October is a scream on DStv Premium
25 September 2020
DStv Premium subscribers can gather treats from every channel on DStv this October.
October brings us 2 full moons and a candy bag of a month, full of spooky programming for Halloween on DStv, including the long-awaited The Walking Dead S10 finale special on FOX (DStv 125), and the ecological comic book horror series Swamp Thing on M-Net City (DStv 115). The Lifetime Channel (DStv 131) dishes up 4 tales of terror in its creepy October movies about women lured into dangerous relationships.
And there are loads of Halloween-themed movies that’ll be available on the DStv Catch Up service to watch whenever you’re feeling haunted. For the kids, there's a magical, bewitching new series called The Owl House on Disney Channel (DStv 303), and all the kids' channels will be running their Halloween-themed episodes of the tinies' favourite shows on Saturday, 31 October.
There are dynamite new dramas including Ethan Hawke’s surprisingly funny Civil War abolitionist tale The Good Lord Bird on M-Net (DStv 101), the revamped Party Of Five if you’re looking for a show that’ll steal your heart and make it bleed on M-Net (DStv 101), and Vula Vala, a new tale of secret fathers, soccer stars and crime bosses, is #goals on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).
Reality fans can settle in for Miss Fabulous herself Khanyi Mbau's intimate new show on BET (DStv 129), E! (DStv 124) will be celebrating Kim Kardashian's 40th birthday, as well as introducing us to a new reality clan to love with The Bradshaw Bunch.
Talent show fundis can keep an eye out for South African singer Belinda Davids in Britain's Got Talent S14 on M-Net (DStv 101), and quiz show Pointless returns to BBC Brit (DStv 120), as does Strictly Come Dancing, as we wiggle along to S18.
Caffeine addicts will have a new BFF when they meet Henriëtte Marx in kykNET's new lifestyle series Netkoffie (DStv 144), adventure junkies will get a new perspective on Africa – especially South Africa, thanks to Instagram celeb World Wide Nate, who now has his own cooking and travel show on Discovery Family (DStv 136), and if you're looking for old friends, kykNET is bringing back Nataniël in his sneaky lockdown travel and cooking show Toegang. Those looking for only the spiciest local flavours can give Phat Joe's new celeb chow down on Cheeky Palate a shot on 1Magic (DStv 103). And if you're just looking for relaxing chat and music, Kelly Clarkson is back with a second season of her talkshow on M-Net (DStv 101).
True crime buffs, prepare to feast like Tiger Kings as Investigation Discovery (DStv 171) brings us a brand-new Tiger King series and a documentary special. Documentary fans can also look forward to the inspiring Chasing The Sun series on M-Net (DStv 101) that takes us inside the SA Rugby Team's 2019 World Cup victory in Japan and shows us how their teamwork made the dream work. Samuel L Jackson's brilliant and heart-wrenching exploration of the Transatlantic slave trade takes the spotlight on 1Magic (DStv 103). And the History channel (DStv 186) is coming up Trumps in the run-up to the US Presidential election on Tuesday, 3 November as it delves into the background of the current President, examines The US's political divisions, and takes us inside a White House special project and Air Force One itself. It’s World Animal Day on Sunday, 4 October, and National Geographic Wild (DStv 182) will be celebrating with a whole day of animal-centric specials, along with dedicating the entire month to one extra-scary animal in particular: the crocodile. Welcome to Croctober, fans!
Finally we’ll be welcoming a brand-new Miss SA on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday, 24 October.
October is packed wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor. Read on for all the dates, times and details of all these shows and more below,
Special events
Miss SA 2020
The world rejoiced when Zozibini Tunzi became Miss Universe in December 2019, passing her Miss SA Crown to Alberton-born Sasha-Lee Laurel Olivier. What a year it has been for Sasha, who took up the fight on behalf of survivors of sexual assault and abuse with her #itsnotyourfault campaign all through lockdown during the global pandemic. Now while she’ll continue her fight, she’ll be passing on the crown, sash and platform to a new beautiful mind. This 2-hour special comes to viewers live from Cape Town, where we will see this year’s 10 finalists show why they should represent South Africa and possibly – if they make the top 3 – go on to take the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants.
Watch on Saturday, 24 October on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 17:00
Premium Drama
The Good Lord Bird
Based on the award-winning James McBride, this story is told from the point of view of an enslaved teenager who becomes a member of 19th-century abolitionist John Brown's motley family during the time of Bleeding Kansas, eventually participating in the famous 1859 raid on the Army depot at Harpers Ferry.
Starts Monday, 19 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 22:30
Party Of Five S1
This coming of age drama, a reboot of the popular 90s drama centred on the Salinger family, tells the story of a sibling family without parents, working to keep their home and the family restaurant running, all while navigating a series of bureaucratic nightmares after their parents are both deported to Mexico.
Starts Friday, 2 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 21:00
Almost Paradise S1
Christian Kane is back for this action series about semi-retired DEA agent Alex Walker, who now runs a hotel gift shop in the Philippines. Alex might be reduced to selling tchotchkes after getting a doctor’s warning that his hypertension could kill him, but the islands’ rich crime lords didn’t get his doctor’s note.
Starts Monday, 5 October on Universal Channel (DStv 117) at 20:00
Vula Vala S1
Mzi Mkhize moves from Ladysmith to the East Rand in Johannesburg, to help his uncle Bheki run his supermarket, and make a success of his life to impress his girlfriend back home. But Mzi is walking right into a web of secrets, and at the centre is his secret father, ruthless tycoon and failing PSL soccer team owner Bra Rex Ndlovu.
Starts Sunday, 4 October on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 20:00
And don’t miss…
The Good Doctor S3
In this third season of the medical drama, autistic savant surgical resident Shaun Murphy will come to grips with the various emotions that relationships and dating raise. Along the way, his hope, optimism and curiosity about the world around him will challenge his co-workers to try seeing things from a different perspective.
Starts Monday, 5 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 19:30
NCIS S17
This season, former special agent Ziva David is returning from the “grave” to save her former boss Gibbs’s life. Meanwhile, Gibbs is going to get personally involved with his new single mom neighbour, Mira Sahar Azam (South African actress Louise Barnes), and her 9-year-old son, Phineas.
Starts Wednesday, 21 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 20:30
Blue Bloods S10
The first episode this season is the 200th episode overall, and it starts with newlyweds Jamie and Eddie Reagan house hunting. The series continues to deliver the complicated relationships in the cop-heavy Reagan family, as well as topical discussions about modern policing, like police brutality and the excessive use of force.
Starts Wednesday, 7 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 21:30
LA’s Finest S2
LAPD cop partners, detectives Syd and Nancy, are back to deliver justice, their way, in a new action and comedy-packed season. Syd and Nancy are here to protect and serve their community, and that means everyone, regardless of race or riches.
Starts Monday, 19 October on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:30
La Porta Rossa S2
Ghostly detective Leonardo Cagliostro solved the mystery of his own murder in S1 of this Italian supernatural drama. But in S2, just as Cagliostro is supposed to leave the earthly plane, his spiritual mentor, Jonas, awakes from his coma after 30 years, and Cagliostro becomes determined to work out Jonas’s true identity.
Starts Saturday, 17 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 22:00
Work In Progress S1
Abby McEnany stars in and co-created this funny, compassionate dramedy based on her own life, hand-in-hand with The Matrix’s co-creator Lilly Wachowski. It’s a mismatched soulmates comedy that explores all the ups and downs of gender identities and experiences outside the norm.
Starts Friday, 23 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 22:30
Halloween horror series!
Swamp Thing S1
Based on Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing comics, this series sees Abby Arcane return to her small Louisiana hometown to track an emerging virus on behalf of her bosses at the CDC (Center for Disease Control). She’ll cross paths with botanist Dr Alec Holland, who believes that the outbreak is linked to the illegal dumping of chemicals in the swamplands around the town.
Starts Saturday, 3 October on M-Net City (DStv 115) at 20:50
The Walking Dead S10 (Finale Special)
Following The Walking Dead S10B’s Catch Up on FOX (DStv 125) on Sunday, 4 October from 21:20 to 03:00, the COVID-delayed original season final 16th episode, titled A Certain Doom, will air live from the US. And now, it’s time for the final battle in The Whisperers War.
Starts Monday, 5 October on FOX (DStv 125) at 03:00, repeating in prime time at 20:45
Spooky ghosts and UFOs
Unidentified: Inside America’s UFO Investigation S2
The first season of this show gained credibility when the US Navy confirmed that footage taken by its pilots showing UFOs was the real deal. And now exec producer Tom DeLonge (yes, the former Blink 182 singer/songwriter) is back with more unexplained aircraft sightings.
Watch from Friday, 9 October on History (DStv 186) at 21:05
Ghosts Of Morgan City S1
Former FBI agent Ben Hansen, paranormal investigator Jereme Leonard, psychic medium Sarah Lemos and tech advisor K.D. Stafford have narrowed their search to super-haunted Morgan City in Louisiana. With the help of local historian Diane Wiltz, they’ll be uncovering the true stories of restless spirits that might be haunting the community.
Watch from Thursday, 15 October on Travel Channel (DStv 179) at 22:05
True Crime nightmares
Early on in the pandemic lockdown, people all over the world were obsessed with the Netflix Tiger King series, a bizarre tale of murder allegations, murder for hire, big personalities, big cats and the epic battle between Joe Exotic and his nemesis, Carol Baskin. Now 2 new documentaries are aiming to take a different perspective on the story. The news that actor Nicolas Cage is preparing to play Joe Exotic isn't even the strangest thing to have happened in the Tiger’s tale this year.
Investigating The Strange World Of Joe Exotic
It's time to let the cat out of the bag and address the lingering questions that viewers demand be answered. This 8-episode series, which features unaired footage from the Netflix series, will probe Carol Baskin’s past and her husband Don Lewis’s disappearance. The show also promises to reveal secrets that only Joe Exotic himself knows.
Watch from Thursday, 22 October on Investigation Discovery (DStv 171) at 21:00
Joe Exotic: Before He Was King
This 1-hour special delves into Joe’s past, his childhood and the major influences that led to him exploiting big cats, trying to become a popstar, embracing polygamous marriage, delving into politics, and trying to hire a killer to murder a woman who poses a threat to anyone mistreating exotic animals for personal gain.
Watch on Thursday, 29 October on Investigation Discovery (DStv 171) at 21:00
And don’t miss…
Living A Nightmare S1
This true-crime series focuses on the nightmarish experiences of people who’ve lost loved ones to violent crimes, and reveals how detectives work to bring the criminals involved to justice.
Watch from Monday, 5 October on Investigation Discovery (DStv 171) at 21:50
Murder Wall S1
This true crime re-enactment series presents evidence in real-life investigations to viewers piece by piece, challenging us to solve the crime. But don’t be too sure of yourself, because each of these cases involves some surprising twists and dramatic new discoveries.
Watch from Sunday, 11 October on CBS Justice (DStv 170) at 19:00
Lifetime Shocktober movies
The Lifetime channel is going all-out this October to bring us psychological horror and stories of human monsters that will make your skin crawl. For ultimate effect, watch for the dubious safety of your bath with rose petals, candles, a glass of wine… and a sense of paranoia that’ll have you wondering whether you just heard footsteps or saw a shadow pass under your door.
Psycho Yoga Instructor
Justine Grace is at her wits’ end. Her marriage is in crisis, her life is a wreck, and she needs to do some serious work on herself, too. A little light flirtation with her handsome new yoga instructor, Dominic, promises to be just the pick me up that she needs.
Watch on Saturday, 11 October on Lifetime (DStv 131) at 19:20
Her Deadly Groom
Alison is still feeling emotionally bruised after the failure of her marriage, when her friends set a profile for her on a dating site. At first it seems that Vincent could be an unexpectedly perfect match for her. But viewers will know from the opening scene that Vincent is a lady killer – literally...
Watch on Saturday, 17 October on Lifetime (DStv 131) at 19:20
Psycho BFF
Have your kids ever brought home a new best friend who set your teeth on edge? Spare a thought for Renee, whose daughter, Deandra, seems taken with her new school friend, Olivia. When Olivia strikes Renee as dangerously and abusively controlling, though, she tries to separate the girls, only for them to run away together.
Watch on Sunday, 18 October on Lifetime (DStv 131) at 19:20
My Nightmare Landlord
Lydia is trying to make a fresh start in a new home after she breaks up with her boyfriend. And while her handsome landlord, Drew, might seem like something out of a romantic comedy plot, he soon romances Lydia with all the clichés including buying her clothes, cooking romantic dinners and even pouring champagne down her throat… by force.
Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Lifetime (DStv 131) at 19:20
Teeny weeny Halloween
There’s something spooky and kooky for the kids this October, too.
