Play Room: Schedule, Bumpers And Other Launch Details

Play Room (stylised as Playroom) is a children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group which offers fun and learning with popular animated shows dubbed in Zulu alongside live-action shows. The channel is set to go live on all packages from November 6 on channel 300.

From what we've been able to uncover, MultiChoice lent Play Room the frequencies formerly used by one of their other TV channels, VUZU. An HD/SD feed is currently being test run on their platforms with various Movie Room holding slides.

Bumpers/Idents/Promos/Banners

Similar to Movie Room, MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group tease the launch of Play Room through various banners none of which relate to the programming.

Schedule/Programming

As mentioned, Movie Room holding slides are occupying the 24 hour lineup. Below is a drafted weekday schedule with weekends being occupied by the holding slides so we assume the channel will have a varied offering during those times alongside the weekday offering.

12 October

23:59 Noah's Park

00:29 Jabu's Jungle

00:59 Oddbods

01:19 Cocoland

01:29 Noah's Park

01:59 Jabu's Jungle

02:29 Oddbods

02:49 Cocoland

02:59 Noah's Park

03:29 Jabu's Jungle

03:59 Oddbods

04:19 Cocoland

04:29 Noah's Park

04:59 Jabu's Jungle

05:29 Oddbods

05:49 Cocoland

05:59 Noah's Park

06:00 Oddbods

06:20 Cocoland

06:30 Noah's Park

07:00 Jabu's Jungle

07:25 Animal Time

07:40 Oddbods

08:00 Cocoland

08:15 Noah's Park

08:40 Cocoland

08:50 Noah's Park

09:20 Jabu's Jungle

09:45 Animal Time

10:00 Oddbods

10:20 Cocoland

10:30 Noah's Park

11:00 Jabu's Jungle

11:30 Oddbods

11:50 Cocoland

12:00 Animal Time

12:15 Oddbods

12:40 Noah's Park

13:10 Jabu's Jungle

13:35 Animal Time

13:50 Oddbods

14:10 Cocoland

14:20 Noah's Park

14:50 Animal Time

15:05 Jabu's Jungle

15:30 Noah's Park

16:00 Oddbods

16:20 Cocoland

16:30 Noah's Park

17:00 Jabu's Jungle

17:25 Animal Time

17:40 Oddbods

18:00 Cocoland

18:10 Noah's Park

18:40 Animal Time

19:00 Jabu's Jungle

19:30 Oddbods

19:50 Cocoland

20:00 Noah's Park

20:30 Jabu's Jungle

21:00 Oddbods

21:20 Cocoland

21:30 Noah's Park

22:00 Oddbods

22:20 Cocoland

22:30 Jabu's Jungle

23:00 Oddbods

23:20 Cocoland

23:30 Noah's Park

15 October

00:00 Thomas & Friends

00:15 Holding Slide

06:00 Oddbods

06:25 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

06:45 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

07:10 Holding Slide

15:00 Playroom Live

16:05 Game Shakers

16:30 Henry Danger

17:00 Sanjay And Craig

17:30 Oddbods

17:55 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

18:10 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

18:40 Paw Patrol

19:05 CoComelon

19:30 Henry Danger

20:00 Playroom Live

21:00 Game Shakers

21:30 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

21:50 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

22:15 Holding Slide

16 October

23:35 Noah's Park

00:10 Noah's Park

00:35 Animal Time

00:50 Animal Time

01:20 Jabu's Jungle

01:45 Jabu's Jungle

02:10 Oddbods

02:30 Oddbods

02:50 Cocoland

03:00 Animal Time

03:20 Jabu's Jungle

03:45 Jabu's Jungle

04:10 Noah's Park

04:40 Noah's Park

05:10 Noah's Park

05:42 Animal Time

06:01 Oddbods

06:30 Cocoland

06:40 Thomas & Friends

06:55 Paw Patrol

07:25 Jabu's Jungle

08:00 Holding Slide

08:16 Oddbods

08:40 Cocoland

08:50 Bino And Fino

09:05 Animal Time

09:20 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

09:35 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

10:00 Barbie: MagicTouch

10:30 Oddbods

10:59 Thomas & Friends

11:15 Animal Time

11:30 Jabu's Jungle

12:00 Holding Slide

12:16 Oddbods

12:45 Bino And Fino

13:00 Game Shakers

13:30 Game Shakers

14:00 Henry Danger

14:30 Sanjay And Craig

15:00 Henry Danger

15:30 Sanjay And Craig

