News Shorts: Shocker (NOT REALLY) Mindset Network Ends It's Run As A Linear Channel After 18 Years For Liberty Learn, Telemundo Africa To Hit A New Low With Another Rebroadcast Of Decisions And TCM Closes Down In The UK By The End Of The Month

Mindset bites the dust

During the year, Mindset Network had been going through a lot of changes/reconstruction with most of their pages and websites either being abandoned or deleted. This was the first place to theorize the demise of the curriculum based channel.

Mindset Network had been doing a lot of downsizing in the last months so much so that the channel didn't offer interactive but prerecorded learning. Then there was the outdated programme guide which labelled everything under channel name and description.

This partnership with Liberty Learn was likely one way to save themselves from scrutiny with them being an NGO. Liberty would aid them financially while Mindset would distribute the resources to consumers.

Liberty Learn is available on DStv, StarSat and Openview.

Teleyawnder is back for more Decisions

During the week, production was paused on new content for the channel following Cameroon and Uganda anti-gay laws which prohibit the distribution of homosexual content resulting consumers to miss out on the rest of fourth season to medical drama, Nurses.

Since then the channel had featured reruns to numerous shows including For Love And Justice, On The Other Side Of The Wall, Queen Of The South and Almost Yours with Lord Of The Skies serving as the longer formats.

Diving further to reruns, Telemundo has offering the anthology series Decisions numerous timeslots over the years and with the series slated to end next month for Operation Pacific. We finally recieved word about the future of the series.

Initially, the series was slated to replace Lord Of The Skies but that was when Nurses was on but now nothing is known in regards to the replacement.

TCM is getting dismantled

It’s the end of an era for the British television landscape: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) UK, widely known as TCM Movies and a cornerstone for film enthusiasts, is preparing for its final act.

This dedicated channel, which has showcased the rich filmographies of Turner Entertainment and Warner Bros., is set to close its curtains on July 6, 2023, marking a poignant farewell for UK’s classic movie lovers.

This sombre news comes amidst a backdrop of global uncertainty for TCM. Across the Atlantic, the future of the American TCM channel hangs in the balance following recent layoffs announced by Warner Bros. Discovery.

As the UK prepares to say goodbye to its beloved classic film channel, the struggle to preserve its American counterpart underscores the ongoing challenges and importance of maintaining the legacy of classic cinema worldwide.

Recap To The Decade: 10 TV Channels You Probably Forgot Existed On Openview

Openview is a free-to-air platform operated by eMedia Investments that also manage brands such as e.tv, eReality and eExtra part of which are ranked the top 10 channels. For several years, they've been to be a worthy foe to pay-tv serving affordable entertainment.

It wasn't always like this initially the platform was more of an Easyview type platform and if we remember the DStv bouquet it was one of MultiChoice's crappiest products to exist and Openview at the time was basically that with the exception of eMovies and eToonz.

Now we look at 10 forgotten channels once seen on Openview.

1. English Club TV

English Club TV sets out to be one of the most least crappiest products on this list. If anything the channel was very promising as it featured documentaries, films, cartoons and music video all of which are illustrated for those who study English.

At the time this channel was around, eMedia Investments didn't have that much consumers. In some way, English Club TV was a victim of unfortunate circumstance which contributed to the cancellation.

2. Inspiration TV

Inspiration TV is a Christian themed channel operated by Inspiration Ministries that is home to the likes of Charles Stanley, TD Jakes and Joel Osteen. It was meant to form the initial offering of Openview when it launched in October 2013 but didn't unfortunately.

eMedia Investments had tried numerous times to get the channel onboard but due to some technologies those plans were halted.

3. BiCars

Bi-Cars TV was a reality street motorsport
lifestyle channel similar to Ignition TV on DStv. It showcased motorsport news, fashion, celebrity riders and real-life stories of street Moto-sport lifestyle, entertainment and music.

Some of the content featured on Bi-Cars TV included Mzansi Celebrities Bikers, Bi-Car Make Over, Battle Of Crews , BC League, Championships Of Speed and Sound, and Torque Talk.

Similar to most of the channels on the list, a vast majority weren't tuning in to the Ignition duplicate.

