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Developing Story: MultiChoice Bids Farewell To Both M-Net Essentials (Me) And 1Magic On DStv By The End Of March

Earlier in the year, MultiChoice sent notifications to selected DStv customers that both 1Magic and Me would be exiting the DStv...

Showing posts with label eExtra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eExtra. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Die Fakulteit: Schools In Session With eExtra's New High School Drama This April, Will Be Available On e.tv

Not long ago, it was reported that eMedia Investments was filming a new Afrikaans drama that was set to rival with KykNET and replace 18:00 on SABC 2. Now it has been reported that eExtra will be launching a new series titled Die Fakulteit (The Faculty).

The project will ensemble a new and familiar cast alongside including Bibi Du Perez, Carien Botha, Abel Knobel, Tabitha De Jager, Carl Trautman, Leigh Ann Fourie, Tène Minderon and Zöricke Snyman with guest appearances from Zoé Jacobs and Geraldine Pilay.

Die Fakuliteit was produced by Marno Koen and Michael Van Zyl of Coolerbox Brothers with George Van Rooyen serving as director. The crew have produced various content for M-Net and Via including Klankbank, Konings van Kitskos and Die Rusbank Sessies.

Die Fakulteit begins 14 April 2024 on eExtra replacing Ouma Sarie at 19:30. Prior to this, Chrysalis would be returning to the channel with season 2 from 8 April 2024 replacing Soos Dag En Nag at 20:00.

Details of a plot has yet to mentioned but this is what we've got about the show

Our school's coat of arms - At Hoërskool Oos we are proud to say that in terms of sports, academics and culture we are considered one of the most average schools in the East Rand. As our motto goes: we think, we know, "we can?"

Sunday, March 3, 2024

News Shorts: Paw Patrol To Be Dubbed In isiZulu For Nicktoons, SABC Lehae Is Made Available On Squid TV And eExtra Adds Tomorrow With You And Kurt En Shura Rebroadcast

Paw Patrol is going local

Following the successful launch of SpongeBob SquarePants in isiZulu in 2022. Nickelodeon is looking to dub more content in local languages for sister network Nicktoons with the preschool series Paw Patrol airing at a much later timeslot from 18 March at 15:00.

The series focuses on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search and rescue dogs that call themselves the PAW Patrol. They work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay and surrounding areas.

Since its debut, the series has developed into a media franchise with two feature films Paw Patrol: The Movie and The Mighty One alongside spinoff Rubble & Crew.

Nicktoons serves as one of several broadcasters dubbing animated series with SABC (Ben 10, Zulu and Afrikaans), e.tv (Care Bears: Unlock The Magic, Xhosa) and Play Room (Cocomelon and Akili And Me, isiZulu).
Vetkoekpaleis was only able to pull around 800,000 viewers on SABC 2 in December while SABC 3 is currently sitting with 400,000. Other than that, SABC hasn't been producing much content for this audience and such move could lead to surge in viewers for eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET.

From what we can confirm Nuus will be airing on SABC 3 at 20:30 from March 4th serving as the only weekday Afrikaans offering. 50/50 and Voetspore will serve as weekly offerings therefore maxing out the offering - details of a date and time have yet to be mentioned.
Chrysalis returns to eExtra

Ahead of the second and possible third and final season debut, eExtra's Kuiertyd will be adding its first drama series from the Czech Republic titled Soos Nag En Dag by March 4th. The series consists of 26 episodes giving Chrysalis an open window by April 9th in the same timeslot.

The drama followed Nalan who seems perfect from the outside, was being severely abused by her mother. Sedat, one of the richest men in Turkey, proposes to her. But her husband and family, who seem perfect from the outside, are not normal either.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Reminder: Soos Dag En Nag, eExtra's First Series From The Czech Republic Debuts In March

eExtra, a South African based TV channel operated by eMedia Investments that distributes a variety of content from Asia, India and Turkey is to expand its catalogue with Soos Nag En Dag. It hails from the Czech Republic and will be Kuiertyd's first show from the region.

Soos Nag En Dag (Kukačky) follows two families whose lives become impossibly complicated when they discover that their 6 year old sons were switched at birth. Emotional family drama where the investigation throws up surprises for both families.

It starred Viktor Sekanina as Jakub Kadlec, Marek Adamczyk as Martin Kadlec, Marta Dancingerová as Tereza Kadlecová, Jiří Štrébl as Libor Kadlec, Veronika Freimanová as Klára Kadlecová and Luboš Veselý as Rudolf Býček.

