Afrikaans Adaptation Of The Office To Premiere In January On Showmax

African streamer Showmax is in production on a South African adaptation of global hit format The Office, licensed by BBC Studios.

kykNET will preview the first episode at 8PM on Sunday, 18 January, ahead of the Showmax double bill premiere on Tuesday, 20 January. 

It was more than 20 years ago that the world was introduced to the wonderfully bleak mockumentary world of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. MetaCritic lists the original British version as the best-reviewed comedy series of all time, while the American version won five Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and was the most streamed show in the world in 2020. 

This universal appeal has seen the BAFTA- and Golden Globe-winning cult comedy remade for audiences around the world, including Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East, and Poland. 

The South African edition of The Office, to be called Die Kantoor, will be its 14th adaptation and will be filmed primarily in Afrikaans. 

Rapid Blue, part of BBC Studios, is producing the Showmax Original, with BBC Studios handling global sales.

SAFTA and Silwerskerm winner Bennie Fourie is the head writer and director. He is the co-creator of SAFTA Best TV Comedy winner Hotel and plays Baltus in the award-winning mockumentary Magda Louw. 

“It's a massive honour to be able to make the show,” says Bennie. “When we started way back with Hotel, this was the type of show that we were trying to emulate. I don’t think we were ready to make it then but after 10 years of playing with the mockumentary genre, now is the perfect time for us to do this. Everything has really fallen into place and we’re extremely excited.”  

Bennie is clear he’s not just translating The Office into Afrikaans to remake it shot-by-shot with local actors. Instead, he’s reimagined it from the ground up. “South Africa is not the UK and it’s not the US, and we really wanted to reflect that,” says Bennie.

This started by changing the office setting from a paper company to Deluxe Processed Meats, which specialises in polony. 

“South Africa is a proud meat-consuming nation,” says Bennie. “From biltong to droëwors to steak, many South Africans find some of our identity in the meat we eat. But polony is not on that list. It’s just so flippen pink. When you’re standing around a braai, the last thing you want to say is that you are passionate about polony. Especially after that Listeriosis outbreak.”

The staff are looked down upon by their head office, Deluxe Meats, who specialise in prime cuts, and no one feels safe in their positions, as a BBBEE business consortium recently bought a large part of the company.

Rapid Blue produced Is’thunzi, which earned Thuso Mbedu two International Emmy nominations. They’ve assembled a mix of familiar and fresh faces for Die Kantoor, led by 2025 Fleur du Cap winner Albert Pretorius (Niggies; Nêrens, Noord-Kaap) as Flip, the office manager. 

“Flip’s only been the manager for the last year but he’s excited to welcome the documentary crew,” says Bennie. “He feels like this is his Chasing the Sun; like his rise to greatness needs to be recorded.” 

The ensemble cast also includes SAFTA winner Schalk Bezuidenhout (Kanarie, Hotel), screen legend Lida Botha (Die Kwiksilvers), Carl Beukes (Jozi, The Shakedown), Silwerskerm winner Ilse Oppelt (Oh Schuks I’m Gatvol, Fishy Fêshuns), Daniah de Villiers (Mia in Mia and the White Lion), Mehboob Bawa (Bhai in Bhai’s Cafe), former KFM presenter Sipumziwe Lucwaba, and newcomer Gert du Plessis. 

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, Tali’s Wedding Diary, so reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all has been a full circle moment for us,” says Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, executive head of content at Showmax, part of MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company.

The announcement comes as South Africa celebrates being in third place overall at tonight’s International Emmy Awards in New York, with a record five nominations: Showmax’s Koek (Drama) and Catch Me A Killer (Actress: Charlotte Hope), M-Net’s School Ties (Documentary), SuperSport’s Chasing The Sun 2 (Sports Documentary), and Play Room Live (Kids: Factual and Entertainment). 

While you wait for the South African version in January, re-watch the US version of The Office S1-9 on Showmax.

New On KykNet & Kie: Dikker As Water - Release Date And What To Expect

KykNet & Kie has acquired broadcasting rights to Dikker As Water (Kızılcık Şerbeti), its first Turkish drama in 9 months with the first season slated to replace Plaas Van Paase on October 14. Dikker As Water is currently on its fourth season in Turkey and this will be the channel's first longer form series.

