Skree Dit Uit, Brand New Youth Drama Launches On eExtra

eExtra, a general entertainment channel offering Afrikaans dubbed Turkish dramas has announced the addition of new series, Skree Dit Uit. Known in Turkey as Duy Beni, the series airs daily on eExtra at 17:30 from 22 June replacing Sout Van Die Aarde.

It starred Rabia Soytürk as Ekim, İbrahim Yıldız as Dağhan Kara, Caner Topçu as Kanat Günay, Helin Kandemir as Leyla Pınar, Sümeyye Aydoğan as Melisa Gerçek and Meltem Akçöl Hazal Demir.

Synopsis for Skree Dit Uit

The story begins in a humble, working-class neighborhood in Istanbul. Best friends Ekim and Leyla are ordinary teenagers who have spent their lives looking from the outside in at the ultra-rich families of the neighborhood. One morning, a horrific tref-en-trap (hit-and-run) accident occurs right in front of Ekim's eyes. A car hits Leyla, leaving her permanently paralyzed and bound to a wheelchair. 

The only clue Ekim has is that the driver wore a mysterious mask. The car flees the scene and vanishes into the parking lot of Gerçek High School, a prestigious private academy exclusively for the city’s elite children. 

As public outrage grows and the working-class community demands justice, the wealthy administration of Gerçek High School takes steps to bury the scandal. To soften the community's fury and shield their wealthy students from police scrutiny, the school principal offers three full-ride scholarships to studious teenagers from Leyla’s neighborhood. 

Ekim, Bekir, and Ayşe are selected to attend.

While Bekir and Ayşe see this as an escape from poverty, Ekim accepts the scholarship with one singular, dangerous goal: to find the masked driver. 

Once inside, the scholarship trio discovers that the school operates under a toxic hierarchy ruled by the wealthiest, most sadistic teenagers. Led by Kanat and a ruthless girl named Melisa, the rich students subject the new outsiders to psychological and physical torment to force them to drop out. 

As Ekim continuously stands up to the bullies, Kanat becomes deeply intrigued by her resilience. Their mutual hostility slowly transforms into a highly complicated, dangerous attraction. This infuriates Melisa, who will stop at nothing to ruin Ekim. 

July 2026 On History Channel Across Africa | Channel Premiere: We Are Not Alone | Returning Shows: Hardcore Pawn | More

Brand New & Exclusive

HISTORY’S GREATEST PICKS WITH MIKE WOLFE

01 July

Wednesdays 19:25

Mike Wolfe has spent decades tracking down elusive treasures, hidden gems and bargaining with awesome collectors of the past, but now, it’s Mike’s turn to share that history by revealing the stories of extraordinary finds by ordinary people. Repeat: Thursday 11:45

Brand New

WE ARE NOT ALONE S1

04 July

Saturdays 19:25

We Are Not Alone is a factual documentary series that takes viewers beyond speculati on and into the real-world experiences of those who claim to have encountered the unknown. From Australian deserts to Nordic forests, the series methodically explores individual stories that defy logic — but refuse to disappear. Every account is examined with a calm, open mind, tracking down eyewitnesses, crossreferencing testimonies and analysing available footage. Expert UFO researchers assess the material with clarity and scepticism, not to prove or disprove, but to explore and understand. This isn’t about believers vs sceptics. This is about letti ng the audience ask: Are we alone? Have we been visited? And what does it mean if we have?

Brand New

ULTIMATE MYSTERIES S1

06 July

Mondays 20:15

Ultimate Mysteries explores mysteries that have never been solved, taking a deeper look into the

stories and the theories that surround them. New facts and findings will bring many of these mysteries to a new light and closer to finally being solved. The story of mystery will be told through interviews, archival footage and re-creation. What really happened? Opposing theories will be presented giving, you, the viewer options to ponder as to which is most believable.

Brand New

HARDCORE PAWN S5 AND S6

06 July

Weekdays 18:10

In season 5 and 6 of Hardcore Pawn Les and Seth have major conflicts over the company’s direction. Les is looking to expand his business, but Seth is dead set against this idea. Tensions are at an all-time high and the chaos that has been created in the store makes for bad blood and worse business. Management issues aren’t the only drama; the Gold family also comes up against theft with a bag of jewels found in a former employee’s desk. But there is no shortage of unique and interesting goods that make their way into store, it is no surprise that the shop has been termed the “workin-man’s bank” of Detroit. Repeat: Next day 09:00

Brand New & Exclusive

SECRETS DECLASSIFIED WITH DAVID DUCHOVNY S2

10 July

Fridays 19:25

From black ops and bizarre experiments to deadly cover-ups and nefarious gadgets, David Duchovny pulls back the curtain on government secrets that we always suspected but were never given the answers to. It interrogates the strange and shocking things countries the world over, and those who work for them, have done in the name of national interest. We’ll investigate the explosive evidence from newly declassified files that will finally shine a new light on what’s really going on deep in the shadows. Repeat: Monday 11:45

Brand New & Exclusive

REPAIR SHOP AUSTRALIA

13 July

Mondays 19:25

Get ready to revamp, restore, and reignite your love for all things vintage in Repair Shop Australia! A team of skilled Australian artisans, led by Master Builder Dean Ipaviz, breathe new life into beloved family heirlooms and cherished antiques. From tattered teddy bears to rusty bicycles, no repair job is too big or too small. This is not just a series about fixing things, it’s a journey through history, culture, and the emotional connections we have to the objects that shape our lives. Join us on this heartwarming journey of restoration, where the past meets the present, and the old becomes new again. Repeat: Tuesday 11:45

Channel Closure: CineMagic And Magic Showcase Will Stop Airing On DStv And GOtv From 30 June

MultiChoice and M-Net will be discontinuing their Magic Showcase and CineMagic channels on DStv after 4 years. These channels were catered for DStv Easyview and GOtv Lite packages which serve as the most cheapest packages.

Magic Showcase was an 18 hour TV channel that was home to various dramas and reality shows from M-Net including Being Bonang and Isibaya. CineMagic was a 12 hour movie channel that boasted locally produced and international films.

MultiChoice's CEO for general entertainment and director of M-Net channels this to say about their inclusions:

"We are proud to grow the EasyView content slate, allowing our subscribers on this package to enjoy award-winning and top-tier local shows and movies from across the continent. It's all about giving our audience the best value for their money, and we are committed to continuously increasing what each DStv package has on show."

Jan du Plessis, director of M-Net channels, says "The addition of two new M-Net channels to the EasyView package only further enhances the subscriber viewing experience".

In recent months, it appears this had all changed after DStv Easyview was removed from the company's website. Making it hard for the company to find potential DStv consumers that can't afford a low entry package like DStv Access.

Canal+ is deploying its streaming app in MultiChoice territories and the online portals are being adjusted to align with this offering. DStv Easyview doesn't form part of their streaming ambition with the only option of obtaining it available on WhatsApp.

As for the cancellations of CineMagic and Magic Showcase we can only assume several reasons came into account.

MultiChoice was acquired by Canal+ by late 2025 and they're currently in cost cutting mode and one of these would be rationalisation or simplification to its offering. These channels being locked away on DStv Easyview didn't generate as much viewers.

Because these channels were filled with old content on top of being confined to its cheapest packages. MultiChoice was probably charging advertisers a lot less that is if they had any media sales done for these channels.

Rather than merging these two channels and positioning it a lot better to cater for their other DStv consumers. MultiChoice would rather leave some of these consumers without any means to access shows like Date My Family and The Johnsons.

Because DStv Easyview and most likely GOtv Lite aren't viewed as a much of a priority this would leave them with free-to-air channels. Unlike DStv Access and Lite packages that have channels like Africa Magic Epic and Mzansi Wethu.

TOLDJA!!! Canal+ Launches Novelas+ As A Replacement Channel To TLNovelas On DStv

TelevisaUnivison's TLNovelas channel was removed from the DStv platform earlier in the year and was first victim to Canal+'s aggressive cost cuts at MultiChoice. This meant that DStv consumers were left with Telemundo's repetitive lineup.

But that will no longer be the case as Canal+ will be debuting Novelas+ as its first TV channel in MultiChoice territories following it's acquisition of the company in 2025. 

The channel will feature a wide variety of telenovelas and drama series from Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and many other countries, bringing viewers even more captivating stories, romance, drama, and unforgettable characters.

Confirmed shows for the channel include Avenida Brasil, Ada Masali and Domenica Montero.

Novelas+ is already available in Poland with it's French equivalent Novelas TV residing in France and French overseas. So it's inclusion on DStv doesn't come as a surprise as it was speculated months after TLNovelas removal on the platform.

Since it's inception, Novelas+ has been serving as a distributor of TelevisaUnivison's telenovelas or as they put it some of the best shows from the world. Africa is basically a hotspot for these shows taking to account brands like Telemundo and eExtra.

Novelas+ will be available to DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family and Access customers on channel 133 from 1st July.

US Regulators Approve Paramount's Buyout Of Warner Bros. Discovery

The Justice Department has signed off on Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, clearing the way for a merger that will unite two historic Hollywood studios and reshape the American entertainment industry.

In a statement, the department said it determined that the massive merger was “not likely to result in harm to competition or American consumers.”

The Justice Department said it reached that conclusion after receiving extensive feedback.

“Over the course of a rigorous eight-month investigation led by the Division’s career staff, the Division received from the Parties over two million documents,” it said in a statement. It also said that it heard “extensive” advocacy from third parties during the process.

The news was first reported by Politico.

Paramount owns a 114-year-old film studio, the Paramount+ streaming service and the CBS broadcast network. Warner owns a 116-year-old film studio, the HBO Max streaming service and a suite of cable channels, including CNN.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has vowed to “honor the legacy of two iconic companies while accelerating our vision of building a next-generation media and entertainment company.” The 43-year-old media executive is the son of technology magnate Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle and an ally of President Donald Trump.

But the deal has faced blowback from some Hollywood professionals and government regulators.

In an open letter released in April, more than 1,000 entertainment professionals said the deal would “further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape, reducing competition at a moment when our industries — and the audiences we serve — can least afford it.”

The merger could draw legal challenges from state attorneys general. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has said his office is investigating the tie-up, and a person familiar with the matter said New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office is part of that probe.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who has publicly advocated against the deal, said the Justice Department’s green light was “terrible news for every American.”

“This fight isn’t over,” Warren said in a post on X. “State AGs must block this merger.”

Bonta’s office said its investigation was ongoing and otherwise declined to comment on the Justice Department’s move.