The series debuted on Czech Republic broadcaster ČT1 by 8 January 2021 and had since then produced two seasons with 26 episodes each with a 52 minute duration. It was made with praise within the region averaging 1.5 million viewers over the age of 15.

Soos Nag En Dag is set to replace Wie Laaste Lag from 4th March on eExtra on weekdays at 20:00. Prior to this, eMedia Investments will be rolling out a new Turkish drama to the eVOD streaming service titled Gelukbringers.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

News Shorts: CNN Phillipines To Close Down With 300 Job Losses, Fourth And Final Season Of Die Put On eExtra And Final Episodes Of The Ghost And Molly McGee Season 2 On Disney Channel Release Dates Revealed

CNN to close

CNN Philippines is to close down on Wednesday, the company announced on Monday local time. The move means up to 300 jobs will be lost.

CNN Philippines was launched in 2015 under a brand licensing agreement between Turner and Nine Media Network, a Philippines company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ALC Group of Companies previously launched by the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua.

“CNN Philippines will discontinue operations on all media platforms effective Wednesday, Jan 31, 2044,” the company said in a posting on social media. “A trusted source of news and information CNN Philippines is accessible on free-to-air TV, cable and digital platforms. To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication. To our partners, including CNN Worldwide / Turner Broadcasting Corporation, we are grateful for your support. And to our viewers, our sincerest gratitude for your loyalty and trust over the past 9 years.”
Ramos axed on eExtra

Ramos was made available on eVOD Stream back in 2023 before launching on eExtra. With the season 1 finale on eExtra set for 28 February, eExtra will replace the eVOD Stream exclusive with another which was once exclusive to linear platforms, Die Put S4 from 29 February.

Synopsis for the final season:

With Arık Böke and Cengiz Erdenet joining the game, the Koçovalı Family begin the great war with the Erdenet Family. Cengiz, who will change all the balances in the war between the Koçovalı Family and the Erdenet Family, makes very important decisions about Yamaç. 

We are awaiting an update on the second season of Ramos on eExtra but it if we had to guess it will more likely surface once Die Put ends.
The Ghost And Molly McGee comes to a close

During the month, it was reported that Disney Channel axed both The Ghost And Molly McGee and Bunk'd with final episodes slated for 2023. Unlike Bunk'd, final episodes of The Ghost And Molly McGee was made available on some international Disney Channels before the United States.

Now we've recieved word from sources that these episodes will arrive in Africa from March 18 as a double from 16:05 CAT. Anticipated episodes for this season include Jinx Vs. The Human World and The End - we won't be sharing any spoilers.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

How tvN Managed To Retain It's Presence In Africa?

tvN is a South Korean entertainment channel operated by CJ ENM that distributes various drama series and reality shows. Some of the content to have been produced by the channel includes Doom At Your Service, Cheese In The Trap, The K2 and Ice Adonis.

MultiChoice added tvN as a pop-up channel in March 2021 and by popular demand extended it for another few months. They weren't onboard with adding tvN as a permanent channel and since then the broadcaster was looking to continue their services through another platform.

During that time, tvN had garnered a following and through that were able to engage with viewers before quietly distancing themselves from social platforms with further accounts of tvN Africa directed to tvN international.

The outcome of tvN Africa

Although, tvN is not viewable as a linear channel several broadcasters including eMedia Investments, VIU, Netflix and StarTimes had all been distributing selected content from the brand. Best plausible option is that CJ ENM was only able to retain their programs in the market.

MultiChoice to date still doesn't feature any content from tvN on their platforms. They were able to retain an alternative offering to tvN and that includes NHK World Japan, CCTV-4, CGTN and KIX.

Monday, January 15, 2024

New Series Alert: Blue Cage And Hicran Also Rumoured To Be Making It's African Debut Soon Likely On Telemundo, Could eExtra's Kuiertyd Or kykNET Perhaps Get It?

Following the recent report that Telemundo will be further distancing themselves from original programming. The channel had acquired various shows from numerous international studios and broadcasters including Colombia's Caracol Televisión and RCN.

In October 2023, Telemundo debuted their first Turkish production across the African continent, Cennet: The Power Of Destiny. It proved to be a popular addition with consumers following the U.S. counterpart that had been sourcing content within the region years prior.

Inter Medya and Telemundo presented two Turkish dramas at MIPCOM within 2023, Blue Cage (Maviye Sürgün, 03 Medya) and Hicran to potential buyers. The two had been capitalising on Turkish dramas for Spanish language audiences and now the latter has folded in Africa.

