Saras & Kumud, Formerly Seen On Defunct TV Station Glow TV Premieres On Star Life This November

After eMedia Investments and StarTimes ended their agreements for Glow TV with the channel having no others of continuation ended its run in South Africa. This led to People's Planet picking up shows like The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker and Star Life scooping up Forbidden Love.

Since the channel's demise in 2023, Glow TV's parent company Nismedia is looking to take legal action against eMedia Investments for its removal on Openview. Similar to eMedia's ongoing carriage feud with MultiChoice for the 4 e.tv channels, Glow TV's demise stemmed outrage from viewers. 

While there's no update on when or if Nismedia is still looking to seek restitution more of its content however is beginning to resurface on other platforms with Saraswatichandra now slated to debut on Star Life as Saras And Kumud.

Young aristocrat Saraswatichandra Laxminandan Vyas, also known as Saras, who lives in Dubai is introverted due to his mother’s suicide and rejects an arranged marriage by his father with his friend Vidyachatur Desai’s daughter Kumud, informing her by letter. She challenges him to inform her father and so Saras travels to her village named Ratnanagri in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, India, gains familiarity with her family and gradually falls in love with her.

Based on the novel of the same name, Soulmates premiered on StarPlus from 25 February 2023 and concluded on 20 September 2014 with 403 half hour episodes produced. It starred Jennifer Winget as Kumud Desai Vyas and Gautam Rode as Saraswatichandra "Saras" Vyas.

Saras & Kumud will be airing daily on Star Life from 5 November 2024 replacing Imlie in the 20:30 timeslot.

Investigations Currently Underway For Glow TV's Mishaps With eMedia Investments

Last year, Glow TV had exited both Openview and Starsat by the end of February. Therefore concluding its run from linear television as the channel was no longer viewable anywhere in Africa but still retained their presence on Facebook. 

Since then, Glow TV had filed a complaint to the Competition Tribunal against eMedia Investments. Viewing their termination from free-to-air households as anticompetitive following eMedia's early attempt at removing Glow TV in 2022.

As some readers are aware, Zee One was introduced on the Openview platform as a replacement to Glow TV at the time. Followed by eMedia Investments pay-tv venture Ultraview which offers two Bollywood channels, Zee Family and Star Select.

With Glow TV off the air for a year now, several consumers had already fled to these networks with The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker revived on People's Weather. Should the channel return it would have to start from scratch and try to win back viewers.

Similar to MultiChoice, that currently offers the 4 Openview channels until August 2024. Nismedia sites their current disagreement as a prime example to their investigation so as to whether the channel will return that has yet to be seen.

To all loyal GlowTV followers. Just to let you know that GlowTV has lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission some time back against Etv (Openview) & they are still busy investigating the case. As you know when DSTV removed 4 of Etv’s channels, the same Etv complained to the Competition Commission, who ruled that DSTV should reinstate the 4 channels, as an interim measure, until the outcome of the investigation. For the latest developments keep in touch with us on this official page of GlowTV. Regards, Management.

But if Glow TV were to return it would be on a limited basis meaning it would need to operate as a pop-up channel. Timeframe of every show would need to be monitored and content minimized something Glow TV lacked since its inception. 

Star Life and Zee One mainly focused on Anupama, Imlie and Radha Mohan basically dramas edging out Glow TV. Other traits like reality, lifestyle and kids were very much lacking for which Glow TV assisted with Little Bheem and Glow On The Go.

Although a time frame for the channel's appearance has yet to be announced. We presume more will likely follow once the affected party eMedia Investments settles their current matter with MultiChoice which has been ongoing for 2 years.

What Has Glow TV Been Up To Following Their Departure From Linear Television?

Glow TV was a general entertainment channel operated by the Nismedia Group. It promoted Hindi culture with a variety of made for TV content like This Is Love and Little Bheem from India alongside content based in South Africa like The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker.

Earlier in the year, Glow TV ended transmission on the Openview platform after a heated dispute with eMedia Investments for the distribution of the brand. It was also removed from StarSat after negotiation between the two didn't pan out - therefore ending it's run on TV.

As for an OTT platform, Nismedia was looking to continue Glow TV in some capacity and one of those could have been a digital service. Although they didn't want to dive further into specifics, their main concern overall was on their future with linear television.

Openview partly contributed to Glow TV's success that it was sort of hard on Nismedia to imagine a future without their viewers and sort of hard to build something like eVOD and Showmax from scratch.

Netflix continues to remain dominant in the African market alongside YouTube leading MultiChoice to sell part of their stake in Showmax to NBCUniversal. eMedia Investments on the other had to sought through partnerships to build the streamer's local portfolio.

Both platforms are confined to a paywall that select shows would be freely accessible as a means to lure potential consumers particularly those tailored to platforms like e.tv and SABC as a source of entertainment.

