Vuzu

Vuzu
Country	South Africa
Broadcast area	Africa
Network	M-Net
Headquarters	Johannesburg
Programming
Language(s)	English
Picture format	16:9 SDTV 1080 HD
Ownership
Owner	Naspers
Sister channels	Channel O; 1Magic; Mzansi Magic;
History
Launched	1 August 2003; 21 years ago
Closed	1 November 2021; 3 years ago
Former names	Go; (2003 - 2009)
Availability

Vuzu (stylized as VUZU) is a South African youth-oriented television channel produced by M-Net for sister pay television platform DStv.^[1] Vuzu is similar to some popular American TV Channels such as Bravo, FX, BET, The CW, NBC, TNT and many others.

Overview

The channel aires new programs monthly further making it a world class youth channel within the African Television and Broadcasting space. The channel broadcasts on channel 116 on Dstv fusing both local and international programs. The Channel is broadcast throughout Africa to DStv Family, Compact, Compact Plus & Premium subscribers. The channel had a more premium version of the channel called Vuzu Amp broadcasting on DStv channel 103 to premium subscribers only, showcasing mostly HD Programs some directly after U.S airing known as "Express From The U.S". This was replaced by One Magic.

History

The channel launched on 1 August 2003 as 'Channel go which is targeted for teenagers and youths as a competitor to MTV. The channel was available on DStv channel 84. It moved to channel 123 on 1 May 2008.

In March 2009, it was announced that Channel go will become Vuzu on 1 July 2009 as part of the second phrase of the channels reshuffling of its youth channel offering. Vuzu is typically geared towards the 14-23 age demographic.

Its launch also coincided with the launch of the virtual social network vuzu.tv in an effort to make the channel far more interactive than its predecessor. The first program to broadcast was the popular show known as Touch TV, which aired at 16:00 (previously 17:00 ). Many Go viewers protested the launch of the channel as it caused a number of go's programs to move to new time slots, channels or disappear completely.

In 2012, the channel once more went through a change as its traditional channel number 123 changed to 116. In 2014, a companion channel was created in replacement of M-Net Series Showcase which later was rebranded as Vuzu Amp.

On 12 December 2017, it was announced that Vuzu Amp will be rebranding as One Magic as of 29 January 2018, still broadcasting the same content, but will have a more local approach.

On 1 September 2018, Vuzu got a new logo and is now family oriented with its lineup mainly consisting of reality and sitcoms with a few drama series.

On 1 July 2019, Vuzu celebrated its 10th anniversary.

On 1 October 2021, it was announced that Vuzu and M-Net City would close on 1 November 2021 to be replaced by a new TV channel called ME.^[2]Thus, bringing an end to the Vuzu brand and TV channel after 18 years on air.