4. United Christian Broadcasting Network (UCBN)

United Christian Broadcasting Network (UCB Network TV) is a Christian based channel providing religious content. UCBN programming include shows such as Men of Honour, Women In Me, Pastor's Corner, Africa Talent Show, Nuggets of Wealth and Leadership, U Kids.

The channel was terminated due to low viewership.

5. Ekurhuleni TV

Ekurhuleni TV is a community TV station carrying local news, music, educational, health and religious programming.

The channel was terminated due to low viewership.

6. Relevant TV

Founded and run by Joshua McCauley, Relevant TV was intended to be a non-denominational Christian lifestyle TV channel that will look at the spiritual needs of Christians from all walks of life. The main target market of the channel is young adults, although it will cater for other groups as well.

The channel was removed due to unforeseen circumstances and without prior notice by eMedia Investments.

7. Alex TV (LXTV)

Alex TV, stylised as lx tv, was a community based channel with Lucky Siwela as chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder, revolves around covering and mirroring the life and issues of the vibrant, yet impoverished South African township and "suburb" of Alexandra.

The channel was yanked off Openview after its broadcasting licence had expired. Since then, rival company MultiChoice was able to fill the void with GauTV which caters to Sandton all the way to the Bekkersdal township.

8. ASTV (now MYtv)

ASTV was a lifestyle channel in which eMedia Investments had minority ownership broadcast a mix of actuality, outdoor, youth and teen content as well as Afrikaans music videos. Some of the content available on the channel included Vaskap, Eksieperfeksie, Kos Is Oppie Tafel, Ons Gesels Met... and Klankbaan.

Similar to OnseTV on StarSat, the channel wasn't watched by majority of the viewers and hasn't gained much traction as seen with kykNET's offering on DStv. Forming part of Openview's initial offering it went dark after 3 years of service (and 12 on StarSat).

9. Wild TV Africa

Wild TV Africa, developed by Dewald Visser, brought viewers outdoor and adventure programming focusing on camping, mountain-biking, fishing, 4X4 trails, scuba diving, conservation, mountain climbing, hunting, sport shooting, skydiving and big wave surfing.

Similar to most brands on the list, the channel was axed due to low viewership. Of course, similar content can be found on People's Weather and on DStv, WildEarth.

10. Shembe TV

Shembe Unyazi TV will show viewers programming around the African religion founded by Prophet Isaiah Mloyiswa Shembe, known as Bombela, in 1910 and which has 8 million followers in Southern Africa.

Basically a rival to the Nigerian based Emmanuel TV on DStv, it's currently unknown as to why the channel was removed but it was believed to be low viewership with the low rated channel currently seen on StarSat.

What Happened To Trace Sport Stars?

Trace Sports Stars is a lifestyle channel that celebrated the life of sports through factual entertainment, reality shows and gossip similar to E! operated by NBCUniversal. The channel supplies various originals such as Up Close, Bad Boys In Sports and Football Stars.

The channel was added in 2011/2 on Sky UK and MultiChoice's DStv across Africa as Trace Sports. Two years later, it went dark in the UK which coincides with the rebrand to Trace Sports Stars as they didn't offer live sports and the name didn't coincide with the offering.

When looking at a brand name like Trace Sports, one would assume they'd play actual sports like English Premier League, La Liga and WWE and although the content is focused solely on that topic. It just didn't really stick with some consumers.

In general, Trace Sports Stars was a wreck not because the channel couldn't get fresh content as it did possess potential but likely due to the fact that this type of content promoted by the channel isn't watched by vast majority as seen with the actual sporting events.

That in mind is what led to it's demise on MultiChoice's DStv with Trace Africa coming in place and at that time it was made available on rivals On Digital Media and StarTimes' StarSat and eMedia Investments' Openview platform.

This was Openview's first attempt at anything sports with StarSat offering a platform to reject channels or affordable entertainment. But of course, both brands ended scrapping the channel before 2018 for similar reasons as MultiChoice - viewership.

As of 2023, Trace Sports Stars is not viewable anywhere in Africa but that doesn't mean the channel is completely lost as it can be obtained on Binge Networks (USA), Sky (Mexico), Viaccess-Orca (France) and NTV Plus (Russia).

To be frank, Trace Sports Stars remains sustainable if anything it's not performing as well as it's musical family Trace Urban, Trace Gospel, Trace Toca, Trace Mziki and Trace Naija all of which are viewable on MultiChoice's DStv in selected territories.

