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Channel Closure: WildEarth Will Stop Airing On DStv By The End Of April, Freeview And ROKU Might Follow Soon

WildEarth is an interactive wildlife channel which brings viewers closer to nature with live safaris within the hotspot of Africa. Founded i...

Friday, September 13, 2019

What's Next For Hasbro-eOne Merger?

Nerf- and Power Rangers-maker Hasbro agreed to purchase Canadian indie producer/distributor Entertainment One (eOne) for US$4 billion on Thursday, but despite numerous reports on the merger, there isn’t lot of information on what’s next for this new media giant.

The acquisition is significant for Hasbro’s growth in family-oriented TV, movies and consumer products because the Rhode Island-based toyco will take ownership eOne’s entire film and TV production slate, which includes hit preschool IPs Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. In addition, Hasbro plans to move a significant portion of eOne’s toy business in-house; senior eOne execs are expected to join Hasbro’s team; and the toyco will gain control of eOne’s global network, which includes offices in Toronto, London, LA and Hong Kong, among others.

Hasbro’s big bet on eOne, which will close by the end of the year following regulatory approvals, came as a surprise to many industry analysts, including Pete Robinson COO of UK-based children’s media specialist KidsKnowBest.

“The shock came from the fact that eOne was doing so well on its own in the kids and family space. [But] the deal actually makes a lot of sense,” says Robinson. “eOne has done such a great job producing hit show after hit show in kids TV and most of them have consumer product ranges.”

According to eOne, Peppa Pig generated US$ 110 million in revenue in the fiscal year ended March 31, up 20% from the year-ago period, while revenue for PJ Masks increased 39% to US$73 million. In retail, sales for Peppa Pig grew 6% to US$2.5 billion, while PJ Masks’ sales rose 10% to US$1.2 billion for the year ended March 31.

“Peppa isn’t slowing down that much, but it probably hit its peak so having Hasbro around to exploit it makes a lot of sense,” says Robinson.

As for the acquisition’s effect on competitors, namely Mattel, Robinson says reorgs may be afoot. “We’ll likely see some sort of major acquisition or shake up at Mattel within the next 18 months,” he says.

With its eOne deal, Hasbro plans to “market its IP in increasingly attractive new formats including over-the-top (OTT) and premium platforms, music, location-based entertainment, AR and VR,” according to a statement from the company. To support this goal, Robinson says that Hasbro could tap eOne’s Toronto-based VR company Secret Location, which has developed a number of virtual reality films and gaming products geared toward kids, including learning app World of Peppa Pig.

“Hasbro could take some of eOne’s well-known brands, get them on the big screen and also sell across a suite of high-end or edtech products,” says Robinson. “Hasbro is really good at finding new tech, but it hasn’t always been quite as good at implementing tech into repeat sales.”

For Arthur Evrensel, a partner of business and entertainment law at Vancouver-based law firm Michael, Evrensel and Pawar, he sees the acquisition as a clear sign that Canadian companies are on the radar of major global companies, which need to bulk up in the increasingly competitive global environment.

“eOne has done a very good job of developing the brands they have acquired on the family and animation side,” says Evrensel. He adds that he is surprised by the price, but not bothered by it. “It speaks well for Canadian companies and I think people should be looking in the next year at companies like Boat Rocker and if they acquire more themselves or get acquired,” says Evrensel.

Here’s a breakdown of some key points of the acquisition:
What kids brands will Hasbro acquire?
Upon the deal’s expected completion, Hasbro will own eOne’s entire film and TV production slate, including hit preschool IPs Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. It will also gain eOne’s latest kids properties Ricky Zoom and Cupcake & Dino: General Services. The former will made its US debut on September 9 on Nickelodeon, while the latter’s second season was recently picked up by Netflix.

How will eOne be used for kids and family movies?
On Hasbro’s investor call, CEO and chairman Brain Goldner said the toyco’s existing partnership with Paramount Pictures would continue. The companies jointly finance film and TV projects based on Hasbro brands and original concepts and Paramount handles worldwide distribution. Goldner said eOne would be leveraged to develop non-priority productions outside of Hasbro’s long-term Paramount deal. Hasbro and Paramount are currently supporting book-based CGI-live-action feature Clifford the Big Red Dog and post-apocalyptic teen movie Monster Problems.