16:00 Game Shakers

16:30 Game Shakers

17:00 Henry Danger

17:30 Sanjay And Craig

18:00 Oddbods

18:30 Cocoland

18:40 Thomas & Friends

18:55 Paw Patrol

19:25 Holding Slide

19:41 Oddbods

20:10 Jabu'sJungle

20:35 Bino And Fino

20:50 Cocoland

21:00 Henry Danger

21:30 Sanjay And Craig

22:00 Game Shakers

22:30 Game Shakers

23:00 Henry Danger

23:30 Sanjay And Craig

17 October

00:00 Oddbods

00:30 Holding Slide

00:46 Barbie: Magic Touch

01:15 Bino And Fino

01:30 Animal Time

01:45 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

02:00 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

02:30 Barbie: Magic Touch

03:00 Henry Danger

03:30 Sanjay And Craig

04:00 Game Shakers

04:30 Game Shakers

05:00 HenryDanger

05:30 Sanjay And Craig

06:00 Oddbods

06:30 Cocoland

06:40 Thomas & Friends

06:55 Paw Patrol

07:25 Jabu's Jungle

08:00 Jabu's Jungle

08:30 Bino And Fino

09:00 Animal Time

09:15 Enchantimals Tales From Everwilde

09:30 Barbie: Dreamhouse Adventures

10:00 Barbie: Magic Touch

10:30 Oddbods

11:00 Thomas & Friends

11:15 Animal Time

11:30 Jabu's Jungle

12:00 Jabu's Jungle

12:30 Bino And Fino

13:00 Game Shakers

13:30 Game Shakers

14:00 Henry Danger

14:30 Sanjay And Craig

15:00 Playroom Live

16:00 Game Shakers

16:30 Game Shakers

17:00 Henry Danger

17:30 Sanjay And Craig

18:00 Oddbods

18:30 Cocoland

18:40 Thomas & Friends

18:55 Paw Patrol

19:25 Bino And Fino

19:40 Jabu's Jungle

20:10 Jabu's Jungle

20:35 Bino And Fino

20:50 Cocoland

21:00 Playroom Live

22:00 Game Shakers

22:30 Game Shakers

23:00 Henry Danger

23:30 Sanjay And Craig

Notes

• Akili And Me is also slated to rollout on Play Room but since tests were underway the show hasn't been seen in the lineup while CoComelon has been removed as further tests were underway.

• The tween offering hasn't seen much new additions aside from Barbie: Magic Touch. From what the offering entails the latter will most likely form part of the launch lineup unlike the preschool offering which has seen a lot of reshuffling.

• Various local content has been added like Jabu's Jungle, Bino And Fino and the long-awaited Akili And Me so it's very likely that the channel is looking to get more homegrown shows like uBongo Kids or perhaps even Showmax originals Twende and Jay Jay The Chosen One.

• Playroom Live is the only offering that remains intact during these test runs so as mentioned through press statement it would serve as a 1 hour youth offering and also the program has maintained its stance on the channel compared to other programs.

Sneak Peek: What To Expect On DStv's Newest Addition Play Room?

Play Room is a children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group which will combine education and entertainment through a mix of South African and international content, together with popular animated shows dubbed in Zulu. The channel is set to go live on November 6 to all DStv packages.

Below is a list of confirmed shows for the channel

Preschool

• Akili And Me: Currently seen on Akili Kids in East Africa, Akili is a four-year-old who lives in the Savannah highlands in Kilimanjaro. Every time she goes to sleep, she finds herself in a magic world called Lala Land where she goes on adventures and learns new things. 

• Jabu's Jungle: It follows a young and intrepid nine-year-old from Masiphumelele: Cape Town, and his Magic Talking Drum, explore the jungle and help animals in need, set to Afro-pop music.

• Noah's Park: After leaving Noah's Ark, some of the animals found the perfect place to start life again in Noah's Park! But starting over in a brand new world also means there are a lot of lessons to be learned. 

• Animal Time: JJ's best animal pals are back and sillier than ever! Sing along with JJ and his friends on their wild and hilarious adventures featuring fairy tales, fables, nursery rhymes, and so much more.

• Cocoland: This educational series teaches little ones values like empathy, solidarity and respect, as well as the importance of cooperation to build community.

Kids

• Play Room Live: It brings back a tried and trusted format that audiences love which combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens".

• Game Shakers: Formerly seen on Nickelodeon, Babe and Kenzie create a popular application named Sky Whale. However, rapper Double G threatens to ruin their business because he finds out they have been using his song without permission.

• Enchantimals: Meet the Enchantimals! A group of lovable girls who are somewhere between human and animal. With their animal besties, they share an unbreakable bond of friendship.

• Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures: Barbie embarks on adventures with friends and family -- including next-door neighbor Ken -- in this animated vlog of adventures filmed inside her family's new dreamhouse.

• Henry Danger: Henry Hart, a thirteen-year-old boy, works secretly as Kid Danger, a sidekick to superhero Captain Man. He must protect his own exploits from being discovered by his family and friends.

Get Ready For A World Of Fun And Imagination With Play Room On DStv Access (UPDATED)

A few months ago, Ngwato Nkosi Group announced the addition of a third TV channel to sit alongside Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, Play Room. It will offer a world of fun and imagination featuring a mixture of animation and live-action part of which will be in local languages. 

Since news about the potential DStv and possible GOtv channel surfaced, consumers had wondered and asked MultiChoice on numerous occasions on whether this channel will be accessible to low tiered bouquets like Easyview or Access or mid tier bouquets like Compact.

Through an enquiry, MultiChoice have three different responses about the channel's future on DStv. Initially, it was stated through their platforms it would be added to Premium consumers so we basically saw no truth to that matter.

Considering what shows were already unveiled for the channel such as CoComelon and Paw Patrol content which can be viewed on Moonbug and Nickelodeon would irritate this type of consumers. Our hunch was that it would be bundled on Family or Access.

In a recent update through their numerous handles, PR issued out two different responses about the fate of Play Room. One mentions that the channel will be available only to Access consumers while the other regards it as a Compact channel but if we had to be frank this could a hiccup.

If we had to dive further into content, the channel would include a local tween show Play Room Live which is the only confirmed original for the channel and MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group might not want to exclude such a show from their mid tier bouquets.

My estimated guess for Play Room is that similar to Movie Room and Newzroom Afrika it will cater toward Access consumers while as being seen on the Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium bouquets. Various ads for the brand has been running across several channels.

Update: Play Room will be available to all DStv customers excluding Easyview.

A whole new world of learning and fun opens up for kids on November 6 when Play Room, launches on DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family and Access consumers on channel 300.

The channel combines education and entertainment, with original local shows as well as international shows, dubbed in Zulu.

Thabile Ngwato, CEO of the Ngwato Nkosi Group, which owns the channel, said they have dubbed the content to make it easier for children to learn their home languages.

“The languages used will be conversational and accessible, with language switching taking place as we do in everyday speech.

“Watching titles such as ‘Cocomelon’ and ‘Akili and Me’ in isiZulu empowers children to explore the world and their feelings in their own language.

“For the pre-teen kid, our content reaffirms that the way they express themselves and experience the world is also valid.

“Our content will give kids the tools they need to create the world they want to live in. Because at the end of the day, the world is their ‘Play Room’,” said Ngwato.

She added that while other kids channels were either explorative or about learning, Play Room would have both dimensions, with the added local flavour.

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, said the launch of the channel is an enhancement of what they believe parents and children will have a strong affinity to.

“We are constantly looking to give our customers the best entertainment and by increasing our content offering we’re providing more viewing options to them.

“From a local content perspective, we’re excited to expand on local representation in the form of content being dubbed in local languages.

“We will also have a fresh ‘Play Room Live’ offering every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 4pm which will see us bring back a tried and trusted format that audiences love.”

Morning programming will focus on educational material for 4- to 6-year-old children, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children’s imaginations.

Afternoons will feature live action and a local live show with high entertainment value for tweens.

Titles such as “Paw Patrol” and “Game Shakers” and new home-grown shows, to well-loved learning programmes will make their way onto the new channel.

Meanwhile, the afternoon live show will combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens.

“A multilingual approach will be adopted across the channel, championing the diversity of our country. There will also be sign language representation on the show, ensuring inclusivity across the board.

