The brand new DStv Premium channel M-Net Edge, which will take television connoisseurs to the edge of entertainment from 20 October 2014 at 19:00, will be the future home of HBO in Africa.
M-Net has signed a milestone agreement with the renowned US television network to screen all first-run HBO series, as well its iconic library material, exclusively on M-Net Edge.
When M-Net Edge launches on DStv’s channel 102 next week, the HBO classic The Sopranos will be a fixture on the schedule on weekdays at 22:00, while viewers will also be able to enjoy the fifth and final season of the highly acclaimed Boardwalk Empire, the period drama starring Steve Buscemi, which has garnered a long list of prestigious awards over the years.
In a revolutionary move, M-Net Edge has furthermore created weekend binge-sessions of drama series that previously only occupied late-night slots on M-Net. All prior spectacular seasons of Game of Thrones will be screened on Saturdays from 21:00 before the latest venomous power struggles of Westeros hit screens world wide in Season 5. These Game of Thrones catch-up sessions will include five episodes back-to-back in one go.
Among the other HBO shows that will premiere on M-Net Edge at a later stage are new seasons of The Newsroom, Veep, Girls, Silicon Valley, The Leftovers and Looking. But that’s not where the good news ends: anyone who has been waiting for the chance to watch gut-wrenching or hard-hitting masterpieces like Rome, Banshee and The Wire again, will love M-Net Edge’s plans for 2015.
“The deal with HBO is a great coup for us,” says Victor Eckard, Director: M-Net and M-Net Edge. “Throughout the world, HBO is well-known for its groundbreaking, cutting-edge and superior quality productions. Their shows are a perfect fit for the bold new M-Net Edge which aims to delight discerning viewers with risque, yet classy, series. This fantastic partnership also allows us to bring the best HBO series to our shores much faster and you’ll know where to find them first — on channel 102.”
“It is great to see M-Net Edge adopt the ‘Home of HBO’ model. It has proven to be successful in many other countries around the world,” said Charles Schreger, President Program Sales for HBO. “We are thrilled to have such a valuable partner like M-Net embrace the HBO brand in this way.”
As part of its promotional campaign to launch M-Net Edge, the legendary Iron Throne from Game of Thrones was brought to South Africa. Some of the country’s biggest stars, passionate Game of Thrones fans – and even politicians such as the Western Cape’s Premier Helen Zille – have already taken their seat in this piece of television history.