Considering these two dramas were also co-produced/distributed by Telemundo, would it seem far fetched if the channel were to acquire them for consumers in Africa perhaps when Cennet ends in the coming months?

Synopsis for The Blue Cage:

Oguz has saved a young amnesiac woman, Defne, who he brings into his home. But when Defne recovers her memory, she realizes that she was a con artist who must remain in hiding.

Synopsis for Hicran:

Hicran, who wakes up to the new day with the nightmare she sees every night in which she tries to catch up with her daughter, who is said to have died at birth, is a young woman who is trying to hold on to life and who believes that her daughter is not dead, unlike everyone else.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

News Shorts: eExtra Unveils New Series This Is Love Alongside Snoozefest Beyhadh, BBC Entertainment Closes Down In All Markets By 31 March 2024 And Disney Greenlights New Film Based On The Mandalorian

This is Love on eExtra

During the month, it was reported that eMedia Investments was looking to add This Is Love to their linear platforms. This was after an advertisement was spotted on their channels unveiling various shows on Openview and now eExtra will be rolling out the show in the coming weeks.

According to the programme guide, This Is Love will air in a 25 minute timeslot at 14:10 from 26 January while eExtra will air a rebroadcast of Beyhadh at 13:45 from 25 January.

This Is Love follows Anushka Reddy who returns home after spending seven years in the US with Siddhant Sinha is a budding lawyer, belongs to middle-class family from Bihar.
BBC is retiring an iconic brand

BBC Entertainment is an international television channel broadcasting comedy, drama, light entertainment, reality and children's programming (some regions only) from the BBC, Channel 4 and other UK production houses. It is operated by BBC Studios.

During the week, it was reported that BBC Studios will look to the close the BBC Entertainment in all markets on 31 March 2024. This comes after 4-6 years after the channel was replaced by BBC Brit and BBC First in other countries.

In a statement, BBC Studios said it would continue to serve local audiences in the EMEA region through our bespoke genre channels, the expansion of our digital service, BBC Player, and suite of FAST channels. “BBC Studios has strong partnerships with local free to air broadcasters, pay-TV networks and digital platforms across the region and many BBC programmes will also continue to be seen through these providers as well as through our own branded services.”
The Mandalorian enters the big screens

The Mandalorian and Grogu are embarking on a new adventure — to movie theaters. Directed by Jon Favreau, and produced by Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, and Dave Filoni, The Mandalorian & Grogu will go into production in 2024.

The Mandalorian & Grogu will lead Lucasfilm's ongoing feature-development slate, including films helmed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni, who is also currently developing Ahsoka Season 2, among those in the works.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Judgement, The Game Of My Destiny And 10 Other Turkish Series Rumoured To Debut In South Africa Soon

To expand from the Everyday Novelas column of 2024, we list various content that have been reportedly been picked up by your favourite brands.

1. Kaderimin Oyunu (The Game Of My Destiny)
Tells the gripping story of Asiye, whose world is turned upside down when her daughter is attacked by a neighbor, leaving them to rebuild their shattered lives. When the stranger Mahir finds them refuge in the home of his powerful family, she is shocked to encounter her ex-husband Cemal who abandoned the family years earlier. 

2. Hercai (Inconstant Love)
Miran is a mysterious man who appears in the life of Reyyan, a young woman from a wealthy and very powerful family, and she falls in love. But things don't turn out as she expected, as there is a dark motive behind everything.

3. Yargi (Judgement)
A murder case brings together a defence attorney and a prosecutor, forcing them into an uneasy alliance as they search for the killer.

4. Kizim (My Little Girl)
Oyku, an eight-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition, sets out to find her father after she is abandoned by her aunt. However, when she meets him, he tries to get rid of her.

5. Sadakatsız (A Woman Scorned)
Asya is a successful doctor and she has a perfect life with her husband and her son. But after finding a blonde hair on her husband's scarf, everything changes and she discovers her husband's extramarital affair.

6. Gülcemal
Abandoned by his mother as a boy. A man years later vows to get revenge on the mom and her new family all while unknowingly falling in love with her adopted daughter.

7. Bir Küçük Gün Isigi (A Little Sunshine)
The series tracks the life of Elif, whose world is turned upside down when she realises her husband had a daughter with another wife who she never knew about.

8. Bay Yanlis (Mr. Wrong)
Wealthy restaurant owner Özgür prefers casual dating to serious relationships. Ezgi wants to get married, but she only ends up being used by men. Özgür agrees to give her dating tips so her next relationship with Serdar would work out.

