Viacom 18's Voot Streaming Service Is Said To Be The New Home Of Glow TV

By the end of today, Glow TV currently owned by Nismedia is expected to not only exit StarSat and Openview but it will also be exiting linear television with its future lurking around the corner we recieved word that Voot will be the new home for the channel.

Voot is an Indian based streaming service owned by Viacom18 which is a joint venture between Paramount Global and Network18 Group. It launched back in 2016 and serves a multilingual platform for both original and third party entertainment.

Some of the content available on the platform include Chinese Bhasad, Soadies, Sinskaari, Badman, It's Not That Simple, Badman and Marzi.

As mentioned already, Glow TV will be folded under Voot and I can't say I was expecting this but the owners in question Viacom18 are also in charge of several linear channels including one which Glow TV supplies most of its soaps, Colors TV.

In a way, this is sort of a good thing for the brand, Glow TV has produced a number of original content and this offering will probably help VOOT connect more with the African market.

The sad part about the whole thing is that Voot doesn't work as a freemium service as seen with Showmax, SABC+ and eVOD or at least from what several consumers had mentioned as they're being asked to cough up R49 per week or R7 everyday.

Despite the outcome to all this, Voot actually makes as a more suitable platform for the channel considering its available in other parts of the world perhaps we'll see some of the channel's content reach more audiences even further than Openview.

It's good to see that my suggestion about finding the right platform although this one too is overcrowded actually panned out as Glow TV is a local channel on top of everything else.

 

SHOCKER!!! (NOT REALLY), Glow TV Will Also Be Going Dark On StarSat By The End Of February

In the past week, StarSat had to bid farewell to Russia Today at the last minute similar to MultiChoice's DStv in 2022 as European Union (EU) in charge of distributing the channel within the African market opted to cut transmission for the channel.

After the removal of Russia Today, it was shortly announced by the pay-tv platform that their contract with Nismedia for the Glow TV channel would be coming to an end in the same period as eMedia Investments current contract with the brand - 28 February.

Meaning just like OnseTV, there's no way of viewing further content on your current platform but Nismedia had mentioned wanting to find other means for the channel and might address it by tomorrow or at later stage who knows.

But the news of Glow TV's demise on the platform doesn't surprise me the least bit. Last year, StarSat launched a dubbing studio where various international content is being dubbed in local languages similar to eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET.

MultiChoice had opted not to keep eExtra on their platforms but instead to supplement a similar selection on kykNET & Kie and the idea of StarSat going down a similar route with the channel alongside Glow TV didn't seem like a far fetched idea at this point.

Glow TV was repetitive and a bit outdated but it wasn't telenovela centric but an entertainment channel featuring reality, news and other programming. Unfortunately the likes of Zee TV and Star Life on top of the current situation with the offering edged them out.

Honestly, StarSat presents itself with alternatives for Glow TV such as Star Life, Zee Bollymovies, Colors TV, Zee Cinema and Vijay TV. Kind of lost as to why they're looking for a replacement with this existing offering the only other channel I can think of is Zee One.

As for Glow TV, I do think it has potential to do even greater things but neither DStv, Openview or StarSat are the right platforms for the job perhaps SABC's DTT could do the job hopefully they don't undergo a similar route another would be PremiumFree.

The last option although not savvy like Openview would be switching to OTT. As of this moment, the channel is in hot water a lot of cutbacks to staff and programming will likely be applied in order for them to remain afloat or face possible extinction in the market.

Update: Glow TV will be available on VOOT which looks like an entertainment website but it will cost you R7 per day or R49 per week from what I read.

What To Expect On TNT Africa In March 2023?

NEVER GIVE UP
To celebrate South Africa’s world-leading establishment of Human Rights Day on 21 March, TNT presents a curated marathon of films championing freedom and justice. Even if Leonardo Di Caprio’s South African accent in Blood Diamond is a topic of debate, it’s a worthy hit to lead a lineup including Battle in Seattle, Captain Phillips, and Tears of the Sun.

TUNE IN DETAILS (channel premieres)
Tuesday, 21 March
12:30   –   Hurricane Season (2009)
14:10   –   Captain Phillips (2013)
16:25   –   Blood Diamond (2006)
18:50   –   Battle in Seattle (2007)
20:30   –   Tears of the Sun (2003)
22:30   –   The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

TNT HIT
One of Marvel’s most epic characters, Venom, is coming to TNT on Sunday, 4 March at 20:00. Starring Academy Award® Nominated actor Tom Hardy as reporter Eddie Brock, who gains superpowers after becoming the host of an alien symbiote named Venom.  Despite being designed to invade Earth – he embraces the role of lethal protector.

TUNE IN DETAILS (channel premiere)
Sunday, 4 March
20:00   –   Venom (2018)

AND THE WINNER IS...
Everyone in Hollywood goes crazy for the gold-plated statuette officially known as the ‘Academy Award of Merit’, but you might know him better as ‘Oscar’. TNT celebrates the 95th Academy Awards with a list of films that have won at least one of the iconic awards. All hits, no misses, every prime time from Monday, 6 March – with an Oscar-tastic binge of all films on Sunday, 12 March.

TUNE IN DETAILS (channel premiere)
Monday, 6 March
20:30   –   The Hurt Locker (2008)
Tuesday, 7 March
20:30   –   Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Wednesday, 8 March
20:30   –   The Fugitive (1993)
Thursday, 9 March
20:30   –   Django Unchained (2012)
Friday, 10 March
20:30   –   Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Saturday, 11 March
20:30   –   Suicide Squad (2016)
Sunday, 12 March
11:35   –   The Fugitive (1993)
13:45   –   Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
15:45   –   Suicide Squad (2016)
17:50   –   Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
20:05   –   The Hurt Locker (2008)
22:15   –   Django Unchained (2012)

MAD MAX WEEKEND
One of the original post-apocalyptic action film series, the Mad Max franchise takes audiences on a rollercoaster through dystopian Australia. From launching Mel Gibson’s career to having Charlize Theron shave her head – the Mad Max effect is no joke. Spend the weekend in this fictional wasteland with the first four instalments on TNT.

TUNE IN DETAILS
Friday, 17 March
20:30   –   Mad Max (1979)
Saturday, 18 March
20:00   –   Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Sunday, 19 March
20:00   –   Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
21:50   –   Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

SABC 1-3, e.tv And DStv TV Ratings For January 2023

SABC 1:
- Aka's final project The Braai Show debuts in the Top 5
- The channel continues to dominate the youth viewership with Matric Results alongside the ongoing Uzalo and Skeem Saam.
- Skeem Saam rebroadcasts has more viewers than Uzalo with the most popular show on the channel occupying more slots.

SABC 2:
- Afrikaans news bulletins has more viewers than Sespedi, Xhosa and Setswana news.
- Muvhango occupies the most slots this month.
- On top of Muvhango, repeats dominate their top 20 portfolio featuring Skeem Saam and The Estate.

SABC 3:
- On Point is currently the most watched program on the channel.
- Marvel's Spider-Man occupies the most slots on the channel.
- Despite being repeats, The Estate occupies the top spot as the most watched soap on the channel ahead of 7de Laan and Generations.

e.tv:
- Mr Bones and Just For Laughs Fillers has more viewers than The Black Door and Durban Gen.
- Imbewu is the most watched repeat on the channel.
- Inhlawulo: Damages despite being a limited run series on the channel debuts in the Top 20.

DStv:
- Epk of Spy Kids 2 The Island Of Lost Dreams is currently most watched documentary and international offering this month.
- Moja Love occupies the most spots within the Top 5.
- The Wife and The River has more viewers on Mzansi Wethu.

Other developments:
- Big Brother Titans is nowhere to be seen.
- Gomora's viewership is down by 130000 viewers.

TNT Vs. DStv Movies: Another Example Of MultiChoice's Failed Attempts At Cutting Back On Repeats

TNT is general entertainment channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that offers mainly films and also the home to wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling. It is also ranked as the most popular movie channel in South Africa reaching 10 million households.

It also makes itself an easier target for MultiChoice if they want to scale back on the volume of redundancy seen across their movie brands. Even after the attempted removal of eMovies and eMovies Extra, not much has changed in the content recieved.

If there's one thing I can agree on, TNT has got a lot of potential and for several years has proven to be a worthy opponent to the likes of M-Net Movies and Studio Universal. But so much has changed in the world that you got to wonder if MultiChoice sees value for money.

To be honest, TNT kind of resembles eMovies in a way as they were very much popular and also snatched films that the lower tiered M-Net Movies channels took longer in sourcing with some never making it to the channels giving MultiChoice more reasons to pull the plug.

To some it would probably be seen as MultiChoice's way of reducing the competition but if you're one with AddMovies you could see where they'd be getting at in eliminating the channel as there's a lot of content aside from AEW that viewers had already explored.

If you tune into well scripted but low budget Movie Room, M-Net Movies 4-in-1 channel Studio Universal and the Kung Fu oriented KIX all that put together kind of makes TNT I swear most if not all the films are already available on other channels just not All Elite Wrestling.

Considering that this is the only liable source for movies on Easyview not that joke called CineMagic. It makes sense for MultiChoice to source a replacement for these consumers if not improve the offering on the other liable source, CineMagic.

Qwest TV Vs. DStv Music: Another Example Of Trash TV

Qwest TV is jazz infused channel owned by multi award winning artist Quincy Jones that launched on the DStv platform earlier in the year presenting live concerts, specials and documentaries on top of the already existing music offering from DStv.

For several years, MultiChoice has been feeding DStv consumers with the same content on Channel O, MTV Base and Trace Urban. Compared to the three, Trace Urban has more of an identity and variety as it isn't heavily reliant on Gqom or Amapiano.

MTV Base hit rock bottom at launch it was more of a censored version to the current Trace Urban now I find it hard to seperate from Channel O as they borrow each other's lineup and do what's common amongst DStv's portfolio - repeat.

Repeats are one aspect I'm not expecting to go away but this 320 section in particular needs some looking into I for one would target Channel O and MTV Base as there's not much variation going between the two.

As for the rest it's mostly garbage but I can see why they should get a stay of execution, Mzansi Music serves as the elderly counterpart to Channel O it's barely youth tiered and Trace Africa promotes hits from across the African continent.

As for the exemptions being Trace Urban, Trace Gospel, Qwest TV, One Gospel, Dumisa and DMX. I feel that is the only thing still kicking on the platform or worth exploring at this point. Not much duplication lurk around those areas as opposed to redundancy.

But honestly the whole music portfolio seems like an absolute mess perhaps the reason most channels are skewing towards local has to do promoting the market and finding ways to resonate with their viewers which doesn't seem like a bad thing.

If you're like me looking for something different there's always Apple Music, Spotify or JOOX. You don't have to let DStv control how you view content there's various reliable news outlets like Billboard, Pop Crave or Rap-Up providing updates on the things you love.

New Series Alert: Marry Me, Marry You Coming Soon To Novelas E Plus

Novela E Plus, a general entertainment channel home to English dubbed telenovelas from Mexico, Philippines and Turkey 24 hours a day had acquired rights to the 2021 romcom Marry Me, Marry You currently viewed on The Filipino Channel.

Marry Me, Marry You follows the story of a couple who navigates the traditional expectations attached to marriage that extends beyond one's partner including their family and friends.

It stars Paulo Avelino as Andrei P. Legaspi/Andrei M. Legaspi, Janine Gutierrez as Camille Miraflor-Legaspi, Cherry Pie Picache as Elvira "Elvie" T. Manansala-Zamora, Vina Morales as Marvi de Luna-Jacinto and Sunshine Dizon as Maria Pauleene "Paula" Justiniano.

Since the series debut in 2021, it managed to accumulate 95 episodes each consisting of 20-45 minutes between 2 seasons. 87% of Google users liked the TV show with reviewers on IDMB giving it a 7.5/10.

As mentioned through several banners, Marry You, Marry Me debuts on Novelas E Plus from March 18 at 18:40. Prior to that, sister channel Novelas E will be rolling out a new Turkish drama during that month titled Three Sisters.

MultiChoice To Add SuperSport Schools As Second Youth Oriented Channel In 2023 To DStv Customers

During the month, it was reported SuperSport was looking to bolster the amount of linear channels currently residing on the DStv platform with the launch of South Africa's and possibly the world's first ever youth oriented sports channel, SuperSport Schools.

SuperSport Schools came out of an online brand known as School Sports Live and after SuperSport acquired majority stake expanded the presence of the brand with the launch of a dedicated app on top of hosting several content across its stations.

As spotted by several consumers yesterday, MultiChoice is gearing up to rollout a dedicated channel for the highly anticipated SuperSport Schools (also known as SuperSport Variety SS Schools/SS Schools) from March 1st at 8AM.

As mentioned, SuperSport on top of stacking up original programming has licenced several shows for the upcoming channel including 50+ Years Of Sports, Spirit Of Yachting, The Outdoor Sports Show, The Greatest Of All Time and Arena Sports.

Just like SuperSport Action, they sort of treat it as an overflow channel with La Liga my guess has to do with the fact that there's not much original content hence the licensing and also the fact that SuperSport Schools is also looking to source content people would watch.

As for other details, MultiChoice is expected to share all that in the coming week my guess is that it will be available to all DStv customers not sure if that includes Easyview and unlike WWE will be grouped with the other SuperSport brands on channel 216.

SuperSport Schools is set to be the second or third new channel to rollout on the DStv platform following Qwest TV which launched in January and Cartoonito which will rollout later in the month in place of Boomerang. It is also set to be the first additional channel.

Update: Turns out, SuperSport Schools will be available on Access going up on channel 216. Press release may be attached soon.

Breaking News From Across The World In The Last 7 Days Dated 24 February

For several months, here at Insidus we've been conducting several tests to see sticks and what doesn't and after doing some analysis. We feel that it's best to recommend a couple of stories as to boost the original portfolio and also give readers time to catch-up on some of the stories on our site.

Meaning it could be a while before some sections are well catered for and others like Cartoon Network which would announce show cancellations and renewals will fold under here as we embrace our roots.

Hence the segment, Breaking News which from the looks of it kills off roundups after a year or so. We had fun grouping the content but we feel this works better some parts of roundups probably felt forced will finally get some air to breath.

In this section, we cover several aspects that interest the readers as well as some personal faves from music to possibly even books. Anyways we hope you like it, just to let anyone know there's no ranking so it's all out basically.

1. Teletoon, basically a monopoly in kids entertainment in Canada is shutting down
2. Head Over Heels premiered earlier in the week in NTV Kenya (more details on the show)
3. The Weeknd to release yet another remix with Ariana Grande, Die For You
4. Jansen Panettiere has passed away at the age of 28
5. The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and Big Shot has been cancelled on Disney+
6. 100 hours of free anime is available to watch on YouTube thanks to Viz Media
7. Overcoming The Past makes way to UTV (more details on the show)
8. TNT Sports to launch in the UK later in the year
9. BBC lands Red Seam drama debut; BritBox & ITV land Quay Street mystery; Global Screen & Stillman prep ‘Splendid Affinities’
10. Legal concerns over MultiChoice being bought up by French media giant
11. AEW to rollout new reality show, All Access
12. Nicki Minaj to return next month with new single Red Ruby Da Sleeze
13. The Goldbergs to end after 10 seasons on ABC

DStv Easyview Vs. Openview: The Best Alternative To Affordable Entertainment

DStv Easyview priced at a monthly rate of R29 is operated by MultiChoice and serves as the cheaper attire to the current Premium package while as Openview which is operated by eMedia Investments comes with a once off fee then it's free entertainment forever.

Since last year, MultiChoice has been strengthening the Easyview offering following the additions of Magic Showcase and CineMagic alongside BBC UKTV which failed to launch on the freemium competition prior to the addition of these channels.

Other entertainment residing on the platform range from reality, movies, news, religion, provincial, music (or audio) and kiddies.

Now available in 3 million households, Openview is proving to be a worthy competitor for DStv as more consumers are looking to fill their pockets. Some of the channels residing on the platform include the most popular brands eReality and SABC Sport.

Other entertainment residing on the platform range from reality, dramas, movies, kiddies shows, sports and music.

If you're looking to watch a variety of sports and telenovelas then Easyview is not your guy and the same goes to Openview if you're looking to view news from a local and global perspective on top of grooving to a variety of tunes on your music platforms.

Other aspects that are lacking on Openview would be community channels like Tshwane TV and Soweto TV alongside religious channels like TBN and Daystar depending on the type of audience same as kiddies offering.

As for Easyview, they got more channels than Openview but only a selected amount are worth the extra pocket money e.g. SABC News, Real Time and TNT as opposed to Openview where almost all the channels are watchable by viewers.

In conclusion, if you want sports and telenovelas then head over to Openview and if you want more alternatives to SABC 1-3 alongside news and religion head over to DStv Easyview. As for other aspects it's more or less depending on what you choose.

New Development Alert: Da Vinci Kids Shortens Its Name To Just Da Vinci, Planning Co-Viewing Future

In 2022, MultiChoice as part of an attempt in reviewing their offering was planning to remove the educational brand, Da Vinci Kids from both DStv and GOtv platforms across Africa but due to a growing demand for their content amongst parents the channel was reinstated.

Prior to that, the channel was formerly available on the South African based platform Openview currently owned by eMedia Investments as Da Vinci Learning before the switch to Da Vinci Kids offering shows such as History Hunters, When I Grow Up? and Operation Ouch.

During the week, Da Vinci Kids rebranded for the fourth time in a row within 11 years now known simply as Da Vinci. Interesting fact, this switch happened back in 2018 but their owners for some reason were on limbo when it came to an actual brand name.

The Da Vinci Kids brand name was the most used amongst all as Da Vinci was used for the night owl offering which consists mainly of documentaries and short films. Weird thing about this was how Da Vinci Learning was revived and thereafter buried again.

The likely reason for the switch had to do with an alignment strategy and also another way to reflect back on their offering. They wanted something that would look good on your tablet and the previous logo worked better on a newspaper.

As for the revised name Da Vinci, how is anyone sure this will be the last time cause all that makeup doesn't really convince me this is it. Despite the simplicity of the new logo and graphic designs.

Aside from brand name problems, Tinizine Limited has two kids brands, the first is Macademia a platform carrying educational and factual material for preschoolers with Da Vinci supplying selected content from Macademia and catering to older audiences.

Both brands also have an app and Macademia has more variety than the Da Vinci app supplying most if not all the content which leads to this question in fact. Could it be possible that Macamedia and Da Vinci will perhaps unify under one brand perhaps?

Macamedia has the programming as their app serves as a digital library with thousand hours of programming but lacks accessibility. As for Da Vinci, they got the audience in their back pocket I mean Macamedia's programming has grown popular after its arrival on Da Vinci.

Unifying both these brands could equal to another powerhouse in children and family entertainment joining other brands like JimJam and CBeebies which are all based in the UK/Europe.

Recap To Last Year: WWE Channel Wasn't Mentioned In SuperSport's Contract Renewal With WWE

Last year, WWE and MultiChoice announced a major broadcast partnership that will see Showmax – the leading streaming service available in the region – become the new home of WWE Network in Africa.

The partnership incorporates all WWE Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, as well as WWE Network’s vast library of original and archived programming available to stream on-demand.

Additionally, SuperSport, the sport broadcasting subsidiary of video entertainment platform MultiChoice, will continue to broadcast live weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT as well as all of WWE’s Premium Live Events in a multi-year extension.

Of course, WWE Channel wasn't mentioned in this multi-year extension. In a media enquiry, as to whether the channel could be slam dunked from DStv consumers across Africa. MultiChoice responded to say the channel would remain aboard the platform.

But questions amount to why this wasn't mentioned by neither SuperSport or WWE in press statements. Could it be that WWE Channel will be getting chopped possibly when this multi-year extension reaches its expiration date.