It stars Barış Kılıç as Ömer Ünal, Evrim Alasya as Kıvılcım Arslan, Settar Tanrıöğen as Abdullah Ünal and Sıla Türkoğlu as Doğa Korkmaz as leads.

"Dikker As Water" tells the captivating story of the idealistic Doga falling hopelessly in love with a charming man from a devout family whose values clash with those of her mother, creating a powerful drama as they seek to overcome their differences and find harmony.

It explores the powerful evolution in the idealistic Doga when she finds love at the start of university with a man whose beliefs conflict with those of her mother, Kivilcim. An unexpected pregnancy is set to turn Doga’s life plans upside down, shaking to the core two families from different worlds.

Fatih comes from a devout family. He seeks a serious relationship, which he finds when he and Doga fall in love. Kivilcim’s fears about their romance are fulfilled when her daughter becomes pregnant. Fatih sees this as a gift from God, but Kivilcim warns it will destroy Doga’s life, convincing her to have an abortion.

Kivilcim’s devastation is complete when Doga skips the abortion and instead marries Fatih. The modern, secular Kivilcim finds herself bound to Fatih’s religious family, with a headscarf-wearing mother and a father who prays five times a day. She is convinced their marriage is doomed by the differences between them.

Doga and Fatih face an uphill battle for their love to triumph over this huge culture clash. Kivilcim also faces a struggle that triggers major changes in her attitude. A complex love story evolves, bringing together two families who are poles apart but share the same deep truths.

A Channel First: Plaas Van Passie, KykNet & Kie's First Ever Brazilian Telenovela Debuts In March 2025

Following the rollout of Sommerdahl Moorde and Viola on eExtra in 2024, it appears as if more outlets are going a similar route as eBranded channel and extending their offering outside of Istanbul. As KykNet & Kie has acquired rights to the Brazilian telenovela Plass Van Plassie (Terra e Paixão).

This will be the first time in over a decade that an M-Net channel had partnered with Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo known for Orphan Of A Nation and Empire. Unlike the previous partnerships, this will be the first series to have been dubbed in local languages (Afrikaans).

Synopsis for Plass Van Plassie 

When her husband is killed in a land grabbing attempt, Aline takes charge of cultivating his land and protecting his family. Facing the powerful Antonio La Selva, responsible for the death of her husband and the largest landowner in the region, Aline is determined to keep possession of her land and invest in its production. However, she didn't expect that she would fall in love with Daniel, son of her rival, who is at odds with his rebellious half-brother, Caio, who, in turn, also falls in love with the girl. In the interior of Brazil, Aline will have to fight two battles: the dispute for her lands and for her heart.

Plass Van Plassie aired on TV Globo from 8 May 2023 and concluded on 19 January 2024 with 221 hour long episodes. It starred Bárbara Reis, Cauã Reymond, Glória Pires, Tony Ramos, Paulo Lessa, Agatha Moreira and Johnny Massaro. 

Plaas Van Plassie will air Mondays to Thursdays at 20:00 CAT from 10 March on KykNet & Kie replacing My Naam Is Farah. Also launching in the month of March will be the sixth and final season of Doodsondes on eExtra and new series Happily Ever After on TLNovelas.

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. 

Turkish Drama Series Rolling Out In Africa Soon: "Annem Ankara" + "Kızılcık Şerbeti" + "Kan Çiçekleri" + "Toprak Ile Fidan"

Below is a list of confirmed shows set to debut in Africa soon as advised we can't disclose which broadcaster picked up the mentioned programs on the list.

Annem Ankara

Annem Ankara, the 90s-set series is produced by BKM and will follow the struggles of a single mother in Ankara, evoking familiar feelings from recent times along the way. The story of ‘Zuhal,’ a mother of three children and the wife of a man who could never truly be a son to anyone, promises to tug at the heartstrings.

Based on a true story, Annem Ankara will portray the journey of a solitary but resilient woman within her home. The series is penned by Başak Angigün and directed by the veteran director Faruk Teber.

Kızılcık Şerbeti

“Kızılcık Şerbeti” tells the captivating story of the idealistic Doga falling hopelessly in love with a charming man from a devout family whose values clash with those of her mother, creating a powerful drama as they seek to overcome their differences and find harmony.

