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Could Netflix Become The Exclusive/Future Home Of Nickelodeon?
During the year, it was reported that WWE would be exiting linear television by 2025 with Raw, SmackDown and NXT alongside prem...
Friday, April 19, 2024
Development Alert: Netflix Will Stop Reporting Subscriber Numbers By 2025
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Recap To The Week: SABC Unveils A Slate Of Content For Their Channels In The Coming Months Including Wheel Of Fortune SA And Winnie Mandela Doccie In Partnership With Netflix
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Saved Again: Netflix Acquires Rights To The 2019 Season Of The Bold And The Beautiful For Fans Across South Africa
Thursday, March 7, 2024
News Shorts: Twilight Animated Series In Development With Daria Spinoff Jodie Cancelled, And Avatar: The Animated Series Renewed On Netflix For Season 2 And Season 3 With Monsters At Work Moving To Disney Channel For Season 2
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Could Netflix Become The Exclusive/Future Home Of Nickelodeon?
Friday, February 23, 2024
Development Alert: Nickelodeon To Launch ‘The Fairly OddParents’ Spinoff ‘A New Wish’, To Stream On Netflix Internationally
Thursday, February 8, 2024
When WWE Will Start Streaming Exclusively On Netflix And Exit SuperSport, DStv And GOtv Across Africa?
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Nick Shorts: Erin & Aaron Cancelled After One Season On Netflix, Nick Jr. Enters The Splat Zone Globally And The Thundermans Return To Nickelodeon Africa With A New Movie
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
End Of The Road For SuperSport And WWE??? As Netflix Banks On RAW, SmackDown, NXT And Premium Live PPVs
Netflix To Become The Exclusive Home Of WWE Network Beginning In 2025
Monday, January 22, 2024
News Shorts: Paramount Unveils First Look At Daria Spinoff Jodie, Wizards Of The Waverly Place Prequel In Development For Disney Channel And The Fairly OddParents To Get A Sequel Series On Netflix
Sunday, December 31, 2023
2024 On Regular Nick (Upcoming Kids And Family/Animated Series) | Cartoon Network | Disney Channel | Nickelodeon | More Brands Including DreamWorks, Netflix, eToonz And Play Room
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Development Alert: Nickelodeon Spain Adds Glitch Techs And Pinky Malinky, Might Launch On Feeds Internationally
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Regular Nick Shorts: Netflix To Premiere 'The Casagrandes Movie' In 2024, Spider-Man’s Restarting High School In This Upcoming Disney+ Cartoon And Marvel Studios Unveils Black Panther Prequel Eyes Of Wakanda
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Regular Nick Shorts: Super Team 4 To Rollout On Netflix, Johnny Bravo's Dragonball Segment Has Surfaced The Net And Showmax Acquired Broadcasting To Berry And The Big City
Netflix to rollout new African animated series
Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, has announced that it will debut its first African animated series, Supa Team 4, on 20 July 2023. The series was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema and produced by South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios.
Supa Team 4 is a superhero comedy series that follows four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka. When they’re recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world, they have to balance their secret identities and fighting supervillains with homework and the everyday challenges of being teenagers.
The series features a diverse cast of characters and explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and empowerment. It is a groundbreaking series that will appeal to audiences of all ages.
Johnny Bravo and DBZ crossover has surfaced the net
A crossover between the Cartoon Network program Johnny Bravo and the highly influential anime series Dragon Ball Z previously thought to have been lost has resurfaced on YouTube.
The meeting between the programs took place as part of the JBVO: Your All Request Cartoon Show programming block, which aired from 2000 until 2001.
The block was hosted by Bravo, who was voiced by Jeff Bennett, and the fictional character would introduce and play various cartoon segments from Cartoon Network's archive that were requested by viewers.
Strawberry Shortcake is getting more love
Toronto-based WildBrain has closed several broadcast sales for 2D-animated series Berry in the Big City (120 x four minutes), as well as signing new licensing partners for the Strawberry Shortcake consumer products program.
Portuguese/Spanish preschool channel Canal Panda has acquired the first three seasons of the 2D-animated series, along with four 44-minute seasonal specials, with French AVOD platforms TFOU MAX and MYTFI and Polish preschool net MiniMini+ picking up seasons one and two, and Paramount’s AVOD Pluto TV, Africa’s SVOD Showmax and LA-based AVOD Kanopy buying just the first season.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Netflix To Spend 2.6 Billion In Korean Entertainment
Netflix Inc said on Tuesday it plans to invest $2.5 billion in South Korea over the next four years to produce Korean TV series, movies and unscripted shows, doubling the amount the company has invested in the market since 2016.
