This groundbreaking two week long addition to the existing nine M-Net Movies channels on DStv is the continent's very first events channel built around international movies, as well as Africa's first channel dedicated to all things Star Wars.

Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi and all the other iconic Star Wars characters will wield their lightsabers on channel 109 on DStv Premium, which will feature all the Star Wars movies, as well as other programming linked to the franchise.

Each day of the week, starting Monday, 31 August, the M-Net Movies Star Wars channel will screen one of the blockbusters that dominated global popular culture since its epic release in 1977 – from the cult classic Star Wars: A New Hope with which George Lucas introduced us to Star Wars mythology to 2005's Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which was praised for its mind-blowing digital effects. The movies will play in chronological order of release at 19:30 CAT as well as at 06:00 CAT on the same day, while those who missed out on the action during the week can binge-watch the entire galactic saga from beginning to end on Sundays.

The movies will be interspersed with animated features and series, featurettes, documentaries and other delights from the Star Wars universe.

“This is a great coup for us,” says M-Net South Africa CEO Yolisa Phahle. “Creating a movie channel dedicated to Star Wars is an initiative that Star Wars fans will enjoy, but we also hope to introduce this iconic programming to a new audience. Pop-up television channels are currently all the rage worldwide and our M-Net Movies Star Wars channel once again shows that we continue to align ourselves with the hottest trends and biggest brands whilst embracing the future of visual entertainment.”

With this M-Net Movies pop-Up channel, fans will be able to enjoy all their favourite Star Wars battles, plots and characters before the cinematic release of the brand-new Star Wars film later this year.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is due for release by the Walt Disney Company in December 2015.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, to audiences in this first-for-Africa television event with DStv,” says Christine Service, senior vice president and country manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa. “This is a perfect opportunity for families to experience some of the world’s most unforgettable characters and stories to screens across the continent.”

In addition to the Star Wars content available to DStv Premium customers on channel 109, young and old alike can also look forward to a magical Star Wars online experience on www.mnet.tv.

From Wookies to Droids and bounty hunters to Sith lords, the M-Net Movies Star Wars pop-Up channel, exclusive to DStv Premium, will be a gateway to the Galactic Empire.

For the full schedule as well as the latest information, click here.