“The new channel would build on the success of the Ngwato Nkosi Group’s existing channels, Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, to provide a home of learning and fun for local youngsters,” Ngwato said.

News Shorts: Akili And Me Expands To More African Households With Play Room, StarTimes Novela E Plus Acquired Rights To The Mexican Drama Rubi III And People's Weather To Rollout A Brand New Wildlife Documentary Monkey Rehabilitation

Akili And Me is getting more love

A few months ago, Ngwato Nkosi Group announced the addition of Play Room which features fun and educational content for children with a mixture of live-action and popular animated series such as the Tanzanian based series Akili And Me dubbed in Zulu.

Akili And Me follows a curious 4-year-old who lives with her family at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. She has a secret: every night when she falls asleep, she enters the magical world of Lala Land, where she and her animal friends learn and play games.

The series promotes numeracy, literacy and social skills toward preschoolers. Following its rollout on Play Room, Akili And Me has been picked up by numerous broadcasters including Akili Kids, The Africa Channel, Arewa 24, DBE TV, KTN, One Africa TV and MBC TV.

Rubi is coming to StarTimes

Based on the 2004 Mexican telenovela of the same name, the story revolves around a young journalist named Carla who convinces the titular character, a mysterious woman who lives in a dark mansion, to tell the story of her life and why she isolated herself from the outside world out of free will.

It starred Camila Sodi as the title character alongside other stars like Jose Ron, Rodrigo Guirao and Kimberley Dos Ramos.

The series received both positive and negative

reviews from the audience. Sodi's performance was compared to that of Bárbara Mori's from the 2004 adaptation. Luckily, the series managed to obtain good ratings during its run on Univision.

Rubi airs weekdays on Novelas E Plus from October 9 at 21:30.

Monkey Rehabilitation is now on People's Weather

Monkey Helpline, a compassionate haven dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of our primate friends. With a deep-rooted commitment to wildlife welfare, we strive to safeguard the lives and habitats of monkeys, offering them a second chance at a life filled with love and freedom.

It commences on October 2.

Play Room Vs. eToonz: MultiChoice's Third Attempt At Phasing Out An e.tv Channel

Since last year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have embroiled in a carriage dispute regarding the 4 Openview channels currently viewed on DStv. Since then the pay-tv company had introduced several new channels including Movie Room, DreamWorks, BBC UKTV and Magic Showcase.

At the time, this news had garnered backlash particularly on how MultiChoice opted to supplement each channel which saw several consumers inherit only a single channel out of 4. When really it should have been about catering to the package(s) these brands were allocated on.

As seen in the last months, MultiChoice seems to have found other ways to rectify their mistakes from last year. Zee Zonke was introduced in August and if anything some would say this was the pay-tv company's way of phasing out eExtra as it's the exact opposite of the channel.

Movie Room launched last year and had proven to be a popular addition to DStv consumers. Although, Ngwato Nkosi Group doesn't disclose any figures but we assume it's enough to fill up the gap left by eMovies and eMovies Extra together with the help of TNT and M-Net Movies.

eToonz being the last contender in the game will be facing off against Play Room in the coming months. We're aware that there are other brands on DStv like Cartoon Network and Disney Junior but we've thought of looking for a brand that was more up their alley which is Play Room.

Similar to the previous comparisons, Play Room has a limited amount of original productions as the latter is said to be rehashing shows something we've seen on eToonz for several years. Another thing would the addition of dubbed programming something lacking within the red brand.

Unlike eToonz, Play Room will be doing a lot of language switching with select content viewed in English with others in Zulu and a bit of sign language. Another as mentioned would be the local production which again is very much lacking within the red brand.

If anything, Play Room is believed to not be giving their content much exposure market wise something that has been seen with eToonz. Honestly, it wouldn't be shocking as Movie Room barely market their offering probably because there's nothing newsworthy at this point.

From what I can sum up, Play Room doesn't seem to be animation centric at least to a wider audience which works in eToonz favour as that's substituted with educational material, content which is very much lacking on the red brand and content that's been in demand on Openview.

Recap To Last Month: Play Room Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Nickelodeon's Paw Patrol And Game Shakers

Play Room offers a world of learning and fun combining education and entertainment in a uniquely local package carrying original South African and international content, including favourite animation titles dubbed in Zulu. 