"We were able to make this decision because we have great confidence that the Korean creative industry will continue to tell great stories," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos
The US streaming service announced this after a meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. Yoon arrived in Washington on Monday for a six-day state visit.
President Yoon welcomed the investment as a "major opportunity" for South Korea's content industry and Netflix as the country seeks to increase cultural exports and soft power.
Shares of South Korean production and entertainment companies rallied on Tuesday, with Showbox and Studio Dragon up 8.75% and 2.26%, respectively, compared to the country's smaller Kosdaq index's 2.21% drop.
Known as the "Korean Wave" or Hallyu, South Korea's entertainment industry has enjoyed a global boom in recent years. Its music market, led by K-pop groups such as BTS and Blackpink, has led the charge.
In 2021, exports of content, including music, video games and films, reached a record high of $12.4 billion, according to the latest government data, leaving behind home appliances and rechargeable batteries in export volume.
"We were able to make this decision because we have great confidence that the Korean creative industry will continue to tell great stories," Sarandos said in a statement, citing the streaming platform's global hits produced by South Korean creators such as Squid Game, The Glory and Physical:100.
Squid Game, a 2021 release, remains Netflix's most-watched series of all time, having racked up 1.65 billion hours of streaming in the first 28 days.
Netflix offered a lighter-than-expected forecast last week as it looks to crack down on unsanctioned password sharing into the second quarter to make improvements, delaying some financial benefits.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Insidus Games: Netflix's Hit Animated Series Green Eggs And Ham Was Reimagined On Gameboy
Join Sam-I-Am as he leads you through zany Seussian worlds in search of green eggs and ham. While collecting this odd delicacy, you'll use a 3D game board to jump from adventure to adventure. You can play solo or join forces with three of your friends to play simultaneously on a single Game Boy Advance. The first-ever Dr. Seuss title available on the handheld, Dr. Seuss: Green Eggs and Ham features controls and gameplay specifically tailored for younger players.
Review: The graphics and music are impressive and the game is good to pass the time but Green Eggs And Ham can be borderline repetitive.
For the GBA emulator: click here
For the game: click here
Thursday, March 30, 2023
News Shorts: ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks To Move From Nickelodeon To Netflix For Season 6, Radha Mohan Makes It's Highly Anticipated Debut On Zee World And Ice Adonis To Rollout On St Novelas E Plus
Nickelodeon abandons yet another project
A Netflix renewal and rights extension is among a set of new deals for Bagdasarian Productions’ CG animated series ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks.
Netflix has confirmed additional licensing of the franchise, which has been on the platform since 2016. In addition to renewing seasons one and two, Netflix signed on for seasons three and four worldwide (excluding the U.S., LatAm, Germany, France, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan).
Radha Mohan gets a release date on Zee World
Earlier in the year, Zee World unveiled a batch of productions set to rollout on the channel later in the year and one of shows on topic include the above-mentioned Radha Mohan which is set to premiere from April 8th.
In modern-day Vrindavan, Mohan, a charming flute player, loses his spark post a tragedy. Radha, who admires him since her childhood days, decides to remind him of his true love, Lord Krishna.
Ice Adonis expands to StarTimes
Stories and triangles revolving around the revenge of a woman who lost everything including her family and her one true love. The series launched in 2012 and consisted of 60 episodes. It was made available to eExtra back in 2021 as the first Asian/Korean based series.
Now the series expands to StarTimes on St Novelas E Plus every weekday at 21:30 from March 30th.
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Roundups #134: Hamster & Gretel And Eureka To Make Its African Debut On Disney Channel And Disney Junior, Verdeelde Liefde Returns For A Second Season On eExtra And Netflix To Crack Down On Password Sharing By March
Here are the four developments launching on Disney Channel and Disney Junior respectively
Vikingskool (New Episodes) - February 6th
Erik, Ylva and Ani are budding Vikings, confident that they all have what it takes to succeed in the ruthless Vikingskøøl, but the road to graduation is long.
Hamster & Gretel (New Series) - February 13th
When Gretel and her pet hamster -- named Hamster -- get superpowers, older brother Kevin must work with them to figure out how to protect their city from mysterious dangers.
Mickey Mouse Funhouse (New Episodes) - February 6th
Mickey, Minnie and Funny go on an adventure to the Kingdom of Majestica, where they find out if dragons are friendly beings or not.
Eureka (Girls In Science) - February 11th
It follows a talented young inventor from a fantastical prehistoric world who uses her creative thinking to devise inventions and contraptions aimed at making the world a better place.
Regular Nick:
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj to rollout on Nicktoons in Africa
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids
Zeynep and Mehdi are back for drama on eExtra
Verdeelde Liefde follows the life of Zeynep a young woman whose mother gave her up for adoption in order to have a better life following her brother's death. By fate, she meets Mehdi who at one point from monster become the love of life.
