Lifetime boosts DStv menu

Published Jul 7, 2014

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Debashine Thangevelo

AFTER undergoing many transitions – evolving from talk television to female-centric entertainment, since Lifetime launched in the US in 1984, the good news is that the channel will now be available on DStv channel 131 as of 7pm on Tuesday, July 22.

Brought to the MultiChoice Premium platform by A+E Networks, who are behind the History and Crime & Investigation Network channels, Lifetime rivals TLC with its content.

Just to whet those appetites, the upcoming line-up varies from new and exclusive original movies to factual entertainment shows.

Dean Possenniskie, Managing Director, EMEA at A+E Networks, commented: “In less than two years we have launched Lifetime into more than 60 countries outside the US, and this year, we will add over 50 more. Lifetime brings a unique offering to DStv viewers, and we believe our new channel will play a leading role in the current African female-skewing pay-TV space.”

MultiChoice South Africa’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Rayner, said: “We look forward to welcoming another channel from the A+E Networks stable to the DStv platform. We’re confident the powerful stories told on Lifetime will speak to our customers, uplifting them on a daily basis. We’re always looking for more ways to add even more value to our DStv service – Lifetime will help us to do just that for our Premium customers.”

Of the movies on offer, Whoopi Goldberg and Ving Rhames are partnered in A Day Late and a Dollar Short(July 22 at 8pm), a story about a dying matriarch who pulls a Madea by trying to reunite her fractured family before it’s too late. Another movie that piques interest is Flowers in the Attic(July 27 at 8pm), which is based on VC Andrew’s controversial book.

It’s a tale of four siblings who are hidden in the attic of their grandparents’ mansion by their mother, who claims that it is the only way they can reclaim their family fortune. What follows is a heartbreaking tale of unthinkable abuse endured by the siblings.

Other highlights include Dance Moms(July 22 at 7.10pm) – think along the lines of Toddlers & Tiaras, but on a dance platform.

And then there is Shahs of Sunset(July 28 at 8.45pm), in a similar vein to The Only Way is Essex and Breaking Amish Los Angeles, which homes in on a group of young Persian-American friends in Los Angeles. The series follows their social jaunts and career pursuits while they try to live up to the demands of family and tradition.

Orphan Black, Kim of Queens, Bring It! and Preachers’ Daughters are other offerings earmarked for the channel.

Phew, viewers are not only going to be spoilt for choice – they are going to be in a constant state of flux over what to watch and what to PVR on the premium bouquet. Talk about a smorgasbord of entertainment!

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