Reminder: National Geographic Dishes Up No Taste Like Home With Antoni Porowski This February Across Africa
February 2025 On National Geographic And National Geographic Wild Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Mutant Weather | Returning Shows Including Critter Fixers | More
Disney Is Planning To Close Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX, Cinecanal, National Geographic And BabyTV In Brazil By February 2025
The renowned Brazilian journalist Ricardo Feltrín announced for the first time that Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX and National Geographic would be discontinued in Brazil in February 2025. This information was verified and complemented by journalist Pablo Simoes from the PortalTVeStreaming site, to whom it was also confirmed the end of Cinecanal and BabyTV, along with the official closing date of all these channels in the country: February 28, 2025.
Although it has not been confirmed whether these broadcast cessations will apply to the rest of Latin America, Pablo stated that Disney assured him that these changes will apply only to Brazil, although certainly the outlook is not entirely encouraging for those who still tune in to these channels in our region. . TVLaint attempted to get a direct response from Disney on the issue, but at the time of publishing this entry it has not received an official communication.
So far, the only thing that is known is that the decision will not impact the six ESPN channels present in Brazil. Sports signals will, for now, be Disney's only presence on Brazilian pay TV.
Although the measure is not surprising since Disney has been getting rid of its television signals around the world for more than four years in search of boosting its Disney+ streaming platform, it occurs in an ironic context considering that Disney Channel is usually the second children's channel most tuned in in Brazil, and Star Channel is the channel with the largest general audience only behind ESPN itself, according to Pablo's statements on his Twitter/X account.
It is a sad week for Disney Channel fans, since a few days ago it was announced that it would cease broadcasting in Spain after 27 years on the air, leaving fewer and fewer signs of the channel that gave so much joy around the world.
This massive closure of signals in Brazil is the most significant in Latin America since the beginning of 2022, when Disney discontinued the operations of the Star Premium suite and the basic TV channels Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Kids, FX Movies and Star Life, all in a period of less than three months. Curiously, on that occasion Disney stopped broadcasting Disney Junior in Brazil, but the channel continues to broadcast in the rest of Latin America to this day, with no plans to end. The contents of the preschool channel have since remained in a block on Disney Channel, which is not present in other countries.
A peculiar case is that of Cinecanal, which, although it already existed in Latin America, debuted in Brazil as a replacement for Star Life during the "massacre" of channels in 2022. Now, it will be one of the channels that will cease operations after almost three years in the air.
All content present on Disney Channel, Star Channel, FX, Cinecanal and National Geographic will remain exclusive to Disney+ in Brazil. BabyTV's content is the exception to the rule, which has an official and active channel on YouTube.

Not Shocking!!! The Disney Channels To Go Dark In France By The End Of December With Further Content Being Allocated On Disney+

News Shorts: German Based Broadcaster Deutsche Welle Shutters It's Linear Operations Across Europe And Africa, National Geographic And ESPN Have Been Added To Zuku TV And A Rebroadcast Of Dayan, Destructive Beauty Launches On eExtra

Development Alert: FOX And FOX Life Will Become FX And FX Life Across Baltics And CIS By January 2024, More International Disney Channels Are Expected To Close
Possible Channel Termination: Could National Geographic Wild's Content Get Migrated Onto National Geographic And Disney+?
A few months ago, Disney and Spectrum renewed their agreement which saw brands like ABC, Disney Channel and National Geographic remain onboard their platforms while secondary channels like FXX, Disney Junior and National Geographic Wild went dark on their platforms.
Since then it has brought a lot of questions regarding the future of these brands as well as others distributed by NBCUniversal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Disney on the other hand had explored the possibility of selling some of their linear channels.
Current properties like Disney Star is said to be acquired by Reliance with Disney said to be holding minority stake in the company and a similar fate is said be awaiting both ESPN and National Geographic of course we've received an update on one of the latter channels.
According to sources, Disney is looking to sell or better yet fold National Geographic under A+E Networks. Home to factual brands like HISTORY, Lifetime and Crime + Investigation, it serves as a joint venture between Disney, Sky (Europe) and Hearst Corporation.
The idea of possible sale of National Geographic came through a recent survey into the market which revealed that ABC, FX and Disney Channel were priority brands for audiences especially Disney when it pertains to profit making National Geographic and Disney Junior obsolete.
A+E Networks operates a number of singular brands as mentioned above so wouldn't seem far fetched if National Geographic Wild were to merge onto National Geographic and Disney+ seeing now that the main channel is not viewed as a priority brand on both cable and streamer.