As for what Glow TV has been up in the last months, it's hard to tell as there's been a lot of inactivity or at least with the Glow brand indefinitely as Nismedia had been using the channel's social accounts to promote their other properties, Laudium Sun. 

The Laudium Sun is a community newspaper serving it's readers in Laudium & surrounds since 1984. The newspaper is delivered door-to-door in residential areas, whereby mainly people of Indian origin live. The paper is a household name amongst the community.

If one had to guess, it's possible Glow TV had been folded under Laudium Sun and this is probably their only means of survival. Although, it doesn't come with a linear platform or TV series. They do engage directly with consumers through live events and other activities.

News Shorts: School Is In Session With Woza Matrics Now On Mzansi Wethu, kykNET & Kie To Debut 5 Namibian Based Films And Glow TV Rumoured Relaunch On The Openview Platform Debunked

Mzansi Wethu enters the classroom

WOZA Matrics is a programme designed to help matrics catch up on their studies and to assist Matrics nationwide with learning materials and study tools via classes broadcast on TV channels, online platforms and radio.

Some of the platforms include DBE TV (on Openview) from 08:00 until 10:00 and 13:00 to 15:00 everyday. The programme will also be available on the DStv Catch Up function on DSTV Now.

As seen this past week, MultiChoice extended the reach of the program to Mzansi Wethu. For a while now, consumers on the platform had to sought out free-to-view platforms with a similar offering on Mindset's Liberty Learn.

,

Namibia is taking over kykNET next month

NBC and MultiChoice partnered up to source out various short films within the region also known as Project Mukorob giving Nambians a platform to share their unique stories and to contribute to the cultural richness of the country.

All films will air on NBC from December 2023 to May 2025.

Five films will be telecast through KykNET and Kie on Sundays at 20:00, starting with "The Funeral" on September 3rd, followed by "Bokwagter" on September 10th, "The Goal" on September 17th, "Wish for Death" on September 24th, and Instant Love on October 1st.

Prime TV IS NOT COMING TO OPENVIEW

During the week, it was reported that eMedia Investments would be adding/relaunch another Bollywood centred brand to the Openview platform, Prime TV (aka Glow TV). This was after a user had spotted the Wikipedia page for Glow TV now known as Prime TV for some apparent reason.

Neither Glow TV or Nismedia were available to comment on the latest development but eMedia Investments debunked news of another Bollywood channel and proclaiming it #FakeNews. Although the news was proven false, viewers are eagerly awaiting the possible return of the channel.

Earlier in the year, Glow TV was phased out from linear platforms and Nismedia was looking to take legal action against eMedia Investments - still no word on how that's going or if it's still on the cards. Since then selected content like The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker had migrated to People's Weather.

As for the news of Prime TV, the idea was probably conceived after consumers on Openview had learnt that MultiChoice would be allocating a third Bollywood channel Zee Zonke to low tiered bouquets. Similar to eExtra's Kuiertyd, the content is dubbed in local languages.

Following The Cancellation Of Glow TV Plus, The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker Has Been Revived On People's Weather

People's Weather is an an environmental and lifestyle channel currently seen on Openview and DStv. For several years, it was known as a 24 hour weather service but over the years they've transitioned to offer a range of content including wildlife and doccies.

Glow TV went dark on Openview and StarSat earlier in the year and this included a range of original programming. As seen through various advertisements, it had confirmed that through Denver Naicker that his talk show had been revived for People's Weather.

Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker was unveiled back in 2019 on Glow TV in association with Digital Productions. It follows the host as he tries to better the lives of South Africans and consumers by inviting guests to share their experiences in life.

With Glow TV's owner Nismedia set to go through legal proceedings with eMedia Investments regarding the brand's carriage agreement. Similar to e.tv's 4 channels on DStv, it might return on a limited basis so this deal with People's Weather secures the show's future.

People's Weather had been repetitive for sometime on top of rolling out a lot of short form content. Perhaps this is one way to make the channel more productive and lure potential consumers on both Openview and DStv who followed the series on Glow TV.

In this past week, Soweto TV axed the remaining portion of Glow TV for the Colombian telenovela, River Of Passions. As mentioned already, another one of the brand's former series are making a comeback on Sundays at 7pm from June on People's Weather.

Recap To The Week (Another Annekan Die Swa Kry): River Of Passion Rolls Out On Soweto TV, Complicated Love And Love Or Poison Axed On The Channel Thus Concluding The Run Of Glow TV

Soweto TV, a community channel that is far past its prime or at least with the way their licenced content pan out had acquired rights to the Colombian telenovela, Niche, Lo Que Diga El Corazón (Beats Of Love). For weird reasons, it's distributed as River Of Passions.