What else will stay the same?
eOne’s Canadian film and TV operations will remain as a separate Canadian-controlled unit within the combined business. According to a statement, this will ensure the operations will continue to meet Canadian control regulatory requirements in relation to TV and film production companies, to the continued benefit of the Canadian television and film production industry.

How will the executive teams be affected?
According to Hasbro, top eOne execs have agreed to join the Hasbro team, but no names, such as president of family and brands Olivier Dumont, have been mentioned yet. Last month, SVP of global distribution and development Finn Arnesen left Hasbro’s studio arm Allspark after more than nine years.
According to a company statement from
Hasbro CCO and EVP Stephen Davis, Arnesen left to seek new opportunities. Allspark’s international distribution VP Nina Scales recently took over the role.
Meanwhile at eOne, former Disney exec Kate Morton was named to the newly created role of director of content strategy at the company’s family and brands division in June. Based in London, Morton is tasked with developing and coordinating programming strategies for the global distribution of eOne’s linear and non-linear content. The hire followed the April departure of eOne’s global licensing EVP Andrew Carley, who was also based in London.

What are the terms of Hasbro’s acquisition?
Hasbro plans to finance the acquisition of
eOne, which trades on the London stock exchange, with the proceeds of debt financing and approximately US$1 to US$1.25 billion in cash from equity financing. eOne shareholders will receive US$6.80 in cash for each common share, which Hasbro says represents a 31% premium to its 30-day average price.

Has any company tried to acquire eOne before?
Three years ago, UK TV group ITV attempted to buy eOne for US$1.3 billion. In a note sent to shareholders at the time, eOne said the proposal “fundamentally undervalues the company and its prospects.” ITV subsequently withdrew the proposal. With files from Kelly Townsend and Elizabeth Foster

A New Game Show Makes It Way To NickToons Africa In October 2019 Along With New Episodes Of Your Favorite Characters And Marathons

MY LITTLE PONY
WEEKDAYS | 01 to 14 OCTOBER AT 13:45 CAT / 12:45 WAT / 14:45 EAT
New Episodes 917-926 | Half hours
Twilight is determined to make Celestia and Luna's last Summer Sun Celebration memorable, but things start going horribly wrong.
When Fluttershy and Angel Bunny's relationship hits the skids, Zecora gives them a potion to help them understand each other.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
WEEKDAYS | 01 & 02 OCTOBER AT 16:10 CAT / 15:10 WAT / 17:10 EAT
New Episodes 150-152 | Half hours x2 per day
Mr. Krabs decides to start selling hot dogs instead of Krabby Patties. A new neighbor moves in and becomes Squidward’s best friend. Patrick's big sister Samantha comes for a visit. Sandy and Plankton bond over their shared love.

RAINBOW BUTTERFLY UNICORN KITTY
WEEKDAYS | 01 TO 09 OCTOBER AT 16:45 WAT / 17:45 CAT / 18:45 EAT
New Episodes 120-126 | Half hours
Felicity is questioning what she's meant to be when she baby-sits a little changeling girl, struggling with the same issue.
Rudy begs Mighty Meow and Super Lucha to give him a shot at being their sidekick.
Yana eats a cookie to level up her smarts, but realizes it's her heart that makes her special.

DOUBLE DARE
WEEKDAYS | 07 TO 18 OCTEBER 15:55 WAT / 16:55 CAT / 17:55 EAT
New Show 201-210 | Half hours
Get set for the all-new return of the slipperiest, sloppiest, slidiest game show on television! Marc Summers and Liza Koshy host this brand new edition of the messy game show.
Two teams compete to win cash and prizes by answering trivia questions and completing messy stunts known as physical challenges. However, in this high scoring game, one team pulls ahead and earns them a shot at the obstacle course.