National Geographic would remain intact for the time being but overtime they'd be shortage in programming which could lead to more cord cutting or in this case National Geographic Wild. As the content from Wild would help build the lineup of the main channel.
HISTORY vs. National Geographic
As mentioned, HISTORY which operates under A+E Networks is a factual entertainment channel which offers programming based on mechanical and civil engineering, science, mystical creatures and organised crimes part of which resides within National Geographic.
With National Geographic Wild possibly on the chopping block perhaps the main National Geographic channel will take up the identity of Wild and focus solely on wildlife and natural history programming as seen with rival brands like BBC Earth.
Another would be the company's property being distributed on National Geographic as a means to get more recognition for their portfolio.
In other developments, Disney is set to close their remaining linear offering in parts of Asia by the end of December and this includes National Geographic and National Geographic Wild as the company is putting more emphasis toward the direct to consumer business.

Disney Is Reportedly Looking To Sell National Geographic And Freeform To A+E Networks
Recap To The Month: National Geographic And National Geographic Wild MENA Had Been Merged With EMEA, FOX Might Close Within The Region
Why The Disney Channel Could Be Shutting Down On DStv And NOT National Geographic And ESPN?

Reminder: Disney To Close Their Remaining Linear Channels Across Asia In The Coming Months, More Markets Likely To Follow
Could National Geographic And The Disney Channel Also Be Shutting Down Across Africa By The End Of 2023?
Last month, it was reported that The Walt Disney Company plans to shutter the remaining linear offering in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and Korea by the fourth quarter of the year with several content being integrated to Disney+ as the streaming service becomes their top priority.
During the week, it was learnt by Bob Iger, the current CEO of The Walt Disney Company that a possible restructure could be underway for their linear offering which could see some brands under their care being sold to foreign companies if not closed down as seen internationally.
MultiChoice extended their agreement with them for their remaining linear offering through 2024 and this included factual brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, sports brands ESPN 1 & ESPN 2 and children's channels Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
It's likely that these channels might be going dark by the end of the year if not later in 2024. Taking to account, the previous terminations: Disney XD closed September 2020 which coincides with the UK's Disney Channels followed by the FOX feeds in Africa, Germany and Asia in 2021.
Another thing, although MultiChoice states these channels will be carried through 2024 it's clearly stated in their 2021 press release that these channels stick around for "another two years" possibly hinting at a December 2023 closure which coincides with Asia.
Although not much has been confirmed on an end date, the blue brands favourite months for such escapades are January, February, June, September and December - kind of seasonal when you look at it.
In the past months, Disney Channel has been promoting a bulk of Disney+ content as well aired rebroadcasts of Walk The Prank and Lab Rats. Disney Junior schedules on the other hand is overcrowded by Bluey with some repeat variety in between.
Marketing for these brands had been downsized with further feeds seen internationally being merged as seen with Disney XD before it's demise.

Disney Branded Television Could Be Put Up For Sale
The Walt Disney Company To Close 11 Channels In Taiwan, Could Africa Follow Perhaps?
In 2021, The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to close 100 international channels so there was a lot of fear for the Disney Channels in Africa following the closure of Disney XD and FOX but MultiChoice managed to secure rights for these brands through 2024.
Fast forward to 2023, The Walt Disney Company had confirmed the closure of more channels with consumers in Taiwan set to lose out on a number of brands including National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Baby TV, Star Entertainment and Star World.
Disney+ launched in 2019 and has since then become a top priority for the blue brand. Not much investment is going onto Disney Channel or National Geographic as the brands being used to promote the bulk of content seen on the streaming service.
Following the demise of these channels in Taiwan, there's now a lot of fear for these channels in Africa and I know MultiChoice had managed to carry Disney Channel, Disney Junior, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild through 2024.
But for all we know these channels could go dark by the 31st December 2023 at 23:59 which rounds up to 2024 as seen in Taiwan. It had been speculated that most of The Walt Disney Company"s linear offering won't leave past 2025 in European territories.
Disney XD was terminated in Africa alongside the United Kingdom's Disney Channels in 2020 followed by FOX which saw the brand exit Germany, Asia and Africa by 2021. Now there's rumours swirling that the brand would be closing channels across Africa by early 2024.

National Geographic Ventures Deep Into The Underworld With Third Season Of Award-Winning Series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, Premiering Thursday 9 February
This February, multiple award-winning investigative journalist and correspondent Mariana van Zeller plunges deeper into the illicit shadow economy in the much-anticipated third installment of National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated docu-series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, premiering on Thursdays at 21:00 from 9 February 2023 on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220).
A recipient of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and the duPont Award, Mariana has made it her life mission to explore the inner workings of the global underworld’s most dangerous, illegitimate markets. In each episode, she infiltrates a different trafficking network to investigate the reasons behind the illegal trade of black-market organs, LSD, ghost guns, cyber pirates, MDMA, gangs, terrorist oil, crypto scams, fight clubs and black-market babies. She meets with both the traffickers and the victims to better understand the world’s growing multi trillion-dollar shadow economy.
This season, Mariana’s investigations are shaped more than ever by the political, economic and social global landscape as she travels to Ukraine, where the war with Russia has upended the surrogacy industry; embeds herself within a ring of crypto scammers, right on the cusp of an industry crash; and exposes how 3D-printed ghost guns are being funneled into dangerous hands. Afforded National Geographic’s trademark inside access, Mariana’s plights take her thousands of miles across the globe, from Nigeria to Thailand and Belize, eventually bringing her closer than ever to home. Viewers are given a 360-degree view of the trafficking world from the perspective of the smugglers, law enforcement and those caught in the crossfires.
“Almost half of the world’s economy is dominated by black and gray markets. This shadow economy has an impact on every single one of us. And yet, we know very little about this dark and secretive side of the world,” says Mariana. “With Trafficked, we’re trying to change that. And in this season, the stories and issues we investigate feel even more relevant and urgent than ever before.”
Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller has been nominated for five News and Documentary Emmys, including Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary, Outstanding Writing: Documentary for “Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs,” Outstanding Writing: Documentary for “Romance Scams” and Outstanding Promotional Announcement in 2022 and Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary in 2021. The series received a Critics Choice Real TV Award nomination for Best Crime/Justice Show for two consecutive years in a row in 2021 and 2022. The series was a 2021 Gracie Award winner for Best Reporter/Correspondent – Mariana van Zeller.
DStv Flex:
- NCIS: Los Angeles cancelled after 14 seasons on M-Net
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY
Episodes Include the following:
Black Market Organs
Around the world, hundreds of people die every day for lack of available organs. That statistic has fueled a shady underworld of transplant tourism, a trade that connects desperate patients from the world’s wealthiest countries with desperate donors facing their own brutal realities. It’s a global trade worth roughly 1.5 billion dollars. But how exactly does it work?
LSD
LSD is making a comeback because of the growing faith in its healing power. Underground therapy is booming as the drug is used to treat abuse, depression and traumas of all kinds. And yet, LSD remains 100 percent illegal, which is why the handful of chemists responsible for the world’s supply protect a deeply guarded secret. Van Zeller is on a mission to locate a chemist and understand the secrets kept by the community.
Ghost Guns
Ghost guns are quickly becoming the weapon of choice for criminal organizations nationwide. Built from kits that anyone can buy online without a background check, these ghost guns lack serial numbers, rendering them untraceable. Van Zeller sets out to expose how a largely unregulated industry has blossomed into a bustling underground market that funnels weapons into very dangerous hands.
Terrorist Oil
Van Zeller embarks on a 3,000-mile journey from Africa to the Middle East to uncover the ways in which illicit oil is fueling terrorist groups around the globe. Her investigation delves into how “black gold” is stolen, smuggled and is finding its way into the hands of America’s most dangerous enemies.
MDMA
An alarming message from her son’s middle school about MDMA sparks van Zeller into high gear. She traces the supply chain of “the love drug” within the Los Angeles clubs back to its booming epicenter in the Netherlands, where a mob-infested underworld has recently murdered a well-known journalist. Is it possible that MDMA consumption in the U.S. is helping to turn the Netherlands into a narco-state?
Black Market Babies
Ukraine was the epicenter of the billion-dollar global surrogacy business until its war with Russia upended the controversial industry. Now, nearly a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, other countries are stepping in to fill the void. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. In this episode, van Zeller investigates how the dream of starting a family incites a burgeoning babies-for-cash underworld market.
Cyber Pirates
Cyber crimes like credit card scams, identity theft and ransomware are among the fastest-growing shadow economies in the U.S., making data a more valuable commodity than even gold, guns and drugs. In this episode, van Zeller explores how our personal and financial information is stolen, sold and distributed by a dark network of hackers and thieves with the goal of exposing a system of global proportions.