The Owl House S1
In this brand-new animated fantasy series, 14-year-old human girl Luz (voiced by Sarah-Nicole Robles) stumbles across a hidden magical world while she’s at a summer camp for juvenile delinquents. Despite not having any innate magical powers, Luz is determined to study as an apprentice with Eda (voiced by Wendie Malick), the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles. Thanks to her success at helping Eda on a quest, Luz eventually becomes an exchange student at Hexside Academy.
“I’m a big fan of old, medieval art. So the general look and concept of the show first came from when I was looking through old art books and old history books, rediscovering the works of Hieronymus Bosch, which was basically Pokémon in the 1500s,” says series creator Dana Terrace. “One of the main themes that I really like, with Luz and the other characters, is freedom of expression – and that being different is okay.”
Watch from Monday, 26 October on Disney Channel (DStv 303) at 15:15
And don’t miss…
Plan your Halloween Saturday with special themed episodes of all the following shows, which will be playing on your kids’ favourite channels…
The Scare-A-Thon Stunt Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Nickelodeon (DStv 305) from 11:05
Halloween Marathon Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Nick Jr (DStv 307) from 13:00
Bunnicula Halloween Stunt Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Boomerang (DStv 302) from 15:10
Halloween Stunt Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Disney Channel (DStv 303) from 16:10
Siesta Z Halloween Special Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Da Vinci (DStv 318) at 17:10
Science Max Halloween Special Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Da Vinci (DStv 318) at 17:40
Make Me a Super Halloween Special Watch on Saturday, 31 October on Da Vinci (DStv 318) at 18:10
Halloween movies
All of the following movies can be enjoyed on DStv Now, or you can watch them on DStv Catch Up to create your own special Halloween weekend movie marathon.
The Halloween Family
In this kid-friendly animated movie, Larry the Zombie and Fred the Mummy want to make big life changes – Larry wants to be alive again properly, while Fred wants his curse lifted. Acting on the advice of Boo the Boogeyman, they set off to talk to a magical tree named Ghoul, who might be able to grant their wishes on Halloween.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Friday, 2 October at 07:33
Hotel Transylvania
This animated comedy centres on Dracula’s hotel, where the whole staff is in a tizzy because Drac has invited monsters far and wide to come and celebrate his precious daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. But the staff will really be challenged when a human tourist wanders into the hotel, and decides to stay.
Watch on M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on Thursday, 3 October at 17:28
Addams Family Values
Gomez and Morticia unwittingly hire a serial killer named Debbie as a nanny for their new-born son. Eager to make her life as easy as possible while she plots to take over the house, Debbie persuades Gomez and Morticia to send their older children, Pugsley and Wednesday, to summer camp, like regular human children.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Friday, 4 October at 03:45
Pitch Black
This 2000 live action science fiction horror film centres on notorious prisoner Richard B. Riddick, whose surgically altered eyes allow him to see in the dark. That proves to be a plus when the spaceship that he’s travelling on crash lands on a strange planet, whose monstrous, photosensitive inhabitants immediately start picking off the survivors.
Watch on M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on Friday, 4 October at 20:00
Lil’ Monsters
In this 2019 animated kids movie, a group of little monsters, including a baby vampire, werewolf, mummy and zombie, participate in a “Mischief Night” dance off to determine who’ll take the crown as best dancer. Along the way, Lil’ Fang unites his classmates to form a dance club and rehearse after school with him.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Monday, 5 October at 06:45
Monster Family
Dracula causes trouble when he falls for busy, frustrated working mom Emma Wishbone, whose marriage and family are falling apart. Emma is planning to pull her family back together by getting everyone to dress up for a big monster-themed party. But a witch’s curse transforms the whole family into the monsters they’re dressed up as.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Tuesday, 6 October at 11:38
Queen Of The Damned
In this live action film based on the third of author Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels, late singer Aaliyah plays Akasha, the vampire queen of the title, who becomes fascinated by the rule-breaking rockstar vampire, Lestat. Both Lestat’s high profile and Akasha’s obsession alarm the elder vampires, who search for a way to get rid of them.
Watch on M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on Friday, 30 October at 01:35
Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween
In this horror comedy, Madea and her family are determined to stop 17-year-old Tiffany and her friends from attending a big, rowdy Halloween party with college kids. The kids retaliate by creating a series of pranks to convince Madea and the rest of Tiffany’s family elders that monsters are real, and are out to get them.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Saturday, 31 October at 19:00
Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween
Tiffany, who’s now 18 and just as much of a troublemaker, gets wind of a Halloween party - but the venue is said to be haunted in true slasher movie style by the murderous “Derrick” and his family. When Madea drives off to stop the party again, she and the girls will end up running and screaming through the woods.
