News Shorts: Da Vinci Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Future Chicken, Praise Petey Removed From Disney+ & Star+ Globally And BET Announces Production Of New Series Queendom

Birds flock to Da Vinci

Multiplatform content co. Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS) has partnered with family streaming outfit Da Vinci to expand the reach of its kids’ eco-initiative Future Chicken around the globe.

Future Chicken is a climate justice initiative for kids (6-10+) created to address the eco-anxiety they are experiencing today by leveraging evidence-based positive storytelling to let children know that there is hope for the planet and that they can make a difference when it comes to their future. In November, Future Chicken launched in multiple formats of content, on Roblox, YouTube and the property’s dedicated website, futurechicken.com.

With young viewers flocking to shortform content, the Future Chicken ‘Ecotainment’ shorts series laid the foundation for launch. A mixed media content offering, Future Chicken shorts feature Potato the Chicken (a.k.a. Future Chicken) and her team of planet protecting friends highlighting to kids the positive things happening to support the future of the environment. With a blend of humor, ingenuity and collaboration, Potato, her egg sidekick Frittata and their friends set out to create a hope-filled future built on caring communities, thriving oceans, greener cities and renewed optimism.

Praise Petey exits Disney+

Last November, it was revealed that the 20th Television animated series, “Praise Petey”, had been cancelled after one season. The show was released on Freeform and Hulu in the United States and was also released as a Star Original on Disney+ around the world.

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.

What To Expect On Da Vinci Across Africa In October 2023?

EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE 

Becoming Xtraordinary presented by Bear Grylls         

SERIES PREMIERE (10 x 30’)

From October 01 I Sundays at 20:00

Get ready to be inspired and motivated by the incredible journeys of the world's most exceptional individuals! From Julia Roberts to Roger Federer, Courteney Cox to Channing Tatum, you'll gain insights and inspiration from today's most accomplished individuals. Our captivating 10-part docuseries takes you on a journey through their lives, as we uncover the secrets to their success and explore the qualities that set them apart. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best at Da Vinci and unlock your full potential. 

Genres: Documentary, Educational, Interview, Public Affairs, Self Improvement

Presenter: Bear Grylls - British Adventurer, Survivalist, and TV host. Recipient of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Daytime Program, Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program, & 2015 BAFTA. 

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Operation Ouch GROSS ALERT! 

From October 31 I Tuesday at 11:30

Get set for a hair-raising Halloween with "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT"! Join Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand in a spooktacular medical exploration, unveiling eerie bodily functions and spine-chilling scientific marvels. From ghastly ghouls to jaw-dropping experiments, this special edition delves into the spine-tingling side of the human body. Get ready for an educationally thrilling experience that will leave you laughing, shivering, and on the edge of your seat. Tune in to "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT" for a ghoulishly good time!

Genre: Medical, Health, Science, Educational, Comedy

Awards: BAFTA Children’s Award Best Factual 2013 & 2014 Winner, BAFTA Best Children’s Programme 2015 Winner, and BAFTA Nominees for Best Presenter Award 2016 & 2017. 

NEW EPISODES

Did I Mention Invention?

(17 x 30’)

Wed, Thurs, Fri at 16:10

A robot snake that can help with surgery. A jet ski submarine that flies underwater. Stone sculptures created using physics. You’ll find them all on “Did I Mention Invention?” Host Alie Ward meets the inventors of the present and future and discovers how their ideas grew from a glimmer of inspiration to things that improve our world. Got an idea for an invention of your own? She’s got tips for budding inventors too! And some fun facts on everyday inventions that we take for granted now. Fascinating!

Genre: Science, Technology, Documentary 

Marvellous Makes Lab (S02)  

(16 x 10’)

Weekends at 9:00

Welcome back to Season 2 of “Marvellous Makes Lab”, where science meets creativity! 

Join us as we explore fun experiments using everyday household items, unveiling the fascinating science behind each creation. Let the excitement begin!

Genre: Arts/Crafts, Science, How-to, Educational

Recap To The Year: Da Vinci's Family Entertainment Has Been Undergoing Several Changes

Da Vinci is a educational children's channel featuring a mix of live-action shows such as Operation Ouch, Animal Embassy and Treehouse Stories alongside animated shows such as Superhero Galore, Wild Kratts (currently seen on PBS Kids) and Doki.

It also offered a family oriented block featuring a lot of factual content and documentaries from Knowledge Kids, Discovery Science and National Geographic namely Genius and Future Human Al.

For several months, the company behind Da Vinci has been building its original portfolio with the recent rollout of Bear Grylls' celebrity tailored Becoming Xtraordinary with the slapstick comedy Fantastic Antics to rollout on the channel by the end of the year.

Aside from that, Da Vinci got rebranded during the year eliminating "Kids" from the name. It also led to a number of changes for its linear offering particularly the family offering catered to audiences aged 18 to 49 which has become a reruns graveyard for kids shows.

It doesn't come as a shocker considering not much investment was going onto that area of the channel for new content. Another was the hours in which the content was allocated as not a lot of households are tuning into those channels much less Da Vinci.

The phasing out of family from Da Vinci is similar in a way to the introduction of the 24 hour service for Cartoonito from Warner Bros Discovery as both channels are now tailed for preschoolers and taking on brands like Disney Junior, CBeebies and Nick Jr.

Unlike Da Vinci, Cartoonito doesn't create division amongst consumers as they have shows like Mr. Bean and Tom And Jerry shows which can pull a vast majority of Boomerang viewers while they adjust to shows such as Thomas And Friends and Batwheels.

"Becoming Xtraordinary": Da Vinci And Bear Grylls Debut Trailer For New Docuseries

Global family entertainment streamer Da Vinci and Bear Grylls‘ production company BecomingX have debuted the first trailer for docuseries “Becoming Xtraordinary.”

The series features interview-driven stories of success from Julia Roberts, Roger Federer, Courteney Cox, Channing Tatum, Olympic gold medallists, Nobel laureates and more. Co-produced by Chrome Productions, “Becoming Xtraordinary” comprises three seasons of 10 episodes each, all presented by Grylls and guided by in-studio hosts Mwaksy Mudenda (“Blue Peter”) and YouTuber Evan Edinger.

The first season will premiere on May 28 and will be available across Da Vinci’s linear and video-on-demand platforms.

Grylls said: “There are no shortcuts to success, but there are some secrets. We wanted to create a series where families around the globe can hear first-hand from some of the world’s greatest achievers and realize that they too can attain extraordinary things.”

Estelle Lloyd, Da Vinci co-founder, COO, and series executive producer, added: “We fill a gap in the market by offering real-life, inspirational content that families can enjoy together. We strongly believe that what it takes to achieve your ambitions is often influenced by entertainment.”