Recap To The Year: OUTtv Relaunches On eMedia Investments' Openview Platform And Also Streaming On Showmax

OUTtv is a gay oriented entertainment channel based in Canada which specialises in made for TV films and series including Finding Prince Charming, RuPaul Drag Race, The Villberg Chronicles, Dr. Jackie: Unlicensed Psychotherapist and Haus Haus.

During the year, it formed part of eMedia Investments' initial offering alongside FUSE to their unbundled pay-tv service Ultraview which is similar to MultiChoice's DStv AddMovies which too comes with a limited number of alternatives at a high price.

As mentioned, OUTtv is a member of the LGBTQ something not supported by some religious groups. On top of that, such acts are prohibited in various African territories. So when you look at it you can kind of see why MultiChoice went against the channel.

Prior to its rollout on Openview, MultiChoice added OUTtv as a pop-up channel back in 2018 and were involved in a nudity scandal but that's not what stopped it from becoming permanent. Perhaps the issue at the time had to deal with preferences.

MultiChoice comes with a range of channels and consumers pay for selected while opting to tolerate the least necessary. OUTtv would have probably been that brand to drive away consumers or had smear campaigns launched against them and DStv as seen in Uganda.

Hence the reason for Showmax and Ultraview, as one comes with less restrictions while the other gives consumers particularly religious households the option of not viewing content from this particular brand.

eReality On DStv: Here's Everything Briefly Wants You To Know About The eFamily Member Channel

Briefly News is a South African digital media and news platform that was founded in 2014. It is one of South Africa’s largest news and entertainment websites and one of the top-earning brands on Facebook in Africa. It is also partner to Genesis Media Emerging Markets.

Genesis Media Emerging Markets, a digital media holding operating in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and worldwide. Other GMEM news projects include Legit.ng (Nigeria), TUKO.co.ke (Kenya), YEN.com.gh (Ghana) and Sportsbrief.com (Worldwide).

In 2018, eMedia Investments launched a free-to-air reality channel on the Openview platform, eReality. It currently ranks as the most popular reality channel in the market featuring local and international series from e.tv, NBC, M-Net, Oxygen, BBC and MTV.

Prior to its rollout on Openview, rumours swirled around that eMedia Investments would be adding eReality as the 6th channel to MultiChoice's DStv joining the now defunct eBella alongside eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz.

Of course, not much was known about its potential rollout it was believed to be replacing eBella as news of a possible rollout of the reality channel coincided with the termination of the channel which introduced viewers to shows like Qubool Hai and Fatmagul.

Last year, an author of Briefly published a story about eReality but this time as a channel for DStv. Of course, not much is known about what led to the mix up or which channel the author was referring as they listed it under the Compact bouquet but not Openview.

eMedia Investments gave away broadcasting rights to eNCA to MultiChoice for another 5 years preventing Openview consumers from ever viewing the channel with SABC News currently viewable on SABC's DTT and streaming service, SABC+.

Briefly now viewing eReality as a DStv channel, would it be a bad idea to rip the channel away from Openview consumers as the switch to DStv could help give brands like TLC and MTV a ran for their money with their 90 Day Fiance and Teen Moms.

Honestly, it's better off on Openview as there's not much alternatives to the content and as seen with eMedia's 4 other channels on DStv. It would have likely joined the group of channels awaiting their departure from the pay-tv operator for carrying "DStv Repeats".

Source: Briefly

Development Alert: LM Radio And TransAfrica Radio Stop Airing On The Openview Platform

LM Radio, a Mozambican based radio station catering to the oldies with hits from the 50s and 80s alongside the youth centric TransAfrica celebrating pop culture and featuring content for the trendsetters become the next channels to get culled from the Openview platform.

LM Radio was added on the Openview platform in February 2015 serving as one of the few radio stations on the platform while as TransAfrica Radio was introduced alongside eMovies Extra in October 2016.

Openview doesn't mention why these channels have been switched off but recommend consumers to their 25+ regional stations (19 of which are operated by the public broadcaster). Although, these brands are no longer on the platform it remains on DStv.

In eMedia Investments' annual report, they announced plans to rollout a few more channels in the current fiscal year alongside new decoders which would come with more memory and WI-FI capabilities. They recently launched 4 channels under the pay tier, Ultraview.

