Could Canal+ Kids Expand Its Operations Through MultiChoice's DStv Or Showmax?

Canal+ Kids is a French based children's channel operated by the Canal Group that offers imported alongside locally produced content. It is known for shows such as Elvis Riboldi and Mush-Mush And The Mushables shows picked by Warner's kids networks.

With Canal+ looking to acquire Africa's largest pay-tv company MultiChoice with an announcement anticipated in the coming days. Several things await the possibly merged companies one of which is downsizing of staff and merger of assets.

As seen since the course of 2023, MultiChoice Studios expanded their local portfolio to the kids market with the addition of Jay Jay: The Chosen One. This serves as the first animated project with promises to expand the lineup if it proved to be favorable. 

By 2024, MultiChoice Studios has managed to launch an additional two titles Twende and Hero Space: Trust Your Inner Hero. The plan at the moment is to do more short form depending on their performance as the plan is to expand this to other countries. 

Canal+ Kids which is situated in French speaking countries had already followed on similar endeavors basically serving as a rival. With Canal+ looking to acquire MultiChoice its likely that Canal+ Kids could expand their portfolio to include other countries. 

I mean the idea wouldn't seem far fetched as Canal+ has an active presence in the kids circuit in parts of Europe. Through Poland, some content is distributed by Teletoon+ and in Africa this would be considered the equivalent of Play Room.

New Series Alert: ‘Ark: The Animated Series,’ Based On ‘Survival Evolved’ Game, Surprise Drops on Paramount+

The animated series based on Studio WildCard’s “Ark: Survival Evolved” video game finally has a platform attached. The first six episodes of Season 1 surprise dropped on Paramount+ on Thursday, with the remaining seven episodes set for a later date.

Spanning eons of human history, “Ark: The Animated Series” follows 21st century paleontologist Helena Walker (voiced by Madeleine Madden), who finds herself resurrected on a mysterious primeval island populated by prehistoric beasts. There, she must learn to survive with new allies from throughout time while trying to uncover the true nature of their strange new world.

Along with Madden, the voice cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Russell Crowe, Gerard Butler, David Tennant, Jeffrey Wright, Elliot Page, Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Zahn McClarnon, Devery Jacobs, Elliot Page, Deborah Mailman, Ragga Ragnars, Malcolm McDowell, Monica Bellucci and Alan Tudyk.

Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak executive produce “Ark: The Animated Series” alongside Marc Diana; Doug Kennedy; Jay Oliva; James Baldanzi; Vin Diesel and Samantha Vincent for One Race Films; Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel for G-Base Entertainment; and Russell Crowe. Stieglitz, Oliva, David Hartman and Sebastian Montes serve as directors, and Marguerite Bennett and Kendall Deacon Davis serve as co-writers. The series is a production of Lost Continent Entertainment and Lex + Otis.

Studio WildCard officially released “Ark: Survival Evolved” in 2017 after an early access release on Steam in 2015. “Ark: The Animated Series” was first announced with a trailer during the 2020 Video Game Awards, with another trailer released in 2022, still without a platform attached.

New Series Alert: Showmax's Twende To Make Its Linear Debut On Play Room, SABC 2's Magic Cellar Also Added To The Lineup

Play Room, a South African based children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group that offers fun and learning through live-action and animated shows dubbed in Zulu will be expanding the local lineup during the school holidays with Twende and Magic Cellar.

After launching on Showmax in 2023, Twende will be making their linear debut on Play Room. It's not shocking cause after M-Net axed K-TV this content needed a platform and despite M-Net having no management of Play Room do provide funding through MultiChoice. 

SABC's influence on the channel is expanding with the inclusion of Magic Cellar. It would join other shows to have been offered by the public broadcaster including Akili And Me, Bino And Fino and Jabu's Jungle.

Twende follows a pangolin of the same name, the slowest moving animal in the savannah. He believes life is about the journey, not the destination’ and is constantly at odds with his job as a boda boda driver in the bustling, fictional East African city of Milima.

Produced by MultiChoice Studios, Twende is voiced by Junior Nyong’o, while June Gachui plays his best friend and navigator, Nuru – a smart bird who always looks out for Twende, even if his chilled-out vibe drives her crazy sometimes. 

Magic Cellar is a long-form 3D animated series based on African culture which focuses on folktales, partially collected via interviews with elders in villages. It featured a multicultural cast of characters, with the principal character being an African girl.

Since its inception, Magic Cellar won 42 international awards, including Gold and Silver World Medals at the New York Festivals, a Platinum REMI Award and First Prize at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF).

Twende will air on weekdays at 17:00 replacing Total Dramarama from 25 March and Magic Cellar likely dubbed in Zulu will replace Akili And Me on weekdays at 08:15 on Play Room. 

News Shorts: Sky News Named News Channel Of The Year At RTS, BET Announces New Series In Bloom + Release Date And NCIS Spinoff Greenlight By Paramount Plus

Sky scores big in the UK

Sky News has been named News Channel of the Year for the seventh consecutive year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards. 

Responding to Sky News winning the award, David Rhodes, Executive Chairman for Sky News Group said:

“It’s been a momentous year for news and I couldn’t be more proud that Sky News has been recognised by winning News Channel of the Year for a phenomenal seventh year in a row. To provide audiences with the full story first, our 800 journalists around the world have told

compelling human-interest stories, held those in power to account, have gone deep into the data and delivered powerful eyewitness reports from around the globe”.

The BBC, which similar to Sky News is based from the UK and made substantial changes to its news output in the last year walked away almost empty-handed. The broadcaster did secure a win for its coverage of the Ukraine conflict and for a BBC Wales investigation into Welsh Rugby.

BET launches new local drama

In Bloom has been produced by MTV Staying Alive Foundation with continued support of Paramount and grant support by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The thought-provoking collection tells unheard stories addressing a range of crucial issues including period poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, HIV self-stigma, family planning and women’s economic empowerment. 