Gangs
Violent crime is soaring in Los Angeles to levels not seen in 30 years. To understand the realities and the rivalries feeding this gruesome trend, van Zeller spends time with two of America’s most notorious street gangs — the Bloods and the Crips. Surprisingly, her journey leads her from some of LA’s roughest neighborhoods to the tiny Central American country of Belize.
Crypto Scams
Cryptocurrencies have gone mainstream, minting billionaires around the globe. But this get-rich-quick fever, paired with a lack of government oversight and regulation, has created the perfect opportunity for scammers. In this episode, van Zeller embeds within a crew of crypto “rug-pull” scammers, who show her how they make millions of dollars in mere weeks.
Fight Clubs
Van Zeller probes the growing popularity of bare-knuckle fighting. On a journey that takes her from the blood-shedding mecca of Thailand to underground fights throughout the U.S., she explores the allure of these violent, sanguine bouts and how they’re inflaming a larger push to bring bare-knuckle fighting to the mainstream.
Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller is produced for National Geographic by Muck Media. From Muck Media, Executive Producers are Mariana van Zeller, Darren Foster and Jeff Plunkett, who also serves as Showrunner. From National Geographic, Bengt Anderson and Sean D. Johnson are Executive Producers.
DStv:
- Cape Town TV unveils fresh new look
- MultiChoice might be adding two new catch-up channels
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?
National Geographic’s Team Sayari To Broadcast On Disney Channel From 12 December 2022
The Walt Disney Company Africa, along with its partners the US Department of State, The U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), and WildlifeDirect, are pleased to announce that Team Sayari will air on Disney Channel, (DStv 303) at 14:05 (CAT) from Monday 12 December 2022, with one episode airing each day from Monday to Friday.
This announcement follows the successful launch and first run of the entertaining and educational program, Team Sayari, on National Geographic Wild, in response to requests from those that didn’t get the opportunity to see it and for those that would like to enjoy it again over the holidays.
This innovative, children’s documentary series is produced by Kenyan production company, White Rhino Films and aims to celebrate, encourage and inspire the next generation of environmental champions to interact with, look after, and safeguard the environment and its resources. The series aims to instill knowledge and encourage actions to conserve the world’s biodiversity in a fun way.
The series is hosted by Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) and incorporates a team of brilliant youngsters as field reporters from various parts of Southern, Eastern and Western Africa, to provide Team Sayari viewers with an engaging and diverse experience.
South African viewers will be able to follow the adventures of a range of kids from across the continent, including three home-grown presenters. Nature enthusiasts Atule Mazane (13) and Khahliso Khojane (14) hailing from the Western Cape and Thandolwethu Fani (15) from Gauteng, feature as field presenters in the programme. In Team Sayari, they travel to wilderness areas and interview experts on the ground to learn and share what is needed to conserve our natural world, reporting into Sayari Base Camp in Kenya.
Team Sayari is the result of a collaborative effort between National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company Africa, USAID, the U.S. State Department and WildlifeDirect.
Tutankhamun’s Tomb 100th Anniversary Commemorated With Premiere Programming
King Tutankhamen, or King Tut as he is more commonly known today, was relatively unknown to the world until 1922, when his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter. Now, 100 years later, this unprecedented historic discovery will be commemorated with the premiere of Tut’s Toxic Tomb on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220) on Fridays at 19:00 (CAT), from 18 November 2022, as well as with fascinating library programming exploring various facets of the renowned pharoah’s life.
On 26th November 1922, Howard Carter made what was dubbed as the greatest archaeological find of all time – entering the treasure-filled tomb of the Egyptian boy king Tutankhamun. Tutankhamun’s tomb contained thousands of artifacts, a sarcophagus containing his mummy, and a now-famous headdress. It took Carter and his team almost ten years to catalogue the contents of the tomb. The over five thousand artifacts and well-preserved mummies found in the tomb have since brought new insights into life in ancient Egypt and the astounding governance of the boy who became king.
The news lit up the world. But when people who entered the tomb began dying, tales of a “pharaoh’s curse” spread. Were the deaths just coincidences or stories created to sell newspapers? And can modern science explain the truth behind the legend?
In the two-part Tut’s Toxic Tomb series, paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi begins to unravel the extraordinary, scientific truth behind the legend and dives deeper into the mystery behind the Tutankhamun curse story. Exploring potential toxins inside the tomb and on some of the artefacts, she questions whether science can help explain some of the deaths that were linked to the tomb. On her journey, she shines fresh light on this global legend and reveals the greater legacy of Howard Carter’s discovery.
