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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 eToonz+. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eToonz+. Show all posts

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Why eToonz Now Offers Shows Like MasterChef Junior?

eToonz is South Africa's first free-to-air children's channel operated by eMedia Investments. It broadcasts daily at 6am with preschool shows like Peppa Pig, Postman Pat and Bob The Builder alongside with other content like Trollstopia, All Hail King Julien and Ninjago.

Launched in 2013, eToonz initially served as a preschool filtered brand and to date remains as the only youth brand on Openview to feature animated and live-action shows. Despite the rise in competiton with MultiChoice ramping up a duplicate offering on Play Room.

There was a lot of commotion pertaining to its performance regardless eMedia Investments had continued to bolster the entertainment. The channel now offers its own slate of live-action something formerly offered on Craze on top getting more first run programs.

As seen in recent months, eMedia Investments opted to add MasterChef Junior from eReality to eToonz current line-up. The inclusion of MasterChef Junior would further expand its line-up.

Openview launched in 2013 and as mentioned eMedia Investments remains hush hush on eToonz performance. There's been rumours that not much consumption is being poured on the brand as sources site Openview's demographic for the low numbers.

If anything, the inclusion of MasterChef Junior helps draw in numbers as well as more mature content like The Thundermans, Hank Zipzer and Backstage. Such content is relatable with fiction cast aside viewers are able to envision themselves within these characters.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Recap To Last Year: e.tv's Youth Block Craze Movie Offering Axed With Series Extended To Fridays

eMedia Investments in an attempt to further limit the amount of international titles inserted on e.tv had axed the Friday afternoon movies offered on youth block Craze. Serving as the initial offering to the youth block's introduction in 2008 had been replaced with existing animated series.

A few years prior to that, they had axed the block's local programming which served as a rival offering to SABC's Hectic Nine-9 and YOTV alongside Play Room Live seen on DStv channel 300. Since then, they've been dubbing various content like Care Bears to local languages.

e.tv has yet to respond on the sudden removal of Craze films but if we had to guess probably similar to that of Craze's former local programming:

"Television is always evolving, and we are constantly reviewing and refreshing our lineup to make sure that we are catering to the needs of our viewers," says Marlon Davids, head of e.tv channels.

Besides the axing of films, there's also been a decline in primetime with Craze's current offering like Archibald's Next Big Thing and Thomas And Friends All Engines Go all residing from eToonz with few exceptions like Takalani Sesame and Pokémon.


Sunday, December 31, 2023

2024 On Regular Nick (Upcoming Kids And Family/Animated Series) | Cartoon Network | Disney Channel | Nickelodeon | More Brands Including DreamWorks, Netflix, eToonz And Play Room

Cartoon Network/Max/Cartoonito
• Ijanu: Child Of Wonder: A teenage orphan girl with no recollection of her past who suddenly discovers that she has hidden powers that rival the Divine Ones themselves. 
• Hero Inside: The adventure begins after Scott, a cartoonist and free spirit, mysteriously vanishes after drawing 100 superheroes across 100 comic books, without ever publishing. His proofread books scattered across San Francisco, triggering odd occurrences.
• Totally Spies!: The anime-inspired toon about three female teens balancing spy missions and high school drama
• Invincible Fight Girl: The series follows Andy, a young girl who dreams of becoming the greatest pro wrestler of all time.
• Tiny Toons Looniversity: Babs, Buster and friends enroll at Acme Looniversity, the premier institution of higher hijinx learning.
• Jessica's Big Little World: Jessica navigates her way through a world where everything seems much bigger than she is; inspired by the grown-ups around her, she persists in conquering monumental children's tasks.
Barney's World: Set in a local playground, Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves and other.
• Silly Sundays: A feel-good comedy series, full of heart and deeply rooted in familial themes, everything centers around Sonia, Hugo, Mel, Mom, Dad and Granny as they create unforgettable memories together during their weekend gatherings. • Spookies: Set in Castle Ravenrock, Spookies stars three wee ghosts who discover something new behind every cobwebbed corner and dusty stairwell.
• Lana Longbeard: Lana is a super-feisty, forward thinking and passionate 11-year-old girl, who is also the heir to her father's adventuring ship, the Mighty Windbreaker.
• New Tom And Jerry Shorts: the first ever Asian produced Tom And Jerry series, featuring the famous cat and mouse duo as they take their rivalry to Singapore.
• Karters: Set in a fantastical island world, the game lets players collect and tame mystical creatures called Temtem, which can be used for battling, trading with friends and breeding to create offspring with new powers.
• Kite Man: Hell-Yeah!: Kite Man and Golden Glider take their relationship to the next level by opening a bar in the shadow of Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. 

Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney+
• Pretty Freakin Scary: After her sudden demise, Frankie Ripp, a 14-year-old girl, agrees to a deal with the Grim Reaper that she would go back home but accompanied by her underground parents.
• Ariel: It follows eight-year-old mermaid princess Ariel as she and her friends embark on fun-filled, action-packed underwater adventures throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica and beyond.
• Marvel Zombies: Re-imagines the marvel universe as a new generation of heroes battle against an ever spreading zombie scourge.
• StuGo: an original animated series about six overambitious middle schoolers who are tricked into attending a fake academic summer camp by a mad scientist. 
• Dragon Strikers: When the world’s most popular sport combines with magic, awesomeness escalates quicker than a dragon-powered strike! 
• Doomies: When best friends Bobby and Romy mistakenly open a gateway to another world, they turn their sleepy coastal town into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. 
Cars On The Road: Lightning McQueen and his best friend Mater head east from Radiator Springs on a cross-country road trip to meet up with Mater's sister.
• Princess Sam: this CG-animated show stars a girl who travels to a magical planet to learn how to control her powers and defeat evil villains.
• X-Men' 97:  It serves as a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–97), and the plot will continue where the original series left off. 
• Tiana: Tiana continues to explore New Orleans in a musical series.
• Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man: will be a unique take on one of Marvel’s most famous superheroes, with surprising connections to the MCU. 
• Princess Sam: this CG-animated show stars a girl who travels to a magical planet to learn how to control her powers and defeat evil villains.
• Moana: The Series: Moana and her friends continue to explore the South Pacific in this musical animated series.
• Playdate with Winnie the Pooh follows a young Pooh Bear as he enjoys playdates with his friends. Set in the exciting outdoors of the Hundred Acre Wood, these musical shorts emphasize collaborative play and the joy of spending time with others. 

Nickelodeon/Nick Jr/Paramount+
• Erin & Aaron: Teenage stepsiblings navigate their new lives after their parents' marriage, and find strength in their shared passion for music.
• Hamsters of Hamsterdale: This series, produced by Nelvana, follows a motley crew of hamsters, the heroic protectors of their 8-year-old owner Harry, who they mistake as their King and beloved ruler of their elaborate colorful-tubed kingdom.
• HexVet And Magic Pets: follows unlikely best friends Nan and Clarion as they navigate life's weird and wacky challenges, while apprenticing to be magical veterinarians for fantastical creatures.
• Super Duper Bunny League: centers on a diverse group of bunny friends who must battle danger as they defend their city and the world from their archnemesis. 
• Avatar: The Last Airbender: The series will be an authentic adaptation of the award-winning and beloved Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender reimagined as a live-action adventure.
• Rock, Paper & Scissors: Follows 3 roommates on their hijinks, ridiculous adventures and shared love of wacky nonsense.
• Dora: The series, tentatively titled ¡Dora!, is described as a reimagining of the classic animated show which “promises to strike the perfect balance between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the fresh.” 
• Live-Action Dora Series: Nickelodeon's beloved Latina heroine is returning with a brand new live-action series! Not much is currently known about the show, however, it'll be aimed at kids 6-11, and will be in the vein of the 2019 live-action feature film Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which follows an older Dora!.
• Zokie of Planet Ruby: This buddy comedy, produced by Nelvana, follows quirky 10-year-old vlogger Ruby and her space alien best friend ZJ Sparkleton.
• Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Turtles, as teenagers, deal with their new life as heroes while also dealing with the pressures of going to high school in New York City.