Openview added 513 840 activations, taking the total activations to just shy of 3.2 million and this doesn't include Ultraview. eMedia did not say how many of those who have activated set-top boxes remain current viewers of the platform same goes.

Recap To Last Year: OnseTV And MyTV Are No Longer Available On StarSat, Should eMedia Investments Perhaps Get It For The Openview Platform?

Last year, it was announced that OnseTV and My TV would be scrapped from the StarSat platform. As of 2023, Glow TV join the brands as another list of channels that can't be viewed anywhere in the market.

OnseTV was a general entertainment channel which is meant to serve as a rival to the kykNET channels on the DStv platform offering a lineup of drama series, movies, reality shows and documentaries. It includes shows like Suidooster and Snoek & Patat.

MyTV was a lifestyle channel and by the looks of it a rival to Media24's VIA also seen on the DStv platform. It offers a mixture of lifestyle and factual content ranging from home, decor, food, fashion and several others. It includes shows like Vaskap and Eksieperfeksie.

As seen in 2022, StarSat has been focused on reshaping the South African landscape through content adaption, dubbing, sub-titling supported by innovative low-cost commissioning of unique programme formats that appeal to the "vast majority" of consumers.

Unfortunately, OnseTV and MyTV didn't resonate with those plans for consumers which led to the untimely demise on the StarSat platform after 13 years.

MyTV (formerly ASTV) was added onto eMedia Investments' Openview platform back in 2013 but died out over the years as consumers weren't that invested at the time as seen with eExtra's Kuiertyd which has luckily pulled close to half a million viewers.

Over the years, eMedia Investments had begun investing in more content for the brand including Saturday Night Movies on eExtra and the Afrikaans game show, Die Kontrak.

I mean the idea of getting a brand similar to OnseTV or MyTV perhaps for Openview Ultra wouldn't be the most far fetched thing to happen. eExtra is telenovela skewed particularly with Kuiertyd but with their fanbase they could as well get this content to new heights.

Initially, Openview was more like StarSat with this offering and following Kuiertyd. You got to see more of this brand as well as the community it caters for. At the moment, it kinds of repetitive and maybe content from both these parties will help change that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recap To The Past Decade: True African Was Ripped Away From Openview Consumers, Could eMedia Investments Finally Source Out A Replacement?

True African was a general entertainment channel that came in place of the defunct eNolly+ channel on the Openview platform. The channel served a purpose of promoting content from West Africa particularly Ghana and Nigeria through the form of movies and series.

As mentioned, the channel was ripped away from Openview consumers in an attempt to offer fresher entertainment for which channel didn't reflect even when it was operating as eAfrica+ before the switch to eNolly+ it still had a repetitive nature.

But unlike e.tv's News And Sport channel much less OpenNews, the channel was revived on PremiumFree TV which serves as freemium platform's first ever competitor offering a range of movies, drama series, reality shows, music and kiddies entertainment.

Fact of the matter is eMedia Investments hasn't replaced True African sure we have channels like Zee One, Star Life, The Home Channel+ and People's Weather but none of this can make up for the closure of the brand's last attempt in Nollywood entertainment.

As of 2023, eMedia Investments launched their pay-tv venture on the Openview platform which comes with 4 channels and plans to grow the lineup. But what was also outlined about this new pay-tv service was the focus on diversity and inclusion resulting in OUTtv.

The idea of eMedia Investments exploring something similar to True African TV possibly for Openview Ultra wouldn't be far fetched. It's not like consumers were familiar with the offering seen on OUTtv and yet there's plenty of households willingly to pay monthly.

The current offering (excluding OUTtv) kind of resembles the existing lineup seen on StarSat and DStv as well as the pricing for those wishing to view the offering.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Channel Alert: Openview To Add Some Spice To Ultra

Right in time for the Easter holidays, Ultraview is surprising audiences with a second bouquet on Ultra, their recently launched Pay TV offering.

Will have the latest addition of niche channels with never-been-seen programmes, and that launched at 6:30pm on 6 April 2023. It will be home to two channels: Star Select and Zee Family, and promise to be an entertainment hotspot with a variety of Hindi content.