PAW PATROL
NEW EPISODES IN THE NICK JR. BLOCK
WEEKDAYS | 01 TO 13 OCTOBER 07:30 WAT / 08:30 CAT / 09:30 EAT
Episodes 401-406,408-426,407 | Half hours x2 per day
PAW Patrol is a preschool series starring a pack of six heroic puppies: Chase, Marshall, Rocky, Zuma, Rubble, and Skye, who are led by a tech- savvy 10-year-old boy named Ryder.
In their new adventures, Capn' Turbot's weather blimp is taken by Mayor Humdinger who plans to use it to change the weather in Foggy Bottom. Then Mr. Porter's stove explodes right before the Chilli cook-off.

FEEL LIKE A MONSTER?
Do you have a secret side that you never let anyone see? You keep it caged but sometimes you just feel like a monster. Well here’s a stunt that lets you feel like a monster, see the monster, hear the monster, BE the monster!
PROGRAMMING STUNT
WEEKDAYS 07 TO 31 OCTOBER STARTING AT 13:10 WAT / 14:10 CAT / 15:10 EAT 5 episodes back-to-back
Monday 07 Planet Sheen
Tuesday 08 Fanboy & Chum Chum
Wednesday 09 Sanjay & Craig
Thursday 10 Rabbids: Invasion
Friday 11 Monsters vs. Aliens
Monday 14 Danny Phantom
Tuesday 15 The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron
Wednesday 16 Catscratch
Thursday 17 The Fairly OddParents
Friday 18 Robot & Monster
Monday 21 T.U.F.F. Puppy
Tuesday 22 The Adventures of Kid Danger
Wednesday 23 Toon Marty
Thursday 24 Pig Goat Banana Cricket
Friday 25 Invader Zim
Monday 28 Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty
Tuesday 29 El Tigre
Wednesday 30 Chop Chop Ninja
Thursday 31 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

SUNDAY MARATHONS
EVERY SUNDAY FROM 16:00 CAT / 15:00 WAT / 17:00 EAT
06th – Double Dare
13th – 44 Cats
20th – Chop Chop Ninja
27th – Peppa Pig

HALLOWED EVENINGS
WEEKDAYS 28 TO 31 OCTOBER STARTING AT 17:10 WAT / 18:10 CAT / 19:10 EAT
Monday 28 ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks, 44 Cats & Rabbids: Invasion
Tuesday 29 Back at the Barnyard, CatDog, Sanjay & Craig & The Penguins of Madagascar
Wednesday 30 Danny Phantom, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron & The Fairly OddParents
Thursday 31 Breadwinners, Toon Marty, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Invader Zim & Kung Fu Panda

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Abby Hatcher, Sunny Day And Butterbean Cafe Are Back With Brand New Episodes In October 2019 On Nick Jr Africa

ABBY HATCHER
WEEKDAYS: 01 TO 04 OCT AT 06:40 WAT / 07:40 CAT / 08:40 EAT
New Episodes 119,118,120 | Half hours except 119
While on a camping trip, Abby and the Fuzzliesmeet a brand new Fuzzly: Grumbles!
Teeny Terry wants to go to the moon to see the Fuzzlyin the Moon A mama pelican thinks Teeny Terry is a baby bird... and adopts him!

BUTTERBEAN’S CAFÉ
WEEKDAYS: 01 TO 11 OCT AT 09:20 WAT / 10:20 CAT / 11:20 WAT
New Episodes 123-124,126-130,122,131 | Half hours
Cricket's friend is moving away! When they get in a fight, Cricket worries she's missed her chance to say goodbye.
A rumor has everyone wondering: is there gold treasure buried at Butterbean's Cafe?

BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINE
SATURDAYS 05 TO 26 OCT AT 15:40 WAT / 16:40 CAT / 17:40 EAT
New Episodes 416-420 | Half hours starting with a double bill
A visit to the King's castle goes awry when the King accidentally catapults himself far, far away! To bring him home, Blaze, AJ and the King's adorable pet dragon Zeekmust transform into knights in shining armor!
It may be nighttime in Axle City, but all the trucks are staying up super late for the ultimate all-night race: the Midnight Mile! And the first truck to cross the finish line will win the Glow-in-the-Dark trophy!

