DStv Weekly Highlights: 22 – 28 January 2021

Lioness S1, Harvie and the Magic Museum, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Belgravia S1, History’s Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, UFC McGregor vs Poirier, Rugby

Could the sinking of the Titanic come down to the mythical lack of binoculars on the boat? It’s 109 years later and we’re still trying to uncover the secrets behind one of History’s Greatest Mysteries – which is why it’s the perfect topic for the Laurence Fishburne-narrated series. In the first episode, the Emmy Award winner looks at the cover-ups behind the cruiser and reveals the contents of a box that’s been sealed since the sinking.

We all love a good secret and this week, DStv is pulling plenty of skeletons out the closet.  Don’t keep it hush-hush… spread the news with family and friends! Here are some other secret sensations to look out for.

In local drama Lioness, a woman finds herself working hard to clear her name of a wrongful conviction after years in prison. But if she continues to fight to show her innocence, will the truth damage the fragile relationship she has with her loved ones?

In Harvie and the Magic Museum, a lonely young boy is excited to discover new friends when the puppets in a museum come to life. Harvie discovers that he’s accidentally awakened an evil puppet master and now the world as he knows it is in danger. He needs help – but who will believe his strange secret?

There’s more than meets the eye in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, this stellar movie is for fans and new viewers of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s work. Secrets abound between a star and his stunt double, with a twist no-one could predict.

Belgravia is perfect for lovers of period dramas and the scandalous worlds they create. A six-episode series by the creators of Downton Abbey, it’s a touch of the stiff-upper lip we know and love. And as we well know, secrets don’t stay hidden for long in wealthy houses.

Some want power, others want money… and they will do anything to take it. Real Housewives of Salt Lake City brings a new city to the much-loved reality franchise. Things are never quite as they seem as these power politics play out.

If live sport is more your style, then there are some incredible matches to be watched.

Connor McGregor takes on Dustin Poirier for a fight like no other. Officially, UFC 257 is an elimination round match. But more importantly, retired champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says he could be persuaded to return for another fight if he sees something extraordinary this weekend. Eager to redeem himself after his humiliating 40-second knock out last year, is McGregor’s new training and lightened smack-talk a sign of great things to come?

Carling Black Label Currie Cup semi-finals are here! With Bulls facing Lions and WP facing Sharks, the road to the final is going to be filled with exceptional rugby. These back-to-back matches will turn your weekend into an action-packed domestic rugby overload.

With all this entertainment, you’ll be on the edge of your seat from 22 to 28 January – only with DStv

Lioness S1

A life-altering exploration into relationships, lost love, betrayal, heartache, evil and revenge – this is a story about people who lie to each other and to themselves. Be prepared for a thrilling South African drama set in the world of corporate crime, greed and financial scams. A woman is wrongly convicted of fraud and, in the process, loses her children. She emerges from prison eight years later, intent on reuniting with her family and clearing her name.

Thursday, 28 January on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 20:20

Harvie and the Magic Museum (Animated Adventure)

Harvie, a smart but lively boy, is looking for some adventure. He misses a school trip and has to spend the day at his father’s work – at the local puppet museum. Harvie discovers that a way to make the puppets in an old museum come to life. Just as he begins to enjoy his new friends, he realises that a dangerous old puppet master is on the loose. Harvie and his father must stop the evil Bastor before it’s too late.

Saturday, 23 January on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 16:00

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Comedy Drama)

Set in 1969, Quentin Tarantino’s epic tale of the rise and fall of the first Golden Age of Hollywood sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt shine in a collage of life-meets-art. The film marries lore and history to tell the tale of an actor struggling to find his place in established Hollywood and his stunt double who is looking for attention from his own name. Other big names include Margaret Qualley, Luke Perry, Dakota Fanning and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, complete with flashbacks to her acting days.

Sunday, 24 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 20:30

Belgravia S1

For those who enjoyed the award-winning Downton Abbey, this limited series will be a real treat. Creator Julian Fellowes’ latest project is sure to be peppered with drama and dry wit. Set in late 19th-century London, it tells a sweeping story of an ambitious young heroine who defies convention to establish herself as the leading society photographer of her day.

Monday, 25 January on BBC Brit (DStv Channel 120) at 20:00

History’s Greatest Mysteries

Master narrator Laurence Fishburne hosts a new series about some of the unanswered questions to some of the world’s greatest events. When the RMS Titanic sank, over 1 600 people died. Possibly the most famous maritime disaster of all time, it is still commemorated in films and books today. The sinking of the Titanic prompted an investigation by Lord Mersey, a respected British jurist who was chosen to lead an official British inquiry into what had happened. For more than a century, Lord Mersey’s notes have remained hidden away – unseen by anyone outside his family. Breaking history, they are about to be revealed for the first time.

Sunday, 24 January on History (DStv Channel 186) at 20:15

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

New to the Real Housewives franchise, this series follows six women as they build and run their own businesses, maintain friendships and climb the social ladder in one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the country. Through it all, they must navigate life, love and their faith in a community that has become a crossroads for many cultures. With many identifying as either members or survivors of the Church of Latter Day saints, the Mormon culture will add some unusual spice to this already thrilling franchise.

Weekdays from Monday, 26 January on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 18:00

Friday, 22 January

Two Sentence Horror Stories S1

This nine-episode horror anthology series tells a different twisted tale in each episode, which can be summed up in chilling phrases like, “She was stiff and cold in my arms. And then the doll blinked,” or “I didn’t lock my door that night. It made it so much easier to catch my prey.” The show covers many genres of horror and common fears, from straight-forward home-invasion thrillers and serial killers, to ghost stories, doppelgangers and body horror. Perfect for fans of The Twilight Zone.

Starts on Friday, 22 January on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 22:30

Kidding S2

Jim Carrey’s melancholy kids’ show host character Jim Pickles is bringing some light and colour back into his world with new puppet characters and magical realism. But the fate of Mister Pickles’ Puppet Time show is in the balance because he’s lost sponsors thanks to season 1’s on-air Christmas speech about death. There’s also the small matter of him running over his ex-wife’s new boyfriend. And this season, the release of his new talking and listening Mr Pickles doll will make parents fear for their children’s safety. 

Starts on Friday, 22 January on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 22:00

Saturday, 23 January

Checked Inn S1

This new reality series from the Oprah Winfrey Network centres on Monique Greenwood, the former editor-in-chief at Essence Magazine who left behind the hustle-and-bustle of the press to concentrate on the Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns – her and her husband Glenn’s chain of B&Bs – to create a legacy for their daughter, Glynn. The main action is set at Akwaaba’s Mansion, where celebrity guests such as musician Peabo Bryson, black hair-care entrepreneur Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter, and Pastor John Gray and his wife Aventer, go to unwind. 

Starts on Saturday, 23 January on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 21:30

Sunday, 24 January

Roswell: The First Witness S1

UFO chasers have been on the trail of the truth about one particular sighting ever since July 1947, when a strange object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico. Seventy years later, the Marcel family are determined to get answers. Jesse Marcel III, John Marcel and Denise Marcel are the grandchildren of Air Force intelligence officer Major Jesse Marcel, the first person to see the wreckage and transport it to a military base. Now they’re searching his journal for a secret code they believe will reveal the real story.

Starts on Sunday, 24 January on History (DStv Channel 186) at 19:25

Titanic’s Lost Evidence S1

Lord Mersey, the British jurist and politician who was appointed to investigate the sinking of Titanic in 1912 (he was also responsible for investigating the sinking of the Lusitania), kept his personal notes on the incident. They’ve stayed neglected in his manor house in a dust-covered box for the past 107 years. Now, for the first time, the History channel has secured the rights to open the box and track the course of his investigation, including interviews with shipping officials and architects, survivors and the rescuers. 

Watch on Sunday, 24 January on History (DStv Channel 186) at 20:15

Monday, 25 January

The Stand S1

Based on Stephen King’s 1978 apocalyptic horror-fantasy novel of the same name, The Stand is set in a plague-stricken world where the forces of good and evil are engaged in battle over the scraps of humanity who’ve survived. On the side of good is 108-year-old Mother Abigail (Whoopi Goldberg), who guides a handful of survivors, including ordinary factory worker Stu Redman (James Marsden). On the side of evil: Randal Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård), the Dark Man with a sinister smile, who has supernatural powers.

Monday, 25 January on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 22:30

Tuesday, 26 January

Power Book II: Ghost S1B

The series returns with episode 6, which lands us in the witness selection portion of Tasha’s trial. 2-Bit, a member of Tommy’s crew, is coming out of jail just in time to deliver some potentially damaging, or helpful, testimony. Brayden sets off the emergency signal to warn Tariq after Cane walks in on him during a compromising conversation. Cane’s cockiness leads to Lorenzo delivering a beatdown from behind bars, and drug kingpin mommy Monet is impressed by Tariq’s ingenuity after Diana tattles about what he’s been up to. 

Starts on Tuesday, 26 January on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 21:30

The Hills: New Beginning S2

The Iconic Hills crew return. Brody Jenner, Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are back – and so is Kristin Cavallari, who was going through a messy divorce with Jay Cutler during production. The season was filmed both before and after lockdown, so we’ll be intrigued to see how that affects the cast’s living arrangements. Not returning? Most likely Stephanie Pratt, after a massive blowout with her brother, Spencer and wife, Heidi. But there will be new faces, like Audrina’s boyfriend, Sean Stewart (son of Rod Stewart). 

Tuesday, 26 January on MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 21:30

Wednesday, 27 January

The Oval S2 

Tyler Perry’s deliciously spicy White House drama promises scandal galore for philandering President Hunter Franklin and the First Lady with an axe, Victoria Franklin. All the action in the upcoming 22 episodes will take place over three to four days, so we’re expecting a major political and personal uproar. There’s plenty in the season 1 finale that could get us there, from ex-Press Secretary Diana’s explosive tell-all press conference to the Franklins’ son, Jason, murdering White House staffer Jean and stuffing her corpse under his bed.

Starts on Wednesday, 27 January on BET (DStv Channel 129) at 22:30

Blindspot S5

As season 4 ended, Madeline framed the team as the suspects in a far-reaching corruption case. And as the new season begins, she uses her influence to create a civilian oversight committee – a team that polices the FBI. With her place in the organisation fully cemented, she wiggles her way into the position of Director of Federal Law Enforcement. And as the big, big boss, she turns up the heat on the team and goes to extreme measures, including banding together with terrorists, to get them out of her hair for good.

Starts on Wednesday, 27 January on M-Net City (DStv Channel 115) at 19:10

Thursday, 28 January

Wild Bill S1

Former US Police chief Bill Hixon (Rob Lowe) relocates from Miami to rural Lincolnshire in the UK after he’s fired for beating up a boy who posted sexual images of his 14-year-old daughter, Kelsey (Aloreia Spencer), online. This dramedy follows Bill as he tries whipping the local cops into shape, with the help of eager-beaver trainee detective Muriel Yeardsley (Bronwyn James). Through it all, Bill investigates every crime the British countryside can offer – from corpses in Dead Man’s Wood to heads in freezers and bodies in suitcases. 

Starts on Thursday, 28 January on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 21:30

Sport

UFC

Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Porier

Conor McGregor, one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts, will make his return for the first time in over a year early on Sunday morning. He will grace the octagon and meet Dustin Porier for the second time in his career in the UFC 257 headliner at Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island.

Sunday, 24 January on SuperSport at 05:00

Rugby

SA premium domestic rugby tournament, being at the business with the Lions, WP, Sharks and Bulls, are all looking to secure their place in the final of the Carling Black Label Currie Cup.

Currie Cup: 23 January

Semi-final 1: Vodacom Bulls vs Xerox Lions at 14:00 (SS Grandstand)

Semi-final 2: DHL WP vs Cell C Sharks at 16:30 (SS Grandstand)

Cricket

Pakistan vs South Africa at 06:45

Test Day 1 on 26 January

Test Day 2 on 27 January

Test Day 3 on 28 January

SA Women’s Cricket

South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd ODI on 23 January at 09:00

South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd ODI on 26 January at 09:00

Premier League

Everton vs Leicester City on 27 January at 22:15

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool on 28 January at 22:00

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