The channel is operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group who also manage other brands on the DStv platform including news channel Newzroom Afrika and movie channel Movie Room which launched a year ago.

,

Play Room is set to go live on DStv channel 300 from November 6 featuring educational content which promote physical movement and creative thinking for viewers aged 4-6 in the morning and live-action shows for tweens in the afternoon.

Game Shakers and Paw Patrol both of which hail from Nickelodeon were the first confirmed titles set to join Play Room's line-up at launch.

Game Shakers revolves around two seventh graders, Babe and Kenzie who create a video game app called "Sky Whale" for their school science project. When the game proves to be wildly successful, they form a gaming company called Game Shakers, and hire their friend, Hudson.

Paw Patrol focuses on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search and rescue dogs that call themselves the PAW Patrol. They work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay and surrounding areas.

How Play Room Could Pan Out In The Rest Of Africa On DStv And Possible GOtv?

During the week, it was reported by sources that Ngwato Nkosi Group and MultiChoice will unveil their third TV channel to consumers, Play Room. A KTV and Akili Kids infused channel featuring educational and entertaining content some of which will be in local languages.

From what is understood, it's currently unknown if Play Room will be available in the rest of Africa at the same time as South Africa. Similar to sister channel, Newzroom Afrika it was first launched in South Africa before rolling out in the rest of Africa.

Movie Room on the other operate with two independent feeds one seen in Southern Africa and another for other African markets.

If anything, Play Room could undergo a similar scenario seen with their other sister brands. It could first establish its presence in South Africa or rollout across Africa at the same time and in a similar form to Movie Room I mean the idea of housing seperate feeds wouldn't seem far fetched.

It was very much confirmed that popular animated titles like CoComelon and Akili And Me would be dubbed in Zulu. A language that some parts of Africa aren't familiar with so if anything it wouldn't be shocking if there wasn't any local push initially in these countries.

Countries like East Africa already supply their own Play Room brand, Akili Kids. That is likely to get phased out should MultiChoice put any local investment toward Play Room.

I mean the scenario in each country is different but in recent years MultiChoice has been doing a lot of quality control. Not that Akili Kids is not performing to its potential but there's just so much of a resemblance to Play Room that MultiChoice may want to limit that offering.

Another having to do with transponder constraints, a lot of people following up on the matter are expecting more channels to close as the pay-tv company unveils new attractions.

Openview Plus Updates: eMedia Investments' eToonz To Get It's First Ever Official Competitor From Ngwato Nkosi Group And e.tv Scraps uBettina Wethu Season 4 As Die Kontrak Returns With A Season 3 On eExtra

DStv to rollout a premium eToonz channel

Last month, MultiChoice and Zee Entertainment Enterprises unveiled a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel titled Zee Zonke. In some way, it sort of seemed like this was the pay-tv operators way of doing eExtra's Kuiertyd dirty by launching the exact opposite.

Play Room appears to be more enhanced version to the current eToonz channel as it set to carry a number of repeats like Paw Patrol, CoComelon and Akili And Me some of which will be dubbed in local languages and also get a sign language interpreter something not offered to Openview.

Why we consider this the first eToonz competitor? Simple, brands like Cartoon Network and PBS Kids are considered premium channels to some extent as they serve original productions and Play Room offering is limited which is why we pinned these two with each other.

Die Kontrak is back for a season 3

Last year, eMedia Investments revived Die Kontrak (formerly seen on Via) for a second season which had proved to be a resounding success if the show was fortunate enough to get a third season. Similar to Idols and The Voice, musicians are given a chance to own the stage with a winner set to get a recording contract.

Premiering episodes are on eExtra every Sunday at 18:00 with repeats said to be allocated on e.tv in an undisclosed timeslot.

uBettina Wethu has been removed from primetime

Last month, it had been reported that uBettina Wethu would return to e.tv for a fourth season as SABC lost rights to the fashion drama. But as seen in recent weeks, eMedia decided to pull the show off the schedule with its timeslot bombarded with content from eReality.

Several things came to mind and that was the possibility of this recent adjustment being permanent. Since rolling out local dramas in the 20:30 timeslot none of them have managed to immense as much success as Scandal or House Of Zwide.

