Another M-Net Pop-Up Channel – More Sunday Premiers And Other December Delights

M-Net dishes out mega movie delights this December:
Get set for two Sunday blockbusters, an inspirational pop-up channel, a special animation festival and hand-picked world cinema

M-Net is upping the entertainment ante yet again with fantastic additions to its movie offering. In future, DStv Premium customers will be treated to two blockbuster premieres on a Sunday night – one on M-Net 101 and one on M-Net Movies Premiere. From Friday, 16 December until Sunday, 29 January a special pop-up channel called M-Net Inspire will infuse positive thinking on DStv’s channel 109, and during the holidays the young at heart can expect visits from their favourite animation characters with a special Animania movie festival on channel 105, M-Net Movies Smile. Then, there’s also a first-class, unprecedented gift for movie connoisseurs: from mid-December, premium channel M-Net Edge (channel 102) will boast a world cinema slot with the best of the best foreign language or nouveau films.

mnet101

Two Sunday night blockbusters

“Our blockbuster Sunday night movie premieres have been a much-loved institution for many years,” says Jan du Plessis, Director: M-Net Channels. “Just after eight on M-Net and half an hour later on M-Net Movies Premiere, we have showcased the hottest first-to-TV Hollywood films on our screens. Now, it’s getting even better!”

From Sunday, 4 December there will be not one, but two brand new blockbuster movie premieres on the M-Net Channels. This means that M-Net 101 and M-Net Movies Premiere channel 104 will not be screening the same film 30 minutes apart any more. There will be another fresh blockbuster on M-Net Movies Premiere at around 20:30.

“This exciting scheduling change not only gives viewers more than one movie option for a Sunday night; it also allows us to bring more top-notch movie premieres to our audiences much quicker,” Jan du Plessis explains. “And if you prefer to watch the eight o’clock M-Net movie a little later, you can always tune into M-Net Plus 1 (channel 901), our time-shifted M-Net 101 channel at 21:00.”

While the rip-roaring comedy Vacation will be the premiere on M-Net 101 at 20:05 on Sunday, 4 December, M-Net Movies Premiere will be the first to screen The Night Before, in which three friends, including the always hilarious Seth Rogen, are out to find an unforgettable Christmas bash. Due to the high age restriction of this movie, however, it will only be screened at 21:00.


Hugh Jackman will take us to Neverland in the family adventure Pan on M-Net 101 on Sunday, 11 December. Then, on M-Net Movies Premiere at 20:30, Chris Pine and Casey Affleck are in grave danger in the disaster and rescue film The Finest Hours, based on a true event.

Read the SAMDB review of Pan.

Multi-talented Bradley Cooper dons the apron as a down-and-out chef in Burnt on M-Net 101 on Sunday, 18 December, alongside a top-notch cast including Sienna Miller, Emma Thompson and Uma Thurman. On the same night the dystopian young adult science fiction thriller The 5th Wave will keep M-Net Movies Premiere viewers on the edge of their seats from 20:30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKufeJJ4ysM


On 25 December, M-Net 101 will celebrate Christmas with three Oscar winners – Diane Keaton, Alan Arkin and Marisa Tomei – in Love The Coopers, while Will Smith is in top form on M-Net Movies Premiere in the sports drama Concussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io6hPdC41RM
M-Net Inspire

Following hot on the heels of the Harry Potter pop-up Channel, M-Net Inspire is the perfect pop-up curation for the festive season. Launching on Friday, 16 December at 06:00 and running until Sunday, 29 January at midnight, M-Net Inspire will feature movies that are motivational and celebrate the triumphs of the human spirit.

Every evening from 19:45, viewers can catch a feel-good film. These titles include inspirational favourites such as Yes Man, Eight Below, The Preacher’s Wife and American Dreamz. There will also be a selection of awesome classics including Coach Carter, Remember The Titans, Rocky (instalments 1 to 6) and Invictus.

In addition to all the soul-enriching movies, the M-Net Inspire pop-up channel will also play host to influential and inspirational faith leader, Bishop T.D. Jakes. Viewers can catch episodes of The T.D. Jakes Show, a heart-warming talk show hosted by the man himself, at noon as well as at 19:00 every day. Interviewing everyone from celebs, to kids, to stay-at-home moms, Jakes takes audiences on a journey of positivity by showcasing stories about the triumphs of the human spirit.

In South Africa, M-Net Inspire will be available to both DStv Premium and Compact customers.

Animania on M-Net Movies Smile

Guess who will be paying us a visit on M-Net Movies Smile, channel 105 on DStv Premium, during the holidays? Open the door for Maya The Bee, Kung Fu Panda, Khumba, Shaun the Sheep, Tarzan, The Minions, Spongebob and many more.

M-Net Movies Smile will feature a festival of the most popular animation films from Monday, 5 December 2016 until Tuesday, 10 January 2017 from 06:00 until midnight.

World cinema

December also sees the start of a special movie slot on M-Net Edge, channel 102 on DStv Premium, on Sunday nights at 21:00. As of Sunday, 18 December, discerning viewers can get right into the kind of films they have been craving: highly-acclaimed world cinema. The Palestinian film The Idol, which received rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, will be on M-Net Edge on Sunday, 18 December. Then, the following week, the French film Saint Laurent, about famed fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent will be the special Christmas viewing treat.

“We trust that all this mega movie magic will bring loads of joy to our viewers this December and January,” says Jan du Plessis. “More good news is that this is just the start of more amazing content on our channels in the new year. There will be plenty of surprises, including more local shows and more movie pop-up channels!”

All the Sunday night premiere movies (M-Net 101, M-Net Premiere and M-Net Edge) will also be available on DStv Catch Up and Catch Up Plus as well as through DStv Now. Selected titles from the M-Net Inspire pop-up channel, as well as from the Animania festival, will be available on Catch Up Plus as well as through DStv Now.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb