The 2015 CHILDWISE Monitor Report compiled by market researcher ChildWise suggests that children aged five to 16 spend an average of six and a half hours a day in front of a screen. What’s more, children not only consume their TV on multi-screens (on the TV and phone/tablet simultaneously) but they also increasingly use Catch-Up services. This means that during school holidays, the hours clocked in front of the TV screens are bound to increase. But, fear not dear parent. DStv has got your back! Switch on the parental control and let your young ones surf through DStv’s wide variety of kiddies’ channels that offer quality entertainment and edutainment shows to keep their minds engaged, excited and informed. The lessons commence with DStv’s three Disney channels: Disney Channel (channel 303) Disney XD (channel 304), Disney Junior(channel 309) and which offer a wide selection of series, sitcoms and movies. Disney Channel, the tweens’ ultimate favourite channel, has some of the entertaining programmes including the new season of Austin and Ally on Saturdays at 09:55 CAT who tackle issues like bullying and overcoming fear, plus the never-ending teenage twin problems and complications in Liv and Maddie on Saturdays and Sundays at 17:00CAT as well as the werewolf hit series Wolfblood on weekdays at 18:30 CAT where the characters’ wolf behavior is based on real life wolves. For the budding tween fashionista, aspiring fashion designer or fashion blogger, there’s Fashion Fortnight until April 20 from 13:00 CAT which features carefully-selected fashion dos and don’ts from some of the Disney shows. For your tiny tots who might be missing their playmates in kindergarten, there are plenty onscreen friends to entertain them on Boomerang(channel 302). Set a reminder for the premier of Mr Bean on Mondays to Fridays at 15:00 CAT, a new animated series based on the hilarious shenanigans of real life Mr Bean (Rowan Atkinson) that will entertain children with the insanely funny ways he overcomes obstacles. The channel will also bring young viewers the exciting Paws vs Claws weekend (25-26 April at 10:50 CAT), a full house of all-time-favourite feline and canine characters like Scooby Doo, Garfield and more who not only find ways to keep out trouble but also unique ways to solve problems. Cartoon Network (channel 301) has an exciting line-up that includes the return of Gumball and his chaotic family in the new season of The Amazing World of Gumball which premieres on Mondays to Fridays at 16:10 CAT and on Saturdays and Sundays at 08:20 and 14:35 CAT. There’s also a brand new special of Mixels Mondays at 14:05 and 16:35 CAT where the mischievous gang of Mixels teach little ones the art of combining with different tribes to gain special skills. Plus, there are more brand new episodes of children’s favourite problem-solving uncle-slash-grandpa, Uncle Grandpa at 15:45 CAT to enjoy every week day. There are also plenty of movies awaiting kids on the M-Net movie channels and with more blockbuster movies from Studio Universal which include their favourite superheroes; Superman and the Incredible Hulk, as well as the classic film Jurassic Park which are sure to capture any child’s imagination.
