Recap To The Year: Showmax Is Now Producing Original Animated Series (And Movies), Might Launch It Elsewhere

During the year, Showmax launched its first ever original animated series, Jay Jay The Chosen One. Inspired by the football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, it follows Austin, an 11-year-old football-loving school boy, blessed by animals with their abilities, becomes

the superhero Jay Jay, who tackles poachers and guides his school football team to victory.

At the time, it was stated that the streamer was looking to do short term series and depending on how the content performs they would look into rolling out more animation projects. So there entered the South African comedy Twende as the streamer's second attempt at animation.

The show follows a pangolin — an endangered species which is the slowest on the savannah and the most-trafficked type of animal in the world — who makes up for his natural lack of speed by driving a motorcycle taxi. A pilot was screened at Annecy back in 2021 and MultiChoice Studios handles international sales.

“Our long-term goal is to build the animation industry on our continent and to give our children characters and stories that reflect, educate and inspire them, and content they can enjoy with their parents,” says Phahle. “Ultimately we believe that if we do this well enough, the stories will also find audiences outside of Africa.”

Last month, Indigenous Film Distribution unveiled Headspace, the exciting new animation sci-fi feature from Johannesburg’s Luma Animation. The film starts with a freak accident, where Max, Sophie and Gus of the Space Protection Force, and their microscopic spaceship The SPF50, take up residence inside 14-year-old Norman’s brain. 

Development Alert: Zambezi Magic To Get Second TV Channel On The DStv And Possible GOtv Platform Known As Zambezi Reloaded, Still No Word On The Playout Test

Last year, MultiChoice and M-Net unveiled a new general entertainment channel tailored for their DStv Easyview and GOtv Lite consumers, Magic Showcase. It featured numerous local programming from multiple M-Net channels across Africa for 16 hours a day.

As seen in the past month, MultiChoice seems to be duplicating this format on another TV channel which we now know to be Zambezi Reloaded. It could launch on channel 165 seeing as Zambezi Magic is on channel 162 alongside a batch of local TV channels.

As the name implies, Zambezi Reloaded will serve as a sister channel to Zambezi Magic rehashing several drama series and reality shows viewed on the main channel including Kopala, Zuba, Malawi Know Your Stars and surprisingly Mzansi Magic's Shaka iLembe.

With HONEY set to go dark on the platform by the end of October, we assume MultiChoice would be substituting the brand with Zambezi Reloaded. The only question would be whether this channel would be viewable in South Africa as consumers don't have access to the content.

On top of that, Novela Magic was accessible to the same consumers as HONEY particularly Access and following the termination consumers had been ripped away from Zuba and Mpali as MultiChoice opted to exclude Magic Showcase from Access in which select content can be viewed.

Playout Test

For several months, MultiChoice had been conducting tests on a channel known as Playout Test. Several readers had asked Insidus on various details pertaining to the mysterious channel and from what we can gather up this could be the Zambian based brand Munati Television.

Although there's no official confirmation, one of their older posts talk about a "Playout Test" and "DStv" so putting those two together leads us to believe this could be mystery channel on the i-Plate.

New Channel Alert (Rumour): Zambezi Magic To Rollout A Second TV Channel On The DStv And Possible GOtv Platform

Zambezi Magic is a general entertainment channel based in Southern Africa which is operated by M-Net and MultiChoice. It caters for audiences in Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe (excluding South Africa) with shows like Mpali and Zuba.

During the week, the pay-tv operator had begun work on a duplicate channel to Zambezi Magic what caught our eyes was how they opted to add the drama Kopala to the lineup considering it dates back to a few months while a show like Mpali can go as far as 6 years. 

If we had to guess, this new channel similar to Mzansi Wethu, Maisha Magic POA, Magic Showcase and kykNET Lekker will cater toward consumers who haven't been able to view the above-mentioned shows seen Zambezi Magic's inception to these markets in 2015.

While Zambezi Magic is sitting on channel 162, it wouldn't come as a surprise if this duplicate occupied channel 165 seeing as it is the secondary channel and also the fact that other channel numbers have been filled.

The only question at this point would be whether M-Net and MultiChoice would look into possibly adding Zambezi Magic+ to South Africa. Seeing as they ripped Zuba away from Access customers on Novela Magic and also the fact that they blocked Zambezi Magic from the region.

Africa Magic Unveils New Logo For 20th Anniversary Celebrations

As part of initiatives for its 20th-anniversary celebrations, Africa Magic has unveiled a new brand logo and identity colours for each of the seven Africa Magic channels. The new look was unveiled at 12:00 am, October 1, 2023. 

 

Commenting on the initiative, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said changes to Africa Magic channels represent the beauty, spirit, peculiarity, and diversity of cultures on the African continent.

 

“As part of Africa Magic’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, we are unveiling a new Africa Magic logo with unique colours for each of the seven Africa Magic channels available on DStv and GOtv. The new look and feel takes effect from October 1, which marks the 63rd Independence Day celebration of Nigeria. 

 

“We have had two decades of impactful storytelling and growth with our audience at the heart of this journey. The new logo and colours of Africa Magic channels represent the tenacity, creativity, enthusiasm, warmth, harmony, happiness, inspiration, and hope among the diverse cultures on the African continent. As we celebrate this milestone, Africa Magic looks forward to more decades of quality entertaining content for our esteemed audiences with a commitment to telling unique and authentic African stories that depict the everyday realities of Africans, for the African and global audiences,” Tejumola said. 

