Channel O Africa CANCELLED | What does this means for the Channel O Awards?

Shocker! Channel O's parent company Mnet announced this weeks that it will be shutting down the transmission of Channel O Africa on the 31st of March. This effectively means the channel will stop airing on DStv channel 320 and GOtv channel 70 . 

According to a press release sent out by the company, Channel O will hand over the baton to Africa Magic, who are taking over as the new home of local music in the rest of Africa.

Mnet says the termination of the Channel O feed to the rest of Africa is to allow M-Net to create customized music content according to regional preferences on its existing Africa Magic brands where the rest of Africa’s music talent will get ample space to shine.

The changes on the Africa Magic platforms are; 

• From the 1st of April, subscribers can tune into Africa Magic World (GOtv channel 10 and DStv channel 155) to keep abreast of the best in West African music talent. The channel will get viewers into party-mode with an hour-long daily music show which will showcase the latest music videos made in Africa. 
• Maisha Magic Swahili on DStv channel 158 will continue to support the East Africa’s musicians by promoting their music videos on various music shows.

Mnet states; 

"The decision to review the Africa feed of Channel O has certainly not been an easy one, however, the termination of the channel in the rest of Africa will also enable M-Net to refocus investment efforts in local dramas and series productions where the market is growing"

What does this mean for the Channel O Awards?

Billed as the biggest award ceremony honouring African musical talent across the continent, the Channel O awards have been an integral part of uniting Africans in song. The awards have introduced artists from different countries to a whole new cross over market across Africa.

The termination of Channel O Africa obviously means the Channel O African Video Music Awards will also get the same fate in their current form.

If Channel O is only to be aired in South Africa then it would not make sense to have the awards in their current form.

It is safe then to say the CHOVMA are over!!