Watch on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Saturday, 31 October at 20:45
Ghost Stories
Professor Phillip Goodman is obsessed with debunking psychics and has his own TV show dedicated to the task. Then his childhood hero, paranormal investigator Charles Cameron, asks him to help to debunk three difficult cases. But things aren't as they seem in this creepy tale.
Watch on M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on Saturday, 31 October at 20:52
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
There are monsters who demand the teeth of innocent children living in an old mansion, which is bad news for 8-year-old Sally, who’s come to stay with her father, Alex and his girlfriend Kim. Poor Sally gets the blame when she unwittingly releases the creatures and they start playing all sorts of nasty, destructive tricks.
Watch on M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108) on Saturday, 31 October at 22:30
And check out this link to see what’ll be on the brand-new all-action KIX Channel (DStv 114) over the Halloween weekend.
Quality documentaries
Chasing The Sun S1
DStv Premium viewers will crush those Sunday blues in October thanks to this uplifting collaboration between M-Net (DStv 101) and SuperSport. Chasing The Sun tells the story of a Springbok rugby team and their journey from dejection and underperformance to becoming the champions of the world. And you don’t have to have watched a minute of rugby or even care about sports at all to take that in and make it your own.
Throughout its 5 40-minute episodes, Chasing The Sun gives viewers unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes footage of the Springboks in their preparation for the World Cup – from matches, locker room discussions, practices, and exclusive fresh insights from the coaching staff, players and commentators.
The title of the show is taken from a quote from former president Nelson Mandela. As the last century ended and Nelson Mandela was resigning from public office, his 1999 farewell speech to Parliament closed with his dream that “all our children may play in the sun” – 21 years later, a team made up of those varied children, chased and found that sun, in Japan.
Starts Sunday, 4 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 18:00
Enslaved S1
Executive producers Samuel L Jackson and LaTanya Jackson, and author/broadcaster Afua Hirsch and investigative journalist Simcha Jacobovici, are probably about to educate you more about slavery in these 6 episodes than your entire school career might have. The documentary takes Samuel’s experiences of searching out his family’s roots in Gabon, to reframe the misery, cruelty and scope of the Transatlantic slave trade. Each episode combines 3 angles: Samuel’s personal journey; the search for a sunken slave ship (a different ship in each episode); and Simcha and Afua’s historical research into the documented evidence produced by the trade throughout Europe, Africa and the Americas. “I count myself as being from a tribe of survivors," says Samuel as he introduces this story. And as much as this documentary is an indictment of the trade as a whole and the thought used to justify it, it is also a celebration of the resilience of the survivors and the traces of their culture and homes that they clung to against all odds and abuses.
Starts Wednesday, 21 October on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:30
And don’t miss…
Ben Fogle: Return To The Wild S2
Adventurer Ben Fogle returns to meet and chat to people who’ve turned their backs on the rat-race to go off the grid and live in some of the world’s remaining wild places. Ben first met these determined people in his 2013 series, New Lives In The Wild, and now he’s going to see how their lives have changed, and how their opinions, skills and living conditions have shifted since their original meeting.
Starts Monday, 5 October on BBC Earth (DStv 184) at 19:00
The Trump Dynasty S1
This 6-hour documentary series digs into 45th US President Donald Trump’s New York childhood with his millionaire parents, his actions as a real estate mogul, and his experiences as an author and reality show host. And we’ll also get an insider look at the 2016 election campaign, with never-before-seen archive footage and first-person interviews.
Starts Sunday, 4 October on History (DStv 186) at 19:20
America’s Great Divide: From Obama To Trump
This 2-episode special highlights the conditions of and reaction to the presidency of Barack Obama as well as the current Trump Presidency. It’s an effort to make sense of the current bitter divide in US politics, and an exploration of how the Trump Presidential Campaign exploited the divisions in the country on the way to the White House.
Starts Sunday, 4 October on History (DStv 186) at 20:15
The Secret History Of The White House
Investigative journalists and government insiders bring to light a top-secret construction project that took place outside of the West Wing of the White House from 2007 to 2012. What lies beneath the President’s residence following this construction project known as The Big Dig? Certain documents and unseen images are now no longer classified, and they will be used.