 

Africa Magic, which started with one channel in 2003, has grown to a chain of seven channels: Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Yoruba, Africa Magic Igbo, Africa Magic Hausa, and Africa Magic Epic within the last two decades. 

 

With over 30,000 original content hours, and an estimated one million viewers daily, Africa Magic has established itself as the reliable home of high-quality family entertainment in Africa. Africa Magic has elevated the business of movie production and licensing on the continent while also discovering and nurturing talents for the entertainment industry. 

 

After Being Snubbed By DStv In South Africa, Maisha Magic Movies Will Stop Airing In The Rest Of Africa From October

Last month, it was reported that Maisha Magic Movies would be exiting the DStv platform in South Africa. Since then, MultiChoice added BBC UKTV to the Compact bouquet in which this movie channel catered for alongside a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel, Zee Zonke.

Through a conversation with a DStv customer, it had been confirmed that Maisha Magic Movies will close not only in Kenya but the rest of Africa by October 8th.

MultiChoice in a statement mentions that the termination is line with their strategy to continuously review content and optimise channels. This is done to deliver unbeatable content to their customers as they continue to cater to the needs and viewing requirements.

Just as I thought, Maisha Magic Movies was probably struggling to garner traction as seen with Africa Magic Epic and Mzansi Bioskop. Another could be that similar to fliekNET, the channel didn't have much on its plate leaving them to bombard the schedule with repeats.

Prior to its termination, M-Net had reverted consumers to Pearl Magic and the other Maisha Magic channels so we assume similar to fliekNET once again. M-Net will work on building the local offering on these brands to fill that gap left by Maisha Magic Movies.

In other developments, MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group are set to unveil a rival kids brand in the coming months, Play Room. The channel will offer animated content in Zulu with some language switching happening between shows we assume it will replace another channel.

Reminder: Maisha Magic Movies Will Close On DStv By 31 August 2023, Zee Zonke Will Be Added Soon

In 2021, MultiChoice and M-Net unveiled a new local movie channel, Maisha Magic Movies. The channel was tailor made for East African audiences particularly Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi while as being viewable in areas MultiChoice operates.

Maisha Magic Movies would be used as a platform to promote first run productions from East Africa alongside content already viewed on Maisha Magic East and Pearl Magic. Some content to have been viewed on the channel include like 94 Terror, Damu Moja and Freedom Movie.

After two years, MultiChoice has decided to call it quits for Maisha Magic Movies with the channel to remain on the platform until the end of August. At the time of publishing, neither MultiChoice and M-Net could provide a statement regarding the removal of the brand.

From what we can gather, this change is only applicable to consumers in South Africa as it remains operational in other parts of Africa. We assume similar to Novela Magic, the channel was struggling to garner traction as seen with Mzansi Bioskop and Africa Magic Epic. 

Another contributing factor would have to be Zee Zonke, since last year MultiChoice had been battling with transponder constraints so they'd often need to remove channels in order to launch another channel. Maisha Magic Movies being obsolete would be replaced by Zee Zonke.

As both incorporate a local element into the lineup, Zee Zonke is a Zulu dubbed entertainment channel similar to eMedia Investments eExtra and ePlesier would dub various international shows in local languages as opposed to producing original content like Maisha Magic Movies.

Zee Zonke was slated to launch on the platform earlier in the month but was pushed to September so Maisha Magic Movies' sacrifice won't be in vain. Unlike the movie channel, Zee Zonke might be viewable to more DStv customers like Family and Access.

As crazy as this switcheroo appears to some, they had attempted to phase out something factual and entertaining as Da Vinci for toddler filtered brand like Moonbug and another instance was with MTV Hits when MultiChoice opted to kill pop for some smooth Jazz on Qwest TV.

Maisha Magic Movies In ROA

As mentioned from our findings, it appears the channel will remain operational in other countries. Considering the channel was made available to Access in parts of East Africa and it's socials were redirected to Maisha Magic and Pearl Magic. It wouldn't be shocking if more regions opted to discontinue carriage of the channel if not the whole of Africa.

Magnum Pi Cancelled On NBC

The Jay Hernandez-led reboot of the 1980s procedural will wrap its run with its upcoming 10 episodes on NBC. The news comes as the options on the cast were due to expire June 30, forcing NBC — whose studio sibling Universal TV co-produces the series alongside CBS Studios — to make a decision on either extending those deals or wrapping up the show. The network, which has recently passed on a number of pilots and canceled nearly all of its bubble shows, opted to let the show conclude with its remaining 10 episodes rather than to spend the money to extend the show’s stars as it’s unclear when production will resume amid the ongoing Writers Guild strike.

Magnum P.I. was canceled in May 2022 after four seasons on CBS. The series ranked as one of the highest shows on broadcast television at the time of its cancellation, prompting NBC to step in and save the show from cancellation with a two-season, 20-episode pickup less than two months later.

NBC is calling the 20-episode order a split season, a loophole that allows networks, studios and streamers to avoid giving cast, creators and crew annual salary increases in a practice that has been widely used by basic cable networks and streamers.

Eric Guggenheim serves as showrunner and exec produces alongside Justin Lin, John Davis and John Fox. Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Tim Kang and Amy Hill round out the cast of the series, which streams in-season on Showmax and otherwise on Paramount+.

Recap To The Decade: M-Net Movies Gets A Dedicated Children's Channel

In September 2020, M-Net in an attempt to continue to be forefront of entertainment restructured M-Net Movies offering which saw the movie offering be divided amongst 4 channels previously 6 with each using a numbering system as seen at launch decades ago.

