Small Broadcasters Are Likely At Risk Of Being Removed From MultiChoice's DStv

A few years ago, ICASA held talks with various broadcasters (like Cape Town TV for instance) regarding its must carry bill. As it stands this conditions only included public broadcasters such as the SABC.

Cape Town TV and various other provincial broadcasters wanted their services to form part of these laws and wanted companies like MultiChoice to pay for their services under this agreement. But ICASA had since then turned them down.

ICASA has stated that rules only apply to public broadcasters and not any other tier of broadcasting. It is on this basis that the existing regulations are considered sufficient to address local content and must-carry.

This not only puts Cape Town TV at risk of being removed from DStv but also Soweto TV, Mpuma Kapa TV, 1KZN TV, GauTV and Tshwane TV. 

It was stated during this briefing years ago that some of these channels very much like your SABC News and eNCA are dependant on DStv for their survival. Without them, there's no way they continue to be in operation.

Look at what happened when StarSat was shut down in South Africa after failing to renew it's broadcasting licence. One Freestate Televisual and Rising Sun TV had to scale back on its operations and are now grasping through straws.

MultiChoice had not only been distributing some of these channels exclusively but helping them out with content and other expenses. With them continuing to lose subscribers and under French hands this luxury might come to an end.

Canal+ came into an agreement with regulators to ensure they continue sourcing services from these brands. But that doesn't stop them from scaling back on costs and overtime deciding to no longer offer some of these services on DStv.

News Shorts: Superbuns To Make Its Linear Debut On Universal Kids, Mpumalanga TV Goes Live On 1KZN TV With Sannah Mchunu And Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island To Stream On eVOD From April 25

Peacock original debuts on Universal Kids

Universal Kids which serves as the American counterpart of DreamWorks Channel and Sky is operated by NBCUniversal. Since it's launch, the channel has seen a decline in consumption and several content changes with its current lineup preschool tailored.

As seen in an programme guide, the Canadian based animated series Superbuns is slated to rollout on the channel from 28 April.

Based on the children's book of the same name, it follows a little bunny whose superpower is kindness does what she can to brighten everyone’s day. The series was made available to stream on Peacock sometime in 2023.

Mpumalanga gets a 1 hour block on 1KZN

Based in KwaZulu Natal, 1KZN TV is a proudly Zulu community television channel that produces its local content. Its aim is greater social inclusion of genders, castes, and ethnicities while encouraging greater education and improved health.

During the week, the channel debuted a 2 hour block with actress Sannah Mchunu gracing the red carpet. Although not much details had been shared about the content to be allocated on Mpumalanga TV beforehand to garner some exposure. 

It will air daily on 1KZN from 5pm to 6pm with repeats on weekends.

Umbrella Men is back for new adventures on eVOD 

After pulling off the ultimate heist in the original "The Umbrella Men," Jerome, Morty, Mila, Keisha, and Auntie Val thought they could finally enjoy the good life. But their celebrations are cut short when the villainous Tariek enters the scene with sinister plans.

Before they know it, Jerome and Morty find themselves locked up in the infamous Robben Island Prison, while Keisha, Mila, and Auntie Val are left to hatch an audacious plan to bust them out. However, their troubles are just beginning as Tariek's ambitions grow more diabolical by the minute, threatening world domination!

In this action-packed, music-filled sequel, our favorite crew of accidental criminals must band together once more, using all their wits and talents to take down Tariek, clear their names, and finally make it back home to the Bo Kaap as free men.

'The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island' is officially hitting eVOD on April 25th.