Interesting to note, this is a Caracol Television series the same people behind Hidden Passions and Ana's Revenge on Telemundo and they already offer Sinú, Río De Pasiones (River Of Passions) so the titles probably got mixed up as seen with Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Synopsis for River Of Passions:

Ivan Cuero is a total ball of energy when he's on stage. He carries the passion and the feeling awakened by music and love in his voice.

The musical drama stars Jair Romero as the titular character, Abril Schreiber as Marisol López, Helga Díaz as Luz Mariela, Fiona Horsey as Lida.

River Of Passions airs daily at 08:30 and 9 hours later at 17:30 with an Omnibus every Saturday at 09:00. As seen in their updated EPG, Bollywood dramas Love Or Poison and Complicated Love have been phased out thus concluding the last remains of Glow TV.

Nismedia, the company behind Glow TV has been looking to find other means to continue the channel but with no avail. They're currently looking to take legal action against eMedia Investments in regards to the condition in which the channel was removed.

How Glow TV Might Look Should It Be Reinstated On The Openview Platform?

Glow TV was a South African based community channel operated by Nismedia which featured various reality shows, drama series and movies from the heart of India. It was also dubbed the home of Little Bheem, Get Real With Denver Naicker and Emperor Ahsoka.

Last month, the party involved in the distribution of Glow TV announced plans to take legal action against eMedia Investments for the removal of the channel on the Openview platform while StarSat similar to DStv remains unscathed following the termination.

Unlike eMedia's 4 channels currently seen on DStv, Glow TV has no other outlet to continue supplying the lineup of content as the only other alternative StarSat which was thought to be such at the time despite having little views opted not to renew their agreement.

Glow TV is back on DStv and StarSat but as a 1 hour segment Glow TV Plus on Soweto TV airing former Glow TV soaps such as Love Or Poison and Complicated Love. Chances are this is what we might expect should the channel eventually return to Openview.

I'm not referring to the shows but basically a lot of reruns, Glow TV had originals perhaps some of it will return as short form series if not repeats as the brand is currently going through financial constraints.

Ideally, they'd probably want to air some fresh material so similar to the original content they'd likely air a lot of short form content or similar to eExtra's Guilty Pleasure lineup with Dare To Love they'll distribute a lot in such little time.

Recap To Last Year: Glow TV Resurfaces On MultiChoice's DStv And Not Long Ago On Digital Media And StarTimes' StarSat

Last month, Nismedia filed a legal appeal against eMedia Investments regarding the termination of Glow TV on Openview platform similar to MultiChoice regarding eMedia's 4 channels which remain onboard DStv following pending investigation.

Amidst the demise, eMedia Investments unveiled the next phase of their pay-tv venture Openview Ultra, Spice TV. It consists of the highly anticipated, Zee Family and Star Select which celebrate Bollywood culture with made for TV films and series.

As seen by the end of February, Glow TV was terminated not only on Openview but StarSat as well meaning that just like OnseTV and MyTV the channel isn't viewable anywhere in South Africa or at least that's we all thought matter of a fact but it turns out the brand is still active.

Just like Gallop TV revived Tellytrack, Soweto TV distributes Glow TV in a 1 hour segment, Glow TV Plus. The block is currently reserved for former Glow TV soaps such as Complicated Love (Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka) and Love Or Poison (Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara).

To think, MultiChoice opted to discontinue carriage of Glow TV in 2018 and few months ago StarSat did something similar with their consumers and now fate led this channel to be reintroduced on both platforms despite the relationship between the brands.

Glow TV Plus represents the remains of Glow TV which comes with various limitations first it's part of a 1 hour segment meaning not much Glow TV to browse and another accessibility as Soweto TV can only be viewable in the surrounding area alongside DStv and StarSat.

Soweto TV is not available on Openview and consumers wishing to watch Glow TV would need to pay monthly through DStv (R29p/m, Easyview) or StarSat (R120, Special) and only a selected number can afford the monthly rate - the Ultraview effect.

Not much is known on whether Glow TV Plus will continue to be made available on Soweto TV following the termination of Glow TV. As much as the details regarding Glow TV's distribution agreement with Soweto TV for Complicated Love and Love Or Poison.

Complicated Love airs weekdays at 8:30 and 21:00 followed by omnibus every Saturday at 4:00 while as Love Or Poison airs weekdays at 8:00 and 21:30 followed by an omnibus every Saturday at 09:00 on Soweto TV (DStv 251/StarSat 488).

Nismedia Looking To Take Legal Action Against eMedia Investments With The Competition Tribunal Following The Removal Of Glow TV

Following the ongoing saga of MultiChoice and eMedia Investments' carriage dispute regarding e.tv's 4 channels would be Nismedia's Glow TV which went dark on both Openview and StarSat by the end of February with no means of survival for the affected party.

