Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice had been undergoing a carriage dispute with the Competition Tribunal. After the p...
NBCU-owned Universal Kids is shifting its
programming strategy and will no longer make original content. The shift is to ensure the long-term viability of the channel.
The US kidcaster will stay on the air and
continue as a linear channel, however moving forward it will only be acquiring content and continuing its current partnership with DreamWorks Animation (also owned by NBCUniversal).
Any originals that have already been
commissioned will also air as scheduled, and will have full marketing support from the network. There's no confirmation on
whether any of these shows would have the
option of additional seasons.
Some of Universal Kids’ original programming includes Top Chef Junior (two seasons have aired), American Ninja Warrior Junior (second season in production and will air in 2020), tween makeover series Get Out of My Room and live-action scripted comedy Bajillionaires, previously titled Greenfields (co-commissioned with DHX and produced by Six Eleven Media).
Universal Kids announced in May that it is
developing spin-off show Top Chef Junior:
Remix and escape room-inspired series Create the Escape. DreamWorks series Where’s Waldo and Norman Picklestripes will still air as planned as Universal Kids continues to build on that partnership.
Based in New York, anyone who was in a
content, original content, or development role has been shifted into a new position at
Universal, or their job has been eliminated.
It’s not clear who will be affected.
In February this year, Deirdre Brennan left after serving as GM for two years. At the time, her departure was attributed to an executive restructure. NBCU’s president of lifestyle networks, Frances Berwick, took over Brennan’s responsibilities when she left. Berwick continues to shoulder those
responsibilities as part of her role as lifestyle networks president.
Universal Kids launched in 2017 , after
rebranding the preschool channel Sprout. It
instead targeted two- to 11-year-olds, with a Sprout preschool block featuring original
programming from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
content for older kids and families airing from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
After the rebrand, the channel’s ratings plummeted 30% between 2016 and 2017, according to IndieWire. The following year, IndieWire reported that Universal Kids’ ratings dipped an additional 73%.
According to eMedia Holdings' financial results for the year ending 31 March 2019
its Openview free-to-air satellite-TV service remains loss-making although it's now adding 35 000 set-top-box sales per month, its eNCA (DStv 403) remains the most watched TV news channel in South Africa, and e.tv's prime time audience share rose slightly thanks to local content as it reduced movie slots.
e.tv's Openview continues to be a loss-making operation although it is adding 35 000 activated set-top boxes (STBs) per month, according to eMedia Holdings that has released its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2019.
eMedia now has 1.57 million "activated" Openview decoders in South Africa and Southern Africa.
eMedia Holdings runs e.tv, the Openview
platform and the eNCA (DStv 403) TV news
channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-
TV service.
eMedia Holdings on Thursday reported a
R117.6 million profit for its year ending 31
March 2019, compared to a loss of R1.5
billion during the previous financial year.
eMedia Holdings has an interest of 67.69% in eMedia Investments.
Openview, inclusive of the e.tv multi-channel business, earned advertising revenue of R131.8 million during the past financial year with content costs of R255.7 million.
This content costs of R255.7 million was up from R173.6 million the previous year, with the increase that is attributed to the launch
of the new Open News TV news channel, as
well as the block of Afrikaans language
content on the eExtra channel, and the
launch of the eReality channel in November
2018.
According to eMedia Holdings, these content changes have increased the market share on other e.tv packaged channels from 2.6% in March 2018 to 4.6% in March 2019.
Operating costs, including retail subsidies of R55.3 million amounted to R185.4 million
compared to R193.6 million in the prior year.
The reduction is attributed to a reduction in
subsidies of set-top boxes from R150 to R75 per box in October 2018 as well as the exit from the SES contract.
eMedia Holdings says that despite the
reduction in subsidies of STBs, Openview set-top box activations continue to grow at an average of 35 000 per month.
At the end of the period, a total of 1 574 395
(compared to 1 149 217 in 2018) Openview
boxes have been activated and a total of
R55.3 million (2018: R74.5 million) has been
spent on retail subsidies.