European Union officials are reviewing the merger over the deal’s financial backing from three Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. In an April filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Paramount said its acquisition of Warner is backed in part by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi’s L’IMAD Holding and the Qatar Investment Authority.

In recent weeks, Ellison’s Paramount has been under scrutiny over major shake-ups at CBS News, where his appointed editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, fired multiple “60 Minutes” correspondents at the end of the most recent season.

StudioCanal Announces New Production "Home Safety Hotline" With Filming Set To Commence In South Africa By 2027

Los Angeles-based genre label Spooky Pictures, Abu Dhabi-based studio Image Nation and L.A. and UAE-based production company Longevity Pictures have secured a financing deal with prominent European production/distribution banner Studiocanal — through its in-house genre label Sixth Dimension — for their upcoming horror thriller “Home Safety Hotline.”

“Home Safety Hotline,” which is set to start production in South Africa in early 2027, is based on Night Signal Entertainment’s critically acclaimed puzzle video game of the same name. Durban-born Michael Matthews (“Love and Monsters”) (pictured above) will direct from a screenplay written by Nick Tassoni (“Lure”). The film is being produced by Steven Schneider (“Late Night With the Devil”) for Spooky Pictures, alongside Majd Nassif (“Mercy”) for Longevity Pictures and Kameek Lucas Taitt (“Love and Monsters”).

For Studiocanal, boarding “Home Safety Hotline” underlines the company’s commitment to the South African industry following the recent acquisition of local pay-TV outfit The MultiChoice Group by its parent company Canal+.

The executive producers on “Home Safety Hotline” comprise Image Nation’s Ben Ross (“Watcher”), Jakob Pollack (“Weapons”) of Spooky Pictures and Jed Benedict, who is head of Sixth Dimension.

The film, set in the U.S., “will follow an unemployed loner who must take a job as a phone operator at a mysterious home security company, only to realize they specialize in protecting customers from horrific monsters that come out at night,” according to the synopsis.

“Home Safety Hotline” will now be co-developed and co-financed by Sixth Dimension, which will also handle worldwide sales and release the film theatrically across Studiocanal’s territory footprint of the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, Poland, Australia and New Zealand.

“What we love about Home Safety Hotline is how it takes the most ordinary corners of a home: the walls, the basement, the thing in the attic, and turns them genuinely terrifying, then runs the whole nightmare through a struggling company and the unlikely people holding it together. It’s fun, it’s scary, and it’s unlike anything out there,” said Longevity Pictures president Nassif. “Alongside our partners at Spooky Pictures and Image Nation, and with the support of Studiocanal’s Sixth Dimension, we’ve found exactly the right team to bring it to life.”

Commented Sixth Dimension head Benedict: “Just as every night I hope the eerie humming downstairs comes from my cheap refrigerator, every day I hope a project like ‘Home Safety Hotline’ crosses our radar. From the moment our good friends at Spooky Pictures, Image Nation and Longevity Pictures first spoke of Night Signal Entertainment’s cult game (of the same name), we knew we wanted to be involved. And when we learned that Michael Matthews would be directing — an exceptional filmmaker and a proven monster-whisperer himself — with Nick Tassoni devising our handbook through hell, it became impossible to resist.”

DStv Easyview Falls Out Of MultiChoice's Streaming Endeavours

DStv Easyview serves as the cheapest package amongst MultiChoice's DStv offering carrying mainly provincial and news channels. It has been in operation since 2008 and rivals with the likes of PremiumFree and eMedia Investment's Openview.

In recent months, MultiChoice had been gradually phasing out this offering from across their platforms. As potential DStv consumers who would go through the DStv website to check what's on offer only see the company's 5 other packages.

By selecting “Get DStv” on their website, consumers are presented with only 5 packages: Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family, and Access.

According to Canal+, the decision to do away with DStv Easyview on their website aligns with the streaming endeavours for which one isn't offered for the package. Hence, the reason why these consumers are able to see other packages.

A few months ago, Canal+ decided to do away with Showmax as part of its cost cutting endeavours at MultiChoice. The streamer has been described as "expensive failure" following it's revamp in 2024, with Canal+ that folded it under DStv Stream.

Although DStv Easyview can still be obtained from their call centre and WhatsApp by minimising it's visibility you're basically reducing its reach. When there's less demand for a service a company doesn't see any point in offering such service.

Canal+ is planning to use DStv Stream to deploy its own streaming app in MultiChoice markets and if you've seen what the broadcaster did with FilmBox. They're likely going to try and align whatever seen in DStv Stream with the decoder offering.

Aside from DStv Easyview, MultiChoice doesn't even offer a streaming option for its DStv Indian and Portuguese offering.

We can only assume Canal+ is eyeing potential growth from these other packages and the latter isn't as competitive. These are packages in which MultiChoice doesn't put much 

Disney+ Quiz Nights, In Collaboration With Quiz Nights SA And Tiger’s Milk, Return This Winter

Disney+ has officially confirmed the return of its much-loved Disney+ Quiz Nights, bringing fans together once again for an unforgettable celebration of storytelling, competition, and entertainment.

 

In collaboration with Quiz Nights SA and Tiger’s Milk, the fan-favourite activation returns from 24 June 2026, rolling out across venues nationwide during June and July, bringing A Lifetime Of Great Stories to life beyond the screen.