The anthology comes from five female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the US and Brazil, creatively championing new voices and enabling insightful conversations to dismantle systemic injustices.

In Bloom will also premiere on BET, DStv Channel 129 on March 8 at 20:00 CAT

NCIS spinoff in development 

CBS Studios is expanding its ever growing NCIS franchise by bringing back two fan favorite characters from the mothership series, Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, and Ziva David, portrayed by Cote de Pablo, who will reunite on screen for the first time in 10 years. Paramount+ has given a 10-episode series order to the untitled spinoff headlined by Weatherly and de Pablo and written by John McNamara (Trumbo, The Magicians). All three executive produce.

Nicknamed NCIS: Europe, the new action-packed spinoff, set to start production later this year, will follow Tony (Weatherly) and Ziva (de Pablo) as they find themselves on the run across the continent.

NCIS is one of CBS Studios’ most valuable franchises and its expansion has been a goal for the studio. This is one of two new NCIS offshoots greenlighted this year, along with the Young Gibbs prequel series for CBS, NCIS: Origins. It is also the second extension of the NCIS franchise beyond the U.S., following NCIS: Sydney, which has been airing on CBS in the U.S.

Paramount Global To Launch Paramount+ Branded Destination With Multichoice In Africa

Paramount Global Content Distribution announced a licensing deal today with MultiChoice to create a Paramount+ branded destination on the pan-African platform. This agreement is part of Paramount's strategy to expand the Paramount+ brand in more ways around the world, including making it available as a direct-to-consumer streaming service, through bundled partnerships in key markets as well as through branded destinations in local markets through licensing deals. Branded areas are currently available via Cosmote in Greece, Streamz in Belgium, Blast TV in Philippines, JioCinema in India and more to come.    

 

The branded destination offers African audiences’ direct access to new and returning television series as well as feature films and marks the debut of the Paramount+ brand in pan-Africa. MultiChoice viewers will have access to world-class content from CBS, Paramount+ Originals, SHOWTIME®, Paramount Pictures, and they will find iconic films and hit television series such as YELLOWSTONE, 1883, 1923, POKER FACE, SPECIAL OPS: LIONESS, LAWMEN: BASS REEVES and upcoming new series LANDMAN as well as returning series like SURVIVOR.

 

“The expansion of our long-standing relationship with MultiChoice from a traditional licensing deal to a fully dedicated, Paramount+ branded destination on the platform is a testament to the tremendous effort of Paramount Global to continue to build the offering from multiple content pillars,” said Lisa Kramer, President, International Content Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution. “Consumers in the growing African market already equate Paramount with quality entertainment and we’re thrilled to now offer them a devoted space in which they can both access their favorite programming and discover new hit titles.”

 

"MultiChoice is excited to expand our partnership with Paramount Global to bring the Paramount+ brand to African audiences through our platform,” says Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment, MultiChoice South Africa. “This agreement reflects our commitment to providing our viewers with world-class entertainment options and expands our offering with iconic content. We are proud to offer African viewers direct access to a dedicated space where they can enjoy their favourite programming and discover new hit titles, further enriching their entertainment experience."

Development Alert: The Search For Frida To Stream February 12th On Showmax, A Rebroadcast Of My Heart Beats For Lola, A Woman Of Steel And Loli's Luck Launches On Telemundo

In the coming weeks, MultiChoice and Comcast's NBCUniversal are set to officially unveil the rebranded Showmax service. This would include content viewed from Telemundo Studios so it kind of made sense that some content would resurface on Showmax with The Search For Frida.

Already seen on on Telemundo in 2022, The Search For Frida (Buscando A Frida) follows a teenage girl who loves doing video of her life goes out with her cousins who've gotten some fake id's on the night of her fathers birthday party for a night of clubbing, she is kidnapped.

The series will start streaming on Showmax from February 12nd and is anticipated to launch on Telemundo later in the year - more details on a date will be announced.

Other repeats set to join the channel later in the month includes My Heart Beats For Lola (Mi Corazón Insiste En Lola Volcán), The Chosen Granddaughter (La Nieta Elegida), A Woman Of Steel (Senora Acero) and Loli's Luck (La Suerte De Loli). 

Loli's Luck will replace The Scent Of Passion once it ends from February 21st at 18:00. Weirdly enough, the latter replaces Cennet: The Power Of Destiny with The Chosen Granddaughter on February 16th at 22:00 CAT followed by A Woman Of Steel at 00:00 and My Heart Beats For Lola at 17:00.

Could Telemundo also be going dark in Africa perhaps? They were reports that the channel had temporarily suspended production of original content. Aside from Queen Of The South and Come Back To Me, there's not much OG coming to Telemundo in 2024.

A Woman Of Steel follows the life of Sara Aguilar Bermúdez, an exceptionally happy woman who has all she could wish for in life, although her life changes forever when her fiancée Vicente Acero is killed on their wedding day. It was the first super series to be rolled out in Africa.

Based on the telenovela Yo Amo A Paquita Gallego, My Heart Beats For Lola follows the love story of Lola and Andrés, two young people who have loved each other since they were children. The series served as one of their initial offerings on Telemundo and proved to be a popular addition.

Loli's Luck follows an independent and successful woman who works as the executive producer of Global Radio Group. While Loli's career is on the rise, her love life goes into the background as she enjoys her freedom and life without compromises. 

Reminder: Revamped Showmax Streamer Launches This February And Is Cheaper

Ten months after MultiChoice, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky announced a joint streaming vision for Africa, the new Showmax is here, featuring a refreshed brand and a massive content lineup, all delivered on a powerful new streaming platform.

At the heart of the new offering is the world’s first standalone Premier League plan for mobile, with all 380 games offered live on Showmax Premier League for just R69 a month.

