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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...

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

DBE TV To Be Added On The OpenView Platform

In partnership with eMedia Investments, the Department of education will be broadcasting educational support for learners and teachers on the OpenView platform. This channel is free of any subscriptions and will be broadcasted initially for a period of six months from 1st April to 30 September 2020.
The proposed daily schedule for the first week of broadcast is as follows:
- The focus of the first week is on Term 1 topics
- From 12am to 7am there will be revision for Grade 12 learners. We cover only one subject per day to facilitate a recordable block. The subjects will rotate through a seven week period. In the first week, Maths is on Monday but in 2 weeks Maths moves to Tuesday and so on.
- Between 7:00am and 8:00 am, it's time to learn a new Indigenous African language. Each lesson is half an hour.
- From 08:00am to 12 noon, the schedule is dedicated to Grade 12 learners. You can catch 60 minute lessons in Maths, Physical Science, Life Science, English (FAL), Accounting, Economics and Geography. The focus on these lessons is initially Term 1 topics. If you master the concepts in these lessons, you'll be ready for Term 2 which will broadcast in few weeks.
- From 12:00pm to 2:00pm we have 60 minute lessons for Grade 11 learners in Maths, Physical Science, Life Science, English (FAL) and Accounting.
- From 2:00pm to 4:00pm we have 30 minutes lessons for Grade 10 in Maths, Physical Science, Life Science, English (FAL) and Accounting.

If you've missed a lesson in the morning or want to rewatch a lesson from 4pm to 12 midnight. The lessons from 4:00pm to 8:00pm is for Grade 12 learners, 8:00pm to 10:00pm for Grade 11 and 10:00-12:00 for Grade 10. The topics covered are aligned with CAPS and the Annual Teaching Plan, and we will start with further topics and we will start with the topics at the beginning of the ATP.

New Seasons Of The Simpsons And America’s Funniest Home Videos To Premiere On FOX Africa

New seasons of both The Simpsons and America’s Funniest Home Videos will premiere on FOX (DStv 125) this April. Perfect for family viewing, audiences are in for non-stop laughter and hilarious moments on weekday afternoons with both of these award-winning series, guaranteed to tickle the funny bone.

The longest running scripted show in television history, The Simpsons season twenty-seven will premiere two episodes per weekday, from 6 April 2020 at 16:10 and 16:35 CAT. Continuing to strike a chord with viewers for irreverently poking fun at anything and everything, The Simpsons has become one of the most consistently groundbreaking, innovative and recognizable entertainment franchises throughout the world. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and its family members – Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie – are television icons.

Recently marking its 600th episode, The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and, to date, has won 32 Emmy Awards, 34 Annie Awards, been named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time magazine and was dubbed the “Best TV Show Ever” by Vulture in 2016.

This season of The Simpsons sees the family adventures continue as Homer and Marge have a trial separation and Homer begins dating a 20-something (guest voice Lena Dunham) in the season premiere. In subsequent episodes, Selma (Kavner) and Patty (Kavner) agree to quit smoking; Homer loses $5,000 in a poker game and loans Lisa out to repay the debt; and the Simpsons’ home gets robbed. Also, in the "Treehouse of Horror XXVI" episode, Sideshow Bob (guest voice Kelsey Grammer) finally kills Bart; Homer wakes up with short-term memory loss; and Lisa, Bart and Milhouse (Pamela Hayden) get super-powers from radiation. Additional guest voices this season include Kristen Bell, Nick Kroll, Edward James Olmos, comedian Blake Anderson, magician David Copperfield and violinist Yo-Yo Ma.

The laughs don’t stop there though as one of television’s most iconic viewer-generated productions, America’s Funniest Home Videos, will premiere on weekdays at 17:25 from 20 April. Now hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, this hilarious series has had people in stitches since 1989 and is one of the longest running non-scripted shows in the world. With over 800 episodes having been compiled to date, America’s Funniest Home Videos features home-made videos sent in by viewers. From practical jokes and home improvement plans gone awry, to animal mishaps and just flat-out strange behavior, this hilarious show pulls out all the stops to present everyday people caught on tape in their most embarrassing moments!

“Both The Simpsons and America’s Funniest Home Videos remain timeless in their ability to entertain and we are confident that these two audience favourites back-to-back, for the first time on FOX, will soon become something families can look forward to everyday” said Evert van der Veer, Vice President, Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Africa.

Mindset Network Launches New Primary School Pop-Up Channel

With lockdown for Covid-19 being the uppermost thought in everyone’s mind Multichoice and Mindset Network, launched by Nelson Mandela in 2003, is due to launch a channel dedicated to Primary School learners on 1 April 2020. Mindset Pop will feature educational programming covering the entire GET (Primary School) phase, including ECD, Grades 1 to 3 but with a focus on the Grade 4 – 9 curriculum.

Even though you are still on holiday we want you to be prepared when schools re-open. Mindset PoP will deliver live lessons daily with 6 fresh hours every day. We will bring you Literacy and Numeracy as well as Maths, Natural Sciences, English, Life Orientation, Art and Physical Education activities. A website will be available for downloading worksheets and information sheets that you can work through with our expert teachers. Lessons will come live from our studios where our expert teachers will unpack the concepts you need to understand as well as point you to additional resources. Lessons are based on the South African CAPS curriculum but are also aligned to the Cambridge curriculum.

Mindset’s CEO, Dylan Green says: “We are very relieved to be working with Multichoice to spread academic excellence during the lockdown. Remember that while we often focus on matric the key concepts are taught in the Foundation Phase. We are looking forward to bringing a whole new and exciting world of learning to DStv subscribers everywhere.”
Mindset PoP will be available to all subscribers across the DStv platforms in South Africa and Africa. Tune into channel 317 to find out more about this fantastic education channel!

This might be the same test channel coming to OpenView channel 122 and possibly StarSat for now there's no confirmation about it as this press release only has to do with MultiChoice.

Zee World And Star Life Affected By Covid-19

A few days ago, Zee World made an announcement that Ring of Fire and Jodka & Akbar would be taken off the screen due to covid-19 (and a 21 day lockdown in India) with Ganga and Twist of Fate set to take up their timeslot. The worst part about these two is one just ended weeks back and both of them start from season 1.

This news was since met with backlash by the fans of the channel which leaves viewers with only 2 current series Deception and One Perfect Place.

Jodka & Akbar is dubbed in Zulu which explains the pause since South Africa is currently on lockdown for 21 days while Ring of Fire case is sort of a mystery maybe they haven't got the rest of the episodes.

And Zee World isn't the only one removing shows Star Life is much worse instead of 2 shows leaving all the shows are getting scrapped from The Inseperables to Family Affairs to Let's Dance to Kulfi to Made for Each Other to Geet to A Perfect Lie.

This news was confirmed by GOtv in Zambia instead of Star Media and according to Star Life's schedule from the 1st April, The Crossroads, Forever Yours and Chasing My Heart take up their timeslots.

There's no confirmation on whether these shows will resume after the 21 day lockdown as yet and since then Covid-19 has affected their channels immensely.

Teen Africa TV Launch Delayed Due To Covid-19

Teen Africa TV, founded by Charles Novia which was set to debut by the end of March on DStv and GOtv across Africa has been delayed due to Covid-19.

According to the spokesperson of TATV, the Coronavirus outbreak disrupted their predictions and preparations if it were up to them they would have launched by now on the platform.

For many years, Novia had a dream of launching TeenTube which was TATV original name before changing it since the name was already used but since then he had gone through a lot of challenges trying to get the brand up and running.

He greenlit over 40 shows for the channel including The Voice Kids Nigeria, Cypher and Fashionista with more on the way in the foreseeable future. For now you can catch some of these shows YouTube.

Now the launch date is up in air due to the massive impact of Covid-19 one hopes it launches in the near future. Other channels that might be delayed is SA Youth TV, Limpopo TV and MyNorthernCapeTV.

Friday, March 27, 2020

JimJam ME(Africa) Is Mostly About Curious George In April 2020

CURIOUS GEORGE S8-9
The tale of Curious George is sweet and basic. George, an African
monkey, is being raised by the Man in the Yellow Hat. The Man in the Yellow Hat tries very hard to care for George, however, complications frequently occur, typically George's naivety and curiosity get him and others into trouble.…
6:44; 10:32 AM CET
2:34; 6:21 PM CET
EVERY DAY from 1 APRIL 2020

CURIOUS GEORGE: BACK TO THE JUNGLE
Curious George goes on an epic adventure to space that crash lands in the jungles of Africa leading to an unforgettable journey
with some new animal friends.
12:09 PM CET Saturday
4. APRIL 2020

CURIOUS GEORGE: SWINGS INTO SPRING
You know it must be springtime if a curious monkey named George is dancing on the balcony at sunrise! The Man with the Yellow Hat is sure that George has Spring Fever. “What’s Spring?” George asks.
Well there is only one way to find out! The Man takes George to the park to experience all the wonders of Spring.
12:09 AM CET Sunday
5. APRIL 2020

CURIOUS GEORGE: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY
The world’s most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, the fun-filled sequel to the hit animated movie. Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end learn that with family, friends and determination you can achieve anything.
12:09 AM CET Saturday
25. APRIL 2020

MAKE WAY FOR NODDY 3X
FIFI AND THE FLOWERTOTS S1-S2 3X
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
from 9:00 – 10:00 AM CET

MOVIE BLOCK - EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 12:09 PM CET

LEARN SOMETHING NEW TODAY! EDUCATION BLOCK
EVERY DAY
8:04-9:00 AM; 4:04-5:00 PM CET
Caillou – 1 episode
Entertaining misadventures of a four year old boy named Caillou, where each day he
discovers something new and interesting with his mommy, daddy, and Rosie. Between Caillou segments are segments featuring Caillou's pet cat Gilbert, Caillou's teddy bear Teddy, and Caillou's toy dinosaur, Rexy, in puppet form. S1 26X22’

Guess How Much I Love You – 2 episodes
This award winning series is set in the timeless watercolour landscape of mossy forests, lazy rivers and sunny meadows that is the idyllic home of Little Nutbrown Hare and his father, Big Nutbrown Hare. Charming and educational stories of friendship, family values and adventures of lovely animals.S1 52X12’

Say It With Noddy – 2 episodes
These series introduces children to a variety of languages by highlighting words or phrases from Make Way For Noddy that are familiar to children and part of their everyday lives. S1 100X2’

Coming Soon To Da Vinci Kids Africa

Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch
Saturday 21 March at 16:00 (premiered)
The show follows the daughter of renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, as the family heads off on their summer holidays in Los Angeles for an unforgettable summer. Matilda cooks her way through the very best of US and British dishes whilst blogging along the way for the CBBC website, adding her own unique twists to the food.

ScienceXplosion
TBA
In this exciting new STEM series, ScienceXplosion magician, scientist, and total funster, Eric, is back - guided by his good friend VOX - to help viewers navigate the science-filled world!
In 45 x 3:30-minute entertaining and funny shorts, Eric introduces new STEM-based concepts, and demos some fantastic, easy DIY experiments for children ages 6-8.

PinCode
TBA
PinCode is an animated STEM series that's a spinoff of the popular Russian Kikoriki (aka GoGoRiki) franchise. The colorful cast of the original show, including Wally the ram, Carlin the crow, Dokko the golden moose, Rosa the pig, Olga the owl, Barry the bear, and Krash the rabbit, are all grown up. Together they join their friend Pin, a German penguin who happens to be a self-taught inventor, on all sorts of adventures to learn about the world around them. While some of the characters occasionally cause mischief, or don't make the wisest decisions, they always come around in the end.

The Treehouse Stories
TBA
centered on a group of children who meet up in their secret treehouse to share their favorite books with each other. Each episode brings viewers into a new story animated with a distinct, illustrative style, inspired by a different popular children’s book from around the world. The series is directed by Célia Rivière.

Toonami Coming Soon To DStv

MultiChoice is adding a brand new kids’ channel, Toonami, to its bouquet. The channel, which is dedicated to superhero cartoons, is a new addition to Turner’s current children’s entertainment offering.

Toonami will launch from 29 or 30 March to DStv Compact customers strengthening the DStv family viewing programming line-up, while simultaneously boosting Turner’s kids’ entertainment bouquet in these markets.

Toonami, the home of superheroes, targets 6 to 12 years old children and super-hero fans of all ages with its 24-hour programming line-up, jam-packed with top-rated adventure and action series. The introduction of Toonami reinforces Turner’s portfolio of successful kids’ channels that includes Cartoon Network and Boomerang across the continent, both also available on DStv.

Available exclusively on MultiChoice's DStv across Sub-Saharan Africa, Toonami is the go-to destination for superheroes enthusiasts of all ages. Family and kids will enjoy uninterrupted hours of high-quality shows, specially packaged for African audiences through MultiChoice's DStv as well as DStv Now platform.

From March 29, subscribers will dive into the fantastic world of DC Comics’ ‘Batman’, ‘Superman’, ‘The Green Lantern’ and ‘The Justice League’. Other popular children’s superheroes loved by young African audiences, such as ‘Ben 10’ and 'Thundercats’ have also been added to the schedule. The branded Toonami Movies block will screen a host of feature films that showcase popular superheroes’ heroic acts and deeds.

Toonami was available exclusively on Econet Media's Kwesé TV until the channel was silently removed along with WarnerMedia other kids channels such as Cartoon Network and Boomerang since the pay-tv platform went through liquidation. Cell's Black also carried the same channels as Kwesé and they to suffered a similar fate to them.

MultiChoice might have added Toonami due to the Coronavirus so there's no telling whether this will be permanent addition or just some placeholder.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION, MRS ANGIE MOTSHEKGA, MP, ON THE BASIC EDUCATION SECTOR PLANS TO SUPPORT LEARNERS DURING THE LOCKDOWN DUE TO COVI¥ INCLUDES SABC, ETV AND MULTICHOICE

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for attending the media briefing during these difficult times. This morning we met as the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) to further consider and evaluate the plans that we have been working on.

Since the schools were closed on Wednesday, 18th, we have had a series of consultations with the provincial departments of education to identify ways in which we can ensure that our children are better informed about Covid-19, they are engaged, and continue their education in their homes. Following the announcement of the lock-down by the President, CEM has agreed to focus on catch up programme our efforts to the Promotion of Learning and Teaching in homes, and to the preparation for catch up when the children come back to schools.

We are grateful that our partners such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) have come on board to support the Department.

We are also acutely aware of the importance of keeping our children safe from all sorts of dangers including abuse and anxiety caused by Covid-19. In this regard, we encourage families and community services to be extra vigilant in the care and support of learners. Do not leave them unattended, watch for signs of depression and provide ongoing support to address any anxiety at this time. It is important that we continue to speak to the learners about the promotion of health and safety in the home by adhering to basic hygiene practises.

On Learner Support Programmes

Together with provinces DBE has prepared online and broadcast support resources comprising subject content and a focus on Grade 12 learners and the promotion of reading for all the grades. Some of the programmes will be available from April 1.
The Department is working closely with key Partners to coordinate and make available content tailored to support our learners’ educational and health needs during this time. We will make the following resources available:

• Broadcast lessons working with the SABC TV and Radio,
• DSTV channel 180
• E.tv has allocated a dedicated channel for 3 months on the Openview platform.
• Broadcast of lessons on COMMUNTY RADIO stations around the country.
• Electronic readers available via all platforms in partnership with Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell-C
• 2Enable App as a freely downloadable educational platform with more than 2000 electronic readers in the indigenous languages
• Promote the African Storybook series through the 2Enable App
• The National Reading Coalition has identified extensive lists of additional resources and organizations that are willing to make their materials available.
• Free access to Siyavula Maths and Science support in partnership with MTN and
• Free access to the Vodacom Virtual Classroom.

The content has been carefully curated to be available online and for broadcast, and will be made available on various platforms. The DBE website has been updated with current and relevant content inclusive of reading resources and websites. Other content which is available on websites of our partners has also been made available through links on the DBE website on www.education.gov.za. Parents, teachers and learners are encouraged to visit the DBE website.
We urge those who raise learners with special education needs to get in touch with the department should the need arise.

Content on Reading

The Read to Lead campaign and the National Reading Coalition will continue to drive their messages aimed at heightening awareness about the importance of reading for enjoyment. We urge households to support reading improvement initiatives by ensuring that children are given time to read, and that parents and care-givers participate by reading with their children and sharing stories. In terms of availability of books, a number of resources for reading for enjoyment have been uploaded on our online platforms. These include Readers in various languages.

On the school nutrition programme

CEM discussed the provision of school nutrition programme during the lockdown. This is a complex matter to resolve especially when learners are not in school. We will therefore work with the Department of Social Development. Nutrition support will be provided to families in the poverty nodes which are operated by Social Development. The thinking is that one member of the family will be allowed to collect food parcel once a week during the three weeks for the use of the entire family. This is to ensure social distancing. Several partners are willing to support this initiative and they include Tiger Brands, Nestle, Pioneer, Old Mutual, First Rand and Add Hope Foundation.

On the reopening of Schools

We are aware that people continue to spread incorrect information. Fake news causes a lot of damage to the work we are doing especially under the current circumstances. We urge members of the public to desist from spreading false information about when schools will reopen and on any other matter. There is no truth to what has been circulated on social media about schools reopening in September. Please ignore it.

The truth is that the Council of Education Ministers at a teleconference meeting this morning extensively deliberated on preparations for the opening of schools after the lock down is lifted. The exact dates for the opening of schools for the start of the second term will be communicated at a later date. We will in due course confirmed the date guided by the NCC.

The Department of Basic Education is also finalizing a Standard Operating Procedure for the basic education sector to provide guidance to schools and education offices on how to prepare for the opening of schools. The Department is in discussion with the National Treasury and all our provinces on the provision of a minimum health package to schools.

I am very grateful to our Partners who are extending a hand during this challenging time by making available their physical and financial resources.

We welcome commitments of support from partners such as Old Mutual who has pledged R50 million to support the education programming, UNICEF and others that have made inquiries in preparation for making decisions. All education-specific contributions processed by our department, such as materials and platforms will be registered with the Solidarity Fund established by the President.

The schedule for the broadcast of the lessons is available on the DBE website as well as social media platforms. You can tune in to any of the listed radio stations and TV stations to benefit from the programmes that have been prepared for the children and their parents or guardians.

The speedy recovery of schools will be determined by how we conduct ourselves as people because as a sector we are more likely to have long lasting implications. The next three weeks are crucial to the reopening of schools. It depends on all us to flatten the curve of COVID-19 which is rising at a rapid pace daily. Please cooperate during the lockdown, stay in your house and be safe.

Some of our officials will remain available to provide support, contact us via our social media platforms for a speedy response to your questions. Let’s work together to beat Coronavirus.

Coming Up In May 2020 On Lifetime Africa

Brand New & Exclusive
INTERVENTION: THE HEROIN HUB S17
Starts 4th May, Mondays at 20:05 CAT
Over the course of six consecutve episodes, viewers will follow the stories of addicts as they work to overcome their opioid addictons as well as one of the most dramatc recoveries in one of the largest drug hubs on the East Coast. The team of expert interventonists will work with city ofcials, frst responders and the families, ofering a way out before it is too late. This season, Interventon focuses on the journey of those plagued by addicton and their families who are lef to pick up the pieces in what is dubbed Philadelphia’s “Heroin Hub” and the surrounding communites. Interventonists Ken Seeley, Donna Chavous, Heather Hayes, Michael Gonzalez and Jim Reidy face the biggest challenge of their careers as they atempt to help nine victms of addicton, who are in dire need of support, to get clean and gain control over their lives.

Brand New - Crime on Lifetime
A KILLER’S MISTAKE S2
Starts 5th May, Tuesdays - Thursday at 21:55 CAT Everything turns on one piece of evidence…fail to fnd it, and a killer stays free. Ten iconic murder stories from the last three years that were solved because of one fatal error. Intrigue, jeopardy, layered story-telling and a series which is both moving and revelatory of the detectve process. A look at high-profle murders and the key errors that killers made that led to their arrests.

New Season
SEX, LIES & MURDER 2B
Starts 27th May, Tuesdays - Thursdays at 21:55 CAT
Sex, Lies & Murder is a non-fcton series detailing true cases of relatonships in which broken intmacy has led to murder. A husband’s heart wrenching betrayal results in his wife commitng an horrifc act of violence. A wife’s torrid afair with her pastor ends with her husband killing them both. A fery online romance leads to murder afer it’s discovered.

Untold Stories of Real Women
LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIES
Brand New and Exclusive

THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL
Brand New and Exclusive
On 17th May, Sunday at 19:20 CAT
The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel recounts the story of the highest-selling female gospel group in history and their trailblazing mother, Mate Moss Clark. Credited with bringing gospel music to the mainstream, the fve Clark sisters overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejecton, betrayal and sibling rivalries to achieve internatonal fame as icons of the gospel music industry.

WHEN LOVE KILLS: THE FALICIA BLAKELY STORY
Brand New & Exclusive
On 23rd May, Saturday at 19:20 CAT When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, an original flm produced by Tasha Smith, follows the tragic life of a young teenage mom. At 16 and already a mother, Falicia is at odds with her mom and soon begins working at a strip club. She meets Dino, a man who quickly pulls her into a dangerous life of crime that changes everything she knows. Today, Falicia Blakely a 34-year- old woman who is currently serving three life sentences for murdering three men by the age of 19 - a story that will forever be immortalized by a rivetng television movie. But who is the woman behind the tragic tale?

BOBBI KRISTINA MOVIE
Brand New & Exclusive
On 24th May, Sunday at 19:20 CAT
The untold story of Bobbi Kristna Brown is one of adventure, dreams, confict, perseverance, faith, friendship, and the love between mother and daughter. A love ofen interrupted by success, emotonal upheaval and drug addicton but an unshakeable, incomparable, unwavering love nonetheless.

Coming Up In May 2020 On History Africa

Brand New: Part of Rise of Extremism Stunt
AMERICA ON FIRE
On 2nd May, Saturday at 20:15 CAT Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charlie Leduf goes deep inside the American milita movement to uncover their roots, motvatons, and goals, in an increasingly polarized world.

Brand New & Exclusive
LOST RELICS OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Starts 6th May, Wednesdays at 20:15 CAT Meet Carl and Hamilton and marvel at their collectons of classic cars, Viking treasure, Celtc gold and Nazi memorabilia, establishing them as obsessive collectors of rare and extremely valuable items. The duo invites historian and best-selling author of ‘The Templars: The Rise and the Spectacular Fall of God’s Holy Warriors’, Dan Jones, into their inner sanctum to reveal the hoard to an outsider for the frst tme. Excited but cautous, Dan challenges Carl and Hamilton to prove each items provenance before they release news of their discovery to the world. This will involve tracing the relics back to their country of origin, unpacking the history of each item and fguring out how they were used. Most important of all, they want to work out whether the existence of the relics sheds new light on our understanding of the mysterious Knights Templar.

Brand New & Exclusive
D-DAY UNTOLD STORIES
On 10th May, Sunday at 20:15
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, this History special presents the key events of the Allied invasion of Nazi-held Europe and the subsequent batles that captured the control of the Normandy coast. Some of the last surviving veterans recall in gripping detail the terror, the patriotsm and the drama from the frontlines of war. While D-Day has been told many tmes, this special honours the diverse backgrounds of all who served, including the experiences of African- American servicemen who fought and died. Rare archival footage from the actual invasion along with recreatons will enhance the compelling story that changed the world.

Brand New and Exclusive
ALONE: THE BEAST
On 28th May, Thursdays at 21:10 CAT
From the creators of HISTORY’s hit show Alone comes a new survival series where three strangers atempt to endure thirty days in a remote wilderness locaton with no tools or modern amenites, just the clothes on their backs and an untouched fallen animal. Faced with punishing weather, relentless predators, and their difering survival styles, it’ll take all their ingenuity and stamina to work together as a team and survive in Alone: The Beast.

Brand New & Exclusive
FACE THE BEAST
Starts 21st May, Thursdays at 20:15 CAT
Throughout history, there are accounts of predators going on unexplained, killing rampages against humans. Face the Beast probes the most mysterious and macabre mass killings, using new technology that allows investgators to get face to face with dangerous creatures in their own habitat.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Da Vinci Kids Becomes A Permanent Channel On DStv In South Africa

As we stay true to our promise of looking at different aspects, what we believe is a key aspect to a child’s development and link these to different programming, with shows  balancing education and entertainment, we are proud to be bringing you the Da Vinci channel to our valued South African subscribers on DStv channel 318.

Da Vinci will be available to subscribers of DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, and DStv Compact & Family packages.

It is inspirational artist, scientist and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci - the Germany-based channel aspires to illustrate the beauty and wonders of human curiosity and its explorations, be it in science, arts or innovation 24/7. The new edutainment channel will amaze and delight DStv kiddies viewers – at home and on the go via DStv Now – with a range of fun educational programming for kids and the whole family alike filled with humour, imagination and meaningful, educational takeaways that cover Science, Math and Technology, and moreover Play & Make; History & Personalities; Culture; Life & Nature and Sports & Leisure.

“What we’ve done is provide a safe space for children and parents to choose from a range of age-appropriate content that is entertaining and educational for both. As a trusted partner for parents on the journey of raising children we strive to create moments of family, we’re bonding millions of homes daily. The launch of this channel is in  line with our commitment to delivering content that caters and resonates with the whole family, while enriching their lives by delivering programming that educates, informs and entertains,” concluded Thabisa Mkhwanazi, Executive Head of Marketing at DStv.

For more information on the programming and to access the daily TV Guide on the programming, please visit: www.dstv.co.za

MultiChoice Adds More Channels To DStv Now Service

Admist the coronavirus outbreak MultiChoice has added various channels to DStv and non-DStv subscribers. Along with adding some various other channels through the DStv platform.

Now MultiChoice will add Toonami (Channel 300), Keep Fit (Channel 133), Mzansi Live (Channel 113), M-Net Binge (Channel 114) through their DStv Now service.

Toonami the superhero version of Cartoon Network supplied by WarnerMedia will be added on Compact while M-Net Binge supplied by M-Net will go to Compact Plus. There's no details on the rest but I'm presuming it's for Access customers along with WWE channel and Mzansi Magic.

These channels will go live from Friday 25 March while Mzansi Live went live from Wednesday 23 March.

M-Net Binge Returns As A Pop-Up Channel On DStv

M-Net revives the shuttered brand M-Net Binge from Friday, 25 March on channel 114. Probably due to the Coronavirus and lack of entertainment across all platforms.

M-Net Binge launched in May 2017 on channel 900 to DStv Premium customers and was scrapped a year later only to return to 2 years later this time it's available on Compact Plus.

According to the TV Guide, M-Net Binge is home to best HBO series as well as doccies and movies. No end date has been provided for the channel as yet when there is one it will be added here.

M-Net Binge will air repeats of series such as Game Of Thrones, Band Of Brothers and Six Feet Under. Making it the ideal channel for Compact Plus customers.

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

After 17 Years, Mindset Is Getting A Spin-off Channel

Mindset is an digital satellite television free-to air channel launched in 2003 to help educate and improve health in South Africa, uplift and empower communities with various Educational and Health initiatives and interventions is getting a second TV channel.

Pop Primary, the channel is skewed towards Grade 1-7 and just like Mindset will carry educational content. No details about the channel have been unveiled on the package and launch but judging by the founder it could be on every single platform in South Africa and possibly the rest of Africa.

The organisation that handles Mindset works with Government, International Donors and blue-chip corporates to deliver impactful, sustainable and practical change to the developmental challenges that communities face. It develops, sources, distributes and uses digital content. Its multimedia content is distributed via broadcast television, IP based satellite datacast, the web, distributable media (hard drives, DVDs and CDs) and mobile networks.

This comes admist the time coronavirus has mismanaged most of our lives along with a lot of companies that had to postpone major events and schools that had to close earlier.
Within those holidays MultiChoice supplied viewers with free channels on their DStv Now service and added two further channels along with promotional channels to the DStv platform. While StarSat offered viewers free channels through their app.

Since the school holidays parents have been urging platforms to get more educational channels since they'll be joining their kids on lockdown. So far MultiChoice has PBS Kids, Da Vinci Kids and Mindset followed by StarSat with only the last two from DStv and OpenView being Mindset.

Global Citizens has been urging parents to get SABC and DStv to dedicate a channel for educational content. Now parents can be put at ease with this upcoming channel.
More details about the channel will be available soon.

Friday, March 20, 2020

SuperSport Launches All-New Themed Channels

Amid the uncertainty and concern around the threat of coronavirus, SuperSport is working closely with its broadcast partners to mitigate the absence of live sport.

While almost all major sport has been affected, SuperSport will be broadcasting events which have been postponed - when they are rescheduled.

SuperSport chief executive Gideon Khobane said: “All of our partners have reached out to explain their measures, which we appreciate.

“Live sport is massively impacted; we are combatting this by acquiring the best award-winning sport documentaries from around the globe, among other top programming. We will use our various platforms to communicate this to viewers.”

The impact of this has necessitated major changes to the schedules, which will see SuperSport convert its line-up to thematic channels for the foreseeable future.
This is a time to relive the best of the best and SuperSport will duly open SS1 down to the Compact package.

This channel will form the crux of the SuperSport offering. It will feature the best documentaries, sport movies and a presented block called SuperSport GrandStand between 5pm and 9pm where SuperSport presenters will host a studio show that focuses on themed content from a specific sporting genre.

Between 1pm and 5pm daily, SS1 will feature a Viewers’ Choice block where viewers’ social media suggestions on their favourite sporting moments will determine the content.

Another significant change sees SuperSport 7 becoming a best of football offering now open from Premium to Access.

# Ahead of the weekend, SuperSport is already rolling out best of its archives on its channels, including the award-winning “30 for 30” series of ESPN documentaries.

Please see the full list of channel changes below:

SOUTH AFRICA

SS1: Relive Sport Stories (Grandstand / Viewers’ Choice / Documentaries)
SS2: Relive Rugby / Cricket        
SS3: Relive Premier League       
SS4: Relive PSL 
SS5: Relive Golf
SS6: Relive Tennis         
SS7: Relive Best Football (mix of UCL, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, FIFA, Documentaries)
SS8: Relive Motorsport, F1, MotoGP, Superbikes
SS9: Relive WWE           
SS10: Relive local sports / Athletics / Various    
SS11: Relive Action: Combat, UFC, EFC, Boxing, Extreme
SS12: Relive E Sport       

MultiChoice SA Temporarily Adds AfricaNews And Da Vinci Kids And Here's Why (Nickelodeon And CNN Also Accessible)

Later today, MultiChoice silently opened up Da Vinci Kids, AfricaNews, CNN and Nickelodeon admist the coronavirus outbreak with ICASA wanting StarSat and MultiChoice to make channels free.

AfricaNews and CNN are all accessible to Access customers until April 30 with Nickelodeon being April 14 and Da Vinci Kids being the end of May. So far only Nickelodeon and CNN have been accessible in South Africa while the two just popped up recently on DStv with the rest of Africa adding it back in 2019.

Da Vinci Kids is an educational pay television channel for children aged 6–12 and families, and broadcasting in 19 language versions to more than 35 million homes worldwide. It broadcasts STEM and soft skills-based learning programs aimed at children and families during the daytime, and documentaries and educational series for grown-ups in the evenings. The channel can be found on StarSat in South Africa.

AfricaNews is a multilingual news media service, headquartered in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. The news channel is a subsidiary of France-based euronews and began broadcasting online, and via TV and satellite on 20 April 2016.

The strange part about these two new temporary channels is they're both closing at the same time as SuperSport channels so why didn't MultiChoice advertise them with the other existing channels opening for a limited time.

According to sources through a media enquiry, MultiChoice has been trying to launch AfricaNews since last year but ran through some technical and financial problems. It might also apply to Da Vinci Kids since both of these channels popped up in the test section at the same time and officially launched together.

Even PBS Kids is sort of suffering a similar altercation maybe PBS is trying to build the brand in other markets and merging their operations with Africa or maybe MultiChoice is working on some bugs either way these channels are going through some tough times.

Maybe A+E Networks is the cause of AfricaNews and Da Vinci turmoil since MultiChoice intended to dump Lifetime, History and Crime & Investigation only to keep two of them around and add 2 further channels which put more pressure to their pocket.

With this in mind AfricaNews and Da Vinci Kids might be future permanent additions while all the other channels will go off as scheduled. The only thing uncertain about those possible additions is their availability since Family customers carry them in other markets with South Africa being Access customers.
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DStv OPENS UP MORE CHANNELS TO MORE CUSTOMERS – AND NON-DStv CUSTOMERS TOO!
 
Self-distancing might be a little less hard to deal with now that DStv has made five extra channels available to packages all the way down to Access. These include new channel Africanews (channel 417), CNN (channel 401), Da Vinci (channel 318), Nickelodeon (channel 305) and SuperSport 7 (channel 207). 
 
What’s more, some of the channels that feature on online streaming service DStv Now will be accessible to everyone – DStv customer or not. This incredible service is to ensure that the whole country has easy access to accurate information about COVID-19. All they have to do is download the DStv Now App to have free, comprehensive coverage to a wide range of news channels. The great thing is that DStv Now can be accessed from your smartphone, tablet, smart TV or laptop. The channels that can be viewed for free are: BBC World News; CNN; Sky News; eNCA; SABC News; Newzroom Afrika and Euronews. In addition, you will be able to view People’s Weather;  SuperSport Play; PBS Kids; Channel O and TBN, as well as episodes of some of South Africa’s best-loved soapies for free, including Igazi, The River, Isibaya, Binnelanders, Suidooster and Die Ware Naarheid.
 
In terms of the channels that will now be available to DStv customers all the way down to Access, Africanews launches on 20 March, and is the first pan-African, multilingual and unbiased media channel in Africa. It’s the only place where viewers can watch the most up-to-date news about the 54 African countries simultaneously. With 50 local correspondents travelling the continent to cover social, business, political and cultural stories, Africanews is the voice of the continent.
 
American-based CNN (channel 401) is renowned for its breaking news stories, in-depth investigations and celebrity reporters, including Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer and Christiane Amanpour.
 
Da Vinci (channel 318) is an educational children’s channel that is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, in that it encourages children to explore, invent and pioneer. It’s an edutainment channel filled with fun educational shows.
 
Nickelodeon (channel 305) is Viacom’s premium kids’ channel, and home to favourites such as Sponge Bob Squarepants, The Loud House, The Casagrandes and PAW Patrol. 

SuperSport 7 is devoted to La Liga and will allow customers to view all the Spanish football action (once it is back on track), including the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. It will definitely appeal to football fanatics everywhere.
 
If all this weren’t enough, the DStv BoxOffice service is also upping its offering to customers. There will now be 40 fresh-from-the-cinema movies available to view for the nominal price of just R25 for DStv Premium, Extra and Compact subscribers packages. 
 
While the world remains in a time of crisis and uncertainty, DStv is determined to keep customers informed and entertained, no matter what it takes.

MultiChoice Opens Up A Bunch Of Channels To DStv And Non-DStv Subscribers

DStv has opened up a number of Supersport channels to its non-premium subscribers until 30 April 2020.

Supersport 1, which is exclusively available on the DStv Premium package, will now be available on DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact, the group said in a statement on Friday 20 March.

Supersport 7, which is only available on the DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact packages, will also be available on the DStv Family and DStv Access packages.

Earlier this week, DStv announced that it will also make a selection of channels available to all South Africans for free through its DStv Now streaming platform.

DStv Now is bundled with DStv’s satellite broadcasting service, and allows subscribers to watch TV and shows from mobile devices, smart TVs, laptops, and more.

The new free channel package is available to all South Africans, however, and not only DStv subscribers.

The company said that in response to the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa, a number of DStv Now channels are no longer locked behind a subscription and are available to anyone with an Internet connection.

DStv channels which are now available to stream for free are:

100 – DStv
180 – People’s Weather
238 – SuperSport Play
313 – PBS Kids
320 – Channel O
343 – TBN
400 – BBC World News
401 – CNN
402 – Sky News
403 – eNCA
404 – SABC News
406 – Newzroom Afrika
414 – Euronews Now

Staying informed about the latest news on the virus is the first step in stopping its spread, said the company. For this reason, it has made several 24-hour news channels available.

In addition to these channels, episodes of popular series are also available via the Catch Up portal on the free service, including Igazi, The River, Isibaya, Binnelanders, Suidooster, and Die Ware Naarheid.

What's Coming In May 2020 On TLC Africa

Dragnificent!
From Tuesday 26 May at 21:00
This glittering series takes makeovers to a fabulous new level as a gang of style-savvy drag queens help someone lacking style and transform them into their best self! In each episode, top drag queens Alexis Michelle, BeBe Zahara Benet, Thorgy Thor and Jujubee take an unsuspecting individual on a high-energy journey to revive their style as part of an upcoming life milestone. Alexis Michelle is a makeup artist specialising in weddings and special events; BeBe is an experienced event planner who can transform any room; fashion expert Jujubee has an impressive knowledge of drag couture and women's style; and Thorgy Thor is a classically trained musician who knows how to get the party started! Whether it's a bride who wants to feel beautiful walking down the aisle or someone readjusting to their new body after drastic weight loss, these big-hearted queens are on hand to give the confidence, courage and grace they need to be their best at the biggest moments of their lives.

My Big Fat Fabulous Life
From Monday 18 May at 20:00
Dancing queen Whitney Thore weighs in at nearly 400-lbs, but that doesn't stop her living life on her terms as dancer; she is happy with her body and lives life out loud! Whitney's made some big changes with a new business and a new life in Charlotte. After meeting her business partner, Ryan, on a dating site, the two launched fitness videos online. But there's trouble brewing with Whitney now living part-time in Charlotte: Tal and Buddy are left alone in her Greensboro home as unwilling flatmates who constantly fight, and Whitney's friends are growing resentful towards Ryan for taking her away from her home town. Add to that a blossoming romance in Charlotte, a weightlifting competition and health issues affecting her parents, and it's another rollercoaster ride for Whitney.

90 Day Fiancé: Pillow Talk Weekend
From Saturday 16 May at 10:40
It's time to get intimate with the most outspoken couples from 90 Day Fiancé as they watch along with and comment on all the action from the latest series. Fan favourites from previous seasons let cameras into their homes as they watch the latest episode of 90 Day Fiancé and gawk, groan, laugh, and in some cases, lift weights! David and Annie, Tarik and Dean, Loren and Alexei, and Molly and Cynthia are watching along, commenting on all the emotional highs and lows - and no one is holding back! How will they feel about Anna and her Turkish boyfriend Mursel's awkward reunion? Are they convinced Tania and her South African partner Syngin's relationship will last? Whatever the drama, they will all have something to say!

Little People, Big World
From Wednesday 6 May at 20:00
America's favourite family of little people, the Roloffs, are in for some more big changes this season as Amy finally makes the decision to leave the farm. But change doesn't happen overnight, and matt worries it will be a slow departure. Meanwhile, after a busy summer Zach and Tori have an exciting announcement to make - and hear unexpected news that will affect the future of the entire Roloff family. Plus, after a series of heavy storms, Matt has to make a heartrending decision that marks a new era for the family

What's Coming In May 2020 To Discovery Channel Africa

Wheeler Dealers
From Saturday 2 May at 20:00
Car dealer supremo, Mike Brewer and multi-talented mechanic, Ant Anstead, are on a monumental motoring mission: to find and restore iconic cars to later sell for a profit at their LA-based shop. In this turbo-charged series, Mike has the challenging job of finding vehicles that have money-making potential. He then hands them over to Ant, who tackles everything from bare metal re-sprays to
gearbox swaps to bring them back to their former glory. From the sunny beaches of southern California to the coldest edges of Maine, the series scours the US from
coast-to-coast for the best vehicles to buy, restore, test and sell for a tidy profit. What treasures will the guys find and flip on their epic adventures?

Fast N' Loud
From Wednesday 6 May at 21:00
Hot Rod hunter Richard Rawlings and his team at the Gas Monkey Garage are breaking all the rules this season! In
one of their biggest challenges yet, they take on a mind-blowing super-build to debut at the biggest automative trade show in the world, SEMA; they have five months and a $300,000 budget to transform a '72 Buick Riviera into a motoring beast! But, the project's massive scope and tight deadline along with other builds that still need to be completed, means the Monkeys are pushing their limits like never before.

Deadliest Catch
From Tuesday 19 May at 21:00
40-foot waves, freezing temperatures, swinging 700-lb crab pots, a nearly 100 % injury rate...but also the chance to earn enough money for a family to live on for a year or more, for just a few days' work. Welcome to one of the world's deadliest jobs — that of the Alaskan crab fisherman. Deep in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea lurks the highly lucrative — and yet often elusive — king crab. Each year, approximately 250 boats converge on Dutch Harbor, Alaska, awaiting the official harvesting season. It could be four days in length or as many as 12 —the fishermen won't know until the voice of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game crackles across their radios to announce the beginning and end of the fishing season.

Driven
From Wednesday 6 May at 20:00
Legendary custom auto shop, Galpin Auto Sports, opens its doors to reveal all the behind-the-scenes action on their builds in this high-energy series. From historic
restorations to futuristic builds, to fixing up barn finds, the team are literally working on a century's worth of cars
under one roof. Each episode follows Beau, Dave and "Mad" Mike as they uncover historic and unique cars to rebuild and reintroduce back into the automotive history books. Along the way, they find the people, parts and places that made the historic build significant in the first
place. After finishing each project, the team put the cars to the test; they submit their builds to the biggest competitions, challenge the vehicles on the toughest
tracks and introduce the world to some of the craziest assortment of cars ever made. For the guys at Galpin Auto Sports, it's their mission to save automotive history and rescue cars from oblivion.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

South Africa Along With The Rest Of Africa Become Another Victim In The Demise Of ITV Choice

The British pay-TV channel ITV Choice (DStv 123) is the next channel getting axed by MultiChoice, with ITV Choice that will go dark at the end of May after 5 years.

ITV says that MultiChoice no longer wants the channel on DStv that had curated content from the United Kingdom with a focus on programming around the British royal family.

ITV Choice, a commercial general entertainment TV channel supplied by  ITV Studios Global Entertainment suddenly ceased broadcasting in August 2019 in several markets across the Middle East, Malta and Asia but continued in South Africa.

Insider sources told the media on Tuesday that ITV Choice is getting the DStv chop with the channel that confirmed its removal from the MultiChoice line-up in response to a media enquiry.

"DStv has decided that ITV's international TV channel, ITV Choice, will no longer be carried on the DStv platform in Africa from 4 June 2020. The ITV brand will continue as a video-on-demand (VOD) service in other territories," an ITV Choice spokesperson told the media.

MultiChoice was also asked about the decision to cancel ITV Choice on Tuesday afternoon but didn't respond to a media enquiry seeking comment.

ITV Choice that launched in May 2015 in South Africa faced an uphill battle for DStv viewership and struggled to compete against the entrenched set of longrunning and existing Brit channels from BBC Studios Africa on MultiChoice's platform that are offering a wide selection of lifestyle, natural history, general entertainment and premium drama programming.

The axing of ITV Choice comes after the acrimonious channel carriage negotiations between MultiChoice and A+E Networks UK in late-2019 that first saw MultiChoice announce that it would be dropping History, Lifetime and Crime+Investigation at the end of October 2019.

After new renegotiations and a public petition by angry DStv subscribers MultiChoice kept History and Lifetime on its satellite TV service but dropped Crime+Investigation. That was followed by the exit of former A+E Networks Africa boss Yusuf Nabee who was been replaced by Nazarene Khan.

ITV Choice brought DStv subscribers shows like VictoriaPoldarkDoc MartinVera and The Voice UK. ITV's catalogue content will very likely start to pop up on other TV channels in time once the shows that were packaged on ITV Choice becomes available for the territory through its global ITV Studios distribution arm.

African Animation Network Will Be Taking Talent And Ideas To Annecy International Film Festival 2020

Africa’s animators have been largely self-taught but there is no lack of talent. This year ‘Annecy’ has made Africa its territory of honor so they will be getting a great deal more international exposure. Russell Southwood talked to Nick Wilson, Head of Projects and Content, African Animation Network about how things have been building up to this point.

African Animation Networks’ relationship with ‘Annecy’ (Annecy International Animated Film Festival) began in 2014 when it pitched a special call for projects to the Festival for South African animation studios.

Out of this initial approach, African Animation Networks organized a pitch competition which became one of the preliminary rounds feeder route’s for Annecy’s Animation du Monde competition.

Wilson told me: ”One hundred percent of the contestants have been self-taught so we have been running training, workshop and mentoring sessions.

These have been a hugely positive and impactful component of our work.”The background work has included building partnerships with key animation and can organizations across the continent, including Kenya’s NAICCON (a comic convention) and local animation and comics festivals including FFPA in Abidjan and AFFIA, the Accra Animation Festival.

There are pockets of animation talent across many countries including: Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

African Animation Network’s ambition is to bring them all together, raise their profile and encourage collaborations, It has also launched FUPiTOONS Festival as a vehicle for “taking African animation to the world.”Africa will be Annecy 2020’s “territory of honour” and FUPiTOONS Festival will be part of the official programme. The 2019 edition of the Festival received 721 short animation film entries, of which 20 were selected to premier at DISCOP 2019 in Johannesburg. Since its inception in 2017 the festival has traveled the length and breadth of the continent, from festivals to pop culture events to schools.

At Annecy 2020, “there will be an African-focused panel with animation association reps and talent from across the continent.” He emphasizes the sheer scale of the challenge for animators like himself:”Animation is an expensive but medium and it’s almost impossible to recoup investment off one entry alone.”

He is planning a linear channel for animation and is researching “the right pricing and value proposition.” For adult animation, he’s create Mshini TV. The name is a corruption of the isiZulu phrase “mshiniwamahlaya” with “mshini” meaning “machine (gun)” and “wamahlaya” meaning “joke“. Combined, “mshiniwamahlaya” is a pun which means both “machine (gun) jokes” and “joke machine/factory“.

The African Animation Network has partnered with DISCOP Markets (the premiere content markets in Africa) and Annecy Festival (the biggest, most prestigious animation festival in the world) to present a special screening of African-produced animated content for mature audiences under the MSHINI TV banner.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

eMedia Investments Conducting Market Research Through OpenView Facebook Page

For those who don't use Facebook that's OpenView's only official account the rest are just fan made for those who want help installing your decoders you may have to visit PEP and e.tv for more details.

Last year, OpenView had a survey asking subscribers what they'd hope to see on the platform with regards to content now they had another survey asking people for their go to channels.

Just by going through the feedback SABC and Mindset goes unnoticed by the fans at the moment and the least mentioned channels are BBC World News, eToonz, Rewind and eExtra. This research is usually conducted to see what ways operators can improve their offerings even if that means cutting channels so be it.

Rewind survives since it's for old stuff which is excusable along with eToonz even if the format is awful it's the only entertaining kids channel around. Mindset, the lineup is weak some see it as a waste of space but it's helpful for school children or kids who can't go to school part of its programming is managed by NGOs and other institutions. SABC exists due to must carry regulations and e.tv doesn't pay for their channels. eExtra seems like the only channel in dangerous waters alongside BBC News.

eExtra has been repositioned several times over the period of 3 years while BBC News is third party channel.

Several Predictions:
- BBC News gets scrapped in favour of another channel
- eExtra gets dwindled down due to another channel
- A telenovela channel supplied by eMedia Investments is added carrying new, old(repeats) and current programming less program disruptions on eExtra
- A channel that offers some or one of the following make its way: music, sports, education and religion
- Several pop-up channels make its way including eForce

Morena's Fate Has Finally Been Revealed For eExtra

It seems like Morena is not having any luck on eMedia Investments. The series was originally slated to air February 2018 on the now defunct eBella channel on OpenView.

After the channel's demise all the remaining programming moved to eExtra which therefore became a 24/7 channel again carrying the channel's burden. In the press release provided by eMedia Investments regarding eExtra transition they mentioned a couple of old and new telenovelas set to air on eExtra with no mention of Morena.

Several viewers asked back in 2018 when the series will eventually air or if they plan to air it but e.tv remained silent as 2 years pass viewers already moved on and accepted the harsh reality out of nowhere Morena resurfaces this time on eExtra morning schedule in March and several sites including e.tv advertised the series out of nowhere the series was removed, eExtra adjusted it's timeslots and viewers were left with a lot of questions.

Even though e.tv didn't give any public statement. According to sources, Morena was removed due to age restrictions and deemed too dirty for the morning kind of like what Telemundo has with its super series and the series is set to air at 11pm from 7 May after I Forgot I Loved You.

With all this mismanagement with info it's safe to say e.tv plans ahead but sometimes fails to deliver at the last minute. If you want more details about this telenovela just click here [Morena]

Sunday, March 15, 2020

A Bunch Of Turkish Telenovelas Are Rumored To Debut In Future On e.tv Or eExtra

eExtra, supplied by eMedia Investments which can be found on OpenView channel 105, DStv channel 195 and Starsat channel 489 is set to introduce a new telenovela later in April titled Vierspel Vuurspel.

Along the way a bunch of leaked info on rumoured upcoming telenovelas surfaced from a mysterious source. The programs rumoured to air soon include Herçai, Sen Anlat Karadeniz, Sefirin Kizi, Gulperi, Canevim and Muzice Doktor.

Here's a short summary about each telenovela:
- Hercai, Miran is seeking revenge for his parents he plans to marry the daughter (Reyyan) of the family who were responsible for the death of his parents. Unexpectedly he falls in love with Reyyan,will this change his plans?
- Sen Anlat Karadeniz, is about a man born and raised in the Black Sea Region, Tahir is ready to give his life for any person treated unjustly. Tahir sacrifices himself to save Nefes and her son. While doing so, he faces many challenges including exposing himself and his family to the threat of Nefes' now ex-husband, who was also known as her abuser, Vedat, as well as the rejection of his family and his country to Nefes; as protecting a married woman is considered "against traditions".
- Sefirin Kizi, follows the life of Sancar, the son of a gariban rider, is loved by Nare, the daughter of an ambassador who came to Bodrum when he was a child. These two opposite children love each other very much and fight for their love for years. Eventually the girl escapes from the boy, but the night Nare disappears suddenly. No one will see her again.
- Gülperi, tells the story of a mother who struggles to regain her children without losing hope.
- Canevim, tells the story of love of a poor orphan man named Maraz Ömer and a poor woman named Ceylan. Two young people who plan marriage plans to work and earn money; Ömer works at the construction site in Kars. Ceylan earns money by cleaning. Ceylan is abused by Taylan, a rich and spoiled young man.
- Muzice Doktor, A distinguished surgical unit turns upside down when a strange new resident joins the team. Ali has savant syndrome, making it hard for him to communicate with other people, even though he is a phenomenal doctor. The other doctors can't stand him at first, but his sincerity and dedication win them over. In this hospital, Ali finds the family he's always longed for.

More New Episodes Invade Disney Junior Africa In April 2020

Episodes: 18b, 19a, 19b
BRAND NEW! T.O.T.S, continuing weekdays from 23rd March - 2nd April
Sample Synopsis: Pip and Freddy brave the desert heat to deliver a camel.

Episodes: 67a, 67b, 68a, 68b, 70a, 70b, 72a, 72b, 74a, 74b
BRAND NEW! PJ Masks, weekdays 6th - 17th
Sample Synopsis: Armadylan steals the PJ Masks' vehicles. Kevin turns full wolfy on a trip to the moon.

Episodes: 28a, 28b, 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 31a, 31b, 34a
BRAND NEW! Fancy Nancy Clancy, weekdays 20th onwards
Sample Synopsis: Nancy accidentally becomes Freddy’s new best friend when JoJo ditches him for her imaginary friend. Nancy decides to live on her own in the playhouse.

Episodes: 27a, 27b, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b, 30a, 30b
BRAND NEW! Muppet Babies, weekdays 13th - 24th
Sample Synopsis: Fozzie must learn some 'Camilla-rate' in order to join the martial arts team, The Kickin' Chickens. Piggy practices her performance for Miss Nanny too hard and loses her voice!

Episodes: 40, 44, 48, 41, 45, 46, 49, 50, 51
BRAND NEW! Elena of Avalor, weekday 6th - 16th
Sample Synopsis: When a female rock creature is unhappy, Elena enlists the help of Charoca to find out why before she causes a monfuego to erupt.

Repeats Throughout Most Of April 2020 On Disney XD Africa With One Premiere Airing Close To May

Amphibia S1
Continuing new repeat episodes weekdays at 17:00 until 10 April

Phineas and Ferb
Weekday marathons all month long from 6 April

Big Hero 6 S2
Premieres weekdays at 17:00 from 27 April

Just Roll With It Coming In April 2020 To Disney Channel Africa

Breaking through the pack, the ambitious new series "Just Roll With It" blends improvisational comedy with a family sitcom to seize an audacious opportunity that allows the studio audience to vote on the direction of key scenes, throughout the filming, while the actors are backstage. When the actors return to the stage, they have no idea what's coming at them. A feat of planning and physical production each episode, the comedy series was created and is executive produced by Adam Small and Trevor Moore (Disney's "Walk the Prank"). "Just Roll With It" premieres on Disney Channel (DStv Channel 303) on MONDAY, 6 APRIL at 17:25.

Two adult actors who intuitively know what's funny to kids—Tobie Windham (Disney's "Walk the Prank") and Suzi Barrett (Upright Citizens Brigade comedy group, Disney's
"Kirby Buckets")—play fun-loving newlyweds Byron and Rachel. Byron is an on-air radio personality on BEATZ 101 and Rachel is a decorated military veteran who now produces his daily show in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. Talented young actors Ramon Reed (Disney's "The Lion King" on Broadway) and Kaylin Hayman ("One Day at a Time") play preteen stepsiblings Owen Blatt and Blair Bennett, polar opposites who must now somehow learn to be harmonious siblings.

At unpredictable intervals unknown to the cast or audience, the scripted action is suddenly interrupted by the sound of a foghorn. The actors are sequestered backstage while the studio audience uses electronic voting devices at their seats to select which of the three comedic scenarios they would like to see take place next. After votes are cast, the crew quickly resets and the actors return to the stage to continue the unscripted scene, improvising throughout it.

Kory Lunsford, vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channel, said, "Our talented executive producers, Trevor and Adam, have once again delivered a not-to-be-missed comedy. With this series, they have elevated the convention of a traditional sitcom by adding the keep-you-on-your-toes element of improvisation. The cast and crew literally have to 'just roll with it' and it all makes for a uniquely entertaining experience for the live studio audience and viewers at home."

Vierspel Vuurspel Coming In April To eExtra

Vierspel Vuurspel (Içerde) a 2016 Turkish drama series dubbed in Afrikaans tells a story of two brothers torn from each other. Now on the opposite sides of the law, two brothers are placed against each other, unaware of their brotherhood.

Çağatay Ulusoy and Umut Yılmaz take on the lead roles as Sarp and Umut Yılmaz if you've watched Close Enemies (Intimo Enemigo) on Telemundo then yes you got the idea of what the show is about except the show has a conclusion.

The series has 139 episodes each of them are 120 minutes long. After the successful launch of the series South Africa joins Georgia, Korea, Greece, Romania, Iran, Iraq, Albania, Pakistan, Chile, Colombia, Bulgaria, Malaysia and Ethiopia.

Don't miss this Action drama Monday 6 April at 8:55 pm On eExtra (OpenView 105/DStv 195/Starsat 489)

SABC Is Cutting Back On Sports Bulletins Across All Radio Stations

The SABC has announced that it will remove standalone sports bulletins from its radio stations in an effort to cut costs, according to a report by the City Press.

This has resulted in more than 30 sports bulletin readers at the company facing retrenchment, unless their stations are able to motivate for their retainment.

In an email sent to radio stations managers and sports readers last week, the SABC confirmed the changes to its radio business and said the function of sports bulletin readers would be taken up by news bulletin readers.

“As from April 1, SABC Sport will no longer provide sport bulletins on all radio stations,” SABC Sport Radio programme manager Gilbert Nyadzhiwa said in an email to staff.

“As a result, SABC Sport will not renew any contract with the bulletin readers, i.e., sport will not continue contracting bulletin readers at SABC Sport as this function will be collapsed together with the news bulletin readers.”

Nyadzhiwa added that stations which want to retain their sports bulletin readers would have to motivate for their decision, as SABC Radio would have to carry the cost.

A source told the City Press the public broadcaster was also considering shutting down Sport Info Hub, which would result in even more job cuts at the company.

In response to questions from the publication, the SABC said it is always looking for more effective ways to optimise its operations.

“It must be noted that any changes made on its programming will not affect the delivery and quality of sports bulletins,” the SABC said.

Fight with former COO

The SABC is also currently embroiled in a conflict with its former Chief Operations Officer Chris Maroleng.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the public broadcaster refuted allegations made by Maroleng against the company,

Maroleng had argued that his previous dismissal in April 2019 was unfair and had submitted papers in the Johannesburg Labour Court to challenge the decision.

He demanded that the broadcaster pay him R16 million or give him his job back.

The SABC called Maroleng’s statements false and misleading, and explained how a disciplinary process had found him guilty on various charges.

Maroleng was charged for breaching his fiduciary duties as a director and for acting in a manner which breached good faith, trust, honesty, loyalty and confidence.

He was also found guilty on two charges of gross negligence.

“Mr Maroleng’s baseless allegation that members of the SABC Board are to blame for his dismissal rather than his own actions, clearly demonstrates his unwillingness to assume responsibility for his own serious misconduct,” the broadcaster said.