“Kızılcık Şerbeti” explores the powerful evolution in the idealistic Doga when she finds love at the start of university with a man whose beliefs conflict with those of her mother, Kivilcim. An unexpected pregnancy is set to turn Doga’s life plans upside down, shaking to the core two families from different worlds.

Kan Çiçekleri 

“Kan Çiçekleri” tells the story of Dilan and Baran, and the marriage into which they are forced to end a blood feud between their families. Baran must put aside hatred of his enemies to save his brother and overcome guilt he feels over an attack that killed his mother, as he seeks to bring peace to a family baying for a revenge.

Toprak Ile Fidan

In "Toprak ile Fidan," Toprak wakes up after five years in a coma and comes home to a family he can’t remember. Ayden, his fiancée, has loved him since they were kids but Toprak cannot remember anything. The little boy Burak doesn’t know at all. Toprak’s mother, Keriman, encourages him to finally marry Ayden and get on with his life.

Fidan lost her husband and baby in a terrible car accident five years ago. Now she lives in Şile with her sick father and stepmother, working to pay off the enormous debt they owe to the loan shark who yearns to marry her.

Other shows also eyeing rollouts as previously reported include No. 309, Hercai and Kaderimin Oyunu.

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

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.

My Naam Is Farah: A Brand New Turkish Telenovela Is Coming To KykNET&Kie

My Naam Is Farah centres around an Iranian woman who escapes her homeland to find solace in Istanbul. Working as a cleaning lady, she works tirelessly to fund her son's vital medical treatment. However, her life takes an unexpected twist when she accidentally becomes a witness to a murder.

Drawing inspiration from the highly acclaimed Argentinian series La Chica Que Limpia, My Naam Is Farah (Adim Farah) premiered on NOW (known as FOX during its run) from 1st March and concluded on 30 December 2023 with 47 episodes which span 2 seasons. 

Demet Özdemir stars the titular character alongside Engin Akyürek as Tahir Lekesiz, Feyyaz Duman as Behnam Azadi, Fırat Tanış as Mehmet Koşaner, Senan Kara as Vera Akıncı and Lale Başar as Perihan Koşaner.

NOW is Turkish broadcaster home to various shows licensed to eMedia Investments' Kuiertyd including Doodsondes (Yasak Elma), Om Elke Draai (Her Yerde Sen) and Dokter Ali (Mucize Doctor). It was also known as the only FOX feed outside America to produce original content.

With Moedehart that is set to conclude by October 10th its likely that My Naam Is Farah will only commence on October 14th. KykNET&Kie had restructured their daytime schedule with the Turkish timeslots merging to one so unless otherwise it's likely to be allocated there.

In other developments, eMedia Investments will be adding Net 20 Minute and Pad Na Die Hart after streaming eVOD these shows will be allocated on eExtra. With the final season of Doodsondes that will only commence on eExtra by 2025.

Development Alert: KykNet&kie Gets A New Schedule In May With Binnelanders Moving To 17:30 And Moederhart At 20:00 Replacing Skerpioen

Since the first broadcast on 9 April 2013, kykNET&kie has not only shown the cream of kykNET's programs, but also provided new content produced exclusively for kykNET&kie. The award-winning Suidooster, winner of the Safta in 2022 for the best soap opera, and the telenovela Arendsvlei brought real South African stories to viewers, put a host of new talented actors in the spotlight and made for a huge injection into local TV - operation taken care of. Then there are programs like Say your say, KLOP! and the dubbed Turkish telenovelas that keep viewers buzzing.

kykNET&kie's schedule change in May will give viewers the luxury of sitting back and relaxing with excellent entertainment in the evening.

So, put down that remote control and enjoy prime viewing in premium time.

• Binnelanders' twelfth season starts on Tuesday 7 May at 17:30. The series is broadcast from Mondays to Fridays.

• Deep Waters' first season can be seen from Tuesday 7 May at 18:00. In the first week, an episode is also broadcast on Friday 10 May, but after that it is on air from Mondays to Thursdays.

Suidooster is still on the box from Mondays to Fridays at 18:30.

• Arendsvlei remains in the 19:30 time slot from Mondays to Thursdays. The last episode of this boundary-pushing telenovela, which ran for six seasons and 160 episodes, will be broadcast at the end of June. It is directly followed by a new telenovela, Skemergrond, which starts on Monday 1 July at 19:30. Skemergrond takes place in Gemoedsdrif, a small town in the Western Cape, and revolves around the Louw family and their beautiful flower farm.