In addition, there are two more Showmax plans available to customers in 44 African countries: Showmax Entertainment on mobile for an unbelievable R39 a month at launch, as well as the Showmax Entertainment plan, where the monthly price falls from R99 to R89 per month.

“There are currently just over 450 million smartphones in the hands of individuals across Africa … and more than 250 million avid football lovers on the continent,” says Marc Jury, CEO of Showmax. “Showmax Premier League is a game-changing product that gives individuals a ticket to the football they love, wherever they are, on the device they always have with them, at a price that’s impossible not to love.”

“Africa is incredibly important to the Premier League and our clubs; 20% of TV audiences on any given matchday come from Africa,” says Richard Masters, Premier League CEO. “We are delighted with this Showmax initiative, which puts the Premier League in your pocket at a new price point so that millions more can enjoy our fantastic competition.”

Core to the success of Showmax’s streaming ambitions in Africa is a new technical platform that is robust and built to scale. With the launch of Showmax, the Peacock streaming platform will be active in more than 70 countries and is continually enhanced by the combined expertise of thousands of engineers. The world-class platform has brought millions of viewers popular events such as Super Bowl LVI, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, the Olympics and WrestleMania 39. On 13 January, Peacock’s exclusive AFC Wild Card Game became the biggest live-streamed event in US history, reaching 27.6 million viewers and a record 16.3 million concurrent devices. In 2023, Comcast won a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award for its sports viewing experiences across Peacock, Sky and Xfinity.

“Peacock’s best-in-class technology platform will deliver a world-class streaming experience to Showmax audiences,” said Patrick Miceli, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Direct-to-Consumer & International, NBCUniversal. “The Peacock platform was designed from day one to support both live and on-demand content, including the biggest live sporting events, so we look forward to extending that capability and reliability to the new Showmax.”

Alongside the Premier League, the new Showmax also opens the door to a thrilling entertainment universe spanning a wide range of stars and stories across multiple genres. With no fewer than 21 new Showmax Originals launching in February alone, there will be more than 1 300 hours of Showmax Originals produced in the coming year, representing a significant 150% increase in production output compared to the year before.

Complementing this powerful African content slate is an international offering that will give viewers cause for celebration. As a result of MultiChoice’s partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky, Showmax is guaranteed an ongoing supply of the world’s most popular titles from the media giant’s renowned brands, including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, NBC, Peacock, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo. The stellar content lineup includes films like the latest instalment in the hit Fast franchise, Fast X, and Wes Anderson’s comedy-drama Asteroid City; procedural drama series such as NBC’s The Irrational starring Jesse L. Martin; and Peacock original comedy series Killing It, from the creative team behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine, starring Craig Robinson.

Showmax will also continue to draw from the likes of Paramount, including Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and Halo S2 in February, and HBO, with new seasons of House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, True Detective, and The White Lotus on the way.

Showmax’s content offering is further boosted by its focus on the African market and strengthened by the vast creative and commercial presence already established by MultiChoice. “Nobody understands Africa like we do. Showmax is putting the continent first with a powerful streaming service that will revolutionise streaming in Africa in 2024,” says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO.

With the content and platform providing strong foundations for the new Showmax, ease of access for customers is another key business priority. As the first streaming service in Africa to make mobile downloads possible for offline viewing and the first to launch a mobile-only plan, Showmax has now delivered incredibly competitive new price points, with a growing network of payment options available to customers.

This payment ecosystem is facilitated by Moment, another MultiChoice joint venture partner. Working with more than 200 payment partners such as banks, mobile money providers, retailers and payment schemes, Moment is building the broadest pan-African payments network. In addition, DStv customers will continue to have the option of adding Showmax to their DStv bill each month and benefitting from significant discounts. Showmax will be announcing additional partnerships soon that will offer even more value to customers.

The new Showmax app will become available in app stores from 23 January 2024 onward, as part of a staggered migration process across 44 markets. This is an ongoing process that starts next week and will be completed in February this year. Existing Showmax customers will begin receiving communication with information on how to access the new app this week and by 12 February 2024 the new Showmax will be live in all markets.

February 2024 On Qwest TV | James Brown - Live In Georgia | Solomon Burke - Avo Session | Buddy Guy - Baloise Session | Kool And The Gang - Baloise Session

James Brown - Live in Georgia, 1985

James Brown, James Brown, James Brown." His name is repeated like a mantra at the Chastain Park

Amphitheatre, as if people were calling a Messiah who had swapped Christianity for funk. Although

this 1985 concert’s grainy images and editing are deliciously dated and incredibly vintage (it was the

pre-smartphone time when people got out lighters during ballads), the Godfather of Soul’s music

sounds downright timeless. Before his fellow citizens of Georgia, the man from Augusta doesn’t look his 52 years when he puts the pedal to the metal on "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "Get on the Good Foot." Afterwards, when he throws himself into a split for "Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag," he comes

back up as if it’s nothing.

As usual, James Brown sees his concert as choreography. While pushing the limits of his vocal cords, the American waves his arms to lead his band (where we find his regulars, Martha High, Maceo

Parker, and St. Clair Pinckney) and get them to dance. He covers the whole length and breadth of the stage. Dressed in electric blue for the first half of the show, he changes into bright red after a

surprising version of the local anthem, "Georgia on My Mind." And when he mimes his departure at the

end of "Please, Please, Please" like a boxer in his robe, he returns all of a sudden to shake the

audience’s hands like a campaigning politician. Singer, dancer, composer, band leader, politician,

boxer, godfather, and messiah: James Brown was all of these thing at the same time. And even more.

Solomon Burke - Avo Session

The roses, throne, and sequined costume that adorn the 158 kilos of the king and pioneer of soul

during the golden age of Atlantic Records perfectly complement his gripping charisma and his voice

filled with rhythm'n' blues and gospel; he was James Brown's rival back in the day.