Since then, eMedia Investments unveiled the Bollywood bouquet Spice TV for their Openview Ultra consumers which featured sister channels to the freemium Zee One and Star Life while StarSat welcomed the addition of 4 channels including CBS Reality and Kartoon Channel.

As seen yesterday across Glow TV's social platforms, the channel is looking to take legal action against eMedia Investments which could result in the reinstatement of the orange brand through the Openview platform similar to the affected party channels which are still on DStv.

From what is understood by their statement, they want authorities to see if eMedia Investments removal of the channel was proper in anyway or anti-competitive which again is the reason eMedia's 4 channels haven't left the DStv platform as they conduct their investigation.

StarSat isn't affected by the whole matter so it seems as the pay-tv company similar to MultiChoice at the time when the channel went dark on the platform in 2018 ended it on contractual obligations.

Zee One was added to the Openview platform as a replacement to Glow TV in 2021 and at the time eMedia Investments removed the channel before the contract could expire resulting in this rift between Nismedia and eMedia Investments for Glow TV.

We honestly feel that Glow TV should be repositioned as a lifestyle channel or serve as the Soweto TV or TBN of the country if not look up to PremiumFree or SABC's DTT if they wish to continue operating in the market as there's so much Bollywood on their former platforms.

Glow TV wasn't a soapie channel like Zee World or Star Life but a general entertainment brand featuring reality, lifestyle, drama series, news, kids shows and local programs. All of which wasn't enough to retain its status on the affected platforms.

The History To One Of South Africa's Fallen Brands Owned By The Nismedia Group, Glow TV

Glow TV was South African based community channel owned by Nismedia that celebrated Bollywood culture with a lineup of content ranging from drama series, movies, kids shows and local productions. It serves as one of the initial offerings on Openview in October 2013.

The channel was popular for shows like Little Bheem, Young Love (Ishq Mein Marjawan), Get Real With Denver Naicker, Citizen Khan, This Is Love (Yeh Hai Mohabbatein) and Emperor Ashoka. It established itself as one of the leading channels to resonate with India from a local perspective.

A year after its rollout on the freemium platform, Glow TV expanded through the pay-tv market on MultiChoice"s DStv and On Digital Media and StarTimes' StarSat platform. Things were going great for the channel until May 2016.

Kagiso Media which was the former distributor of the channel unveiled plans to close the channel later that year eyeing the economic climate and the continued rise in costs for the content or inflation better yet lead to the decision to close the channel.

Kagiso Media serves as a subsidiary of Urban Brew Studios stable which supplies several other brands to MultiChoice's portfolio of products including One Gospel and Dumisa both of which are gospel based entertainment channels.

A month after the termination, it was announced that the channel was acquired by the Nismedia Group, based in Centurion. Nazeer Noormohamed, who served as the head of the brand eyeing the positive impact of Glow TV to consumers boosting their interest toward the brand.

Since then, Glow TV continued stacking their offering but were met with further competition from the likes of Zee World and Star Life that it wasn't long till MultiChoice announced the closure of the channel on their platforms by 2018 with the latter eyeing viewer's preferences.

For the 3 past years, it could only be available on StarSat alongside the StarTimes app for paying consumers while those who wanted to get away from paying monthly premiums could as well get an Openview platform or at least that's what most thought at the time.

To make a long story short, Zee One was added to the Openview platform back in 2021 as a supplement to the channel on the Openview platform and the party in question Nismedia had beef with the Zee TV after their exit from the DStv platform.

Unlike MultiChoice, Glow TV was removed unethically on the Openview platform. It was the reason the channel managed to live through February 2023 and with that deal up in flames the channel was no longer available on the platform and for contractual reasons on StarSat.

As of March 2023, Glow TV is no longer viewable anywhere in South Africa. Nismedia is exploring other ways to continue the channel one of which include OTT. They thank fans for their continued support and encourage them to keep following their social platforms.

Glow TV in short was never ousting to be another Zee World or Star Life. It was clearly stated from the get go that they were more entertainment tiered than telenovela but audience reach and viewer's preferences was what doomed the channel apparently.

Although, we have Zee World, Zee One, Star Life it's clear that despite the large fanbase these brands generate none of them can make up for Glow TV. I mean how often do you get local programs, lifestyle or even kids shows as it's just soapies all day everyday.

News Shorts: The Splat Is Back! As Nickelodeon Debuts Fresh New Look, Glow TV Issues Out Statement Following Its Termination On Openview And StarSat, And An Eye For An Eye Becomes The Next Pick To Make Its Linear Debut On e.tv

Introducing news shorts basically a revamped version to the current Roundups but instead of shortening info we look at getting content that doesn't need too much detail but of course we can't guarantee how often this will be a thing as the content in question match the whole scenario.