The Turkish telenovela Skerpioen's last episode will be broadcast on Monday 6 May at 20:00. Moederhart, which currently airs Mondays to Thursdays at 17:30, moves to the 20:00 time slot from 7 May, but is still on air from Mondays to Thursdays. Keep an eye on the news for an announcement about a new Turkish telenovela that starts when Moederhart comes to an end.

Other programs on kykNET&kie that belong on every good watch list include:

• Medical (Tuesdays at 9.30pm)

• KNOCK! (Sundays at 18:00)

• Have Your Say (Sundays at 7pm)

• Super Rugby (Mondays at 9pm)

• Toks & Tjops (Fridays at 20:00)

• eNews (daily at 19:00)

 

Superrugby, Toks & Tjops and eNuus are also broadcast simultaneously on kykNET (DStv channel 144).

Afrikaans Shorts: KykNET NOU Gets A Brand New Look, SABC 3 Unveil Character Details For Turkish Drama "Innocence" (Masumiyet) And A Rebroadcast Of Om Elke Draai And Hart Van Goud Launches On e.tv

KykNET NOU gets a makeover 

On Monday 1 April, your favourite music channel – kykNET NOU! (DStv channel 146) – gets a brand-new look. So, sit back, tune in, enjoy the public holiday and let us know what you think of the new look and feel.

kykNET NOU! also has a new music block starting on 1 April: Klankbaan will play iconic music videos from movie and TV series. Everything from “Ballade vir ’n enkeling” to “Binnelanders” is on the menu. Come and watch and hum or sing along.

Time slots:

Monday: 20:00 – 20:30

Wednesday: 15:00 – 15:30

Thursday: 22:00 – 22:30

Friday: 12:00 – 12:30

Saturday: 17:00 – 17:30

First look at the characters of SABC 3's new Turkish drama 

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e.tv is loading up on eExtra scraps

In the coming weeks, eExtra will be rolling out a new weeknight series Sommerdahl Moorde alongside local sitcom, Die Fakulteit. This comes after Doodsondes returned to eExtra after being burned off to e.tv and eVOD for two separate seasons.

With e.tv serving as eExtra's sloppy seconds will be adding Om Elke Draai to its lineup alongside Hart Van Goud after broadcasting on Kuiertyd's catchup block on e.tv will be back for a second time. 

Om Elke Draai is a modern love story series between Demir and Selin, who become housemates after each bought half of the same house. Demir is a successful architect who buys his childhood home, while Selin is a hardworking young woman who sees the house as her first property.

The series airs Mondays to Fridays at 08:30 from 12 April.

Hart van Goud's storyline focuses on Nehir, who uses her beauty to trick men into falling in love with her. Zehir is her accomplice. She pretends to be her mother, helps conceal her tracks, and ensures her victims are non-suspicious. Will their heinous plan get exposed?

The series airs Mondays to Thursdays at 23:00 from 17 April.

News Shorts: SABC 2 Acquired Rights To Football Themed Anime Series Inazuma Eleven, A Rebroadcast Of Queen Of Miami Launches On Telemundo Africa And KykNET & Kie Unveils New Afrikaans Drama Skemergrond

SABC 2 enters the football field

Following SABC's financial constraints, the public broadcaster had been struggling to obtain new content. As such anime on SABC 2 had been on limbo often featuring repeat broadcasts of Yu-Gi-Oh and now the channel is offering new content with Inazuma Eleven.

It follows a talented young goalkeeper tries to revive his school's lackluster team in this anime series based on the hit manga and video game. Currently streaming on Netflix and formerly seen on Nicktoons and Toonami, the series airs weekdays at 17:00 replacing Yu-Gi-Oh.

Another rebroadcast enters the month of romance

After launching rebroadcasts of My Heart Beats For Lola, The Chosen Granddaughter and A Woman Of Steel. Telemundo is set to be recruiting yet another series, Queen Of Miami ahead of the final season of Queen Of The South both of which star Kate Del Castillo as lead.

Synopsis for Queen Of Miami

Traumatized by the events of a difficult life and driven to avenge the betrayal of a husband, Anastasia Cardona will find, in the illicit business of her husband, the wealth which she has always desired. Her thirst for power overrides any limits when choosing her victims.

It replaces Prisoner Of Love from 26 February.

KykNET & Kie announces a new drama series

A new telenovela Skemergrond, set in a small Western Cape town will replace the popular Arendsvlei from July on kykNET&kie (DStv 145) with the new Afrikaans show also produced by Penguin Films and filled with characters "all carrying dark secrets".

Once the cancelled Arendsvlei ends, Skemergrond will also broadcast four episodes weekly from Mondays to Thursdays in the 19:30 timeslot on kykNET&kie. Casting that will include veteran actors as well as new faces is still to be announced.

The new telenovela is set in Gemoedsdrif, a small town in the Western Cape where the Louw family has a flower farm. 

New Series Alert: Blue Cage And Hicran Also Rumoured To Be Making It's African Debut Soon Likely On Telemundo, Could eExtra's Kuiertyd Or kykNET Perhaps Get It?

Following the recent report that Telemundo will be further distancing themselves from original programming. The channel had acquired various shows from numerous international studios and broadcasters including Colombia's Caracol Televisión and RCN.

In October 2023, Telemundo debuted their first Turkish production across the African continent, Cennet: The Power Of Destiny. It proved to be a popular addition with consumers following the U.S. counterpart that had been sourcing content within the region years prior.

Inter Medya and Telemundo presented two Turkish dramas at MIPCOM within 2023, Blue Cage (Maviye Sürgün, 03 Medya) and Hicran to potential buyers. The two had been capitalising on Turkish dramas for Spanish language audiences and now the latter has folded in Africa.

Considering these two dramas were also co-produced/distributed by Telemundo, would it seem far fetched if the channel were to acquire them for consumers in Africa perhaps when Cennet ends in the coming months?

Synopsis for The Blue Cage:

Oguz has saved a young amnesiac woman, Defne, who he brings into his home. But when Defne recovers her memory, she realizes that she was a con artist who must remain in hiding.

Synopsis for Hicran:

Hicran, who wakes up to the new day with the nightmare she sees every night in which she tries to catch up with her daughter, who is said to have died at birth, is a young woman who is trying to hold on to life and who believes that her daughter is not dead, unlike everyone else.

Judgement, The Game Of My Destiny And 10 Other Turkish Series Rumoured To Debut In South Africa Soon

To expand from the Everyday Novelas column of 2024, we list various content that have been reportedly been picked up by your favourite brands.

1. Kaderimin Oyunu (The Game Of My Destiny)

Tells the gripping story of Asiye, whose world is turned upside down when her daughter is attacked by a neighbor, leaving them to rebuild their shattered lives. When the stranger Mahir finds them refuge in the home of his powerful family, she is shocked to encounter her ex-husband Cemal who abandoned the family years earlier. 

2. Hercai (Inconstant Love)

Miran is a mysterious man who appears in the life of Reyyan, a young woman from a wealthy and very powerful family, and she falls in love. But things don't turn out as she expected, as there is a dark motive behind everything.

3. Yargi (Judgement)

A murder case brings together a defence attorney and a prosecutor, forcing them into an uneasy alliance as they search for the killer.

4. Kizim (My Little Girl)

Oyku, an eight-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition, sets out to find her father after she is abandoned by her aunt. However, when she meets him, he tries to get rid of her.

5. Sadakatsız (A Woman Scorned)

Asya is a successful doctor and she has a perfect life with her husband and her son. But after finding a blonde hair on her husband's scarf, everything changes and she discovers her husband's extramarital affair.

6. Gülcemal

Abandoned by his mother as a boy. A man years later vows to get revenge on the mom and her new family all while unknowingly falling in love with her adopted daughter.

7. Bir Küçük Gün Isigi (A Little Sunshine)

The series tracks the life of Elif, whose world is turned upside down when she realises her husband had a daughter with another wife who she never knew about.

8. Bay Yanlis (Mr. Wrong)

Wealthy restaurant owner Özgür prefers casual dating to serious relationships. Ezgi wants to get married, but she only ends up being used by men. Özgür agrees to give her dating tips so her next relationship with Serdar would work out.

9. Aldatmak (Deception)

Güzide Yenersoy is a distinguished, respected family court judge. She is an honest and principled woman who has saved many marriages from destruction, made sure that many children receive the affection and love they deserve, and has always been on the side of justice. 