Additionally, viewers can enjoy King Tut In Color (4 November at 19:00) in which the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb is revealed for the first time in colour, thanks to colourisation of black-and-white newsreel and photographs.
In Tut's Treasures: Hidden Secrets (11 November at 19:00), follow how Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 made headlines across the world, sparking a global frenzy for ancient Egypt. Watch as the boy-king's 5,398 priceless objects are being reunited for the first time.
International: Disney To Close A Further 3 Channels This Month
Last year, The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to close a further 100 channels globally as more content goes onto the streaming service, Disney+. With MultiChoice carrying parts of these channels through 2024 means viewers have more time to unwind until the same occurs as seen in these regions.
Later in the year, it was reported that FOX in Turkey the only International feed to offer original content part of which has been supplied to e.tv such as Dokter Ali (Mucize Doctor), Doodsondes (Yasak Elma) and DisComplicated (Sen Çal Kapımı) will go off air by 2023.
Ahead of its demise, FOX Crime will suffer the chop by the end of this month which kind of coincides with FOX and FOX Life's termination in Africa as both were shuttered within the same period just years apart from each other.
In Italy, Sky was able to confirm that both National Geographic and National Geographic Wild will also go dark by the end of the month not only on their platforms but the whole region. This comes as the operator in that region just like DStv has seen a loss in channels.
Although it's not the distributor's fault when a supplier stops supplying a certain product. It is however their job to keep viewers entertained although the sad part about that is the alternatives will be nothing like these channels and viewers only hope at this point is Disney+.
With several households struggling to get fibre even a platform like DStv and Sky. Viewers will have to make due with what's already available to them.
National Geographic Channels Reveal Spring/Summer 2022 Content Slate
National Geographic and National Geographic Wild to take viewers further this Spring and Summer, with premieres of several premium productions.
Channels now broadcast in high-definition
Highlights include Team Sayari, America’s National Parks, Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, Europe From Above S4, Tut’s Toxic Tomb, World of Flavor with Big Moe Cason, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted Showdown and Critter Fixers S2
The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced the upcoming content slate for both National Geographic and National Geographic Wild for Spring/Summer 2022. With a promise to ignite the explorer in all of us, and with a 133-year legacy, viewers across the continent will also be able to immerse themselves in the very latest and ground-breaking storytelling in stunning high definition for the very first time, taking them further than ever before.
Featuring the best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers in the world, the coming months’ content highlights offer something for everyone, as several new natural history series, feature documentaries, and programming stunts will showcase the wonder of the natural world, take them on exhilarating adventures and illuminate historical figures who epitomize the strength and triumphs of humankind.
In National Geographic’s first locally produced pan-African children’s production, Team Sayari, viewers will follow a group of young conservationists, along with Akili – an AI computer represented as a large DNA helix – as they become Africa’s protectors, working from a fun and high-tech base known as Sayari basecamp. Airing each Saturday at 13:00, Team Sayari premieres on Saturday 24 September and each episode promises adventures and investigative missions, visiting exciting places across Africa, meeting interesting people, sharing knowledge about the continent’s biodiversity and exploring the need to become champions for conservation.
Fan-favourite survivalist Bear Grylls is back with Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge. Premiering on National Geographic on Wednesday 28 September at 21:00, Bear takes the daring adventures up a level by teaching celebrity guests, such as Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Simu Liu, Anthony Anderson and others, essential survival skills that they will have to master and then prove they can use in a high-stress situation.
Viewers will enjoy a new perspective of Europe through the changing seasons across a year in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Romania Serbia and Scotland when Season 4 of Europe from Above premieres on Wednesdays at 19:00, from 28 September, revealing how tradition, engineering and natural wonders have shaped this fascinating continent, in a vibrant portrait of the region and the people who keep it alive.
In Lost Treasures Of Arabia, premiering Friday 28 October at 19:00, we investigate AlUla’s unsolved mysteries and unravel the many dramas that played out on this ancient stage. This television special features reveals the historical heritage, exquisite natural assets and the immense legacy of art that continues to inspire future generations in this middle eastern city.
King Tutankhamen, or King Tut as he is commonly known today, was relatively unknown to the world until 1922, when his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter 100 years ago. To celebrate the centennial anniversary of this remarkable find, National Geographic will premiere Tut’s Toxic Tomb on Friday 18 & 25 November at 19:00, with library content King Tut in Color, on Friday 4 November at 19:00 and Tut’s Treasures, The Golden Pharaoh on Friday 11 November at 19:00, to further explore the many facets of the great Pharoah’s life and legacy.
