Roundups #144: ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks Possibly Cancelled On Nickelodeon, Die Put To Return For A Third Season This March On eVOD Ahead Of Debut On eExtra, Nikki Bella Makes A Comeback To E! Africa To Say I Do

It's farewell to Alvin, Simon, Theodore and David Seville

Just like most other instalments of the franchise, the series reflects the trials and tribulations of a single parent, David Seville, trying to raise six hyper-active Chipmunks. Like most parents, Dave's patience will be pushed to the limit, forcing him to end most sentences in "ALVINNN!!!"

The series gained a lot of popularity following its debut in 2015 on Nickelodeon (or Nicktoons) that multiple broadcasters such as e.tv acquired rights to the musical duo. So far the series has over 260+ episodes within 5 seasons with an additional two seasons possibly scrapped.

In 2019, it was announced an additional two seasons were ordered bringing ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks to 360+ episodes and 7 seasons through 2025 but as several sources noted Nickelodeon has removing the show or promoting them less internationally.

Coincidence, the owners of the Alvin And The Chipmunks franchise Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman were exploring a potential sale and Paramount was said to be a bidder with these developments happening in several countries it could mean they're out the running.

Regular Nick:
- Wonder Pets revival might be in the works for Nickelodeon
- Peacock greenlights two new animated series
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month

Die Put becomes a eVOD exclusive

Ahead of its debut on eExtra in May, eVOD the digital component of the channel announced the upcoming third season of Die Put would be available to stream on the platform two months in advance. I don't know but it doesn't look like eMedia is pulling a DStv.

I mean several channels ranging from M-Net, 1Magic even the BBC are labelled as premium based channels with the second grade channels such as Me, Mzansi Magic and BBC UKTV picking up the slack now eExtra knows how it feels to be second rate.

Here's a synopsis to Die Put S3:

Koçovalı Family are faced with the biggest pain of their lives. Because of Yücel's trap, one of Yamaç or İdris Koçovalı had to kill the other. While Akın Koçovalı takes control of Çukur, where nothing will be the same as before, the step of Baykal's daughter Efsun to Çukur will cause the cards to be redistributed. While Efsun's plan, who collaborated with Yücel, Azer, and Timsah, is eagerly awaited, it will be a question mark how Akın will led the neighborhood.

Everyday Novelas:
- Zee World to add an additional 3 shows to their lineup
- Second Chance and Hart Van Goud coming soon to Zee One and eExtra respectively
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam

The Bellas are making a comeback on E!

Following the network's commitment to Total Bellas and Total Divas, E! a celebrity based lifestyle channel which since NBCUniversal had been cutting back on original programming supplies content from Bravo had announced the launch of Nikki Bella Says I Do.

Nikki Bella, a WWE Superstar, and, Artem Chingvintsev "Dancing with the Stars" champion, share all of their special moments of the ultimate decision to get married in the city of lights on their four-part special event tagging along will be Brie Bella.

The series is slated to premiere on E! from Sunday, 12 March at 19:05 CAT.

In other developments, E!'s sister channel Telemundo will be rolling out two new dramas in its repeat padded schedule, Until Money Do Us Part and Ana's Revenge in place of The Way To Paradise and The Chosen Granddaughter in the coming months.

DStv Flex:
- March on VIA
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

Roundups #143: Zig & Sharko Renewed For A Fourth Season On Cartoonito, Young Rock To Make His Freemium Debut On e.tv And ITV Choice Has Been Relaunched On Samsung TV Plus

Zig and Sharko are back for more gags

Xilam Animation, an independent company for the production and distribution of animated programmes, Academy Award-nominated, has secured its first wave of deals for the upcoming fourth season of its iconic non-dialogue slapstick comedy series Zig & Sharko (78 x 7’), as the company prepares to debut the first episode to buyers at MIPCOM.

Launching in September 2023, season four has been acquired by longstanding partner Gulli (France), which has also renewed its partnership across the previous three seasons. Additionally, Xilam has sold the new instalment to existing partners, VRT (Belgium), Discovery (Italy), DeA (Italy), Nickelodeon (India) and Nova (Israel).

Zig & Sharko continues to generate impressive ratings internationally, particularly in India where the series resulted in Nickelodeon becoming the leading children’s channel in its evening slot, across all demos. In Q2 2022, Zig & Sharko was also the fourth best performing series among children aged 2-14 years and outperformed its lead in and lead out shows in all demos in terms of ratings.

The series is currently seen on Boomerang (soon to be Cartoonito). Apparently, the channel wasn't mentioned when news came it meaning the show could have ended after 3 seasons on the channel or they're just taking long to pick it up in any case further episodes are on Boing.

Regular Nick:
- Wonder Pets revival might be in the works for Nickelodeon
- Peacock greenlights two new animated series
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson expresses his charm in new sitcom

e.tv, South Africa's most reliable and free source for English entertainment at the moment home to various local and international productions has acquired rights to NBC's Young Rock currently viewed on M-Net and sister channel, Me.

The sitcom is set in a frame story where Johnson is running as a candidate in the 2032 United States presidential election. Each episode involves Johnson participating in an interview or other conversation which leads him to flashback to a story from one of three periods of Johnson's life (with occasional episodes where all three periods are shown).

In the first season, Johnson is depicted as a ten-year-old in Hawaii; as a high school student in Pennsylvania; and as a college student and football player at the University of Miami.