All his life, from the church pews to the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Solomon Burke was this preacher,

entrepreneur, and performer who, when he died in 2010, left behind 21 children, about 40 albums, and

classics such as "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love." At the time of his last

performances, Solomon Burke offers his audience an electric, brass-filled celebration where the

standards of Ray Charles, Joe Tex, Little Richard and Nat King Cole are also invited. Hallelujah!

Buddy Guy - Baloise Session

Presented as the star he is, Buddy Guy was introduced to the Baloise Sessions stage at the age of eighty-two, a full sixty years after the recording of his first album (1958 - 2018). The acclaimed artist

introduced the session with "I Got the Blues." This sentiment couldn't be more true, as the blues has

accompanied him all his life, since he was 13 years old, when he played every night on a two-string

guitar on his porch before a neighbour finally offered him a new guitar. This act, without it being clear

at the time, sent him on the path to be one of the greatest blues figures. He would go on to emigrate

to Chicago where he found a little more freedom than in the segregationist south and took the most

important steps of his career: to be noticed by Muddy Waters, to play with BB King, Otis Rush, to open a club... Here he is again delivering a show in full control, like the legend he is, playing with his torso, guitar turned away, or with a drum stick and towel, surfing with style on the classic "(I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man"...What is there to say, if not that we would have loved to have been there!

Kool And The Gang - Baloise Session

A monument of Great Black Music, Kool & the Gang bring back to life the jazz-funk verve of their glory

years, the soundtrack of an entire era, with the on-stage groove and flamboyance that made them

successful from the 1970s onwards.

Although the group has replaced some of its members over the years—including the charismatic

James Taylor and his animal voice—its pillars, such as Robert "Kool" Bell, Michael Ray, and Curtis

Williams, supported by a new guard and a very strong brass section, still prove that they have not sold nearly 80 million records by chance. "Get Down on it, "Ladies Night," "Celebration," and "Hollywood

Swinging": Kool & the Gang gives these timeless hits a second life with just the right amount of glitter

and nostalgia. 

Could Universal TV And Mzansi Magic Be The Final Outcome Of M-Net Essentials (ME) And 1Magic??? As The River Draws To A Close And Showmax 2.0. Rolls Out

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

M-Net's Me and 1Magic will be exiting DStv from February 2nd and MultiChoice doesn't appear to be looking to commission another channel in place. This is through an ongoing enquiry where a representative only confirms the channel but no substitution.

When VUZU and M-Net City merged to form Me, MultiChoice highlighted that in their response to several DStv consumers in 2021 and fast forward to the new year the pay-tv company is hush hush. It wouldn't seem far fetched if none of these channels were replaced.

Where does that leave further shows from 1Magic?

When 1Magic launched in 2018, M-Net was basically ripping several local shows away from Mzansi Magic and making them available exclusively on the channel. They even had a line-up of international shows like The $100,000 Pyramid and Gossip Girl whose future will be on M-Net's linear offering and Showmax.

Funny thing about this was The River was also scheduled to close around the same date as 1Magic, February 2nd. As several fans predicted, 1Magic built it's whole existence around 1 show and couldn't survive in the long run.

Where does that leave further shows from Me?

Me was a mashup of the former M-Net City and VUZU which was basically M-Net Series. A catch-up channel tailored for lower bouquets like Compact and Family and with its termination consumers need to wonder if the whole acquisition and revamping of Showmax had a part in the cancellation.

Despite Me getting poor reception from several DStv consumers, would it seem far fetched if MultiChoice probably wanted to prioritise Universal TV as it had garnered popularity following the demise of M-Net City and both channels reside within the same packages.

Universal TV is operated by NBCUniversal that manage channels like Studio Universal, DreamWorks and Telemundo. They even have a 30% stake on the soon-to-be-revamped Showmax streaming service.

January 2024 On Qwest TV Across Africa | Ray Charles | Al Mckay’s Earth Wind & Fire Experience | Meshell Ndegeocello | More

RAY CHARLES

Let the good times roll. By 1961, Ray Charles had already scored major hits such as “I Got A Woman” and “What'd I Say”. He had been definitively adopted by the European white youth, who were seduced by his rants, which preceded the arrival of soul music at the end of the decade. In his exchanges with the Raelettes, he delivered the frenzy of gospel, always supported by the riffs of an excellent formation (three saxophones, two trumpets and a rhythm section). Additionally, his instrumentalists revealed their musical prowess during pure instrumental pieces, where Ray Charles simply deployed his unique piano playing, thus acknowledging the valuable percussive aspect of his music.

As it is not really necessary to dwell on the talent of the "Genius", we take the liberty of underlining the impact of the Raelettes, a vocal backing set up in 1958 with Darlene McCrea, Pat Lyles, Gwendolyn Berry and Margie Hendrix. Their powerful and raspy voices are widely prominent during the concert. We will also highlight the presence of saxophonist and flautist Dave "Fathead" Newman, (on “Georgia On My Mind”) who also played with Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker and transpired an invigorating blues.

AL MCKAY’S EARTH WIND & FIRE EXPERIENCE

In 2019, left-handed guitarist Al McKay assembled his All Stars to be one of the headliners at the 50th anniversary of the Jazzwoche Burghausen festival in Germany. His band, a collective of many of the best session musicians in L.A., brings back the infective soul, R&B, funk of the ‘70s radio-friendly superstar group Earth, Wind & Fire with many of the band’s greatest hits. It’s highlighted by the funk-grooved “Shining Star.” That was the band’s top hit, charting for several weeks in 1976. Another massive hit revisited is the catchy McKay composition “September,” fired by muscular lyricism that made it to No. 1 on the R&B Charts. But in interviews, McKay, a star in the group from 1973-81, stresses that they are not duplicating EWF but bringing a vital, fresh view to the legacy of the band. As such they are an homage band celebrating the band’s innovative soul-funk-r&b sounds in the ’70s that expressed the power of dance-filled black music at the time. For this Earth, Wind & Fire Experience show, McKay fills the stage with three vocalists (who also dance in step), four horn players, two keyboardists and a rhythm section of percussion, bass and drums. It’s a soul feast with McKay’s funky wah-wah rhythm guitar power. From the cool soul of “Sun Goddess” to the full-tilt beats of “Jupiter,” the show is a high-spirited reminder of an era of music in the past. Yet McKay proves that this fun still sparkles with compelling potency—evidenced in the standing-ovation call for an encore which yielded more hits, including the dance crazy “Boogie Wonderland.”

