1Magic

1Magic was a South African subscription-based digital satellite television channel operated within the DStv ecosystem. It was created by M-Net and MultiChoice as a premium general-entertainment service, with a programming mix that emphasized South African productions while also carrying selected international series. The channel was positioned as a premium, locally relevant counterpart to Mzansi Magic and inherited much of the audience and programming role previously associated with VUZU Amp. The channel’s direct identity began on 29 January 2018, when VUZU Amp was rebranded as 1Magic. Its lineage, however, extended back to The Series Channel, which launched on 18 September 1998 as a sister service to the original M-Net channel. The service was renamed M-Net Series in August 2005. In July 2013, M-Net divided the service into three channels: M-Net Series Showcase, aimed at premium and newly released series; M-Net Series Reality, focused on talk and reality programming; and M-Net Series Zone, which concentrated on reruns and marathon blocks. Further restructuring followed in 2014. M-Net Series Showcase and M-Net Series Reality were replaced by VUZU Amp and M-Net Edge, while M-Net Series Zone was later renamed M-Net City in 2016. M-Net Edge was absorbed back into M-Net in March 2017. The subsequent VUZU Amp rebrand created 1Magic as a distinct premium entertainment proposition under the DStv brand architecture. 1Magic’s content strategy combined original and locally adapted programming with international acquisitions. Its local slate included series and factual-entertainment titles such as The River, Being Bonang, Living the Dream with Somizi, Please Step In, Grassroots and V Entertainment. The channel also carried international programs and promoted express or near-concurrent access to selected United States series, continuing an approach associated with its VUZU Amp predecessor. Referenced international programming included Black-ish, Grown-ish, How to Get Away with Murder, Queen Sugar and Power, alongside local productions such as Unmarried. The channel’s distribution footprint changed during its final period. On 1 February 2021, a West African feed was introduced and assigned channel 119, while the Rest of Africa feed continued on channel 103. 1Magic ceased operations on 31 March 2024, at the same time as the DStv channel Me. It is therefore a defunct television-channel brand rather than an active standalone company.

1Magic developed from a long-running chain of M-Net entertainment-channel restructurings. The original service began as The Series Channel on 18 September 1998. Created as a sister channel to M-Net, it supplied series-oriented programming to the subscription television platform that later became closely associated with DStv. In August 2005, the service adopted the M-Net Series name. On 9 July 2013, the M-Net Series service was divided into three distinct channels. M-Net Series Showcase served as the premium first-run outlet, M-Net Series Reality focused on talk shows and reality formats, and M-Net Series Zone provided reruns, previous seasons and extended marathon programming. This segmentation reflected an attempt to separate premiere drama and series content from reality programming and library scheduling. The structure changed again in October 2014. M-Net Series Showcase was replaced by VUZU Amp, positioned as a premium version of VUZU, while M-Net Series Reality was replaced by M-Net Edge, a primetime service intended to offer a stronger general-entertainment proposition than the main M-Net channel. M-Net Series Zone continued separately and was renamed M-Net City in 2016. In March 2017, M-Net Edge was absorbed into M-Net as part of another portfolio consolidation. VUZU Amp remained the direct predecessor of 1Magic. On 29 January 2018, the service was rebranded 1Magic. The new name accompanied a programming proposition that retained international series but gave greater emphasis to premium local productions. The channel was commonly understood as a premium counterpart to Mzansi Magic, using DStv’s subscription distribution and emphasizing South African entertainment, celebrity-led factual programming, reality formats and scripted series. Its locally associated programming included The River, Being Bonang, Living the Dream with Somizi, Please Step In, Grassroots and V Entertainment. It also carried international titles, including later seasons or releases of programs such as Black-ish, Grown-ish, How to Get Away with Murder, Queen Sugar and Power. This blend enabled the channel to serve both local-content demand and viewers seeking international entertainment within a pay-TV package. On 1 February 2021, the service expanded its feed structure for West Africa. The West African feed moved to channel 119, while the Rest of Africa feed continued on channel 103. The channel ultimately ended its operations on 31 March 2024, at the same time as Me. The closure marked the end of the 1Magic brand after approximately six years under that name and concluded a lineage of M-Net series channels dating back to 1998.

1. 2024Channel closes

   1Magic ceased operations on 31 March 2024.

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2. 2021West African feed added

   A West African feed launched on 1 February 2021, with a separate DStv channel position.

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3. 20181Magic brand launched

   VUZU Amp was rebranded as 1Magic on 29 January 2018.

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4. 2017M-Net Edge absorbed into M-Net

   M-Net Edge was folded into M-Net on 31 March 2017.

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5. 2016M-Net Series Zone becomes M-Net City

   The rerun-oriented M-Net Series Zone service was renamed M-Net City.

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6. 2014VUZU Amp and M-Net Edge introduced

   M-Net Series Showcase and M-Net Series Reality were replaced by VUZU Amp and M-Net Edge.

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7. 2013M-Net Series split into three channels

   The service was divided into Showcase, Reality and Zone channels to separate premium series, reality content and reruns.

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8. 2005Renamed M-Net Series

   The Series Channel adopted the M-Net Series name in August 2005.

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9. 1998The Series Channel launches

   The channel lineage began on 18 September 1998 when The Series Channel launched as a sister service to M-Net.

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A premium DStv general-entertainment channel with a strong South African content focus and a complementary selection of international series.

• 1MagicSubscription television channel2018

  The core 1Magic service was a DStv-distributed general-entertainment channel aimed at viewers seeking premium South African programming alongside selected international series. Its schedule included scripted drama, reality and factual-entertainment formats, celebrity-led shows and imported television series. The channel operated through regional feeds before ending transmission in March 2024.

• 1Magic West Africa feedRegional television feed2021

  The West African version of the channel launched in February 2021 as part of a regional distribution arrangement. It was assigned DStv channel 119, while the Rest of Africa feed continued on channel 103. The feed was part of the same 1Magic brand and ended when the channel closed.

• 2024Channel closureStrategy

  MultiChoice ended the operations of 1Magic as part of a change to its DStv channel portfolio.

  What changed. 1Magic ceased operations on 31 March 2024, simultaneously with the channel Me.

  Aftermath. The 1Magic brand became defunct and no longer operated as a DStv channel.

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• 2021Regional feed expansionStrategy

  DStv served multiple African markets through regional channel arrangements.

  What changed. A West African feed was introduced on 1 February 2021 and moved to channel 119, while the Rest of Africa feed remained on channel 103.

  Aftermath. The channel operated with regionally differentiated distribution until its closure in 2024.

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• 2018Rebrand from VUZU Amp to 1MagicGeneration change

  VUZU Amp was the direct predecessor of 1Magic and had served as a premium version of VUZU within the M-Net channel portfolio.

  What changed. The service was renamed 1Magic on 29 January 2018, with a stronger emphasis on premium local entertainment while retaining international programming.

  Aftermath. The rebrand established 1Magic as a distinct DStv entertainment brand and linked it more closely with the platform’s South African original-content strategy.

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• 20241Magic ceased operations

  The channel closed on 31 March 2024, alongside the DStv channel Me.

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• 2021West African feed introduced

  A dedicated West African feed was launched, moving to DStv channel 119, while the Rest of Africa feed remained on channel 103.

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• 2018VUZU Amp rebranded as 1Magic

  MultiChoice and M-Net replaced the VUZU Amp identity with 1Magic, establishing a new premium entertainment-channel brand within the DStv portfolio.

  OtherProduct generation
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1. 1Magic
2. Official 1Magic website