The series stars Dwayne Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Stacey Leilua, Ana Tuisila, Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant, Uli Latukefu and Matthew Willig. It is expected to air Saturdays at 19:30 replacing Superstore from March 4th - no update on Grown-ish yet.

Openview Plus:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC: early 2023 edition
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions

ITV Studios and Samsung TV Plus collaborate to launch a number of projects across Europe

ITV Studios had announced a raft of sales and pre-sales deals across its catalogue of scripted and non-scripted content. One of which, Samsung TV Plus launched ITV Choice showcasing the best of ITV Studios including Hell’s Kitchen, Four Weddings and Come Dine With Me.

During the week, ITV Studios expanded their partnership to include a bouquet of channels.

One of the channels is a ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ channel, which will air episodes round-the-clock from the popular U.S. Gordon Ramsay show. The other channel – Storylands – will “become the home for the best European drama” according to ITV Studios. Shows on the channel will be produced by labels which are part of ITV Studios and include dramas such as Norwegian legal series Aber Bergen, the period drama Un Village Français, and the procedural crime drama from the producers of Gomorrah, called Masantonio.

The move follows ITV Studios’ launch of four non-scripted YouTube channels last year – Our World, Our Life, Our Stories and Our Histories. The agreement will see Samsung TV Plus –  Samsung’s free ad-supported app – broadcast content from the ITV Studios catalogue 24/7 across all Samsung Smart TVs made in 2016 and onwards, as well as select Galaxy devices.

Ruth Berry, Managing Director at ITV Studios Global Distribution, commented: “We are very excited to partner with Samsung TV Plus to launch FAST channels in EMEA. We have an amazing library of 90,000+ hours of IP and the FAST/AVOD space is a key strategic focus for ITV Studios as we look to provide global audiences with new ways to access some of our best-known scripted brands, formats and non-scripted entertainment content.”

Video Entertainment:
- BBC to close linear channels and focus on digital future
- HBO Max no longer produces live-action programs for kids and family
- Triggerfish working with Disney+ on a Star Wars project

Roundups #142: Barney The Dinosaur Reboot Is Giving People Nightmares, TLNovelas Dumps The Pink And Dye Their Hair Blue And eMedia Investments And BBC Studios Remain Silent On Any Developments Regarding BBC UKTV

Barney is set to make his comeback by 2024

Mattel announced that they would be relaunching the Barney the Dinosaur franchise and now we have a look at the titular dino’s redesign. And, unsurprisingly, people on social media sure hate it.

The most noticeable change is that they’re going from a live-action Barney the Dinosaur to an animated version. It also appears that his colors have brightened up a bit. Other than being animated, the most noticeable change is definitely Barney’s face.

As some pointed out, it sort of looks like Barney the Dinosaur went under the knife for some plastic surgery. Buccal fat removal is a procedure that thins out the cheeks. It definitely looks like the new Barney has had a little bit of work done.

In short, if this Barney redesign isn’t for you, you could simply not watch it. According to Mattel, the series is specifically being made to teach lessons to preschool-aged kids. Maybe in another three decades when they redesign Barney the Dinosaur again, the kids who watch this new series will be complaining about how their Barney is ruined.

Regular Nick:
- Wonder Pets revival might be in the works for Nickelodeon
- Peacock greenlights two new animated series
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month

TLNovelas debuts a new look in Latin America and several countries

As part of this new image, for its 30th anniversary, the TLNovelas channel in the regions will re-release "ACAPULCO, CUERPO Y ALMA" and "TE SIGO AMANDO" two super successful soap operas back in the 90s. Both will be remastered and in high definition.

The channel has unique and exclusive content to enjoy as a family the successful melodramas that are part of more than 500 productions of the TelevisaUnivisión group. Ranging from classic and stellar to youth and children with a presence in Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Africa and Europe.

This change responds to the interests and expectations of the new pay television audiences, mainly the 04-44 segment, which makes up more than 50% of the total audience that follows the Tlnovelas signal. The channel's programming bar, which also broadcasts original programs and content focused on the world of melodrama, is aimed at an increasingly heterogeneous audience, to which young audiences from Mexico and Latin America have joined.

Everyday Novelas:
- Rubi coming soon to TLNovelas
- Until Money Do Us Part coming soon to Telemundo
- Second Chance and Hart Van Goud coming soon to Zee One and eExtra respectively

BBC UKTV still not available on the Openview platform

Last year, eMedia Investments and BBC Studios were gearing up for the rollout of BBC's sixth channel BBC UKTV to the market joining existing brands like BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, BBC News and CBeebies currently seen on the DStv platform.

As of January 2023, BBC UKTV is currently available on the DStv platform offering rebroadcasts to several shows from above-mentioned channels to Access, Family and Easyview customers including Doctors, Top Gear and Come Dine With Me.

It has since then led to a clash amongst Openview consumers some even speculating that MultiChoice ripped the channel away from eMedia Investments in an exclusive deal with the BBC.

In a media enquiry with both BBC and eMedia Investments, they both remain very much silent regarding details about BBC UKTV. At the moment, eMedia Investments is gearing up for the rollout of Ultraview. What are the chances BBC UKTV will rollout thereafter?

eMedia Investments:
- SABC+ Vs. eVOD: The Consequence Of Free-To-View Television
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments plan to combat load shedding get a lot of attention
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?