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO

Meshell Ndegeocello is well renowned for her creativity. Since she first came into the spotlight around 30 years ago with Plantation Lullabies, an album signed to Maverick, the American bassist has continuously evolved in harmony with her inspirations. A distillation of her musical repertoire, the powerful album Ventriloquism covers tracks by 11 different musicians and groups, including Prince’s moving “Sometimes it Snows in April” and George Clinton’s contagious “Atomic Dog.” Released in 2023, the LP The Omichord Real Book received well-deserved acclaim from critics, reflecting Ndegeocello’s aptitude for bringing people together through music.

Alternating between electric bass and a Moog keyboard, Ndegeocello demonstrates her musical prowess here. This compact and magnetic performance seamlessly ventures into the realm of funk while also embracing other genres such as synth-rock and jazz. Mystical and vibrant, it even includes African sounds and riffs, a clear influence when you consider that the singer's stage comes directly from the Swahili language. Backed by Jebin Bruni on keys, Christopher Bruce on guitar and the excellent Abraham Rounds on drums (that broom-playing at the beginning…), Ndegeocello delivers a unique and evolving production––a state of mind that truly sets her apart.

LAURA MVULA

Laura Mvula's voice timbre, her unique writing, and her positioning between pop and R&B have made her a special case. Recorded at the Swiss Baloise Session festival in 2016, the British singer and keyboardist is promoting her second album, The Dreaming Room (with the collaboration of Nile Rodgers), the follow-up to Sing to the Moon in 2013.

Leading a group dominated by strings, synthesizers, and producer Troy Miller on drums, as well as a vocal trio that anchors several tracks in gospel, Laura Mvula expresses a strength of character that takes on its full dimension when she finds herself alone on stage, equipped with her keytar, on a song as beautiful as "Father, Father." In her writing as well as in her interpretation, we can see that she's the real deal.

Showmax: The End Result For HONEY TV

HONEY was Africa's first Pan-African lifestyle channel operated by Via's Media24 home to locally produced shows like 7 Colours and Yes, I Have HIV. It was also outsourcing content from M-Net like Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding.

A few months ago, MultiChoice inline with their entertainment offering opted to discontinue the channel across Africa after a two year run alongside other locally produced brands during the year such as Maisha Magic Movies, Novela Magic and ROK GH.

From what everyone could make from all this, several content that was produced specifically for HONEY would fall with the channel while others would resurface another platform i.e. Showmax or Mzansi Magic as Media24 is still producing regional content.

The only problem would be the geography as a show like Date My Family Kenya would only be exclusive to consumers in Eastern Africa. It might have a following in Southern Africa but isn't viewable on neither DStv and Showmax making consumers feel left out.

Maybe HONEY's termination falls inline with some of the recent additions like Zee Zonke and Play Room. MultiChoice is probably trying to prioritise the regional line-up as that is proven to have a bigger effect while as continuing to source out content from the African region.

Development Alert: Peacock To Cease Transmission In The UK By Next Year, Content To Launch Elsewhere

Peacock is an international streaming service operated by Comcast which features first run series and leverages a vast library of films and series from NBCUniversal. Similar to Showmax, it also featured third party content from the likes of UK's BBC and  ITV brands.

Since it's inception, Peacock has been able to add roughly 30 million paid subscribers which is little compared to Netflix and Disney+ which we fortunate to accumulate over 100 million subscribers. It took over a year for NBCUniversal to just duplicate this in other regions.

Due to some economic factors, Peacock never got a standalone service internationally or at least not by name. In parts of Europe, it is known as SkyShowtime which forms part of a joint venture with Paramount Global which also grants consumers access to Paramount+.

In the UK, that's where things only worsened for the streamer as Peacock was "bundled' in a manner that Disney+ would bundle FX and National Geographic. With that in mind, Peacock didn't have much variety or better yet not all the content was accessible altogether as seen in the United States.

Forming a union on Sky made no sense at all, Comcast owns Sky which is basically the European counterpart of NBCUniversal. It would have seemed logical to get these two together instead of marketing it as standalone now the brand is dying down in the region.

On January 9, 2024, Peacock will officially conclude its services in the UK: the “app” on Sky’s devices will be shut down, and most of its shows on NOW are currently marked as scheduled to be removed by that date.

Some of Peacock’s programming will be redistributed across Sky’s various channels, and some shows will transition to the Hayu app.

In February 2024, MultiChoice and NBCUniversal will unveil a revamped Showmax streaming service which would feature content from Comcast's Sky and NBCUniversal and also leverage Peacock's technology in an attempt to compete with existing streamers like Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

News Shorts: Ted TV Series From Seth MacFarlane Based On Movie Rolls Out On Peacock, Highly-Anticipated New Original Series FX’s “Shōgun” Makes Global Debut On Disney+ And Lionsgate Is Working On A Live-Action Adaptation To Naruto

Ted is getting his own show

The streamer has dropped an official trailer for the seven-episode series that serves as a prequel to the film franchise. The fresh cast of characters include Max Burkholder (Parenthood), Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Scott Grimes (The Orville) and Giorgia Whigham (13 Reasons Why) while MacFarlane will continue to voice Ted.