In November, two sumptuous programmes will take the adventure from the wilderness into the kitchen. In Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted Showdown, premiering Wednesdays at 21:00 from 9 November, the multi-Michelin star chef and Ironman athlete Ramsay faces off against those closest to him. including going head-to-head with his daughter Tilly in a culinary showdown. Later that month, Navy veteran Big Moe Cason leaves his culinary comforts behind and embarks on an epic journey to seek out the most mouth-watering dishes cooked over an open flame. World Of Flavour With Big Moe Cason premieres on Wednesdays at 21:00 from 30 November, exploring the connections between American barbecue and cultures around the world.
Meanwhile, 100 miles south of Atlanta, Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson are two longtime friends who own and operate the Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital. Between emergency visits to the office and farm calls throughout rural Georgia, the Critter Fixers and their loving staff are constantly bombarded with unique cases only seen in the country. Critter Fixers S2 premieres on Fridays at 18:00 from 11 November on National Geographic Wild.
For the world’s top adventure athletes, the line between triumph and tragedy is sometimes razor thin. The epic 10-part series, Edge Of The Unknown by Academy Award®-Winning executive producers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, will takes audiences inside the minds of pioneering adventure athletes as they recount the most consequential moments of their lives on their journey to perfect the mastery of their craft, will premiere Sundays at 21:00 from 25 December on National Geographic.
“The exciting line up of National Geographic programming delivers on our core purpose to tell exceptional stories that ignite wonder and inspiration for people of all ages, enabling them to better understand the world and their place in it,” said Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We can’t wait to bring these wildly entertaining documentary series, feature documentary films and extraordinary natural history shows from the best storytellers in the world to viewers across the continent, and especially in HD for the very first time.”
Team Sayari Revealed As Title For National Geographic Kids Africa Programme
Following field production commencing earlier this year, as well as the announcement of the local hosts, The Walt Disney Company Africa, together with its project partners, National Geographic, the US Department of State, the US Agency for International Development (Usaid) and WildlifeDirect have today revealed both the title and the set of the highly anticipated National Geographic Kids programme.
Inspired by the programme’s aim to motivate lasting, impactful behavioural change in young viewers across the continent and create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders, the programme will be titled Team Sayari. Incorporating the Swahili term for ‘planet’, the title embodies the programme’s goal – to provide viewers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to conserve and protect the natural world, in a fun way.
In the series, the young presenters will visit the wild to meet African experts in five countries across the continent to explore, discover, learn about our environmental challenges, and be inspired to reduce their impact, protect and restore nature.
Filming has also commenced in a custom-built set in Nairobi, the Sayari basecamp. A first-of-its-kind in Kenya, the set embodies childhood imagination and adventure with a tree house-inspired hideout that is locally built and designed, including African-inspired and nature-based motifs, coupled with elements of advanced technology. It comes complete with a mission control wall, a cosy chill area and a lively interview spot. The Sayari basecamp was produced almost entirely from recycled and upcycled materials, true to the ethos of the show.
The central feature is a gigantic tree, with a textured trunk named Funzi (derived from the Swahili word for learning) featuring interactive artificial intelligence technology and a DNA helix, and which imparts knowledge about the environment and challenges our young presenters. To impart a sense of movement, Funzi’s inner section spins slowly during interaction.
Wood panelling, leafy foliage and porthole-style windows complete the ambience of a hideaway nestled in a tree, high in the sky. Upholstery on the furniture, that was made from organic materials, features dual-level African print, which provides layers of texture and pops of colour. The set’s shelving is hand-crafted, adding an element of quirkiness to the design. A live-edge table where the markings of the tree have been preserved for a raw look, will be dressed uniquely per episode.
Marita Lucas and Shanah Manjeru on the Team Sayari set
At basecamp, Funzi gives the studio presenters, Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) missions to complete, laying the foundation for the many adventures and fun throughout the episodes. It is also from this intriguing environment that they will link with other presenters from East, West and South Africa.
Team Sayari is the result of a collaborative effort between National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company Africa, Usaid, the US State Department and WildlifeDirect. The series, produced by local production company White Rhino Films aims to celebrate the environment and raise awareness of conservation and associated issues in a fun and relatable way, will air later this year on both National Geographic Wild and Disney Channel across Africa. There will also be engaging digital extensions on social media platforms that will allow viewers to further explore topics addressed in the series as well as an outreach programme that will extend the reach of the programme into countries in sub-Saharan Africa.