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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka  T.V Column
One of the most important things about the recently held “Only The Best” MultiChoice Africa Content Extravaganza in Mauritius was to introduce new programming to viewers. It was sort of a guideline of what DStv viewers can look forward to in the coming few weeks.Often, my colleagues have been complaining about repeats on DStv bouquets and quite honestly, this was  the sort of thing MultiChoice Africa tried to address.

Yes, endless repeats especially movies are a bore but again, with so much in the offing it might be worthwhile to learn how to change the channels using your remote.

Movies are just a portion of other overwhelming programmes that you can find on DStv. A lot of people do not have time to find what other channels have to offer and hence they quickly switch to the movies to see if there is any film of interest.

That’s fair enough, but if you are patient you might come across something worthwhile watching. For the serious viewers History Channel is one of the channels you don’t want to miss.

Based on facts and real life stories, History channel is probably one of the most entertaining channels on DStv. Yours truly is a big fan of history since his days at high school.

History channel brings some interesting facts about history makers and it also takes you to people that were present at the time.

For instance, most people don’t know why Adolf Hitler shaved his moustache the way he did or the link between World War 1 and II. But on History channel these are some of the things that they talk about.

And coming to BBC, there is new stuff coming on the small screens. There a number of channels including BBC Knowledge, BBC Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle and Cbeebies BBC for children.

Out of interest yours truly spoke to “Strictly Come Dancing” star’s Robin Windsor and his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.

Kristina was born in Siberia where she fell in love with music and dance at a young age. She entered her first dance competition at seven years old. she took part in scores of competitions from then on and became a renowned dance champion in Russia.

As for Robin, one of the main reasons he joined “Strictly Come Dancing” was because it combined his two favourite things – performing and teaching.

Robin’s inaugural year on “Strictly” saw him team-up with Patsy Kensit (Emmerdale). His manner and technique helped Patsy’s confidence and the couple did well.

At 22, robin was cast in a major world-wide touring dance show. During his nine-year stint on the show, he got to travel all over the world and even found himself performing on Broadway and in the West End.

The show also saw him perform on the Australian version of “Strictly” as well as co-choreographing on the “So You Think You Can Dance” show in Australia.

The reason for mentioning this programme is that “Strictly Come Dancing” is hugely popular and a multi-award winning primetime entertainment format which is full of glitz and glamour, sequins and stardom.

Celebrities partner with professional ballroom dancers to learn a variety of ballroom dances and each week, in front of a live studio audience, they dance to impress the judges and viewers at home.

At the end of each show the least popular couple must hang up their dancing shoes as week-by-week they are whittled down until only two remain. More than 12 million UK viewers tuned in to watch the 2013 final. The brand new series of “Strictly Come Dancing” promises even more sparkle, sizzle and glitz.

Cooking might not be one of your favourite hobbies but surely food is quite interesting. Maybe this is why even in Zim-Asset there is the food and nutrition cluster.

While most viewers are familiar with Ed Baines who stars on “BBC Lifestyle’s Chef: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” for his great culinary skills there is also a newbie called Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen notebook: Cosmopolitan Cook.

On the show, Rachel uncovers a world of culinary inspiration in cosmopolitan destinations. From Stockholm to the Amalfi Coast, she immerses herself in different cultures and cuisines while recording the special things that she finds in her notebook.

Rachel uses these gems of inspiration from Naples’ Ricotta and Gorgonzola Sfogliatelle to Istanbul’s Turkish Coffee Creams, back in her London kitchen for dinner parties with friends.

For those of you who are into comedy, “Live at the Apollo” returns to BBC Entertainment for a ninth series, showcasing the very hottest names on the comedy circuit.

The roll call of stand-ups who have performed in front of a live audience at the world famous Hammersmith Apollo plays out like a who’s who of comedic royalty and the new season coming this August is no different.

Each episode sees a stand-up legend act as compere and perform to the audience, before introducing two of the best stand-ups currently on the comedy circuit, including South African funny-man Trevor Noah.

By the way it was great to stay on the Island which they call African Paradise until next week remember its television and its real.

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