During the financial year Openview also
launched the personal video recording (PVR) functionality for the Openview box although it didn't publicise it widely, and says that in the new financial year it will "launch of a few more technical initiatives".
Tough conditions for free-to-air broadcasting in South Africa eMedia Holdings says tough trading conditions continue for the free-to-air broadcasting industry in South Africa, with advertising revenue that remains under increased pressure.
Despite this, eMedia showed an increase of
4% in advertising revenue from R1.577 billion to R1.638.8 billion for the financial year.
The cost of sales - mainly e.tv content costs and employee costs at the eNCA channel - increased by 1% from R1.199 billion to R1.211 billion.
eNCA remains most watched TV news channel
While eNCA is only available to top-tiered DStv subscribers and with channels like SABC News (DStv 404) available to a wider
potential DStv audience, eNCA remains the
most-watched TV news channel in South
Africa, with 45% of the overall TV news
channel viewership market share.
"Despite eNCA only being on some of the
premium DStv bouquets while SABC News is
on all the bouquets and the DTT platform,
eNCA continues to be the most watched 24-
hour news channel in the country with 45% of the market share. While advertising revenue remains under pressure, costs are being well maintained in light of the reduced DStv contract that is in its second year," eMedia said.
e.tv prime time audience slight up
e.tv's prime time audience share rose slightly from 15% to 19.2% during the financial year which e.tv attributes to the telenovela Imbewu: The Seed and the "improved performances" of its two local weekday soaps Rhythm City and Scandal!.
e.tv reduced the number of movie slots after
a market analysis of what movies work for
the channel which eMedia Holdings says
helped to improve e.tv ratings, while e.tv
executives are working on ways of further
improving the e.tv schedule in the next
financial year.
eMedia Holdings says that South Africa's TV
market is facing several technology and
viewership challenges that means that the
group must constantly assess "its strategic
alternatives".
"Our investment in Openview provides the
group with strategic flexibility and is part of
our plan to address the challenges of the
impending digital migration transition. We
continue to engage government on its digital terrestrial television (DTT) and direct-to-home (DTH) plans."
"With the sale and our closure of certain non-core assets during the year, the group is focused on its core businesses of broadcasting, content creation and a
platform and technology provider."
GINX Esports TV, the leading TV channel dedicated to esports across the globe, is to move from 240 to 127 on DStv.
From June 25th, the esports TV channel will move from its current position in the sports section of the EPG (Electronic Program guide) to a new home among entertainment and lifestyle channels, channel 127.
Neighbouring channels include global lifestyle channels, BET and MTV. GINX Esports TV is expecting this change to make it easier for new viewers to discover the channel.
“GINX Esports TV’s community is growing every day, especially in South Africa. With this change we expect even more people to discover the channel” said Julia Robson, GINX Esports TV’s Esport Correspondent for Africa.
GINX Esports TV provides unique round-the-clock esports and lifestyle coverage, catering to all esports communities. Some of its iconic programmes include The First Hour, This Week in Esports or Daily Download, a daily light-hearted chat show about what’s happening in the world of esports and gaming.
For more info about the channel and how to watch, visit ginx.tv
About GINX Esports TV
GINX Esports TV is the world’s largest esports tv network and is available in over 40 countries in 55+ million homes internationally including: UK, France, Scandinavia, Middle East, South Africa and a partnership with Super Channel in Canada.
The linear 24/7 channel aims to extend esports’ reach into television and to provide a more mainstream voice in the esports ecosystem. GINX Esports TV is the home of esports on TV.
GINX - Facebook / Twitter
About MultiChoice
MultiChoice Group is Africa's leading multi-channel digital satellite and pay-television destination, offering its 14 million customers access to a world of entertainment, anywhere, anytime. MultiChoice has been in operation for the past 20 years and through its flagship product brand, DStv, the company delivers the latest and most compelling local and international content to millions of households across Africa. The company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and technology advancement resulted in the creation of its iconic high definition PVR decoder, the DStv Explora – which won the Product of the Year for 2015. Through its corporate social investment, MultiChoice actively participates in social transformation, ongoing investment in local content, job creation and skills development - which in turn strengthens the television and broadcasting industry and contributes to the South African economy.
Dodo Heroes
From Monday 12 August at 18:30
For animal lovers everywhere, this family series features inspiring stories of animals in dire need from around the world — and the people who help them. Each episode reveals the deep bonds between all kinds of animals and the everyday individuals who protect and save them. Former British Royal Marine, Pen Farthing, has devoted his life to reuniting more than 700 street dogs with the soldiers who adopted them in Afghanistan. And, an Australian family whose mission is to rescue injured baby koalas from the disastrous winter cyclone season. Plus, Derrick Campana who works tirelessly to build custom prosthetics for animals of all sizes - from elephants to rabbits.
Child Genius Uk
From Tuesday 6 August at 20:10
16 of the country's brightest 8- to 12-year-olds battle for the title of the UK's cleverest child in this compulsive series. Quizmaster Richard Osman asks questions difficult enough for adults to struggle with! The participants will be tested over the course of four gruelling competition days, overseen by British Mensa - the exclusive society for those with a high IQ. The series also follows the family life of the remarkable competitors, revealing their exceptional talents and the dilemmas their parents face in raising gifted children. As the competition intensifies, the intellectual rivals know that ultimately only one can be crowned Child Genius.
Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet
From Monday 5 August at 21:00
From glaciers and mountains to freezing temperatures and months without daylight, Alaska is one of the toughest places to be a veterinarian. But, despite the myriad of challenges in this rugged and remote state, Dr. Dee Thornell has made it her life's mission to care for the wild and domestic animals of America's largest state. This dramatic and emotional series follows Dr. Dee as she treats creatures great and small - even if she needs to fly a plane to reach them! After starting her veterinary business out of a pick-up truck, she now owns and operates Animal House veterinary hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska. Dr. Dee and her staff treat a variety of animals that rarely appear on most vets' patient list: bald eagles, owls, chinchillas, beavers, iguanas, ox, moose and bears. With a client list ranging from gold miners to truckers Dr. Dee knows humans in Alaska rely on their animals for survival and companionship - and will endure the toughest conditions to help them.
Ultimate Shopper
From Wednesday 7 August at 21:00
A luxury fashion store so exclusive it only opens for four style-savvy shoppers each day should be every fashionista's dream; but there's a catch! Only the most stylish shopper will leave this store with her chosen outfits, as a front row of fashion experts decides who is the ultimate shopper. The loser leaves with nothing. This test of sartorial survival pits four fashionistas against each other in a series of style-based challenges, to be judged by a discerning panel of style experts: singer and model Holly Valance, fashion expert Brix Smith-Start and photographer Paul Hartnett, along with a special guest judge. From crafting the perfect look for a first date to donning the right outfit for a job interview, the contestants - and their style - are judged on their chic creativity and quick-thinking fashion sense. At the end of each episode, the final two contestants fight for the chance to win a dream wardrobe of all their chosen pieces. Who will be the last shopper standing?
Bizarre ER
From Thursday 15 August at 21:00
This outrageous series goes behind the scenes to reveal the most remarkable, often shocking and unusual cases in emergency medicine. Filmed in the emergency wards of two hospitals in Britain and the USA, the series follows a variety of shocking real-life cases, along with weird and wonderful accident- related facts and statistic. It features the amazing stories of patients from all over the world who survived the most extraordinary accidents. From the man who locked his jaw wide open after eating a supersized sandwich and the girl who accidentally superglued her eye shut; to the Russian man who survived having an arrow fired through his neck and the Polish man who accidentally sawed off his own hand and received a woman's hand to replace it, the series looks at the exceptional measures taken to treat these astonishing injuries.