Other
• Lyla in the Loop (PBS Kids): is a funny and engaging new animated series for kids ages 4-8 about Lyla Loops and her fantastical blue sidekick, Stu, who use creative and strategic problem-solving and critical thinking skills to help their family, friends, and community!
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (eToonz, Play Room): After getting exposed to a mutant substance, four turtles become giants and start speaking and walking upright. They are trained by a wise rat, Splinter, in order to defeat an evil man, Shredder.
• Power Rangers (Play Room): It revolves around a team of youths recruited and trained by a mentor to morph into the eponymous Power Rangers, able to use special powers and pilot immense assault machines, called Zords, to overcome the periodic antagonists. 
• Pokémon Horizons: The Series (Cartoon Network, eToonz): This series introduces two new protagonists, Liko and Roy, who team up with the Rising Volt Tacklers, a group of adventurers that explore the Pokémon world and visit various regions, including the Paldea region.
Dragon Ball: Daima (Cartoon Network, SABC 2): new canonical mainline anime set around the same time as when Super takes place. Fans also get a look at the apparent upcoming antagonists for the anime, who’ve seemingly been watching the Z Fighters and all their past struggles this entire time.
• Masters of the Universe: Revolution (Netflix): Skeletor's final assault on Castle Grayskull caused his own demise, put an end to He-Man , and damaged the source of all magic in existence. After their battle fractured Eternia, Teela must solve the mystery of the missing Sword of Power to prevent the end of the Universe. 
• Carl The Collector (PBS Kids): follows the everyday adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who loves collecting things. His talents – a laser-focus pursuit of his goals, attention to detail, and a distinctive way of looking at and experiencing the world around him.
• Hazbin Hotel (Amazon Prime Video): The series follows Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen), the princess of Hell, as she sets about fulfilling her seemingly impossible dream of opening a hotel called the "Happy Hotel," which aims to rehabilitate sinners.
PeekeeBoo (Moonbug): 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.
• Moonrise (Netflix): A young man from Earth enlists in the army to attack rebels on the Moon, only to find that his former best friend has become his enemy.
• Noah's Park (Play Room): The little animals have left Noah's Ark and find each other sharing fun and adventure, and a few life lessons in NOAH'S PARK.
• Game Shakers (eToonz): Babe and Kenzie create a popular application named Sky Whale. However, rapper Double G threatens to ruin their business because he finds out they have been using his song without permission.
• Time Patrol Bon (Netflix): The story focuses on Bon Namihira, a teenager who becomes part of a team of time-traveling agents tasked with saving people's lives during major historical events that happen across different eras and locations around the globe.
• Tomb Raider: The Legend Of Lara Croft
Asterix (Netflix): The series will be adapted from one of the classic volumes, Asterix and the Big Fight, where the Romans, after being constantly embarrassed by Asterix and his village cohorts, organize a brawl between rival Gaulish chiefs and try to fix the result by kidnapping a druid along with his much-needed magic potion. I’m not giving anything away when I tell you, it doesn’t go as planned.
• Dee & Friends In Oz: A young girl named Dee discovers a wonderful magical land of Oz, where she meets new friends and is challenged to save the day, and save Oz!.
• Hot Wheels Let's Races (Netflix): Follows the newest generation of racers as they experience mind-blowing races, extreme stunt contests, and thrill-seeking challenges.
• Megamind's Guide To Defending Your City (DreamWorks): The series will chronicle the new hero's quest to become a social media influencer and a true superhero. 
• Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (DreamWorks): Tells the story of dinosaur fanatic Darius Bowman, who visits Camp Cretaceous and, as per all prior Jurassic movies, the dinosaurs manage to get loose and cause untold chaos and destruction.
• Mighty MonsterWheelies (DreamWorks): Which reimagines classic characters as half-monster, half-truck vehicle heroes who team up to use their special powers to serve and protect the all-vehicle city of Motorvania from troublemakers like Phantom Freeze and Invisible Van.
• Exploding Kittens (Netflix): An eternal conflict reaches epic proportions when both, God and the Devil, are sent to Earth in the bodies of chunky house cats.
• Devil May Cry (Netflix): is an upcoming American adult animated dark fantasy action streaming television series based on the video game franchise of the same name by Capcom and part of Adi Shankar's Bootleg Multiverse.
• Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Netflix): Monsters follows Ryuma, a samurai from Wano, a country also featured in the One Piece universe. In a world disrupted by a menacing force, Ryuma must navigate the chaos caused by a powerful dragon with the ability to bring catastrophic havoc.

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

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.


Friday, November 10, 2023

News Shorts: Fireman Renewed For Season 16 On JimJam And e.tv, History Channel Unveils It's Early 2024 Lineup Across Africa And A Magical Love Story Takes Up Primetime On Star Life (Divya Drishti Cancelled)

Fireman Sam renewed for 16th season

New international distribution deals have also been secured for previous seasons of both shows, which are based on Mattel brands, with the greenlights and distribution deals part of a multi-year co-development, production, distribution and licensing agreement between Mattel and WildBrain.

Fireman Sam will return in a new 26 x 10-minute season, which is scheduled to begin delivery in spring 2024. The new season is currently in production at WildBrain’s Vancouver animation studio.

Showmax secured Fireman Sam for S11-15 plus Heroes of the Storm and Alien Alert specials with e.tv securing the first two seasons while JimJam a pay-tv channel only picked up one season to the program.
History unveils its January lineup

Brand New Episodes HISTORY’S GREATEST MYSTERIES WITH LAURENCE FISHBURNE S4
6 January 
Saturdays 20h15 
The second instalment of season 4 of History’s Greatest Mysteries With Laurence Fishburne, cont nues to examine the top theories surrounding the world’s most confounding unsolved mysteries. In these episodes Fishburne turns the microscope on what secrets Stonehenge might hold and another archaeological enigma, the ‘Nazca Lines’ which are 2,000-year-old geoglyphs in the Peruvian desert. Fishburne, together with top historians, authors, scient sts, and researchers, invest gates enigmas such as Cleopatra’s missing tomb and the lost gold of WWII. Repeat: Sundays 19h25

Brand New & Exclusive SECRETS IN THE ICE S3
16 January 
Tuesdays 19h25 
Secrets In The Ice S3 goes to the most remote, cold, and inhospitable places on the planet to reveal great mysteries that were once frozen in t me. Merging CGI re-creat ons, advanced scanning technology and scient fi c research, the series invest gates many curiosit es that have been lost for millennia, or never seen before. Secrets In The Ice explores how and why they ended up in the most desolate and distant corners of the planet, and contemplate what may st ll be concealed in the frozen depths. Repeat: Next Day 11h45