Viewers can get a taste of the flavourful content for a limited period, at no cost. From there the Spice bouquet will be available on a subscription basis at R119,99 per month using the Openview decoder to activate the chosen bouquet.

Star Select is a premium Hindi bespoke entertainment channel, specially curated for South Africa’s Hindi speaking viewers. Star Select is the entertainment hotspot that offers something for every age group, making the channel a family destination that offers the best romantic dramas, entertaining comedy shows, popular reality TV and the biggest Bollywood blockbuster hits. Some of the shows include Banni Chow Home Delivery (Genre: Drama), Swayamvar: Mika Di Vohti (Genre: Reality), Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara (Genre: Romance), Saubhagyavati Bhava (Genre: Drama), May I Come In Madam: (Genre: Comedy). and many more.

Zee Family offers exciting and heartwarming entertainment from India in Hindi with English subtitles. The channel caters to families showcasing award-winning romance and drama series, comedies, blockbuster movies, lifestyle, cooking and reality shows. Viewers can look forward to Baal Shiv, Ghar Ek Mandir, Kripa Agrasen Maharaj, Ki Ek Mahanayak Dr. BR Ambedkar, Main Bhi Ardhangini and the acclaimed reality singing competition, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Encore Revival Is Still In Development For The Openview Platform

SABC is gearing up for the launch of their second news channel, SABC eKhaya. It will serve as the 7th TV channel by the public broadcaster and it will also be a regional spinoff to the current SABC News brand viewed on MultiChoice's DStv, SABC's DTT and SABC+.

It will debut in the second quarter of the year exclusively on SABC's DTT and SABC+ offering news in all 11 South African languages. A format which was once seen on the current SABC News but abandoned following the brand's expansion to the rest of Africa.

As seen these past years, SABC has been behind on expanding their linear presence. In 2021, they formalised a partnership with eMedia Investments for 3 additional channels including SABC Sport and now we are in 2023 and we're still awaiting updates on the 2 channels.

From what was gathered, these two channels would leverage content from SABC's archives and just like SABC Sport. The plan was to offer something unique and not available on SABC 1-3 as more households tune into these stations and their content.

Although, we have yet to get an update on the supposed channels. SABC eKhaya isn't the only channel the public broadcaster might be looking to introduce in the coming future but likely a revival to the controversial SABC Encore now referred to Intelsat as SABC 1.

For almost 2 years, the public broadcaster had been working on this supposed channel under SABC Entertainment, SABC Children and SABC Encore. What had me more convinced about Encore was the time since it left DStv which is when these tests were underway.

One of the brand names, SABC Entertainment was initially meant to be the name for SABC Encore before those plans were scrapped while as the connection with SABC Children may have to do with the fact that both channels exist to leverage from SABC 1-3.

The public broadcaster had marketed SABC Encore on numerous occasions particularly for live matches or memorial services alongside talked on a revival. On top of that, SABC 1 had been spotted with the SABC Encore tag.

If anything, I do wonder how this brand would be any different to the version viewed on DStv. The channel was opened on numerous occasions for rebroadcasts of live matches on top of that memorial service and with SABC restructuring repeats on SABC 1-3.

It wouldn't be shocking if SABC Encore returned in a similar form to M-Net's SWITCH channels or eMedia's Power UP as SABC 1-3 won't be leveraging repeats from the other. Considering it was somewhat relevant, I can see the 80s/90s version of the channel remain intact.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Children's Future As Linear Channel Likely On Openview Alongside The Possible Revival To SABC Encore Remains Quo

SABC Children is the name of the public broadcaster's kids division that offers a mixture of local and international programming for kids aged 2-12. It was also intended to be a preschool spinoff for the educational channel, SABC Education.

SABC Children was added as an online channel on Tuluntulu alongside SABC Education and this was before SABC Education was eventually added to SABC's DTT and SABC+. The channel served content (mostly repeats) in multiple languages including English.

In 2021, the public broadcaster began experimenting on a potential cable counterpart to the current SABC Children as seen with SABC Education in 2020.

Numerous tests were conducted at the time which included the likes of SABC Encore and SABC Entertainment. Basically, these channels were funneled under one tile and it was only last year were there was any mention of its outlet or in this case Openview.

It's no secret that the public broadcaster is expanding their linear presence on the platform. In 2021, they added 19 radio stations alongside SABC Sport and promised consumers two channels a few months after but never launched them as intended.

