Yosef (Yusuf), A Brand New Family Drama Launches On e.tv (And eExtra) In May

After filling up its schedule with eVOD imports, eMedia Investments will finally be adding some new blood to the lineup with the launch of Yosef: A Family Legacy. Known in Turkey as Emanet, this is one of the first confirmed shows as Annekan Die Swa Kry, Op Dun Ys and Vierspel Vuurspel are set to conclude in May.

Synopsis for Yosef

Kevser, from a poor neighborhood, marries into the wealthy Kırımlı family, causing her father to cut ties with her. After her husband's death, Kevser is trapped in the loveless Kırımlı mansion with her 5-year-old son, Yusuf. Tragedy strikes when Kevser dies in an accident, leaving Yusuf in a mansion filled with uncaring people. His uncle Yaman, a powerful and cold-hearted businessman, provides protection but no affection.

On her deathbed, Kevser begs her sister Seher to care for Yusuf. Feeling obligated to honor her sister's wish, Seher moves into the Kırımlı mansion. Despite Yaman’s initial suspicion of the humble Seher, he can't ignore the bond between her and Yusuf. As an unlikely but deep, undeniable romance blossoms, they begin to build a new family for Yusuf. 

It starred Nik Celilay as Poyraz, Nana Stambolishvili as Nana, Berat Rüzgar Özkan as Yusuf, Halil Ibrahim Ceyhan as Yaman and Sıla Türkoğlu as Seher.

Eccho Rights serves as the production for Yusuf and is also responsible for the series Blink Kant Bo (Yalı Çapkını, streaming on eVOD) which ranked as the most watched Turkish drama in 2022/3. They've even handled the distribution of Chrysalis (Camdaki Kiz) with the third season rolling out on eMedia's platforms soon.

Annekan Die Swa Kry will end on Friday, May 2nd with Yosef: A Family Legacy set to follow on Monday, May 5th at 17:30.

Skemertyd: How e.tv Plans To Replace Isiphetho And 18:30 Going Forward?

As some viewers already heard, e.tv will be axing the underperforming soap Isiphetho and calling it quits for the 18:30 timeslot. Home to former soaps like Isipho: The Gift, Broken Vows and Nikiwe, this was the underachiever of primetime and now e.tv will be moving Kelders Van Gehieme to this timeslot.

This also affects the channel's other Kuiertyd protege Gelukbringers and Annekan Die Swa Kry which will now air 30 minutes later at 16:30 and 17:30 respectively under the banner Skemertyd.

Skemer is Afrikaans for dawn or twilight and tyd is most definitely a suffix they borrowed from eExtra's Kuiertyd meaning time.

If you're like a few other viewers that can guess what Skemertyd is all about this is their answer to hundreds or thousands demanding answers on the follow-up to Isiphetho. This is eMedia Investments way of saying they're done with this timeslot or at least for shows like Isiphetho.

Viewers wishing to find similar content can tune into House Of Zwide, Smokes & Mirrors and Isitha: The Enemy between the 19:00 to 22:00 timeslots. To make it worse, they've brought back Gold Diggers meaning more repeats and still no answers on how shows like uMbali will be distributed on their platforms.

As for 18:30, that's Kuiertyd/Skemertyd's turf cause let's face it eMedia Investments won't be losing much in terms of viewers now that the latter airs 30 minutes later. Nikiwe and so forth despite being low rated had more viewers than any of the dubbed shows to have aired on the channel.

If Skeem Saam still had its 18:30 on SABC 1, Kelders Van Gehieme wouldn't even be considered competition as they cater for a different audience so basically e.tv got its cards right. But why use Skemertyd instead of Kuiertyd(+) especially now that Annekan Die Swa Kry and Kelders Van Gehieme are broadcast simultaneously with eExtra.

Kuiertyd Moves 30 Minutes Later As Isiphetho Bites The Dust

Last year, it was confirmed by the free-to-air broadcaster that Isiphetho would be getting the boot on the channel following its dismal rollout on the channel. It will not be replaced with another series instead e.tv will be moving Kelders Van Gehieme and a bunch of its other Afrikaans shows to a later timeslot to occupy Isiphetho.

Rebroadcasts of Gelukbringers will broadcast on e.tv at 16:30 followed by simultaneous broadcasts with eExtra of new episodes of Annekan Die Swa Kry at 17:30 and Kelders Van Gehieme at 18:30. Thereafter new episodes of Gelukbringers airs at 19:00 followed by Doodsondes at 20:00, Op Dun Ys at 21:00 and Vierspel Vuurspel at 22:00.

If one had to guess, eMedia Investments is likely trying to rid themselves of 18:30 and prioritising 19:00 and 21:00 home to shows like House Of Zwide and Smokes & Mirrors. Previous entrants such as Nikiwe and Durban Gen struggled to garner much buzz due to existing competition from SABC 1.

Kelders Van Gehieme's move to 18:30 likely stemmed from several theories one of which less competition as the only other competitor KykNet is on DStv. Another is viewership, eMedia Investments probably feels the move will lead to increased viewership especially now that Skeem Saam has reverted to a much later timeslot.

These changes are set to take effect on 7th April 2025.

Channel Premieres: Doodloopstraat Makes A Quick Debut On eExtra In April Followed By Een Wit Leuen In May On e.TV

eMedia Investments continues its repetitive slope in 2025 with more scraps from eVOD set to make a rollout on eExtra and e.tv in the coming months with Een Wit Leuen and Doodloopstraat. As it stands, the only premiere is Annekan Die Swa Kry and now that is set become a burial ground for these scraps.

As advised, Doodloopstraat will be airing on eExtra from 25 April replacing rebroadcasts of Vierspel Vuurspel while Een Wit Leuen replaces Annekan Die Swa Kry on both e.tv and eExtra from 5 May.

Synopsis for Doodloopstraat 

Cennet marries Yılmaz, whom she fell in love with, and comes to Istanbul from her village as a bride and as a result of their marriage, they have three children. Division ensues amongst the children as their dad is blamed for her death in a letter she had written prior to her passing which leds to a search for the truth and self discovery.

It starred Ayça Bingöl as Cennet Tekin, Alp Navruz as Halil Tekin, İrem Helvacıoğlu as Av. Zeynep Önder, Mesut Akusta as Yılmaz Tekin, Bihter Dinçel as Birsen Karataş, Dilara Aksüyek as Feride Büyükdere.

Synopsis for Een Wit Leuen 

Abandoned by his wife, Nejat is lying to his daughter not to be upset. But as Kayra grows, these lies become unbearable and as he is trapped in the corner meets Suna. With Suna's entry into their lives, both Nejat and Kayra's world is completely changed.

It starred Furkan Palali as Nejat Yilmaz, Asli Bekiroglu as Suna Dogan, Lavinya Ünlüer as Kayra Yilmaz, Gonca Sariyildiz as Hande Eymen, Asli Inandik as Saniye Dogan and Cem Zeynel Kiliç as Hayri Hicdurmaz.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Gelukbringers

Development Alert: Doodsondes Season 6 (Final) Launches In March 2025 On eExtra

After the final season of Doodsondes got crammed with eVOD following its earlier rollouts on e.tv and eExtra. The Turkish drama is set to bow out with its sixth and final season on eExtra from 10 March which would coincide with Kuiertyd's other longer running series Elif that is ending in the coming weeks.

Synopsis for the 6th season of Doodsondes 

It starts with a 2-year time lapse, Doğan and Yıldız's daughter Yıldız Su is born while Doğan is still in prison. Later, he is freed and him and Ender team up against Yıldız. Zeynep returns from the United States after divorcing Alihan and being married to someone else. She then marries Engin, Handan's poor turned rich brother. Kumru, Handan and Zeynep fall for doctor Selim, but he loves Kumru, so he stops his relation with Handan, her mom. After everything Kumru went through, Kumru is pretending that her name is Ezgi and lies about being poor because she wanted Selim to love her for being her, not because she’s rich. Doğan discovers his ex-wife Handan's relation with Selim, so he with Handan tries to stop Kumru & Selim's love. 