M-Net Movies Premiere was divided between M-Net Movies 1 and 2 which supplemented M-Net Movies Smile and Action+ while M-Net Movies Action was divided between M-Net Movies 3 and 4 to supplement M-Net Movies All-Stars and Zone.

Since then the channels were met with mixed to negative feedback following the cutback of Action from the Compact and All-Stars on Family alongside the restructure of content across the brands with Zone's successor M-Net Movies 4 serving as a kids channel.

Tailor made for lower tiered consumers particularly Access and Family consumers, M-Net Movies Zone was added in May 2013 as a BET inspired channel featuring films from the likes of Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, and many more.

At the time, the channel wasn't getting much buzz especially with brands like TNT and eMedia's e.tv, eMovies and eMovies Extra reeling in most consumers. With that in mind, the channel was restructured into a thematic and film festival oriented channel.

As seen since September 2020, M-Net Movies 4 doesn't bare much resemblance to the former M-Net Movies Zone as its stellar lineup targets families and kids. If I had to hypothesis what led to the current setting maybe this is was M-Net's way of differentiating channels.

The previous setup didn't cater that much to kids or at least not for those on lower tiered packages so M-Net Movies 4 is probably one way for M-Net and MultiChoice to reach out to more audiences while other consumers could enjoy other content on TNT and Movie Room.

Recap To Last Year: Africa Magic Epic Replaced Novela Magic On DStv Compact

Africa Magic Epic (DStv 152) is a West African movie channel operated by M-Net which broadcast films from Nigeria and Ghana and since last year supply a 1 hour segment to the first season of Ajoche and Riona currently on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 150).

Novela Magic was Africa's first attempt at a dedicated channel for local telenovelas or in this case a rip-off to the likes of Mzansi Wethu, kykNET Lekker and OneZed featuring a lot of rehashed programming such as Zuba, Suidooster, Isibaya and Battleground.

As of May 2023, the channel no longer exists and from last year this was only applicable to South Africa and likely Lesotho with the last fragments of the brand confined to Magic Showcase (DStv 143).

Of course, Riona and Ajoche formed part of Novela Magic's offering before being swapped away alongside the rest of the channel. It's kind of weird that M-Net would make this available on a brand more accustomed to movies as opposed to Africa Magic Family.

Maybe this is their way of making up for the loss of Novela Magic considering the timing of these series entry to the channel and another could be that M-Net similar to 1Magic and Mzansi Magic is looking to create division amongst their consumers.

Could A K-TV Type Channel Be Heading To MultiChoice's DStv Once Disney Channel Exits The African Market?

In 2021, The Walt Disney Company ripped the general entertainment channel FOX away from African countries alongside several other European territories. Amidst that time, MultiChoice renewed the agreement for their remaining channels through 2024.

The Walt Disney Company supplies factual and wildlife brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, kids brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior and sports channels ESPN 1 & 2.

As seen after the closure of FOX, several programs viewed on the brand were folded under the streaming service, Disney+ with National Geographic and Disney Channel anticipated to suffer a similar fate in the coming future - still no word on ESPN.

Disney Channel serves as one of the few brands on DStv to offer content for a mature audience with shows like Bunk'd, Raven's Home and Hannah Montana alongside animation like Phineas And Ferb, The Ghost And Molly McGee and The Owl House.

As mentioned, all of this will be put on a tile through Disney+ and unlike FOX in which MultiChoice turn to brands like M-Net, BBC Brit and Universal for similar content. Disney Channel just like these brands is basically premium tier of the kids section.

Meaning consumers are going to expect MultiChoice to source out an alternative brand as it's not like Nicktoons were most content can be viewed on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. as this is a brand with content consumers are expected to miss.

Over to replacements, considering the impact Disney Channel had offer tweens and older kids. The channel would likely have to do the same in order to keep the masses at bay and as seen in most international outlets this brand would come with its own programming.

The only thing that came to mind was K-TV, a defunct kids brand from M-Net serving up a lot of licenced material from NBCUniversal, BBC, Mattel Creations, Cookie Jar Group, The Walt Disney Company before being supplemented by Nickelodeon.

Although M-Net and MultiChoice expressed no interest in returning the K-TV brand. A few months ago, Sky (a division of Comcast) rolled out their children's division through Sky Kids featuring original content alongside content from DreamWorks Animation.

Would it be shocking if MultiChoice launched their own version of Sky Kids probably in partnership with NBCUniversal despite the existence of DreamWorks as the company already retains a 30% stake in Showmax alongside various other partnerships.

This channel could take up the format once seen on Universal Kids with live-action shows like Hank Zipzer, Bajillionaires, The Next Step alongside animation like She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, Voltron Legendary Defenders and Dennis: Gnasher Unleashed.

Showmax rolled out their first original animated series Jay Jay: The Chosen One with plans to do more if successful. Maybe this could be one of the new offerings for the supposed channel.

Development Alert (Rumour): CineMagic To Get A Duplicate Channel On The DStv Platform

During the month, Novela Magic was ripped away from more consumers across Africa with consumers wondering why they're paying more money if they're getting less channels and this comes almost 4 months after its exit from the South African market.

As seen in selected territories, MultiChoice allocated the general entertainment channel Magic Showcase and film channel CineMagic to low tiered consumers who weren't able to access or view the local content seen on M-Net and Mzansi Wethu.

In short, MultiChoice is done adding channels like Discovery Family or at least to top tier consumers who could already view the shows on Discovery Channel, Food Network, Investigation Discovery and HGTV.

As seen for the past couple of weeks, MultiChoice might be from what appears to be rolling out a duplicate CineMagic of course details on it's capacity remains very much a mystery.

From what is seen on the duplicate very similar to CineMagic is Trevor Noah: Nationwild, The Kandasamyms: Wedding, Stand Up Africa 2016 basically repeats of content already viewed across M-Net platforms and also an alternate lineup from the original.

There's chances that this may be a seperate feed the pay-tv platform wants to introduce to selected territories as the schedule looks somewhat drafted as most of the films that appear when this test card was put up appear in its post production stage.

With that in mind, maybe this is MultiChoice's way of making up for Novela Magic in the affected regions but as seen in regions where the channel already exists only selected consumers particularly those without M-Net or any of the Magic channels can view them.

Recap To The Week: The Real Housewives Is Becoming A Cinematic Universe On DStv

The Real Housewives Of Johannesburg, The Real Housewives Of Cape Town, The Real Housewives Of Durban and these are just some of the few reiteration to the popular Bravo franchise seen across various M-Net channels through the DStv platform.

During the week, MultiChoice and NBCUniversal unveiled another Housewives instalment for the kykNET channel titled Die Real Housewives Van Die Winelands which will basically follow the hustle of various women in a certain geographical area.

It will follow the champagne catfights and soirée-filled social circles of a new group of Afrikaans-speaking women, all living and gossiping in South Africa's famed Cape winelands region around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, known for its "old money" and its centuries-old, multi-million rand family-owned wine estates.

According to kykNET, the Cape winelands offer "wealth, vineyards and wine" but it is also here where the tongues are wagging in the high-society social circles over the latest and never-ending gossip in the region over the ins and outs of this conspicuously wealthy community.

But that's not what's got me hooked personally I don't watch it not that it's bad or anything but everyone has their own preference which is the case here as MultiChoice has been dishing out more and more housewives adaptions across their platforms.

It had sort of got me thinking, could it be that M-Net may rollout a standalone channel featuring these local variations alongside the international components which have been gracing our screens for several decades I mean the idea wouldn't seem far fetched at this point.

WWE has got a dedicated channel why not The Real Housewives I mean M-Net has got too much of this content on their plate already that I doubt a lot of consumers particularly those into such content will be able to keep up to all these variations.

Just like WWE, my hunch for this channel would be that content that was probably not accessible on DStv would be found here while the fresh local offering will serve as rebroadcasts or simultaneous premieres I can see only of those options working.

On top of these instalments across DStv, we would also be getting doccies or behind the scene type programming. I mean after seeing brands like SuperSport Schools build their offering from various SuperSport channels the idea doesn't seem far fetched.

Curious as to how long it will be till MultiChoice announce the launch of The Real Housewives Channel. I mean hey they've found new ways of distributing repeats and making them knowledgeable to more consumers this case wouldn't be any different.

The SWiTCH Effect: How Me Could Take Up Channel 116 On The DStv Platform?

In 2021, MultiChoice and M-Net ripped away M-Net City and VUZU for the retarded, M-Net Essentials (Me). It caters to DStv Compact and Family consumers with a mix of content ranging from reality shows, dramas series, movies and local content.

It's currently on the channel 115 spot which was formerly occupied by the Compact exclusive channel, M-Net City. While as Family consumers only got the channel as MultiChoice took pity on them for the loss of VUZU and the fact that content from the channel would be there.

As seen these past years, MultiChoice has been launching various duplicate channels such as BBC UKTV, Moja 9.9., kykNET Lekker, Real Time, Pearl Magic Prime and several others as questions amount to when or if M-Net plans to launch a duplicate Me channel.

MultiChoice likes to divide the offering on their packages and often consumers would miss out on selected content and over the years that format was quickly dumb down as the pay-tv company loses more Premium consumers for streaming while others just downgrade.

A duplicate Me channel (Me Too) is probably the final piece of puzzle MultiChoice needs as consumers particularly on the Access and Easyview package rely on free-to-air channels for their international selection of content.

This potential copycat doesn't have to offer all the content seen on Me a year later or doesn't have to offer every show that comes to mind. This outtake of the channel would sit on channel 116 and operate 14-16 hours a day like CineMagic and Magic Showcase.

Some of the content that could fold under this brand would be NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, Seal Team and all three trilogies of Chicago alongside other content such as The Flight Attendant, Yellowstone and Lionness. Just like Me, it would have a movie in the very same time.

News Shorts: CBeebies Set To Debut Brand New On-Air Look, M-Net Movies Action HQ To Rollout On DStv And Zee World Undergoes Various Schedule Changes

CBeebies is set to align themselves with the rest of the BBC channels

In the UK, BBC Studios has begun phasing out the playful and enthusiastic CBeebies logo for a more bold and plan design. The new logo looks identical to the current BBC Kids and most of their linear channels the change is likely part of another alignment or streamlining strategy from the BBC.

BBC Studios is looking to boost their streamlining endeavours similar to the The Walt Disney Company with more details set to be unveiled later in the year.

M-Net Movies Action is being revived for a limited time

In September 2020, M-Net Movies restructured their movie offering by reducing their 6 movie channels at the time to just 4 each of them numbered with the second being a fusion of Action and Action+ channel. After 2 years, the M-Net Movies Action concept is being revived as a pop-up channel.

The Big Bosses Of Action will air on channel 111 from March 17 to April 2 with catch-up till May 1. Feature films include Die Hard, Unchartered, Tom Gun Maverick, John Wick: Chapter 2 and Taken.