Roundups #141: Peppa Pig's Glasses Show Has Been Deemed Inappropriate For Facebook's Guidelines, Marvel Studios Reportedly Set To Debut Two Series Within 2023 And Telemundo Set To Debut First Original Series In March 2023, Game Of Lies

Peppa Pig has become a laughing stock

During the week, Peppa Pig got some much needed attention after a Facebook user called Daily Nick uploaded a clip to one of the episodes titled Glasses Show and the Facebook rodents swooped in and deemed it sexually inappropriate.

Taking to account that Facebook has become an absolute joke and if there's one thing Elon can save it's Facebook. It's currently a trainwreck waiting to happen if Peppa Pig glasses is inappropriate then posting about the weather is deemed violent.

Peppa Pig has been having a run since 2004 and has been a part of gags, jokes and has even made various appearances take for instance Family Guy where she has killed in a car accident or Robot Chicken where she was deemed a criminal to society.

All of this makes me feel as if she was being targeted about Facebook's latest rant with the character is something to laugh about.

Regular Nick:
- Wonder Pets revival might be in the works for Nickelodeon
- Peacock greenlights two new animated series
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May

Marvel might be putting the breaks on new content

Marvel's big MCU Phase 5 reveal at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 revealed six shows would likely be arriving on Disney+ in 2023, that number allegedly may drop to only two with Loki Season 2 and Secret Invasion being the only "sure bets" for this year.

As reported by THR, this news follows comments by Disney CEO Bob Iger, in which he said the company needs to be "better at curating" franchise content that is "extraordinarily expensive.

Marvel content obviously doesn't come cheap, and Disney was planning on potentially releasing Loki's second season, Secret Invasion, What If... ?'s second season, Ironheart, Echo, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos in 2023. If these changes are to go through, sources say Loki and Secret Invasion may be the only ones to make it out, even though shows like Echo and Ironheart have wrapped their productions months ago.

“There is going to be a level of rigor on Marvel and across the entire company,” one company insider says. “Numbers matter now, and costs are going to be outlined and enforced.”

Telemundo still lagging behind schedule

For several months, Telemundo has been lagging behind in terms of original programming leading repeat padded African feed of the channel seen on MultiChoice's platforms to sought content from Colombian broadcasters Caracol Television and RCN Television.

Caracol Television had worked with the channel on Hidden Passions including the second season and is supplying the upcoming Ana's Revenge while RCN Television has Nurses and The Scent Of Passion with Until Money Do Us Part rolling out in the coming month.

After a long while since the channel struggled to obtain original programming, it was announced from the main feed that Telemundo will be rolling out a new show from March 7th 2023 titled Game Of Lies (Juego De Mentiras) starring Arap Bethke and Altair Jarabo.

The story is set in the city of Los Angeles and San Clemente, California, Game Of Lies follows the footsteps of César Ferrer, a hard working man who always dreamed of having his own family and who gives his life for his own daughter Noelia.

Everyday Novelas:
- Zee World to add an additional 3 shows to their lineup
- Second Chance and Hart Van Goud coming soon to Zee One and eExtra respectively
- Queen Of The Night and How Do I Say This? coming respectively to Timeless Dizi Channel and Zee World
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam

Paramount+ Updates: Sylvester Stallone To Make His Reality TV Debut, Paramount+ Removes Several Content From The Platform Following Showtime Merger And Paramount+ To Rollout In South Africa Later In The Year

Sylvester's Stallone’s Family To Star In Docuseries For Paramount+

Sylvester Stallone is expanding his footprint at Paramount+. The streamer has picked up The Family Stallone, a new docuseries featuring the star of Tulsa King, along with his real-life wife Jennifer Flavin Stallone and their daughters Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet.

The eight-part series will premiere exclusively on the service later in the year. In the new series, Paramount+ promises to “offer a seat at the table of one of Hollywood’s most famous families” by showing how the Oscar-winning actor is simply Dad at home.

The Family Stallone is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, with Benjamin Hurvitz, Jessica Zalkind and Nadim Amiry as executive producers. Julie Pizzi, Farnaz Farjam and Jonathan Singer serve as executive producers for Bunim-Murray Productions, with Lauren Goldstein, Valana Hunn, Chris Ray and Jason Williams as co-executive producers.

Video Entertainment:
- Rumour: SuperSport Schools to get a dedicated channel on the DStv platform
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May
- Paramount+ set to merge with Showtime
- eVOD has yet to offer linear channels as promised in 2021

The Warner Bros. effect reigns on another company

During the month, Paramount+ became the latest streaming service to remove original titles from its platform. The streamer has removed a raft of titles including Real World: Homecoming.

Other titles include Jordan Peele’s reboot of The Twilight Zone, which ran for two seasons between 2019 and 2020, Peter Sarsgaard-fronted true-crime drama Interrogation, Michael Chiklis’ Coyote, comedy series No Activity, Kate Beckinsale’s dark comedy Guilty Party and animated series The Harper House.

It comes days after sister company Showtime, which is in the process of being rebranded and merged with Paramount+, removed a slew of titles including Kidding, Super Pumped, On Becoming A God In Central Florida and American Rust.

It joins with streamers such as HBO Max, which removed titles such as FBoy Island and Westworld.

Paramount+ might miss their early debut in South Africa

Paramount+ will join the existing streaming services already present in South Africa, all battling to grow their market share and to scale their subscribers bases like Disney+, Netflix SA, Amazon Prime Video, MultiChoice's Showmax, Apple TV+, eMedia's eVOD, SABC+, VIU  and Britbox.

The South African launch of Paramount+ will be as a stand-alone app and through connected TV sets, but will very likely also be in partnership with the MultiChoice Group, which has existing deals to carry Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as apps on its DStv Explora Ultra decoder.

Paramount, already has so-called "hard bundle" deals in place with pay-TV operators like Comcast's Sky in the United Kingdom carrying Paramount+, and Sky Showtime as a joint venture in Europe with Comcast and Vivendi's Canal+.

Paramount+ made several consumers sign up through email for more updates on the streamer in South Africa and as we're close to the end of the first quarter of 2023. There hasn't been any updates not even a glimpse of what we already know about the platform.

Video Entertainment:
- BBC to close linear channels and focus on digital future
- HBO Max no longer produces live-action programs for kids and family
- Triggerfish working with Disney+ on a Star Wars project
- Virtual reality opportunities for African filmmakers

Regular Nick Updates: Wonder Pets Revival Might Be In Development, Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run Set To Make Its Reentry On Cartoonito Africa And Peacock Kids Orders Two New Animated Series

Nickelodeon might be reviving more older properties

According to a recent United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark filing made by Paramount Global, the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has applied to register Wonder Pets: In The City with the USPTO under several NICE classes, including NICE class "41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services", which is for Goods & Services pertaining to "entertainment services in the nature of continuing program series, featuring live action, comedy and drama provided through cable television, broadcast television, internet, video-on-demand, and through other forms of transmission media; providing online information in the field of entertainment concerning television programs".

Paramount has also applied to register the title under NICE classes 28 for "Games; toys; sports equipment" and 25 for "Clothing; footwear; headgear".

At the moment, not much information is available about Wonder Pets: In The City, however, Nickelodeon is in the midst of reviving iconic preschool properties, including last year's Face's Music Party and two upcoming Dora the Explorer projects for Paramount+.

Wonder Pets! chronicles the adventures of Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling, and Turtle Tuck, three classroom pets who in every episode are called upon to save an animal in trouble. Together the Wonder Pets travel in their “Flyboat” to a new location where they use teamwork to help the animal that needs saving.

Insidus Games:
- Transformers
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Looney Tunes
- The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo A-Go-Go!

More Boomerang coming soon to Cartoonito

During the week, it was reported Warner Bros. Discovery is planning to launch the Cartoonito Channel across Europe combing the Boomerang DNA and turning it into a full fledged preschool and family destination offering creative, fun and entertaining content.

Some of the upcoming content lined up for Cartoonito in the coming month include the epic HBO Max's star attraction Batwheels from DC Comics alongside Bugs Bunny Builders which serves as the second preschool series behind Baby Looney Tunes.

As for Boomerang Movie Stars, that's dead or at least by name with the channel adapting to Cartoonito expect a revised movie block as seen next month we'll be treated to the premiere of Rabbids Invasion: Mission To Mars followed by a rebroadcast of Looney Tunes: On The Run.

Lola Bunny invents a perfume that also turns the person wearing it invisible. But soon, she finds herself on the run with Bugs, a cab driver, from FBI agents and a gang who are seeking her formula.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month
- March on Cartoonito
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May
- Lego Monkie Kid returns this April on Cartoon Network
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future

The streamer has greenlit shows from M2 Animation and Yowza! Animation, as well as renewing M2's Team Mekbots for a second season

Peacock is commissioning two new animated series and renewing a third, continuing its commitment to originals that give its content offering for kids a unique feel.

The US streamer has ordered CG-animated series Tea Town Teddy Bears (26 x 11 minutes) from Thailand’s M2 Animation. Rob Hudnut, Mads Munk and Torsten Jakobsen are executive producers on this series for kids ages four to seven about three teddy bears who love throwing tea parties, playing games and singing with their friends.

Also newly greenlit is Superbuns from Toronto-based Yowza! Animation. This punchy new 2D-animated series based on Diane Kredensor’s same-name kids book is about a bunny whose superpower is unlimited kindness. Kredensor and Heather Walker will serve as executive producers on the 39 x seven-minute project, which is aimed at two- to five-year-olds.

And primed for a second season (39 x seven minutes) on the SVOD platform is M2 Animation’s Team Mekbots, about four kids who save the world by becoming robotic animals.

Video Entertainment:
- Rumour: SuperSport Schools to get a dedicated channel on the DStv platform
- Disney Junior and Disney+ to debut new Star Wars series in May
- Paramount+ set to merge with Showtime
- eVOD has yet to offer linear channels as promised in 2021

MultiChoice Updates: Canal+ Owns A Quarter Of The Pay-TV Platform, Power TV Extends Its Reach To More DStv Customers In Africa And Amidst Potential Channel Closures, MultiChoice Announces Price Increases For The Following Packages

Canal+ continues its supremacy in the African market

Canal+ Group has passed the 30% ownership threshold in the African pay-TV platform MultiChoice Group.

In a statement issued Friday, the Vivendi unit said it now held 30.27% of the capital of MultiChoice Group.

“This threshold crossing testifies to the confidence of the Canal+ Group and its shareholder Vivendi in the prospects of MultiChoice and the African continent, to which they are very attached,” Canal said in a statement.

MultiChoice operates in 50 countries in English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Africa. As of September 2022 it had 22.1 million subscribers.

Zambia is getting more love in these regions

POWER TV, Zambia’s leading music, lifestyle and entertainment channel, has expanded its footprint in Southern Africa, a step that will bring its thrilling local content offering to audiences across the Southern African region.

The expansion means subscribers will now access Power TV in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi and Botswana exclusively on DStv and GOtv platforms.

Speaking when she officiated at the launch to announce the expansion in Lusaka, Chushi Kasanda, Minister of Information and Media said: “the government is proud to see local channels such as Power TV, taking a step further using its exciting local content to not only market Zambia’s skills but also promoting tourism opportunities in the country”.

Powerhouse Media Group Executive President, Mr Kenny Tonga said: “We are excited about this milestone. We decided to go for an exclusive partnership because this will greatly benefit us by increasing our viewership and our reach not only in Zambia but Southern African region”.

DStv Flex:
- March on VIA
- One Gospel to host an Easter special
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

Here's how much each DStv customer will be paying from April 2023

MultiChoice is once again increasing the subscription fees of South African DStv subscribers from 1 April - although by a smaller percentage than in previous years, dropping the price of its ADD Movies bolt-on package and keeping the price of its streaming-only services unchanged.

MultiChoice, in a statement, says that "the average 4.3% adjustment across all of DStv's offerings is far lower that the projected consumer price index (inflation) for 2023".

These nominal adjustments help DStv to ensure that South Africans continue to enjoy the best value, and unrivalled access to entertainment, anywhere, anytime, and at the most affordable price.

Prices from April 2023

DStv Premium - R839p/m to R879p/m (+4,47%)
DStv Compact+ - R549p/m to R579p/m (+5,46%)
DStv Compact - R429p/m to R449p/m (+4,46)
DStv Family - R309p/m to R319p/m (+3,24%)
DStv Access - R120p/m to R129p/m (+7,5%)
DStv Easyview - R29p/m (unchanged)
Access Fee - R110 to R115 (+4,5%)
ADDMOVIES - R99p/m to R79p/m (-20%)
Box Office - R40 (unchanged)

DStv:
- CBS Reality is the only brand to retain its identity in the UK from Paramount and AMC International
- Warner Bros. Discovery hinting at a possible rebrand to Boomerang as more preschool content fills the lineup
- MultiChoice shares crytpic message about eMedia's 4 channels
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future

More channel changes or closures coming soon

As seen last year, MultiChoice made an attempt to eliminate eMedia's 4 channels including eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra from the DStv platform alongside eAfrica from the rest of the African continent as they failed to fit their 5 year content strategy with additions like Movie Room and DreamWorks.

With the latter in South Africa available on the DStv platform for 6 months or what was last heard some update regarding the future should have been announced by now but will likely be revealed before the end of the current financial year or within the next.

All in all, these channels aren't safe one is assuming since the channels haven't gone off air. The most likely reason could be they're renegotiating nothing is certain for now.

In other developments, Boomerang will be phased out by the end of March for a new preschool channel, Cartoonito and Supersport might be growing the number of linear channels with the launch of South Africa's first sports channel for children, SuperSport Schools.

My other guesses could also be TNT.

Roundups #140: Lego Monkie Kid Returning For A New Season On Cartoon Network, Borderline To Make Its Free-To-Air Debut On SABC 3 And Discovery+ To Remain Onboard While As HBO Max Gets Renamed Possibly WBD+

More Lego Monkie Kid for D

Stv customers this April

Inspired by the classic Chinese story Journey to the West, Lego Monkie Kid serves as one of many  trilogies which follows the adventures of a young teenager, MK, as he comes into terms of his mission to save the world.

It is led by Jack De Sena, Dave B. Mitchell, Stephanie Sheh, David Chen, Patrick Seitz, Sean Schemmel, Victoria Grace, Steve Blum, Gwendoline Yeo, Kyle McCarley, Kimberly Brooks and Kimberly Brooks.

Sean Schemmel who currently voices The Monkey King is also known for voicing Goku in the Funimation Dub of Dragon Ball, which much like the show, is also inspired by Journey to the West.

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

Love is also in the air with SABC 3

It seems like eExtra won't be the only thing sharing the love this Valentine's Day, SABC 3, South African free-to-air channel owned by the SABC home to various local and mostly international productions had acquired rights to the British drama, Borderline.

This mockumentary follows an incompetent UK border control department based in the fictional Northend Airport. Inspired by immigration issues in Britain at the time of filming, this comedy touches on the topic with light-hearted humour. In charge of the unit is Chief Inspector Proctor who leads the In charge of the unit is Chief Inspector Proctor who leads the team of border agents and baggage handlers who all seemingly hate their job. 

Trouble brews as the motley crew deal with everything from new derivatives to unruly travellers. It stars David Avery, Jackie Clune, David Elms, Liz Kingsman, Jamie Michie, Ralf Little and Guz Khan.

Openview Plus:
- Ratings for SABC 1-3 and e.tv for December 2022
- e.tv to rollout a rebroadcast of Die Put
- eExtra scrapped the launch of 4 telenovelas
- Verdeelde Liefde to return with a second season on eExtra

Warner Bros. Discovery starts off 2023 with more confusion

According to the Journal’s sources, Warner Bros. Discovery is still planning to launch a “supersize streaming service” in the near future. The service will feature all of the HBO Max content and most of the content that can currently be found on Discovery Plus. Nevertheless, Discovery Plus will still be available as a standalone option for consumers.

The sources claim that WBD doesn’t want to risk losing the 20 million Discovery Plus subscribers that may not be interested in paying more for a combined offering. Therefore, the new service and Discovery Plus will share some content, including Discovery Channel’s Shark Week block and TV shows from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network.

During the week, Twitter users recently discovered a private account they suspect might be connected to the company. The account is named WBD+ (@wbdplus) and its bio reads: “All in one.” The account has zero followers and its tweets are protected, but there’s a chance that this could be the name of the upcoming streaming service.

Or it could be a troll with too much time on their hands.

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

Another division ceases to exist

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

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

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

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

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

Another show bites the dust

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

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

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

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

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

Another merger is on the horizon

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

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

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

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

Roundups #138: Triggerfish Working On An Episode Of Star Wars: Visions, Giyani: Land Of Blood To Return With A Second Season On SABC 2 And The River Currently Viewed On 1Magic To End With A Sixth Season

SA's Triggerfish is going global

Animation fans should diarise May the 4th this year as this is when the second instalment in Disney’s animated anthology, Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 lands. While we’re already excited to see what the different studios have created this time around, Volume 2 is of greater significance as South African animation house Triggerfish will be helming one of the episodes.

Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced that the second volume of the animated anthology series will premiere May 4, 2023, a.k.a. Star Wars Day, exclusively on Disney+. Volume 2, building on the Emmy Award-nominated first run of Star Wars: Visions in 2021, will feature nine new shorts from nine studios from around the globe; the shorts promise to feature unique animation styles from a variety of countries and cultures, depicting each filmmaker’s specific vision of the Star Wars galaxy,” Disney explained in a blog post.

With Triggerfish working on an episode, this hopefully means that local Disney+ subscribers will be to access Volume 2 at the same time as its international counterparts, as this was not the case initially when the streaming service rolled out in SA.

As for the episode itself, it is titled Aau’s Song, but it is unclear what direction the studio is taking with the story. Hopefully it leans on an African influence, like much of the studio’s previous content has. Either way, we are excited to see what it showcases.

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

SABC 2 welcomes back a fan-favourite series from February 6th

"Giyani – Land of Blood explores powerful, emotive and clear themes about land and answers the questions: who the rightful owner of the land is, who has the right to exploit the land," a press statement reads. "All these thematic views are infused with all the captivating backdrops of a classical telenovela – two warring families, a secret past and a forbidden love story between Khensani Mudau (now played by Mahlatsi Mokoena) and Musa Baloyi."

This season sees the introduction of the Khoza family, headed by successful lawyer Solani Khoza (played by Lesley Musina) and his former promo girl turned club manager wife Pele (played by Bokang Phelane). Zigi Ndlovu (as Dzovo) joins as Solani's son and Khensani's new love interest.

Reprising their roles are Rami Chuene (as Manoko), who continues with her manipulation and criminal activities and Ndivhuho Mutsila (as Richard), Linah Ngcobo (as Mhani Tsani), Noel Baloyi (as Mahlori) alongside Fumani Shilubana (as Vukosi) and Maduvha Madima (as Shoni).

"Season 3 is about coming full circle on these themes of the series, and secrets will be exposed. This season embarks on the show's final odyssey with a world that has expanded and changed – the banana plantation has been replaced by the game lodge, which Manoko continues to pillage, while the villagers remain marginalized and living in poverty on their supposed own land."

1Magic bids farewell to the only relevant show on the channel

1Magic’s most-watched telenovela The River is ending after six seasons on South African television. Co-creator Phathu Makwarela from Tshedza Pictures production confirmed the show is ending on social media yesterday.

This is after the departures of actors Tango Ncetezo, who played Paulina since season one, and multi-award-winning actor Lawrence Maleka and Hlomla Dandala, who played Zolani and Zweli respectively.

Shirley Adonisi, who is the director of local entertainment channels at Mnet confirmed the telenovela is ending after six seasons.

“At M-Net local entertainment channels we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the cast and crew of The River for a memorable five years. Their hard work, dedication, and brilliance have led to the telenovela’s success. The final season is going to be the show’s most epic one yet. The drama will be bigger and better, setting the stage for the ultimate finale.”

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

Everyday Novelas Updates: Trinayani To Make It's Long Awaited African Debut On Zee One, Crown Of Tears (Corona De Lágrimas) Season 2 Serving To Be The Most Hated Telenovela To Date On Las Estrellas And Die Put To Return With A Third Season Later In The Year On eExtra

Zee One to rollout first ever telegu series

Zee One, a freemium entertainment channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and a spinoff to the current pay-tv exclusive channel, Zee World will be rolling out the much anticipated series, Trinayani from February 9th.

Trinayani follows the titular character's ability to foresee the future and the past often lands her in trouble. Despite the setbacks, she strives to use her gift to protect the people around her from harm.

It stars Sri Satya Sumana, Aashika Gopal Padukone, Chandu Gowda, Priyanka Chowdary, Pavitra Jayaram, Anil Chowdary, Bhavana Reddy and several others.

In other developments, Close To My Heart will be rolling out on Star Life later this month with Zee One's pay-tv counterpart Zee World rolling out a romcom with a very weird title, How Do I Say This?.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam
- Close To My Heart coming soon to Star Life

Crown Of Tears S2 battered with negative comments

Forming one of the initial programs on TLNovelas Africa, Crown Of Tears serves 2012 remake to the 60s classic starring Victoria Ruffo, Maribel Guardia, Ernesto Laguardia, Africa Zavala, Adriana Louvier, José María Torre, Mané de la Parra and Alejandro Nones.