9. Aldatmak (Deception)
Güzide Yenersoy is a distinguished, respected family court judge. She is an honest and principled woman who has saved many marriages from destruction, made sure that many children receive the affection and love they deserve, and has always been on the side of justice. 

10. Aziz
This is about a young man who becomes a powerful man fighting against cruelty and unfairness after losing everything in life.

11. Ada Masalı (Be My Sunshine)
Unassuming physics teacher Akif's homeroom is even more unruly than usual when he suddenly announces, "from now on you are my hostages." With Akif’s touch of a button, a violent explosion separates their classroom from the rest of the school. 

12. Kalp Yarasi (Wounded Heart)

The series story is about Ferit and Ayse who find themselves in a difficult marriage game for 6 months. Will Ferit forgive Hande? Will Ferit and Ayse persuade everybody that they are really in love with each other?

Thursday, January 4, 2024

New Series Alert (Rumour): eMedia Investments Reportedly Acquired Rights To Bollywood Based Drama Yeh Pyaar Nahi Toh Kya Hai, Might Rollout As This Is Love

In the wake of eExtra's repeat padded lineup and faulty EPG, eMedia Investments might be looking to air Yeh Pyaar Nahi Toh Kya Hai under the title This Is Love. This was after a viewer had spotted an Openview advert pertaining to the show's possible debut.

This Is Love was critically acclaimed for its crisp story line and ensemble cast's performance. Set in Delhi, it followed Anushka Reddy who returns home after spending seven years in the US with Siddhant Sinha is a budding lawyer, belongs to middle-class family from Bihar.

It starred Palak Jain as Anushka Sinha, Namit Khanna as Siddhant Sinha, Manish Choudhary as Krishna Kanth "K.K." Reddy, Shahana Verma as Nita Reddy, Vishal Malhotra as Shrikant "Anna" Reddy and Suparna Krishna as Riddhi Reddy and Ankit Raj as Kartik Reddy.

Produced by Bindu and SJ Studio Productions, the Bollywood based drama premiered from 19 March to 31 August 2018 on Sony Entertainment Television (SET) in India and since it's inception had produced 120 episodes each with a duration of 22 minutes.

eMedia Investments hasn't responded to any enquiries regarding the rollout of This Is Love on eExtra. But if we had to guess the show is likely to surface in the timeslot of Surrender In Love.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Could FOX Turkey, Home To Doodsondes And #DisComplicated On eExtra Be Closing/Rebranding Soon, Here's Why?

After Disney acquired 21st Century Studios, they had been phasing out the FOX trademark across their properties. FOX Sports was replaced by ESPN while their general entertainment channels either closed down in some regions or were rebranded to FX or Star.

FOX Turkey happens to be the only international FOX brand during its run to produce original content. Although, none of this were viewed on its international counterparts several shows such as Om Elke Draai, Dokter Ali and Wie Laaste Lag had been picked up by eMedia Investments.

According to rules under the SEC, Disney is required to retract the use of the FOX trademark by 2024. It's kind of brought questions as to what Disney's next phase of action is for consumers within the affected region Star isn't one of them seeing as there's already such a brand.

Considering that Disney was able to acquire Comcast's stake in Hulu. It had been long speculated that Star could be folded under Hulu and internationally this trademark had taken up the identity of various linear channels which could end up reverting to FX.

The only issue right now regarding FOX is the position within the market. It is well established as mentioned they've produced various shows that were acquired by eMedia Investments for their Kuiertyd offering and a name change isn't something a lot can grasp.

Unless a deal were to be put in place with the FOX Corporation which would probably see them maintaining a stake on the channel. There's no way for this channel to remain on air particularly if it's still known as FOX.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Everyday Novelas Shorts: eExtra Acquires Broadcasting Rights To 90s Sitcom Vetkoekpaleis And A Rebroadcast Of Winter Son And Nurses Launches On e.tv And Telemundo Respectively

More oldies for eExtra

Last year, SABC cancelled 7de Laan after 23 years on the air filling primetime with a rebroadcast to 90s sitcom Vetkoekpaleis. The public broadcaster is going on through financial constraints so as such a replacement would take much longer to be commissioned.

The public broadcaster was looking to produce cheaper long-form drama series and failed to keep up to their target. Now consumers have fled to eExtra's Kuiertyd to keep up with their Turkwood stories and to embrace for more local flavour on kykNET.