Theoretically, could it be possible that uBettina Wethu could perhaps debut on a new timeslot perhaps 18:30 as Nikiwe has been struggling to garner much traction with consumers making it a very easy target and also another way to give the upcoming season exposure.

#BoycottingNick: Could Play Room Be Added As A Replacement Channel Perhaps For Nicktoons On DStv?

During the week, it was learnt by MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group that a new children's channel will be allocated on DStv in the coming months, Play Room. It will feature educational and entertaining shows the with selected content dubbed in Zulu.

Since last year, MultiChoice has been battling with transponder constraints that often channels had to be removed in order to make space for more. This is how the pay-tv company was able to rollout Hilaal TV, Racing240, Magic Showcase, Qwest TV and recently added Zee Zonke.

Would it seem far fetched if Play Room were treated in the same manner?

Last year, MultiChoice attempted to phase out the educational brand Da Vinci for a toddler filtered Moonbug and that garnered backlash amongst consumers which led MultiChoice to retract their previous agreement with Moonbug added as a new channel.

But this time around things might be different and MultiChoice may have it's eye out on another brand (e.g. Nicktoons).

Nicktoons was added as a replacement channel for Comcast and Corus Entertainment's KidsCo featuring various shows from Nickelodeon like Paw Patrol, Dora The Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, The Loud House and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Over the years, the channel has somewhat been redundant most of the schedule is bombarded with just 2 shows and you'd have a variety of shows like Peppa Pig, Best & Bester, ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks being integrated to the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

Making it a very easy target seeing as various content is very much viewable on Nickelodeon and soon Play Room. This would be one way to supposedly limit the repeats although Play Room keeps it at a minimum.

Interesting to note, the last kids brand to retain the channel 300 was replaced by Nickelodeon so this would be one way for MultiChoice to avenge K-TV. After its legacy had been replenished by the channel as it's older audience preferred shows like Hannah Montana and Big Time Rush.

New Channel Alert: TOLDJA!, MultiChoice To Add A Multilingual Kids Channel Play Room To DStv

A whole new world of learning and fun opens up for kids on November 6 when Play Room, launches on DStv channel 300.

The show combines education and entertainment, with original local shows as well as international shows, dubbed in Zulu.

Thabile Ngwato, CEO of the Ngwato Nkosi Group, which owns the channel, said they have dubbed the content to make it easier for children to learn their home languages.

“The languages used will be conversational and accessible, with language switching taking place as we do in everyday speech.

“Watching titles such as ‘Cocomelon’ and ‘Akili and Me’ in isiZulu empowers children to explore the world and their feelings in their own language.

“For the pre-teen kid, our content reaffirms that the way they express themselves and experience the world is also valid.

“Our content will give kids the tools they need to create the world they want to live in. Because at the end of the day, the world is their ‘Play Room’,” said Ngwato.

She added that while other kids channels were either explorative or about learning, Play Room would have both dimensions, with the added local flavour.

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, said the launch of the channel is an enhancement of what they believe parents and children will have a strong affinity to.

“We are constantly looking to give our customers the best entertainment and by increasing our content offering we’re providing more viewing options to them.

“From a local content perspective, we’re excited to expand on local representation in the form of content being dubbed in local languages.

“We will also have a fresh ‘Play Room Live’ offering every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 4pm which will see us bring back a tried and trusted format that audiences love.”

Morning programming will focus on educational material for 4- to 6-year-old children, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children’s imaginations.

Afternoons will feature live action and a local live show with high entertainment value for tweens.

Titles such as “Paw Patrol” and “Game Shakers” and new home-grown shows, to well-loved learning programmes will make their way onto the new channel.

Meanwhile, the afternoon live show will combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens.

“A multilingual approach will be adopted across the channel, championing the diversity of our country. There will also be sign language representation on the show, ensuring inclusivity across the board.

“The new channel would build on the success of the Ngwato Nkosi Group’s existing channels, Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, to provide a home of learning and fun for local youngsters,” Ngwato said.

Prior to the channel debuts, MultiChoice was rumoured to have more multilingual content in development and also that the Showmax original Jay Jay The Chosen One would debut on a DStv channel all of which might have been reference to Play Room.

The idea of MultiChoice conceiving their own kids station doesn't seem far fetched. In the past years, Disney has been closing down several Disney Channels across the world as more companies are looking to streamline so this is probably one way to fill that void.