PAW PATROL: MIGHTY PUPS SPECIAL
SUNDAY 13 OCT AT 15:00 WAT / 16:00 CAT / 17:00 EAT
Special Episode 999 | 44 minutes
When their latest scheme goes awry, Mayor Humdinger and his nephew Harold accidentally divert a meteor towards Adventure Bay. The meteor's golden energy grants the PAW Patrol superpowers! The heroic MIGHTY PUPS are on a roll to super-save the day!

PAW PATROL ULTIMATE RESCUE STUNT
SUNDAY 20 OCT FROM 12:15 WAT / 13:15 CAT / 14:15 EAT
Episodes 605 (premiere), 525, 520, 517, 514, 511 | Half hours
The Royal Kitties are kidnapped on their way to Adventure bay for a special visit. Ryder needs all the pups to help Chase investigate this case in an Ultimate Police Rescue!
When searching for elusive rumble top tigers, the Turbots fall into a cave deep inside a volcano. The Paw Patrol does a paratrooper style rescue from Skye's Ultimate copter in this Ultimate Aviator Rescue!

SUNNY DAY
WEEKDAYS: 28 TO 31 OCT AT 08:45 WAT / 09:45 CAT / 10:45 EAT
New Episodes 201-204 | Half hours
An excited Doodle offers to watch the famous baby chicks before the big Springtacularshow. When Doodle loses track of them, he'll need Sunny'shelp to find the chicks in time for their performance with Dame Tralada.
Rosie is nervous about her first trip to the vet, Dr. Vanessa. After a series of misunderstandings and a high-speed chase result in Rosie being stuck, Sunny, Blair, and Martina must save Rosie-and get her to the vet.

HALLOWEEN MARATHON
SATURDAY 27 OCT AT 11:30 WAT / 12:30 CAT / 13:30 EAT
Premiere episodes | RPT Thu 31 Oct 09:45 WAT / 10:45 CAT / 11:45 EAT
Paw Patrol (513) Pups and the Werepuppy!/Pups Save a Sleepwalking Mayor
Paw Patrol (516) Pup Save the Trick-or-Treaters/Pups Save an Out of Control Mini Patrol
Abby Hatcher (113) Trick or Treat Otis / Bedtime for Peepers Butterbean’s Café (114) A Bean for Halloween!

MINI MARATHONS
EVERY SUNDAY AT 07:05 CAT / 06:05 WAT / 08:05 EAT Double episodes | one hour
Sunday 06 October –Dora and Friends: Dragon in the School
Sunday 13 October – Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventure
Sunday 20 October –Blaze and the Monster Machines: Blaze of Glory
Sunday 27 October –Dora the Explorer: Dora's Royal Rescue

The Final Season Of Hunter Street Makes It Debut In October 2019 On Nickelodeon Africa Along With Some Halloween Stunts And Marathons

HUNTER STREET
NEW EPISODES
WEEKDAYS 07 OCT TO 01 NOV AT 17:20 New Episodes 301-320 | Half hours
Anika is sent an unusual birthday present -a miniature pyramid wrapped inside a torn treasure map. Sal discovers they are tied to a long-lost Aztec treasure -and an ancient curse. A new mystery has begun!
The Hunters set off for a family vacation, but all is not as it seems when their directions lead them to an abandoned house in the forest. Things get even stranger when they hear noises in the attic...

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
WEEKDAYS 14 TO 18 OCT AT 15:15
New Episodes 259A, 256, 252A, 258B, 257B | Half carts
Squidward closes the gap in SpongeBob's teeth, which causes a dramatic and unexpected change in his demeanor.
SpongeBob takes his first break ever at work, but how will he spend his precious time?

HENRY DANGER
WEEKDAYS 21 TO 25 OCT AT 18:10
New Episodes 516-520 | Half hours
The gang thinks they have found the perfect tunnels to access all of Swellview, until they are confronted by the tunnels' original inhabitants.
Things get a little buggy when Schwoz installs a new operating system on the Man Cave Computer designed to detect and eliminate threats all over Swellview.

THE LOUD HOUSE
WEEKDAYS 28 OCT TO 01 NOV AT 19:30
New Episodes 406-408 | 406 full ep. Half carts
The Louds rent a boat for a relaxing day trip on the lake, but the family ends up marooned on a desert island.
Convinced that their scrapbook isn't good enough for Dad's birthday, the Loud kids seek out the perfect gift.

SPONGEBOB SCAREPANTS STUNT
SATRUDAY 19 OCT AT 10:35, RPT NEXT DAY AT 10:35 Back-to-back episodes
Toy Store of Doom / The Curse of Bikini Bottom
The Monster Who Came to Bikini Bottom / The Legend of Boo-KiniBottom It Came From Goo Lagoon / Don't Look Now / The Night Patty Ghoul Fools / The Ghost of Plankton (259B -premiere episode)

HALLOWEEN MARATHON
SATURDAY 26 OCT AT 10:05, RPT NEXT DAY AT 14:20 Back-to-back episodes
• Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn: ScaredyDance / Tween Wolf
• Cousins for Life: IvyScares// Knight Squad: Fright Knight
• The Thundermans: Haunted ThundermansPart 1 & 2
• Game Shakers: Scared Tripless// iCarly: iScreamon Halloween
• Henry Danger: Jasper Danger / Charlotte Gets Ghosted

Friday, August 23, 2019

This October TNT Africa Celebrates Its First Anniversary With A Major Lineup Of Popular Films

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TNT!
Synopsis: TNT channel turns one year old and wants to celebrate it big time: a special program of the strongest titles broadcast during the year, alongside a few great premieres. Every Saturday and Sunday of October, the channel will show several of the top hits as well as the premiere of Spiderman’s Trilogy, Green Lantern and an award-winning title: The Hurt Locker.
Tune in:
Saturday 05/10/2019
15:45 – Spiderman
17:50 – Spiderman 2
20:00 – Spiderman 3
Sunday 06/10/2019
16:15 – Beetlejuice
17:45 – Batman Begins
20:00 – Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Saturday 12/10/2019
16:40 – Spy Kids
18:05 – Green Lantern
20:00 – Total Recall 
Sunday 13/10/2019
16:50 – Jurassic Park III
18:20 – The Mask
20:00 – The Hurt Locker
Saturday 19/10/2019
16:20 – Conan the Destroyer
18:00 – The Mummy
20:00 – The Scorpion King
Sunday 20/10/2019
16:10 – Stealth
18:15 – Deep Blue Sea
20:00 – American Gangster
Saturday 26/10/2019
16:25 – Jumanji
18:00 - Innerspace
20:00 – Blade
Sunday 27/10/2019
16:25 – Pitch Perfect
18:15 – Back to the Future II
20:00 - Eraser

OCTOBER HORROR FEST
Synopsis: October means Halloween and TNT plans to make the most of it. We will make the audience jump from their seat every Thursday night, and then culminate this frightening month on the 31st of October, with a haunting marathon. Viewers will have the chance to watch a few ageless movies such as The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street, and other modern chilling films such as Ghosts of Mars, Cursed and From Dusk till Dawn.
Tune in:
Thursday 03/10/2019
20:00 – A Nightmare on Elm Street
21:30 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
22:55 – A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
Thursday 10/10/2019
20:00 – Cursed
21:35 – The Shining
Thursday 17/10/2019
20:00 – From Dusk till Dawn
21:24 – Ghosts of Mars
Thursday 24/10/2019
20:00 – Critters
18:35 – Critters 2: The Main Course
Thursday 31/10/2019
13:35 – Critters
15:00 – Critters 2: The Main Crouse
16:30 – Cursed
18:05 – The Shining
20:00 – Ghosts of Mars
21:40 – From Dusk till Dawn
23:25 – Nightmare on Elm Street
00:55 – Nightmare on Elm Street 2:      Freddy’s Revenge
02:20 – Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

DISASTER/HYSTERICAL WEDDINGS
Synopsis: Complications on a wedding day is something no one really expects, and that´s why it makes for some truly entertaining cinema. TNT has put together 6 stories of total wedding disasters for some good fun during this month. Surprising comedies such as The Wedding Ringer, The Accidental Husband, Wedding Daze and License to Wed are a few of the hilarious movies programmed for every Monday evening.
Tune in:
Monday 07/10/2019
18:20 – The Wedding Planner
20:00 – The Accidental Husband
Monday 14/10/2019
18:30 – Wedding Daze
20:00 – The Wedding Ringer
Monday 21/10/2019
18:25 – License to Wed
20:00 – The Wedding Singer
Monday 28/10/2019
11:40 – License to Wed
13:15 – The Wedding Planner
14:55 – The Accidental Husband
16:25 – The Wedding Singer
18:05 – The Wedding Ringer
20:00 – Wedding Daze