 

Quiz Nights: A Celebration of Storytelling and Fans

Rolling out across selected Tiger’s Milk venues nationwide, Disney+ Quiz Nights invites fans to gather their teams, claim their tables and put their knowledge to the test in a lively, social setting.

 

From long-running favourites like Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and The Simpsons to buzzy Disney+ Originals and global hits, the evening promises a fun, easy-going quiz experience that’s as much about the vibe as it is about the trivia.

 

Whether you're in it for the bragging rights, the laughs with friends, or just a great night out, Quiz Nights is all about celebrating the stories that bring us together.

 

Fans can expect an immersive evening packed with iconic moments, nostalgic favourites and unexpected questions all designed to spark conversation, connection and a little bit of competitive spirit, not to mention exciting prizes up for grabs.

Participating venues include:

Gauteng:

Bryanston • Appleton’s • Waterfall • Melrose • Harvest Place

 

Western Cape:

GrandWest • Green Point • Claremont • Muizenberg • Century City

 

KwaZulu-Natal:

Pavilion • Suncoast • Ballito (24 June ONLY) • Umhlanga

Paramount May Be Forced To Sell Cartoon Network

Paramount is currently under scrutiny by European regulators regarding its buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery. While the two companies would have small market share, regulators are scrutinising the deal due to overlapping assets.

Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito would fall under the same umbrella as Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Nicktoons. Paramount wants to keep all these assets with no plans of closing or spinning them off.

The European Union usually pay close attention to deals if the market share exceeds 30% and while the combined company is set to be under 20%. Fact is pairing Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon already pushes this above 40%.

Paramount had expressed willingness to spin-off or sale it's broadcasting license for Nickelodeon alongside its local feeds viewed in Europe and Africa. This excludes the feeds that would have been viewed in the US, India and Canada.

Whomever is owning the broadcasting license of Nickelodeon, Nicktoons and Nick Jr. would have to license shows like SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora as those would remain under Paramount.

It's also possible that if the European Union gives the greenlight, Paramount would likely form an agreement that excludes Cartoon Network. They wouldn't be involved in the daily operations of the brand or have access to financial records.

But the deal could be a major win for Nickelodeon as this would give it access to IPs such as Uncle Grandpa, Powerpuff Girls and Ben 10. It would also give Nick Jr. more of an edge against Disney Junior with Batwheels and Baby Looney Tunes.

In the same scenario as Nickelodeon, if a buyer were to emerge for Cartoon Network and Cartoonito's European feeds. Paramount will be charging them for The Wonderfully Weird World Of Gumball and the upcoming series, Adventure Time: Side Quests. 

Is KykNET NOU! And VIA In Trouble???

Since Canal+ has taken over MultiChoice there's been a lot of fear within the industry of what comes next. As the French giant has company making cuts which include the discontinuation of Winter Olympics on SuperSport with HBO on M-Net.

Several producers and other people delivering services at MultiChoice have talked about contracts not being renewed as yet or waiting on payments for certain services at the company.

Although Canal+ had committed to securing content from MultiChoice markets and that reduction of local content wouldn't fit in the company's overall structure. That doesn't mean there won't be cuts or reduction in salaries.

Take for instance Showmax, MultiChoice had lost billions after relaunching it as a joint venture with NBCUniversal. Now plans are set in motion to consolidate this onto DStv Stream and later Canal+.

Now there's reports that they're targeting local commentators figure indicators that nothing is safe which brings a couple of channels into question, KykNET NOU! and VIA.

Canal+ was asked what is going to happen with M-Net, Africa Magic and KykNET, and responded to say "we love SuperSport". Further indication that tough times could be ahead for DStv which is where KykNET NOU! and VIA come in.

Both of these are Afrikaans channels, KykNET NOU! does the music while VIU handles the foodies, fashion and home decor. It offers shows like

Similar to the local commentary and Showmax, if Canal+ feels there's not much people tuning into these channels. They could look to scaling back on its offering and redirecting these efforts onto KykNET and we have our reasons.

A majority of KykNET viewers likely have access to Netflix, Spotify and Disney+. In retrospect, this could as well reduce their dependency on these brands.

If we had to look at past instances, there was StarSat who at one time offered OnseTV and InPas TV before shutting those down. Then there's 7de Laan on SABC 2 and Nuusdag Om 8pm on eExtra which also got the boot.

KykNET NOU and VIA are niche brands and compared to KykNET and it's other sister channels. The viewership on these channels are a lot smaller but one has to hope amidst this cord cutting that somehow Canal+ can still reciprocate the costs.

If not these channels could join Showmax and form part of Canal+'s turnaround plan at MultiChoice.

The Queen Of Me, Brand New Female Led Drama Launches On Zee World

Zee World, a Bollywood based channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that airs English dubbed content has announced the addition of a new series, Queen Of Me. Known in India as Bas Itna Sa Khwaab, it launches on June 12 across Africa.

Based on the series Tu Chal Pudha, it starred Rajshree Thakur as Avani Trivedi, Yogendra Vikram Singh as Shikhar Trivedi, Bhumika Gurung as Shagun Trivedi and Sandeep Sharma as Vidyut Sharma.

Synopsis for Queen Of Me

The story centers on Avani Trivedi, a dedicated housewife and mother from Kanpur. Her middle-class family shares a major, long-term dream: saving up enough money to buy a luxury home.

Wanting to support her husband and fast-track their dream, Avani decides to step outside her comfort zone and earn an income. However, her family is highly skeptical, believing a housewife lacks the skills to survive in the business world.

Defying their doubts, Avani revisits a buried talent and successfully opens her own beauty parlor. The narrative follows her transformation into an independent woman balancing intense family obligations with professional external pressures.

The drama chronicles her hurdles with family judgment, a deceptive mistress/antagonist named Tamanna, and financial crises. Ultimately, Avani manages to prove her worth, unite her family, and achieve financial security.

Canal+ Confirms Rugby World Cup Broadcast And More On SuperSport

The CANAL+ Group on Wednesday confirmed an agreement with World Rugby for the rights to broadcast Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 live on SuperSport, on DStv, across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The announcement came as the French group, which recently acquired the MultiChoice Group, confirmed its listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

The confirmation of the broadcast rights for the men’s tournament that will be held in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027 will mean that DStv and GOtv subscribers can look forward to seeing South Africa and Zimbabwe represent Africa at rugby’s biggest global tournament. The 11th edition signals a major evolution for the tournament, expanding to 24 teams and featuring a new format with a round of 16 for the first time, delivering more matches and drama, while creating greater opportunities for emerging nations.

South Africa’s Springboks will be aiming to defend their title after back-to-back triumphs at Japan 2019 and France 2023 as they chase a historic fifth victory.

Zimbabwe also returns to rugby’s biggest competition for the first time since 1991, when the Sables last featured on the Rugby World Cup stage. Other rugby powerhouses such as New Zealand, England, Ireland, France and hosts Australia will be going all out to add their names to the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup awarded to the Men’s Rugby World Cup winners. 

Meanwhile, in the women’s game, England’s Red Roses will enter the 2029 tournament as defending champions, having lifted the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on home soil in a record-breaking competition for viewership, attendance and engagement. South Africa also made history in the last tournament by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, becoming the first African team to do so.

Included in the broadcast agreement are World Rugby’s men’s 15s competitions: the World Rugby Junior World Championship, recently expanded to 16 teams, and the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.

World Rugby Chief Revenue Officer, Michel Poussau said: “We are delighted to partner with the CANAL+ Group to deliver comprehensive, high-quality coverage of international rugby’s pinnacle competitions across Africa, including two exceptional Rugby World Cups in Australia in 2027 and 2029. This agreement is a major step in expanding the reach of the game, ensuring fans across the continent can watch, follow and engage more deeply with rugby. We look forward to working closely with CANAL+ teams to bring the sport closer to audiences and inspire the next generation of players and fans in Africa.”

CANAL+ also confirmed that SuperSport will remain the exclusive broadcaster for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) following a multi-year broadcast rights renewal of the inter-continental club competition.

“Confirming these broadcast rights puts the seal on an incredible occasion for us as the CANAL+ Group, alongside the MultiChoice Group, as we have secured broadcast rights to many major rugby tournaments for our subscribers,” said David Mignot, CANAL+ Africa CEO. 

“This is another firm commitment that we are putting our subscribers first by ensuring they never miss out on the best sports content from the continent and from across the globe. We’d also like to acknowledge our partners, World Rugby and the VURC, with whom we will work closely to bring these exciting tournaments to life.”

June 2026 On Disney Channel And Disney Junior Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Dragon Striker | Returning Shows: Iron Man And His Amazing Friends | More

DISNEY CHANNEL 

Dragon Striker | Season 1

WEEKDAYS AT 06:50 CAT FROM 29 JUNE

The series centers on a young farmboy named Key, who, with a goalkeeper named Ssyelle, forms a team at a magical elite-sports academy.

Disney 11: New Generation Season 1

MON - THU AT 16:30 CAT FROM 29 JUNE

The entire Star Wars Galaxy gets completely mixed up when an ordinary nerf -herder, Sig Greebling, unearths a powerful artifact from a hidden Jedi temple.

Forky Asks A Question (Double-Billed)

MON - THU AT 16:30 CAT FROM 1 JUNE

Our heroes will make unlikely alliances as they traverse new and dangerous parts of the hilariously mixed-up galaxy in an effort to stop the growing threat Solitus poses to all they hold dear.

Our Weekly Movie Spot

FRIDAYS AT 5PM

 

Toy Story 3

FRI 05 JUNE AT 5PM

(2010) Laugh and cry with one of Disney/Pixar's beloved Oscar-winning animated masterpieces. On the eve of Andy's departure for college the toys find themselves in day care and must escape from the terrible tots!

Toy Story 4

FRI 12 JUNE AT 5PM

(2019) When Woody, Buzz and the gang join Bonnie on a road trip with her new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky, the innocent little spork’s hilarious antics launch Woody on a wild quest filled with unexpected new characters — and one long-lost friend!

Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation

FRI 19 JUNE AT 5PM

(2022) Finn has arranged a surprise vacation for his friends aboard The Halcyon! But Finn’s plan quickly goes awry when he’s separated from the group. Alone on board the Halcyon, Finn encounters three Force Spirits -- Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Princess Leia, who each share their own unexpected stories of vacations gone wrong.

Phineas & Ferb: Candace Against The Universe

FRI 26 JUNE AT 5PM

(1999) Phineas and Ferb set out across the galaxy to rescue Candace, who has been abducted by aliens

Throwback Block

MON-THU AT 17:50 CAT

01 - 30 JUNE

A Live-Action block for both kids and adults alike! Vote on social media: Mech-X4 vs Pair of Kings.

Kiff S2 Catch Up

SAT 27 & SUN 28 JUNE

FROM 11:55

A curated collection of favourite Kiff S2 episodes

DISNEY JUNIOR

Iron Man and his Awesome Friends Season 1

MON - FRI AT 14:40 CAT FROM 15 JUNE

"Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends” follows the adventures of best friends and super geniuses as they work together to solve problems and protect their city

Rumour: Nigerian Idol Reportedly Cancelled Due To Cost Cutting At Canal+'s MultiChoice

Canal+ completed its acquisition of MultiChoice by late 2025 and have plans to save up toward R7.5 billion in costs. Several DStv consumers would have noticed the disappearance of HBO content on M-Net followed by the Winter Olympics on SuperSport.

Now there's word going around that Nigerian Idol might have gotten the boot at MultiChoice. Although this has yet to be confirmed several consumers had noticed there's been a lot of silence regarding the possibility of an 11th season.

Coincidentally, Nigerian Idol S10 even won at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Unscripted M-Net Original.

A few years ago, MultiChoice and M-Net cancelled Idols SA due to low viewership from what was heard about the show. Since then, it was reported that a revival was in the works or being shopped to another broadcaster being the SABC.

The first season went on air in October 2010 and is shown on 15 different channels all across Africa.

There have been ten following Nigerian Idol winners to date: Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Obi Adigwe, Evelle, K-Peace, Kingdom Kroseide, Progress, Victory Gbakara, Purp and Chima Udoye.

With the possible cancellation of Nigerian Idol, this would leave DStv consumers with the African variants to Big Brother. Unlike Idols SA, Big Brother continues to be a staple at MultiChoice spanning adaptations in South Africa, Nigeria and Angola.

CANAL+ Becomes First French Company To List In Johannesburg

Shares of pay-TV group CANAL+ rose on its Johannesburg Stock Exchange trading debut on Wednesday, when it became the first French company to list in South Africa following a deal with local broadcaster MultiChoice Group last year.

The company, which has a primary listing in London, climbed to 58.50 rand at market open

At the time of CANAL+’s acquisition of MultiChoice in 2025, it said it would have a secondary listing in South Africa, providing a boost for Johannesburg’s stock exchange, which has suffered from a series of departures and few high-profile joiners in recent years.

CANAL+, which had a market capitalisation of £2.25 billion (51 billion rand) on the day prior to its pre-listing announcement on May 12, is the only global media and entertainment group on the exchange.

Its move into English-speaking Africa reflects its stated ⁠ambition to become a global entertainment platform across Europe, Africa and Asia.

CEO Maxime Saada said the Johannesburg secondary listing aligns the group’s capital, government relationships and creative resources with African investors, partners and audiences.

“Our hope is for this listing to enhance the liquidity of our shares, to broaden our shareholder base and to support our growth ambitions. But more than that, we believe that we can create value in Africa,” he told spectators before blowing into a Kudu horn to signal the company’s market debut.

JSE chairman Phuthuma Nhleko said the listing reflects strong global confidence in South Africa’s capital markets, reinforcing the bourse’s role in linking international capital with African growth opportunities, and highlights continued belief in the continent’s long-term prospects.

The Showmax Closure Is Just An Illustration Of What's Wrong With The Industry

During the year, MultiChoice decided to shut down its struggling Showmax streaming service after ramping up billions in loses. This comes two years after the company revamped the streamer alongside Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky Group.

For years, MultiChoice has been trying to make Showmax "the Netflix for Africa" by ramping up local content for the streamer which includes Blood Psalms, The Girl From St. Agnes and Red Ink.

By partnering up with NBCUniversal, Showmax was able to compete with Stranger Things, Squid Games and Bojack Horseman on Netflix. This was due to the funnel of content coming from Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo.

Now most of that is set to be consolidated under DStv Stream and overtime on the Canal+ app.

To put it in simple terms, the closure of Showmax doesn't mean that Canal+ will double down on local spending to make up for the loss of Showmax. It's what you had with your M-Net Edge and M-Net alongside Disney XD and Disney Channel.

Although Canal+ can't retrench anyone that was contracted with Showmax, they're less likely to recruit more talent. The plan would be to let whatever makes up Showmax run its course until there's no use for it anymore.

The problem here isn't that Showmax is shutting down but the fact is the number of outlets local suppliers and talent would turn to is being reduced.

Amazon Prime Video served as another Showmax rival commissioning first run shows in the African market. Now these investments have gone to Europe and the US, although there's still local content it's mostly finished and not from scratch.

Netflix is probably in much better position compared to Amazon Prime Video as there's still some local investment. But the problem here is that it's mainly unscripted/reality TV and the streamer has adapted to a quality over quantity approach in Africa.

There's been calls for SABC and eMedia Investments to save the day but even they can't replicate or recover those hours used by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Showmax.

SABC has been going through financial constraints for years and last month their cash balance plummeted to 85% leaving them with 59 million. The National Treasury denied them a bailout of R4.9 billion to help in covering these expenses.

eMedia Investments managed to increase its profits by 18% but they did that through cost optimisation or in simple terms spending less. 

To sum it up, Amazon has stopped funding new productions while Netflix is being picky and the only brand that was pulling out the big guns (Showmax) is shutting down. SABC doesn't have any money while eMedia Investments is playing it safe.

The streaming climate in the whole of Africa is going through drought.

Even if the government were to impose new laws over ownership fact is Showmax ain't coming back and the damage had already been done. 

The government had proposed putting up local quotas on a streamer like Netflix and they could as well take a page from Amazon Prime Video. While others like Disney could follow NBCUniversal and form alliances to avoid compliance.

e.tv Is Reviving It's International Drama Slate With The Launch Of Law And Order: Special Victims Unit

Following the rollout of eVOD, eMedia Investments restructured e.tv's primetime schedule a few years back making shows like Chicago PD and Kingdom available to only Openview consumers. While e.tv bolstered it's lineup to feature more local content.

The shift away from international drama series was done to ensure e.tv remained competitive in an era dominated by streaming. And while the move was met with positive feedback some viewers kind of felt marginalized.

After 4 years, e.tv will be reinstating them with Law And Order: Special Victims Unit set to rollout weeknights at 23:00. The series is currently seen on Universal TV on DStv and eSeries on Openview.

This move would give DStv Access and Easyview consumers the chance to watch the crime drama from the first season. In general, Law And Order: Special Victims Unit has 27 seasons so far and over 590 episodes had been produced.

Synopsis for Law And Order: Special Victims Unit 

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (often shortened to Law & Order: SVU) is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Dick Wolf for NBC. The first spin-off of Law & Order, expanding it into the Law & Order franchise, it originally starred Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler (until Meloni left the series in 2011 after 12 seasons) and Mariska Hargitay as Detective (now promoted to Captain) Olivia Benson remaining the longest starring character in the series. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit follows the detectives of the Special Victims Unit as they investigate and prosecute sex-based crimes. Some of the episodes are loosely based on real crimes that have received media attention.

Based out of the New York City Police Department's 16th precinct in Manhattan, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit delves into the dark side of the New York underworld as the detectives of a new elite squad, the Special Victims Unit, investigate and prosecute various sexually oriented crimes, including rape, child sexual abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence. They also investigate the abuses of children, the disabled and elderly victims of non-sexual crimes who require specialist handling, all while trying to balance the effects of the investigation on their own lives as they try not to let the dark side of these crimes affect them.

Imfihlakalo, Brand New Series Launches On Zee Zonke

Zee Zonke, a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced the addition of a new series, Imfihlakalo. Known in India as Sehajveer, the series will air daily at 20:00 from Thursday 11 June.

Synopsis for Imfihlakalo

Under one identity, Jasmeet Kaur Gagre stars as Sehajveer, a woman who serves as an elite, fearless Special Crime Branch officer (associated with the Special Task Force / STF). She uncovers criminal conspiracies, tracks down syndicates, and enforces the law. 

Under her alternative identity, she works as a humble, soft-spoken educator at a local NGO. Here, she focuses on protecting and empowering underprivileged children. 

Her personal and professional worlds collide through her complex dynamic with Kabir (played by Ramandeep Singh Sur). Over the course of the series, their relationship shifts dramatically from working together to being caught in intense legal and criminal stalemates. At various points, Kabir faces custody, transfer threats, and murder accusations regarding her safety. 

Ruthless villains like Vikram and Sheetal consistently orchestrate traps, blackmail, and leverage family members to force Sehajveer into impossible situations—including demands to compromise her duty. 

The plot heavily features standard domestic Punjabi drama. Family members like Gurleen and Meher frequently challenge her secrecy, which forces her to constantly balance her dangerous police duties with her responsibilities at home. 

Canal+ Has Begun Developing Its Showmax Replacement Service In MultiChoice Markets

MultiChoice had closed down the Showmax streaming service as part of Canal+'s cost cutting endeavours at the company. After accumulating multiple losses, Canal+ had consolidated the rest of its content under DStv Stream.

Canal+ as anticipated will be phasing out it's DStv Stream and GOtv Stream services for its own streaming app. This is because a DStv consumer had spotted various regional domains although the logo is the only thing spotted for now.

They are aiming to get this Canal+ service up and running as soon as possible from what I heard. They are looking to get Netflix and a couple of services likely from the Explora Ultra such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Disney+.

MultiChoice had also provided a website for M-Net, DStv and GOtv, and I can only guess those will be getting phased out soon. As a user of the Canal+ service, they do have a section for the packages and content in question.

With a Canal+ buyout, I doubt MultiChoice will have that many websites under their wing soon my guess is that they only the corporate one and that of Irdeto and SuperSport.

Not long ago, MultiChoice had also begun tests on Sporty TV for its consumers across Africa. Kind of curious on whether this had anything to do with the rollout of the Canal+ app I mean MultiChoice had also offered YouTube through its Explora Ultra.

Some people don't even realise this thing about Canal+ but they serve as aggregators bundling services from rival broadcasters as seen in France with Bein Sport, DAZN and Apple TV.

June 2026 On National Geographic And National Geographic Wild Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Hidden Beneath The Cities | Returning Shows: Heartland Docs | More

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 

CAR SOS S14 (10 x 60)

Tuesdays, at 18:50 from 2 June (ends 4 August)

Car SOS returns with ten more undercover restorations, heartwarming stories, mechanical magic & star-studded reveals. Travelling all over the UK, Tim and Fuzz take on everything from a 1950’s Austin-Healey buried in a garage for over 50 years, to a life-saving 4x4 and, in a Car SOS first, the boys go from four wheels to two with a Triumph motorbike.

ANCIENT STRUCTURES: SECRETS REVEALED S1 (6 x 60)

Fridays, at 18:50 from 5 June (ends 10 July)

Throughout history, ancient civilizations erected structures that continue to inspire awe and wonder, but how did they do it? And what secrets lie hidden within the walls of these incredible monuments? Archaeological finds and new technologies reveal clues to these long-enduring mysteries.

HIDDEN BENEATH THE CITIES S1 (10 x 60)

Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 24 June (ends 26 August)

“Hidden Beneath the Cities” uncovers the extraordinary worlds lying just below modern urban centers. Beneath the streets of stone, soil and concrete exist hidden realms shaped by survival, ritual and imagination. Each story reveals ingenuity, resilience and mystery, proving every city conceals a hidden world waiting to be discovered.

MEGA MARINE MACHINES S3 (6 x 60)

Tuesdays, at 19:40 from 30 June (ends 4 August)

This series explores the world's largest ships, focusing on advanced technologies used in exploration, scientific research, and tourism. The series showcases incredible marine engineering, including massive industrial ships, specialized vessels for challenging ocean environments, and advanced maritime technology

CONTINUING SHOWS

AMSTERDAM CENTRAL 24/7 S2 (6 x 60)

Mondays, at 18:50 from 25 May (ends 29 June) 

The gateway to Amsterdam is Amsterdam Central Station. Every day, more than 200,000 travellers flow through the gates; from tourists from around the world to commuters. Behind the constant flow of passengers is an army of invisible heroes who work day and night to keep the station safe, clean, and on time.

ENGINEERING BY CATASTROPHE S1 (6 x 60)

Thursdays, at 19:40 from 21 May (ends 25 June) 

Engineering by Catastrophe explores how some of the world’s most advanced structures and technologies have been shaped by failure. From collapsing bridges and burning spacecraft to tunnel disasters and structural breakdowns, each episode revisits major engineering catastrophes to uncover what went wrong. Through expert analysis, archival footage and advanced simulations, the series reveals how these failures exposed critical flaws and ultimately led to safer, smarter and more resilient designs. It is a story of innovation driven by disaster, showing how lessons learned from the past continue to influence the future of engineering.

TO CATCH A SMUGGLER S10 (8 x 60)

Thursdays, at 18:50 from 7 May (ends 25 June) 

CBP and HSI respond to a surge in cocaine trafficking across U.S. land borders and at sea, which leads to boat chases, arrests and record-setting seizures worth millions of dollars

INSIDE THE CIA: SECRETS AND SPIES S1 (8 x 60)

Wednesdays, at 20:30 from 29 April (ends 17 June)

“Inside the CIA: Secrets and Spies” reveals real-life missions of elite intelligence officers, taking viewers deep into the world of espionage. From covert ops behind enemy lines to the hunt for bin Laden, uncover the untold, high-stakes stories that show what it truly takes to be a spy beyond the red line of danger.

TUCCI IN ITALY S2 (5 x 60)

Wednesdays, at 18:50 from 13 May (ends 10 June) 

Stanley Tucci believes that the best way to understand a country is through its food. Nowhere is this truer than in Italy, where the shape of your pasta and the sauce you serve it with speak directly to identity - and differentiate each region from the next.

How to tune in to National Geographic:

DSTV: Channel 181

StarTimes: 220 on DTH, 220 on DTT (249 on DTT in Uganda)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WILD 

BENEATH THE WAVES

Sundays at 18:00, from 7 June (ends 28 June)

Join Nat Geo Wild for a special programming event dedicated to exploring the wonders of the ocean. Through breathtaking documentaries and expert insights, we’ll dive deep into the mysteries of the deep sea, uncover the impact of human activity, and highlight the urgent need for conservation. Together, we can inspire change and protect the blue heart of our planet. Don’t miss this immersive journey beneath the waves.

Programming includes:

Sunday 7 June at 18:00 – Nature’s Glow

Witness a thrilling dive into the world of bioluminescent life and discovery.

Sunday 14 June at 18:00 - Red Sea: Evolution's Magic Garden

Discover natural history’s largest and most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth.

Sunday 21 June at 18:00 - Shells: Shaped by Nature

Discover the splendor of the shells that grace Africa’s marine realms.

Sunday 28 June at 18:00 – Deep Sea Titans

From sunlit shallows to crushing depths, ocean giants battle to survive.

INCREDIBLE DR. POL: ICONIC CASES

Saturdays at 18:00, from 6 June (ends 27 June)

Set in Central Michigan's farm country, Dr. Pol, along with his wife Diane, own and operate a veterinary clinic that services over 18,000 clients. From sick goats to sick pet pigs, Dr. Pol and his colleagues have their hands full with a variety of cases and several animal emergencies.

HEARTLAND DOCS S5 (10 x 60)

Wednesdays at 18:00, from 1 June (ends 17 August)

Drs. Ben and Erin Schroeder devote their lives to their family-run vet clinic and all of the creatures great and small that call rural Nebraska home. From stable to exam table, there’s no shortage of bones to be healed, babies to be saved, or baffling ailments to be diagnosed in this tight-knit heartland community.

How to tune in to National Geographic Wild:

DSTV: Channel 182

StarTimes: 221 on DTH, 210 on DTT (250 on DTT in Uganda)