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Chelsea defender Gary Cahill believes Arsenal can mount a strong challenge for the English Premier League title after lifting the Community Shield on Sunday

Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Television viewing is set to heat up what with the new season both on screen and with winter bowing out and ushering in a new season altogether. While winter was ideal for TV viewing in that people would cuddle up and be cosy in their rugs in front of the screen while gripping mugs of coffee or tea close to their chests, this time around the incoming season offers a completely new feeling and experience to television viewing since the weather will be somehow balmy, in the event that it is not as windy as in the previous years, of course.

One good thing is the fact that this change in weather also marks a change in the television viewing and one boon is the start of the sports season on television and to those of us who are die-hard sports lovers whose adrenaline rises with merely watching someone kicking the ball high into the sky and the goalie diving the other way in a way that will leave the most agile of panthers green with envy, this marks a special time especially for family viewing.

While it is always exciting to view sports games with the boys at your local watering hole, this season, however, calls for one to be with their families at home and make the most of quality family time viewership.

It is hoped that all those views and opinions that viewers often offer shall be put to good use in terms of revamping our local programming and this is the best that we are hoping for.

Talking of new things happening on local TV, the new soap, “‘Wenera”, is proving to be a hit with television buffs, especially in the refreshing way that it was done and is offering a novel dimension to what we had become used to on our screens.

The soap graced our television screens in mid-July but to date, it has won the hearts of many who are commending how our local productions are going places in terms of quality, good scripting, sound, costume, make-up, storylines and of course, the action.

Directed and produced by Eddie Ndhlovu, the soap boasts a high-octane cast that comprises veterans of the screen like Eddie Sandifolo (Chabvonga in Tiriparwendo), Denzel Burutsa (Jabulani in Studio 263), Fatima Makunganya, Isabel Dongo and Arnold Gara (musician) .

To those who still recall what Ndlovu said at the introduction of the soap, “Wenera” is indeed proving how we are moving in the positive direction towards quality programming and productions in Zimbabwe.

“This is a positive step towards reviving our television,” said the director and producer in a previous interview. To those not in the know, a synopsis of the soap will be handy here.

“It (Wenera) is about activities that happen in the business world. Wenera Diamonds is the Musodza family’s empire. Their company is one of the fastest growing organisations in Zimbabwe. The show explores this family’s unique relationships and their approach to business. This is where all the drama lies.”

And if the truth should be said, “Wenera” was crafted in a way that matches other international and regional productions like “Generations” and “Muvhango” from South Africa while taking viewers down memory lane to the days of the likes of “Melrose Place”, “Falcon Crest” and “Neighbours”.

However, I feel my sports bug keeps on gnawing me to dwell much on the subject of the game and it is with this in mind that I have seen it fit to refer to what is also taking place on DStv, where it is football unmatched on the sports channels.

Over 900 live matches will kick off on Supersport this football season.

The 2015-16 football season is upon us and Supersport is gearing up to bring an unforgettable and unmatched football season to fans across the continent.

DStv subscribers are in for a bumper football season on The World of Champions as Barcelona prime themselves for another wave of world domination, while Manchester United get ready to reclaim their throne as the kings of England and Jose Mourinho aims for top-dog status for Chelsea.

Meanwhile, in the rest of Europe, it will be Spain’s top priority to go three on the trot at Euro 2016. Supersport viewers will be treated to front-row seats of all the action, including the English Premier League and Championship, Spanish La Liga, UEFA Champions and Europa League, FIFA international friendlies and Club World Cup, German Cup, Copa Del Rey, the FA Cup and more. Throughout the season, the World of Champions will showcase over 900 live international matches, an offering unmatched anywhere on the continent.

DStv Compact Plus subscribers will get to enjoy over 450 selected live matches while DStv Premium subscribers will be rewarded with all live matches across all the Supersport channels. From this season onwards, the drama of the English Premier League will unfold on Supersport 5 (SS5) which will now be available on DStv channel 225 (previously on channel 205) from August 6 2015 on the Premium bouquet and will also be available in SD/HD. SS5 will now become Africa’s new 24-hour home of the EPL with up to three live matches on any given Saturday and Sunday.

Complementing the live football is a variety of informative magazine shows and live programming which include PLTV Kick Off, Match Day Live, Fan Zone, Saturday/Sunday Review, Football Today, Classic Matches, Netbusters and Match of the Week. The flair of La Liga will light up Supersport 3 (SS3), which is the home for all European and international football.

SS3 on DStv channel 223 will be available in SD/HD from August 6 2015.

All DStv subscribers will have access to interactive services such as SuperSport Blitz (Channel 200) which is home to the latest sports news, broadcast details, score updates and results.