I mean the only thing premium or relevant within WWE is Raw, SmackDown, NXT and live PPVs. Everything else is basically a hit miss and mostly rebroadcast and a channel which is managed by SuperSport they're favourable in terms of rebroadcasts.

The idea of SuperSport phasing out the channel doesn't seem far fetched. My guess as to why they're probably keeping it on air could be popularity which journeys back to e.tv and another SuperSport could be looking at ways to supplement WWE.

Now I don't how they plan to supplement something like WWE but from what I've seen you got a selected number of SuperSport channels offering live or rebroadcasts to selected content or as mentioned in their agreement Jambo, Raw, SmackDown, NXT and live PPVs.

Additionally, there's SuperSport Action which is home to extreme sports like UFC and EFC mixed martial arts programming. Basically a fight sports channel kind of fitting the bar set to up by WWE perhaps eliminating the rugby and soccer would make it the ideal candidate.

Effectively Immediately: Russia Today Is No Longer Available On StarSat And StarTimes Across Africa

StarSat:
- FilmBox Action and Kartoon Channel launch
- The Smithsonian Channel closing down in the UK
- Delayed SABC channel launch on StarSat explained
- Russia Today to launch South African hub

RT, the Russian state-owned news channel formerly known as Russia Today, was removed from the DStv platform in 2022. But the decision was out of the pay-television broadcaster's hands as sanctions in Europe prohibited the distribution of the channel.

The channel returned to South Africa by May of last year on rival platform StarSat after the pay-tv operator got permission from ICASA to broadcast the channel with Russia Today at the time made viewable SES S.A.'s SES-5 satellite transponder which is similar to Intelsat.

Within that year, Russia Today was eyeing a potential African expansion after setting up headquarters on the continent in South Africa where the Kremlin-funded TV channel is carried and supported by China.

Paula Slier, the South African TV reporter who previously worked for SABC News and who was posted in Jerusalem, Israel, as RT's correspondent for that region, was overseeing the set-up of RT's African headquarters in South Africa and will be managing the bureau.

After almost a year of broadcast, StarSat issued out a statement to viewers that the European Union had terminated the feed of Russia Today on channel 260 but on the bright side the channel is still viewable on the StarTimes app for the time being.

Russia Today becomes the first channel to exit the platform in 2023 joining Boomerang and Glow TV as those also exiting their respective platforms DStv and StarSat before the end of the current financial year.

LATEST POSTS RANDOM POSTS

eExtra Hits A New Low With A Rebroadcast Of Dare To Love

Everyday Novelas:
- TLNovelas unveils a bold new look
- Die Put S3 to stream on eVOD this March
- Zee World to add an additional 3 shows to their lineup
- Second Chance and Hart Van Goud coming soon to Zee One and eExtra respectively

Since December 2022, eMedia Investments has restructured the telenovela slate on their platforms and in a way this new positioning kind of favours Kuiertyd not jumping to conclusions but there's still The Rebel Princess but others are rebroadcasts.

As you browse the channel's lineup for the coming month, they're expected to rollout their 4th repeat Dare To Love (Tashan-e-Ishq) joining existing ones likes Ice Adonis, Blue Venom Girl, Kurt En Shura and in some way Naagin.

It's about a love triangle between a fierce young woman Twinkle, a possessive guy named Yuvraj and of course a wealthy man named Kunj. Twinkle is madly in love with Yuvraj, unfortunately their mothers share a bitter history that gets in the way of their love. The two love birds device a plan to stay together. Conflicts between the two families wears heavy on them.

It stars Jasmin Bhasin as Twinkle, Sidhant Gupta as Kunj Manohar Sarna, Zain Imam as Yuvraj Luthra, Vaishnavi Mahant as Leela Taneja and Sonika Chopra as Pinni Taneja.

Twist Of Fate currently serves as a double bill to the channel and that's about to end when Dare To Love launches on March 6th in the same timeslot 14:50. As for these repeats, could eExtra be pulling the plug on these programs perhaps?

LATEST POSTS RANDOM POSTS