Starts Sunday, 4 October on History (DStv 186) at 21:20
The Secret History Of Air Force One
This one-hour documentary special takes us inside Air Force One itself – the plane dedicated to transporting the US President – with exclusive footage, archive footage, and interviews with insiders. It’s time to explore the history of the most famous aircraft in the US.
Starts Sunday, 11 October on History (DStv 186) at 21:20
Presidents At War
Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush all participated in WWII before going on to sit in the Oval Office. This documentary will explore how their wartime experiences changed them and shaped their leadership styles and their decision-making processes in the White House.
Watch on Sunday, 25 October on History (DStv 186) at 21:10
October is Animal Month
World Animal Day Stunt
National Geographic Wild’s special day of programming on Sunday, 4 October will include 2 new brand-new episodes of Secrets Of The Zoo, one focussed on tigers and the other on rhinos. Here’s what to expect on the day:
- 00:30-02:53: Africa’s Deadly Kingdom S1: eps 2-4, South Africa’s West Coast, Reefs, and Grasslands.
- 02:54: Born Wild (special): Young animals and their parents learn what it takes to survive in a changing world.
- 03:40: Born In Africa S1: ep3, teen predators get their first real hunting lessons.
- 04:25: Original Fight Club (special): Animals fight for survival in all sorts of different ways.
- 05:13: Shark Survivors USA (special): A look at fascinating shark behaviour among different species in waters around the US.
- 06:00: Yukon Vet Northern Lights S8: Eps 7 & 8, Dr Michelle Oakley treats a moose with a breathing problem, and she finds out that her dog, Bindi, is going to have 8 puppies. And then she has a musk ox for a patient, along with a baby reindeer, and she treats a horse named Ghost.
- 06:50: Lady With 700 Cats (special): Lynea Lattanzio runs a cat sanctuary focussed on getting cats healthy and socialised for adoption.
- 07:37: Girl Power (special): See nature and its survival struggles from the perspective of female animals.
- 08:26: Regime Of The Queen (special): Iconic big cat stories centred on feline moms.
- 09:16: Snake Island: Wild And Deadly (special): Visit an Australian island where the deadly tiger snake thrives.
- 10:05: Lady With 700 Cats (r)
- 10:53: Girl Power (r)
- 11:42: Counting Tigers (special): See how the world’s largest-ever wildlife survey counted tigers in the wild.
- 12:25 Vanishing Kings: Desert Lions Of Namib (special): A look at 5 young male lions who conquered the challenging Namib Desert.
- 13:17 The Real Black Panther (special): Saya, a black leopard, rises to power in India’s Kabini forest. Photographer Shaaz Jung spent 10 hours a day over 3 years tracking and photographing Saya.
- 14:04: Sharks Of The Bermuda Triangle (special): Finds out why this special patch in Bermuda is a shark haven for creatures like the Tiger Shark and Cookiecutter shark.
- 14:51: Wild Alaska: Arctic Summer (special): Animals make the most of the 2-month summer in the Arctic Circle.
- 15:38: Little Giant (special): Elephant calf Little E makes the dangerous journey across the Maasai Mara when drought strikes.
- 16:24: India’s Wild Leopards (special): A cameraman documents the wild cats of India, and how they are adapting to all sorts of different environments.
- 17:11: Secrets Of Wild India: Kings Of The Jungle (special): A look at the dazzling variety of India’s wildlife from its mountains, to desert and savannah, to forests and deep jungle.
- 18:01: Secrets Of The Zoo: Tigers (brand-new special): Meet the zoo’s 3 new tiger cubs, who’s out exploring. But they’d better not disturb the grumpy tiger.
- 18:48: Secrets Of The Zoo: Rhinos (brand-new special): The zoo has baby rhino fever, a rhino paints a masterpiece, and two rhinos get romantic.
- 19:37: Monster Snakes (special): Anacondas, pythons and more of the world’s biggest snakes.
- 20:26: Secrets Of The Zoo: Tiger Time (r)
- 21:15-23:40: The Incredible Dr Pol (mix): Dr Pol and her team treat lame goats, and angry bulls who’re feeling the summer heat, there’s an animal who’s struggling to deliver twins, and a special episode looks into a whole week of animal emergencies that kept the clinic staff on the go 24-7.