Known as Yasak Elma in Turkey, It starred Şevval Sam as Ender Çelebi, Eda Ece as Yıldız Yılmaz, Biran Damla Yılmaz as Kumru Yıldırım, Murat Aygen as Doğan Yıldırım, Sevda Erginci as Zeynep Yılmaz, Şebnem Dönmez as Handan Kılıç and Berk Oktay as Çağatay Kuyucu.

The show was written by Melis Civelek and Zeynep Gür, with Neslihan Yeşilyurt directing the first three seasons, Murat Öztürk taking over for the fourth season, and Ece Erdek Koçoğlu directing the fifth and sixth seasons.

Doodsondes S6 broadcasts daily at 19:30 on eExtra from 10 March replacing the first season of Blink Kant Bo once it ends.

More Turkish Dramas Rolling Out Soon In Africa: "Yabani" + "Kızıl Goncalar" + "Şahane Hayatım" + "Aşk Yeniden"

Below is second batch of confirmed shows for Africa (not rumoured) each whose broadcasters have yet to be announced for reasons beyond my capacity. The list is in random order so so there's no guaranteed timeframe on when each show will be released.

Yabani

Yabani follows the remarkable journey of Ali, who was abducted as a boy and ended up working for the gang that kidnapped him. After enduring years of hardship, Ali renames himself Yaman and escapes his captors to build a new, better life together with his three friends. Things are not easy for this new family, but they work hard and are able to leave their dark past behind. Through it all, Yaman somehow manages to keep his soul pure and never succumbs to the darkness that surrounds him.

Things get complicated when Yaman meets Rüya, a beautiful girl from the rich side of town. 

Kızıl Goncalar

“Kızıl Goncalar” tells the poignant story of Meryem, who grew up in an Islamic sect and was married at 14. Now she is battling to prevent her daughter Zeynep from suffering the same fate as the bride of the sheikh’s grandson Cüneyd. They face a tumultuous journey, filled with tension and romance, as conservative and progressive beliefs clash.

The sheikh wants a morally pure bride for Cüneyd and the sect’s elders see Zeynep as a suitable candidate. Horrified by the idea, Meryem seeks guidance from her sister-in-law, a Koran teacher who was expelled from the sect. Given the sect’s power, they shy away from complaining officially and decide that they must flee.

Şahane Hayatım

The series focuses on the life of Sebnem Gümüşçü, an unfortunate woman who was born with great injustices and during her growing up journey began to work hard to overcome them and do everything necessary to forget the crimes that occurred in the past. More late in her criminal past he began to pursue her and she began to form part of her daily life, as long as she lived a wonderful life.

Aşk Yeniden

Zeynep is a headstrong and bold girl living in Istanbul with her Fisherman father Şevket, who loves his daughter unconditionally. Zeynep falls in love with a guy named Ertan, and later leaves her home to elope with him to America. In America, they live quite happily until Zeynep discovers of being pregnant, but Ertan asks her to abort the baby. Ertan leaves Zeynep after she refuses to do so. Zeynep breaks down and gives birth to a baby boy, Selim. But, she comes back to Turkey after 10 months as she unable to living with a baby and surviving in a foreign land.

On the other hand, Fatih Şekercizade, who belongs to a well-established and elite family of Turkey. He had been facing the pressure of being from an elite family from his mother who happens to be making his decisions from his childhood and has betrothed him to the girl of her own choice. 

Bloedspoor, An Emmy Awarded TV Series To Stream On eVOD In January 2025

eVOD, a South African based streaming service operated by eMedia Investments home to brands such as e.tv, eNCA and Openview had unveiled a new Turkish drama Bloedspoor. After being teased by sources earlier in the year, Bloedspoor (Yargi) will be debuting on the streaming service by January 2025.