Gold Divers
From Monday 12 August at 20:00
For over a century, the shores and waterways of Nome, Alaska have been a beacon to hard-working dreamers looking to strike it rich. Fortunes have been won and lost for miners seeking the golden treasures of the Bering Sea. This season, as the new summer mining season begins, gold in Nome is drying up, pushing miners to extreme new locations in a desperate search for gold. Zeke heads miles off shore to Sledge Island while Shawn seeks to build his empire with a new claim at the Kellys' reputation that may sink them before the season starts. Plus, there's a new kid on the gold-mining block seeking his fortune on the Bering Sea floor - but will he maintain his beginner's optimism?
Undercover Billionaire
From Thursday 15 August at 20:00
Glenn Stearns is a self-made billionaire. He grew up poor in the remote outposts of Maryland and was just 14 years old when he became a father. A few years ago, he sold his company for $2.2 billion and he believes if he can do it, anyone can. Now, he's putting his belief to the test in a series that taps into his expertise to see if it's possible to create a million-dollar company in just 90 days, as he partners with a deserving candidate. But, there's a twist: the real identity of our mogul will remain anonymous to everyone around him. He'll be dropped off in a remote community with little resources and no contacts. The road to success is rarely an easy one - he will need to build connections, relationships and get a job that pays cash to build a company from scratch. If he's successful, at the end of the 90 days, he'll turn over the company he built to the people who helped him out along the way - and he'll reveal his identity to those around him.
Savage Builds
From Thursday 29 August at 21:00
Legendary builder, problem-solver and maker, Adam Savage, is on a mission to challenge his skills and abilities as he undertakes his ultimate dream builds. This science adventure series follows Adam into an unpredictable world as he takes on the most absurd, original challenges only he could dream up. Along the way, he enlists the help of some of his favourite people on the planet - distinguished friends and colleagues - master innovators, unconventional thinkers and talented builders he's long admired and always wanted to work with. From pop culture to legend, folklore to little-known science fact, Adam obsessively engineers inventive builds to discover new information - and all with his signature showmanship. With Adam at the helm, engineering has never been so much fun!
90 Day Fiancé: Before The 90 Days
From Thursday 8 August at 21:00
What happens before the 90 days, when couples who have an existing online relationship meet in person for the very first time? This fascinating series follows love-struck Americans who feel they have met their potential soulmates online, as they prepare to travel internationally to meet them in person and see if true love will blossom in real life. Some of these couples are wildly different both physically and in their personalities. But, can they celebrate their differences, or will they put a wall between them even greater than the language barrier?
The Family Chantel
From Tuesday 20 August at 21:00
This explosive series follows one of the biggest couples from the 90 Day Fiance franchise, Chantel and Pedro - and their lively in-laws. Chantel first introduced Dominican, Pedro, to her family under the false pretence of him coming to America on a student visa; since then they have weathered major marital ups and downs involving everything from feisty family members to their own trust issues. Can this unique modern family move past their differences and come together in peace and harmony? Or will Chantel's parents Karen and Thomas push their children too far as they try to protect their brood?
Bake You Rich
From Saturday 17 August at 20:00
Buddy Valstro is one of America's most renowned bakers and now he's offering professional bakers a chance to have their unique and delicious creations sold at his shop. Each episode in this delectable series follows four aspiring pastry chefs compete in the factory kitchen, where they are tested on their delicious food and valuable business skills. It gets even hotter in the kitchen as the bakers strive to impress Buddy and his trusty panel of rotating judges including Chad Durkin, Erin McGinn, Vincent Tubito and Buddy's wife, Lisa Valastro. It's a tense and thrilling journey to the top for the bakers as the judges must ultimately choose whose treats deserve to be sold at Buddy's top-selling bakery. Which bakers will rise to the top, and which ones will crumble?
Say Yes To the Dress
From Tuesday 25 June at 18:10
Part fashion show, part bridal story and part family therapy, life at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan is always full of surprises. And, with the fabulous Randy Fenoli on hand to offer expert sartorial guidance, the brides are in safe hands! Every day the consultants at this premiere boutique face practical and emotional hurdles to deliver the perfect dress in time for a bride's big day. Will these adventurous brides find the dress that meets their wildest wedding day expectations as well as the all-important approval from their entourage? One thing is certain: it will never be straightforward and there may be tears, but these women are searching for the most important dress they'll ever buy.