As seen through media outlets, eMedia Investments had acquired rights to SABC 2's Vetkoekpaleis. Now what is worrisome here for SABC 2 is the implications, consumers will most likely just flee to eExtra when it airs therefore creating division with their viewership.
Nurses makes a quick comeback

Nurses was acquired on Telemundo back in 2022 and serves as one of the longest time productions viewed on the channel by Colombia's RCN who also produced shows like The Chosen Granddaughter and slated to also a return in the coming weeks, The Scent Of Passion.

It was quietly scrubbed from the line-up forcing Telemundo to halt primetime due to a change in legislation imposed in Cameroon and Uganda which prohibited broadcasters from promoting gay content. Punishments range from a revoke of TV licence to possible jail sentence.

A portion of the third season was censored and with the channel airing Nurses from the beginning. It's likely that they've cut out some scenes consumers within those surrounding regions find offensive affecting the whole of Africa.
Winter Son also makes an early debut

The rebroadcast of Die Vertroueling came to end in December 2022 and e.tv flooded the timeslot with movies. With the festive season past us, e.tv resumes their weekday offering by reviving the weeknight repeats slot with Winter Son from January 15.

Taking to account, this was allocated at the 19:30 timeslot and as such they'd often be placed at 8:30 which is currently being occupied by #DisComplicated. If we had to guess, they're probably trying to give Ramo time to wrap up as it not cause friction between channels as seen with Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Die Put season 3 will most likely replace Winter Son once it ends followed by Ramo.

Monday, January 1, 2024

News Shorts: German Based Broadcaster Deutsche Welle Shutters It's Linear Operations Across Europe And Africa, National Geographic And ESPN Have Been Added To Zuku TV And A Rebroadcast Of Dayan, Destructive Beauty Launches On eExtra

DW goes dark across Europe

The move is part of a package of measures presented by DW director Peter Limbourg to the DW broadcasting council in Berlin on March 17, 2023.

“We will no longer broadcast linear programming in German after the changeover, but we will offer singular content on digital platforms,” the DW spokesman said. The date for the closure of the German TV channel has not yet been set. “I’m not able to provide a specific date at this time,” he added.

With the package of measures as part of the 2024 budget planning, Limbourg wants to drive the digital transformation of the German international service. Included are savings, budget shifts from linear to digital offerings and to regional languages, as well as investments in digital working environments.
Zee TV dying down on eExtra

After cutting down on primetime for more Annekan Die Swa Kry and axing Naagin much earlier than anticipated. A rebroadcast of Dayan, Destructive Beauty is expected to join the channel's line-up in the coming weeks replacing the timeslot of Naagin supposedly.

Dayan, Destructive Beauty was the first and probably last Bollywood drama to have been made exclusive to eVOD before being added to linear platforms. Now eVOD's international drama lineup outside of Kuiertyd is revolved on content viewed on eSeries and eExtra.

It follows Janvi Maurya, a well-educated and family oriented girl hailing from Ujjain, stumbles upon a dangerous ploy by an evil force as many unusual and mysterious happenings occur in her hometown. With a threat to her life, she must unmask the identity of a Daayan.
Sports makes a comeback on Zuku TV

Last year, it was revealed through several social outlets that Zuku TV will be relaunching National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Baby TV and ESPN 1 after removing them back in 2021. The only difference FOX and ESPN 2 aren't part of this offering.

These channels were replaced with Animal Planet, Discovery and TLC from Warner Bros. Discovery, Filmbox from SPI International and Planet Fun years prior. But the pay-tv platform failed to substitute the sporting line-up with any chances of a replacement likely dead at this point.


Sunday, December 31, 2023

2024 On Everyday Novelas | New Series Alert: Game Of Lies And Come Back To Me On Telemundo Across Africa | New Seasons Of Die Put And Chrysalis On eExtra | Freemium Debut Of Silver Lining On Zee One | More

e.tv/eVOD/eExtra's Kuiertyd

Net 20 Minute (20 Dakika): An innocent pastrycook Melek gets accused of injuring an important politician's son. Her loving husband Ali wants to help his wife to escape from prison.
Blink Kant Bo (Yalı Çapkını): Halis Ağa is the owner of a large jewellery empire and the head of the Korhan family. Even though his son Orhan and oldest grandson Fuat run most of the business, he still makes the most important decisions in the company.
uBettina Wethu S4: In Season 4 we will see Betty, her comrades, and kin in a whole new light as they realise new goals and fix old wounds. Betty has lost direction, so she sets off to realign and march forward determined to win - without the distraction of personal relationships - her downfall in the past.
• Annekan Die Swa Kry S3 (Kardeşlerim): While the Eren brothers are enjoying the rich life they have, Akif, who is left without a penny, is looking for ways to regain his former power with all kinds of cunning. 
• Ballade Vir'n Enkeling: When well-known writer Jacques Rynhardt disappears, it is up to a journalist to unravel the mystery. To do that, she needs to go back to his childhood and get to know Jacques for who he was.
Die Agentskap: Four managers of talent agency Ego, namely Kıraç, Feris, Çınar and Peride, deal with difficult situations every day and defend their business visions. They skillfully combine art and business, but their private and professional lives sometimes come into conflict.

