By Reikhutsitse Malala
The channel is available on DStv channel 304. While Disney says that the channel is girl-inclusive, it is a boy affair that focuses on shows that relate to the everyday life of an ordinary teen boy. The new channel run from 5am-10pm daily, seven days a week and will feature a mix of live-action and animated programming appealing to boys in their quest to ‘discover themselves’.
I must say, this channel will be a must see for me and my son. Growing up TV was boring as there were dedicated times only when you could see your favourite cartoons. By 18:00, it was soapie time followed by the news. I got grumpy around that time, so boys like me out there who had to endure
The Bold and the Beautiful and
Generations will be rescued by this channel. Disney XD will showcase worldwide hit shows,
Phineas & Ferb,
Zeke and Luther, I’m in the Band and
Kick Buttowski.
www.disneyxd.co.za, an immersive online experience will also be available from May and offers boys the ultimate online destination for games, competitions and exclusive clips from Disney XD shows.
I spoke to vice president of Disney Channels CEE and emerging markets, Maciej Bral, who told me that Disney is looking to extend its content and add more of South African content so that the channel becomes relevant to those in the country. “Disney has always participated in local content of the country by sponsoring events. The channel is now starting but in future we will be looking forward to getting local content,” said Bral.
“Since its global launch in 2009, Disney XD has been a phenomenal success. Over the past 20 months, we have launched 14 Disney XD channels across EMEA and we are proud to be launching Disney XD today in South Africa.” Bral, added. “Disney XD is more focused on boys than our flagship kids and family channel, Disney Channel, and broadens the line-up available to Multichoice pay-TV subscribers.”
Christine Service, country manager, The Walt Disney Company Africa, added: “We are very proud of the success Disney enjoys in South Africa. Looking to the future, we remain committed to investing in this market and continue to build not only our channel business but the wider Walt Disney Company as we deliver great family entertainment that is engaging and locally relevant to this market.”
Alletta Alberts, general manager Content, at MutltiChoice South Africa, said they are focused on expanding the DStv viewing experience and that the channel will work towards these goals. “Disney XD will be a strong action flavour and will no doubt delight and enthral our young viewers,” she said.
The channel sounds exciting and the programmes too look awesome. The channel will be a great substitute to those gaming consoles and will be an advantage to boys who don’t have computer games but have access DStv. As much as they say it’s a boy channel, I think parents and some of the females will be caught watching the channel. After all, some girls like activities including skateboarding and extreme sports and some young adults like me are still attempting to skateboard.