- 23:41: Secrets Of The Zoo: Tiger Time (r)
- 00:30 Sharks Of The Bermuda Triangle (r)
Watch on Sunday, 4 October on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182) from 00:30
Croctober S1
This stunt of programming is dedicated to one of the fiercest predators in the wild today: the crocodile. As well as digging back into the prehistoric times, the shows will bring us in-depth stories of how crocs around the world hunt and live. Enjoy the following specials:
Sunday, 11 October
- 18:00: Hippo versus Croc: Exploring the uneasy relationship between hippos and crocodiles – and how it turns deadly.
- 18:48: Jaguars versus Crocodile: Wildlife photographer Steve Winter and cameraman Bertie Gregory capture footage of the jaguars in the Pantanal of Brazil hunting caiman in the water.
- 19:37: Croc Inside Out: 2 Specialists explain how the Nile Crocodile’s physiology and adaptations make it the perfect ambush predator.
- 20:26: Hippo vs Croc (r)
Sunday, 18 October
- 18:00: Cave Crocs Of Gabon: A special species of dwarf crocodile lives underground in Gabon’s cave systems.
- 18:48: Mother Croc: Highspeed cameras capture crocs in action as they hunt to reveal their strategies.
- 19:37: Lake Of A Thousand Caiman: An uncharted lake in the Amazon is a hot spot for the black caiman.
- 20:26: Cave Crocs Of Gabon (r)
Sunday, 25 October
- 18:00: World’s Deadliest Crocs: There are 4 big crocodile species around the world. This show weighs up stories from survivors to explore their behaviour.
- 18:48: When Crocs Ate Dinosaurs: Palaeontologist Paul Sereno tells us all about the prehistoric monster croc, Deinosuchus, which terrorised ancient rivers.
- 19:37: Boss Croc: Cameras follow a crocodile named Brutus from his hatchling days, to his 50s, as he becomes the biggest croc to beat.
- 20:26: World’s Deadliest Crocs (r)
Starts Sunday, 11 October to Sunday, 25 October on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182) from 18:00
Dr. T Lone Star Vet S1
Dr. Lauren Thielen (Dr. T) from pet & vet series Dr. K’s Exotic Animal ER is opening up her own exotic animal practice in her home state of Texas. She’s next door to one of the state's largest and busiest animal hospitals. Dr. T will be one of 12 specialists called on to treat everything from emus, to hedgehogs, lemurs to cockatiels. There’s even a kangaroo. She specialises in the smaller exotic animals, who require the most delicate of handling. “In Florida and Texas, for the most part, the climate is acceptable, but they’re also the biggest hubs for exotic animal importation, actually, Texas being huge for that. So I think that’s why we get a lot of it,” explains Dr. T. “I like the little prickly or fuzzy ones – or animals that I can just carry around effortlessly, that’s my type of pet or patient.”
Starts Wednesday, 14 October on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182) at 18:00
Reality
Keeping Up With The Kardashians 18B
The second half of KUWTK S18 starts (episode 11), follows the shock announcement that its 20th season, which will air in 2021, will be its last. As we return, Kim meets with some former prisoners who will be helping her with her Justice Project. Scott has a health crisis, and a fight between Kendall and Kylie derails Kris’s plans for a healing family holiday in Palm Springs.
Watch from Sunday, 4 October on E! (DStv 124) at 20:00
Britain’s Got Talent S14
This is a must-see season for local fans as we’ll be cheering on singer Belinda Davids from Cape Town. Voting in the semi-finals will be a little different this season, with the judges first choosing their top-3 acts and picking one of these to go through to the finals. The public vote will decide between the remaining contestants to pick those who should join them.
Weekdays from Monday, 6 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 18:00
Pointless S23
The twisty-thinking quiz show that rewards our brains’ determination to remember random titbits is back! Presenter Alexander Armstrong and co-host Richard Osman will be putting contestants through their paces as they try to come up with the answers to questions (which have multiple correct answers) that the fewest of the 100 people who were polled for the show in advance will have thought of.
Watch from Monday, 5 October on BBC Brit (DStv 120) at 19:00
MbauReloaded S1
When Khanyi Mbau posted pics of herself boarding her private jet for a flight to Bloemfontein this August, there was criticism. There always is. But some fans dubbed her their Rich Aunt – you know, the one who knows how to live her best life. Now we’re hoping her reality show will give us the naked truth about how she does it.
Watch from Saturday, 10 October on BET (DStv 129) at 21:30
Haunted Gingerbread Showdown S2
In each episode, host Clinton Kelly calls on 3 of the US’s best gingerbread artists to create masterpieces based on a variety of spooky topics. The season starts with a fun episode in which the bakers must create tributes to the horror comedy film Ghostbusters, which celebrates its 35 birthday this year.