Other attractions include final seasons of Doodsondes, Elif, Die Put and Chrysalis.

Telemundo

Game Of Lies (Juego De Mentiras): It follows Cesar Ferrer whose wife disappears. As he becomes the prime suspect of her possible murder, he takes the investigation in his own hands and fights to keep custody of his daughter. 
• Come Back To Me (Vuelve A Mí): The drama follows Nuria, a woman who begins a relationship with Braulio without knowing he is one of the owners of the company where she works to support her son and sister. The lives of the main characters begin to intertwine after the tragic kidnapping of Nuria's son Andrés. 

Other attractions include the third and final season of Queen Of The South alongside the ninth season of Lord Of The Skies. The channel was also rumoured to be airing content from Colombia's Caracol Televisión and RCN.

TLNovelas (Rumour)

• Overcoming Loss (Vencer La Ausencia): The sisterhood of four women of different origins is shattered when an accident causes them all to lose a loved one. After discovering the causes of the accident, they will share a painful mystery. Rumoured to debut by early 2024.
• Divided Love (Amor Dividado): Abril and Max are two people who have nothing in common. For Abril, family is her priority, while for Max, being successful in the corporate world is the most important thing. 
• Embrace Me Tightly (Abrázame Muy Fuerte): The daughter of a rich man is banished to another city after she is impregnated by one of the servants. She gives birth to a daughter and returns to fight for everything that was taken from her.
• Legacy (La Herencia): The telenovela takes place in an avocado farm called "Santa Catalina", where Severiano del Monte and Catalina Arango, Severiano's wife, and their five adopted sons live. Catalina was never able to get pregnant, but Severiano always wanted to have male descendants and opted for adoption.
•  My Love, My Sin (Amarte Es Mi Pecado): Nora is a poor young woman filled with dreams who lives in the beautiful city of Patzcuaro. Her father and evil stepmother Isaura decide to marry her off to a rich man so that she can have a better life.
• My Secret (Mi Secreto): Valeria is forced to take the identity of her best friend Natalia whom she believes to be dead, in order to avoid going to jail for a crime she did not commit. As she assumes her new reality, Valeria suffers constantly from the fear of being discovered.
• Deceptions (A Usurpadora): Twins Paula and Paulina were separated at birth and they live different lives when they get reunited. Paula is an evil rich woman who is married to a loving husband, while Paulina lives a humble life.
• Crown Of Tears 2 (Corona De Lágrimas): When Refugio and her three kids, Patricio, Edmundo and Ignacio are thrown out of their home, they arrive by chance in Mexico City where they start a new life.

The channel had gone through a major schedule adjustment with primetime reduced from 7 to 5 days a week. Various content has since then not aired as yet: part 1part 2 and part 3.

Zee World (Rumour)

• Family Is Everything (Tujhya Majhya Sansarala Aani Kay Hava): The show revolves around Siddharth and Aditi, a couple who falls deeply in love and embarks on the journey of marriage, which joins their respective families.
• Love Conquers (Neem Phuler Modhu): This emotionally charged drama delves into the profound transformation a young woman undergoes after marriage and the formidable challenges she must conquer.
• Between You And Me (Meri Hanikarak Biwi): revolves around the life of two completely different individuals, Akilesh Pandey and Iravati aka Ira Desai. Akhilesh is a village simpleton and an ardent follower of Bajrang Bali. He is illiterate, but a great wrestler, while Ira is an aspiring medical student.

Other attractions include Dholi Beats, Undercover Love and The Rules Of Love. Rumoured content for the channel include His Second Wife, Embrace Me and Mother By Chance.