Brand New & Exclusive CURSE OF OAK ISLAND S11
26 January 
Fridays 20h15 
The hit series The Curse of Oak Island returns for season 11, with the Lagina brothers’ boldest plans yet to solve the 228-year-old treasure mystery. Cont nued dig eff orts take place within the infamous Money Pit, Lot 5 and beyond while stunning discoveries cont nue to be unearthed on Oak Island. Addit onally, the team’s research leads them to embark on a journey overseas that will off er new and shocking evidence that could fi nally connect the Knights Templar to the centuries long tale. Is this the year that marks the end of the world’s longest treasure hunt? Repeats: Mondays 12h35
Star Life cutting back on shows

Star Life is an international entertainment channel operated by Disney Star which is home to variety of English dubbed Bollywood series and movies. The channel currently offers 13 TV series which is somewhat around the range of its premium counterpart, StarPlus.

Last month, it was announced that Star Life would be rolling out its third supernatural drama Divya Drishti in place of Night Of Doom in its conflicted primetime schedule serving as one of the few 45 minute offerings on the channel as the latter is padded with 21 minute shows.

As seen through an updated EPG, the current rebroadcast of A Magical Love Story will also be airing at 23:00 once Night Of Doom ends on 13 November. Theoretically, it is believed that Divya Drishti could commence in 2024 perhaps in place of Mismatched.

Interesting to note, A Magical Love Story will be ending soon so maybe Mismatched moves to 23:00 as Divya Drishti takes up the 22:00 timeslot.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

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.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Recap To The Decade: eToonz Remains As The Only Source To Kids Entertainment On Openview

eToonz is currently South Africa's only children entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments which feature a mixture of animation like Peppa Pig, SpongeBob SquarePants and Voltron alongside live-action like Victorious and Power Rangers.

Since it's inception, the channel has remained the only source to kids entertainment on Openview and also the least mentioned brand amongst eMedia Investments' stable with a lineup bombarded with repeats as other brands continue to boost their offering.

While others such as eExtra and eMovies got additional channels based on their content. eToonz on the other hand was left as a singular brand with content sharing happening across eMedia's linear platforms.

As mentioned in a previous article, adults dominate cable TV and unlike DStv there's not a lot of households on Openview with children or in particular ones that would view the content especially if a selected portion can be viewed on the main channel.

So the idea of an eToonz Extra wouldn't really have been the best implementation strategy for eMedia Investments. As seen already, eToonz doesn't have enough content to carry onto a second channel and should eMedia opt for one it would probably need to be a random channel.

In this case, something like Da Vinci or SABC Education would help fill that gap at this point. As it doesn't clash with the existing offering seen on eToonz but gives consumers more content to browse that is if eMedia Investments chooses to revisit this section.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Play Room Vs. eToonz: MultiChoice's Third Attempt At Phasing Out An e.tv Channel

Since last year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have embroiled in a carriage dispute regarding the 4 Openview channels currently viewed on DStv. Since then the pay-tv company had introduced several new channels including Movie Room, DreamWorks, BBC UKTV and Magic Showcase.

At the time, this news had garnered backlash particularly on how MultiChoice opted to supplement each channel which saw several consumers inherit only a single channel out of 4. When really it should have been about catering to the package(s) these brands were allocated on.

As seen in the last months, MultiChoice seems to have found other ways to rectify their mistakes from last year. Zee Zonke was introduced in August and if anything some would say this was the pay-tv company's way of phasing out eExtra as it's the exact opposite of the channel.

Movie Room launched last year and had proven to be a popular addition to DStv consumers. Although, Ngwato Nkosi Group doesn't disclose any figures but we assume it's enough to fill up the gap left by eMovies and eMovies Extra together with the help of TNT and M-Net Movies.

eToonz being the last contender in the game will be facing off against Play Room in the coming months. We're aware that there are other brands on DStv like Cartoon Network and Disney Junior but we've thought of looking for a brand that was more up their alley which is Play Room.

Similar to the previous comparisons, Play Room has a limited amount of original productions as the latter is said to be rehashing shows something we've seen on eToonz for several years. Another thing would the addition of dubbed programming something lacking within the red brand.

Unlike eToonz, Play Room will be doing a lot of language switching with select content viewed in English with others in Zulu and a bit of sign language. Another as mentioned would be the local production which again is very much lacking within the red brand.

If anything, Play Room is believed to not be giving their content much exposure market wise something that has been seen with eToonz. Honestly, it wouldn't be shocking as Movie Room barely market their offering probably because there's nothing newsworthy at this point.

From what I can sum up, Play Room doesn't seem to be animation centric at least to a wider audience which works in eToonz favour as that's substituted with educational material, content which is very much lacking on the red brand and content that's been in demand on Openview.