Watch from Saturday, 10 October on Food Network (DStv 175) at 19:55
The Bradshaw Bunch S1
American Football star Terry Bradshaw invites viewers inside his family’s lives on their ranch in Oklahoma. The family is Terry, his prankster wife, Tammy, and his grown-up daughters Rachel, Erin and Lacey, as well as Lacey’s 7-year-old daughter, Zurie. They’re all just trying to get through the pandemic lockdown in one, sane piece together.
Watch from Monday, 12 October on E! (DStv 124) at 19:05
Naked And Afraid XL S5
This season’s 12 all-star survivors will be dropped off on the island of Palawan in the Philippines, and challenged to survive 40 days in the wilderness with only their 2 chosen items to aid them. No clothes, no food, no shelter, no water. They’ll be dropped off in the oceans by boat in teams of 3 and have to swim for the island, dodging sharks.
Watch from Wednesday, 14 October on Discovery Channel (DStv 121) at 20:55
Kim’s 40th Birthday Stunt
In this 40th birthday special, E! Is taking viewers back to the start and showcasing special episodes that were milestone moments for our girl Kim K. Remember when Kim tried to fire Kris as her momager? When she kept taking selfies while they were driving Khloe to jail? That time she secretly fed the family placenta? All this and more…
Starts Monday, 19 October to Sunday, 25 October on E! (DStv 124) from 06:50
Strictly Come Dancing S18
Strictly gets a shorter season, and had to be filmed entirely in-studio this year due to pandemic restrictions – but it’s here at last. Judge Bruno Tonioli will be commenting remotely from LA, although there are plans afoot to get him to Elstree Studios late in the season. But Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood will all be in their judging seats in person.
Watch from Sunday, 25 October on BBC Brit (DStv 120) at 19:00
The Entertainers: Talk & Lifestyle
Net Koffie S1
If you saw the word coffee and thought, “Gimme”, you share your passion with humans around the world who’re collectively drinking 2,25 billion cups of coffee every single day. Entrepreneur Henriëtte Marx, owner of Coffee Excellence, is the host of this new lifestyle show that will take you around the world looking at cafe culture and coffee production.
Watch from Saturday, 3 October on kykNET (DStv 144) at 18:00
World Wide Nate S1
When Chicago-born Nathan Fluellen has now visited 6 continents and 60 countries. His first TV series will concentrate on his travels through the African continent. Nate will be spending quite a lot of his episodes in South Africa, climbing in the Drakensberg, game watching In Phinda, swimming and surfing in Durban, and Grand Prix racing in Joburg.
Watch from Monday, 5 October on Discovery Family (DStv 136) at 18:30
Toegang S1
South African cabaret artist, cook and lifestyle king Nataniël will be taking us around the country with his special all-access pass to places we weren’t allowed to enter during the pandemic lockdown (level 3). He’ll take us on an insider tour of some iconic buildings’ art collections, inner workings, and surprise features, and he’ll be taking along his stove plate to whip up a special meal in each location.
Watch from Friday, 9 October on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 19:00
The Kelly Clarkson Show S2
Kelly’s talkshow will blend live and virtual features this season. Kelly explains, “We are going to continue to have important conversations with changemakers. Plus, musical guests this season will include Common, John Legend, Little Big Town, Machine Gun Kelly, Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Patrick Harris, Queen Latifah and Usher.”
Weekdays from Monday, 12 October on M-Net (DStv 101) at 17:00
Jamie: Keep Cooking And Carry On S1
Jamie has tightened his belt, and this series focuses on making the most of pantry staples and hacks to prepare and present the same foods in all sorts of different ways. He’ll be making good use of his freezer and tinned foods, and he has a whole lot of ingredient swaps up his sleeve to help you to cook a bang-up meal, on a budget.
Watch from Monday, 19 October on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) at 20:00
Seeing America With Megan Rapinoe
In this special, soccer star and captain of the US national soccer team, Megan Rapinoe is meeting with politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), comedian Hasan Minhaj, and Pulitzer-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to discuss a range of hot topics like race, class and gender issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and issues spotlighted by the upcoming 2020 US Presidential elections.
Watch from Monday, 19 October on 1Magic (DStv 103) at 20:30