Bring on the slime

As advised, Nickelodeon is pairing this year’s fun-filled slime-fest, the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2023, with the debut of an all-new brand refresh of its on-air look and feel!

The rebrand reimagines Nickelodeon's iconic splat logo and slime with a fresh new design, and includes new on-air graphics, such as lower-thirds, updated BUG/DOG, bumpers, idents, promo endboards and a new "Nickelodeon Productions" endboard.

This marks Nickelodeon's first brand refresh in six years.

The demise of Glow TV

Notice to all our loyal viewers. Take note that we are currently facing various challenges, including the high level of loadshedding throughout the country, which is impacting negatively on our viewership. One of our options for now, is for GlowTV to be on the OTT platform (streaming), so that programs can be watched even on your phones. Unfortunately, due to our contracts expiring we will be off air on some of the platforms, effective from March 1. Please keep in touch with us for the latest updates via our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. We thank you for your support over the years. - GlowTV team.

More eVOD coming soon to e.tv

From having almost everything, a happy and successful life, The Hero protagonist in the film Caesar loses this overnight and is forced on the run with nothing and leaving everything behind. He returns and fights to reclaim everything he lost. Joining him on the escapades is his love Lucy, their son Zack and the antagonist known as The Don.

Debuted in 2022 on eVOD, the film airs next Sunday at 20:00 from 12 March with exclusive film from the streamer Surviving Gaza airing later in the same timeslot.

Viacom 18's Voot Streaming Service Is Said To Be The New Home Of Glow TV

By the end of today, Glow TV currently owned by Nismedia is expected to not only exit StarSat and Openview but it will also be exiting linear television with its future lurking around the corner we recieved word that Voot will be the new home for the channel.

Voot is an Indian based streaming service owned by Viacom18 which is a joint venture between Paramount Global and Network18 Group. It launched back in 2016 and serves a multilingual platform for both original and third party entertainment.

Some of the content available on the platform include Chinese Bhasad, Soadies, Sinskaari, Badman, It's Not That Simple, Badman and Marzi.

As mentioned already, Glow TV will be folded under Voot and I can't say I was expecting this but the owners in question Viacom18 are also in charge of several linear channels including one which Glow TV supplies most of its soaps, Colors TV.

In a way, this is sort of a good thing for the brand, Glow TV has produced a number of original content and this offering will probably help VOOT connect more with the African market.

The sad part about the whole thing is that Voot doesn't work as a freemium service as seen with Showmax, SABC+ and eVOD or at least from what several consumers had mentioned as they're being asked to cough up R49 per week or R7 everyday.

Despite the outcome to all this, Voot actually makes as a more suitable platform for the channel considering its available in other parts of the world perhaps we'll see some of the channel's content reach more audiences even further than Openview.

It's good to see that my suggestion about finding the right platform although this one too is overcrowded actually panned out as Glow TV is a local channel on top of everything else.

 

SHOCKER!!! (NOT REALLY), Glow TV Will Also Be Going Dark On StarSat By The End Of February

In the past week, StarSat had to bid farewell to Russia Today at the last minute similar to MultiChoice's DStv in 2022 as European Union (EU) in charge of distributing the channel within the African market opted to cut transmission for the channel.

After the removal of Russia Today, it was shortly announced by the pay-tv platform that their contract with Nismedia for the Glow TV channel would be coming to an end in the same period as eMedia Investments current contract with the brand - 28 February.

Meaning just like OnseTV, there's no way of viewing further content on your current platform but Nismedia had mentioned wanting to find other means for the channel and might address it by tomorrow or at later stage who knows.

But the news of Glow TV's demise on the platform doesn't surprise me the least bit. Last year, StarSat launched a dubbing studio where various international content is being dubbed in local languages similar to eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET.

MultiChoice had opted not to keep eExtra on their platforms but instead to supplement a similar selection on kykNET & Kie and the idea of StarSat going down a similar route with the channel alongside Glow TV didn't seem like a far fetched idea at this point.

Glow TV was repetitive and a bit outdated but it wasn't telenovela centric but an entertainment channel featuring reality, news and other programming. Unfortunately the likes of Zee TV and Star Life on top of the current situation with the offering edged them out.

Honestly, StarSat presents itself with alternatives for Glow TV such as Star Life, Zee Bollymovies, Colors TV, Zee Cinema and Vijay TV. Kind of lost as to why they're looking for a replacement with this existing offering the only other channel I can think of is Zee One.

As for Glow TV, I do think it has potential to do even greater things but neither DStv, Openview or StarSat are the right platforms for the job perhaps SABC's DTT could do the job hopefully they don't undergo a similar route another would be PremiumFree.

The last option although not savvy like Openview would be switching to OTT. As of this moment, the channel is in hot water a lot of cutbacks to staff and programming will likely be applied in order for them to remain afloat or face possible extinction in the market.

