Vuzu
Vuzu is a South African youth-oriented television channel produced by M-Net for sister pay television platform DStv.
Vuzu | |
---|---|
Launched | 2009 |
Network | M-Net |
Owned by | Naspers |
Picture format | 16:9 SDTV |
Country | South Africa |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | South Africa |
Headquarters | Johannesburg |
Formerly called | Go |
Website | http://vuzu.dstv.com/ |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
Satellite | |
DSTV | 116 |
Streaming media |
History
The channel launched in mid-2009, replacing the popular M-Net channel, Go. This occurred during the second phase of the network's reshuffle of its youth channel offering. Vuzu is typically geared towards the 14-23 age demographic.
Its launch also coincided with the launch of the virtual social network "Vuzu.tv," in an effort to make the channel far more interactive than its predecessor. The first program to broadcast was the popular show now known as Touch TV, which airs at 16:00 (previously 17:00 ). Many Go viewers protested the launch of the channel as it caused a number of go's programs to move to new time slots, channels or disappear completely.
In 2013 the channel once more went through a change as its traditional channel number 123 changed to 116. In 2014 a companion channel was created in replacement of M-Net Series Showcase which later was rebranded as Vuzu Amp.
The Go Era
Go was a TV channel on the DStv satellite network. The channel was broadcast on DStv channel 84. After a channel shuffle by DStv in October 2007, go was moved to channel 123. go was a channel for preteens, teens and twenty-somethings. Programming on go included sitcoms, soaps, comedy shows, series and plenty of music shows.
On Tuesday 23 June 2009, go (Channel 123) was terminated and was replaced on Wednesday 1 July 2009 at 5:00 pm with a brand new cutting-edge channel, namely Vuzu. Much of Go's programming was transferred to Vuzu. Vuzu’s viewer-centric programming mix includes international shows like Suburgatory, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Simpsons, Melissa & Joey, Project Runway as well as new locally produced shows like 10 over 10.
Current International Shows
- America's Next Top Model
- Are We There Yet?
- Brand X With Russell Brand
- Braxton Family Values
- Brooklyn Nine Nine
- Excused
- Fashion Star
- Futurama
- Got to Dance
- Hollywood's Top Ten
- Louie
- Made in Chelsea
- Marrying The Game
- Newlyweds: The First Year
- On The Red Carpet
- Perez Hilton: All Access
- Ready For Love
- Redneck Island
- RuPaul's Drag Race
- So You Think You Can Dance?
- Sullivan & Son
- Tamar & Vince
- The Bachelor Canada
- The Cleveland Show
- The Parkers
- The League
- The Mindy Project
- The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
- The Simpsons
- Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell
- Trophy Wife
- Wilfred
Current South African Shows
- Hit Refresh
- V Entertainment
- Vuzic
- "Rap daddies "
- "All that B.S"
- The hustle "
Other South African Shows (on/off air)
- 10 over 10
- Dineo's Diary
- Fly Chix
- Mo Love
- Scar Tissue
- Top Shayela
- I Am
- Creative Union
- Forever Young
- Lastborn does the Loeries
- Top Shayela: Reality Check
Similarity
Vuzu is similar to some popular American TV Channels such as Bravo, FX, BET, The CW, NBC, TNT and many others. With new episodes being aired every month making it a world class youth channel.
V Entertainment
V Entertainment is a parody of a similar show on E Entertainment. V Entertainment is South Africa's solution to E Entertainment news. V Entertainment covers local and international celebrities. The format for V Entertainment is largely based on the format used on E Entertainment News. It broadcasts Mondays to Fridays at 6:00 pm (CAT). It is the channel's flagship show and is broadcast live from the M-Net studios. Also broadcast live are red carpet specials for award shows and concerts mainly the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards. Some of South Africa's latest music videos also debut on the show exclusively.
Current hosts are:
- Lalla Hirayama
- Dineo Moeketsi
- Denise Zimba
- Shelton Forbes
- Cyprian Ndlovu
Former hosts:
- Nonhle Thema
- Thomas Gumede
- Siyabonga 'Scoop Makhathini' Ngwekazi
Other/Guest/Celeb Hosts:
- Dineo Ranaka
- Anele Mdoda
- Trevor Gumbi
- Somizi Mhlongo
- AKA
- Mika Stefano
- Lerato Sengadi
- Da Les
Sister Channels
Viewership
The channel is viewed by many South African and Southern African youth on Dstv's channel 116 as a platform for expression. The content is not only youth orientated but also produced by young people.