eMedia is adding a new channel to its Openview platform as it continues to expand its free-to-air entertainment offering in South Africa.
From Tuesday, 1 September 2026, viewers will find eXplore on Openview Channel 115, replacing People’s Planet.
The new Channel will focus on real-world programming, covering everything from wildlife and conservation to survival stories, mysteries and true crime.
According to eMedia, eXplore is built around the idea that the world around us can be more surprising and unusual than we expect.
The Channel’s launch schedule will begin with nature and wildlife programming before moving into crime and investigations later in the evening.
Viewers can expect titles including Cheetah Diaries at 18:00, Chameleons of the World at 18:25, Kalahari Meerkats at 19:20 and Endangered with Michaela Strachan at 19:45.
The evening will then take a darker turn, with Evil Unmasked: The Station Strangler at 20:10, followed by A Mother’s Madness at 21:00.
eMedia said the addition of eXplore reflects Openview’s continued effort to give viewers a wider range of programming. The company also thanked People’s Planet for its contribution to the platform’s nature, sustainability and outdoor programming.
The move comes as Openview continues to position itself as an alternative to traditional pay-TV services such as DStv.
Unlike DStv, which requires customers to pay for installation and hardware as well as a monthly subscription, Openview operates without a recurring viewing fee after the initial equipment costs.
The platform is also expanding beyond satellite television.
In July 2026, eMedia launched Openview Stream, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service developed with RunnTV, its strategic OTT and FAST technology partner.
eMedia CEO Khalik Sherrif said the streaming service represents the next stage in Openview’s development, allowing them to reach audiences beyond traditional television.
He said the partnership with RunnTV would help create a streaming service designed around African viewers while offering value to audiences, broadcasters, advertisers and content creators.
With the addition of eXplore and the launch of Openview Stream, eMedia is continuing to broaden Openview’s role in South Africa’s increasingly competitive television and streaming market.