In this comedic prequel event series to the Ted films, it’s 1993, and Ted the bear’s (Seth MacFarlane) moment of fame has passed. He’s now living back home in Framingham, Massachusetts with his best friend, 16-year-old John Bennett (Max Burkholder), along with John’s parents, Matty and Susan (Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach) and cousin Blaire (Giorgia Whigham). Ted may be a lousy influence on John, but at the end of the day, he’s a loyal pal who’s always willing to go out on a limb for friendship.

The series will stream on Peacock from January 11, 2024.

James Clavell's best seller is being reimagined

Disney+ revealed FX’s “Shōgun,” the much-anticipated global event series, will premiere on Tuesday, February 27 on Disney+. The premiere of the 10-episode limited series will include the first two episodes, followed by a new episode each week. 

“Shōgun,” an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as “Lord Yoshii Toranaga” who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, “John Blackthorne” (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, “Toda Mariko” (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her and her duty to her late father.

“Shōgun” is created for television by Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks, with Marks serving as Showrunner and Executive Producer alongside Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell, Michael De Luca, and Kondo. The series is produced by FX Productions.

Naruto is heading for the big screens

According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, who also helmed Red Sonja and the animated version of Tomb Raider. 

This comes almost a decade since it was first reported, with Michael Gracey signed to direct the project. He will be joined by Avi Arad and Ari Arad who will serve as producers and Lionsgate’s Erik Feig, Geoff Shaveitz, and Kelly O’Malley. 

More details, including its cast and release date, are yet to be unveiled. 

Was Showmax PRO Successful In Africa?

Showmax PRO was a digital version to the current SuperSport brand distributed on DStv. It featured a range of sporting promotions including English Premier League (EPL), La Liga, World Challenge League, Serie A and Moto GP.

Unfortunately due to the revamping of the streaming service, it was announced that Showmax PRO would cease operation by the end of November with consumers getting a reduced sports offering or being redirected to DStv Stream Compact+ bouquet at the very same price.

It was also revealed Showmax would shut down internationally as MultiChoice puts more emphasis in the African market. The newly launched streamer will be a joint venture with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky which will see various content and software upgrades to the platform.

As some consumers are aware, Showmax joins the number of streaming services that have occurred losses including Disney+, Paramount+ and Peacock. They've never disclosed how many consumers use their streaming service much less the PRO section of the platform.

The demise of Showmax PRO may have been a matter of sustainability for which the entire streaming service is not. Should this change, MultiChoice could prioritise sports on the revamped Showmax for now it's being dominated by English Premier League.

Showmax Sets Sights On Becoming The Number-One Streaming Service In Africa With Bold Relaunch

Eight years after entering the streaming market in South Africa, Showmax is gearing up for its biggest year yet. The African streaming service is relaunching in February 2024 with a brand-new look, new app, and entirely new product suite. This comes after the announcement of the partnership between Showmax and international media heavyweight Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky earlier this year.

The new Showmax will have three plans: Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Entertainment Mobile and the exciting Showmax Premier League. Powered by SuperSport and made for mobile users, Showmax Premier League is the first standalone Premier League mobile streaming service ever to launch in Africa and will take every single match of the world’s most popular football league to every corner of sub-Saharan Africa.

As it prepares for relaunch, Showmax released a first look at a completely refreshed logo and brand identity. “We can’t wait to share the new Showmax,” says Showmax CEO Marc Jury. “We have an incredibly powerful new technology platform, a bold brand that truly represents our driving spirit, and a content slate that is unmatched. No other streaming service in Africa can offer what Showmax is bringing to the table in the new year.”

Showmax’s migration onto the global Peacock streaming platform means it’s ready to scale, and scale fast. The robust platform is used across the globe and is a leader in sports streaming, having successfully live-streamed the Super Bowl to more than six million users simultaneously.

LOCAL

Known for its track record of setting trends with Showmax Originals, Showmax will be ramping up its content slate across the continent in December in preparation for the relaunch. The diverse lineup includes its first 2D animation, Twende, about an adorable boda-boda driving pangolin, as well as second seasons of record-breaking bromance Adulting, smash hit reality series Kwa Mam’Mkhize and Nigerian hit Wura, not to mention the reunion of The Mommy Club. And that’s not all, with launches on the way for Convict Conman, a new true-crime series (from the producers of Devilsdorp, Rosemary’s Hitlist and Steinheist); Trompoppie, a murder mystery series set in the competitive world of high school drum majorettes; Nigerian legal drama Agu; first Nigerian Original feature film, School Run and reality series Sports Wives. Every Wednesday until 27 December, Showmax will also be releasing new episodes of their breakthrough CANAL+ co-production Spinners, the first African show ever selected for Canneseries.

INTERNATIONAL

For fans of international content, the new Comcast partnership guarantees Showmax an ongoing supply of hit content, as the media giant owns the likes of Universal Pictures, NBC, Peacock, Sky, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo.

Viewers can expect international titles on Showmax to radically increase in the new year, with December’s lineup already including The Super Mario Bros. Movie (the biggest animated opening of all-time, and the biggest global opening of 2023), Fast X (which was the #1 international opening of 2023), Emmy®-nominated Poker Face and King Arthur epic The Winter King. Already home to the three most nominated shows at this year’s Emmys®, Showmax will continue to draw content from Banijay, BBC, eOne Fremantle, HBO, ITV, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros, among others.

Showmax continues to go from strength to strength. It was recently named one of the RoW40 (40 Trailblazing Companies that are beating the West) by the New York based global non-profit Rest of World who said, “These emerging market pioneers are outmanoeuvring Silicon Valley.” Nigeria’s 2023 BrandCom Awards also recognised Showmax as ‘The Most Innovative On-demand Video Streaming Platform’, noting that, “The video streaming service has demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, and innovation within the on-demand streaming industry”.