10. Aziz

This is about a young man who becomes a powerful man fighting against cruelty and unfairness after losing everything in life.

11. Ada Masalı (Be My Sunshine)

Unassuming physics teacher Akif's homeroom is even more unruly than usual when he suddenly announces, "from now on you are my hostages." With Akif’s touch of a button, a violent explosion separates their classroom from the rest of the school. 

12. Kalp Yarasi (Wounded Heart)

The series story is about Ferit and Ayse who find themselves in a difficult marriage game for 6 months. Will Ferit forgive Hande? Will Ferit and Ayse persuade everybody that they are really in love with each other?

Battle Of The Kaan'ers: kykNET & Kie's Newest Addition Moederhart Clashes With e.tv's Annekan Die Swa Kry While Repeat Telecasts Of e.tv's Ouma Sarie Airs In The Timeslot As SABC 2's Vetkoekpaleis

During the week, kykNET & Kie revived the 17:30 timeslot with Moederhart after quietly ripping away primetime from the channel when In Die Ysterhand Se Greep ended. There was a lot of commotion of a follow-up and surprisingly it had garnered popularity with our readers.

Moederhart tells the story of three sisters and their brother - Zeynep, Emre, Cemre and Aysun - who, together with their mother, Nefise, are left in poverty after the sudden death of their father. As a single mother, Nefise often feels powerless, but with the help of a family member, she starts working for a rich family in a mansion. 

The series airs Mondays to Thursdays at 17:30 on kykNET & Kie prior to that will be Annekan Die Swa Kry at 17:00 on e.tv. Similar to Skeem Saam on SABC 1 which is set to air in the same timeslot as Scandal consumers will have to juggle two shows.

Prior to that, eMedia Investments made a small adjustment to their line-up by slotting an extra 30 minutes to Ouma Sarie which will air weekdays at 18:00 to accompany Annekan Die Swa Kry in a segment known as 90 minutes of Afrikaans.

After 7de Laan was axed on SABC 2, the public broadcaster opted to air a telecast of the comedy Vetkoekpaleis in its timeslot in which eMedia acquired for eExtra. There was a lot of media debacle as to whether e.tv would look to ramp up a rival offering.

From January 15, Ouma Sarie will air in the same timeslot as Vetkoekpaleis on SABC 2 at 18:00. Considering that eExtra will be offering the drama Vetkoekpaleis it wouldn't surprise me if it were to resurface on e.tv once Ouma Sarie ends as both were exclusive to eExtra.

Could Channel O, Mzansi Music And kykNET NOU Also Exit The DStv Platform?

During the day, it was reported that MultiChoice will be removing 1Magic and M-Net Essentials (Me) both of which were supplied by M-Net in the coming weeks. DStv customers have already recieved inboxes confirming the termination of these channels.

With the decline in linear consumption on the top tier bouquets, this was very much anticipated from various DStv customers. Now, MultiChoice will have to work around the clock to find suitable candidates to fill the gap of both 1Magic and M-Net's Me channel.

With the cancellation of 1Magic and M-Net Essentials, it does lead some viewers (including myself) to wonder what future awaits M-Net's music offering and this includes kykNET NOU, Channel O and Mzansi Music.

Channel O was shuttered across Africa (excluding South Africa) as they were struggling to compete with the likes of MTV Base and Trace Urban. As we embrace the new year, Channel O hasn't been updating its content as much in recent years and the international offering was axed.

kykNET NOU and Mzansi Music are probably in a way better position than Channel O in terms of programming. But Mzansi Magic is basically the VH1 of music something which MultiChoice has been trying to limit while kykNET NOU serves as niche tier.

Unlike Channel O, kykNET NOU could merge with the existing kykNET channels to help give the content more exposure. As for the latter, we feel that M-Net could exit the music space similar to how they exited the kids space as brands like Nickelodeon and Disney Channel edged them out.

Moederhart: Another Brand New Dubbed Turkish Telenovela For kykNET&kie In January

The new year also makes way for a new dubbed Turkish telenovela which will start on 8 January 2024 at 17:30 on kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145). 