SABC Children was listed as a potential new channel even before the platform was mentioned. Since 2022, the channel has been using the placeholder SABC 1 for which the actual channel was actually spotted in 2022 using the tag, SABC Encore.

It's not clear whether SABC Children will launch separately or under SABC Encore. But for one tile to be using three brands and out of all one has an identity of its own, SABC Children seems like a possibility maybe this one tile is being used for multiple channels.

As to when the public broadcaster will unveil these two channels or provide an official update it's likely to rollout after SABC eKhaya. A brand which might not be made available to Openview consumers but pay-tv platforms such as DStv and StarSat.

Conspiracy Theory: Openview Consumers Might Miss Out On Yet Another New Channel By The Public Broadcaster

The public broadcaster is gearing up for the rollout of their second news division, SABC eKhaya (formerly SABC Parliament). A multilingual news platform offering news in your language and also a spinoff to the current SABC News channel seen on the DStv platform.

Prior to that, the public broadcaster was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1 for the Openview platform. It is believed to be SABC Encore as consumers had spotted it on the programme guide of SABC back in 2022.

Following the expansion of SABC Sport and SABC's 19 radio stations, the public broadcaster was looking to the idea of launching a second sports channel on top of a potential revival to the defunct and controversial SABC Encore once viewed on DStv.

As mentioned prior to the testing of SABC Parliament, SABC was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1. Compared to most experiments this is the only channel to mention it's platform as others like SABC eKhaya were currently being tested for DTT.

With that in mind, it's possible SABC eKhaya alongside SABC Education might not be one of the two channels expected for Openview customers. If anything, the multilingual news channel might be something the public broadcaster is looking to get on pay-tv platforms.

If anything, the public broadcaster might as well be working on launching more TV channels in the coming future aside from the above-mentioned. Some channels the public broadcaster were looking to start up include a health and history channel.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Looking To Launch A Second Sports Channel And Reduce Sports Offering On SABC 1-3

eMedia Investments in partnership with the public broadcaster expanded their agreement in 2021 to include more content from the SABC on the Openview platform. SABC Sport serves as the only additional channel currently ranks as the top 10 watched channels.

Amidst that success, SABC had suggested the idea of launching a second sports channel which too would carry it's own content. As of this moment, it only remains a dream but considering they're launching another news channel - anything goes at this point.

From what was mentioned decades ago by the public broadcaster when implementing DTT. The idea for SABC Sport was not only to give consumers a strong competitor to SuperSport but to also lessen the blows of SABC 1-3's primetime offering.

In a briefing, they blamed the government's failed attempts at eradicating analogue signals that the SABC had to stay behind while eMedia Investments launched their own DTT platform which currently serves 3 million households in South Africa.

SuperSport limits some of their sporting rights to DStv, SABC's DTT and SABC+ thus causing some conflict amongst SABC 1-3 with the current SABC Sport channel as they have to exclude certain programs in order to cater for the consumers who can view them.

Analogue TV is said to be phased out in the coming future not putting my hopes on March 2023 and the public broadcaster will be undergoing even more changes particularly with SABC 1-3 which will have their primary shows airing on their respective brands.

Sports in this case hasn't been discussed in terms of phasing out I mean it's still in talks but no timeframe was given which kind of begs the question as to what happens the day SABC 1-3 limit the access.

Several DStv particularly Access and Easyview alongside StarSat rely on these channels and not much alternatives are available. As for Openview, SABC Sport is a wreck on top of limited alternatives there's repeats hovered inbetween.

Getting back to the topic of the second sports channel, is it possible they'll use this channel perhaps to remove the burden of primetime on SABC 1-3 and seeing as SuperSport controls part of their lineup. What if this sports channel didn't cater to the likes of Openview.

New Channel Alert: As Expected, Zee Family And Star Select Will Be Rolling Out On The Openview Ultra Platform In The Coming Days

Last month, eMedia Investments unveiled phase 1 to their unbundled pay-tv offering which would take on the likes of DStv and StarSat, Ultraview Pride. Home to the gay oriented channel, OUTtv alongside the youth oriented channel, FUSE TV.

Prior to that, eMedia Investments was said to be working on 4 TV channels of which the latter, Zee Family and Star Select where nowhere to be seen with speculation from a few Openview consumers that the channels were shelved as seen with BBC UKTV in 2022.

After a month of anticipation, eMedia Investments unveiled phase 2 to their unbundled pay-tv offering, Spice TV also known as Ultraview Indian. Just like phase 1, it only comes with two channels, Star Select and Zee Family with eMedia promising more channels overtime.

Star Select owned by Disney Star is spun off from StarPlus basically an arch nemesis featuring content ranging from movies, reality shows and drama series. Some of the content includes May I Come In Madam and Dil Se Dil Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhava?:

Zee Family owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises is spun off from Zee TV and just like Star Select an arch nemesis within the Zee TV company with a similar offering. Content highlighted includes Goan Gullies, Baal Shiv and Ghar Ek Mandir.

From what I understand Zee TV and StarPlus aren't exclusive to DStv as several pay-tv outlets already supply these channels. If I had to guess probably a similar reason to The Home Channel+. They probably want consumers to catch up and view this content firsthand.

Unlike phase 1, Spice TV is almost double the amount of Ultraview Pride which is a monthly rate of R120. Openview consumers will wonder why they're paying more for this bouquet if they're getting the same amount of channels as seen with phase 1.

Spice TV launches April 6 at 6:30pm with current Openview consumers getting a 3 day free trial.

Recap To The Past Month: The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Spice Bouquet On The Openview Platform

Earlier in the month, eMedia Investments unveiled the first batch to the pay-tv venture Openview Ultra known as Ultraview Pride or just Pride. It is basically an LGBTQ type bouquet consisting of two general entertainment channels one of which DStv reject, OUTtv and FUSE.

During the launch consumers were kind of curious as to the fate of Spice TV which is basically an expansion to the current Bollywood offering seen on the Openview which like Pride TV comes with two channels for the time being, Zee Family and Star Select.

They were rumours sometime ago that just like BBC UKTV failed launch on Openview that eMedia Investments was having issues with one of the channels in question but that seems highly unlikely as eMedia Investments held a dance party this past week.

If I had to guess, eMedia Investments was planning to do some grand gesture for the offering ahead of its debut on the Openview platform. Similar to Pride which too a similar festivity months prior.

Although eMedia Investments has yet to provide any further details about a potential rollout. I wouldn't be shocked if they unveiled it in the coming weeks or before May in fact considering when these channels were unveiled to the public beforehand.

As for the channels in question, Zee Family is said to be a direct competitor to the current Zee TV both owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. I wouldn't be shocked if Star Select did the same with StarPlus both are owned by Disney Star (formerly Star India).

Just curious as to why companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and the already mentioned like to build competition for themselves. In the above-mentioned case, you could say it helps consumers explore other parts of India but for Warner not really.

CITV Channel To Close As ITV Makes Most Children’s Shows Online-Only, Could eMedia Investments Follow With The eToonz Channel On The Openview Platform?

ITV is shutting down its CITV channel for consumers in the UK and shifting most of its children’s programmes to streaming-only, arguing that young people have largely given up on watching scheduled television.

CITV will disappear as a standalone channel in the autumn, with all children’s content shifting to the streaming platform ITVX. The broadcaster said the channel was unprofitable and children’s TV audiences had collapsed in recent years because of a shift to YouTube and other streaming services.

eToonz is the South African version to the soon to be defunct CITV owned by eMedia Investments and currently viewed on the Openview platform is home to shows such as Peppa Pig, Pokémon, Barbie Dream Adventures, Thomas And Friends and Voltron.

Since it's debut in 2013, eToonz has struggled to gain a vast majority of Openview consumers much less DStv while as it's other sister channels eMovies and eMovies Extra rank as the top movie channels with eExtra top entertainment brand on the mentioned platform.

Compared to the e.tv channels currently sitting abroad the DStv platform as well the additional currently viewed on the Openview platform. eToonz carries the most rebroadcasts from the main channel and any channel that was performing well would do otherwise.

When eExtra was added in 2017, it was more of a catch-up or leftovers channel for e.tv same goes with eReality now both brands have managed to build their unique slate of programming with the likes of Elif, Doodsondes, Forensic Files and Ex On The Beach.

eToonz serving as one of the longest running brands amongst had been subdued to rebroadcasts. I get why the rebroadcasts as adults watch more linear television compared to children who'd have a high preference for YouTube and social media.

All the more reason to justify eToonz lack of new content but honestly whose to say this channel won't fold under e.tv and eVOD. eMedia Investments doesn't leave consumers much alternatives at this point on Openview giving it more purpose.

As for DStv, I can see why they'd opt not to renew their agreement with eMedia Investments for the channel. It's just a duplicate of the existing offering on their stable and brands like Cartoon Network and Disney Junior are luring consumers away from the channel.

As for Craze, I can see that being the future of eToonz on the Openview platform as it is with DStv consumers. It does look like something eMedia wants to retire but can't due to the laws in this country they have to put up with this content for the years to come.

Recap To Last Year: The Disappearance Of BBC UKTV On The Openview Platform

Last year, eMedia Investments in partnership with BBC Studios unveiled South Africa's first free-to-air entertainment channel, BBC UKTV. A general entertainment channel featuring a selection of content ranging from doccies, lifestyle, dramas and kids shows.

Some of the content in question includes Top Gear, Live At The Apollo, Midsomer Murders, Come Dine With Me, Wild Africa, Planet Earth and Yakka Dee.

As of 2023, the channel has yet to materialize on the Openview platform with eMedia Investments and BBC Studios remaining on any developments about the channel with the latter added to MultiChoice's DStv as a cheapo on the Easyview bouquet.

It has led to an onslaught of angry Openview consumers some pointing the finger at MultiChoice as eMedia Investments rolls out the pay-tv version to the current free-to-view Openview platform, Ultraview.

Before any word about what the offering or how the bouquet would be priced. They were several Openview consumers who believed that BBC UKTV will form part of Ultraview technically not a DStv problem but a DStv effect as it seems.

If this turned out to be a reality, eMedia Investments alongside BBC UKTV would have deceived several media outlets alongside current Openview consumers with BBC Studios serving as an accomplice I mean the channel comes with a fee on DStv.

But the idea of BBC UKTV being a pay-tv channel wouldn't be the most shocking for Openview I can imagine them reviving ITV Choice or sourcing another DStv channel e.g. BBC News to tag along in this new setup.

All that is known at the moment is that eMedia Investments has yet to rollout a new channel to the free component of Openview. If the supposed channel isn't BBC UKTV then it could mean that plans for the channel were likely scrapped at this point.

Could Mindset Network Also Go Dark For Consumers In Africa, Here's Why?

Mindset Network (also known as Mindset Learn) is a curriculum based channel catering to Grade 10-12 pupils in the Maths, Sciences and Accounting category. It is also offers content for early childhood development alongside others like MTV Shuga.

As seen these past years, businesses have been hit hard in this economic climate from COVID-19 to the current blackouts the problems just keep escalating so much so that tvplus for those who don't know a magazine company will be ceasing operation from March 17th.

Glow TV, a South African community channel owned by Nismedia which promotes Bollywood culture with reality shows, dramas series and movies joins OnseTV and InPas TV as a list of brands struggling to find their means of survival as they were let go by cable providers.

Another brand which could be joining in this struggle might as well be Mindset Network.

Since inception, Mindset Network had mostly catered to Grade 10-12 pupils with Big School being one of the few attractions for younger audiences and it was not until Pop Primary came along that they had space to also cater for Grade 4-9 pupils.

In the past months or better yet years, Mindset Network appears to have lost sight of reality I don't blame them seeing as they are an NGO but even such organizations are likely to suffer the same outcome as above-mentioned brands which is the case here.

Before Glow TV went off air it was very much repetitive which is the case here for Mindset Network as selected content was actually live with others particularly Pop Primary being rebroadcasts with whatever investment toward actual programming down the drain.

Aside from that, Mindset Network was very interactive so much so that they used their social platforms particularly Facebook as a form of communication with their viewers now that is longer the case as the only known platform had since then been deleted.

I don't want to speculate anything but would it really be shocking if it were to go off air I mean MultiChoice struggles to provide a decent EPG program guide for the channel on DStv and opt to just write the channel name and description.

Of course, this wasn't the first time the first dated back to 2022 and at that time Mindset Network had a bit of life left in itself and now their only reliable social account vanishes at the time the channel on DStv has no schedule to what lesson is currently being broadcast.