Zee One (Rumour)

• Age Is Just A Number (Aapke Aa Jane Se): Sahil, a rich young man, falls in love with Vedika, an older woman who has a 15-year-old child. She initially rebukes his advances but feels conflicted after she gets to know him better.
My New Mother In Law: It follows Jhilmil's carefree life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a young mother-in-law and the head of the family after getting married to Abir.
• Silver Lining (Choti Si Zindagi): Two girls, look after each other and struggle to survive in an orphanage, after their mother dies and their father abandons them, to marry another woman.
• Married Again (Punar Vivaah): A widower and a divorcee get together to provide the love of both parents to their children and eventually form a bond. However, their life takes an ugly turn when an obsessed lover interferes.
• Once There Was A King (Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani): In 1945, a King named Ranaji returns to his home in Ameerkot after six years fighting against the British. Ranaji ends up meeting a woman named Gayatri, the daughter of a rich zamindar.
• Krishi (Afsar Bitiya): Krishna wants to get a good education to become a block development officer and improve her family's life. However, she faces many hardships along the way.

Star Life (Rumour)

• Love You So Much (Bohot Pyaar Karte Hai): The show is about a girl named Indu who lives with her younger sister and parents. Indu loves a guy named Mahesh and wants to go meet him and propose to him for marriage. She goes to meet him with her dad but finds that he has already married someone else. 
Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali: Pallavi, a young widow, is a family-oriented woman. However, when she crosses paths with a money-minded businessman, their personalities clash and sparks fly.
Pandya Store: Gautam and Dhara Pandya, a middle class married couple, manage the Pandya Store. Apart from their business, Dhara also looks after Gautam's three younger siblings.
Stand By Me, My Beloved (Saath Nibhaana Saathiya
2): Gehna, a young girl, works as a domestic help for the Desai family. Despite being ill-treated by them, she continues to show kindness. Soon, she finds Anant coming to her defence.
• The Accidental Mayor (Nimki Mukhiya): The story, set in a small village in Bihar, deals with the life of Nimki, a carefree, materialistic girl who accidentally becomes the Mukhiya (chief) of the village. Nimki is mad about cinema, a dreamer and unaware of the darkness of the world. 

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Recap To The Week: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To The Supernatural Drama Salt Of Love (Namak Issk Ka), Folded Under Naagin On eExtra

During the week, eMedia Investments welcomed another supernatural drama in place of Naagin without any prior notice to the media. The show in question is actually referred to as Namak Issk Ka (Salt Of Love) but on eExtra's programme guide it's listed as Naagin. 

Namak Issk Ka revolves around an item girl named Kahani Verma who goes by the name of Chamcham Rani and a rich businessman, Yug Pratap Rajput, who are childhood friends who became separated in an accident. Yug and Kahani meet after 15 years. This is when Yug learns that Kahani is an item girl.

Produced by Gul Khan and Deepti Kalwani under 4 Lions Films, it starred Shruti Sharma as Kahani Yug Pratap Rajput, Aditya Ojha as Yug Pratap Rajput and Antara Biswas as Iravati Verma in leading roles.

Similar to Naagin, this show was also broadcast on Colors TV and consists of 187 episodes each with a duration of 22 minutes. But questions amount to the sudden removal of Naagin could it be possible that eExtra is missing episodes or there was some error with their distributors.

Namak Issk Ka was broadcast on Christmas Day on eExtra or at least from a viewer's word. This isn't the first time a channel pulled a switcheroo during the year another instance was with Crown Of Tears and If They Let Us on TLNovelas and eVOD with Wie Laaste Lag and Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Friday, December 22, 2023

Most Popular Posts Of 2023: Everyday Novelas Takes The Most Wins With eExtra's Kuiertyd And Surprising Development Cennet: The Power Of Destiny And HONEY Make It To The Top 10

Presenting the reader's 10 most viewed stories of 2023


Notes
• Kuiertyd occupies the most spots in the top 10 (5) and Everyday Novelas offers 6 (including Cennet).
• eToonz's Powerbirds was the most popular kids show or better yet Regular Nick attraction.
• Nicktoons has the oldest post on the list which dates back to 2017.
• Roekeloos Dade has been the most mentions (3)

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

New Series Alert: Eternal Love Coming This January To eExtra

eExtra, a general entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments that distributes content from Turkey, Asia and India will be rolling out their first series for the new year titled Eternal Love (also known as Three Lives, Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms).

Synopsis for Eternal Love:

A free-spirited woman's soul inhabits the body of a timid woman from a different time. She must find a way to balance her double life when she falls in love with two different men.

Based on the novel of the same name, it starred Yang Mi as Bai Qian/Si Yin/Su Su, Mark Chao as Mo Yuan/Jin Lian/Ye Hua/Zhao Ge, Ken Chang as Zhe Yan, Zhang Gong as Bai Zhi, Ma Rui as Fox Queen, Leng Haiming as Bai Yi and Yu Menglong as Bai Zhen.