Moederhart tells the story of three sisters and their brother - Zeynep, Emre, Cemre and Aysun - who, together with their mother, Nefise, are left in poverty after the sudden death of their father. As a single mother, Nefise often feels powerless, but with the help of a family member, she starts working for a rich family in a mansion. The house is owned by Muzaffer and his brother, Onur, who also run a company together. 

To help her family, Zeynep starts working for Ahmet, who is in love with her. During a business meeting, Zeynep meets Onur, causing a complicated love triangle between the three. In another twist, Muzaffer begins to develop feelings for Nefise, but Emre does not approve of their relationship. Will love win in the end for this mother and daughter? 

Moederhart's original Turkish title is Kanatsiz Kuslar and the series was filmed in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The main characters are: 

Zeynep who is played by Melis Tüzüngüç. Zeynep is the oldest of Nefise's children and will give up her own dreams for her younger sisters and brother. Danielle Retief is responsible for her Afrikaans voice. 

Onur (Ümit Kantarcilar) is a young businessman with a bright future. Despite the fact that Zeynep's background is different from his, he will do anything to win her love. Tiaan Kelderman's voice is used for Onur. 

Ahmet (Ahmet Varli) has a big heart and although Zeynep does not feel about him as he does about her, he will continue to fight against his opponent, Onur. Donovan Petersen is Ahmet's voice in Afrikaans. 

Nefise (Deniz Bolisik) is a woman who will do everything in her power for her children and to see that they are always together. Being a good mother is the most important thing in her life. Natasja Jacobs is responsible for Nefise's voice. 

Muzaffer (Fatih Al) is a successful businessman and heads the wealthy family. However, his life is turned upside down when Nefise walks into his life. Anton Schmidt is Muzaffer's Afrikaans voice. 

Azime (Servet Pandur) has been working in Muzaffer's mansion for years and pretends to be Nefise's friend, but she is scheming and manipulative. Marijke Coetzer is Azime's voice in Afrikaans. 

Also in the cast are Gizem Gunes as Cemre (voiced by Monica Muller), Emir Ozden as Emre (voiced by Zach Mtombeni), Seda Turkmen as Tuba (voiced by Anré Bouguenon) and Yusuf Baymaz as Suat (voiced by Luan Jacobs). 

Moederhart starts broadcasting on kykNET&kie (DStv channel 145) on 8 January 2024 at 17:30.

New Series Alert: Skerpioen Coming Soon To kykNET & Kie

kykNET & Kie, a general entertainment channel operated by M-Net on MultiChoice's DStv that is home to variety of made for TV films and series all of which are Afrikaans will be rolling out their next international drama in the coming weeks titled, Skerpioen (Akerp).

The series follows the struggle of two women who are fighting today with what happened in the past. The fight between two women will be on the screen in the series. Furthermore, the concepts of love, betrayal, and motherhood will lock the audience to the screens.

Skerpioen was broadcast on Star TV from December 11, 2020 to June 17, 2021 with a total of 26 episodes each with a two duration. Produced by Inter Medya, it starred Demet Akbağ, Evrim Alasya, Yusuf Çim, Bekir Aksoy, Taha Baran Özbek, Aslı Melisa Uzun and Müge Su Şahin.

It will rollout across Africa on kykNET & Kie from Mondays to Thursdays at 20:00 CAT replacing Verbode Liefde once it ends on 28 November with the new series to follow on 29 November.

The series broadcaster Star TV is home to various shows already viewed in South Africa on eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET including Droomvelore (Erkenci Kus), Die Vertroueling (Marasli), Deur Dik En Dun (Istanbullu Gelin) and Kind Van Die Noodlot (Kaderimin Yazildigi Gün).

Development Alert: Arendsvlei Cancelled After 6 Seasons On kykNET&Kie, Final Episode Slated For June 2024

This series, which revolves around the semi-private school, Arendsvlei High School, managed by the Cupido family, made its debut on 1 October 2018.

Arendsvlei was initially planned for one season only. Due to popularity among viewers and two SAFTA Awards for the first season, it was renewed for a second season. As viewership numbers continued to grow, the show grew from two to four episodes a week - an extraordinary achievement for a show in this genre.

“From the very beginning, Arendsvlei blew our viewers away. As the first fully-fledged Afrikaans telenovela, it proved so popular that one season turned into six,” says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Director of Premium Channels.