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Openview Plus Updates: eMedia Investments' eToonz To Get It's First Ever Official Competitor From Ngwato Nkosi Group And e.tv Scraps uBettina Wethu Season 4 As Die Kontrak Returns With A Season 3 On eExtra

DStv to rollout a premium eToonz channel

Last month, MultiChoice and Zee Entertainment Enterprises unveiled a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel titled Zee Zonke. In some way, it sort of seemed like this was the pay-tv operators way of doing eExtra's Kuiertyd dirty by launching the exact opposite.

Play Room appears to be more enhanced version to the current eToonz channel as it set to carry a number of repeats like Paw Patrol, CoComelon and Akili And Me some of which will be dubbed in local languages and also get a sign language interpreter something not offered to Openview.

Why we consider this the first eToonz competitor? Simple, brands like Cartoon Network and PBS Kids are considered premium channels to some extent as they serve original productions and Play Room offering is limited which is why we pinned these two with each other.

Die Kontrak is back for a season 3

Last year, eMedia Investments revived Die Kontrak (formerly seen on Via) for a second season which had proved to be a resounding success if the show was fortunate enough to get a third season. Similar to Idols and The Voice, musicians are given a chance to own the stage with a winner set to get a recording contract.

Premiering episodes are on eExtra every Sunday at 18:00 with repeats said to be allocated on e.tv in an undisclosed timeslot.

uBettina Wethu has been removed from primetime

Last month, it had been reported that uBettina Wethu would return to e.tv for a fourth season as SABC lost rights to the fashion drama. But as seen in recent weeks, eMedia decided to pull the show off the schedule with its timeslot bombarded with content from eReality.

Several things came to mind and that was the possibility of this recent adjustment being permanent. Since rolling out local dramas in the 20:30 timeslot none of them have managed to immense as much success as Scandal or House Of Zwide.

Theoretically, could it be possible that uBettina Wethu could perhaps debut on a new timeslot perhaps 18:30 as Nikiwe has been struggling to garner much traction with consumers making it a very easy target and also another way to give the upcoming season exposure.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

New Series Alert: SpongeBob SquarePants + The Thundermans + More Nick Classics Make Their Freemium Debut On The eBranded Channels

During the year, eMedia Investments scooped up various content for their linear platforms particularly from Nickelodeon like Dora The Explorer, The Loud House and The Fairly OddParents. Now eMedia is set to expand their stake on Nickelodeon with the following programs:

e.tv
• SpongeBob SquarePants: A yellow sea sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants, who enjoys being a cook at Krusty Krab, lives in the Pacific Ocean. He embarks on various adventures with his friends at Bikini Bottom. The series airs Mondays to Thursdays at 14:30 from 28 August.

eToonz
• Victorious: Tori Vega, a sixteen-year-old girl, finally gets a chance to prove herself and shine away from her sister's shadow after she gets to attend a well-known high school of performing arts. The series airs Wednesdays at 18:00 from 23 August.
• The Thundermans: Max and Phoebe are the Thunderman twins who belong to a super cool family of superhumans. While Phoebe wants to use her abilities for good, Max is hell-bent on becoming a villain. The series airs Friday at 18:00 from 1 September.
• Game Shakers: Babe and Kenzie create a popular application named Sky Whale. However, rapper Double G threatens to ruin their business because he finds out they have been using his song without permission. The series airs Mondays at 18:00 from 28 August.

Pending/Rumoured
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: After getting exposed to a mutant substance, four turtles become giants and start speaking and walking upright. They are trained by a wise rat, Splinter, in order to defeat an evil man, Shredder.
• Henry Danger: Henry Hart, a thirteen-year-old boy works secretly as Kid Danger, a sidekick to superhero Captain Man. He must protect his own exploits from being discovered by his family and friends.
• School Of Rock: Misadventures of Dewey Finn, a rocker who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school as he teaches his unconventional and overachieving students to play and love rock 'n' roll.
• Sanjay & Craig: The always odd and often gross-out adventures of a young boy named Sanjay Patel and his talking pet snake Craig.

Friday, August 18, 2023

TOLDJA! e.tv's 4 Channels Were Meant To Go Dark On DStv By August But Were Extended, Might To Go Dark By The End Of 2023 If Not Early 2024

Last month, eMedia Investments' 4 Openview channels on the DStv platform were meant to go dark as the team advised consumers that eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra would be booted and would remain exclusive to the Openview platform with eExtra on StarSat.

Fast forward to the present, these channels are still onboard the DStv platform and through an enquiry it was revealed that eMedia Investments had got another months extension (possibly the rest of 2023) by the Competition Tribunal - you'd think they'd let this matter rest.

And also it was mentioned that eMedia Investments had tried to get an extension on DStv but MultiChoice refused which led them to run through the Competition Tribunal for help once again.

Amidst this extension, MultiChoice was looking to launch further channels like the Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel Zee Zonke later this month (possible replacement to the Afrikaans offering on eExtra) but was delayed to September likely due to this matter.

Last year, MultiChoice had mentioned that they were battling with transponder constraints which partly led to the cancellation of eMedia's offering while the other party claimed they had plenty of space for more channels. But it's possible MultiChoice's case was accurate as they closed several channels in the previous financial year.