Zee World is bringing more extraordinary to the tele

As seen this past week, Zee World in Southern African markets had their schedules adjusted with Twist Of Fate at 2pm-4pm (double bill), Can You See Me at 4pm, It's Not Easy To Love at 8pm, Broken Bonds at 8.50pm, Razia Sultan at 9.40pm and Age Is Just A Number at 10.30pm. All times are allocated in CAT.

The channel has several upcoming attractions such as Radha Mohan alongside 3 other shows and judging by these changes it's safe to put them in the coming soon tile.

Roundups #139: Hello Sunshine Another Division From Moonbug Kids' Candle Media Closes Down, Idols SA Cancelled After 19 Seasons On M-Net And Mzansi Magic, And Paramount+ Set To Merge With Showtime Network

Another division ceases to exist

Hello Sunshine is shuttering its kids and animation business as part of a strategic decision to focus Candle Media’s kids and animation efforts under Moonbug, the family production studio the corp snapped up for a near $3 billion in November 2021. 

Hello Sunshine will collaborate with Moonbug on future kids and animation projects.

As a result, a few individuals will be departing Hello Sunshine over the coming weeks.

The Blackstone-backed Candle Media, which is also co-run and co-founded by Tom Staggs, acquired Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine in August 2021 for $900M.

Regular Nick:
- Cartoonito to get a dedicated channel in France
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future
- PBS Kids has yet to rollout the new logo in other countries
- Disney renews 3 adult animated series through 2025

Another show bites the dust

M-Net has cancelled the long-running Idols with the upcoming 19th season on its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel which will be the last for the [SIC] Entertainment-produced reality singing competition show following viewership fatigue and a massive plunge in ratings.

The cancellation of the South African version of the Fremantle format follows after a dramatic ratings plunge for Idols in season 17 that coincided with a relationship scandal involving Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo after his ex Mohale Motaung made serious allegations of emotional and physical abuse.

While Idols started off its 17th season in South Africa in July 2021 with 1 018 607 viewers as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month, it suddenly plunged to 10th place on DStv's most-watched list with 693 760 viewers at most in August 2021, shedding 32% of its viewers.

After the very large drop in viewers and in an effort to revitalise Idols, M-Net's general entertainment channels division and [SIC] Entertainment decided to retain Somizi Mhlongo for 2022's18th season and axed judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi whose contracts were not renewed and were replaced with artists Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa.

DStv Flex:
- The River cancelled after 6 seasons on 1Magic
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- Ratings for DStv from December 2022
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild

Another merger is on the horizon

Paramount’s merging its Paramount Plus streaming service and premium Showtime channel, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. In an internal memo, CEO Bob Bakish announced the company’s rebranding its Showtime channel as Paramount Plus with Showtime.

Paramount confirmed the change in a post on Twitter, noting that the merger is “the natural next step in our evolution.” The company’s also planning to carry over “select” original content from Paramount Plus to the TV network, which could include shows like Halo and Yellowstone spinoff 1923.

Bakish says the move “brings uncertainty for the teams working on these brands and businesses” and that he’ll share more details in “the coming weeks.”

In addition to the possibility of layoffs, Deadline reports that some shows like Three Women (which was never aired), Let the Right One In, and American Gigolo could get axed as part of the consolidation. The specifics of what will happen to existing episodes of each series are unclear, but the report says that titles pulled from Showtime will be made available to take elsewhere.

The River And Lingashoni's Cancellation Leads Fans To Believe 1Magic Is Shutting Down

During the week, it was reported across social platforms that 1Magic would be bidding farewell to one of their only relevant shows on the channel The River with its sixth and final season scheduled to air this week and continue on through February 2024.

Prior to that Lingashoni is expected to bow down on the channel by March 2023 with a new show (not a telenovela) expected to take it's place once the show finishes it's run on 1Magic.

1Magic is a brand M-Net conceived back in 2019 as a replacement for VUZU AMP which was once known as M-Net Series Reality within a 20 year period. The idea was to give consumers on the top rated package and Mzansi Magic a run for its money with the above-mentioned shows.

It even featured other shows VUZU AMP would have aired like Power, The Real Housewives, The Originals, Grown Woman and Basketball Wives.

DStv:
- Boomerang might be first channel to exit the DStv platform in 2023
- MultiChoice shares crytpic message about eMedia's 4 channels
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments gets roasted over load shedding plans
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future

Since launch, several media outlets have criticized 1Magic some for treating Mzansi Magic like second class while as the others turn to the brand's former incarnates as mentioned above seeing as M-Net struggled to retain a channel.

Mzansi Magic is a brand that knows what it wants to be, there was never any problems with its viewers same goes for most Magic brands even kykNET was implemented perfectly unlike 1Magic.

As The River draws to a close with news of a replacement nowhere in site. M-Net plans to funnel the channel with short form series and reality shows once Lingashoni ends and by that logic it's possible the same fate awaits The River that is if the channel is around by then.

Considering how this channel had only been drooling over Lindiwe. There's chances these endeavours will backfire I mean if The River started getting more attention when it broadcast on Mzansi Magic what a chances these shows won't do the same.

Honestly, it makes more sense to scrap 1Magic as M-Net will be needing the international content to build up their offering with streamers like Disney+ and HBO Max taking away their content. On top of Mzansi Magic transmitting most of their local stuff a few days later.

DStv Flex:
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- Ratings for DStv from December 2022
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

If the goal is to deploy a competitor for the premium component to Mzansi Magic wouldn't it make more sense to source out a third party instead of auctioning out this channel's shows as premium only for them to be second hand when viewed on Compact.

These endeavours coming to 1Magic aren't guaranteed to have a huge following as seen through TAMS you have programs like The River and Lingashoni dominating DStv's viewership but only with Mzansi Magic and Wethu making them the ideal candidate to continue their legacy.

Roundups #133: Da Vinci Media Commissions Three Seasons Of New Bear Grylls Series, NCIS: Los Angeles Cancelled After 14 Seasons On M-Net And CBS And Starsat To Rollout CBS Reality In Various International Territories

Bear Grylls is coming to Da Vinci Kids

Da Vinci Media has set its sights on creating more inspirational content for kids and families with some help from British adventurer Bear Grylls and his co-venture studio BecomingX. The streamer has ordered three seasons of Grylls’ unscripted series Becoming Xtraordinary (30 x 24 minutes), which features influential celebrities, athletes and professionals from around the world.

Each episode will contain two interview-driven success stories encouraging kids of all ages to chase their dreams and providing advice on how to realize these goals. Some of the first season’s interviewees include actors Julia Roberts and Channing Tatum; sports superstars Roger Federer and Dame Kelly Holmes; and British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. TV host Mwaka Mudenda (Blue Peter) will serve as one of the show’s in-studio presenters.

Da Vinci commissioned the series after identifying a lack of inspirational content that kids and families can co-view together, said COO Estelle Lloyd in a release.

Pre-production is set to begin later this month, and season one is slated to premiere on Da Vinci’s platforms this spring and summer. The Da Vinci Kids app and YouTube channel will also feature full-length versions of the interviews to extend the experience of the series.

Regular Nick:
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- Here are other ways to view PBS Kids
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon

NCIS: Los Angeles is the next show to get axed on M-Net

One of CBS’ longest-running scripted shows, NCIS: Los Angeles, will be coming to an end after 322 episodes. Its current 14th season will be the show’s last, with the series finale set for May 14, airing on the network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

The NCIS spinoff, starring LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell, is tied as the fifth longest-running CBS primetime scripted series ever, only behind Gunsmoke, Lassie, CSI and Criminal Minds. Among the four, the two shows that have aired in the last 50 years, CSI and Criminal Minds, both have since been revived, which bodes well for NCIS: Los Angeles‘ future.

Additionally, NCIS: Los Angeles is a rare long-running procedural drama to have had its original leads, LL Cool J and O’Donnell, stay on for the entire run. Both have spoken publicly about their commitment to the series, which hit the 300 episode milestone last May, and their fellow cast members.

According to sources, the cast and crew of NCIS: Los Angeles are being told today about the series coming to an end. A cancellation of a long-running drama with big-name leads filming in L.A. should not come as a shock given the big price tag involved, especially at a time when networks across the board are looking to cut their spending. Still, I hear the cancellation news came as a surprise to many associated with the show as it follows the strong ratings for the three-way crossover with mothership NCIS and latest offshoot NCIS: Hawai’i.

DStv Flex:
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net

CBS Reality is launching on DStv competitor

After closing off 30+ channels in the last 5 years, StarSat is finally in the process of rolling out new channels with Kartoon Channel set to officially launch by the end of January with other brands like FilmBox Action, CBS Reality and CBS Justice awaiting release.

As seen during the month, FilmBox Action and CBS Justice were unveiled by the pay-tv platform in selected regions with CBS Reality supposedly being the last minute entry and from the looks of it I wouldn't be shocked if they were more last minute entries.

CBS Reality is factual entertainment channel owned by AMC International and Paramount Global which offers content like Dangerous Flights, Judge Judy, Dogs Behaving Very Badly, Cheaters, Shocking Emergency Calls, Hardcore Pawn, Paranormal Survivor etc.

If I had to guess, CBS Reality was likely added to replace Discovery Family. I mean both are educational and offer factual content if anything the target group is different as CBS Reality doesn't cater much to kids and family isn't something you'd find on such a channel.

DStv:
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

Roundups #132: Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series Ocean Explorers, MultiChoice And M-Net Likely To Unveil Two New Channels Titled SWITCHED ON And Gossip Girl Cancelled After 2 Seasons On HBO Max

Moonbug Kids unveils its first new series of 2023

Kids2, a global company that designs holistic solutions to help early-stage parents and families, announced the launch of Baby Einstein™ Ocean Explorers™, a new STEAM-focused ocean adventure edutainment series in conjunction with a comprehensive line of two dozen products for children, including toys and baby gear.

Created in partnership with child development experts, Hello Einstein Studios and EDH Animation, each Baby Einstein™ Ocean Explorers™ 5-minute episode reinforces early learning skills through repetition and interactivity as beloved Baby Einstein characters Cal, Neptune, Opus, Tinker and Dean discover undersea and seaside wonders together with young viewers.

“Baby Einstein Ocean Explorers is our biggest launch of content and product yet,” said Ryan Gunnigle, CEO and Owner of Kids2 and Founder of Hello Einstein Studios. “From its expert-led creative direction to its unique format, the show reimagines how entertainment can engage, teach, and inspire young viewers. Plus, we bring the nautical theme to life with more than two dozen products that integrate the series’ songs, characters, and themes.”

Regular Nick:
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- Here are other ways to view PBS Kids
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise

Get ready to SWiTCH up the entertainment on DStv

Expanding from what was already reported from yesterday, MultiChoice and M-Net have allocated SWiTCHED ON on channels 109 and 110 probably hinting at them likely being a pop-up channel for viewers to catch-up on what they've missed out on similar to what eMedia Investments unveiled this past week.