The series unfolds love stories among lawyers and judges, adding a layer of emotion to the intense courtroom drama. The series starts when Ilgaz (Kaan Urgancıoğlu), a respected public prosecutor, and Ceylin (Pınar Deniz), a young attorney, cross paths due to a murder case, and are forced to work together in order to uncover the real culprit behind the event that caused irreversible changes in both of their lives.

Kaan Urgancıoğlu has made appearances in other shows such as Bittersoet which had been broadcast on eExtra while Pinar Deniz had been seen in The Red Room which was picked up by SABC 3. Other stars to join the new series include Uğur Polat, Uğur Aslan, Hüseyin Avni Danyal and Mehmet Yılmaz Ak.

Named the Best Telenovela at the 51st International Emmy Awards in New York City in 2023 filming for Bloedspoor wrapped up earlier in the year after three seasons. Ay Yapım that served as the production company for Bloedspoor offered Fenix, Voëlvry and Impak the latter which was licensed by eMedia Investments.

In other developments, Elif is set to conclude in February 2025 after its 5 year run on eExtra this would leave Blink Kant Bo as the only ongoing series as Annekan Die Swa Kry is set to conclude on e.tv in the coming months.

Elif Rebroadcasts Move From 09:30 To 16:00 On e.tv And This Is Due To ePlesier's New Show Die Agentskap

 As reported a month ago, ePlesier will be airing it's first exclusive show this month titled Die Agentskap from 2nd December. This series was allocated on eVOD earlier in the year and had been M.I.A. as eExtra allocated more recent shows from the streamer such as Op Dun Ys and Pad Na Die Hart.

There had been questions from several viewers about how eMedia Investments is planning to accommodate Die Agentskap as ePlesier is a repeats channel so the viewership would be minimal. Plans are underway to make daytime repeats available on e.tv at 9:30 as Elif's rebroadcast move almost two hours before it's premiere at 4PM.

For those wondering why Die Agentskap is not airing on eExtra, it had been alleged that reception for the series was dismal after being allocated on eVOD. With eExtra already at it wits with Op Dun Ys can't afford to lose viewers therefore opted to dump the series on ePlesier where the viewership is minimal.

Honestly this is a trend in other countries where channels would often discard a program if it failed to garner traction at least in Die Agentskap's case it gets promotion. Others to have fallen either had received very little marketing with some ousted from viewer's grasp.

Die Agentskap's debut on ePlesier has only made e.tv's schedule more bloated with repeats there's eExtra's primetime shows in the daytime and lastly rebroadcasts of Z'Bondiwe and Nikiwe. Then you have Elif moving to 4PM and it's previous slot as mentioned is being phased out for another repeat.

This has left e.tv with more reruns aside from eExtra's catch-up slots, the channel is already airing Nikiwe and Z'Bondiwe

Video: Afrikaans Voice Actors For Ramo

"A Channel First": ePlesier Launches Die Agentskap In December

In the coming weeks, primetime will be further reduced on eExtra plans to offer a rebroadcast of Vierspel Vuurspel in place of Net 20 Minute. In surprising developments, Die Agentskap which is currently streaming on eVOD will be heading to ePlesier basically a repeats channel in December.

Now the issue with ePlesier's current structure is that with it being revolved solely on repeats a majority of consumers are likely avoiding the channel. The ones that choose to view the channel are either catching up on primetime repeats with another portion that may be interested in the content.

The final season of Die Put is currently airing on the channel and later this same season will likely surface on e.tv which begs the question why does ePlesier even exist. It is understandable on MultiChoice's part as they cater for different products but with eMedia Investments it's basically the same consumers.

Even with ePlesier's presence, e.tv still accomodates for eExtra as opposed to winding down on those affairs to cater for let's say uMbali and Housewives as those shows have yet to be made available on their platform. They had attempted it on Sunday movie nights and it was an absolute mess leading them to reinstate movies at 8PM.

Honestly this whole structure between e.tv, eExtra and ePlesier is just a mess I mean with MultiChoice pivoting for Showmax maybe eMedia Investments could do the same with eVOD in this scenario. Perhaps merge ePlesier and eExtra into one channel and get all the Bollywood and Asian dramas on eSeries if not a separate channel.

As for Die Agentskap it will be allocated at 12PM from 12 December which begs the question how many people will be tuning in or even notice it when it comes on. eMedia Investments was been trying to minimise rivalry amongst their stations and if I had to guess when they'll repeat this by 4PM/11PM.

eExtra is also available on DStv meaning more exposure and advertising income so why leave consumers with a 4 year old repeat. Some consumers have asked if eMedia Investments is planning to accommodate these consumers and I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

eExtra is already airing simultaneous broadcasts of Annekan Die Swa Kry and Kelders Van Gehieme from e.tv so why not Die Agentskap from ePlesier. By that time in which Die Agentskap is seen consumers are being fed with Deur Dik En Dun and Net 20 Minute (more repeats) and with the channel's 24 hour lineup they could try squeezing it in.

Some info regarding Die Agentskap 

Four managers of talent agency Ego, namely Kıraç, Feris, Çınar and Peride, deal with difficult situations every day and defend their business visions. They skillfully combine art and business, but their private and professional lives sometimes come into conflict. Based on the French series Dix Pour Cent, it starred Kıraç Özdal as Barış Falay, Çınar Bilgin as Fatih Artman, Dicle Ertem as Ahsen Eroğlu, Barış Havas as Deniz Can Aktaş, Peride Şener as Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu and Feris Dikmen as Canan Ergüder.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Vierspel Vuurspel

eMedia Updates: Isiphetho: The Destiny Cancelled After It's Current Season On e.tv With Rebroadcasts Of Vierspel Vuurspel And Ramo Rolling Out In The Coming Months On eExtra

Isiphetho The Destiny is a South African based drama series that follows the intertwined lives of four estranged friends who were bound by a life-changing secret during their teenage years. Now in their 30s, they find themselves drawn back to their old neighbourhood, determined to chase their true destinies.

In a bid to revitalise their community and rewrite their futures, the foursome embark on an exciting new venture: an innovative restaurant aimed at bringing unique culinary delights to the township. But at every turn on their journey to self-determination, their past and enemies threaten to thwart their dreams.

According to sources, eMedia Investments had decided to end the show by April 2025 meaning Isiphetho: Destiny will not be returning with a second season. It joins the long line of failed attempts to have broadcast on that timeslot including Nikiwe, Isipho and Durban Gen.

More series lows with a rebroadcast of Vierspel Vuurspel and Ramo

After debuting on eExtra last year, a rebroadcast of Ramo is scheduled to broadcast on e.tv from 18 November replacing Hart Van Goud with Vierspel Vuurspel replacing Net 20 Minute on eExtra. So I think the question is why a 6 month long repeat on eExtra and not another import from eVOD.

We're presuming since the year is almost up that eMedia Investments is pausing primetime but out of all shows why not Kurt En Shura or Die Binnekring as they're much shorter in comparison. Maybe some behind the scenes is happening within their studios as Elif reaches its climax perhaps another surprise awaits viewers.

But in all honesty, we don't see the point of ePlesier if e.tv and eExtra already exist and are well airing the batch of repeats, you'd presume with the demise of Rewind and eVOD they'd do a better job minimising repeats. Instead these repeats are being splashed across platforms something the SABC had burdened onto their consumers.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Blink Kant Bo And Op Dun v

Should eExtra Stop Airing Kelders Van Geheime And Annekan Die Swa Kry Simultaneously With e.tv?

Earlier in the year, eMedia Investments decided to offer a simultaneous broadcast of e.tv's Annekan Die Swa Kry on eExtra and this was before Kelders Van Geheime was introduced as a rivalled offering to the now axed 7de Laan on SABC 2. The broadcaster hadn't been upfront with the media or even fans on this development.

But from what we've hypothesised from months back is that eExtra is undergoing a similar route as e.tv in 2021/2. Before rivalling with SABC 1 and Mzansi Magic, e.tv was more skewed toward audiences of M-Net and SABC 3 now all of this had been reverted to eReality and eSeries on Openview.

Local is lekker as the saying goes it draws in people and these efforts seen on Openview despite their successes overseas often draw a fraction of House Of Zwide or Muvhango's audience.

It's likely they're trying to do this with eExtra cause as we've seen more Afrikaans content in recent months with Sommerdahl Moorde and Die Fakuliteit. But what some have continued asking the network continuously is why Annekan and now Kelders Van Gehieme are on eExtra at the same time as e.tv.

If I had guess eMedia Investments wants people that tune into Kuiertyd or eExtra to watch these shows when they come on through e.tv and they don't want to create competition amongst their brands. This would even include viewers of Naagin or Forbidden Passions aka Pasión Prohibida.

To put it in better terms, eExtra turns off during this time to appease the masses of e.tv but I don't see the sense in having these shows air on two channels simultaneously. When MultiChoice does it with Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu that is because some of your audience can't view one of the two.

But in this case, a portion of eExtra's consumers are e.tv meaning there's no way anyone can be missing out on these shows. It would be understandable if you were looking at it from a DStv perspective, they have various packages and each would have its own set of content for certain consumers.

I think what eMedia Investments could have done execution wise was have Kelders Van Gehieme and Annekan Die Swa Kry broadcasts on eExtra and rather make e.tv second fiddle. Right now, there's a lot of collision between these channels and I do feel part of this needs to assessed to some capacity.

Kelders Van Gehieme would retain its 18:00 timeslot on e.tv but rather have this convert into a repeat timeslot with 17:00 also becoming a slope for eExtra's repeats. Perhaps try to increase consumers dependency on ePlesier by making them accomodate e.tv's daytime repeats as a means to drive sales of Openview.

Development Alert: Blink Kant Bo And Op Dun Ys Swap Timeslots On eExtra

During the day, eMedia Investments had took to Kuiertyd's social pages to announce that eExtra's newest addition Op Dun Ys alongside Blink Kant Bo would be exchanging timeslots from 21 October. This means Op Dun Ys will broadcast at 20:30 while Blink Kant Bo will be airing an hour early at 19:30.

eMedia Investments have evaded from several questions on why the sudden change in slots for these shows but most of the blame is suggested to be pinned on newcomer Op Dun Ys. As some have been made aware, Op Dun Ys is the first show from the channel to not offer any subtitles which had caused division amongst consumers.

Insiders are saying the move to 20:30 was sort of a way to ease the tension as Blink Kant Bo airs an hour early at 19:30. Various consumers are upset about the move as some would watch Scandal or Uzalo around these times now find themselves at a crossroads while others were able to tune into these shows in their respective slots.

Not everyone can catch-up with last nights episodes of Blink Kant Bo on eVOD or e.tv which is where it's primetime slot stood at on eExtra. Same goes for Op Dun Ys which follows the route of Star Life's controversial Evil Affairs with primetime now at 20:30 and repeats daily at 2am and weekends at 7am.

Funny thing about this is that Net 20 Minute has more airtime on the channel than Op Dun Ys which goes to show you how much they're trying to restrict its broadcasts. The edgier show now has a daytime slot at 13:45 yet Voëlvry and Die Put weren't deemed appropriate for a much earlier timeslot when broadcast.

#BoycottKuiertyd: "Consumers Alarmed That eExtra Failed To Mention That Op Dun Ys Will Not Offer English Subtitles"

During the week, eExtra unveiled the Turkish drama Op Dun Ys known in Turkey as Sadakatsiz which followed the life of Asli after her world turns upside down after she catches her husband cheating on her with another woman. Interestingly enough, Telemundo is also doing a story depicting the life of a woman's fallen marriage.

But what got a lot of consumers attention was that Op Dun Ys became the first of many shows in eMedia's portfolio to not offer English subtitles. Since Kuiertyd's inception, it was usually their prime focus to include this one feature to their consumers as the majority of households hail from different backgrounds.

When Op Dun Ys was allocated on eExtra you could only guess that this matter would be receive a lot of coverage.

According to eMedia Investments, the content provider for Op Dun Ys doesn't offer subtitles hence the reason they went ahead without them but ensured fans that their other shows (including Viola) will offer subtitles. But this didn't stop consumers from taking shots at the channel for not informing them ahead of time.

Some feeling like eMedia Investments hasn't accommodated for their needs as seen with other programming demand that Op Dun Ys be stripped from the channel. While others mention suffering from a disability and Op Dun Ys despite looking like a superb series is a hit miss as subtitles was a means of inclusion.

But the reception isn't all as bad it turns out to be as some were impressed with the dialogue and the chemistry between characters I think the only question would have to boil down to the winning team.

The fact Op Dun Ys doesn't have subtitles puts the show in a precarious position as the viewer count will likely drop and eExtra would continue to offer the show if not ship it to ePlesier. Although eMedia Investments had seen a lot of growth with this offering a majority of Openview consumers are black.

That doesn't mean these consumers don't watch the content but the idea of subtitles adds diversity and makes them more inclusive. The reality is that Kuiertyd only got where it was because eMedia Investments was only able to accommodate viewers in an area SABC 2 lacked and also the incorporation of international telenovelas.

eMedia Investments Acquires Broadcasting Rights To New Italian Drama "Viola" For eExtra

Viola Vitale, a gorgeous and magnetic woman who has always worked in the field of fashion journalism, moves from Paris back to Palermo, armed only with optimism and trust, to search for the father she never knew.

There, Violet starts working for an online publisher, covering the crime beat, collaborating with Inspector Francesco Demir. He’s charismatic and seductive, with top investigative talent, but little faith in humanity…in that, the polar opposite of Violet. Highly intuitive on the job, Demir is also impulsive and given to bending the rules.

The pair work side-by-side on homicide cases, she as a reporter, he as a cop. Hugely difficult at first, given the clash of opposites, in time they learn to collaborate successfully. In part because Violet can count on her special gift: synesthesia.

Synesthesia is not merely a figure of speech, but also the actual spontaneous and uncontrollable blending of multiple senses – sight and hearing, for example. In Violet’s case, she associates emotions with colors. When she looks at a person, she sees a color they give off, allowing her to read their deepest, possibly hidden, feelings: fear, joy, pain…

Violet develops the ability to grasp the true mindsets of people she encounters. Behind her synesthesia, however, she guards a bigger secret, to do with her real reason for returning to Palermo.

According to insiders, eMedia Investments is looking to allocate the drama on eExtra in the coming months so we can only assume that it will most likely air by Saturday or Sunday as Viola consists of 26 episodes divided between two seasons. Another scenario would be having the show take up a weekday timeslot either where Pad Na Die Hart or Jeyran resides.

Compared to most other shows curated for eExtra's Kuiertyd, Viola was filmed in Italy so it joins the rankings of Jeyran and Sommerdahl Moorde as one of the few non-Turkish shows on the channel. Although Can Yaman (Droomvelore) is one of the lead actors and joining him is lead actress Francesca Chillemi.

VIU Looking To Become The Third Broadcaster To Rival With eExtra's Kuiertyd

VIU is an Asian based streaming service that is formed as part of a joint venture with PCCW Media Limited and French broadcaster Canal+. Residing in more than 20 countries, VIU is estimated to have reached over 60 million users as the streamer plans to build up on its content slate.

Canal+ which serves as partner is currently in pursuit of Showmax's parent company MultiChoice after garnering stakes is now sitting at 45%. The plan should this acquisition succeed is to create an African powerhouse that can take on giants like Disney and Netflix. 

Another plan on the cards would be introducing international content in local languages particularly Afrikaans. eMedia Investments has been doing this since 2018 and had since then become popular within South Africa literally doubling the viewership of SABC 2's 7de Laan.

KykNET became eMedia Investments' first competitor in such pursuit as this offering was rolled out through KykNET&Kie. Both of which are owned by MultiChoice, with Canal+ looking to acquire this could lead to additional programming as the channel had simplified this offering in May.

Although Showmax had already been producing Afrikaans content for their audiences none of which rival with shows like Doodsondes or Sommerdahl Moorde. But rather the niche part of Kuiertyd with only a variant of these viewers with Bôll And Ôll and Ja, Daddy Kan Lekker Eet.

It will be interesting to see how these shows will do in terms of distribution cause with Canal+ owning KykNET they could use it promote these endeavors. Another scenario would be shopping these series to other broadcasters like the SABC since they are technically insolvent. 

The public broadcaster has been looking at cost cutting measures aside from possibly selling SABC 3 another was reducing budget costs for shows like Muvhango. VIU has been the official distributor to some of their shows like Uzalo and Skeem Saam.

Press statement about the inclusion of dubbed programming 

The demand for foreign content is so great that part of Viu’s strategy for the next year is to dub more and more of these titles into South African languages to make them more accessible.

While K-dramas are geared more towards English speakers, Turkish content is more aligned with Afrikaans audiences. Kelly said part of the growth in demand for Turkish content is due to the gap left by long-running Afrikaans shows like 7de Laan reaching end of life.

For Viu, the dubbing of content in Afrikaans gives the company an opportunity to use internationally sourced content to contribute to the local economy by employing local vocal talent. “The Turks are doing well in TV production, particularly in the long-running dramas. We work with some of the best dubbing providers in the country and we want to make sure we don’t do our audience a disservice in that,” said Kelly.

Development Alert: Blink Kant Bo Make Its Linear Debut On eExtra This September Replacing Chrysalis Season 2

During the week, eExtra debuted another TV show which was previously available on eVOD, Pad Na Die Hart. With Net 20 Minute also looking to air on the channel this leaves eExtra to load up on eVOD leftovers with Blink Kant Bo slated to air on the channel from 25 September.

Sometime ago, I did a story on Annekan Die Swa Kry and its future on e.tv with the second season set to reach its climax in the coming months. eMedia Investments is likely to distance the channel from the family drama and allocate another TV show in its timeslot e.g. Die Agentskap.

Ever since Doodsondes premiered in South Africa, eMedia Investments had often changed the broadcaster for the FOX drama. Lacking consistency, the first two seasons were made available on eExtra with third and fourth on e.tv with the final two season on eVOD.

Now Chrysalis is looking to exit the channel after its second season when Blink Kant Bo premieres and similar to Doodsondes the final season will premiere in 2025 with Elif also slated to conclude by then.

Synopsis for Blink Kant Bo 

Halis Ağa is the owner of a large jewellery empire and the head of the Korhan family. Even though his son Orhan and oldest grandson Fuat run most of the business, he still makes the most important decisions in the company. His younger grandson Ferit, who is the total opposite of his brother Fuat, is a very irresponsible young bachelor who just returned from abroad where he went to study. Halis can’t take anymore of Ferit’s recklessness and he charges his widowed daughter-in- law Ifakat with finding him a nice girl to marry. 

The news that Halis Ağa is looking for a bride for his grandson, comes like a bolt from the blue into Kazım’s mansion in Gaziantep. Kazım’s only hope to get rich are his beautiful daughters, Suna and Seyran. After Ifakat sees Suna and decides she is the right girl for Ferit, the family goes to Gaziantep to ask for Suna’s hand in marriage. But before the ceremony, Ferit and Seyran meet each other without realizing that they are supposed to become brother and sister-in-law, and Ferit is enamored by her. 

The two sisters’ lives change forever when Ferit decides to marry Seyran instead of Suna. While Kazım is glad that he has secured his access to a great fortune, Seyran will be the new bride in a family full of betrayals, lies and secrets. While Suna will start making revenge plans to get back her stolen future, life at the mansion will be even more challenging with the two brothers’ power conflicts.