What to watch on DStv this November

Forget about Guy Fawkes Day – the real fireworks will be on DStv this November. There’s a treat in store for awards fans, with two live broadcasts that cover all things entertainment: the 2020 MTV European Music Awards and the People’s Choice Awards. In both ceremonies, the winners were selected by the fans, so it’s a true reflection of what the people want.

Life is sometimes stranger than fiction and, with that in mind, Lifetime is taking a look at love from all angles. There’s also some kick-butt action for fans and novices on KIX. And there’s never been a better time to love drama with new and interesting telenovelas, local series, documentaries and blockbusters lined up.

Here’s just a taste of what’s in store for the month of November – only on DStv. 

Musical Mayhem

Get ready for a dance party like no other with the live broadcast of two incredible awards shows.

2020 MTV European Music Awards (EMA)

Shot from multiple locations across the world, this EMAs promises to be a global event with extraordinary star power. British girl group Little Mix will host and perform new music from their upcoming album. As the most nominated artists at this year’s show, can they grab Best UK & Ireland act for a third year in a row? First-time performers at the show include Sam Smith, Maluma, YUNGBLOOD and Doja Cat. Competition is fierce as Lady Gaga leads the nominees list this year with an impressive seven possible wins; BTS and Justin Bieber follow behind with five each. Want to have your say on who wins this year? There’s still time to vote until midnight on 2 November.

Sunday, 8 November on MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 22:00

The People’s Choice Awards (PCA)

Settle in for a star-studded event. This year, the PCAs have 44 categories across movies, music and pop culture. The list of iconic performers that have been nominated span greats like Dan Levy, Megan Thee Stallion, Will Smith, Lady Gaga, Cole Sprouse and The Weeknd. Jennifer Lopez is set to get the Icon Award this year, so there will be plenty of glitz and glamour.

Sunday, 15 November on E! Entertainment (DStv Channel 124) at 04:00

Wild Love Movies on Lifetime

Love isn’t always sunshine and flowers. Sometimes it can be dark and dangerous, too. Join Ayanda MVP this month for a special watch-along with Lifetime that shows what happens when things get out of control. From an obsessive wedding planner who is out to ruin lives to a last-minute wedding that is filled with calamity, these movies will make you think twice before hoping for Cupid’s arrow to hit you. Catch the following films on Lifetime (DStv Channel 131) at 19:20

Perfect Wedding (Mystery Thriller)

Sunday, 1 November

The Wrong Wedding Planner (Thriller)

Saturday, 7 November

Looking for Mr Wonderful (Thriller, also known as ‘Revenge for Daddy’)

Saturday, 21 November

Love at Look Lodge (Romance)

Sunday, 22 November

Loving Local

Have Faith S2

For anyone who thinks influencers have it easy, this is an interesting look at the life of an online celebrity. This highly anticipated new season will go in-depth with some of South Africa’s favourite stars to share their lives without the filters. Sitting down with their friends and families, these social media darlings will share the hard work and strategy that goes into being a famous face in today’s cancel-culture.

Mondays from 2 November on MTV (DStv Channel 130) at 21:30

Ouma Weet Mos S1

Looking for honest, experienced advice on relationships, careers and finances – and maybe a homemade biscuit? Then look no further than SA’s tried-and-tested agony aunts: the ouma. These three grandmothers tap into their 230+ years of experience to help guests with old-school solutions to modern problems. Every episode is chock-a-block with tender advice wrapped in loving encouragement.

Thursdays from 12 November on VIA (DStv Channel 147) at 20:00

Jou Tune S1

This show will feel like karaoke in your living room! Monique Steyn hosts this in-studio musical show where she sits down with some of SA’s favourite Afrikaans musicians. They share the struggles and successes they’ve experienced over their career and perform some of their popular songs – and Monique duets with them, too! Guests this season include former Idols stars Willem Botha, David Johnson and Bianca Le Grange, and The Voice South Africa star Fatman.

Tuesdays from 3 November on VIA (DStv Channel 147) at 19:30

Die Flinkste Familie S1 

Get ready for a gameshow that will have you thinking back on your school days. Beer Adrianse hosts this fun show that has two families competing against one another in a series of trivia with physical and mental challenges.

Starts Friday, 6 November on VIA (DStv Channel 147) at 18:00 (double episodes)

Classic Martial Arts with KIX

Get ready for some serious excitement as the action-only channel brings a wide selection of movies to South African screens – some for the first time! Say goodbye to gloomy weeks as every Monday will have a new classic martial arts movie for you to love. Catch the following films on KIX (DStv Channel 114) at 19:00:

Shaolin Martial Arts (Martial Arts)

Monday, 2 November

One-Armed Swordsman (Action-Adventure)

Monday, 9 November

Golden Swallow (Action-Adventure)

Monday, 16 November

The Duel (Western Drama)

Monday, 23 November

Mad Monkey Kung Fu (Martial Arts, Action)

Monday, 30 November

Daring Documentaries

Rebuilding Paradise

Director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind) captures the incredible strength and determination of a small California community after they suffer a devastating bushfire in 2018. Leaving many homeless, they learn to come together in order to not just survive but rebuild. An emotional and beautiful look at the strength of the human spirit.

Sunday, 22 November on National Geographic (DStv Channel 181) at 21:00

Grant S1

As the 17th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant was able to accomplish an incredible amount during a time when the US was at its lowest. The series, based on the bestselling biography by Ron Chernov, follows Grant’s rise from a working-class family to a decorated Civil War General. Following Lincoln’s assassination, Grant takes on the Presidency and the difficult task of reuniting the country as it recovers from many disasters.

Starts Sunday, 1 November on History (DStv Channel 186) at 20:15

All the Drama

The Undoing S1

Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, this show is filled with twists and turns – as well as a star-filled line-up! From the brilliant mind of David E. Kelly (Big Little Lies) comes a new show starring the incomparable Nicole Kidman and heart-warming Hugh Grant. It’s a tale of luxurious lives and dark secrets. The picket fences are torn apart when a crime destroys everything the residents have worked hard to achieve.

Mondays from 30 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 21:30

P-Valley S1

Gaining a magnificent 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics and viewers are in awe of the richly crafted characters and heartfelt storytelling in this neo-noir series. A tiny strip club situated in the Mississippi Delta, The Pynk is an oasis for some and a prison for others. From the owner struggling to keep the club open to dancers in various stages of their career, their stories are hauntingly beautiful. Using only female directors for the first season, you’ll be drawn in by the connection of this pseudo-family. Available as a boxset, this is as captivating as it is bingeworthy.

Tuesdays from 17 November on 1Magic (DStv Channel 103) at 21:30

The Best of the Brits

The Bay S1

A new crime series, this British drama is certain to create a stir. Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong investigates a case that hits a little close to home. As she investigates the disappearance of twins – she is shocked to discover their stepfather, Sean, is a man that she had a dirty alleyway fling with on the night of the twins’ disappearance. If she steps up and says where he was, she will pay the price of her own reputation and marital strife.

Thursdays from 12 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 22:30

Joanna Lumley’s Unseen Adventures S1

Everyone’s favourite AB FAB friend, Joanna, revisits some of her earlier work in this three-episode series. She chats us through previously unseen footage and exposes life behind the cameras – with her typical dry wit and undeterred demeanour. See all those little travel and filming hiccups along that were hidden from the series – such as roaring traffic, uncooperative camels, dodgy weather and street market rip-offs. From the Japanese sea of Okhotsk to the Silk Route and India, the world has never looked funnier.

Starts Thursday, 26 November on BBC Earth (DStv Channel 184) at 19:00

Being The Queen

Join filmmaker Tom Jennings as he explores the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. From her uncle’s shocking abdication to her children’s many dramas, be ready for never-before-seen interviews with those who know her best. 

Sunday, 15 November on National Geographic (DStv Channel 181) at 21:00

Blockbuster Movies

Ford v Ferrari (Sport Drama)

Starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon, this sports drama is about iconic driver Ken Miles and legendary car designer Carroll Shelby. The two must work together to build a revolutionary race car for Ford. Hoping to beat Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, they must battle corporate interference and naysayers to reach their goals.

Sunday, 15 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 20:05

Spiderman: Homecoming (Live-Action, Adventure)

Following the phenomenal Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man must learn to adjust to a new reality. Starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, the adventure and excitement is off the charts as they battle new threats.

Sunday, 22 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 20:05

Queen & Slim (Romantic Drama)

Written by controversial author James Frey and award-winning Lena Waithe, this movie is about a couple going on their first date. There are some unexpected twists when a police officer pulls them over and things escalate to a dangerous level. Cast as outlaws, the couple go on the run to escape persecution.

Saturday, 7 November on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 21:00

Telenovelas

Plead Guilty S1

Francois’ glossy life is falling apart. This high-flying lawyer treasures his daughter, Natalia, but his marriage with his wife, Roberta, is falling apart. Francois feels stuck because Roberta’s father, Mauro, owns the law firm he works at. He is on the path to make some terrible mistakes. But he’ll need to keep it together because while Natalia is fleeing her boyfriend’s attempts at date rape, she runs over a prominent football player in a hit-and-run accident that destroys his career dreams. Baby girl needs a lawyer!

Weekdays from Monday, 9 November on TLNovelas (DStv Channel 133) at 16:05

Abyss of Passion

It’s new love versus old in this love-triangle telenovela about how past rivalries can destroy a new generation’s happiness. Elisa must choose between two friends: she’s deeply in love with Damián but their relationship has rekindled the spark with his friend Gael – who was once Elisa’s childhood sweetheart. Meanwhile, Elisa’s own BFF has lost her heart to Gael. And the whole situation is complicated when someone who’s driven by the ghosts of the past blackmails Elisa into marrying Gael by threatening Damián’s life. 

Weekdays from Monday, 16 November on TLNovelas (DStv Channel 133) at 17:40

Papa a toda Madre

Playboy toy shop owner Mauriciois has it all – money, charm and dashing good looks. Mauriciois secretly can’t stand children, so he trusts the day-to-day running of his store to his childhood best friend Fabián. But when Mauriciois’ all-play, no-work lifestyle threatens to bankrupt the store, Fabián will have to put his foot down. And he might have some help getting the playboy to grow up when the lovely, athletic Renée comes along to challenge everything that Mauriciois thought he knew about love.

Weekdays from Monday, 30 November on TLNovelas (DStv Channel 133) at 19:15