Why Some Consumers Haven't Lost Hope On SABC And MultiChoice Just Yet?

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Through my years of online journalism, you do tend to come across criticism some of these are just troll comments while others come from a good place. This is something that SABC and MultiChoice has been battling with since their inception to the South African market.

As some may have already heard on several occasions, SABC is in financial turmoil relying on bailouts and sponsors to keep them afloat. With their money crisis, it has led to implement several cuts across SABC 1-3 with the government looking to change its funding model which could as well take several years to get into action.

For sometime, SABC has been trying to make an extra buck through MultiChoice by making them collect TV licenses or a household levy. This is because they offer the most watched channels in South Africa (including DStv) and MultiChoice opposes the deal as the broadcaster makes R500 million in advertising with just 4 channels.

MultiChoice is already going through a similar hurdle with its consumer base on DStv and are hoping to get a fresh start with Showmax and the Canal+ deal. Following its split from Vivendi, Canal+ and MultiChoice are hoping to complete this transaction in the beginning of a new financial year April 2025 to help them take on Netflix.

Although Netflix has over 200 million subscribers globally, MultiChoice has 19 million subscribers through DStv and Netflix doesn't have much consumers in Africa which reports estimating these consumers reside in 2 million households by 2023. 

With Canal+ having 8 million subscribers in Francophone Africa with MultiChoice's existing figures it ensures that they are ahead of the competition in Africa.

While some consumers may feel SABC and MultiChoice's services should be rendered redundant these are companies that are helping shape up the local industry and come with history. The unemployment rate is edging close to 50% with 80% of these individuals being youth and their demise will only worsen the problem.

SABC News, eNCA and Newzroom Afrika will be nothing without the funds coming from MultiChoice and although Netflix has been investing locally they're not expected to bulk up to such capacity. In the end, Netflix was only able to garner relevance for its content produced in other countries even with Africa on the map not much would change.

How MultiChoice Is Tackling LGBTQ Following Same Sex Ban In Namibia?

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Not long ago, a new bill has been making rounds in Namibia which prohibit same sex relationships basically LGBTQ after discussions were underway to legalize such as in South Africa. But unlike Namibia, some countries within Africa primarily Cameroon and Uganda had tightened restrictions to a point where legal action can be persewed.

This actions affected several channels on DStv particularly Telemundo in 2023 where Nurses was unexpectedly yanked from the channel leaving only reruns. According to Telemundo, it was due to a change in legislation although not mentioning Uganda and Cameroon led to the temporary suspension of Nurses.

Since last year, MultiChoice has been working closely with channel providers with localized feeds to TLC and Disney Channel launching in Southern African countries. These feeds resided in the Western and Eastern parts of Africa and with their inception has led Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur and The Owl House to get exempted.

In previous years, MultiChoice had excluded such content from the Western and Eastern parts of Africa with Southern Africa being conjoined due to transponders. With these endeavours now making waves in more African countries, it has led to confusion amongst DStv consumers particularly in Southern Africa.

Some DStv consumers are wondering why Disney Channel suddenly appears on channel 315 and what's mind boggling is that Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur was announced as a new show for this channel despite it only being offered on channel 303.

Aside from TLC and Disney Channel, MultiChoice had been distributing localized feeds for M-Net, Nickelodeon, BBC Lifestyle and E! Entertainment. We can only assume that more of these feeds will likely integrate to Southern Africa with some exceptions like Zee World and SuperSport.

Could StudioCanal Africa Also Be On The Pipeline For MultiChoice Suitor Canal+?

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StudioCanal serves as the production arm for the French broadcaster offering original films and series in US, UK, France and several parts of Europe and Africa. It is home to franchises like Paddington and Bridget Jones and also has co-produced films like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Free Willy.

With its parent company Canal+ looking to complete it's acquisition of MultiChoice plans are underway to stretch StudioCanal's expertise through this transaction as seen with M-Net's Spinners. Last year, production began in Cape Town on a new film titled Huntington starring American actor Glen Powell.

They plan to utilize MultiChoice's resources to build on intellectual properties (IPs) to better combat against Netflix that too has curated local content such as Blood And Water. Prior to MultiChoice's inclusion, Canal+ already owned ROK Studios (Nigeria) and Zacu Entertainment (Rwanda) with Marodi TV (Congolese) likely to join the ranks.

Should this transaction with MultiChoice progress we can only imagine that StudioCanal Africa would be formed from all this. It would consist of MultiChoice/M-Net Studios, Zacu Entertainment, Marodi TV, ROK Studios and any future investment Canal+ plans to pursuit in Africa.

Right now, ROK Studios and likely Zacu Entertainment are part of StudioCanal's global operations but we have seen them launch regional versions in the UK and Australia. It would only make sense to have one situated in Africa considering that MultiChoice would make them a giant in the region.

At the moment, Canal+ had been distributing Africa Magic Epic and select content from M-Net onto their platforms in french overseas. With their stake in MultiChoice, we can only imagine that they'll seek to unite these markets and give their French endeavours more scale as seen in parts of Africa with Africa Magic and Zambezi Magic.

MSNBC Will Not Undergo A Name Change Once It Is Spun Off From Comcast

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 MSNBC will retain its name after it is spun off from Comcast along with other cable assets.

Mark Lazarus, who is leading the new company, told network staffers of the plans at a meeting today to announce the departure of Rashida Jones as the network’s president and the naming of Rebecca Kutler as interim leader, according to a network source.

“I know there was some discussion with the MSNBC name, so you can take that off of your worry list on things,” Lazarus said at the meeting.

Kutler also will be hiring a head of newsgathering and head of talent, Lazarus said. Throughout its history, MSNBC has drawn on correspondents and anchors from sister network NBC News, which will remain part of Comcast.

Lazarus said, “The only thing I’ll say is the worst thing any leader can do is change something that’s working just because they can. So, if this is working, then there’s no reason to change it.”

The spinoff, announced in November, is expected to take about a year to complete. It also will include USA Network, CNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel.

MSNBC launched in 1996 as a venture between NBC News and Microsoft. It had a heavy emphasis on the then-emerging internet, but its primetime eventually evolved into a progressive alternative to right-leaning Fox News.

What Was Me And 1Magic Replaced With On Canal+'s DStv English Plus Add-On?

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Last year, MultiChoice decided to axe Me from the DStv Compact and Family packages as it merged with the premium channel 1Magic to form 1Max. The channel would comprise of shows viewed on the revamped Showmax streaming service which forms as part of a joint venture with NBCUniversal.

After Canal+ acquired a stake in MultiChoice and this was before the hostile takeover which is expected to conclude within the first half of 2025. The French broadcaster was able to license content from M-Net with DStv offering Africa Magic Showcase, Discovery and Telemundo through their platforms as an Add-On in French markets.

M-Net City and VUZU formed part of this lineup before merging to form Me alongside 1Magic. As seen with DStv's lower bouquets, these channels were ousted from Canal+ platforms and wasn't replaced by 1Max despite distributing 1Magic.

But rather Canal+ opted to distribute Universal TV in place of Me with E! taking over the spot formerly reserved by 1Magic. These channels are owned by NBCUniversal and as we mentioned sometime ago select content from Me and 1Magic can be seen on these brands including The Real Housewives, S.W.A.T. and NCIS: Los Angeles.

Of course, M-Net didn't think that the decision to remove Me will have rippling affects as Mzansi Magic exempts itself local shows like Recipe For Love And Murder and Legacy. Expanding on Me, it was also home to international franchises like The Amazing Race, Survivor and MasterChef now consumers have to turn to SABC or Showmax.

Despite the rippling affects of linear TV overseas there's still a lot of dependency for such platforms in other countries as Canal+ seeks to grow its operations with the acquisition of MultiChoice following its split from Vivendi. But in some way, the actions depicted by MultiChoice had been seen through rival broadcasters.

eMedia Investments' at one point had e.tv distributed a majority of programming from NBCUniversal, Disney and CBS Studios before folding that under Openview. SABC made a similar move with SABC 3 which proved to be controversial it even led viewers and content distributors to flee the channel.

How The MultiChoice Acquisition Might Worsen Things For DStv?

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DStv serves as the largest entertainment entertainment platform in Africa by MultiChoice despite seeing a loss in consumers in recent years with its parent company undergoing a takeover by Canal+. It offers a variety of local and international content from Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and BBC alongside the best in sports.

As reported in 2024, Canal+ is in the process of completing it's acquisition of MultiChoice with South African regulators. Should this deal move ahead, it would give the French broadcaster access to almost 50 million households with close to 30 million residing in Africa which would help them take on giants like Netflix.

Prior to the MultiChoice takeover, Canal+ already offered services in Europe through SPI International, Viaplay, Platforma Canal+ and the M7 Group with V+, VIU and Canal+ Myanmar residing in Asia. With Canal+ facing constraints in France viewed these markets as potential outlets for growth. 

Similar to MultiChoice, most of these properties listed served as start ups for Canal+ before being placed under French control. That was because Canal+ didn't have the expertise or necessary resources to compete in these markets so the other way would be through corporate buyouts or partnerships.

In Francophone Africa, a market in which Canal+ remains the dominant player very similar to DStv has very little to be desired. When it comes to France and Europe, Canal+ has plenty to compare with DStv but in Africa that is all on MultiChoice if Canal+ is dominant in one area it would be local content.

A tie-up with MultiChoice would make Canal+ a  dominant player and give them the scale as seen in France and parts of Europe. Canal+ has licensed numerous channels from DStv such as M-Net Movies, Africa Magic Epic and Zee World for these consumers in french markets and this transaction could lead to more content sharing.

As for DStv, there could be cuts when Disney+ was I  pre-development stages Disney didn't have much content for adults and the FOX acquisition gave them that. But things didn't improve for FOX as the Disney takeover led to numerous FOX channels across the world and studios to close.

On the DStv side, some outlets had stressed about that 20% cap put on foreigners even if Canal+ acquired MultiChoice it's voting rights in SA are minimal. Majority of MultiChoice's services come from South Africa and some fear that part of these services could as well be reduced if not closed even with a third party managing it's licenses.

If you look at Canada, a majority of MultiChoice's content providers are handled by local businesses Corus Entertainment manages Paramount Global with Bell Media handling Comcast. Channels that have still been exempted from this lineup in the region include MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nicktoons, DreamWorks Channel and E!.

Corus through the Disney Channel has been importing Canadian shows while the global part is still Disney. This could be the case for DStv, where Canal+ the employee or as the stake in South Africa handles various licensing agreements while it's partner handles the financial aspect and whoever handles the finances has more power.

 

This is what happened when StarTimes acquired a 20% stake in TopTV (now StarSat) even though On Digital Media held the 80%, StarTimes decided who they should do business with. On Digital Media in this regard would turn down some businesses that wound up being licensed to other parts of Africa.

Another hurdle awaiting DStv with this takeover is consolidation, when Discovery acquired Warner it was very similar to Disney they were only cuts nothing new or beneficial came out of this deal. Even with their Max streaming service, what they did was use it as a promotional window for Discovery+.

This is where DStv could be heading, Canal+ curated local content in Francophone Africa and with this takeover they'll probably try to give that more exposure. MultiChoice had already done that with Africa Magic and SABC News so it only seems fair if the French implement similar mechanisms.

Who knows maybe this takeover will see M-Net curate and license more content from StudioCanal as this was outlined in the company's prospectus. 

Why Warner's Upcoming Restructure Will Serve As A Minus To Cartoon Network And Discovery Channel?

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Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to fold most of its cable networks which comprise of Cartoon Network, TNT and Investigation Discovery under the division Global Linear Networks. This comes after Comcast announced plans to unbundle majority of its cable networks later in the year.

Cartoon Network, TNT and Investigation Discovery being spun off from Warner Bros. Studios won't improve anything there for the average consumer. For Warner Bros. Discovery, this brand split means they'll be able to reduce expenses and less being spent on new content for these brands means more revenue.

Internationally, Warner Bros. Discovery always felt spun off they have proven that on a number of occasions. Take for instance, Cartoon Network has relied on imports like Jade Armor and Hero Inside or regional shows like CN To The Rescue and The Amazing World Of Gumball to build up their schedule so that's unlikely to change.

So you could say with this change what this means for Cartoon Network is similar to that of Universal TV where their parent company will rely heavily on M-Net or Showmax rather than their respective networks for these shows. If you look overseas, the current executives are moving most of Cartoon Network's shows from Max to Netflix.

If anything, the lack of content for these cable networks could lead both MultiChoice and Warner Bros. Discovery to further streamline their portfolio. This transaction has a bigger effect on the factual part of the company which comprise of HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel.

Unlike Cartoon Network and TNT, these networks had a lot of dependency on these properties and with the current state of pay-tv I expect for less to be invested towards these brands. Some channels like Discovery Family could get booted off while others like Food Network are either sold or turned into an import for Discovery+.

February 2025 On Universal TV, E! And Studio Universal Across Africa | Channel Premieres: E! Live From The Red Carpet (Grammy Awards) | Returning Shows Including Harry Wild | More

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Universal TV

NCIS

Season 20 – Channel Premiere

Premieres Monday 3rd February at 8pm

Special Agent Alden Parker is still on the run while the NCIS teams up with the Hawaiian agents to try to clear his name. Main suspect: the Raven.

MAGNUM P.I. 

Season 5 – Channel Premiere

Premiere Friday 21st February at 8pm

It’s the fifth and final season, with Magnum, Rick and Higgins taking down Hawaii’s most dangerous criminals and solving seemingly impossible cases.

HARRY WILD

Season 3- Territory Premiere

Continues Fridays at 8pm, season finale 14th February

Retired English professor Harry and Fergus take on more cases, including the apparent suicide of a singer, the replacement of a chef’s entrée at a restaurant and more.

E!

Valentine Special

Weekdays in February from 3rd – 14th at 21:00

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s than to romance-up the schedule this February? Featuring: Dating No Filter.

E! Live From The Red Carpet: The 2025 Grammy Awards

Monday 3rd February at 19:00

Join E! for a night of glitter and glamour at this annual event celebrating the best in today’s music. See who’s wearing what as the stars strut their stuff in LA.

Studio Universal 

Comedy After Dark

10th – 14th February

Mon – Fri @ 9:45pm

It’s the month of love, but here on Studio we do Valentine’s a little differently! Expect the unexpected: time travel, magical masks, and Eddie Murphy snogging Eddie

10th February: Knight and Day 

11th February: Norbit

12th February: The Mask

13th February: Palm Springs

ACTION WEEKEND–JET LI

15th – 23rd February

Sat & Sun Double-bills from 8pm

Master of kung fu, Jet Li got his nickname “Jet” because of his speed and grace. In February we put our Action Weekends into his very capable and extremely fast hands!

15th February at 21:55: The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk 2

22nd February at 21:35: Cradle 2 the Grave

23rd February at 20:00: Tai Chi Master

23rd February at 21:35: Romeo Must Die

The Eclipse Of Traditional TV: eMedia And MultiChoice Navigate The Streaming Tide

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With Comcast looking to offload its cable networks we turn our sites to both MultiChoice and eMedia Investments whose 2024 was somewhat dismal or dramatic at least for one of the two. MultiChoice ousted 11 channels while undergoing a takeover by Canal+ which is awaiting approval from South African regulators.

eMedia Investments has rounded another year with no additions despite promises to add a few more channels as Ultraview's future is being questioned after OUTtv and FUSE reverted to eVOD.

Let's face it, consumers don't prioritise TV as much in recent years as Netflix has become the hangout spot for shows like Squid Games and Wednesday. MultiChoice has been focused on everything from streaming, insurance and cybersecurity but saving the once dominant DStv platform.

Even the financially challenged SABC's top rated soaps are grasping through straws as their viewership continues to plummet. Uzalo that serves as the dominant player amongst the foe stood at 4.8 million in October 2024 which is a 21% drop from 6.1 million in October 2023.

This is the reason MultiChoice has been selective when it comes to sourcing content take for instance Zee Zonke. The only reason this channel was able to stay afloat is due to Zee TV's existing footprint in the market same goes for SuperSport Schools that established it's presence on YouTube as School Sports Live.

If anything things haven't been greener for eMedia's Ultraview offering as part of its offering had been merged with eVOD, consumers are curious on what's next for the brand. Since it's rollout, it was met with heavy criticism for its pricing and content offering while being compared to DStv so a majority are expecting for it to be dismantled.

When it was introduced, Eskom was going full force with power cuts although that withered DStv hasn't recovered and as for Ultraview it never had a fighting chance. Remember eMedia Investments hadn't disclosed consumer numbers for Ultraview but it's assumed to have under 500 subscribers.

In general, adding new channels has been more riskier in recent years MultiChoice had done that with One Freestate Televisual and NWTV which lasted for about 3 months. Even if the plan were to restructure, SABC has done that numerous times with SABC 3 and it still hasn't saved its fallen viewership.

M-Net's Linear Offering Could Undergo Further Streamlining Once Canal+ Takeover Deal Is Completed

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M-Net serves as a division of MultiChoice which comprise of shows like Carte Blanche, Summertide, Battleground and Umkhokha: The Curse. They also offer TV channels viewed across various markets such as Africa Magic, Mzansi Magic, KykNet, Maisha Magic and Pearl Magic.

As some may have heard, Canal+ is looking to complete it's transaction to acquire MultiChoice following its split from Vivendi in 2023. The deal is subjected to various regulatory approvals with both companies giving themselves until April 2025 to complete this transaction.

Should this deal move forward, we anticipate for MultiChoice to lose its license as broadcaster outside of South Africa it's likely that the remainder of MultiChoice could be focused on driving growth to Showmax. As for M-Net, SuperSport and DStv, those will all be under French control.

Despite being a French broadcaster, Canal+ has expanded its operations through Viaplay in Nordic countries, VIU in Asia and as already mentioned MultiChoice in Africa. With this transaction, there has been a lot of fear amongst the media that Canal+ will seek to scale back on content.

Vivendi already abandoned the broadcaster and left the window open for new investments meaning similar to Naspers abandonment of MultiChoice the money is limited. With MultiChoice already facing losses within DStv, cuts are inevitable and Canal+ had hinted on this.

With them already having operations in Francophone Africa, Canal+ could seek to reduce commissions coming to Africa Magic and replace them with imports from Zacu TV. Maybe even look to separate MultiChoice Studios from their cable networks and have cheaper programming filter their schedule.

Worst case scenario is folding Akwaaba Magic under Africa Magic as it minimises exposure and again reduces commissions. That's what happened when MultiChoice decided to axe ITV Choice it was only Coronation Street and Emmerdale that carried it on M-Net.

In the end, most sources are anticipating cuts to await this transaction cause from everyone's understanding Showmax is the main priority for MultiChoice and they can't be spending excessively. With DStv's current performance, it would make sense to shift the goalpost to Showmax and have DStv promote.

Reminder: Season 3 Of Harry Wild To Premiere On Universal TV On 10 January 2025

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Universal TV (DStv 117) has today announced the return of the popular Irish comedy crime-drama, Harry Wild, with Season 3 airing on 10 January 2025. The six-part series will air every Friday at 20:00 (CAT) until the season finale on 14 February. 

 

With the agency as busy as ever, Harry (Jane Seymour) and Fergus (Rohan Nedd) must find a way to balance work and life as they make plans to contest the custody claim of his long-absent mother for his little sister.

 

Season 3 of Harry Wild features the following episodes:

• 10 January, 20:00 – Killing Me Softly With His Bad Pop Song. Shortly after greeting his fans, a popular singer falls off a roof in an apparent suicide.

• 17 January, 20:00 – Too Many Harrys Spoil The Murder. A business meeting in a restaurant takes a bad turn when the chef's entrée has been replaced and the guests make a gruesome discovery.

• 24 January, 20:00 – Lights, Camera, Murder. On an Irish soap opera set, the tyrannical director is murdered mid-scene. The frantic producer seeks help from detectives Harry and Fergus to swiftly nab the culprit and resume filming.

• 31 January, 20:00 – The Man Who Murdered Himself. Mystery novelist found dead in locked panic room with no gun. Private eyes Fergus and Harry investigate the peculiar case while fending off the meddlesome Harry Benedict.

• 7 February, 20:00 – Cleanliness Is Next To Deadliness. The Vibrant Villages competition is fierce, with dirty tricks and sabotage galore. So when Harry's friend Evelyn Summers finds dead fish in her pond, she assumes it's more of the same-until she finds the corpse of her estranged husband.

• 14 February, 20:00 – Dead Man's Trigger. On Glenn and Petra's wedding day, Harry and Fergus head to the Garda station to collect Charlie, Orla, and Lola; an ex-soldier with a bomb walks in and demands that they solve the murder of his daughter, on the anniversary of her death.

 

Jane Seymour stars as title character Harry Wild, with Kevin Ryan as Charlie Wild and Rohan Nedd as Fergus Reid. Other cast members include Ciara O’Callaghan, Stuart Graham, Anthony Delaney, Morgan C. Jones, Paul Tylak, and Amy Huberman.

Harry Wild is a Dynamic Television production, in co-production with AMC Networks Productions and ZDF. The show is directed by Emery Conroy, and created and written by David Logan, with Jo Spain as a co-writer. Harry Wild is produced by Michael Queen, with Dan March, Klaus Zimmermann, James Gibb, James Flynn, Morgan O’Sullivan, David McLoughlin, Jane Seymour, David Logan, Jo Spain, Bea Tammer, Catherine Mackin, Claus Wunn, and Frank Seyberth serving as executive producers.

 

Season 3 of Harry Wild premieres on Universal TV on January 10 at 20.00 CAT, with new episodes airing every Friday until February 14.

Could KykNet And Mzansi Magic Undergo Further Restructure As Canal+ Edges Closer To MultiChoice?

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For those who haven't heard the news already, VIU which serves as one of the various streaming services competing with Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ now offers Afrikaans programming. After announcing plans to curate content in local languages original and dubbed programs like Eerste Liefde Laaste and Trom.

This isn't the first time that VIU has curated local content as they've licensed numerous projects from the SABC such as Skeem Saam, Uzalo, Muvhango and uBettina Wethu.

VIU aside from being a subsidiary of Canal+ who is currently in the process of completing it's acquisition of MultiChoice is very much like Showmax when it comes to scale and content. Should this deal move ahead, DStv consumers are likely to be seeing more imports on Mzansi Magic and KykNet.

Although from everyone's understanding, Canal+ would retain a 20% stake in MultiChoice SA there is ways to navigate those restrictions. KykNet has become a Southern African brand by filming content in Namibia and Botswana where this restriction wouldn't apply and another as we already mentioned is VIU.

VIU would continue curating content from the market with KykNet and Mzansi Magic serving as imports to select shows as seen with Showmax. For someone who uses Showmax wouldn't this render the mentioned brands obsolete as most of their shows would be accessible elsewhere.

That's what already seen with 1Max as its confined to premium package despite consumers on the mentioned offering getting Showmax at no extra charge. This is also a meant to serve as a placeholder to Me but seeing as it's not a lower tiered channel it's basically redundant.

Canal+ Shuts Down It's Pay-TV Operations In Ethiopia

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Last year, it was reported that Canal+ would be shutting down its pay-tv operations in Ethiopia after 3 years siting poor consumer growth. Another may have to do with its ongoing transaction to acquire MultiChoice with them also offering services in Ethiopia seek to revamp their operations and ease restrictions.

Canal+ Ethiopia comprised of several channels including Canal+ Gebeta, Canal+ Discover, FilmBox Africa and Love Nature with KIX, Real Time and Cartoon Network already distributed on DStv. With the platform already shuttered, part of this offering has since then been merged with Canal+ Afrique.

Should the takeover move ahead, Canal+ would gain access to M-Net, SuperSport, DStv and GOtv which are viewed as core brands for the broadcaster. Besides that, MultiChoice substitutes most of the local offering viewed by the defunct Canal+ Ethiopia with Abol TV (local content), Zee Alem (telenovelas) and SuperSport Liyu (sports).

Canal+ could restructure this services and perhaps integrate some content from their defunct linear offering. Of course, it is just speculation worst case scenario would be shuttering DStv's services in the region as South Africa remains a highly profitable market for MultiChoice.

It could be that similar to Canal+ Ethiopia, Canal+ looks to close or integrate some of DStv's services within Africa. Aside from MultiChoice, Canal+ is looking to acquire another African pay-tv provider MC Vision after increasing its hold of the company to 75%.

2025 On Insidus | Channel Premieres: Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, Suits: LA And The Gelukbringers | Returning Shows Including Road To Destiny And Mr. Bean | More

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Some of these titles are rumoured 

Regular Nick

• Cartoon Network/Cartoonito/Adult Swim: Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, Lana Longbeard, Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, Common Side Effects, Lazarus, Invincible Fight Girl, Dragonball: Daima (Rumour), Go Go Mystery Machine, The Karters, Mermicorno: Starfall, Baby Lemmings and Mr. Bean S4.

• Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney+: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, StuGo, Phineas And Ferb S5, Vampirina (Live-Action), Doomies, Hey AJ, Kindergarten: The Musical, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Reboot, Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends,  Robogobo, Messi And The Giants, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Win or Lose, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies and How We Became The Biggest Band In The World.

• Nickelodeon/Nick Jr./Nicktoons: Avatar: The Last Airbender Sequel Series, Super Duper Bunny League and The Thundermans Undercover.

Other premieres Motel Transylvania, Winx Club, Long Story Short, Devil May Cry, Leviathan, Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight, SpongeBob Squarepants (Play Room), Fireman Sam (Play Room), The Thundermans (Play Room), Archibald's Next Big Thing (DreamWorks) and The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (eToonz).

Everyday Novelas

• Telemundo: La Mujer De Mi Vida (The Woman Of My Life), The Count: Love And Honor (El Conde: Amor Y Honor), La Venganza De Analía (Ana's Revenge), Sed De Venganza (Thirst For Vengeance) and La Jefa (Woman Of Steel Remake).

• TLNovelas: Un Refugio Para El Amor (A Shelter For Love), Un Camino Hacia El Destino (Road To Destiny), Perdona Nuestros Pecados (Family Sins),

Nadie Como Tú (One Of A Kind), El Amor Invencible (The Invincible Love), Eternamente Amándonos (Happily Ever After), Tierra De Esperanza (Land Of Hope) and Vencer La Ausencia (Overcoming Loss).

• Zee TV channels: One More Try (Zee World SA, January 3rd), Taxi (Zee World), Driven By Deceit (Zee World SA, January 8th), Ruzia Sultan (Zee One, January 13th, Married Again (Zee One, January 13th), Curse Of The Sands (Rebroadcast on Zee One, January 13rd), Fire & Ice (Zee One, January 13th),  Age Is Just A Number (Zee One, January 13th) and My Daughter's Keeper (Zee One, January 26th)

• eMedia channels: Gelukbringers, Chrysalis S3, Doodsondes S6, Bloedspoor, Eet Wit Leuen, Stout, Housewives, uMbali, Mother Of All, Nyama Battle and Splintered Pieces.

Rumoured shows include Ventino: El Precio De La Gloria (The Price of Glory, Ventino), Rojo Carmesí (Crimson Red), Escupiré Sobre Sus Tumbas (Until You Burn), Hercai (Inconstant Love) and Sefirin Kizi (The Ambassador's Daughter) and Gülcemal (Rose Faced).

DStv Flex:

• M-Net/Showmax/Universal TV: Paris Has Fallen (Rumour), Shifting Gears, Doc, Watson, The Pitt, The Hunting Party, Extracted, The Americas, Suits L.A., Grosse Pointe Garden Society, FBI, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dexter: Resurrection, Sheriff County, The Burbs, Lanterns, Murder In A Small Town, Celtic City, It: Welcome To Derry, Happy Face, Snowflakes and Revival.

• Canal+ pending takeover to acquire MultiChoice set to conclude by April 2025

• Skydance pending takeover of Paramount Global which might conclude by mid 2025

• Comcast's upcoming spinoff which comprise of SYFY, E!, MSNBC and CNBC set to rollout by fall 2025.

• Warner Bros. Discovery folding its linear operations like Cartoon Network and Discovery under Global Linear Networks with Max and Warner Bros. Pictures under Streaming & Studios which is also set to rollout by mid 2025.

For more developments you can visit the upcoming section on this link: click here

January 2025 On The Home Channel | Returning Shows Including Open Homes S6 | Popular Demands Including Cook With Luke S1 | More

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 Primetime 

Angela Scallon presents this property makeover series where homeowners are given the opportunity to see what their homes could be with the help of virtual reality. This experience enhances creativity and personalisation while helping to identify potential design flaws and spatial issues. Two architects look over the homes and completely redesign them to better suit the tastes and requirements of the homeowners. They present compelling ideas and the homeowners choose the one which they feel would best suit their needs. These technologies immerse potential homeowners in a fully interactive 3D environment, allowing them to explore every detail of their designs—from room layouts to finishes and furnishings. This is an opportunity for people to see how their homes could be transformed before they start building or decorating.

Your Home, Made Perfect

Season 2

Monday, 30 December 2024

09:00

Sunday, 09 February 2025

PRIME: Fri 21:00

Mon 09:00 | Tue 13:00 & 23:00 | Wed 08:00 & 17:00 | Thu 12:00 | Fri 21:00 | Sat 14:00 | Sun 11:30 & 22:00

.

Take a tour through some of the most awe-inspiring properties you’ll ever see. Join our expert designer hosts as they peek through homes with endless water views, restored historic mansions, life-changing gardens and cuttingedge modern homes that need to be seen... so you can talk about them with your friends the next day. If you’re renovating, building, or just addicted to looking through stunning houses you’re going to love ‘Open Homes’.

Open Homes

Season 6

Monday, 20 January 2025

16:00

Sunday, 30 March 2025

PRIME: Wed 20:30

Mon 16:30 | Tue 22:00 | Wed 20:30 | Thu 15:30 | Fri 12:30 | Sat 17:30 & 00:30 | Sun 13:00 & 21:30

Whether you're a design fanatic or simply seeking ideas for your next renovation, we're here to ignite your creativity as we uncover the wonders of interior design. Join us as we sit down with design experts to discuss the latest trends and popular styles. We'll also travel to meet talented artisans who craft stunning furnishings and accessories to enhance your space. Plus, we'll explore exquisitely designed homes and converse with top interior designers about their unique styles, inspirations, and the challenges they encounter along the way. Get ready for a fresh season of Design for You with Sam Alexander, exclusively on The Home Channel

Design for You

Season 9

Monday, 20 January 2025

16:00

Sunday, 20 April 2025

PRIME: Tue 19:00 & Wed 20:00

Mon 16:00 | Tue 19:00 | Wed 20:00 & 22:30 | Thu 11:00 | Fri 12:00 & 15:00 | Sat 15:00 & 22:00 | Sun 10:30 & 19:00

Other Programming

Looking and feeling your best has never been easier with Luke Hines in your kitchen. Learn how to celebrate fresh, seasonal produce that tastes as good as it looks. Food so deliciously easy the whole family can get involved, and the best part is, you’d never know it was so good for you! Australia has fallen in love with healthy cooking and Luke will cover the latest trends and cook it - gluten-free, vegan, vego, paleo and low-carb keto. From guilt-free snacks to food for the whole family, there is something for everyone and you 'll know how to cook it in no time.

Cook with Luke

Season 1

Monday,13 January 2025

11:00

Sunday, 09 March 2025

PRIME: Tue 18:00 

Mon 11:00 & 22:00 | Tue 18:00 | Wed 23:00 | Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 | Sat 07:30 & 20:30 | Sun 14:00 

Britain’s favourite property expert, Sarah Beeny, her husband Graham Swift and their four boys Billy (15), Charlie (13), Raffey (11) and Laurie (10) have all quit their lives in London to start anew in the country. They’ve bought a semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset where, surrounded by 220 acres of farmland, they’re going to immerse themselves in everything rural life has to offer. They’re also planning on building the house of their dreams; a modern stately home in one of their fields. That is if they can ever get planning permission from the local council.

Sarah Beenys New Life in the Country

Season 2

Monday, 20 January 2025

12:00

Sunday, 23 March 2025

PRIME: Thu 20:00 & Fri 19:00 

Mon 12:00 | Tue 10:00 & 16:00 | Thu 20:00 | Fri 08:00 & 19:00 | Sat 12:30 | Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Brother and sister duo Jake and Jazz Smollett team up to transform the living, work, and play spaces of millennial families in Living by Design with Jake and Jazz. They know how to hold it down in fashion, food and design! In this series, Jake and Jazz create simple solutions to everyday design dilemmas for aspiring millennial families. Whether it’s a new mom redecorating a nursery on a tight budget, a fierce young woman who’s landed her dream job and now has to spruce up her home office or a young couple moving into their first home, LIVING BY DESIGN will help transition their houses into homes.

Living by Design

Season 2

Monday, 27 January 2025

10:30

Sunday, 18 May 2025

PRIME: Mon 19:30 & Thu 18:30

Mon 10:30 & 19:30 | Tue 14:30 & 22:30 | Wed 11:30 | Thu 18:30 | Fri 23:30 | Sat 10:30 | Sun 09:00

The Healthful Life will make sure you have the tools you need to create nom-worthy food filled with nothing but glow-gaining goodness. Comedian and aspiring healthy person Jahannah James will ask experts to show her how to live cleaner, and together they sort the gluten-free wheat from the chaff. And while the foods in the oven, they’ll discuss other ways to tackle her wellness issues too, from going vegan without wasting away, to reducing stress, to getting clearer skin.

The Healthful Life

Season 1

Monday, 27 January 2025

14:00

Sunday, 23 February 2025

PRIME: Wed 18:00 & Thu 19:00

Mon 14:00 | Tue 15:00 | Wed 18:00 | Thu 19:00 & 23:00 | Fri 10:00 & 22:30 | Sat 08:00 & 15:30 | Sun 14:30

January 2025 On Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV And Food Network Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Marooned With Ed Stafford | Returning Shows Including Guy's Ranch Kitchen | More

Also Read

Discovery Channel 

Marooned with Ed Stafford S1

BRAND NEW

First TX: 8 January

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 12 February

Ed Stafford pushes his survival limits as he strives to thrive in some of the worlds' toughest environments without food, water, or tools of any kind. Two episodes are filmed in Namibia (specifically the Erongo Mountains & Cuando/Kwando river).

High Speed Chase S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

First TX: 21 January

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:55

Last TX: 25 February

Get in the driver's seat for some of the most extraordinary police chases ever captured on camera -- with never-before-seen footage, it's a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled window into a world where criminals will do anything to escape.

Returning shows include Ghost Adventures: House Calls S2A on 11 January at 21:55.

TLC

The Culpo Sisters S1 (Africa)

NEW SHOW

First TX: 21 January

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 25 February

Former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and her sisters, Aurora and Sophia, take on social media stardom while dealing with relationship snafus, family mischief and constant advice from millions of followers.

Returning shows include 90 Day: The Last Resort S2 on 8 January at 21:00 across Africa and at 20:00 in South Africa with other developments for TLC SA include My 600-LB Life S10C on 25 January at 21:00 and Dr Pimple Popper: This is Zit S5 on 3 January at 20:00?

HGTV

Buying the Beach S1

NEW SHOW

First TX: 25 January

TX Day: Saturday & Sunday

TX Time: 12:00

Last TX: 2 February

Life on the beach can be paradise, and that’s what

these homebuyers want. From small bungalows to

private islands, the search is on for properties on

some of the most beautiful beaches around the

country.

Returning shows include Christina In the Country S2 on 23 January at 21:00, Lakefront Bargain Hunt S12 on 19 January at 22:00.

Food Network

Returning shows include Beat Bobby Flay S35 on 6 January at 16:05, Chopped S59 on 15 January at 16:05, Guy's Grocery Games S32 on 26 January at 17:00 and Guy's Ranch Kitchen S7 on 26 January at 16:05.

My Holiday Card To Readers: A Prediction Of What's To Come In 2025

Also Read

 SOUTH AFRICA

• Canal+ gets the greenlight to acquire MultiChoice 

- MultiChoice rebrands to MultiChoice: A Canal+ Company.

- Canal+ is given control over M-Net, SuperSport, DStv and GOtv while other shareholders manage the brands licenses in South Africa and focus on Showmax, Namola and SuperSportBET.

- Canal+ looks to reduce DStv's linear offering as they look to extend the reach of France24, Zacu TV and W-Sport. 

- M-Net Movies 3 and 4 merge into one channel as M-Net continues to simplify it's offering. 

- Canal+'s Novelas TV extends its reach to Anglophone countries on DStv and GOtv replacing Telemundo and also offers content in local languages.

- Cartoon Network West and East African feed is made available to consumers in Southern Africa (not South Africa) on channel 313.

- Play Room gets a branded block on Mzansi Wethu and extends its reach to other African countries.

- eMedia's 4 channels eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz exit the DStv platform with further content on Openview.

• Free-To-Air Households 

- eMedia Investments discontinues Zee Family and Star Select from the Openview platform.

- Muvhango gets cancelled for the second time on SABC 2, Isidingo revival/spin-off is being developed.

- Netflix acquires rights to SA's Got Talent previously held by the SABC and Family Feud SA from e.tv.

- SABC looks to launch two separate divisions one targeted on their archives and SABC+ with the other comprising of SABC 1-3 and Sport. They look into reducing commissions on these channels as they explore possible partnerships with VIU and Netflix.

GLOBAL

• Canal+ looks to acquire Senegalese based company Marodi TV and Nordic pay-tv provider Viaplay with MC Vision rebranding to Canal+ Mauritius.

• Star on Disney+ rebrands to Hulu 

• We Baby Bears cancelled on Cartoon Network after 2 seasons alongside Kiff on Disney Channel and Rock, Paper & Scissors on Nickelodeon.

• Skydance gets approval to acquire 77% stake in Paramount Global making them majority shareholder

- Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon fold under the division MTV Entertainment Group away from Paramount Pictures and CBS Studios.

- Pluto TV and Paramount+ are merged to one streaming service.

- BET Media Group and The Smithsonian Channel are put up for sale.

• Comcast finalizes transaction with proposed spin-off

- Comcast continues to license various content to new company which comprise of E!, USA Network, Oxygen and Syfy.

- Sky Group becomes an independent company and retains its pay-tv services and studios in parts of Europe.

- New company looks to acquire some assets from Warner Bros. Discovery.

- Universal Kids is closed down in the United States as further shows move to Peacock alongside Telemundo in Africa.

- MSNBC and CNBC retain their trademark but retract the Comcast logo.

- Last minute: Universal TV and Studio Universal undergoes a rebrand and closes down in some countries.

"New Paramount" May Be Looking To Discard Cable Networks Like MTV, Comedy Central, BET And Nickelodeon

Also Read

The landscape of television is undergoing a seismic shift, with streaming services increasingly dominating the entertainment industry. This transformation is forcing media conglomerates to re-evaluate their strategies, and for Paramount, this means a potential downplaying, or even outright disposal, of once-iconic cable networks like MTV and Comedy Central.

According to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, these networks, along with Nickelodeon and BET, are “simply not as high a priority” for the incoming Skydance regime following the anticipated merger with Paramount. This news raises serious questions about the future of these channels, which have played a significant role in shaping pop culture over the past few decades.

The report suggests that CBS is the only television asset considered completely safe under the new leadership. Incoming company president Jeff Shell has previously referred to CBS as a “crown jewel,” indicating its central importance to the merged entity. This prioritization of CBS comes at the expense of other networks within the Paramount portfolio.

The signs of this shift have been evident for some time. Paramount has reportedly entertained numerous bids for BET, including offers from prominent figures like Tyler Perry and media mogul Byron Allen. This willingness to consider selling BET demonstrates a clear shift in priorities away from these formerly key cable assets.

Perhaps the most alarming indicator of this deprioritization was the recent wiping of digital archives for networks like MTV News and Comedy Central. This erasure of digital history suggests a lack of commitment to preserving the legacy of these channels, further fueling speculation about their future.

The current strategy of bringing established sitcoms like “Friends” and “The Big Bang Theory” to MTV raises further questions. This move suggests a reliance on established, syndicated content rather than investment in original programming, potentially signaling a decline in the network’s focus on creating new, cutting-edge content. This is a far cry from MTV’s earlier days as a trendsetting music and youth culture channel.

The Hollywood Reporter cites a December 19 Bank of America research report from Jessica Reif Ehrlich, which predicts a trend of media companies divesting their cable TV network assets. The report suggests these assets would be “better positioned as a consolidated, linear-focused vehicle with scale benefits that can drive affiliate and advertising negotiation as well as synergies.” This analysis points towards a potential consolidation of remaining cable networks as a way to maintain some level of competitiveness against the streaming giants.

The potential decline of MTV and Comedy Central raises broader questions about the future of cable television as a whole. As streaming continues to gain momentum, traditional cable networks are facing an existential crisis. The convenience and on-demand nature of streaming have proven highly attractive to viewers, leading to widespread cord-cutting.

Whether these legacy networks can survive independently or face extinction remains to be seen. However, the winds are clearly blowing in the direction of streaming, and media conglomerates are adapting accordingly. The anticipated Skydance and Paramount merger is likely to accelerate this trend, potentially marking the beginning of the end for some of television’s most iconic cable brands. The focus on “synergies,” as mentioned in the Bank of America report, suggests that any remaining cable assets may be bundled together or sold off as a single entity, further diminishing their individual prominence in the media landscape.

January 2025 On Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Real Time And Discovery | Channel Premiere: How (Not) To Get Rid Of A Body | Returning Shows Including House Hunters International | More

Also Read

Investigation Discovery 

How (Not) to Get Rid of a Body S1

Explore the outlandish lengths diabolical killers take to get away with murder. These twisted criminal

masterminds make ingenious efforts to dispose of their victims, but the country's top detectives are hellbent on solving these heinous crimes.

First TX: 29 January

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 5 March

Teen Torture, Inc.

The latest craze sweeping TikTok is not a new dance or cat video. It's first-hand accounts of child abuse at the hands of America's Troubled Teen Industry. Survivors, lawyers, lawmakers and whistleblowers join forces to take down this business.

First TX: 5 January

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 5 January

Discovery Family

Ant Anstead Master Mechanic S1

Ant Anstead uses donor cars, spare parts, handmade components and whatever raw materials he can to build his tribute to the legendary Formula One car, the Alfa Romeo 158. He works with master craftsmen, automotive personalities and friends.

First TX: 17 January

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 20:10

Last TX: 24 January

Dirty Mudder Truckers S1

A crew of top racers in Central Florida, the Dirty 7, battles crews from around the country. The teams go head-to-head in The Pit -- a 750-foot stretch of mud with a 10-foot table top jump -- and the winner takes home cold, hard cash and bragging rights.

First TX: 13 January

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 20:10

Last TX: 16 January

Travel Channel

House Hunters International S113

This spin-off of the wildly popular HGTV House Hunters goes around the globe. Home hunters and their realtors check out all sorts of architectural styles and work through the quirks of buying real estate in other countries.

First TX: 7 January

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 06:00

Last TX: 22 January

Trending Terror S1

Adam Ellis became a viral sensation when he documented his haunting on social media under the hashtag Dear David. Now he helps others escape their own paranormal nightmares as he investigates haunted locations across America.

First TX: 7 January

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 11 February

Help! My House is Haunted S5

Help! My House Is Haunted is back for a fifth series of chilling cases of paranormal phenomena from across the UK & Ireland. From past life regressions to demonic exorcisms, our specialist team stop at nothing to bring peace to the living…and the dead.

First TX: 1 January

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 2 April

Real Time

Battle of the Brothers S1

Renowned chefs, restaurateurs and sibling rivals

Bryan and Michael Voltaggio mentor America's next

great chefs in an intense team competition.

First TX: 2 January

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 11:15

Last TX: 9 January

Evil Kin S4

It's amazing what you inherit from your family gene

pool. But what about less-desirable traits? Can you

actually inherit evil from your family tree? Evil Kin

follows true-crime mysteries surrounding cases that

prove blood is always thicker than water.

First TX: 22 January

TX Day: Everyday

TX Time: 22:30

Last TX: 31 January

Houses with History S1

Mike Lemieux, Rich Soares and Jen MacDonald are

three passionate preservationists looking to restore

historic homes around Plymouth, Massachusetts.

First TX: 8 January

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 14:35

Last TX: 15 January

January 2025 On TNT Across Africa | New Year With 5 New Movies | Mark Wahlberg Fan Month | More

Also Read

*channel premiere in bold

New Year, New Movies

Stunt

We’re turning up the heat with blockbuster premieres every Wednesday! From the intense action of Parallel to the suspense of Confidential 

Informant, each week delivers a new cinematic thrill. Make your New Year’s resolution to never miss midweek movie night on TNT!

*Channel premieres are in yellow text*

Wednesday, 1 January

20:30 Parallel (2024)

Wednesday, 8 January

20:30 Confidential Informant (2023)

Wednesday, 15 January

20:30 Clover (2020)

Wednesday, 22 January

20:30 Haywire (2011) 

Wednesday, 29 January

20:30 Sudden Death (1995)

Mark Wahlberg Fan Month

Stunt

We’re going all out for Mark Wahlberg every Sunday in January by showcasing some of his best films, from Planet of the Apes to Pain & Gain. And for the ultimate fan experience, catch a marathon of his hits on the final Sunday.

Sunday, 5 January

20:00 The Italian Job (2003)

Sunday, 12 January

20:00 Planet of the Apes (2001)

Sunday, 19 January

20:00 Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Sunday, 26 January

13:25 Planet of the Apes (2001) 

15:25 The Italian Job (2003)

17:15 Transformers: Age of Extinction 

(2014)

20:00 Pain & Gain (2013)

Chaos & Chuckles

Stunt

Get ready to chuckle as chaos is taking over TNT this January! Every Saturday night, we have double features of hilarious chaos with movies like Kick-Ass 2, Tropic Thunder, and Shaun of the Dead. It’s the perfect mix of action and absurdity.

Saturday, 4 January

18:10 Tropic Thunder (2008)

20:00 Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

Saturday, 11 January

18:30 Johnny English (2003)

20:00 Johnny English Reborn (2011)

Saturday, 18 January

18:00 Spy (2015)

20:00 Me, Myself & Irene (1999)

Saturday, 25 January

18:00 Coming to America (1988)

20:00 Shaun of the Dead (2004)