Since the announcement and arrival of season 2, it was ridiculed with a lot of hate comments for the fact it existed and how the plot came to be, a look at some comments:

A terrible direction of scenes, along with the mixture of a nonsensical story, results in these products that, honestly, the public does not deserve.

Goodbye "Corona De Lagrimas 2" your mistake was being born at the whim of Victoria Ruffo (I'm glad she failed because she didn't want to accept that at 60 she can no longer be the protagonist)

....It is time Victoria Ruffo accepts that her time as the center of attention is long gone, she should put aside her pride and start playing the mother to the protaganists. She has now starred in two failures in a row just because she doesn't want to take supporting or co protaganist roles

Openview Plus:
- Ratings for SABC 1-3 and e.tv for December 2022
- e.tv to rollout a rebroadcast of Die Put
- eExtra scrapped the launch of 4 telenovelas
- Verdeelde Liefde to return with a second season on eExtra

Die Put to continue swinging on eExtra in 2023

Last month, the second season of Die Put starring Aras Bulut İynemli, Perihan Savaş and Öner Erkan came to a close on eExtra with e.tv expected to air a rebroadcast to the first season of the action series immediately after Voëlvry later this month.

Through several social accounts, it was confirmed by sources that eMedia Investments plans to rollout the third season in the second quarter of the year (May 8th) with a fifth season of Doodsondes scheduled for the third quarter (August).

Here's a synopsis to Die Put S3:

Koçovalı Family are faced with the biggest pain of their lives. Because of Yücel's trap, one of Yamaç or İdris Koçovalı had to kill the other. While Akın Koçovalı takes control of Çukur, where nothing will be the same as before, the step of Baykal's daughter Efsun to Çukur will cause the cards to be redistributed. While Efsun's plan, who collaborated with Yücel, Azer, and Timsah, is eagerly awaited, it will be a question mark how Akın will led the neighborhood.

MultiChoice Updates: Dr Phil To End After 21 Years On CBS And Mzansi Magic, Showmax Greenlights Two New Series From Tshedza Pictures And Mzansi Wethu To Launch Nguni News Bulletin, Lindaba Zethu

Another syndicate is out for the count

America's Dr. Phil talk show is ending after 21 seasons with Dr. Phil McGraw who decided that he wanted to stop doing his daytime show at the end of the current season.

The Oprah spin-off talk show was seen on South African television - first SABC2 where it ran from its beginning for several seasons, after switching to pay-TV with M-Net picking it up for the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel for a few further seasons.

Dr. Phil McGraw started out with appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, also seen in South Africa, in the late 1990s, before he transitioned to his own tough-talking talk show in 2002.

"I have been blessed with over 25 wonderful years in daytime television. With this show, we have helped thousands of guests and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children," Phil McGraw (72) says in a statement announcing the end of the show.

African VOD Showmax Inks Slate Deal With South Africa’s Emmy-Nominated Tshedza Pictures

African streaming service Showmax has inked a two-series slate deal with Tshedza Pictures, the South African production company behind the International Emmy-nominated telenovela “The River,” the company announced Tuesday at the start of the Joburg Film Festival.

“Adulting,” Tshedza’s first Showmax Original, is an eight-part drama series set in the parallel universes of four varsity friends. Their strong bond has held them together even as their journeys in life have taken them in very different directions — a bond the show’s creators describe as “the bromance of the decade.”

Tshedza’s second Showmax Original, “Outlaws,” (40 episodes) is a cross-cultural love story that plays out in the dangerous world of cattle-theft syndicates in the lawless land on the border between Lesotho and South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region.

Both slated for a 2023 debut.

DStv Flex:
- What to expect this February on TNT?
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera
- Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller returns for a third season on National Geographic
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History

Newzroom Afrika rolls out a news bulletin on Mzansi Wethu

Since induction, Newzroom Afrika has proven to be the BET in news following its launch in 2019 to replace the controversial Afro Worldview. The brand has been excelling so much so they've made several content deals with Mpuma Kapa TV and 1KZN.

Now they'll be expanding their expertise to more outlets as Mzansi Wethu plans to roll out an Nguni based news bulletin from 27 February at 19:00 which will serve as the very first competitor to the news block seen on SABC 1 with eNuus on kykNET competing with Afrikaans news on SABC 2.

The former SABC News TV anchor Thabile Mbhele will be the isiZulu news anchor on Mzansi Wethu, while Dicksy Mdlalose who is also known to SABC viewers, is the weather presenter. Khethukuthula Makoatsane is the sign language interpreter.

For the isiXhosa bulletin Lisakhanya Pepe who was on the SABC will be the anchor, with the SABC weather presenter Thabile Makapela who will appear on Mzansi Wethu. Pumza Sikumba is the sign language interpreter.

Roundups #137: Disney Renews Family Guy, The Simpsons And Bob's Burgers Through 2025, Dulas To Stream On eVOD This Valentine's Day And Twitter Now Comes With A Dedicated Hacker's Account, GOD MODE

Fox hands two-season extensions to ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Family Guy’ & ‘Bob’s Burgers’

The three shows, all produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, have each received two additional seasons to take them through the 2024-25 broadcast cycle.