Update: Glow TV will be available on VOOT which looks like an entertainment website but it will cost you R7 per day or R49 per week from what I read.

Reminder: Glow TV Goes Dark On The Openview Platform By The End Of February

eMedia Investments:
- SABC+ Vs. eVOD: The Consequence Of Free-To-View Television
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments plan to combat load shedding get a lot of attention
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview

Glow TV launched in October 2013 as South Africa's dedicated community channel owned by Urban Brew Studios before Nismedia took majority stake in 2016 celebrated the life of India with reality shows, music, drama series, movies and local productions.

In March 2018, Glow TV viewers were outraged after MultiChoice announced plans to dump the channel by the end of that month. 5 years after the removal on DStv, eMedia Investments also made plans to dump the channel by the end of that period.

Since then, MultiChoice allocated Star Life in place of Glow TV on channel 167 on the DStv platform in that same year while as eMedia Investments allocated Zee One on channel 111 through the Openview platform in 2021.

As Glow TV bids farewell to Openview consumers, eMedia Investments is prepping up a new Indian bouquet for their soon to be launched pay-tv platform, Ultraview. Of which details about the supposed channels and pricing have yet to be mentioned.

Although, Glow TV will go off air on the Openview platform by the end of February viewers can still view the channel on StarSat which comes with a fee of course as well as the StarTimes app.

Troubled times awaiting the local channell

According to sources, most of the channel's audience reside on the Openview platform meaning their revenue will likely plummet meaning they'll have to possibly cut back on programming and also staff for sustainable.

Ahead Of Ultraview's Launch, eMedia Investments Discontinues Distribution Of Two Products On The Openview Platform

Few hours ago, eMedia Investments unveiled the social platforms for their long anticipated pay-tv platform, Openview Ultra. A competitor to the current DStv and StarSat platforms operated individually by MultiChoice and StarTimes (with On Digital Media).

Openview Ultra as expected is coming on with two add-on packages similar to AddMovies on DStv. Instead of movies, viewers will be treated to two optional entertainment packages Pride (also known as Ultraview Pride) and Spice (also known as Ultraview Indian).

The Pride Bouquet is set to cater to the LGBTQ community with brands like FUSE and OUTtv offering reality, lifestyle, drama series and movies. Something which MultiChoice has been depriving DStv consumers with on a 24 hour basis and likely will look into overtime.

The Spice Bouquet is a Bollywood based package basically a rival to the DStv and StarSat Indian bouquets with channels such as Zee Family and Star Select. Although not much has been specified about the brands my guess it's probably a duplicate StarPlus and Zee TV.

Taking that to account, the rumoured R75/R120 monthly price range for both platforms seem accurate as they do hold a fresh content as seen with AddMovies where you don't have to wait a year and so forth to watch the latest films.

As eMedia Investments is prepping for the launch of Ultraview. A couple of developments have occurred behind the scenes with the current Openview platform.

eMedia Investments:
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- More Bollywood coming soon to Openview Ultra
- More e.tv coming soon to DStv customers
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month
- Could Openview+ lead to 24 hour capability of these channels?

First, Glow TV will cease to exist on the Openview platform later in the month after eMedia Investments failed attempt at ousting the channel back in 2021. Both parties refused to comment at the time of publishing if any update comes up we'll hopefully update.

As of right now, it's days are numbered and Spice from the looks it serves as a replacement or pay-tv alternative alongside Zee One, Star Life and if it's still considered an option in the coming future eExtra.

Last is in regards to the dongle, one of the first products eMedia Investments introduced when the main Openview platform got a facelift after eliminating HD from the name and adapted to the e.tv logo theme got scrapped as consumers attempted to use them.

Openview's dongles proved to be somewhat useful especially to households who miss out on daytime programming. It had proven to be controversial after eMedia Investments opted not to associate the likes of SABC 1-3 with this feature on top of the affected brands not being in HD.

My guess on the discontinuation probably had to do with Openview Ultra, eMedia Investments had mentioned working on newer versions of the Openview decoder maybe a dongle will be built-in making it the 2nd or 3rd time in 10 years eMedia rolls out another model.

Besides that, consumers were charged extra for the Openview decoder solely due to a dongle some people probably never use and this newer version of their decoder is one way to avoid such incidence from ever occuring again or at least what we hope to see.

More Bollywood Coming Soon To Openview Ultra??? As The Platform Bids Farewell To One Of The Oldest Channels On The Platform

Glow TV is South African based entertainment channel promoting Bollywood culture. It was Openview's first attempt at a competitor for the pay-tv oriented Zee World channel on the DStv platform with shows like Emperor Ahsoka, Little Bheem and Get Real With Denver Naicker.