Three SAFTA Awards in six years is proof of the hard work and creativity of the production team and talent that made Arendsvlei a household name in South Africa. On 11 December 2023, the team will celebrate its 1 000 episodes milestone.

“The team behind Arendsvlei are incredibly proud of the rich storyworld that has become a part of our viewers’ daily lives. kykNET thanks Penguin Films, every actor, and every member of the production team who taught us to take Arendsvlei High’s motto to heart and ‘aim high’,” says Pelser.

Roberta Durrant, the creative producer of the programme, adds: “We are proud of what we have achieved with Arendsvlei over the past six years. It has resonated with many people across the country, and its storylines touched them deeply.

"Arendsvlei is not a soap opera - it’s a telenovela. It was always meant to come to an end. That the show still captivates viewers after six years is a remarkable achievement. We are grateful that we can end Arendsvlei on a high note.”

“We are grateful to kykNET for trusting us with the production of Arendsvlei, and we hope to work on future projects with the writers, actors, and production team after Arendsvlei comes to an end,” Durrant concludes.

kykNET is already planning more exciting content for kykNET&kie to launch early next year.

Prior to its cancellation, 7de Laan would be airing it's final episode on 26 December after its 24 year run on SABC 2. There's rumours going around that it might not be replaced with another soap opera meaning consumers would have to flee to kykNET and eExtra's Kuiertyd for more content.

As for kykNET & Kie, they rolled out their international slate in 2022 with Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep. Seeing as there's no mention of a replacement we presume that the cancelation of Arendsvlei will accommodate these shows as kykNET promised consumers an additional international telenovela.

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.

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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.

Development Alert: Kind Van Die Noodlot And In Die Ysterhand Se Greep Currently Streaming On Showmax, #DisComplicated To Rollout On e.tv

Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep now on Showmax

Last year, kykNET rolled out two international dramas Kind Van Die Noodlot (Belahan Jiwa Kahraman) and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep (Asla Vazgeçmem) through kykNET & Kie. Amidst that period, MultiChoice had an ongoing through a carriage feud with eMedia Investments.

eMedia Investments played a part in their success after rolling out a similar offering in 2018 on eExtra. Since then, over 30 Turkish dramas had been distributed in Afrikaans (4 of which belong to kykNET) and eMedia had rolled out a dedicated channel and OTT platform.

Despite that, MultiChoice is not interested in retaining eExtra alongside their other 3 channels viewed on the Openview platform including eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz.

Although we have yet to see kykNET ramp up its own ePlesier type channel or give these shows much exposure on their linear platforms. MultiChoice has however made Showmax the official streaming portai for shows like Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep.

At the moment, Jy Is My Seun and Verbode Liefde aren't available on the platform.

A rebroadcast of #DisComplicated is coming to e.tv

Since Kuiertyd's inception in 2018, eMedia Investments had been using e.tv as a catch-up service for some of their shows. Of course, there are still a selected number of shows which haven't been seen yet on the platform including Om Elke Draai, Impak and Kruispad.

As seen through an updated programme guide, #DisComplicated which serves as another one of those never before seen shows has been allocated in the 8:30 on e.tv in place of Fenix from 30 August.

For those without a DStv and Openview can follow the story of follows Eda Yıldız longing to become a landscape architect. After losing her parents when she was young, this brilliant student pursued her studies with scholarships. However, she crosses paths with Serkan Bolat an obsessive workaholic who jeopardizes her plans.

Getroud Met Rugby Actor Guns Down His Lover

On Thursday, local actor Gregg Pettigrew, 51, allegedly shot and killed his 29-year-old lover in Kempton Park, Gauteng, before attempting to take his own life.

The shooting occurred in Pettigrew's home, a rental cottage in the area.

Police received an emergency call from the landlord and were on the scene shortly after. Norkem Park Police spokesperson Colonel Barbara-Anne Ferreira told sources they found a dead male on the scene.

"The other male was still in the bed, next to the male, and he had a firearm in his hand," she said. She said he was drowsy.

"We noticed that there were tablets. He drank an overdose of tablets."

Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi told sources earlier on Friday that the man was at the "local hospital under police guard".

Pettigrew played the character of Gé on the local soap, Getroud Met Rugby.

He's expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday, 17 April.

Ferreira said he'd be charged with murder and possession of an unlicenced firearm. She said the family of the deceased was traumatised.