“Streaming in Africa is about to take off and we’re ready to change the game,” says Jury. “We have all the ingredients in place to become the number one streaming service for Africa.”

Recap To The Year: Showmax Is Now Producing Original Animated Series (And Movies), Might Launch It Elsewhere

During the year, Showmax launched its first ever original animated series, Jay Jay The Chosen One. Inspired by the football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, it follows Austin, an 11-year-old football-loving school boy, blessed by animals with their abilities, becomes

the superhero Jay Jay, who tackles poachers and guides his school football team to victory.

At the time, it was stated that the streamer was looking to do short term series and depending on how the content performs they would look into rolling out more animation projects. So there entered the South African comedy Twende as the streamer's second attempt at animation.

The show follows a pangolin — an endangered species which is the slowest on the savannah and the most-trafficked type of animal in the world — who makes up for his natural lack of speed by driving a motorcycle taxi. A pilot was screened at Annecy back in 2021 and MultiChoice Studios handles international sales.

“Our long-term goal is to build the animation industry on our continent and to give our children characters and stories that reflect, educate and inspire them, and content they can enjoy with their parents,” says Phahle. “Ultimately we believe that if we do this well enough, the stories will also find audiences outside of Africa.”

Last month, Indigenous Film Distribution unveiled Headspace, the exciting new animation sci-fi feature from Johannesburg’s Luma Animation. The film starts with a freak accident, where Max, Sophie and Gus of the Space Protection Force, and their microscopic spaceship The SPF50, take up residence inside 14-year-old Norman’s brain. 

News Shorts: Showmax Debuts Another Original Animated Series Twende, Once Upon A Studio To Rollout On Various e.tv And Disney Platforms And Help I'm In A Secret Relationship Returns For New Episodes On MTV Across Africa

Meet ‘Twende,’ Showmax Africa’s First Original 2D Toon

Showmax has released a trailer for Twende — the first Showmax Original 2D animated series. The show follows a pangolin — an endangered species which is the slowest on the savannah and the most-trafficked type of animal in the world — who makes up for his natural lack of speed by driving a motorcycle taxi.

Twende will premiere on Showmax across Africa on December 4. New episodes will roll out on Saturdays.

Once Upon A Studio debuts in Africa

Featuring 543 characters from more than 85 Disney feature-length and short films, Once Upon a Studio welcomes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers - in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation - to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry and technological achievements.

Will be on Disney+ from 09h00, Disney Channel from 16h55 and on e.tv at 18h20.

Also on OpenView at these times:

- eExtra: 17h50

- eSeries: 18h15

- eToonz: 18h50

- eReality: 18h50

- eMovies: 19h50

- eMovies Extra: 19h50

- ePlesier: 20h00

November on MTV

Help, I'm In A Secret Relationship S2B

Monday, November 27th @20:00

Episodes 211-224

The broken hearts professionals are back in action! In season 2 of HIIASR, Travis and Rahne return to the streets to help suspicious and confused partners find out why their relationship’s being kept secret. But with the trend of hiding more prevalent than ever…they’ve got their work cut out for them this around.

On season 2 of HIIASR, our hosts are dealing with wilder stories, even crazier twists, and more jaw-dropping, shocking reveals than they’ve ever encountered before.

What To Expect On Qwest TV Across Africa In November 2023?

BOKANI DYER TRIO

Proud to celebrate his South African heritage, Bokani Dyer has established himself as a rising star on the local jazz scene. After illustrious beginnings, it was in 2016 that he officially founded his own trio with Romy Brauteseth, a popular double bass player from Port Elizabeth, and Sphelelo Mazibuko, who comes from a family of drummers from Newcastle (South Africa). Thanks to the resounding success of their debut album, Neo Native, which has since won awards at the South African Music Awards, the group is turning heads on a global scale (winning praise from the New York Times and the London Jazz News).

We find the trio in 2021 at the Festival Jazz & Classical Encounters Vol. 3, during a performance dedicated to Sibongile Khumalo and Andre Petersen, two veterans of the South African scene who were victims of the global health crisis. Bokani combines classical, African and even Latin influences. The trio demonstrates a contagious joie de vivre and is above all born from a deep sense of complicity. The desire to distance themselves from the conventional sounds of jazz leads them to unexplored horizons– those of a new wave of ethno jazz. The trio thus offers the experience of a unifying message, engaging melodies, and unparalleled creativity.

TROMBONE SHORTY

The Olympia hall is getting a breath of fresh air: backed by the band Orleans Avenue, Trombone Shorty performs a particularly effective repertoire. Renowned for his open-mindedness (he worked in the past with Lenny Kravitz and contributed to the soundtrack of the excellent television series Treme), the trombonist, saxophonist and singer from Louisiana begins with "Buckjump," a composition whose electric dimension stuns the audience. Endowed with a captivating technique, Trombone Shorty then delivers a performance influenced by the insane interjections of Joe Bowie, the leader of Defunkt, and by the thick rhythms of the not-so-distant "Zigaboo" Modeliste, the drummer of the Meters. This phenomenon is noticeable when listening to the formidable "Suburbia" and the catchy "One Night Only" or "Encore".

Captured in October 2013 by Samuel Petit, this gig full of soul and rock sounds also allows itself a few forays into blues and jazz lands as indicated by "St. James Infirmary," a standard already played by Trombone Shorty at the White House for Mr and Mrs Obama. Organic as hell (and what a groove!), these different tracks announce above all the albums of the prodigal trumpeter for Don Was and the legendary Blue Note label: highly recommended...

MADE AND FEMI KUTI

At the dawn of the 21st century, a decade after the death of the "black president," Femi was the first son of Fela to take up the paternal torch. Since then, albums, collaborations and world tours have kept this body of work intimately linked to the Kuti family alive. Everything is thus in place to immerse you, even convert you with this beautifully captured concert whose final "Water No Get Enemy" (great classic of the golden age) suddenly makes you regret not having bought tickets for that night.