Celebrate Halloween In October 2019 On Boomerang Africa With Brand New Episodes Of Your Favorite Shows

Mr. Magoo - New Episodes
Synopsis: In a small residential suburb outside New York, lives sweet, little, old Mr. Magoo. He is retired, dynamic, curious about everything and very, very near-sighted. His life is chock-full of 1001 activities. Amongst them is walking Mr. Cat, his dog who he thinks is a…cat!, excursions with his 8 year old niece Jessica or Sunday barbecues with Mr. Weasel, a henchman who works for the most devious and dastardly super villain to have ever walked the face of the earth: Mr. Fizz, a hamster graced with an intelligence as extraordinarily rare as it is evil. Passing himself off as Weasel’s pet, the hamster runs a gigantic, evil organization whose only member is…himself! His unique goal is to rule the world of humans.

Premiere Date: Monday 14/10/2019
Tune in: Monday to Friday @ 15:30 CAT

GRIZZY AND THE LEMMINGS – New Episodes
Synopsis: When the ranger is away, a bear named Grizzy feels that the ranger's house is his territory, given that bears sit at the top of the food chain. After making his way inside the home, Grizzy takes advantage of all the modern conveniences there. He's not alone, though, because a group of small creatures called lemmings also populate the ranger's house when he is away.

Premiere Date: 16/09/2019
Tune in: Monday to Friday @ 16:50 CAT

Halloween Stunt - new episodes of Bunnicula
Synopsis: This October on Boomerang features a Halloween stunt with themed episodes of our favourites Mr Bean, Mr Magoo, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Masha and the Bear, and includes new episodes of Bunnicula, a vegetarian vampire rabbit with supernatural connections and a head full of mischief, and things are never quite the same way again for a family in New Orleans!

Premiere Date: MONDAY 21/10/2019
Tune in: EVERYDAY @ 18:50 CAT
HALLOWEEN: THURSDAY 31/10/2019 @ 07:15 CAT

Inazuma Eleven Ares Makes Its Debut In October 2019 On Cartoon Network Africa Along With Brand New Episodes Of Ninjago And Ben 10

INAZUMA ELEVEN ARES – New Series
Synopsis: Inzuma Eleven Ares takes place after the events of the first game, sometime after Raimon won the Football Frontier, in a parallel world where the aliens never attacked. Because of this, many things have changed, such as Fubuki Atsuya and Kira Hiroto still being alive (they change age and relation from their former counterparts). In addition, all of the original Raimon team members are sent throughout teams in Japan as a "reinforcement comittee" and will act as players in other teams since they're too young to be coaches.

Premiere Date: 21/10/2019
Tune in: Monday to Friday @ 17:30 CAT

NINJAGO – New Episodes
Synopsis: Having grown soft in the wake of their recent victory, the ninja are ill-prepared when a dangerous Serpentine sorceress from Master Wu’s past resurfaces. To defeat Wu, she needs the very weapons that once defeated her: the Scrolls of Forbidden Spinjitzu. Aspheera steals Kai’s fire power and sets NINJAGO City in flames. In an epic battle, Aspheera is defeated but manages to blast Zane into the most inhospitable of all realms: the Never-Realm. Now the ninja must rescue Zane in an uncharted realm of ice, ruled by a merciless Ice Emperor.

Premiere Date: 19/10/2019
Tune in: Weekends @ 10:40 CAT

Ben 10 – New Episodes
Synopsis: While on a seemingly endless summer vacation with his Grandpa Max and Cousin Gwen, Ben Tennyson Discovers an alien watch – the Omnitrix. This amazing device gives Ben the ability to transform into any one of ten spectacular and powerful aliens!

Premiere Date: 26/10/2019
Tune in: Weekends @ 12:00 CAT