As of August 2018, Eternal Love had reached 50 billion views, becoming the most watched television series in the world. The series has also attracted large number of foreign fans, which was said to mark a new renaissance for Chinese television.

Based on the novel of the same name, it consisted of 57 episodes each with a 1 hour duration. The first episode is slated to air on weekdays at 16:15 from Monday 1st January reviving the Asian drama timeslot on the channel and further cutting down on the repeats.

eMedia's 4 Channels Recieve Another Extension On MultiChoice's DStv, Might Go Dark By August 2024

Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice had been undergoing a carriage dispute with the Competition Tribunal. After the pay-tv operated planned to remove these channels by March of that year was only fortunate enough to axe eMovies, eMovies Extra, eToonz and eExtra by the end of May.

At the time, MultiChoice mentioned that they had been phased with transponder constraints and that eMedia's 4 channels didn't fit their 5 year content strategy. eMedia Investments showed that MultiChoice did have enough satellite capacity and that their channels do abide by local quotas.

Following their cancellation, MultiChoice was met with severe backlash from various DStv consumers. Overtime, the pay-tv operator managed to supplement this offering with the expansions of KIX and PBS Kids alongside further new channels, DreamWorks and Movie Room.

By August of that year, eMedia Investments had recieved numerous extensions for their 4 Openview channels. After MultiChoice was planning to remove it by July 2023 and could have removed it by January 2024 will probably be able get it over with by August 2024.

Alas this case will have a 2 year and 6 month duration and despite how some people (including myself) wish these parties could have solved their issues much sooner.

Just know, eMedia's 4 Openview channels future were predicted by the end of May 2022 - Openview. MultiChoice has refused eMedia's attempts for a possible extension and honestly the Competition Tribunal can only help them recieve compensation at this point.

From MultiChoice's perspective, these 4 channels don't really have much to offer as I've mentioned for the past year eMedia Investments had been bundling these channel's content on e.tv and a selection of content is also accessible on DreamWorks and M-Net Movies.

That doesn't mean they aren't performing to their potential I feel similar to Zee One or BBC UKTV. These channels will hold more use to consumers that don't have access to the content residing within DStv.

The only issue here which is similar to what Nismedia had with Glow TV before it's departure is sustainability. eMedia Investments would have cutback on content in order to stay afloat as about 40% of their revenue is on DStv.


Monday, December 18, 2023

News Shorts: Moonbug And Toikido Commune For PeaKeeBoo, Cape Town TV To Debut New Edutainment Series Side Hustle Susters And Doodsondes Season 5 (And Likely Season 6) Linear Release Date Reportedly Revealed


A new short form series debuts on YouTube

London’s Moonbug Entertainment and British toyco Toikido are embarking on a franchise-building partnership for a new short series called PeaKeeBoo. 

The preschool project, featuring 2D animation with CG-animated backgrounds, will star three tiny creatures (Pea, Kee and Boo) who are enthralled by all of the sights and sounds of nature. Moonbug is producing a 30 x one-minute first season that’s already slated for a global premiere sometime in 2024 on its Moonbug Kids YouTube channel (10.4 million subscribers).  

The companies are now working out a 360-degree franchise strategy for PeaKeeBoo, with plans to eventually launch toys, books, apparel, playsets and games. 


Cape Town TV announces their first show for the year

'Side Hustle Susters – van passie tot profyt’ is an Afrikaans edutainment female empowerment show by women for women, created by Dee Theart (who is also the presenter of the show), in conjunction with Cape Town TV.

The show confronts the scarcity of female jobs by educating and inspiring women to pursue their own business ventures. Every episode includes a weekly “side hustle suster” (female entrepreneur guest) and a weekly female business coach/expert guest talking about various business topics. The female narrative will be at the centre of the conversation.

Season 1 is set to air in early 2024.


Doodsondes season 5 and 6 (final) to debut on eExtra???

During the year, eMedia Investments mysteriously shelved the final seasons to the FOX original Doodsondes (Yasak Elma) to eVOD. With the first two seasons broadcast on eExtra only for the other two seasons to end up on e.tv with questions surrounding the finals.

According to sources, Doodsondes Season 5 is scheduled to air from the 1st of April. So the only show we know that is ending closer to that period is Roekeloos Dade (30 March) and if accurate we might have uncovered the first replacement to one of their current shows.

Synopsis for Doodsondes Season 5:

Six months have passed since the explosion in Hasan Ali's house. After the explosion, Ender and Yıldız were injured, while Hasan Ali passed away. After the investigation, it is understood that Hasan Ali's enemies carried out the bombing and the case is closed.