .

Until next week remember this is television and its real.

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