The first channel is a kykNET and Mzansi Magic infused channel just lost as to how the second is only based on Mzansi Wethu. Is it possible that maybe kykNET Lekker is running this content smoothly so there's no need to repeat any of the content missed or that viewers won't care much about this.

At the moment, most parts of these unofficial channels have yet to be filled up. From what is already seen they broadcast 18 hours a day apparently similar to eMedia's Power-Up and there's nothing worth exploring.

Judging by the content, I'm guessing that DStv Compact, Compact+ and Premium will get both channels while as other packages but Easyview get the other for the time being as Eskom doubles down on power cuts.

* Take into account, nothing is official for now.

DStv:
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

HBO Max unsurprisingly cancels another series

HBO Max has cancelled the Gossip Girl reboot show after two seasons, just days before the premiere of the final episode of the second season on January 26.

Like the original show, which was developed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the new reboot series was also based on the book by Cecily von Ziegesar and was developed by Joshua Safran.

Set eight years after the parent series, the reboot follows a new generation of New York school teens who get to know about the social surveillance of the Gossip Girl site. It stars Jordan Alexander, Julien Calloway, Whitney Peak, Thomas Doherty, Evan Mock, Eli Brown, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Zion Moreno, Elizabeth Lali, and Savannah Lee Smith, among others.

“We are very grateful to showrunner/executive producer Joshua Safran, and executive producers Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz for bringing us back to the Upper East Side and all the scandals at Constance Billard,” HBO Max said in a statement to Deadline. “Although we are not moving forward with a third season of Gossip Girl, we thank them for the enticing love triangles, calculated backstabbing and impeccable fashion this series brought to a new audience.”

YouTube Premium:
- HBO Max's new series Velma scaring away viewers
- VH1 is making a comeback to international shores through BET
- DStv Streama bundles Disney+
- The Walt Disney Company to expand the reach of Star Channel

New Channel Alert (Rumour): More Channel Changes Coming Soon To DStv??? As Several Content From kykNET & Mzansi Magic Channels Uploaded Onto New Channels, SWiTCH

During the week, MultiChoice welcomed their first channel of the year Qwest TV by multi award winning artist Quincy Jones but is this is really an official channel I mean consumers were told beforehand about the channel's presence in the market and I feel it's more 2022.

Now going to the official channels of 2023, MultiChoice and M-Net seem to be working on two new channels and trust me when I say these channels will definitely get a lot of your attention.

At first I thought viewers were getting another Moja 9.9., kykNET Lekker, Magic Showcase, CineMagic, Nicktoons, Real Time, Discovery Family and Nicktoons but it turns out this maybe another Me channel.

For those who weren't aware before Me, we had M-Net City and VUZU and this merger saw us rewatching the season last viewed on the two brands while others like Ellen had their entire season restarted and it appears these channels will be doing the same but for some of M-Net's local brands.

The first channel has shows like The River, Arendsvlei and Kind Van Die Noodlot basically content from kykNET and Mzansi Magic and the other still lacking much of a schedule also supplies similar content seen on the first channel.

DStv:
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?
- Press Release: DStv Welcomes The Launch Of Quincy Jones’ QWEST TV Onto Screens This Month

Now what has me and everyone else reading this more concerned about is the message written on the screen: "Switch to channel 163 or 164".

We know now that Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop affected by all this but if the change is to happen I doubt they'd write that on the actual channel numbers so it's likely to affect kykNET & Kie seeing as the content resides from them.

MultiChoice had opened kykNET Lekker to several DStv customers and my hunch was right about the open window coming of as suspicious. Firstly, no one at MultiChoice had much to say about it and the other having to do with the load of rebroadcasts consumers will be annoyed to see.

If I had to look at the content, here's my theory about the channels affected.

Firstly, Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop are likely being discontinued and merging to become what is known to some channel 164 or SWiTCH and seeing as no content from kykNET can be viewed here it means kykNET Lekker is safe for now.

As for channel 163, several content from kykNET & Kie is visible on this channel so I'm guessing several content is moving over to this channel while others like Binnelanders, Getroud Met Rugby and various reality shows kept with the relevant brand.

Unlike kykNET Lekker, it seems as if the offering on kykNET & Kie is being adjusted not really sure it leads leading to a closure or not. It's probable that they're repositioning the channel I mean if the Access counterpart is safe why not this one, right?.

Of course, SWiTCH appears to be replacing whatever is left of Mzansi Magic as several content from the channel including Gomora, Lingashoni and the new Empire series is on this channel so maybe kykNET & Kie and Mzansi Magic are merging too or one is just moving their offering on 1Magic and the other kykNET.

The future of Mzansi Magic and kykNET & Kie are at stack as one Binnelanders is not on this channel and kykNET Lekker is very behind with kykNET a season ahead of the affected channel.

MultiChoice has been trying to balance between 1Magic and Mzansi Magic now they'll be unified so all is well, probably not at the same time.

As for the remains of Mzansi Wethu and Mzansi Bioskop, I may have a good hunch as to why this might be happening.

Firstly, Mzansi Wethu had a lot of unnecessary content to begin with that kids block that aired the same shows for a decade and that music block which already has a dedicated channel to the consumers affected.

As for Mzansi Bioskop, the channel functioned more like fliekNET these days. To some you could say it was shocking that MultiChoice managed to put up with the channel for this long considering how much repeats were available on the channel and lack of fresh original content.

What about Mzansi Magic?

As seen when VUZU AMP was still around, VUZU became obsolete to the audience that grew beside the brand that would dish out shows like Glee, Supernatural, The Simpsons and Vampire Diaries.

