"We're excited and proud to introduce kykNET & kie into the lives of South Africans who speak or understand our wonderful language and culture," explains Karen Meiring, M-Net director: Afrikaans channels. “kykNET & kie will form part of several DStv packs, including the newly launched DStv Family, which means that many more viewers will be able to enjoy our compelling, local content. At the same time, viewers who have asked us to screen their favourite programmes again, will be treated to gems from kykNET's early days."

Popular series from yesteryear - such as Agter Elke Man, kykNET's first drama, Song vir Katryn with rocker Valiant Swart in the lead, and the delightful comedy Alie Barber, set in a Cape Town barber shop - will bring great viewing pleasure to viewers of kykNET & kie, but the channel will also boast fresh new content, such as its own signature magazine show, Kollig, as well as current kykNET drawcards like Toks en Tjops, BVP, Dagbreek, Enuus, Villa Rosa and Binneland.

kykNET & kie is a full-blown general entertainment channel which caters for young and old alike. As from Tuesday, 9 April, the current Afrikaans children's shows on Koowee will move onto Koowee blocks on kykNET and kykNET & kie, with the latter having longer slots. In the mornings, the little ones can enjoy the antics of the cuddly Koowee characters on kykNET & kie between 07:30 and 09:30, with more to follow between 17:00 and 18:00 in the early evening. While Koowee personalities like Tjiff and Tjaff and Pikin will be regulars on the channel, moms should be glad to hear that familiar faces from their own childhood like Heidi will join in the fun too.

kykNET & kie will be available on DStv Premium, DStv Compact and the new DStv Family offering.

“kykNET has become a strong local brand that is synonymous with excellent television entertainment in Afrikaans. kykNET Musiek, which was launched late last year, is already attracting loyal viewers, without having an impact on kykNET's audiences. kykNET & kie will complement these channels and it's good to know that viewers who haven't had access to kykNET due to financial constraints, will now be able to enjoy some of our content by tuning into kykNET & kie. We look forward to becoming a well-loved channel in more households.”

For more information about the DStv packs, go to www.dstv.com.