As advised by media outlets, eMedia Investments opted not to renew their agreement with Nismedia for the channel back in 2021 with Nismedia having to take legal routes to retain the channel for as long as the contract remained valid February 2023.

Also mentioned at the time was that eMedia Investments added Zee One in an attempt to fill the gap left by Glow TV alongside Star Life managed to lure consumers away from the South African channel.

eMedia Investments had begun conducting some tests in preparation for the launch of Openview Ultra which serves as the pay-tv tier to the current Openview platform with 4 test channels.

The first already mentioned a while ago had SABC 2 and SABC 3 used as floor mats for yet to be confirmed channels with the other slots supposedly being used for more Bollywood channels.

eMedia Investments:
- More e.tv coming soon to DStv customers
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month
- Could Openview+ lead to 24 hour capability of these channels?

Although, these can't be seen as official channels as yet Openview had slotted two channels, Colors TV from Viacom18 and Zee TV from Zee Entertainment Enterprises.

Zee TV as you know is the main home for all the content on Zee One including The Heir, Bridal Material, Between You And Me and Agent Raghav. Unlike Zee One, all the content seen on this channel isn't dubbed but do come with subtitles.

Colors TV on the other hand could be considered leverage to Glow TV as this is where all their soaps originate including Emperor Ahsoka, The Power Of Love and Young Love. So if this is an official channel, you could say it's a replacement without English audio.

The above-mentioned channels have established a presence on DStv and StarSat and the idea of Openview going a similar route with Openview Ultra doesn't seem far fetched.

Reminder: Glow TV Will Stop Airing On The Openview Platform From February 2023 With Questions Regarding The Brand's Presence On StarSat

This has been expected for a while now especially after the whole chaos with its removal on the DStv platform so all that is left at the moment is StarSat.

Glow TV is a South African based entertainment channel which promotes Bollywood culture through drama series, movies, reality shows, news, kids shows and even local productions from the likes of Denver Naicker.

Over the years, the likes of Zee TV's Zee World and Zee One alongside Star Life have slowly started edging out the presence already established by Glow TV that led to its cancellation on both DStv and by next month Openview.

Both providers went through legal issues of which Nismedia won in regards to Openview as they unlawfully removed before their contract could even expire. As for DStv, it's pay-tv operator defamed them in terms of viewership despite not giving any proof.

eMedia Investments:
- Prediction: eToonz to get an additional channel
- Could Openview+ lead to 24 hour capability of these channels?
- eToonz schedule explained

It's only outlet StarSat happens to be a sinking ship, firstly most of Glow's audiences were on the above-mentioned platforms meaning that's where most of their revenue resides and with the chop it means the brand would have to make several cutbacks in order to stay afloat.

I for one wouldn't be shocked if StarSat followed eventually not because Glow TV offers more repeats than other Bollywood channel but for similar reasons to the latter two - competition which this platform has plenty of on top of already cutting back on 30+ channels.

Now would be a perfect time to find other ways to build your presence perhaps another streaming service or a partnership similar to one currently offered with StarSat on their StarTimes GO app.

As for replacements, Zee One was added to the Openview platform to replace Glow TV in 2021 prior to that Star Life replaced the channel on DStv.

If it's any consolation both outlets will be adding more channels in the coming future with Qwest TV launching on DStv and Openview Ultra testing out 4 new channels.

Aside from Glow TV, eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra are anticipated to suffer the same fate on the DStv platform around the same timeframe as they were only bundled to the platform for 6 months and replaced early.

Glow TV:
- Cost Cutting: The Possible Outcome To South African Based Bollywood Channel On The Openview Platform
- Could StarSat Bid Farewell To Another Two Channels?
- What Women Want Moves From Glow TV To Zee World

Prediction: Glow TV Stops Airing On The Openview Platform, To Be Replaced By eBolly

Prediction: A statement of what you think will happen in the future.

Glow TV is a South African based entertainment channel owned by Nismedia that is home to a variety of content that promotes the Indian community including a range of series, movies and variety shows.

Over the years, the likes of Zee World and Zee One from Zee Entertainment Enterprises and Star Life from Disney Star have been edging out Glow TV resulting in them losing out on content like Forbidden Love and also funneling primetime with rebroadcasts.

It could have been what resulted in the brand's demise on the DStv platform with the brand clinging onto its remaining audiences on both Openview and StarSat.

Everyday Novelas:
- The Rebel Princess coming soon to eExtra
- Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World
- Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
- Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv
- The history of Star Life
- Glow TV could be on the chopping block

Sources close to Glow TV had mentioned most of the brand's audience reside on the Openview platform meaning that they don't have much impact on StarSat with the pay platform being viewed as less of an alternative and more of a trainwreck.

With the channel remaining onboard for a few more months one has to wonder what awaits for them in the years to come. But if I had to view it's future on Openview it seems very dark from the looks of it.

