The Box: MultiChoice Shuffles Channels on DStv, 'The Divorce Insurance' Premieres on March 31st
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Africa: South African filmmakers warn that the local film and TV industry is "on the verge of collapse," urging the government to address the broken film rebate system. Last week, hundreds of industry professionals, including Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, IPO, Animation SA, and DFA, staged a protest at the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) in Tshwane. They submitted a document outlining their concerns and demands, citing mismanagement and failures within the DTIC. Filmmakers are calling for accountability regarding funds allocated to support the struggling industry and an investigation into alleged financial mismanagement.
Tracy-Ann van Rooyen has moved from her role at The Walt Disney Company Africa to become the new executive head of content strategy for MultiChoice’s Showmax, starting in February. With extensive experience at M-Net and MultiChoice, she previously served as senior manager for programming and scheduling at Disney. After three and a half years, she returns to MultiChoice to lead content strategy for Showmax. Van Rooyen, known for her expertise in programming, acquisitions, and production, now permanently fills the role previously held temporarily by Nicola van Niekerk since mid-2023.
MultiChoice is discontinuing its 1max channel on DStv, which re-aired Showmax streaming content on a linear schedule. The channel will be removed by the end of March, marking the first linear TV channel cut in 2025. Launched quietly in April last year without an official announcement, 1max will have lasted exactly one year. The channel’s branding, derived from Showmax and the discontinued 1Magic, reflected its connection to the streaming service. Moving forward, Showmax Originals previously aired on 1max will now be broadcast on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
However, MultiChoice has now reversed its decision to limit DStv streaming to one device, now allowing two concurrent streams for DStv Premium, Compact Plus, and Compact subscribers. This change, effective immediately, responds to evolving viewer habits. In 2022, the company faced backlash after restricting users to a single stream, prompting many to switch to platforms like Netflix and Disney+ that offer multiple streams. MultiChoice now promotes "increased flexibility" for households, despite imposing the initial restriction three years ago. Subscribers can again stream on two devices simultaneously, including smart TVs.
Asia: The Divorce Insurance stars Lee Dong Wook and Lee Joo Bin in the comedy romance drama centered around divorce rates in which No Gi Jun (Lee Dong Wook) envisions divorce as an unforeseen life crisis and creates a unique insurance policy for it. He forms a dedicated team, bringing together Kang Han Deul (Lee Joo Bin), An Jeon Man (Lee Kwang Soo), and Jeon Na Rae (Lee Da Hee) to bring this innovative idea to life. The series begins airing on Monday, March 31st, 2025.
Asian content streaming service Rakuten Viki has announced its new Korean drama, My Girlfriend is The Man!, in collaboration with Korea’s Studio N. This marks Viki’s first co-production with the studio. The series, adapted from a widely popular webcomic with over 379 million global views, will premiere exclusively on Viki later this year. The show features K-pop stars Arin (Oh My Girl), Yoon San-Ha (Astro), and Chuu (ex-Loona), alongside actor Yoo Jung Hoo. Arin plays Kim Ji-eun, a university student who wakes up one day transformed into a man (portrayed by Yoo). She confides in her boyfriend, Park Yun-jae (Yoon), and they agree to stay together until she reverts to her original form. Meanwhile, student Kang Min-ju (Chuu), attempts to win Yun-jae’s affection.
Yoon Kyun Sang (House of Lies) has been cast in the upcoming historical action romance drama God’s Beads. The story follows a former royal guard who leads a team to find sacred relics and falls for the emperor’s daughter. Yoon will portray the guard, who is the princess’s first love. He joins Ahn Bo Hyun (Flex X Cop) as the expedition leader and Claudia Kim (The Atypical Family) as the emperor’s daughter. The drama is set to premiere on JTBC in late 2025.
Park Sung Woong (Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard) will star in the new comedy-drama Coach Maeng’s Troll. The series follows a struggling basketball coach on the verge of losing his job due to his team’s poor performance. Desperate, he teams up with his biggest online critic—a high school senior. Park Sung Woong takes on the role of the coach, alongside Park Sang Hoon (The Witch) as the student. The drama is set to premiere on MBC in late 2025.
Jung Jin Young (Who Is She) will lead the romantic comedy Nice Woman Boo Se Mi!. The story revolves around a bodyguard who enters a contract marriage with a terminally ill chaebol chairman to change her life. However, she must assume a new identity and go into hiding, where she meets a single father, played by Jung Jin Young. Jeon Yeo Bin (A Time Called You) is currently considering the role of the bodyguard. The drama is slated for release in late 2025.
