The channel, which is available on channel 190 (just one flip away from DStv's most popular channel overall, SABC1, believe it or not), will cease broadcasting on December 1st.
DStv has no plans to replace [ED], which is now the fifth channel in DStv's channel cuts, following the culling of CBS Action, CBS Drama, True Movies and AMC. The latter channels were cut as a result of DStv being so concerned about subscribers that they wanted to reduce the amount of repeats subscribers are exposed to (DStv seriously has among the country's best spin doctors on hand). The reason for [ED] being cut is simply that the channel's contract wont be renewed. That's it.
[ED], which was run by Urban Brew studios, featured a large slate of original domestic programming, mainly providing a platform for independent documentaries and self-produced informative chat shows. In addition, it featured a decent amount of quality foreign documentaries at a time when DStv's "documentary channels" prefers giving swamp people a platform.
This marks the first time that DStv has cut a channel with such a large amount of local content and, given how they are cutting costs and channels left and right (Please ignore the lavish and expensive party they hosted last week for M-Net's birthday), one has to wonder exactly how close ANN7 was to being cancelled when those rumours arose a few months back.
Roberto Carletti, the channel's station manager, says, "Thanks to our loyal [ED] viewers and advertisers for their continued support over the years. Through our content, our viewers have remained curious and have been inspired."
While DStv continues to cut channels in South Africa, they continue to lower prices and add channels in the rest of the continent. Think about that.
[Personally, thnk one thing the channel could have done better is marketing. Its programming was good but it was not marketed very well to average viewers]
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