The first season stars Demet Özdemir, Zuhal Gencer, Senan Kara, Fatih Koyunoglu, Elif Sönmez, Hülya Duyar, Naz Göktan, Incinur Dasdemir and Ibrahim Celikkol.
Season 1 is set to reach its climax by the end of the month with season 2 following immediately after the first season.
In season 2, Özlem accuses Sultan of stealing the money in Baris's room. Savas admits he took the money. Ali Riza gathers his family and goes to Sultan's house to apologize. Sultan accepts getting back to work.
Openview Plus:
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions
Farewell to password sharing on Netflix
The time Netflix 'freeloaders' have long feared will soon arrive - password sharing will be banned by the end of March.
The company shared the news in a letter to shareholders, noting that 'widespread account sharing' has exceeded over 100 million viewers.
These individuals, however, will be able to transfer their profiles to a new paid account, allowing them to carry over their preferences.
Netflix said 2022 had been a 'tough year' due to its first subscriber loss in more than a decade - its customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter.
'Today's widespread account sharing undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.' the company said in its letter.
'While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognize this is a change for members who share their account more broadly.'
YouTube Premium:
- Zoey 102 feature film is coming to Paramount+
- Dungeons And Dragons TV series is coming to Paramount+
- How to view the latest content on PBS Kids?
Monday, January 9, 2023
CNBC Lists Potential Buyers For WWE Should It Be Sold
Vince McMahon has returned to the World Wrestling Entertainment board of directors to facilitate potential sale talks ahead of the company's media rights renewal.
The notion of WWE selling isn't new. CNBC reported it looked like a sale target in April and that it appeared only more attractive in July after a sexual misconduct scandal. The rationale is fairly straightforward: WWE is valuable intellectual property.
Owning IP allows streaming services to exclusively offer content without the annoyance of winning licensing rights in an auction every few years. WWE also has value to offer in merchandising and theme park businesses.
WWE has hired JPMorgan to help the company advise on a potential sale, according to people familiar with the matter. JPMorgan declined to comment. A WWE spokesman couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
If a deal occurs, it would likely occur in the next three to six months, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. WWE plans to talk to potential buyers before it makes a decision on TV rights renewal agreements.
Facilitating a sale
McMahon's return should help a sale process go smoothly, though there could still be hiccups.
The former CEO and chair is 77 years old and the controlling shareholder of WWE. He stepped down after an investigation found that he had paid nearly $15 million to four women over 16 years to quell claims of alleged sexual misconduct and infidelity. Returning to the board will give potential buyers confidence he's supportive of the details of any transaction.
"My return will allow WWE, as well as any transaction counterparties, to engage in these processes knowing they will have the support of the controlling shareholder," McMahon said in a statement Thursday.
McMahon's return doesn't affect current leadership. McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, and former CAA agent Nick Khan are co-CEOs. But it remains unclear what type of role, if any, McMahon would want at WWE if he sold the company. WWE has told investors that McMahon's role at the company is essential in "our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines." Currently, McMahon doesn't have a formal say in the company's creative direction.
Whether a buyer would be comfortable with McMahon taking a more hands-on role at the company is unknown. But WWE is McMahon's life work. It's possible a sale may only happen with at least some strings attached.
WWE has a market capitalization of more than $6 billion after rising nearly 17% percent on Friday, buoyed by heightened sale speculation.
There are three categories of likely buyers for WWE — the legacy media companies, the streamers and the entertainment holding companies. Here's who might be interested.
YouTube Premium:
- VH1 is making a comeback to international shores through BET
- DStv Streama bundles Disney+
- The Walt Disney Company to expand the reach of Star Channel
- Acorn TV shutting down in South Africa
Comcast
Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal, is a potential fit as a buyer for WWE. McMahon's company already has an exclusive streaming deal with Comcast's streaming service, Peacock, and a cable TV deal with NBCUniversal's USA Network. Comcast has a market capitalization of more than $160 billion and can easily afford the company — especially with a $9 billion (or more) check coming as soon as January 2024 from Disney for a 33% stake in Hulu.
Comcast can lock up WWE in perpetuity without having to pay upcoming rights renewal increases and can use the company's IP for theme parks, movies and other spinoff series.
Still, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said in October "the bar is the highest it's been in terms of M&A" and has repeatedly said the company isn't in a rush to pursue an acquisition.
Fox
Fox seems less likely than Comcast to pull off a deal for WWE given its significantly smaller balance sheet (and its $17 billion market valuation), its ongoing dalliance with recombining with News Corp., and its lack of presence in the global streaming wars.
Still, Fox also has an existing linear TV deal with WWE for Friday Night Smackdown, and the company may feel the time is right to increase scale given its News Corp. merger ambitions. Fox sold off most of its entertainment assets in its $71 billion sale to Disney in 2019, but WWE fits with the smaller company's sports and live events focus.
Disney
Returning CEO Bob Iger may want to make a splashy acquisition as he retakes the throne at Disney. WWE fits Disney in the same ways that it fits Comcast. It would bolster Disney's streaming ambitions (perhaps ESPN+), it would support the linear network business, and it would add some heft to merchandizing and theme park businesses.
Comcast didn't want Disney walking away with Fox in 2019 and drove up the price by tens of billions by topping Iger's initial bid. Could Iger see WWE as the next IP battle between Disney and his rival Comcast?
Whether a buyer would be comfortable with McMahon taking a more hands-on role at the company is unknown. But WWE is McMahon's life work. It's possible a sale may only happen with at least some strings attached.
WWE has a market capitalization of more than $6 billion after rising nearly 17% percent on Friday, buoyed by heightened sale speculation.
There are three categories of likely buyers for WWE — the legacy media companies, the streamers and the entertainment holding companies. Here's who might be interested.
Insidus Games:
- Tom And Jerry: Infurnal Escape
- Tom And Jerry: The Magic Ring
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie
Warner Bros. Discovery
CEO David Zaslav has spent the beginning of his tenure over the merged WarnerMedia and Discovery cutting costs to better position his company for the future. Spending billions on an acquisition at this stage may run counter to his strategy — especially when it's unclear where live sports fits in the company's broader portfolio of assets.
Still, Zaslav has said both publicly and privately that while he's not interested in renting sports rights, he would be interested in deals that give the company ownership over IP. WWE is one of only a small handful of assets that fit this premise. Rival wrestling league AEW currently has a traditional carriage rights deal with Warner Bros. that expires this year.
Netflix
Netflix has long shied away from sports and other live events, but it's recently become open to the idea of owning a league outright or taking an ownership stake. Owning a sports league would give Netflix the ability to create video games and spinoff series without friction. Netflix found success in its Formula 1 "Drive to Survive" documentary series, giving co-CEO Reed Hastings faith that certain sports properties will resonate with Netflix's huge global audience. But Netflix doesn't own Formula 1, limiting its future options.
Acquiring WWE or another sports league would be a path toward offering live entertainment without renting content — similar to Zaslav's thinking.
"We've not seen a profit path to renting big sports," said co-CEO Ted Sarandos last month at the UBS Global TMT Conference. "We're not anti-sports; we're just pro-profit."
Amazon
Amazon is perennially around the hoop when it comes to acquiring sports content, from spending $1 billion per year on Thursday Night Football to streaming Major League Baseball games to exclusively broadcasting a bunch of Premiere League soccer games.
Amazon could bolster Prime Video with live matches and WWE's library content while easily boosting merchandizing opportunities through its gigantic e-commerce business.
Unlike Apple, which is also interested in sports rights but has almost no history of doing multibillion acquisitions, Amazon spent $8.45 billion on MGM and $13.7 billion for Whole Foods. That suggests the company has the DNA to buy big.
Endeavor Group Holdings
Endeavor, run by superagent Ari Emanuel, could add WWE to its stable of assets after agreeing to buy 100% of UFC in 2021.
Emanuel bought UFC to increase the scope of the talent agency's business to live events. WME-IMG, now just a part of Endeavor, represents many UFC athletes — as well as WWE superstars. The UFC deal has been a success for Endeavor, which paid about seven times 2016's $600 million revenue in 2016. UFC generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2022.
Endeavor's enterprise value of just about $11 billion makes WWE a huge swing for the company. The company's relatively small balance sheet would likely prevent Endeavor from winning a bidding war against media giants. But McMahon's outsized personality may fit with the brash Emanuel and UFC President Dana White.
Selling to a third party would also allow WWE to increase rights renewals every few years. That may or may not be a positive for the long-term future of the company as the media distribution ecosystem changes.
WWE:
- Could the WWE channel be exiting the DStv platform?
- NXT Europe to rollout later in the year
- The controversial history of The Fabulous Moolah
Liberty Media
While Endeavor owns UFC, Liberty's Formula One Group owns Formula 1. John Malone, Liberty's controlling shareholder, and CEO Greg Maffei, along with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, have figured out how to globally market the car racing league, including cracking American culture after decades of obscurity.
Malone and Maffei have extensive track records at maximizing media valuations and acquiring media assets for less than $10 billion, including Formula 1, Sirius XM and Pandora. The global success of Formula 1 could provide a roadmap for a future WWE strategy.
Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC.