Summary: Government To Update Viewers On The Progress Of Digital Migration And Unveil A Further Set Of Channels

1.  Introduction

1.1. Many developments involving the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) and Analogue Switch-Off (ASO) have taken place since our last media briefing on the 24 November 2021 and my SONA debate address on the 15th of February 2022.

1.1.1. The Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies determined and gazetted the 31st of March 2022 as the end of dual illumination period and the Analogue Switch-Off (ASO) date.

1.1.2. The regulator, ICASA successfully concluded the auction of the high demand spectrum, raising the much-needed R14.4 billion for the national fiscus. This left the BDM process, particularly the analogue switch-off (ASO) with limited time to conclusion, for the National Treasury to access over R14 billion proceeds of the spectrum auction.
1.1.3. ICASA, announced a transitional period for the broadcasting service licensees and signal distributors to ensure a seamless transition process for the switch-off of the remaining analogue transmitters to end on 30 June 2022.

1.1.4. The Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of concluding the much-delayed broadcast digital migration but deferred the (ASO date to 30 June 2022 to allow the Minister to complete installations to households that has applied on 31st October 2021. It is important to indicate that, as usual, e-TV has since appealed this judgement.
1.1.5. The Minster of Trade, Industry and Competition has gazetted a request for comments on the DTIC’s intention to prohibit the importation of analogue television sets, to prohibit the dumping of analogue TV sets in South Africa whilst supporting the penetration of digital television viewing.

1.1.6. We have managed to conclude SABC analogue Switch-off in the five provinces of the Free-State, Northern Cape, North-West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. In the provinces where analogue has been switched-off, we have concluded a process of re-arranging spectrum (Restacking) in these 5 provinces thereby giving a way for the spectrum to be assigned for future technology usages.

 

 

2. Date for Final Switch- Off of Analogue Signal and the End of Dual Illumination Period

2.1. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies in line with paragraph 3.3.1 of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy published in Government Notice No. 958, Government Gazette No. 31408 of 08 September 2008, as amended, determine the 31st of March 2022 as the date for the final switch-off of the analogue signal and the end of dual illumination.

2.2. The Minister had considered the two (2) conditions for the end of dual illumination period as set out in the Digital Migration Regulations published in Government Notice No. 1070, Government Gazette No. 36000 of 14 December 2012, and satisfied herself that these conditions have been met as follows: that the electronic communications network service licensee, SENTECH, appointed to provide signal distribution services to the SABC has ensured that the digital broadcast signal for the SABC has reached hundred percent (100%) through the terrestrial and the satellite networks; and that the coverage requirements for Multiplexes 1 and 2 based on the terrestrial television broadcasting service licensees licence conditions have been met, for those licensees who have appointed an electronic communications network service licensee to provide signal distribution services.

3. Gauteng High Court judgement and Progress with the Set Top Boxes (STBs) Installations

3.1. We welcomed the Gauteng High Court judgement including the deferment of the ASO Date from 31st March 2022 to 30 June 2022. The deferment is to give government sufficient time to complete installations of Set Top Boxes (STB) for households who have timeously registered and thus are entitled to receive their STBs before the analogue switch off. The 30 June 2022 date coincides with date ICASA has announced as the end of transitional period for the broadcasting services and signal distributors.

 

3.2. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies committed to ensure that the 507 251 households that registered by the 31 October 2021 have their STBs installed by no later than 30 June 2022 and same for those the High Court directed be installed by no later than 30 September 2022.

3.3. As of 25 April 2022, of the 507 251 households, we had distributed 258 821 STBs to the beneficiary households and 109 000 STBs installed, with 6973 beneficiaries not having been found at their registered addresses and could not be reached through the provided mobile numbers.

3.4. We are pleased to report the completion of installations to all households that registered and qualified by 31 October 2021 for the Gauteng province. The installations of STBs for those who applied by 31 October 2021 in Northern Cape should be concluded in the next few days. Equally, we are on course to completing the remaining installations in the months of May and June 2022.

4. Impact of the KZN and Eastern Cape floods disaster on the STBs installations

4.1. We are currently undertaking assessments on the impact of the recent floods in KZN and EC on both the households with installed STBs and the structural integrity and existence of houses of registered households awaiting installation of STBs.

4.2. We have adopted a three (3)-pronged approach, particularly in eThekwini and Ugu districts due to high number of registrations and high impact of the floods:

 

Quarantine the numbers to still be installed but working with Department of Human Settlements to verify the number of households both installed and awaiting installations to determine the extent of the damage to the homes for continuing installation or replacing damaged installations. We will communicate as soon as possible the number of households whose installations will be delayed as we await the resettlement process. 
For the registered households whose homes require re-settlement or repair, we will work with Human Settlements to ensure installations when repairs or resettlement is completed.
Continue with installations to the households whose homes physical structures were not damaged by the rains.

5.  End-of-Life Stage for Analogue Technology and Digital Television as a way of watching TV in South Africa

5.1. We have previously indicated that we have received correspondence from the Analogue Transmitters technology manufacturers and repairers that their last inventory stock hold was in 2018

5.2. On the 24th of February 2022, the Minster of Trade, Industry and Competition on behalf of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa and following a request from the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, gazetted an Invitation for the Public to Comment on the Introduction of a Policy Directive on the Importation of Analogue Television Sets.

5.3. The intention of the Policy Directive is to prohibit importers, retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers from shipping to and importation of all analogue television sets classified under HS8528.7 after 31 March 2022.

5.4. Understanding that the retail market will have analogue TV sets, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has commenced consultations with TV sets manufacturers and distributors within the country with the purpose of gazetting a Policy Directive to require for all Digital TV sets in South Africa to carry a Go Digital stamp to assist consumers from purchasing analogue TV sets.

 

5.5. Given the prevalence of Smart TVs in the country, SENTECH will commence a process to create a channel to carry streaming content or OTT from the current DTT/ DTH platform. More details will be shared during the Department’s Budget Vote speech on the 18th of May 2022.
5.6. We will also provide further details on additional channels on the DTT/ DTH platform during the Budget Vote Speech with the purpose of bring new and additional content with new owners as part of grow and diversifying South Africa’s creative industry. 

6. Conclusion

6.1. We are currently implementing an accelerated distribution and installation of STB’s drive in the remaining 4 provinces (Gauteng, Western-Cape, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal) to ensure that we meet the deadline.

 

6.2. The government of South Africa remains committed to its objective of supporting indigent households to ensure universal access of digital services. We will commence with the end of September target immediately when we conclude a province, as it is a case in the Gauteng Province. We are also in a process of creating STB capacity for any subsequent registrations and placement in the retail market for future replacement and access to any requiring citizen.

6.3. We are continuing to increase our capacity to install more STB daily. SENTECH is out on a call for STB Installer applications to augment our installations capacity. Therefore, Sentech is constantly intensifying installer capacity nationally to ensure that all the registered and qualifying households are migrated within the set timelines.

Sesame Workshop And Discovery Education Launch Early Learning Channel

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, and Discovery Education, a worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12 digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place, announced the creation of a new Sesame Workshop-branded early learner channel designed to meet the needs of children from PreK to grade 2. Consistent with Discovery Education’s solutions for schools, the channel will include high-quality video content today’s students know and love, as well as lesson plans and educator resources; interactive games and activities for kids; and family partnership supports—all focused on a whole-child approach.

 

The Sesame Workshop channel, with innovative teaching and learning solutions, will be available in the fall on Discovery Education’s learning platform. Beginning with curricular resources designed to address new and continuing needs associated with interrupted schooling and prioritized by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSR) funding, the content comprises social and emotional development and wellness; foundational academic skills in math and literacy; and a social studies-aligned curriculum focused on positive and healthy identity and sense of belonging. At the center of these resources will be research-based content from across the wide range of Sesame Workshop media, including Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and more.

“Sesame Workshop is committed to ensuring school readiness and helping children develop the emotional, social, and cognitive skills needed to become lifelong learners,” said Akimi Gibson, Vice President & Educational Publisher, Sesame Workshop. “As part of this ongoing commitment, we are thrilled to partner with Discovery Education to distribute proven, cohesive yet flexible PreK-2 curricular resources directly into the hands of schools and the educators of our youngest learners. Discovery Education’s 20+ years of expertise in the learning space and their leadership in delivering high-quality supplemental curriculum at tremendous scale make them an ideal collaborator in our efforts to help all children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.”

 

 

“Sesame Workshop’s success can be attributed to its collaborative, research-intensive approach to the development of highly engaging, child-centered media and programs,” said Pete Weir, Chief Product Officer, Discovery Education. “Their offerings reflect both a deep understanding of children’s developmental needs and the best ways to address those needs. We are excited to partner with Sesame Workshop to bring the first dedicated PreK-2 channel to our award-winning K-12 platform, and are eager to collaborate with educators nationwide on their efforts to align their early childhood initiatives, state standards, and kindergarten readiness goals.”

Additional content areas, such as STEAM, healthy habits, and coding are being prioritized through educator feedback and will be added in the future.

New Series Alert: Archibald's Next Big Thing Coming Soon To eToonz

Following the launch of eXposed, it seems as if eMedia Investments is trying to restore eToonz to its former glory by expanding the live-action and also reducing repeat padded tendencies as the channel rolls out Archibald's Next Big Thing from DreamWorks.

Tony Hale produced and voiced the lead character Archibald Strutter, a positive chicken who often goes astray from home, but eventually always finds his way back home. Other characters tagging along the ride are his siblings Sage, Loy and Finly, and best friend Bea.

 

 

The series debuted on Netflix with a total of 26 episodes between 2 seasons which eToonz will likely air altogether as 1 season while the other instalments titled Archibald's Next Big Thing Is Here from Peacock will air at a later stage.

 

Unlike most premieres, Archibald's Next Big Thing Is Here is the first new series in eToonz history to air on weekdays replacing Trolls: The Beat Goes On from May 2nd at 15:00.

Until Further Notice
Earlier it was reported that the channel would go off-air by the end of May alongside eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra but according to recent documents the channels will stay onboard for another month.

DStv Updates: New Channels Ranging From Pop-Ups To Permanent, Terminations And Other Rumours

MultiChoice has lost several channels over the years with more closures expected in the near future. The pay-tv company has been exploring other means of entertainment by strengthening the bond with third parties and increasing local investment.

They've also experienced a decline in consumers particularly on top tier packages. Point being made even if there's a growth in the lower masses the costs won't be able to cover the premium entertainment on M-Net and SuperSport.

Evidently, I can see them lose consumers in that smaller area which kind of brings the new channels into the mix.

As some have noticed, there hasn't been much international on DStv as most of their suppliers like Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, NBCUniversal and Disney+ are saving them for their streaming service which they plan to introduce in the market.

 

 

MultiChoice is trying to build their programming slate with local content and sports. They're trying to be niche Disney+ is family and Discovery+ is factual so their only options are the reasons anyone would stay onboard at this point which brings us to the new channels.

Pop-Up Channels:

1. Woordfees
Unlike Afrocinema, the theatrical pop-up repeats the same content for the third time but to more DStv customers. The brand is expected to host some live event later in the year with the pop-up possibly fortunate to get the content in 2023.

2. Afrocinema
The channel gained massive success for its local movies when it was introduced last year in Africa Day so the brand is expected to make a return with a new movie titled Dark September.

Terminations:

1. Lifetime
As seen in other parts of Europe, Lifetime will cease transmission on DStv across Africa leaving A+E Networks to operate History for the time being. The channel closes by the end of May which coincides with the possible fate of the e.tv channels.

 

2. Discovery Family (rumour)
Its counterpart in France closed down earlier in the year as part of a decision made by the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery and although not much reasons were shared with the sudden closure the feed on DStv has been on autopilot.

3. Boomerang (rumour)
Cartoonito launched as a programming block on the channel with plans to get content under this new branding and Cartoon Network shifting their focus to families and girls there's not much purpose for Boomerang.

4. eMedia channels - eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz (pending)
eMedia Investments and MultiChoice are currently battling out the potential outcome for these channels which were scheduled to close in March only for it to be extended through June.

New Channels:

1. Upcoming movie channel
Interpreted as a replacement to eMovies, MultiChoice plans to add another movie channel later in the year not only to South Africans but the rest of Africa. The channel is speculated to be a mashup of the two eMovies kind of like how DreamWorks became eToonz+.

 

2. Untitled Via duplicate
The norm for most local channels or at least the ones on top tier brands. The channel will exist to rehash programs seen on the main channel and will likely be exclusive to Access customers as the content is currently available on the main channel.

3. Existing channels (partially rumoured)
MultiChoice was set to add KIX as a replacement to eMovies on Access as they prep another movie channel with PBS Kids added to Easyview as a suitor for eToonz all of which are pending due to the e.tv channels. On another rumoured note, Access customers are said to get the African lifestyle channel, HONEY.

 

 

4. tvN (rumour)
The #1 Korean entertainment channel offering drama series and reality shows ran as a pop-up on DStv. After its closure, its social platforms remain active as they seek a platform to continue their operations.

5. SABC Education
Launched in 2020, the channel was created amidst a pandemic and negotiations were underway for the past two years to package it on DStv. The reason for the long wait may have to do with the other 2 channels.

6. Two untitled SABC channels
The channels were said to replace the 4 e.tv channels currently seen on DStv. Not much details were mentioned about the two but SABC did register 3 channels 2 of which might be the same ones eMedia Investments and the SABC failed to launch on Openview in 2021.

More M-Net Repeats Launch On Universal Africa Starting With The First Season Of S.W.A.T And Second Season Of Chicago Med - May 2022 Highlights

PRIVATE EYES
Season 3 - Channel Premiere
Double bills on Fridays at 8pm from May 6th
Season three of Private Eyes arrives on Universal TV in May, with Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson returning as ex-hockey star Matt Shade and his PI partner Angie Everett. The season opener sees Angie behind bars, where she meets an intimidating inmate, but it’s not long before she and Shade are being hired by a professional basketball player to find out who’s leaking compromising pictures to the press, while Angie's mother's new boyfriend has his clinic's customer database hacked.

S.W.A.T.
Season 1 - Channel Premiere Thursdays at 8pm from May 26th
Shemar Moore stars as Sgt Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson in this explosive reboot of the hit ’70s series, which sees former Marine Hondo tapped to take charge of a new Special Weapons and Tactics unit. A Los Angeles native, Hondo is torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to fellow officers, but aims to build trust between the LAPD and the local community. Soon, the S.W.A.T. team is called on to track down four convicts before a rival team does, but Hondo finds his leadership being questioned.

 

 

TRANSPLANT
Season 2 - Territory Premiere Mondays at 8pm
Hamza Haq stars as Dr Bashir ‘Bash’ Hamed as season two of the Canadian medical drama continues with Theo trying to work out what's ailing a patient, while a friend of Bash is detained at the Canadian border. Bishop learns some troubling news, and Mags helps out another member of staff at the hospital. The medics disagree on how to treat a seriously ill young woman, and Bishop confides in Bash about a professional dilemma. Plus, with his future on the line, Bash must try to suppress his instincts in an attempt to avoid any chance of risk.

LEVERAGE: REDEMPTION
Season 1 - Territory Premiere Tuesdays at 8pm
Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Noah Wyle return as Leverage: Redemption continues. This month, a legendary grifter (guest star Joanna Cassidy) needs help navigating her failing memory to try and find her greatest score before her abusive guardian can get his hands on it. Then, when an old friend visits, Harry finds an unlikely client on the links at his exclusive golf club, before Eliot and Parker aim to stop a group of corrupt cops who have taken over a hotel during a massive hurricane.

 

 

LAW & ORDER: SVU
Season 23 - Territory Premiere Wednesdays at 8pm
Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, Kelli Giddish and the SVU team are back to crack more cases on the mean streets of New York. Crime doesn’t stop for the holidays, with Christmas Eve seeing the squad being called on to help investigate a wave of hate crimes. A young boy vanishes after agreeing to meet an online gamer, while Benson starts to suspect her son is being bullied. Rollins and Velasco investigate when a popular boxer doesn't show up for the biggest fight of the year, and a young woman trying to trace her birth parents asks for help.

CHICAGO MED
Season 2 - Channel Premiere Wednesdays at 8:50pm. Season finale May 25th
Season two of Chicago Med comes to an emotional conclusion in May. The month kicks off with things getting personal for Dr Halstead when his father is admitted to hospital, while Dr Manning feels the impact of being a working mum. Rhodes fights to save a mother who's determined to help her daughter beat cancer and Dr Charles asks Sarah to conduct his daughter's psych evaluation. In the season finale, Robin is admitted to hospital with more complications, while Rhodes faces competition from a hotshot new doctor.

Jackie Chan Will Be Making A Cameo In Action Weekends Alongside Two Former WWE Wrestlers On Studio Universal Africa

ACTION WEEKENDS - “THIS MAY HURT”
Fri-Sun @ 8pm x4 weekends (starting 6th May)
Saturday night’s alright for fighting - as are Friday and Sunday - in May’s knuckle-cracking, bone-crunching, nose-flattening action weekends!

DAMAGE
6th May at 20:00
Wrestling icon ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin stars in this brutal drama set in the tough world of bare-knuckle boxing. Austin plays ex-con John Brickner who, after being released on parole after serving seven years for manslaughter, plans to turn his back on violence. But when the daughter of the man he killed in self-defence needs money for a heart transplant, John is persuaded to enter the hard-hitting world of underground fights. Walton Goggins co-stars as a shady promoter with some secrets of his own.

THE HUNTED
8th May at 20:00
Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio Del Toro head the cast of this tense drama from William Friedkin, the Oscar- winning director of The French Connection and The Exorcist. Deep in the woods of Oregon, FBI tracker L.T. Bonham (Jones) searches for ex-Delta Force Sgt Aaron Hallam (Del Toro), a former student of Bonham’s who’s gone rogue and started using his survival skills to hunt humans. Bonham and an FBI task force are sent in, but they have no idea just how brutal Hallam is willing to be.

DRUNKEN MASTER II
13th May at 20:00
Jackie Chan brings his show-stopping kung fu skills to this classic action comedy. The sequel to the landmark 1978 original sees Chan starring as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei-hung, who’s torn between respecting his pacifist father and stopping some priceless ancient artefacts from being stolen by a group of disrespectful foreign interlopers. Perhaps the unique style of fighting he’s been studying, ‘drunken boxing,’ will be able to help? Ho-Sung Pak, Lung Ti and Anita Mui also feature amidst some spectacular stunts.

 

THE HUNTER’S PRAYER
22nd May at 20:00
A lone assassin is hired to kill a young woman, but when push comes to shove he’s unable to pull the trigger, setting in motion a tense game of cat and mouse as killer and quarry form an uneasy alliance to stay alive and remain one step ahead of those who originally ordered the hit. As the unlikely duo get to know each other, they hatch a plan of their own: to avenge the murder of the girl’s family. Avatar’s Sam Worthington heads the cast of this explosive thriller.

CRIME AFTER DARK
Mon – Fri @ 9:45pm (starts 9th May)
Sometimes it’s difficult to know who to run to and who to run from... Who are the good guys and who are the bad…?

RIVER RUNS RED
9th May at 21:45
Hard-hitting vigilante thriller starring Taye Diggs, John Cusack and Luke Hemsworth. When the son of respected African-American judge Charles Coleman is murdered during a routine traffic stop and the police officers responsible subsequently walk free, Coleman finds crucial evidence on the dirty cops and teams up with a veteran detective to take the law into his own hands on a mission to deliver his own kind of justice - by any means necessary. George Lopez co-stars.

 

 

DEATH SENTENCE
10th May at 21:45
James Wan, co-creator of the wildly popular Saw and Insidious films, steps away from horror to direct this vigilante thriller. Kevin Bacon is mild-mannered Nick Hume, who lives a seemingly perfect life with his wife Helen (Kelly Preston) and their kids. When Nick’s son is brutally killed in an unprovoked attack, his desire for revenge on the gang responsible soon spirals out of control, with neither side willing to back down. John Goodman and Aisha Tyler co-star.

NEVER DIE ALONE
12th May at 21:45
Rap star DMX, who tragically passed away last year, headlines this noir-tinged crime drama as drug kingpin ‘King David,’ who returns home to the East Coast seeking redemption for past mistakes and to make amends with a fellow drug lord, but instead finds himself in the middle of a violent turf war that is destined to have bloody consequences for all involved. David Arquette also stars as a wannabe journalist who finds himself caught up in the biggest story of his life.

12 ROUNDS 3: LOCKDOWN
13th May at 21:45
WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose (aka Jon Moxley, or Jonathan Good to his family) makes his film debut in the final instalment of the 12 Rounds trilogy, which also stars Roger Cross and Lochlyn Monroe. Returning to work after recovering from a gunshot wound, a police officer uncovers incriminating evidence involving his fellow officers. Hunted by cops who’ll stop at nothing to get away with their crimes, can he survive long enough to reveal the truth?

 

COMEDY AFTER DARK
Mon – Fri @ 9:45pm (starts 23rd May) Some films are better with the lights turned low…!

EPIC MOVIE
24th May at 21:45
The Chronicles of Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Harry Potter series are just some of the films targeted in this spoof of the epic adventure genre, which sees four orphans (Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Faune Chambers and Jayma Mays) embark on a remarkable journey, where they meet some familiar characters along the way! Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Willard, Crispin Glover and Carmen Electra are just some of the famous faces putting in an appearance.

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
25th May at 21:45
Raunchy romantic comedy, starring Emile Hirsch as high school senior Matthew, who’s struggling to afford the tuition fees to get into his ideal college. Life for Matthew suddenly gets a lot more interesting when Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) moves in next door, but their flirtations get a whole lot more awkward when Danielle’s past as a star of adult films comes to light! Timothy Olyphant co-stars as Danielle’s menacing film producer ex.

 

GUESS WHO
26th May at 21:45
In this contemporary version of the Sidney Poitier classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Theresa Jones (Zoe Saldana) is bringing her boyfriend Simon (Ashton Kutcher) home to meet her parents (Bernie Mac and Judith Scott). Theresa is planning to break the news that she and Simon are engaged. There’s just one small problem: she hasn’t thought to mention the fact that Simon is white! And it’s not long before Simon’s attempts to win over her dad start to backfire in spectacular - and hilarious – style.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
27th May at 21:45
Ashton Kutcher is embroiled in yet more romantic mishaps, this time in Las Vegas. He stars as Jack, a laid-back carpenter who embarks on a trip to Vegas after being sacked and meets just-dumped businesswoman Joy (Cameron Diaz). One drunken marriage and a $3 million jackpot later, Jack and Joy sober up and decide to get an equally quick divorce and split the cash. Unfortunately for them, the judge has other ideas and tells them they’ll have to live together for six months before he’ll grant the divorce.

New Series For M-Net, 1Magic And Showmax (Rumour #4): "Would I Lie To You", "61st Street", "The Garcias", "Come Dance With Me", "The Man Who Fell To Earth" And More

Would I Lie To You (American Remake)
In all rounds, the scoring system is the same: teams gain a point for correctly guessing whether a statement is true or not, but if they guess incorrectly the opposing team gets a point. Prior to the sixth series, it was impossible for viewers to follow the scores until they were read out at the end of each round, as some questions are edited out. However, from the sixth series the scores were re-recorded to reflect what had made the edit and not the whole recording.

61st Street
Moses Johnson, a promising, black high school athlete, is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Taken by the police as a supposed gang member, Johnson finds himself and his lawyer Franklin Roberts in the eye of the storm as police and prosecutors seek revenge for the death of an officer during a drug bust gone wrong.

 

 

The Garcias
'The Garcias' chronicles an American family based in San Antonio, Texas who are gathered for a summer vacation in their fancy beach house in Mexico. 'The Garcias' is a groundbreaking reboot of The Brothers Garcia, which was the first English-language sitcom to have an all-Latino cast and creative team.

Come Dance With Me
The show pairs young dancers with a family member that has supported their training, and the pair perform a dance together for a panel of judges before the determining who continues to the next round. The show was created by LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell.

The Man Who Fell To Earth
Based on the novel of the same name, the series follows an extraterrestrial who lands on Earth seeking a way to ferry his people to Earth from his home planet, which is suffering from a severe drought.

The First Lady
A revelatory reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House.

The Baby
When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes. Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha's life into a horror show. Where does it come from? What does it want? And what lengths will Natasha have to go to in order to get her life back? She doesn't want a baby. The baby wants her.

 

I Love That For You
Joanna Gold, an aspiring host for shopping channel SVN, who lies that her childhood cancer has returned in order to keep her job; the story is inspired by Bayer's personal experience with childhood leukemia.

Tokyo Vice
In 1999, American student Jake Adelstein has relocated to Tokyo and must pass a written exam in Japanese to have the chance to join the staff of a major Japanese newspaper. He succeeds in becoming their first foreign-born journalist and starts at the very bottom. Taken under the wing of a veteran detective in the vice squad, he starts to explore the dark and dangerous world of the Japanese yakuza.

Gaslit
The series is about the Watergate scandal and focuses on several untold stories, including Richard Nixon's subordinates, deranged zealots, and the whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole enterprise crashing down. The story will center on Martha Mitchell, a celebrity Arkansan socialite and wife to Nixon’s loyal Attorney General, John N. Mitchell. Despite her party affiliation, she is the first person to publicly sound the alarm on Nixon's involvement in Watergate, causing both the presidency and her personal life to unravel. As attorney general, Mitchell is forced to choose between Martha and the president.

 

 

We Own This City
The miniseries details the rise and fall of the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force and the corruption surrounding it.

The Offer
Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy 's never-before-revealed experiences of making The Godfather (1972).

The Thief, His Wife And Canoe
The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe explores John Darwin's big scam and how it was carry out. It also shows how his wife Anne became complicit in her husband’s bizarre deception to avoid bankruptcy, as she played the grieving widow and tried to convince the world, their friends, the police and insurance companies that John had gone missing while canoeing off the North East coast.

 

Whitney, A Look Back
Lost performances and rare moments with Whitney, featuring new details about the days leading up to and following Whitney's death.

Bill Maher: Adulting
From the stage of Miami's Fillmore Theater, Bill Maher returns for a scathing hour of his signature commentary on hot-button issues, bringing his no-holds-barred perspective to cancel culture, quarantine, Q-Anon and everything in-between.

FIFA Launches Free Video Streaming Service

World football governing association FIFA has launched an online video streaming service called FIFA+.

The service’s content includes live domestic league games from around the world, an archive of previously-broadcast international football matches, and original productions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said FIFA+ represented the “next step” in the association’s vision to make football “truly global and inclusive” and expand and develop the sport globally.

 

 

“This project represents a cultural shift in the way different types of football fans want to connect with and explore the global game and has been a fundamental part of my Vision 2020-2023.”

“It will accelerate the democratisation of football, and we are delighted to share it with fans.”

FIFA said it would be streaming 40,000 live men’s and women’s football games annually on FIFA+ by year-end. That will include matches from 100 member associations across all six confederations.

The archive section launched with more than 2,500 videos dating back to the 1950s, with more to be added throughout the year.

That will include every FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup match recorded on camera — more than 2,000 hours of footage.

In addition to videos, FIFA+ boasts a match centre with a news feed and data from 400 men’s and 65 women’s competitions.

FIFA said this section would also offer interactive games, including quizzes, fantasy leagues, and predictors.

 

 

FIFA+ Originals will include full-length documentaries, docuseries, talk shows, and shorts, localised in 11 languages.

The current list of original content includes:

- Ronaldinho: The Happiest Man in the World — 90-minute documentary about Ronaldinho’s journey to becoming one of the world’s greatest football players.
- Captains: Season 1 — Follows six captains leading their countries through World Cup qualification.
- Croatia: Defining a Nation —Full-length feature documentary tells story of how football helped unite Croatia.
- HD Cutz — 8-part docuseries with “barber to the stars” Sheldon Edwards.
 

- Dani Crazy Dream — 6-part documentary series on Dali Alves’ journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022.
- Golden Boot — 4-part docuseries with interviewers of the world’s greatest goalscorers.
- Icons — 5-part docuseries on the biggest game-changers in women’s football.
- Academies: Season 1 — Inside story of successful football talent production lines worldwide.

FIFA+ can be streamed via a web browser or mobile device through Android and iOS apps. The platform requires no subscription and is ad-supported.

Roundups #46: Cape Town TV To Launch Drama Series Broken Village, Dinge Van 'N Kind Coming Soon To kykNET, Akwaaba Magic Duplicate Launching On DStv And The Grammy Awards Are Coming To E! Africa - May 2022 Highlights

More YouTube for community stations

Community stations are currently battling to get more quality content onto their lineup as they work on a low budget and what better way then YouTube as not a lot of consumers use it to view a ton of local content not seen on SABC and DStv.

In May, Cape Town TV is scheduled to launch Broken Village a drama series produced by Emmanuel Tshabalala that focuses on social economic problems that occur in consumers daily lives.

The first episode is available on YouTube and with Cape Town TV's viewership the show could gain more traction with the little viewership numbers on YouTube.

 

Stellenbosch Visio unveils a new kykNET series

"Dinge Van 'N Kind", a brand new drama series, is set to start on Tuesday 10 May 2022 on kykNET. Not only is the series based on the Afrikaans novel, it also promises to have viewers spellbound.

The series is compromising of 10 episodes, revolves around the trials and tribulations of Mart Vermaak. The disillusionment of the coming-of-age years takes place against the political upheavals of the late 1970s, but an older Mart find himself in a different kind of predicament.

MultiChoice continues cloning channels

This format has become a snoozefest and as it is a lot of channels ranging from Discovery Family, Novela Magic, Moja 9.9. and kykNET Lekker are all joining the newcomer Akwaaba Magic Abusua and soon-to-be-launched Via 2 channel that eat and breathe repeats.

 

MultiChoice Ghana on Akwaaba Magic Abusua: We're happy to announce the launch of Akwaaba Magic Abusua a 24 hour Ghanaian entertainment channel which will be available to all DStv and GOtv customers in Ghana from May 2nd.

What's coming in May to E!?

Live From E!: THE 2022 GRAMMY AWARDS
Premieres Tuesday 3 May at 20:00
Join E! on the red carpet of the 2022 Met Gala, the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Prestigious and very exclusive, we bring you the best possible coverage of who’s wearing what at “fashion’s biggest night out,” as the Big Apple’s movers and shakers walk the glamorous red carpet.

 

Welcome Home Nikki Glaser?
Premieres Sunday 29 May at 21:00
Comedian Nikki Glaser has uprooted her Hollywood life and moved back home with her parents in St. Louis. What started as a few weeks quarantine, has now turned into a permanent move! In this half-hour reality-sitcom, we’ll follow as Nikki hilariously attempts to rebuild her entire world, grow her career, make ne
w friends and look for love, all from the comfort of her childhood bedroom.

Continuing programs include Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6 Sundays at 18:10, Botched Season 7B Sundays at 20:00, E! News: Daily Pop Tuesdays to Saturdays at 14:30, Nightly Pop Tuesdays to Fridays at 22:00 and the season finale of Clash of the Cover Bands Sundays at 21:00 on 15 May.

The Scent Of Passion May 2022 Teasers

Premieres daily at 9pm WAT / 10pm CAT

Sunday, 1 May, Martín and Paula arrive at the Casablanca farm, and Aurelio gives them a tour of the cofee plantations. Meanwhile, Lucrecia arrives in New York.

Monday, 2 May, Diana gives Gaviota a tablet and teaches her how to use it. Margarita looks for Wilson at the police station. Iván and Marcia meet at a hotel.

Tuesday, 3 May, Margarita tells Aurelio that she no longer wants anything to do with him. Meanwhile, Gaviota lets of steam by singing a spiteful song at the cafe.

Wednesday, 4 May, Lucía takes advantage of Sebastian. Meanwhile, Margot asks Iván for more money, and Gaviota starts taking English classes.

Thursday, 5 May, Danilo asks Diana to convince Gaviota to stay in New York for longer than a month. The café has been doing well since Gaviota started singing there.

 

Friday, 6 May, Gaviota explains to her peers on the cofee course how to take care of the crops. Meanwhile, Marcia visits Iván at the office.

Saturday, 7 May, Sebastián arrives at the café, where Gaviota is singing. He asks her for forgiveness and asks her to come back to him. Marcela argues with Lemarcus.

Sunday, 8 May, Sebastián puts up a sign in Times Square for Gaviota that says ‘I Love You,’ leaving Gaviota stunned. Lucía goes for her first ultrasound.

Monday, 9 May, Lucía checks Sebastián’s GPS and discovers Gaviota’s whereabouts. Aurelio and Margarita reconcile, while Gaviota tells Leonidas that she is pregnant.

Tuesday, 10 May, Lucía arrives at Diana’s cafe, introduces herself as Sebastián’s girlfriend and asks to speak to Gaviota. She delivers some devastating news.

Wednesday, 11 May, In an emotional farewell, Gaviota asks Diana and Danilo not to tell Sebastián where she is. Sebastián learns that Lucía has been hospitalised.