With this extension you kind of wonder if the upcoming offering would make it to DStv or likely get scrapped as seen with Media24's Via duplicate for Access consumers. Aside from e.tv, other channels whose future are in question include National Geographic and Disney Channel.

As outlined through my research, Disney Channel (and if possible Disney Junior) might be the next channels to exit the platform as further content will be folded under another streaming platform if not Showmax as Disney is looking to streamline the business.

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Recap To Last Year: How MultiChoice Went About Phasing Out The eBranded Channels?

During the week, it was reported by my sources that eToonz alongside eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra would stop airing on DStv by the end of July. Since then, eExtra had been promoting several content without any mention of DStv which confirms everyone's suspicion.

These channels were reinstated in 2022 due to pending investigation - MultiChoice never intended to relaunch these channels as others had hoped. So the only way you can watch the final episodes of your favourite Kuiertyd shows would be to tuning in on e.tv or getting an Openview.

For those who still reside on DStv even after the termination need to note the following:

• DreamWorks was added as a replacement to eToonz to Compact consumers featuring various content already seen by the former brand: All Hail King Julien, Dragons: Race To The Edge, Boss Baby: Back In Business and Home: The Adventures Of Tip And Oh.
• Not having much alternatives to kiddies entertainment, MultiChoice extended the reach of PBS Kids to Easyview consumers. Access and Family consumers got a lot of kids channels e.g. Cartoon Network, Disney Junior and JimJam so they get nothing.
• Movie Room was added to all DStv consumers or better yet to the packages that offered eMovies and eMovies Extra. So basically 1 movie channel was given to Compact consumers while as KIX was added to Family and Access consumers giving them 2 channels.
• Each DStv package got 2 channels to replace the 4 TV channels while Easyview only got 1 channel.
• New channels added to the platform during the year include CineMagic, Magic Showcase, BBC UKTV, NHK World Japan, Moonbug and Hilaal TV so in a way you could say MultiChoice found a way to distract consumers from their absence particularly with Easyview consumers.

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Kuiertyd Updates: SterStatus Makes It's Freemium Debut On e.tv, Doodsondes Returns For A Fifth And Sixth Season On eVOD, eExtra's Kuiertyd Being Ripped Away From DStv Platform + More

During the week, eMedia Investments had been creating a lot of buzz some good (and others not so great) and I just thought of wanting you refresh your memory to see what is happening across their platforms. 

e.tv

Since 2022, eMedia Investments had restructured the channel into the leading destination for local entertainment similar to Mzansi Magic and SABC 1 with most of their international content being reverted to eReality and eXposed with "premium movies on the eMovies channels.

As advised only 1 project is currently in development:

Perfect Picture, a celebrity filtered reality show formerly seen on SABC 1 had been scooped up by eMedia Investments for a second season.

eExtra

Last month, Roekeloos Dade alongside uBettina Wethu exchanged timeslots meaning the Turkish drama would air 30 minutes early while the local series would air an hour later. It only made sense for eExtra to undergo similar changes with their consumers. 

SterStatus, a fashion show formerly seen on Media24's Afrikaans lifestyle channel becomes the second project to have gotten revived by eMedia Investments following Die Kontrak. 

• From 31 July, Elif will be airing 18:00 followed by Om Elke Draai at 19:00 then Hart Van Goud at 20:00 and Die Put at 21:00. eMedia Investments hadn't provided the full 24 hour schedule should they do we'll gladly provide it but as of now Kuiertyd will look like this

18:00 Elif

19:00 On Elke Draai

20:00 Hart Van Goud.

21:00 Die Put

• The channel rolls out three new international telenovelas (two of which are currently streaming on eVOD): Winter Son, Chrysalis and Ramo. All shows but Elif ends next month as it continues to be Kuiertyd's longest running series.

• From July 4, Die Vreemdeling the first ever Turkish series to be made available on e.tv will broadcast as a double bill at 16:00.

eVOD

* The final two seasons of Doodsondes will launch exclusively on eVOD. Even Die Put has reached its final rounds on the streaming service both of which are slated for eExtra's Kuiertyd.

Other 

During the week, it was learnt by sources that e.tv's 4 channels would be exciting MultiChoice's DStv and after a few hours we managed to recieve word that eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra would in fact end its run on the pay-tv platform by the end of July.

As mentioned, further content can be viewed on e.tv and several pay-tv channels on DStv. Of course with e.tv, this comes at a limited basis with some content be it drama related or cinema based taking longer to be viewed on e.tv than on eExtra or eMovies some never seen on the brand.


Friday, July 21, 2023

Could eToonz, eExtra, eMovies And eMovies Extra Be The Next Channels To Exit MultiChoice's DStv?

Last year, MultiChoice renewed their partnership with eMedia Investments for eNCA which meant eNuus on kykNET could live on a couple of years. Unfortunately, this new agreement didn't include eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra therefore ending it's run on DStv.

At the time, it was learnt that MultiChoice would adding more channels during that financial period including Movie Room and DreamWorks and also extending the reach of existing channels KIX and PBS Kids. They even got kykNET to rollout it's international telenovela slate.

But that's where things get interesting because around the time all this happened. The courts made their ruling and it was advised that MultiChoice retain these channels following pending investigation which created an overflow of content amongst their portfolio.

It was stated by eMedia Investments that they'd love to see their channels remain on DStv despite the tensions the pay-tv company have with Openview. MultiChoice at the opted to move further and refresh their lineup which led to the cancellation of Tellytrack, ITV Networks, Novela Magic and MTV Hits.

Over to the cancellations, it was stated that the channels would remain on DStv for another 6 months but when 6 months had passed. eMedia Investments only responded to say that eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra would remain on DStv until further notice.

In an recent enquiry by fans, eMedia Investments' team responded to say that these channels would only be on Openview. Although a date hasn't been provided I presume these channels would be going dark by from August as it would mark 1 year since it was reinstated.

And also eExtra is undergoing timeslot changes around same time, if my hunch is correct it means that consumers would be missing out on the final episodes of Hart Van Goud, Om Elke Draai and Die Put as the latter conclude next month on eExtra with only 2/3 available on e.tv.

As for the other three, the content is spread across DStv for eMovies and eMovies Extra there's Movie Room and TNT, and eToonz with DreamWorks or better yet Nickelodeon. Not that this content isn't on value but taking the platform to account you kind of see these three wouldn't make the cut.

eExtra at some point was guilty as charged but now you can view some fragments of these brands through e.tv and across several DStv channels.

Alongside e.tv channels, other brands whose futures are in question include factual and wildlife brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild and children's brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior as The Walt Disney Company transitions to a streaming only module moving further content to Disney+.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Development Alert: The Fairly OddParents And My Little Pony: Pony Life Coming Respectively To eToonz And Possible New Channel On DStv Boing Africa

During the year, eMedia Investments had (re)acquired various content from Nickelodeon including Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness, Dora The Explorer and The Loud House. Now the brand is set to rollout their fourth series from the brand, The Fairly OddParents.

Synopsis for the show:

The Fairly OddParents follows Timmy Turner, a 10 year old kid who was given his own fairy godparents Cosmo and Wanda who grant his every wish which at times comes with disastrous consequences. Butch Hartman known for Danny Phantom serves as content creator.

Since the series inception, The Fairly OddParents serves as Nickelodeon's second longest running series behind SpongeBob SquarePants. It has also spawned several live-action films and one series alongside various video games, theme park attractions, figurines and toys.

Recently, Nickelodeon had filed a trademark for The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish for entertainment, sporting and cultural services. Not much info is available about it on whether it will be a TV series or film for the brand or through Paramount+.

This comes after the removal of The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder on Paramount+.

Boing, a children's channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery funneling shows from Cartoon Network and Cartoonito (formerly Boomerang) is set to broadcast the first season to one of the brand's forgotten shows, My Little Pony: Pony's Life.

Synopsis for the show:

Based on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, the series explores comedic, slice of life stories that Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy experience, primarily while hanging out at Sugarcube Corner.

The series was picked by Cartoonito (formerly as Boomerang) in 2021 and ran for two seasons. Unlike Friendship Is Magic, the series uses a different art style and each episode is 11 minutes long, consisting of two five-minute segments.

During the year, various content from Boing had been registered under DStv Catch-Up (including My Little Pony: Pony Life). According to reps, there are no plans to add Boing to DStv but that doesn't explain its appearance on Catch-Up maybe it will be added later on.

My guess a replacement for Disney Channel or Nicktoons if not a new channel on the platform.

The Fairly OddParents airs Fridays at 16:30 from 30 June on eToonz while My Little Pony: Pony Life is slated to launch later in July on Boing.

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Regular Nick Shorts: Super Team 4 To Rollout On Netflix, Johnny Bravo's Dragonball Segment Has Surfaced The Net And Showmax Acquired Broadcasting To Berry And The Big City

Netflix to rollout new African animated series

Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, has announced that it will debut its first African animated series, Supa Team 4, on 20 July 2023. The series was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema and produced by South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios.

Supa Team 4 is a superhero comedy series that follows four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka. When they’re recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world, they have to balance their secret identities and fighting supervillains with homework and the everyday challenges of being teenagers.

The series features a diverse cast of characters and explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and empowerment. It is a groundbreaking series that will appeal to audiences of all ages.

Johnny Bravo and DBZ crossover has surfaced the net

A crossover between the Cartoon Network program Johnny Bravo and the highly influential anime series Dragon Ball Z previously thought to have been lost has resurfaced on YouTube.

The meeting between the programs took place as part of the JBVO: Your All Request Cartoon Show programming block, which aired from 2000 until 2001.

The block was hosted by Bravo, who was voiced by Jeff Bennett, and the fictional character would introduce and play various cartoon segments from Cartoon Network's archive that were requested by viewers.