OUTPATIENTS WEEKEND
6 July. Outpatients (eps 1- 8) from 13:45 - 21:00
7 July. Outpatients (eps 1- 8) from 06:00 -12:20
WAGS S1 & WAGS MIAMI WEEKENDS
13,14, 20 & 21 July
13 July 2019. WAGS 1. eps 1, 2, 3, 4 from 20:00 - 22:25
14 July 2019: WAGS 1. eps 5, 6, 7, 8 20:00 - 22:25
20 July 2019. WAGS Miami. eps 1, 2, 3, 4 20:00 - 22:25
21 July 2019. WAGS Miami. eps 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 20:00 - 22:25
MY MOMMA THROWS DOWN WEEKEND
27 July (eps 1-8) from 13:50 - 20:10
28 July (eps 9-16) from 13:50 - 20:10
This competition series features two mothers in each episode, nominated by a family member and backed by a lively team of family supporters, competing in a cook-off for cash and prizes.
FALSE FLAG (KFULIM) S2 (10 x 60’)
Wednesdays at 20:45, From 4 July (ends 11 September)
In season two, an explosion during an inauguration ceremony for the first oil pipeline connecting Israel to Turkey is immediately labelled as a deadly terrorist attack by the media. Three citizens were all present at the inauguration - but all three disappeared around the time of the blast, which killed several government officials. When their names are released as key suspects, those closest to them are thrown into the eye of the storm. The investigation and media attention turns their lives upside down and, as suspected connections and surprising alliances begin to emerge, their initial surprise makes way for mistrust - with no assurance that solving the mystery will put things back the way they were.
Packed with nail biting intrigue and explosive twists, False Flag immerses viewers in a rollercoaster ride of suspicion and deception, as each character is forced to question everything that was once so familiar. Caught in a web of secrets and lies, only one thing is known for certain - that nothing will ever be the same again.
LEGION S3 (8 x 60’)
Mondays at 20:45, From 29 July (ends 16 September)
David Haller’s struggle against the shadow king and his own mind isn’t over quite yet….
STUNTS
FAMILY GUY: 17:00
3 - 9 July: The Story of the original Star Wars
10 July - 5 August: Best YukYukYuk’s Episodes
6 - 20 August: 10 Best Stewie Episodes
21 - 29 August: Road to Specials
BEST OF HAWAII 5-0. 18:15.
25 - 31 July. Double bills.
CONTINUING SHOWS
GREYS ANATOMY S15
Tuesdays at 20:45, From 4 June (ends 9 November)
Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital — the toughest surgical residency program west of Harvard was a brutal training ground but now the former students have interns of their own to mentor. The doctors deal with life-or-death consequences on a daily basis — it’s in one another that they find comfort and friendship.
This season will see Meredith go through a personal arc that involves her family background. Meredith is going through a new trajectory that is focussed on who she is as a single mother and surgeon, including her investigation into a medical condition that is very close to her own family background and history.
DEEP STATE 2
Wednesdays at 20:45, From 15 May - 3 July
The gripping and prescient espionage drama is back with some exciting new cast joining returning favourites in a fresh and riveting storyline.
Three US special forces are killed in an ambush in Mali. The US are supposedly there to support the Malians in their fight against terrorism. However, all is not as it seems. As the story progresses, we realise that their activity is underpinned by the deep state and forms part of a cover for a new gold rush - the goal to beat China in the race fora African natural resources - oil, gas, ore and minerals. It is the first dirty war for clean energy.
BLUE BLOODS (S4 - S6 double bills)
Fridays at 19:55, ends 20 November
Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi- generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement.
STAR 3B
Thursdays at 20:45. From 16 May - 11 July. (From episode 10)
Featuring a soundtrack of original music and stunning music performances. STAR follows three talented singers, desperate for a new start and with ambitions of stardom, as they navigate the cut throat music business on their road to success.