 

Thursday, 12 May, Marcela and Lemarcus get into a heated argument. Meanwhile Gaviota tells her mother about everything that happened in New York.

Friday, 13 May, Aurelio apologises to Gaviota. Meanwhile, immigration authorities arrive at Diana’s café and ask for the whereabouts of Teresa Suárez.

Saturday, 14 May, Carmenza and Gaviota agree to stay at Leonidas’s house and pay him rent. Meanwhile, Lucrecia talks to Marcia about her marital problems.

Sunday, 15 May, Leonidas asks Gaviota to accompany him on a visit to a cofee farm that Carlos Mario wants to buy. Julia suggests Bernardo see a psychologist.

Monday, 16 May, Sebastián tells Iván that he doesn’t trust Carlos Mario and doesn’t want to do business with him. Meanwhile, Bernardo visits the psychologist.

Tuesday, 17 May, Sebastián ofers Bernardo a job managing the special cofee’s branding. Wilson and Margarita meet at a bar, and he hands her a letter from her son.

 

Wednesday, 18 May, Lemarcus goes to Don Pedro’s bar, where he tells Vicky that he ended his relationship with Marcela. Leonidas sets up an ofce in his house.

Thursday, 19 May, Leonidas buys some wooden beams to make a cradle for Gaviota’s baby. Meanwhile, Sebastián and Iván visit Carlos Mario’s supposed farm.

Friday, 20 May, Due to complications, Lucía has to undergo an emergency caesarean section. Meanwhile, Marachucha helps Gaviota through her labour.

Saturday, 21 May, Margarita explains to Aurelio that she couldn’t contact him because her phone was stolen. Carlos Mario buys another coffee farm.

Sunday, 22 May, Marcia misses Lemarcus, and goes to the bar to talk to him. Meanwhile, Lucía convinces Sebastián to stay at Julia’s house a little longer.

Monday, 23 May, Sebastián warns Lucía that if she does not sign the prenuptial agreement he will not marry her. Meanwhile, Margarita and Marachucha argue.

 

Tuesday, 24 May, Iván asks Lucrecia to help him keep an eye on Lucía. Carlos worries about the money he owes the bank. Marcela and Lemarcus resume their relationship.

Wednesday, 25 May, Lucía begs the doctor to release her daughter, Sofía, promising to take great care of her. Meanwhile, Lucrecia asks Iván to take a fertility test.

Thursday, 26 May, Carlos Mario orders Wilson to watch over Marcia 24 hours a day. Meanwhile, Lucrecia confronts her husband, but he evades her questions.

Friday, 27 May, Gaviota tells her mother that she still isn’t ready to have a romantic relationship with Leonidas. Eduardo steals money from Julia.

Saturday, 28 May, Sebastián confronts Iván about the irregularities in the company’s accounts, and Iván lies to him. Lucía asks Paula how she met Martín.

Sunday, 29 May, Sebastián tells Julia that Iván is using the company’s accounts for personal benefit. Eduardo suggests that Lucía should ask for a job at Café Elite.

Monday, 30 May, Carlos Mario apologises to Marcia for hitting her. Meanwhile, Leonidas and Gaviota arrive at the Casablanca farm to shoot their documentary.

Tuesday, 31 May, Eduardo continues to steal from Julia. Meanwhile, Sebastián argues with his mother again and considers leaving Café Elite.

Nurses May 2022 Teasers

Premieres daily at 8pm WAT / 9pm CAT

Sunday, 1 May, Felipe discharges Gloria’s mother, Hilda. Richi confesses his feelings to Helena. María Clara is frustrated by the lack of evidence against Castro.

Monday, 2 May, Richi is admitted to the health centre with compartment syndrome and needs surgery. Carlos only agrees to operate if Richi agrees to his conditions.

Tuesday, 3 May, María Clara realises that the neonatology records have been tampered with. Meanwhile, Castro asks Gloria to injure María Clara in the football match.

Wednesday, 4 May, Óscar Peñate, the head of the hospital’s purchasing department, gets bad news from his tests. María Clara feels jealous of Helena.

 

Thursday, 5 May, A man with a gunshot wound is admitted to the health centre. Helena learns that he is a member of a gang called Los Truchas.

Friday, 6 May, After Castro’s escape, Obando gathers the hospital staf to inform them of the investigations that will be carried out by the prosecutor’s office.

Saturday, 7 May, The prosecutor’s ofce links Gloria to the investigation against Castro, and she is temporarily suspended from her position at the hospital.

Sunday, 8 May, While Álvaro is taking care of Hilda and Violeta, he learns that Violeta is pregnant. María Clara leaves a message for Carlos, but Helena deletes it.

Monday, 9 May, Fabio must bring forward the date of Fernanda’s caesarean section in order to save the baby’s life. Carlos and Helena return from Bogota.

Tuesday, 10 May, Joel is diagnosed with diphtheria and is put in isolation. María Clara introduces Helena to the hospital staf, despite her feelings of jealousy.

Wednesday, 11 May, Luis arrives at the hospital to be treated for what appears to be gastritis, but his care is delayed when victims of a trafc accident are admitted.

 

Thursday, 12 May, Carlos tries to treat Luis, but his abdominal pain worsens. Agustín examines him and determines that he is having an abdominal aneurysm.

Friday, 13 May, Agustín appoints Inés as the new nursing coordinator in internal medicine. Meanwhile, Hector asks Sol once again for forgiveness.

Saturday, 14 May, Diana’s father turns up at the hospital with a complaint, and threatens to sue. María Clara finally confesses that she still has feelings for Carlos.

Sunday, 15 May, Helena orders a chest X-ray for nine- year-old Eva, which reveals that her lymphoma has returned. María asks Castillo to help her find a new job.

Monday, 16 May, Camilo is readmitted to hospital to continue with his chemotherapy. Meanwhile, after an MRI, Eva is diagnosed with a metastasis in her lungs.

 

Tuesday, 17 May, Helena suspects that Diego has an addiction to pain medication and suggests that he visit a psychologist. María Clara gets called for a job interview.

Wednesday, 18 May, Camilo and Eva share their first kiss. Helena asks María Clara what her intentions are with Carlos. Hector is upset with Sol.

Thursday, 19 May, Diego apologises to Gloria, and gives her a couple of pills for her bad back. Helena is jealous when she sees María Clara working with Carlos.

Friday, 20 May, Johanna’s delivery, attended by Carlos and María Clara, becomes complicated when they realise that it is a multiple pregnancy.

Saturday, 21 May, Gloria’s addiction to Oxycodone becomes increasingly serious. Meanwhile, Hector and Sol receive the news that they are eligible for Lili’s adoption.

Sunday, 22 May, Bernard McKenzie performs surgery on Valeria, but complications arise. Gloria manipulates Helena into prescribing her more medication.

Monday, 23 May, Camilo writes letters to Eva using the children’s own made-up language. Sol gets the wrong idea when she sees Hector massaging Gloria’s back.

Tuesday, 24 May, Just as the media is attacking Helena at a press confidence, she is called to the emergency room to attend to Guillermo. She manages to save his life.

 

Wednesday, 25 May, Pilar takes Diana to the hospital after Josué, Diana’s father, refused to take her. María Clara buys new clothes for her new job.

Thursday, 26 May, Carlos is upset when he learns that María Clara may not return to her job at the hospital. A social worker visits Sol and Hector at their home.

Friday, 27 May, Carlos apologises to Alfredo for misjudging him. Garnica calls María Clara to ofer her her job back, and also takes the opportunity to ask her out.

Saturday, 28 May, María Clara tells her children that she and Carlos are giving things another go. Alvaro’s coworkers organise a surprise birthday party for him.

Sunday, 29 May, Hector, upset, decides not to go to work after his argument with Sol, but Alvaro manages to convince him. Gloria is devastated by Diego’s death.

Monday, 30 May, Garnica formally ofers María Clara the position of Nursing Coordinator in Internal Medicine, and she tells him that she’ll think about it.

Tuesday, 31 May, Gloria ends up confessing to Ana, Diego’s widow, the truth about what happened on the day he died. Ana decides to drop the accusations against her.

MultiChoice Set To Add A Further 3 Channels From The SABC To Replace The 4 e.tv Channels On DStv

On Monday, the Competition Tribunal heard eMedia’s application for interim relief against MultiChoice’s decision to drop the eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz channels from its DStv packages.

The broadcaster planned to suspend these channels from its service at the end of March 2022 but delayed the removals by two months after E-tv decided to take the issue to the Competition Commission.

eMedia Holdings legal counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that MultiChoice’s decision amounted to a dominant player refusing to supply a scarce service, in contravention of the Competition Act Section 8. The company believes it will lose as much as 19% of its advertising revenue should the channels be suspended.

 

 

In his opening arguments on the matter, Ngcukaitobi stated that MultiChoice did not justify its decision during negotiations or in response to a letter of demand from eMedia.

MultiChoice had only stated the decision was based purely on commercial considerations.
It was only in its first answering affidavit to the case brought before the Competition Tribunal that MultiChoice elaborated. Initially, its rebuttal included that it had satellite capacity constraints.

MultiChoice said it had to cut eMedia’s four channels so it could accommodate three yet-to-be-launched SABC channels that it must carry under the changing legislation.

Ngcukaitobi also stressed that DStv doesn’t have to carry SABC’s additional channels immediately, but only sometime in the future following negotiations with the SABC.

 

 

A year ago, SABC officially unveiled their sports channel SABC Sport and a year prior SABC Education. On LyngSat, they registered three channels SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore. Could any of these 5 channels be making their way to DStv?

SABC Encore has been rumoured for over a year as the public broadcaster offers it on DTT to broadcast sports and other events that weren't seen in the version that was made available on DStv. On top of the fact that the public broadcaster hoped to revive the channel.

SABC Education was meant to be on DStv and rival platform StarSat but the SABC was stalling so both brands removed further info about the channel on their website and i-Plate respectively.

The public broadcaster plans to launch more channels in the near future alongside a streaming service where these channels alongside SABC 1-3 will be available to stream.

Aside from DStv, the public broadcaster still has to launch a further two channels on the Openview platform as promised in 2021.

 

E-tv needs DStv
eMedia contends under the prevailing market dynamics, its channels were dependent on DStv to remain competitive. Ngcukaitobi argued presence on the DStv platforms allows E-tv to maintain customer contact, generate advertising revenue, and ensure a high-quality broadcasting service.

The company has also argued that carrying the four E-tv channels was economically feasible for MultiChoice, as eMedia provided them for free, and two were in DStv’s top 10 most popular channels.

MultiChoice’s other reasons for denying a carriage renewal agreement included that the channels did not meet its strategic objectives for local content, black empowerment, value propositions, and its aim to decrease the frequency of repeats.

Ngcukaitobi said MultiChoice’s claims that the decision was based on E-tv not meeting DStv’s strategic objectives were “contrived”.

He argued two of the four channels were sharply focused on local content, while eMedia was a majority black-owned business. He also maintained MultiChoice had not provided evidence it would replace the channels with other offerings that met its criteria.

Ngcukaitobi surmised that MultiChoice’s action was done from a desire to inflict harm on a potential rival by undercutting its revenue.