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Showing posts from October, 2024

Reminder: MultiChoice Africa Will Be Axing SuperSport Variety 2-4 By Next Week, When Or If MultiChoice South Africa Will Follow?

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A few weeks ago, it was reported that MultiChoice Africa will be axing SuperSport Variety 2-4 on DStv after being introduced to consumers in September 2020 alongside SuperSport Select 1-3 on GOtv. The switch is expected to go live from October 9th with SuperSport Action being added to DStv Compact. SuperSport Africa formerly SuperSport Variety 4 will offer football, athletics, MMA, boxing and wrestling to GOtv Lite and DStv Access consumers on channel 227. While SuperSport Africa 2 formerly SuperSport Variety 3 will launch on channel 228 which offers mainly football to DStv Family and GOtv Max consumers. SuperSport Variety 2 will be merged into a new repositioned SuperSport Action channel which moves from channel 230 to 226 to DStv Compact consumers. This channel is currently residing on the Compact+ and Premium bouquet offering mixed martial arts and MMA will offer cricket, rugby and tennis. Questions flooding is how MultiChoice Africa was able to do this without any in

Could DStv Be Closing Down In Some Countries?

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A few months ago, it was revealed that both Canal+ and Bruh Entertainment PLC that launched a rival platform to StarTimes and DStv in Ethiopia back in 2021 will be closing down by 31 December 2024 . This is due to the dominance of free-to-air operators in the region with the French broadcaster putting more focus on existing agreements with BeMedia. This had led to further speculation that a similar fate could be awaiting DStv as Canal+ tries to completes it's acquisition of MultiChoice. Let's remember, Canal+ is also in pursuit of a rival pay-tv platform in Mauritius after increasing its hold in MC Vision to 75% which is awaiting regulatory approval as well. Whenever there's a clash it always lead to one of the two getting closed if not sold which is what could be awaiting MultiChoice in the region. Canal+ could look into merging both DStv and MC Vision and build a localized feed as seen in South Africa with their broadcasting license limited to 20% needing l

NFL Is In Talks To Acquire Some Of Skydance's Assets Ahead Of Merger With Paramount Global

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The National Football League is in talks with David Ellison’s Skydance Media and one of his major investors, RedBird Capital Partners, that could result in some of the league’s media assets changing hands, according to people familiar with the conversations. The talks could include a sale of NFL Media and its NFL Network cable channel, or an acquisition by Paramount Global of the league’s interest in Skydance Sports, a joint venture that produces movies and TV shows, according to the people, who asked to not be identified because the discussions are private. Paramount, which holds rights to broadcast NFL games, is in the process of merging with Skydance, an independent film and TV studio, in a deal expected to close next year. Paramount’s contract with the league includes a change of control provision that could allow the NFL to seek another media partner, the people said. The NFL’s deal with Paramount’s CBS network is worth about $2.1 billion a year through 2033. Although

eExtra To Debut New Series "Legend Of Fuyao"

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The story takes place in the universe of Five Kingdoms that is led by the Imperial City of Tianquan. Fuyao was formed from a lotus borne by the Ancient firmament. Adopted as an orphan, she served as a slave for the Xuanyuan sect from the Taiyuan Kingdom. A series of tragedies resulted in a journey across the land to gather the magical artifacts that could lift the curse that blighted her life.  Along the way, she met the Crown Prince of Tianquan who was masquerading as the heir of Taiyuan while conducting secret missions to quell unrest in the Five Kingdoms. The pair fell in love as they battled the complicated politics and power plays between the different forces. With the help of her loyal companions, Fuyao set out to unravel the heinous plot of the ancient firmament. Based on the novel Empress Fuyao, Legend of Fuyao aired on the Chinese network Zhejiang TV from June 18 to August 13, 2018 with 66 episodes having being filmed. It starred Yang Mi as Fuyao, Ethan Juan as Z

StarSat Issues Out Official Statement After It's Services Were Closed In South Africa With Transmission Disrupted For The Rest Of Africa

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Not long ago, we reported that SAPS and ICASA had raided StarSat offices in South Africa after operating illegally for over a year with failure to shutdown as warned. With over 500000 consumers inactive, this will only lead to disaster for On Digital Media and StarTimes as paying consumers will likely raid their offices demanding for their money. Since March, they were advised to settle their affairs and close by last month but didn't so and now consumers have raided their social platforms demanding answers on when the broadcaster will settle it's affairs with ICASA. Just to let you know, these things take time and we don't know what action awaits them. If StarSat were to apply now that they were forcefully closed one result is a temporary ban meaning they'd have to wait a stipulated period to reapply which again 500000 can't afford. Consumers will likely just flee from their services and by the time they do return there may not be much to salvage as thi

As Expected, StarSat Shuts Down In South Africa After Operating Illegally For Over A Year

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Last month, it was reported that StarSat which serves as DStv's only competitor in South Africa was suppose to shut down by mid September . Since then, they continued to maintain an active presence in the market by selling their decoders, employing staff and promoting their bulk of entertainment to the media. At the time, StarSat had stated they had no intention of closing their doors in South Africa as they look to take on ICASA in the hopes to stay on air. They left several consumers and staff members in the dark about their closure and also the fact they were distributing their services illegally not even channel providers Disney and BBC were aware of this. In recent developments, it was confirmed that both ICASA and SAPS had ordered the shut down of StarSat services in South Africa imagine the feds are now on their tail. The only thing StarSat consumers can see now is a message on screen alerting them of "connection failure or bad whether". Like I said a

October 2024 On Disney Channel And Disney Junior Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Primos | Returning Shows Including Firebirds | More

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Disney Channel  PRIMOS Season Premiere Monday – Friday from 21 -30 October at 16:30 CAT “Primos” is a coming-of-age animated comedy that follows Tater Ramirez Humphrey, an eccentric girl with big dreams, determined to find what makes her extraordinary. When her 12 chaotic cousins (“primos” in Spanish) move in for the summer, they help her discover her true self. Catch the brand-new series Primos from Monday, 21 October at 16:30 CAT on Disney Channel HAMSTER & GRETEL Season 2 Premiere Monday- Friday from 7 -16 October at 14:50 CAT The music-filled “Hamster & Gretel” introduces Kevin and younger sister Gretel, who are about to be bestowed super-powers by space aliens. But something goes awry, and it’s Gretel and her pet hamster (named Hamster) who suddenly have new abilities. Now, protective older brother Kevin must figure out how to work with both Gretel and her pet Hamster to protect their city from mysterious dangers. Highlights of the Season 2 episodes include

"The Bollore Effect": Could SABC News, eNCA And Newzroom Afrika Also Be Impacted By Canal+ Possible Takeover Of MultiChoice?

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MultiChoice is technically insolvent a position in which the liabilities weigh more than their assets meaning the company won't be able to cover most of their expenses and could go bankrupt. So they're reliant on Canal+ transaction in order to remain afloat as they take the matter to legislation. As some readers are aware, there was reports going around about the potential owners Canal+ and Vivendi that similar to MultiChoice would buy up shares in a company before staging a hostile takeover. But most of the attention was pointed toward the editorial staff and the effects this transaction had on them. eMedia Investments' Openview and StarSat already package the French news channel France24 alongside MultiChoice's DStv in the Eastern and Western parts of Africa. This channel has been subjected to "editorial interference" or as the media would brand this situation "corporate bullying". The owners in question would force a channel like Fra

BBC Brit Brings South African Talent And Wilderness Adventures To Screens This October

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BBC Brit (DStv Channel 120) is turning up the excitement this month with two must-watch additions to its lineup: Tempting Fortune and Strictly Come Dancing. These family-fun entertainment shows are set to captivate audiences across the country, and the best part? They come with a unique Mzansi twist, showcasing the best of South African talent and landscapes.   Tempting Fortune, which premieres on 02 October 2024 at 21:00, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure deep into the heart of the South African Wilderness. Twelve strangers must resist lavish temptations and endure a gruelling 18-day trek for a shot at winning an epic cash prize.   With Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness as the host of this social experience, viewers will get to see stunning local landscapes across the Eastern Cape – showing off South Africa’s breathtaking beauty.   Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC Brit for its glittering 20th anniversary, airing every Sunday at 19:00 on DStv Channel 120. Hosted by the

Get Ready For Matshai Sisters, Mzansi Magic’s Bold New Reality Show Coming In November

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Mzansi Magic is about to shake up your reality TV experience with Matshai Sisters, a trailblazing new show that dives deep into the lives of five unforgettable sisters.   “While Mzansi Magic has explored many family themes, Matshai Sisters is a game-changer with its focus on an all-female household,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels. “This show offers a unique perspective on how women navigate family dynamics without male figures and is sure to strike a chord with our viewers.”   This groundbreaking reality show takes you inside a whirlwind of family drama, fierce battles, and a chilling curse that threatens to tear them apart. These bold sisters are anything but shy! Their candidness and clashes promise to deliver a viewing experience that’s as riveting as it is relatable.   Meet the Matshai Family: Thoko (43): The fiery eldest who’s convinced their family is cursed and is on a mission to heal their fractured bonds. Phumzile (41): She feels li

Various Changes Made By MultiChoice And Canal+ Ahead Of The Merger

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Below is some of the developments that occurred during the takeover bid between MultiChoice and Canal+ Sanlam acquiring 60% stake in NMS Insurance Services  A registered South African composite micro-insurer and authorised financial services provider, licensed to underwrite non-life and life insurance products. It has been writing insurance for the past 20 years under the DStv brand of MultiChoice, focusing on device, installation, funeral, subscription waiver, and debt waiver insurance products. It had been outlined on several occasions that Canal+ is only focusing on core assets being DStv, GOtv, M-Net and SuperSport so it's no surprise that Sanlam would have acquired interest in NMS Insurance Services. With MultiChoice being financially constraint, they need funding in order to sustain their operations and the French doesn't want a hand in this. Canal+ closing off its branch in Ethiopia  After partnering up with Bruh Entertainment to launch a rivalled offering to