DStv Highlights: 9 – 15 October 2020

Billboard Music Awards, New on KIX, Croctober, Isono, Chasing the Sun

This week, everybody will be “Kung Fu Fighting” with the debut of a new action channel, KIX, on DStv Channel 114. With a wide variety of movies on offer, we selected a few for you to watch. There’s also next-level drama as Isono returns to our screens. For those who prefer a tamer ride, the second episode of Chasing the Sun might be more your speed (after all, we know how it ends). And if you’re craving a concert, the incredible performances at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards will leave you dancing in your living room. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store for the week of 9 to 15 October on DStv

2020 Billboard Music Awards
It’s a hat trick for Kelly Clarkson, who returns to host the rescheduled BBMA’s for an impressive third year. Unsurprisingly, Post Malone leads with 16 nominations and will be performing on the night at  one of the music world’s most entertaining ceremonies of the year while “Good as Hell” singer Lizzo has 12 nominations – not bad for her first time! The performances for this year will certainly make a splash with fan favourites such as BTS, Bad Bunny and En Vogue confirmed. Country crooner Garth Brooks will also be receiving the ninth ever ICON Award. With music greats like Prince, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey in this appropriately-named category, he’s in excellent company.
Thursday, 15 October on 1 Magic (DStv Channel 103)
LIVE at 02:00 CAT
Replay at 20:30 CAT

New on KIX (DStv Channel 114)

A new channel dedicated to all things action-packed. From thrillers to classics, here is a selection of action movies that you never knew you needed.

Black Maiden: Chapter A (Horror)
This sequel to Black Maiden: Chapter Q is a perfect late-night thriller to get you in the Spooktober mood. Two girls from different backgrounds are adopted into a wealthy family. But when the family finances take a turn for the worst, they realise they can only keep one of the orphans. With a comfortable life with a loving family in the balance, their sisterly-bond turns dark.
Friday, 9 October at 21:00

The Fast and The Fierce (Action)
Think of this as Speed for the skies: Terrorists have planted a bomb on a passenger plane that will explode as soon as they go below 800 feet (240 metres). As the travellers work to keep the plane in the air, they also need to diffuse the bomb before they run out of fuel.
Saturday, 10 October at 20:24

God of War (Historical Action)
Based on historical events of the 16th century, two commanders have been given the difficult task of keeping the Chinese coastline safe from the Samurai-turned-pirate crew. When they realise they are outnumbered, the commanders decide to train local villagers in the art of war.
Sunday, 11 October at 19:00

The Blood Brothers (Action Drama)
First released in 1973, this classic movie has achieved cult-like status from action enthusiasts across the world. Three aimless men find meaning as they defend the public against hoodlums and bandits. When one of them decides to change his path and pursue a path in local government, this new ambition disrupts their lives.
Monday, 12 October at 19:00

Croctober

It’s week two of the fiercest predator showcase – and it’s about to get even wilder. If you’ve ever wondered how these semi-aquatic ambush predators coexist in water and land, then get comfy on the couch for some snapping good fun. Here’s what you can enjoy this week:

  • 18:00: Hippo versus Croc
    Exploring the uneasy relationship between hippos and crocodiles – and how it turns deadly.
  • 18:48: Jaguars versus Crocodile
    Wildlife photographer Steve Winter and cameraman Bertie Gregory capture footage of the jaguars in the Pantanal of Brazil hunting caiman in the water.
  • 19:37: Croc Inside Out
    Two specialists explain how the Nile Crocodile’s physiology and adaptations make it the perfect ambush predator.

Sunday, 11 October on National Geographic WILD (DStv Channel 182) from 18:00 – 20:30

Isono
This local telenovela has come back from hiatus and is even more spicy than before. Self-serving Mother Mary and her strait-laced son Gabriel face off after a family secret comes to light. Despite their dysfunctional relationship, breaking away from each other is still a tough decision. Things get even trickier as Abednego returns to Johannesburg. And this time, his violent and criminal skills make him a formidable friend – or a dangerous enemy. With all these plot twists, you’ll want to watch weekly to keep up with all the drama and intrigue.
Monday to Thursday from Monday, 12 October on BET (DStv Channel 129) at 21:30

Chasing the Sun
For many, 2 November 2019 was a day that will live on in their memories for decades to come as the Bokke claimed a remarkable Rugby World Cup win. Chasing the Sun is a five-part documentary series with awe-inspiring interviews from the players and experts. Viewers will also get an all-access pass to footage filmed during the three-year-period. More than just a sports story, the emotional engagement, humour and technical insights will be enjoyed by all South Africans. If you’ve missed the first scintillating episode, it’s available on Catch Up.

This week’s episode follows the unlikely 2018 victory in Wellington, the Springboks face pressure to repeat their exploits and claim the 2019 Rugby Championship title for the first time in a decade. Along the way the team will face controversy and give their all to get the ‘Brighton monkey’ off their back.
Sunday, 11 October on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 18:00

Day-by-day highlights

Friday, 9 October

Cheeky Palate S1
Radio’s loss was our gain this year when DJ Phat Joe (Majota Khambule) resigned from Radio 2000’s breakfast show. He didn’t leave his chatty days behind him. Instead, he’ll be grilling celebrities and spicing things up in his very own reality show. His chosen guests are people known for their hot takes, so expect some spicy conversation.
Watch from Friday, 9 October on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 19:00

Wian S1
South Africa’s TikTok street magic sensation, Wian Magic (Wian Van Den Berg), is bringing his illusions, magic tricks and pranks to TV again. He’ll be stopping strangers in the street to pull them into his magic tricks as he strives to dazzle, baffle, entertain and amaze. Think Dynamo, think David Blaine – but with South Africa jokes.
Watch from Friday, 9 October on VIA (DStv Channel 147) at 20:00

Saturday, 10 October

Haunted Gingerbread Showdown S2
In each episode, host Clinton Kelly calls on three of the US’s best gingerbread artists to create masterpieces based on a variety of spooky topics. The season starts with a fun episode in which the bakers must create tributes to the horror comedy film Ghostbusters to celebrate its 35th birthday this year.
Watch from Saturday, 10 October on Food Network (DStv Channel 175) at 19:55

Curing Alzheimer’s
Along with exploring the history of Alzheimer’s Disease, this in-depth documentary will look at modern developments in spotting the disease early, current treatments as well as progress on work towards prevention. One in four people carries the genetic marker that identifies them as being susceptible to Alzheimer’s, which affects more than 100 million individuals worldwide and leads to crippling healthcare costs in an ageing population. But doctors can now start detecting biological changes that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s up to 25 years before the disease ravages a patient’s memory and brain function – and there is a focus on developing prevention therapies to slow the course of the condition, too. Given how widespread Alzheimer’s is and how it devastates families, this is definitely worth a watch.
Watch on Saturday, 10 October on Da Vinci (DStv Channel 318) at 20:00

Ben 10 Versus The Universe: The Movie
A giant meteor headed for Earth and only Ben can stop the coming destruction of the planet, so he flies off into space to stop it. However, the meteor is really a spacecraft steered by the villain Vilgax, who’s back for vengeance. And when Ben winds up stranded in space, it’s up to Team Tennyson to team up with Kevin 11 to protect the planet from Vilgax. While they’re hard at work, Ben will have to cross into a parallel dimension called the Null Void to rescue Azmuth, creator of the Omnitrix. But Ben has been mistaken for a villain himself, and there’s a bounty on his head, so he’ll have to work fast to complete his mission and clear his name. He’ll need the help of all his alien allies, so they’d better don that Omni-Naut Armour and prepare for battle. Series fans will see Ben try out a brand-new transformation for the first time, too.
Watch on Saturday, 10 October on Cartoon Network (DStv Channel 301) at 10:10

Sunday, 11 October

Murder Wall S1
This true crime reenactment series presents evidence in real-life investigations to viewers piece by piece, challenging us to solve the crime. But don’t be too sure of yourself as each of these cases involves some surprising twists and dramatic discoveries.
Watch from Sunday, 11 October on CBS Justice (DStv Channel 170) at 19:00

Psycho Yoga Instructor
Justine Grace is at her wits’ end. Her marriage is in crisis, her life is a wreck and she needs to do some serious work on herself, too. A little light flirtation with her handsome new yoga instructor, Dominic, promises to be just the pick me up she needs.
Watch on Sunday, 11 October on Lifetime (DStv Channel 131) at 19:20

The Secret History Of Air Force One
This one-hour documentary special takes us inside Air Force One itself – the plane dedicated to transporting the US President – with exclusive and archival footage as well as interviews with insiders. It’s time to explore the history of the most famous aircraft in the US.
Starts Sunday, 11 October on History (DStv Channel 186) at 21:20

Croctober S1
This stunt of programming is dedicated to one of the fiercest predators in the wild today: The crocodile. As well as digging back into the prehistoric times, the shows will bring us in-depth stories of how crocs around the world hunt and live. Enjoy the following specials:

Sunday, 11 October

  • 18:00: Hippo versus Croc
    Exploring the uneasy relationship between hippos and crocodiles – and how it turns deadly.
  • 18:48: Jaguars versus Crocodile
    Wildlife photographer Steve Winter and cameraman Bertie Gregory capture footage of the jaguars in the Pantanal of Brazil hunting caiman in the water.
  • 19:37: Croc Inside Out
    Two specialists explain how the Nile Crocodile’s physiology and adaptations make it the perfect ambush predator.
  • 20:26: Hippo vs Croc (r)

Monday, 12 October

The Bradshaw Bunch S1
American Football star Terry Bradshaw invites viewers inside his family’s lives on their ranch in Oklahoma. The family is Terry, his prankster wife Tammy, and his grown-up daughters Rachel, Erin and Lacey, as well as Lacey’s 7-year-old daughter Zurie. They’re all just trying to get through the pandemic lockdown in one, sane piece.
Watch from Monday, 12 October on E! Entertainment Television (DStv Channel 124) at 19:05

The Kelly Clarkson Show S2
Kelly’s talk show will blend live and virtual features this season. Kelly explains: “We are going to continue to have important conversations with changemakers. Plus, musical guests this season will include Common, John Legend, Little Big Town, Machine Gun Kelly, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Patrick Harris, Queen Latifah and Usher”.
Weekdays from Monday, 12 October on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 17:00

Grey’s Anatomy S16
M-Net City Grey’s fans can enjoy double episodes of this twisty 21-episode season. Meredith Grey is going to jail (briefly) while her former BFF, Christina (Sandra Oh – not on the screen, alas), is playing matchmaker and sends Meredith the way of sexy surgeon Cormac Hayes. Richard Webber has a job change, a health scare and a marriage meltdown on the horizon.
Watch from Monday, 12 October on M-Net City (DStv Channel 115) at 19:10

Toegang S1
South African cabaret artist, cook and lifestyle king Nataniël will be taking us around the country with his special all-access pass to places we weren’t allowed to enter during the pandemic lockdown Level 3. He’ll take us on an insider tour of some iconic buildings’ art collections, inner workings and surprise features, and he’ll be taking along his stove plate to whip up a special meal in each location.
Monday, 12 October on KykNET (DStv Channel 144) at 20:30

Tuesday, 13 October

Lekunutu S1
This series serves as a safe platform for mothers and fathers to reveal massive secrets that could completely break down their families – or set their children on the path to a changed understanding of themselves and a true connection with the ancestors. People will be coming clean about paternity secrets, and the show will be helping to reunite children with the fathers they never knew they had.
Watch from Tuesday, 13 October on Moja Love (DStv Channel 157) at 21:30

