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eMedia's 4 Channels Recieve Another Extension On MultiChoice's DStv, Might Go Dark By August 2024

Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice had been undergoing a carriage dispute with the Competition Tribunal. After the p...

Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

News Shorts: Facebook, Instagram And Messenger Currently Offline

Meta’s Facebook and Instagram appeared to be experiencing widespread technical problems Tuesday, with thousands of users logging errors in accessing the social media services.

Users reported problems including being logged out of Facebook — and when they attempted to log back in saw an error message such as, “Something went wrong. Please try again.” According to monitoring service Downdetector, error reports spiked just after 10:30 a.m. ET Tuesday. As of 11 a.m., Downdetector had received more than 500,000 error reports.

In addition, Instagram users reported that their feed was not refreshing. The outage also extended to Meta’s Messaging platform and Threads, its Twitter-like app launched last year.

Monday, March 4, 2024

News Shorts: Prime Video Exclusive Tickets Streams On eVOD This Month, A Rebroadcast Of Nurses Makes Launches On Telemundo International In April And Disney+ Original Iwaju To Rollout On Disney Channel Also In April

Tickets on eVOD

Since eVOD inception in the market eMedia has been looking to build up the local portfolio of the streamer with Housewives and uMbali. They've even collaborated with Prime Video on Atlantis and Umbrella Men with their next project being Tickets.

Young lovers Crystal and Grant dream of getting out of the Cape Flats. When they find Crystal's Mom's winning Lotto ticket, they see it as their ticket out of the Flats. Do they run away or do they stay?

Since last year, the film was exclusive to Prime Video now it will be making their freemium debut on eVOD from March 8. It starred Danny Ross, Robyn Rossouw, Monique Rockman, Waldemar Schultz, Hein de Vries and Boudine Ballem. 
A rebroadcast of Nurses launches on Telemundo international 

During the month, Telemundo further reduced prime time with My Heart Beats For Lola and The Chosen Granddaughter following the end of Cennet: The Power Of Destiny. Now there's reports going around that international feeds will be reairing Nurses.

After being purged from Africa by the final season, Telemundo brought back a censored version of the medical drama with past seasons currently seen in Africa also being censored. It was produced by Columbia's RCN who was responsible for Law Of The Heart.

In other developments, Telemundo will be introducing another original series after Game Of Lies titled Come Back To Me in April. Other attractions awaiting release on the channel include Queen Of The South and rebroadcast to The Search For Frida. 
More Disney+ on DStv 

The highly anticipated futuristic original animated series, Iwájú, is now set to launch globally on Disney+ on February 28, 2024, allowing audiences worldwide to experience the series’ captivating narrative and vibrant visuals.

Audiences in Africa who don’t have access to Disney+ can catch the series on Disney Channel through DStv (Channel 303) starting in April 2024. This is to ensure that viewers across the continent can enjoy the series and immerse themselves in its rich storytelling.

Special broadcast schedules for “Iwájú” on Disney Channel include weekday premieres from April 22 to 26, followed by a special marathon on April 27. Additional repeat broadcasts will run from April 29 to May 4, with another marathon scheduled for May 5. As a special treat on Africa Day, May 25, you can also enjoy a marathon of six episodes, starting at 10:00 AM (WAT)/11:00 AM (CAT).

Sunday, March 3, 2024

News Shorts: Paw Patrol To Be Dubbed In isiZulu For Nicktoons, SABC Lehae Is Made Available On Squid TV And eExtra Adds Tomorrow With You And Kurt En Shura Rebroadcast

Paw Patrol is going local

Following the successful launch of SpongeBob SquarePants in isiZulu in 2022. Nickelodeon is looking to dub more content in local languages for sister network Nicktoons with the preschool series Paw Patrol airing at a much later timeslot from 18 March at 15:00.

The series focuses on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search and rescue dogs that call themselves the PAW Patrol. They work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay and surrounding areas.

Since its debut, the series has developed into a media franchise with two feature films Paw Patrol: The Movie and The Mighty One alongside spinoff Rubble & Crew.

Nicktoons serves as one of several broadcasters dubbing animated series with SABC (Ben 10, Zulu and Afrikaans), e.tv (Care Bears: Unlock The Magic, Xhosa) and Play Room (Cocomelon and Akili And Me, isiZulu).
The series followed Petey, a New York City “it” girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: She’s going to “lean into” modernizing his small-town cult.

However, just over three months after the cancellation of the show, “Praise Petey” has now been removed from Star+ in Latin America and from Disney+ in many countries around the world, including the UK, Canada and Australia.   
Queendom coming to BET 

Dlathu and Mtoba have been announced as part of the cast of BET Africa’s new daily drama, ‘Queendom’.

Following the success of ‘Isono’ and ‘Redemption’, BET Africa is back with a new scripted daily drama which celebrates the strength, resilience and power of women who shape their own destinies.

‘Queendom’ explores themes of cultural heritage, tradition, fate, ancestry, power struggles, identity and survival.

It tells the story of Nthandokayise Mthombeni portrayed by Mtoba, a maverick community leader in Tsakane, who discovers that she is the rightful heir to the throne of Khahlamba Kingdom.

Friday, March 1, 2024

News Shorts: Sky News Named News Channel Of The Year At RTS, BET Announces New Series In Bloom + Release Date And NCIS Spinoff Greenlight By Paramount Plus

Sky scores big in the UK

Sky News has been named News Channel of the Year for the seventh consecutive year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards. 

Responding to Sky News winning the award, David Rhodes, Executive Chairman for Sky News Group said:

“It’s been a momentous year for news and I couldn’t be more proud that Sky News has been recognised by winning News Channel of the Year for a phenomenal seventh year in a row. To provide audiences with the full story first, our 800 journalists around the world have told
compelling human-interest stories, held those in power to account, have gone deep into the data and delivered powerful eyewitness reports from around the globe”.

The BBC, which similar to Sky News is based from the UK and made substantial changes to its news output in the last year walked away almost empty-handed. The broadcaster did secure a win for its coverage of the Ukraine conflict and for a BBC Wales investigation into Welsh Rugby.
BET launches new local drama

In Bloom has been produced by MTV Staying Alive Foundation with continued support of Paramount and grant support by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The thought-provoking collection tells unheard stories addressing a range of crucial issues including period poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, HIV self-stigma, family planning and women’s economic empowerment. 

The anthology comes from five female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the US and Brazil, creatively championing new voices and enabling insightful conversations to dismantle systemic injustices.

In Bloom will also premiere on BET, DStv Channel 129 on March 8 at 20:00 CAT
NCIS spinoff in development 

CBS Studios is expanding its ever growing NCIS franchise by bringing back two fan favorite characters from the mothership series, Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, and Ziva David, portrayed by Cote de Pablo, who will reunite on screen for the first time in 10 years. Paramount+ has given a 10-episode series order to the untitled spinoff headlined by Weatherly and de Pablo and written by John McNamara (Trumbo, The Magicians). All three executive produce.

Nicknamed NCIS: Europe, the new action-packed spinoff, set to start production later this year, will follow Tony (Weatherly) and Ziva (de Pablo) as they find themselves on the run across the continent.

NCIS is one of CBS Studios’ most valuable franchises and its expansion has been a goal for the studio. This is one of two new NCIS offshoots greenlighted this year, along with the Young Gibbs prequel series for CBS, NCIS: Origins. It is also the second extension of the NCIS franchise beyond the U.S., following NCIS: Sydney, which has been airing on CBS in the U.S.

DStv Shorts: Big Brother Mzansi Opened To DStv Family And Access For Limited Time, M-Net And Mzansi Magic Debut New Series, White Lies And Queen Modjadji

BBM on Access

Big Brother Mzansi will become available for all DStv Access subscribers  this weekend from Friday, 1 March 2024, until Sunday, 3 March 2024. Viewers can expect exciting arena games, the Saturday Night Party and the Sunday Live Eviction Show

The cameras never stop rolling, giving you an all-access pass to the jaw-dropping events inside the Big Brother Mzansi house, 24/7. But wait, there's more! Brace yourselves as the charming Phila Madlingozi and the fabulous Khosi Thwala join on the fun as celebrity guests this week!

Big Brother Mzansi season 4 is broadcast live 24/7 on DStv Channel 198. Sunday eviction shows are at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic.
More local on DStv 

After its first epic historical series Shaka Ilembe, MultiChoice and M-Net is following it up with Queen Modjadji for Mzansi Magic in a drama inspired by the Balobedu legend of rainmaker Queen Modjadji whose bloodline has ruled Southern Africa's Lobedu clan for centuries.

Produced by Rhythm World Productions and Duma Ndlovu, Queen Modjadji will tell the "story of a matriarchal dynasty, whose ability to transform the clouds and summon the rain has earned the Balobedu royalty a place among the most revered of African dynasties," Mzansi Magic says. 

Prior to this M-Net will be rolling out a new series White Lies with synopsis below:

Journalist Edie Hansen (Dormer) gets caught up in the Cape's ugly underworld after her brother is murdered in the wealthy neighbourhood of Bishopscourt in Cape Town's southern suburbs, a description of the show reads.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

News Shorts: Disney Channel's Southern Africa Feed Is Being Reduced Across Europe, Broken Bonds Makes It's Freemium Debut On eExtra And ST Movies Channel Relaunches On StarSat Channel 101

Disney Channel is going bust 


Now it has been reported that more European feeds might be looking to exit the Southern African feed following its induction in 2023. This was after a viewer had spotted Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur and 44 Cats shows not seen on Disney Channel. 

Considering the launch of the Nordic feed is a few hours away, it's likely that more regions are looking to align their offering. Aside from 44 Cats and Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur, the viewer had also spotted Pupstruction alongside various content from Disney Junior.

Unlike Africa, Disney Junior is also going dark on Disney Junior in Scandinavia by the end of March.
More Zee World repeats on Openview

During the week, it was reported that Katti Batti would be rolling out on eExtra this was after the channel provided various details pertaining to the 2018 series. As seen through various platforms, that is no longer the case as the channel adds Broken Bonds from Zee World.

Broken Bonds focuses on the lives of Shubhra, Kuldeep and their kids Roli and Rishi. After 10 years of their marriage, cracks start developing in Shubhra and Kuldeep’s relationship. Will Rishi and Roli succeed in erasing the differences between their parents? 

Originally titled Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti, it starts 4 March at 14:35 on eExtra.
St Movies Channel on StarSat

After ripping away TNT back in 2023 following contractual issues with Warner Bros. Discovery. StarSat decided to revive St Movies on channel 101 from 10 March following an abrupt end of the open window of the current St Movies Plus on channel 100.

St Movies Channel is a channel dedicated to Hollywood films, presenting the world's finest movies to our viewers. In partnership with several major Hollywood studios, the channel's line-up will consist of various genres including action, romance, comedy, and mystery.

StarSat remains silent on which package St Movies Channel will be allocated on but if we had to guess it will probably be available to the same consumers as TNT when it first broadcast on the platform.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

News Shorts: MultiChoice Rumoured To Be Adding Crown TV To The DStv Platform And Dora To Premiere On Nick Jr. Channels Globally By April 15th

Crown TV to rollout on DStv

Crown Television is Zambian based TV channel operated by Crown Communications that is female managed and consists of young journalists. Since it's inception by February 2021, the channel is currently packaged on TopStar and the StarTimes app.

The channel is more familiar with their impartial, authentic and independent news slots Truth To Be Told and Grand News. It also features reality and drama series like Four Doors, Uwauma Nafyala, Rhumba Show, The Royal Breakfast Show and Valor Woman.

This past week, several consumers had spotted Crown TV under the test card for CBC on DStv leading some to believe that a partnership could be brewing between Crown Communications and MultiChoice.
Dora makes a landing

Paramount+ celebrates the triumphant return of iconic Latina heroine Dora the Explorer with the reveal of the official trailer and key art for the upcoming original preschool series DORA. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation and featuring 26 CG-animated 11-minute episodes, DORA will premiere on Friday, April 12, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. Twenty episodes will be available to stream in all Paramount+ international markets outside of France and Japan on April 12. The series will also air on Nick Jr. internationally.

With all-new CG animation and imaginative character-driven storylines, the upcoming DORA series follows everyone’s favorite bilingual explorer, Dora (Diana Zermeño), and her best monkey friend, Boots (Asher Colton Spence), as they embark on epic adventures in a fantastical rainforest. Guided by trustworthy Map (Anairis Quiñones), Dora and her friends must work together to overcome many obstacles while being challenged by the sneakiest fox, Swiper (Marc Weiner). Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora the Explorer, returns to the new series as Mami, and Mike Smith Rivera joins the cast as Papi.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Kenneth Mitchell, An Actor Who Appeared In Captain Marvel And A Star Trek Series, Has Died

The actor, who was 49, was diagnosed with ALS - also known as motor neurone disease - five and a half years ago.

His family said in a statement on Instagram that Mitchell was "an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched".

Mitchell appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character's father, Joseph Danvers.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell was married to actress Susan May Pratt and the pair had two children together.

He revealed that he was suffering from ALS in an interview with People magazine in 2020, and said he had been using a powered wheelchair.

In the post on Instagram, his family paid tribute to him as "a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger... and more than anything else, a proud father".

News Shorts: Epic Mickey Getting Remade For The Nintendo Switch Later In The Year, Arch Nemesis Coke And Pepsi To Face Off In Standalone Film And Harry Potter TV Series To Stream On Max In 2026

Disney is doing another remake

Developer Purple Lamp and publisher THQ Nordic announced that their 3D platformer remake dubbed ‘Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed’ will be coming to PC via Steam, PlayStation, Xbox consoles, and the Nintendo Switch later this year. Previously a Nintendo Wii exclusive by Warren Spector many moons ago, this beautiful remake sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey through Wasteland, a realm of forgotten Disney characters. As Mickey, you will dive into a fantastical world and, armed with paint and thinner, shape your adventure and the fate of this alternate world.
Cola Wars greenlit by Sony

Sony has stepped up with a seven figure bid to uncap Cola Wars, a movie pitch that tells the true story of Pepsi’s attempt to challenge Coca-Cola’s century-long reign as the world’s top cola, sparking the unforgettable “Cola Wars” of the mid-1980s. This behind-the-scenes account, from Michael Jackson’s fiery mishap to the New Coke debacle, tells the ultimate underdog tale of history’s most iconic second-place contender vying for the No. 1 spot. Sources said it was around $1.5 million while Sony said it was $1 million, still a whopping deal for a pitch.

It falls into place alongside films about products like the Ben Affleck-directed Air, about the battle by Nike to win Michael Jordan for a shoe line that transformed the company. There were rival bids massing with elements attached, but Sony stepped up. Maia Eyre, the exec who oversaw the hit Anyone But You, will shepherd this one.
Harry Potter remake coming in 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav confirmed Friday that a long-planned Harry Potter series is aiming to debut on Max in 2026.

This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content about the project, which he also assured fans would be “a faithful adaptation.

DStv Shorts: Death Reckoning Launches On Real Time Alongside More Beat Bobby Flay, Comedy Central Celebrates April Fools With More South Park And Trinayani To Make Her Pay-TV Debut On Zee World Across Africa

Real Time starts the next month with premieres

Beat Bobby Flay S18
NEW TO CHANNEL
Talented chefs battle for the chance to take down Chef Bobby Flay. One is picked to compete against Bobby in his own arena and challenge him with a surprise signature dish.
First TX: 1 March 
TX Day: Weekdays 
TX Time: 11:15

Dead Reckoning
NEW TO CHANNEL
Some of America's most puzzling murder investigations are recounted as police methodically and meticulously reconstruct events. After studying all the clues the victims left behind, investigators put the pieces together to crack the case and get justice.
First TX: 25 March 
TX Day: Weekdays 
TX Time: 22:30
South Park continues its antics on Comedy Central

In April, Comedy Central will be continuing the South Park antics with an April Fools stunt tiled South Park: Joysticks and Jokes at 22:00. This will be followed by another stunt which comes in celebration of Weeds Day with the film Pretty Stoned alongside a South Park marathon from the 22nd in the same timeslot.
More Zee One shows load on DStv

After launching on Zee One back in 2023, it has revealed on several social platforms that Trinayani will be making her premium debut on Zee World in April. It would join another upcoming show Sister Wives that is also set to rollout in the month.

Trinayani follows the titular character's ability to foresee the future and the past often lands her in trouble. Despite the setbacks, she strives to use her gift to protect the people around her from harm. It stars Sri Satya Sumana and Aashika Gopal Padukone in leading roles.

Openview Shorts: uBettina Wethu Cancelled On e.tv After 4 Seasons With New Episodes On eSeries, SABC 3 Adds Afrikaans News And Other Content To Its Line-up This March And Chrysalis To Return With A Season 2 This April On eExtra

uBettina Wethu moving to eSeries, Isiphethu and untitled drama in development

Last year, the public broadcaster decided to make budget cuts by cancelling 7de Laan after 23 years on air with uBettina Wethu that was revived on e.tv. Since its debut on e.tv, the fashion drama had to captivate audiences in both 18:30 and 20:30 timeslots.

Unlike Nikiwe, the show wasn't present in the channel's top 20 offering as seen with Scandal, House Of Zwide and Isitha: The Enemy. It wouldn't be shocking if season 4 were to be its last as repeats broadcast at 16:10.

As reported on social platforms, new episodes of uBettina Wethu season 4 will air on eSeries at 18:25 with repeats of eKasi: Our Stories on e.tv in that timeslot. The channel is said to be working on two local dramas one titled Isiphethu and the second is in Afrikaans.
SABC undergoing schedule changes

During the week, it was reported that SABC had cancelled FOKUS one of the few Afrikaans programs on SABC 2. As plans are underway to move further Afrikaans content like Voetspore and 50/50 to SABC 3 exclusively but the problem with that is the lack of viewers.

Vetkoekpaleis was only able to pull around 800,000 viewers on SABC 2 in December while SABC 3 is currently sitting with 400,000. Other than that, SABC hasn't been producing much content for this audience and such move could lead to surge in viewers for eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET.

From what we can confirm Nuus will be airing on SABC 3 at 20:30 from March 4th serving as the only weekday Afrikaans offering. 50/50 and Voetspore will serve as weekly offerings therefore maxing out the offering - details of a date and time have yet to be mentioned.
Chrysalis returns to eExtra

Ahead of the second and possible third and final season debut, eExtra's Kuiertyd will be adding its first drama series from the Czech Republic titled Soos Nag En Dag by March 4th. The series consists of 26 episodes giving Chrysalis an open window by April 9th in the same timeslot.

The drama followed Nalan who seems perfect from the outside, was being severely abused by her mother. Sedat, one of the richest men in Turkey, proposes to her. But her husband and family, who seem perfect from the outside, are not normal either.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

News Shorts: SuperSport Motorsport Opens Up To DStv Compact And Compact Plus Customers In Time For The F1 Season, Undercover Billionaire Returns On Discovery Family For Season 2 And PBS Kids Loads Up On Civics And Media Literacy With New Shorts

Undercover Billionaire returns for season 2

With just $100 in their pockets, three business titans are dropped in unfamiliar cities, stripped of their names, money and contacts and given a simple challenge: Build a $1 million business in just 90 days.

First TX: 13 March 
TX Day: Weekdays 
TX Time: 19:40
SuperSport Motorsport opening up to more DStv customers

The 2024 Formula 1 season will be the longest campaign on record with 24 races and six Sprint events from March 2nd to December 8th. There were 24 races planned for 2023, but the cancellation of the Chinese GP due to COVID-travel restrictions and Emilia Romagna due to floods reduced the number to 22.

MultiChoice will be making the F1 on SuperSport Motorsport accessible to DStv Compact+ and Compact from 28 February to 11 March.
PBS KIDS enters the classroom

PBS KIDS has commissioned a collection of themed content touching on civics and media literacy in order to address a learning gap that isn’t being well-served by the US school system.

On the greenlit list is Sesame Workshop’s new series of 20 Together We Can music videos for four-to-eight-year-olds, exploring topics such as rights, voting and what it means to be part of a community. 

PBS KIDS is also reupping its civics-focused City Island series of three-minute shorts for a second season, plus working on a City Island Sings spinoff (10 music videos). The next batch of 20 City Island episodes will tackle media literacy topics like news, advertising and fact-based reporting for six to 10s in an expanded 2D-animated story world.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Nick Shorts: Erin & Aaron Cancelled After One Season On Netflix, Nick Jr. Enters The Splat Zone Globally And The Thundermans Return To Nickelodeon Africa With A New Movie

Another one bites the dust

Nickelodeon has unfortunately decided to cancel Erin & Aaron and not renew the network's live-action comedy series for a second season. It follows teenage stepsiblings Erin and Aaron as they navigate their new lives after their parents’ marriage, and find strength in their shared passion for music. 

The show's cancellation was announced by Jensen Gering, who played Aaron on the series, on the actor's official Instagram page.

Erin & Aaron premiered on Nickelodeon in the U.S. on Thursday, April 20, with season one featuring 13 episodes. It was available exclusively on Netflix internationally by November 2023. 
Nick Jr. finally goes Splat

Nick Jr.'s finally rebranded after failing to do so in 2023, aside from Africa it also includes Europe, the the Americas (Latin America and Brazil), Middle East, Asia, and New Zealand. The rebrand was also launched on the Nickelodeon Junior channel in France.

Based on Nickelodeon's recently introduced Splat logo, the rebrand includes new on-air graphics, such as lower-thirds, updated BUG/DOG, bumpers, idents, promo endboards, and Curriculum Boards. This only leaves secondary brands like Nicktoons which is also slated for 2024.
The Thundermans return to Nickelodeon

The Thundermans are back! Nickelodeon will premiere The Thundermans Return, a brand new movie based on Nickelodeon‘s hit live-action superhero comedy series, The Thundermans, across Africa on Sunday 31st March 2024!

After three years of fighting crime in their new city of Metroburg, The Thundermans are suddenly stripped of their assignment and sent back to Hiddenville. While Hank and Barb look forward to their return ‘home’, Chloe develops new friend groups, Billy and Nora enjoy a normal school life, and Max and Phoebe are determined to regain their superhero status.”

The film will also airing on various Nickelodeon channels across the world within March.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

News Shorts: MultiChoice Silently Adds SuperSport La Liga To DStv Access Consumers, Eureka! Cancelled After One Season On Disney Junior And Telenovela Channel Phillipines To Close By The End Of February

SuperSport La Liga on Access

Home of the Spanish La Liga & UEFA Europa League while also showcasing overflow matches from the UEFA Champions League. Several DStv consumers had spotted the channel on their package alongside Zee World, Star Life, and various others.

In an enquiry to MultiChoice, they mention that SuperSport La Liga will be opened until further notice (likely permanent) while all other channels will remain temporarily. Taking to account that NWTV and One Freestate Televisual had closed these channels are probably a distraction.

MultiChoice will be announcing their new annual prices which will come into affect from April. With these recent closures of channels, one has to wonder if MultiChoice has more developments up their sleeves aside from cost adjustments.

Another bites the dust

Eureka! is an American-Irish animated children's television series produced by Brown Bag Films. It premiered on Disney Junior in the United States on June 22, 2022. Set in the Stone Age within the location of Rocky Falls, it followed the eponymous girl Eureka who enjoys going on adventures and building gadgets.

According to Disney TVA News, Eureka! had been quietly cancelled after one season at Disney Junior, many members of the crew moved to Robogobo and non-Disney shows at Brown Bag Films. It would join The Ghost And Molly McGee, Secret Of Sulphur Springs and Bunk'd as shows to have been axed by the network.

Disney is focusing on building out its multicam strategy and that includes prioritising shows that are based on Disney-owned IP, and creating global tentpole programming.

Telenovela Channel Phillipines to go dark

Telenovela Channel served as the first and only telenovela channel in the Phillipines in 2011. Owned by Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc. with the partnership of Grupo Televisa would broadcast various Mexican dramas viewed on TLNovelas including Sortilego, La Rosa De Guadalupe and Las Amazonas.

After 12 years, it was reported the channel's website that Telenovela Channel Phillipines will end transmission after 12 years by the end of February which would coincide with the closure of Disney Junior in the Nordic market as further content integrates with Disney Channel.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

News Shorts: Secrets Of Sulphur Springs Cancelled After Three Seasons On Disney Channel, A Rebroadcast Of The Chosen Granddaughter Launches On Telemundo Africa And Beavis And Butthead Returns With A New Season On Comedy Central Africa

Disney axes another show

There will be no fourth season for Disney Channel‘s Secrets of Sulpher Springs. The network has canceled the time-travel mystery-adventure series after three seasons, it had been confirmed.

Created, written and executive produced by Tracey Thomson (The Young and the Restless), Secrets of Sulpher Springs followed 12-year-old Griffin Campbell (Preston Oliver), whose world had been upended by his father, Ben (Josh Braaten), after he moved the family from Chicago to take ownership of an abandoned hotel property, The Tremont. The family—which also includes Griffin’s mother, Sarah (Kelly Frye), and his younger twin siblings, Wyatt (Landon Gordon) and Zoey (Madeleine McGraw)—lived in The Tremont in hopes of restoring it to the lively vacation destination it once was. On his first day at his new school, Griffin heard rumors that the hotel was haunted by the ghost of Savannah (Elle Graham), a girl who disappeared decades ago. He soon meets and befriends Harper (Kyliegh Curran), a thrill-seeking classmate, and they discover a secret portal that allows them to travel back in time and uncover clues about the town mystery.

This is the second Disney Channel series to be canceled in less than a month. As we previously reported. Jessie spinoff Bunk’d is ending with the conclusion of its seventh season.
Telemundo hits the snooze button with The Chosen Granddaughter

The Chosen Granddaughter's storyline is about a young woman whose life is controlled by her father. He intends to use her to take revenge on a rival family. However, his plans come to an unexpected halt when her supposed grandmother becomes overly protective and caring towards her. She also meets a young man charmed by her beauty, and they immediately spark a romantic relationship.

The series replaces Cennet: The Power Of Destiny from February 15 making Game Of Lies the only primetime show. Season 3 of Queen Of The South is slated to air sometime in the year after it was delayed for the second time first due to changing legislation and second Game Of Lies.
Beavis And Butthead is coming to Comedy Central

 The triumphant return of Beavis and Butthead (both voiced by creator Mike Judge), two teenage boys who like things that are cool and don't like things that suck. The new season of Beavis And Butthead airs Fridays at 22:35 CAT. Joining the lineup is a Woman's Day stunt for South Park titled The Power Of Her: Celebrating Women In South Park from 4 to 8 March at 22:00 CAT.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

News Shorts: CNN Phillipines To Close Down With 300 Job Losses, Fourth And Final Season Of Die Put On eExtra And Final Episodes Of The Ghost And Molly McGee Season 2 On Disney Channel Release Dates Revealed

CNN to close

CNN Philippines is to close down on Wednesday, the company announced on Monday local time. The move means up to 300 jobs will be lost.

CNN Philippines was launched in 2015 under a brand licensing agreement between Turner and Nine Media Network, a Philippines company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ALC Group of Companies previously launched by the late Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua.

“CNN Philippines will discontinue operations on all media platforms effective Wednesday, Jan 31, 2044,” the company said in a posting on social media. “A trusted source of news and information CNN Philippines is accessible on free-to-air TV, cable and digital platforms. To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication. To our partners, including CNN Worldwide / Turner Broadcasting Corporation, we are grateful for your support. And to our viewers, our sincerest gratitude for your loyalty and trust over the past 9 years.”
Ramos axed on eExtra

Ramos was made available on eVOD Stream back in 2023 before launching on eExtra. With the season 1 finale on eExtra set for 28 February, eExtra will replace the eVOD Stream exclusive with another which was once exclusive to linear platforms, Die Put S4 from 29 February.

Synopsis for the final season:

With Arık Böke and Cengiz Erdenet joining the game, the Koçovalı Family begin the great war with the Erdenet Family. Cengiz, who will change all the balances in the war between the Koçovalı Family and the Erdenet Family, makes very important decisions about Yamaç. 

We are awaiting an update on the second season of Ramos on eExtra but it if we had to guess it will more likely surface once Die Put ends.
The Ghost And Molly McGee comes to a close

During the month, it was reported that Disney Channel axed both The Ghost And Molly McGee and Bunk'd with final episodes slated for 2023. Unlike Bunk'd, final episodes of The Ghost And Molly McGee was made available on some international Disney Channels before the United States.

Now we've recieved word from sources that these episodes will arrive in Africa from March 18 as a double from 16:05 CAT. Anticipated episodes for this season include Jinx Vs. The Human World and The End - we won't be sharing any spoilers.

Disney Shorts: Disney Enterprises Might Be Looking To Rebrand Disney Junior, Disney's Journey Alongside Dog And Frog Animated Series Rumoured To Be In Development For Disney Channel And Disney+

Disney Junior's new look

It appears Disney Junior might be undergoing their first rebrand following its inception back in 2012 as a TV channel and years prior on Disney Channel. Disney had filed a trademark for this design but it has yet to be seen if this will be applied across EMEA following the channel's rebrand in 2022.
Disney adding another animal based program

Following the rollout of Kiff in 2023, Disney appears to be working on yet another possible animated series for the Disney Channel titled Dog And Frog. Not much is known about the project but Thurop Van Orman, Pedro Eboli and Mark Satterthwaite, Raj Brueggemann and Hannah Ayoubi are tied to it.
Disney adapting Dungeon And Dungeons

Following news of Dog And Frog is another animated project described as a Fantasy/Dungeon And Dragons type series titled Journey. It follows the titular character who is described as “always been a little right-brained, a little messy, a little ‘strange.’ Her interests include “Dungeons & Dragons” and fantasy stories.

Another character confirmed for the show, Tunde is “free-spirited, fun-loving, thrill-seeker with magic skills, living a nomadic lifestyle beyond the Dome with his small crew.” Also described as “a champion of peace and love,” the grid literally likens to Bob Marley.

Monday, January 22, 2024

News Shorts: Paramount Unveils First Look At Daria Spinoff Jodie, Wizards Of The Waverly Place Prequel In Development For Disney Channel And The Fairly OddParents To Get A Sequel Series On Netflix

Jodie: First Look at 'Daria' Spin-Off's Logo

Comedy Central announced back in August 2020 that it had commissioned Jodie, a spin-off film based on Daria starring Tracee Ellis Ross, as part of the network tapping into IP across Paramount Global to build an original animated slate of adult comedy around stalwart South Park. Although not much has been said about the new movie since the original announcement, it looks like that's all about to change!

Paramount Global, the parent company of Comedy Central, has started to apply for trademarks for the film with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including for "Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services" and "Clothing; footwear; headgear", the latter giving us a first look at the Jodie logo!.

"We are excited to reinvent this iconic franchise with a new creative team and our partners at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio," Chris McCarthy, President of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, shared in a statement back in 2020 when the news was first announced. "Ren & Stimpy joins our rapidly expanding roster of adult animation, including South Park, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Clone High, as we continue to reimagine our treasure chest of beloved IP for new generations."

Selena Gomez and David Henrie reunite for Wizards Of The Waverly Place

One of Disney’s signature comedies, Wizards of Waverly Place, is getting a sequel. Disney Branded Television has ordered a pilot for the follow-up, which is executive produced by original stars Selena Gomez and her small screen sibling David Henrie. Gomez will guest star in the pilot for Disney Channel as the character that helped launch her career, Alex Russo, with David Henrie reprising the role of Justin Russo as a series regular. He is joined by new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just Roll with It), Alkaio Thiele (Call Me Kat) and Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess).

The revival pilot comes from writers and executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas who are behind another Disney Channel comedy spinoff, Raven’s Home. It picks up after a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin Russo has left his wizard powers behind, opting for a normal, human life with his wife and two sons. But he gets a surprise when a powerful young wizard in need of training shows up at his door… and Justin must embrace his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World.
The Fairly OddParents is getting another reboot

It's been reported that a new series is in development at Netflix called The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. Though the show has not been officially announced, the report claims that its existence was uncovered by way of a leaked video. The news also follows original Fairly OddParents voice actor Daran Norris mentioning in July 2023 that he was working on a new project for the franchise, though he didn't share any additional details at the time.

The fresh report also noted some plot details for The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. It is said that the sequel series will introduce a 10-year-old girl named Hazel Wells as the new protagonist, the role Timmy Turner played in the original series. Despite the change in protagonists, however, it's reported that Norris and Susanne Blakeslee are reprising their roles as Cosmo and Wanda from the original series, as the characters are "coming out of retirement to grant Hazel her wishes."