The renewals guarantee seasons 14 and 15 for Bob’s Burgers, the 22nd and 23rd seasons of Family Guy and the 35th and 36th seasons for The Simpsons, extending its standing as the longest-running scripted series in television history.

“Across 750 episodes of The Simpsons, 400 episodes of Family Guy, and 250 episodes of Bob’s Burgers, we couldn’t be more proud to continue delivering these three animated hits with the most brilliant teams in animation,” said Marci Proietto, EVP of 20th Television Animation.

“Our relationship with Fox over the past three decades has allowed this trio of shows to thrive, grow and deliver immeasurable moments of hilarious and irreverent entertainment for fans, and we are absolutely thrilled that Fox is doubling down on each of these iconic shows.”

Regular Nick:
- February on Disney Channel and Junior
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj to rollout on Nicktoons in Africa
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

eMedia Investments to launch their first local production of 2023 next month

Last year, it was announced that uMbali will be returning for a second season to the platform but we all that's not entirely new as it's another way expand the duration of a product unlike this production streaming February 14th, Dulas.

A notorious township thug comes back from prison after being sabotaged by his girlfriend and best friend. He hid millions in a grave before getting arrested, but when he returns to the graveyard it has changed completely and now every other tombstone looks like his.

Thabo Malema, Mpho Molembo and Keke Mputhi star in the leading roles.

Aside from Dulas, eVOD will also be rolling out it's second Turkish drama titled Om Elke Draai a few days prior (February 9th). This Turkish romcom stars Furkan Andic and Aybuke Pusat in the leading roles.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam
- Close To My Heart coming soon to Star Life

No one's privacy is safe or at least what Twitter reps say

A new Twitter whistleblower has emerged, supporting last year’s surprising testimony about the dismal state of the company’s privacy protections and saying the company continues to violate its legal obligations under new owner Elon Musk.

The former employee has told members of Congress and staff at the Federal Trade Commission that any Twitter engineer can activate an internal program until recently called “GodMode” and tweet from any account today, three months after Musk’s takeover […]

The new whistleblower said that following internal objections about the program, engineers changed its name to “privileged mode.” The whistleblower said the purpose of the program was to allow Twitter staff to tweet on behalf of advertisers unable to do it themselves […]

The new whistleblower complaint says the GodMode code remains on the laptop of any engineer who wants it. All they would have to do is change a line of the code from FALSE to TRUE and run it from a production machine that they could reach through an easily accessible communications protocol known as SSH.

Google:
- A look into the life of X-Rated Rocky star Sylvester Stallone
- Malverde: Legend or Myth, a look at other patron saints
- 7 things you didn't know about Tom's Diner
- Inside the enduring mysteries of Elvis Presley's tragic fate

Roundups #136: CoComelon's Nina To Get A YouTube Spinoff, Ultimate Braai Master Returns For An 8th Season On e.tv And FilmRise & Blue Ant Int’l Producing True Crime Series With CBS Reality

CoComelon to recieve another spinoff

Moonbug Entertainment is showcasing Mexican culture with Nina (working title), a spinoff of its popular CoComelon franchise that features one of main character JJ’s best friends.

Mexican-American toddler Nina has been part of the CoComelon crew since 2019. In her own series for preschoolers, she and her family’s culture, traditions and daily lives will be showcased through three-minute nursery rhymes. Nina is set to launch on its own standalone YouTube channel later this year.

Moonbug was spurred to create a new Nina-centric extension of CoComelon by audience research showing that the CoComelon brand is popular with Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander families, says senior creative director Meghan Sheridan.

Regular Nick:
- Operation Ouch returns for a new season on Da Vinci Kids
- Several Cartoonito domains have been registered
- February on Disney Channel and Junior
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

Get ready to sink your taste buds this February on e.tv

Tapfuma Makina joins the Trace Studios produced series in which several teams of two will once again compete against each other - this season across venues in the Western Cape - to see who South Africa's latest braai champions are, in 13 episodes starting on e.tv on Saturday 5 February at 17:00.

Tapfuma Makina who has presented various TV series and is also known as a TV sports news anchor on e.tv and a radio host, has a B.Sc degree in biochemistry and microbiology, and says he's excited to be a part of Ultimate Braai Master as the new host.

This season plans to "showcase the wealth of produce celebrated in the region, from free-range dairy and grain-fed cattle, to fresh grown organic vegetables from farm to braai to table".

Openview Plus:
- eExtra scrapped the launch of 4 telenovelas
- Verdeelde Liefde to return with a second season on eExtra
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions

More crime and investigation awaiting CBS Justice

Killers: Caught On Camera, which is being produced by back2back productions and CBS Reality, explores how detectives use footage from home secruity cameras, dashcams and CCTV to catch criminals.

The series was co-developed between Blue Ant’s sales arm and back2back, with FilmRise taking exclusive distribution rights in the North America and the Caribbean, and CBS Reality taking exclusive broadcast rights in the UK and Africa. Details of the rights acquired by Nordic-based streamer Viaplay and Germany’s Seven.One were not immediately available.

Ben Barrett, who joined Blue Ant after it acquired Drive, brokered all pre-sales and investment for the project, with additional financing from CBS Reality, Seven.One Entertainment Group and Viaplay Group.

DStv Flex:
- Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller returns for a third season on National Geographic
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY