M-Net Turns 40 With a Legacy of Local Television and New Shows

M-Net marks its 40th anniversary on 26 October 2026, celebrating a television history spanning Carte Blanche, Egoli, reality competitions and the Sunday-night movie.

The channel launched on 26 October 1986 as South Africa and Africa’s first private subscription television service. Its anniversary programming combines local productions and international titles, with a new co-production also in development.

For generations of viewers, M-Net’s history includes the “Open Time” slot and the familiar sequence of Carte Blanche followed by the uninterrupted Sunday 8pm film.

Carte Blanche and Egoli Helped Shape Local Television

Derek Watts and Ruda Landman established Carte Blanche in 1988, building a programme associated with investigative journalism.

Four years later, Egoli: Place of Gold became South Africa’s first daily soap, helping establish a path for productions such as Binnelanders.

M-Net’s local programming also contributed to the profiles of performers and presenters including Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Ashley Hayden, Trevor Noah, Brümilda van Rensburg, Heinz Winckler, Nico Panagio, Somizi Mhlongo, Ferdi Rabie and Thuso Mbedu.

Former continuity presenter Hayden recalls joining during the channel’s early years and has congratulated the thousands who helped bring DStv into homes across Africa. Van Rensburg identifies Egoli as the beginning of an important chapter in M-Net’s history.

Reality Television Created New Opportunities

Big Brother South Africa arrived in 2001, followed by Idols South Africa in 2002.

Big Brother continues on Mzansi Magic, while Idols ran for 19 seasons before ending in 2023, launching musical careers along the way.

These formats added audience participation and competition to a schedule already associated with local drama, films and international series.

International Series Became Viewing Favourites

M-Net brought viewers comedies including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Malcolm in the Middle and Friends.

Its international drama offering has included ER, Lost, the NCIS franchise and productions from Taylor Sheridan’s television universe.

“Seeing what has grown from a small channel broadcasting 12 hours a day with 25 employees into a pay-TV powerhouse is incredible,” says Waldimar Pelser, MultiChoice’s Director of Premium Channels.

Pelser says generations of South Africans retain memories of theme tunes, scheduled viewing and characters. He adds M-Net is now accessible to more DStv subscribers through the new Movies & Series bouquet.

What to Watch in M-Net’s Anniversary Line-Up

The local thriller Invisible, based on Deon Meyer’s Blood Safari, airs on Wednesdays at 20:00.

A Conversation with Kgalema Motlanthe premieres on 28 October at 21:00.

Returning favourites listed in the anniversary programming include:

• My Kitchen Rules.
• Survivor USA.
• Mobland.
• Marshals.
• Lioness.
• Tulsa King.

Other highlighted titles are War, The Five Star Weekend, Dexter: Resurrection, Michael and NCIS: New York.

New Local Co-Production in Development

M-Net is developing a new co-production with Quizzical Pictures, the production company behind Reyka and White Lies.

The project adds to an anniversary programme looking beyond the archive. As the channel reaches forty years, its next phase continues the combination of South African storytelling and international entertainment familiar to its audiences.

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