Then when it got axed for 1Magic, lots of media outlets knew that Mzansi Magic time was numbered eventually but hey not all of the content is being shelved on SWiTCH or at least from the draft.

If kykNET & Kie and Mzansi Magic is still having content leftover, does this mean it would be put on a channel of its own, or maybe it's being shelved on kykNET and 1Magic or maybe M-Net felt these channels had too much and are trying to reduce their lineup we'll just have to wait and see.

Everyone seems to be screwed here except for kykNET, kykNET Lekker and probably kykNET NOU! and Mzansi Music.

What about M-Net and 1Magic?

If Mzansi Magic is merging with 1Magic then some of the current offering such as Wipeout, Gossip Girl and The Power Trilogy would have to move over to M-Net in order to make space for Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding.

It would make sense if 1Magic moved over to Compact, right??? especially now that it might become the new Mzansi Magic.

DStv Flex:
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net

If 1Magic and Mzansi Magic are being merged curious on the channel number I wouldn't be shocked if it was 161 but wondering on the name does 1Magic perhaps remove the 1 from its name.

M-Net as some would place it doesn't cater enough to blacks or better yet doesn't have the Mzansi Magic vibe so these shows will give consumers a new appreciation for the brand.

What about the music portion?

Mzansi Music and kykNET NOU! don't appear to be affected but all these changes but nothing can be certain at the moment as the music section is super repetitive and a reduction wouldn't be the worst thing to have happened.

How do I feel about the rumoured SWiTCH channels?

Just like Me, I'm expecting this brand to bomb hard not really expecting them to get scrapped. Those who were watching kykNET may not be comfortable seeing Gomora and the same goes for Mzansi Magic viewers when seeing In Die Ysterhand Se Greep.

All in all, change is constant and with Netflix dominating the airwaves we might as well reach a future where you need such app in order to watch TV.

* Take into account this is theoretical of course the SWiTCH part is real maybe it's for their terrestrial customers or Portuguese customers but that seems unlikely.
* If this turns out as how I'm predicting then Access are getting 1 less channel while others are losing more than they bargained for. Take into account it's best to wait on the necessary parties.

Roundups #126: House Of Dragons Becomes Most Pirated Series Of 2022, Phoebe And Her Unicorn No Longer Moving Forward On Nickelodeon And Viral Scandal Coming Soon On St Novelas E Plus

Game Of Thrones spinoff hits more bumps on the road

After setting multiple records for HBO and HBO Max, House of the Dragon season 1 has topped 2022's most-pirated TV shows list. The fantasy drama acts as a prequel to Game of Thrones, adapting George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood novel, and chronicling the downfall of House Targaryen, namely with the death of Paddy Considine's King Viserys and plotting from the Hightower family to overthrow the Targaryens, all culminating in the war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Developed by Martin and showrunner Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon season 1 scored largely favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike, and its success is being seen in even the more unsavory corners of the Internet.

As the year comes to a close, TorrentFreak reports that House of the Dragon has topped 2022's most-pirated TV shows list. Coming in at the top of the list, the HBO series has officially surpassed its predecessor, Game of Thrones, which was dominating the piracy charts even three years after coming to an end. In addition to overtaking the original show, House of the Dragon season 1 also came ahead of fellow fantasy drama, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Boys season 3, Disney+ releases Moon Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Andor, Netflix's Stranger Things season 4, and Paramount+'s Halo.

DStv Flex:
- What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
- What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
- What to expect this January on Qwest TV?

The disrespect of Nickelodeon

In June 2020, it was revealed that Nickelodeon had won the rights to Dana Simpson’s comic strip Phoebe and Her Unicorn, a property that the studio was eyeing as a multi-platform franchise across an TV animated series, movies and more. Fast forward to 2022, Nickelodeon axed the project due to it not catering well to boys.

Phoebe and her Unicorn follows 9-year-old Phoebe Howell, a girl in the fourth grade, who deals with childhood challenges alongside her unicorn Marigold, friend Max and enemy Dakota. Phoebe meets Marigold after skipping a rock across a pond, accidentally hitting the unicorn in the face. Freed from her own reflection, the unicorn—named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils—gives Phoebe one wish, which she decides to use by making the unicorn her best friend. Marigold has magical powers, i.e. she can divert or redirect rain and send text messages and broadcast a Wi-Fi hotspot through her horn. Her most highly coveted power though is her “Shield of Boringness” spell, which causes humans to view her as nothing out of the ordinary and allows her to interact with them on a daily basis.

Basically, a network that offers shows such as Monster High, Mysticons, Regal Academy, Winx Club, Legend Of Korra and Miraculous in which they got into legal issues with Disney opted not to move forward with this project because it doesn't cater well to boys.

For those who want to see the post:

Regular Nick:
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise
- Avatar to return with new animated series on Nickelodeon
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

New Phillipine series coming soon to St Novelas Plus

Novelas E Plus, a general entertainment channel on StarSat that is home to telenovelas from the Phillipines, Mexico and Turkey is set to rollout a brand new drama series titled Viral Scandal.

Not to be mistaken with the Korean drama High Society Scandal, Viral Scandal follows the lives of a simple family become disrupted when a scandalous video involving their eldest daughter goes viral. It stars Charlie Dizon, Jake Cuenca, Dimples Romana, and Joshua Garcia.

The series premiered on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block, A2Z and TV5, and worldwide via The Filipino Channel on November 15, 2021. It is expected to be premiere on Novelas E Plus by January 13, 2023.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses S3 coming soon to Telemundo
- Fearless Heart coming soon to Telemundo
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?