Married At First Sight: Couples Cam S1
This spin-off series from reality show Married At First Sight (MAFS) handed the cameras and controls to nine fan-favourite couples from across the different seasons. Each of the couples recorded their day-to-day lives during lockdown via mounted cameras, diary cams and virtual group chats.
Watch from Tuesday, 13 October on Lifetime (DStv Channel 131) at 21:00

Wednesday, 14 October

Naked And Afraid XL S5
This season’s 12 all-star survivors will be dropped off on the island of Palawan in the Philippines – and challenged to survive 40 days in the wilderness with only their two chosen items to aid them. No clothes, no food, no shelter, no water. They’ll be dropped off in the ocean by boat in teams of three and have to swim for the island, dodging sharks.
Watch from Wednesday, 14 October on Discovery Channel (DStv Channel 121) at 20:55

Dr. T Lone Star Vet S1
Dr. Lauren Thielen (Dr. T) from pet-and-vet series Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER is opening up her own exotic animal practice in her home state of Texas. She’s next door to one of the state’s largest and busiest animal hospitals. Dr. T will be one of 12 specialists called on to treat everything from emus to hedgehogs, lemurs to cockatiels. There’s even a kangaroo. She specialises in the smaller exotic animals, who require the most delicate of handling. “In Florida and Texas, for the most part, the climate is acceptable but they’re also the biggest hubs for exotic animal importation – actually, Texas being huge for that. So I think that’s why we get a lot of it,” explains Dr. T. “I like the little prickly or fuzzy ones – or animals that I can just carry around effortlessly; that’s my type of pet or patient.”
Starts Wednesday, 14 October on National Geographic WILD (DStv Channel 182) at 18:00

Thursday, 15 October

Ghosts Of Morgan City S1
Former FBI agent Ben Hansen, paranormal investigator Jereme Leonard, psychic medium Sarah Lemos and tech advisor K.D. Stafford has narrowed their search to super-haunted Morgan City in Louisiana. With the help of local historian Diane Wiltz, they’ll be uncovering the true stories of restless spirits that might be haunting the community.
Watch from Thursday, 15 October on Travel Channel (DStv Channel 179) at 22:05

Living The Dream With Somizi S4
Somizi Mhlongo opens his new season with preparations for his wedding to Mohale and getting everyone in his family on-board with the fact that they’ll soon be Mr & Mr. Somizi. The show will take viewers along as he respectfully approaches one of his grandparents to discuss what they would expect in a traditional wedding between two men within the Basotho culture. But it’s not all wedding plans, as consuming as that is. We’ll be partying along with Somizi and his celebrity BFFs like Boity Thulo, Bonang Matheba (looks like they’re back in each other’s good books at last) and his bestie, TT, who’s never afraid to throw some shade. And we’ll be there for the morning after, too, as Somizi emerges groaning with his make-up smeared after a night partying ’til 3 am. On the more serious side, he and Mohale will be adjusting to living together and Somizi will be working on his relationship with his daughter, Bahumi, and grappling with her decision to drop out of university following her mom’s brush with death in a car accident.
Watch from Thursday, 15 October on Mzansi Wethu (DStv Channel 163) at 21:30

uTatakho S7
Nimrod Nkosi is back helping people to identify their biological fathers with paternity tests and assisting them to reach out and make contact once they know the truth. Sometimes Nimrod will help children to track down fathers who walked out on their families, leaving their moms to struggle alone. But whatever the issue, Nimrod isn’t there to shame. He’s there to ask the difficult questions needed to uncover the truth, with warmth and understanding. Those coming to him for help are not just out to be nosy and pry in their parents’ private business. This season, Nimrod will be helping a young woman who grew up suspecting that her mother cheated with a man who has the same surname as the man she’s now dating herself. Could they be related?
Watch from Thursday, 15 October on Mzansi Wethu (DStv Channel 163) at 19:00

Disclaimer: Please note these broadcast details are subject to change. Keep checking your TV Guide on dstv.co.za for the most up-to-date details or press “OK” on your remote while watching any channel.

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