MAKAYA MCCRAVEN

Drummer extraordinaire Makaya McCraven brought his trio to open the 2021 La Rochelle Jazz Festival on October 13. A strong representative of the vibrant new American jazz scene, McCraven shapeshifts his five originals he presents for this show, using samplers at times, and generally taking the drums to a new place in the jazz legacy. He’s an inventive drummer who flies beyond swing, using a percussive, hip-hop styled improvisational thrust to the music. He deals in a riveting drive and a powerful groove in this set that features saxophonist/flutist De’Sean Jones who also blows an EWI to accentuate the jazz/electronic mix.

The France-born, Chicago-based, University of Massachusetts, Amherst-educated McCraven was mentored by such jazz icons as Archie Shepp, Marion Brown and Yusef Lateef which explains why he became so free to stretch beyond the norm to become an original voice. He’s earned the nickname 'Beat Scientist'. By the end of the set finale, “This Place, That Place,” McCraven showed how he cooks up a mean jazz experiment.

Development Alert: Showmax Pro To Go Dark Across Africa Ahead Of Peacock's Rollout Under The Streamer

MultiChoice Group has announced that it will phase out Showmax Pro ahead of the planned relaunch of the Showmax platform by the end of the year.

In a notice to subscribers posted on the Showmax website, MultiChoice explained that with the upcoming relaunch of Showmax, its sports offering will focus exclusively on Premier League football, which it described as the most-watched football league in Africa.

“Showmax Pro in its current form will be phased out by 30 November. More details around the refreshed pricing and the product will be shared soon,” MultiChoice said.

Showmax Pro offers the basic Showmax entertainment tier coupled with various sports matches provided by sister company SuperSport. Until now, Showmax Pro has carried not only Premier League football but also the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, the FA Cup and more. It has also shown athletics, running and boxing events.

“We want to make sure that our Showmax Pro customers are still able to access the sport they love. As part of this product change, existing Showmax Pro customers in South Africa will be offered a DStv Compact Plus Stream package at the same price as Showmax Pro.”

DStv Stream Compact Plus is currently priced at R549/month, while Showmax Pro costs R349/month, meaning Showmax Pro customers will save R200/month and get access to more sports, including selected Rugby World Cup 2023 games.

Showmax Pro

“Customers will be able to stream 115 live channels, access the full catalogue of the DStv video-on-demand library and continue to have full access to Showmax’s entertainment catalogue,” the group said. The deal is exclusively available to existing Showmax Pro customers, who will receive communication from MultiChoice about how to sign up. The offer is not available to Showmax Pro mobile-only subscribers.

From 1 October, Showmax Pro will no longer be available for subscription.

The changes come as MultiChoice prepares for a significant overhaul of Showmax, expected by year-end.

Speaking to the media in June, MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said “version 2” of Showmax will include strategic and technical input from new partner and co-investor NBCUniversal.

MultiChoice announced in March that NBCUniversal would acquire a 30% stake in Showmax as part of a plan to build the leading internet video streaming platform in Africa.

The agreement, which includes NBCUniversal sister company Sky – both firms are owned by Nasdaq-listed media giant Comcast — includes the supply of technology as well as new content to Showmax subscribers. MultiChoice has retained a 70% stake in the business.

“Powered by Peacock’s leading, globally scaled technology, Showmax subscribers will have access to an extensive premium content portfolio, bringing African audiences the best of local and international programming,” MultiChoice said in March. Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.

“The service will combine MultiChoice’s accelerating investment in local content with a pipeline of award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, third-party content from HBO, Warner Brothers International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League football,” it said.

Said Mawela: “Showmax version 2 will launch in the fourth quarter with a broader line-up of content, a better product offering, better user interface and more streams on live sport, and will be underpinned by the English Premier League.”

Showmax will remain a separate offering, distinct from DStv and “appealing to a streaming population that continues to grow” and who “might want sport as part of that offering”. 

Development Alert: Kind Van Die Noodlot And In Die Ysterhand Se Greep Currently Streaming On Showmax, #DisComplicated To Rollout On e.tv

Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep now on Showmax

Last year, kykNET rolled out two international dramas Kind Van Die Noodlot (Belahan Jiwa Kahraman) and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep (Asla Vazgeçmem) through kykNET & Kie. Amidst that period, MultiChoice had an ongoing through a carriage feud with eMedia Investments.

eMedia Investments played a part in their success after rolling out a similar offering in 2018 on eExtra. Since then, over 30 Turkish dramas had been distributed in Afrikaans (4 of which belong to kykNET) and eMedia had rolled out a dedicated channel and OTT platform.

Despite that, MultiChoice is not interested in retaining eExtra alongside their other 3 channels viewed on the Openview platform including eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz.

Although we have yet to see kykNET ramp up its own ePlesier type channel or give these shows much exposure on their linear platforms. MultiChoice has however made Showmax the official streaming portai for shows like Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep.

At the moment, Jy Is My Seun and Verbode Liefde aren't available on the platform.

A rebroadcast of #DisComplicated is coming to e.tv

Since Kuiertyd's inception in 2018, eMedia Investments had been using e.tv as a catch-up service for some of their shows. Of course, there are still a selected number of shows which haven't been seen yet on the platform including Om Elke Draai, Impak and Kruispad.

As seen through an updated programme guide, #DisComplicated which serves as another one of those never before seen shows has been allocated in the 8:30 on e.tv in place of Fenix from 30 August.

For those without a DStv and Openview can follow the story of follows Eda Yıldız longing to become a landscape architect. After losing her parents when she was young, this brilliant student pursued her studies with scholarships. However, she crosses paths with Serkan Bolat an obsessive workaholic who jeopardizes her plans.