Nismedia, the owners of the channel had to go through court to get Glow TV reinstated I mean would eMedia have realised their error without involving the legal system. Didn't MultiChoice replace the channel with Star Life a few years prior to when Zee One did the same on Openview.

Openview:
- BBC Studios to launch new channel on the Openview platform
- Openview to come with monthly fees by next year
- Could Openview be losing more channels in future?
- SABC 1 title card has been registered for customers
- MultiChoice attempting to replicate eExtra's Kuiertyd with kykNET
- eMovies and eMovies Extra receive their first competitors on DStv Easyview

eMedia Investments received plenty of backlash and if the channel weren't fortunate to remain a couple more months viewers would have probably adjusted to its absence as seen with MultiChoice.

eBella was added onto Openview and DStv ahead of the rollout of Star Life and honestly the idea of eMedia launching something similar to the defunct brand to make amends for the removal of Glow TV wouldn't be far fetched.

I mean Kuiertyd has a dedicated channel so why can't the bulk of Zee World content get a channel of its own as if eExtra and Zee One don't already exist. It's as if Nismedia's suggestion over Zee TV's dominance becomes more transparent as years pass by.

My idea is for this channel is that it takes a similar form to most eMedia channels. Resumes at a particular timeslot, leverage various content from eExtra on top of distributing their own lineup of content and hopefully reduce the amount of Zee TV from the other station.

Openview Plus:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
- The Rebel Princess coming soon to eExtra
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions
- Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
- Barbie: It Takes Two and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! coming soon to eToonz

Cost Cutting: The Possible Outcome To South African Based Bollywood Channel On The Openview Platform

Following Glow TV's return to the Openview platform, there's been a lot of questions regarding the fate of SA based Bollywood infused TV channel by Nismedia as sources speculate the channel's demise when its contract with eMedia Investments expires in February 2023.

Glow TV was removed on the DStv platform in March 2018 when the pay-tv platform opted to not renew their agreement which had a major impact to their offering as primetime converted to reruns as they worked on sourcing new episodes.

Since 2018, Openview has been a top priority for Glow TV as most of their viewers and income reside on that platform. Whenever there's a blackout, Glow TV helps viewers to catch-up on what they've missed even adjusting their normal viewing to accomodate those viewers.

That's all about to change by February 2023 should the channel go off air on the Openview platform. Glow TV will likely cutback in staff and programming to accommodate their remaining audience on the StarSat platforms.

eMedia's 4 channels were removed from the DStv platform which left several disgruntled customers that are fed up with the excessive repeats on the platform with several others opting for Openview but that might not entirely be the case with Openview.

Openview is catered to low income households and taking that to account how many consumers have the funds for StarSat. Even if the channel makes its presence aware on the platform there's no guarantee that all their consumers will head there.

If anything the channel could try growing its presence with the launch of a streaming service or mobile app another could be partnerships perhaps with the likes of TelkomOne and rival to Openview, PremiumFree and if possible SABC's DTT.

Could Openview Be Losing More Channels In The Near Future?

During the year, Openview consumers lost a total of 3 channels Rewind and News And Sport from eMedia Investments as they were reviewing their offering on the platform with Soul Music's exit on the platform remaining as much of a mystery.

Compared to other outlets there hasn't been much bloodbath coming for these consumers as they inherited the likes of eXposed, ePlesier, The Home Channel+ and an upcoming entertainment channel scheduled to launch by the end of 2022.

Of course, there's been a pair of channels viewers have been questioning for a while now and as the year is about to come to a close why not bring it up now.

Last year, eMedia Investments and Nismedia engaged in a brawl in regards to the carriage agreement for Glow TV. Long story short, things haven't been the same between both parties and signs of its demise on the platform are as clear as day.

If you browse Openview's website, there's no mention of Glow TV despite its presence on the decoder. So just like how eMedia's 4 channels remained on DStv due to a technicality, could the same matter be the case for Glow TV?

SA Music is currently the only music channel on the platform kind of like how France24 and SABC Sport remain as the only news and sports channel respectively but in this case it's more serious.

Later in the year, Openview consumers awoke to the news of Soul Music's demise on the platform which served as a sister channel to SA Music but that's not where the worries originate but to its previous distributor StarSat.

StarSat has seen a loss in channels and it's interesting how it remains relevant at least to South Africans following the loss of current DStv channels like Discovery Family, Real Time, Investigation Discovery, TLNovelas and DreamWorks with more likely to join that list.

On Openview, the only channels consumers from eMedia Investments inherited were SA Music and Soul Music with its termination on the platform having to do with StarSat. Imagine if the same action seen on StarSat were to have fallen on Openview but this time with SA Music.

Honestly, the future isn't certain for any channel at this point but SA Music and Glow TV seem closer to the light than any other channel.