Strawberry Shortcake is getting more love

Toronto-based WildBrain has closed several broadcast sales for 2D-animated series Berry in the Big City (120 x four minutes), as well as signing new licensing partners for the Strawberry Shortcake consumer products program.

Portuguese/Spanish preschool channel Canal Panda has acquired the first three seasons of the 2D-animated series, along with four 44-minute seasonal specials, with French AVOD platforms TFOU MAX and MYTFI and Polish preschool net MiniMini+ picking up seasons one and two, and Paramount’s AVOD Pluto TV, Africa’s SVOD Showmax and LA-based AVOD Kanopy buying just the first season.

Friday, May 26, 2023

eMedia Investments And MultiChoice Renew Carriage Agreement For eNCA Through 2027, Still Silent On eMedia's 4 Other Channels Currently Seen On DStv

Yesterday, eMedia Investments revealed in their annual financial results that it secured a five-year extension with MultiChoice to carry eNCA on DStv. It also sold exclusive rights to carry its flagship news channel, blocking its own platforms like Openview from carrying it.

eMedia said it maintained its prime-time audience market share of 34.5% across E-tv, Openview, and eNCA — up slightly from 34.1% on March 2022. E-tv’s prime-time market share dropped back to.21.4% after increasing from 21.8% in 2021 to 23.7% last year.

eNCA is the most-watched news channel in South Africa among the nation’s wealthiest demographic and the second most-watched news channel among “All Adults”. This is despite the channel not being offered on all DStv packages, whereas its competition is, eMedia said.

Last year, the company was embroiled in a carriage battle with the pay-tv company for their 4 channels: eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra. Since August 2022, the channel remained onboard on the platform following pending investigation.

Of course, eMedia Investments remained silent at the time of publication so we assume these channels might as well be a gonner as MultiChoice isn't looking to carry these channels full-time while eMedia Investments hopes to see them continue on the platform.

As for eNCA, we can only assume that the only way you can get this on Openview is through the pay tier, Ultraview. But majority of Openview consumers can't afford or aren't willing to pay for the the bouquet with some comparing it to the likes of DStv.

Schedule Alert: Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness And Dora The Explorer To Rollout On e.tv And eToonz In The Coming Weeks

In the past week, it was reported that eMedia Investments acquired rights to one of Nickelodeon's most popular series, The Loud House. Now it seems as if Nickelodeon will be making a comeback on the red brand with Kung Fu Panda and Dora The Explorer.

Synopsis for Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness:

Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness tells the story of a panda named Po who must learn to combat the evil forces that threaten to destroy peace. Along with making mistakes, Po also learns a lot more about kung fu during his many endeavours.

The series debuted in 2011 on Nickelodeon and has spawned 80 episodes within 3 seasons. It has also conceived two spinoffs, the short-lived Kung Fu Panda: The Paws Of Destiny on Amazon Prime Video as well as Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Night on Netflix.

Synopsis for Dora The Explorer:

Dora The Explorer follows the titular character, a seven-year-old girl of Latin American descent, embarks upon numerous adventures in the wilderness with her friend Boots, a monkey, and a variety of fun and useful tools such as Backpack and The Map.

The series debuted in 2000 on Nickelodeon and happens to be one of the brand's most popular series to date with 200 episodes between 7 seasons. With a reboot currently in development, the series has also conceived prequels, Go! Diego Go! and Dora And Friends.

Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness will be made available on e.tv every Monday at 15:20 from 5 June. Dora The Explorer will be made available from Tuesday at 14:00 on eToonz from 6 June.

Monday, May 22, 2023

Could e.tv's Youth Block Craze Also Be On The Chopping Block Following The Rollout Of Takalani Sesame And Revised eToonz Offering?

Last year, eMedia Investments was in a carriage dispute with MultiChoice regarding e.tv's 4 channels on the DStv platform which still remains as quo. Following the demise, eMedia Investments had begun boosting primetime on their least viewed channel, eToonz.

eToonz, a children's channel offering animation and live-action was basically a graveyard for most of e.tv's offering on their youth block, Craze. As mentioned, the channel has seen a growth in entertainment with the addition of live-action like Backstage and Hank Zipzer.

Content which has yet to be seen on e.tv as the only notable live-action show to date is Power Rangers and just like most of eMedia's channels they too provide content that hasn't been made available to the main channel so would it be shocking if eToonz followed.

As mentioned, there's been a lot of questions regarding the future of e.tv's youth offering as the latter serves as rebroadcasts from the SABC and eToonz with eMedia Investments limiting the international offering as seen this past week with The Goldbergs.

e.tv serves a free-to-air entertainment channel offering a mixture of local and international productions. Just like the SABC, they also follow a mandate which requires them to serve news which they initially intended to get out of the way alongside kiddies entertainment.

With that in mind, e.tv will continue to supply a lineup of kiddies content. Of course, this doesn't exclude the possibility of them revamping the block's current offering as seen during the year with Takalani Sesame.