Roundups #135: Genius Brands Rolls Out A Music Division, A Rebroadcast Of Die Put Makes Way To e.tv's Line-up And Chaos Reigns At BBC News Ahead Of Merger With BBC World News

Kartoon Channel becomes a music division

Genius Music, which launched this month, already has a library of more than 8,000 tracks stemming from its own original brands and also from IPs it has inherited through recent acquisitions of companies including WOW! Unlimited Media and Your Family Entertainment.

According to a release, Genius Music plans to distribute and license these assets on streaming channels and music platforms. One of its first projects will be to develop and monetize original music for animated series Shaq’s Garage (co-produced with Ireland’s Telegael), which is slated to premiere on GB’s Kartoon Channel!

Former Saban Brands music supervisor Juan Carlos Quintero will oversee the division and serve as an executive music producer, with an eye towards making new content that spans a variety of genres. Quintero brings more than 20 years of experience as a music producer/composer with him to Genius Music, having managed production music libraries for companies including Warner Chappell, Café Moondo, Megatrax and 5 Alarm Music. And during an eight-year stint at Saban Brands, he worked on kids brands such as Power Rangers, Digimon and Popples.

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

More drugs and violence is coming to e.tv

Directed by Sinan Öztürk, it is an acclaimed series with four seasons completed. Die Put is set in the dangerous Istanbul neighbourhood Çukur and revolves around a ruling mafia family and a prodigal son who needs to return home to save his family. Of course, there is also a beautiful girl and some romance in addition to the drama, danger and family secrets.

Viewers can expect a gripping first season of Die Put, with the Koçova family (a family that is often closely related to crime) that rules the neighbourhood of Çukur. The Koçovas have their own set of rules and one of these is that drugs cannot be produced, used or sold in Çukur.

In the series, the newcomer, Vartolu is determined to break the ban and after his initial attempts to negotiate with the Koçova family is rejected, he attacks the family and the neighbourhood. But, just as he thinks he has broken the Koçova family and brought them to their knees, something unexpected happens.

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 cuts awaiting the new version of BBC World News

In three months’ time, BBC World News and BBC News Channel are due to complete their merger to create a single service for audiences in the UK and around the world. But, according to BBC sources speaking to The Sunday Times, the service could end up with “the softest launch, so as to be indiscernible”.

Under the BBC’s proposals, the new TV news service would offer opt-outs for viewers in the UK, carrying simulcasts of news programmes on BBC One and BBC Two. Outside of these simulcasts, the BBC is due to retain a back-up facility allowing the channel to breakout of the international schedule to show UK-specific breaking news.

The report cites sources within the BBC who say bosses are not able to say how this break-out stream will work. Staff fear the service will be under-resourced. On the new service, presenters will be expected to manually work the autocue.

Roundups #134: Hamster & Gretel And Eureka To Make Its African Debut On Disney Channel And Disney Junior, Verdeelde Liefde Returns For A Second Season On eExtra And Netflix To Crack Down On Password Sharing By March

Here are the four developments launching on Disney Channel and Disney Junior respectively

Vikingskool (New Episodes) - February 6th
Erik, Ylva and Ani are budding Vikings, confident that they all have what it takes to succeed in the ruthless Vikingskøøl, but the road to graduation is long.

Hamster & Gretel (New Series) - February 13th
When Gretel and her pet hamster -- named Hamster -- get superpowers, older brother Kevin must work with them to figure out how to protect their city from mysterious dangers.

Mickey Mouse Funhouse (New Episodes) - February 6th
Mickey, Minnie and Funny go on an adventure to the Kingdom of Majestica, where they find out if dragons are friendly beings or not.

Eureka (Girls In Science) - February 11th
It follows a talented young inventor from a fantastical prehistoric world who uses her creative thinking to devise inventions and contraptions aimed at making the world a better place.

Regular Nick:
- 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

Zeynep and Mehdi are back for drama on eExtra

Verdeelde Liefde follows the life of Zeynep a young woman whose mother gave her up for adoption in order to have a better life following her brother's death. By fate, she meets Mehdi who at one point from monster become the love of life.

The first season stars Demet Özdemir, Zuhal Gencer, Senan Kara, Fatih Koyunoglu, Elif Sönmez, Hülya Duyar, Naz Göktan, Incinur Dasdemir and Ibrahim Celikkol.

Season 1 is set to reach its climax by the end of the month with season 2 following immediately after the first season.

In season 2, Özlem accuses Sultan of stealing the money in Baris's room. Savas admits he took the money. Ali Riza gathers his family and goes to Sultan's house to apologize. Sultan accepts getting back to work.

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

Farewell to password sharing on Netflix

The time Netflix 'freeloaders' have long feared will soon arrive - password sharing will be banned by the end of March.

The company shared the news in a letter to shareholders, noting that 'widespread account sharing' has exceeded over 100 million viewers.

These individuals, however, will be able to transfer their profiles to a new paid account, allowing them to carry over their preferences.

Netflix said 2022 had been a 'tough year' due to its first subscriber loss in more than a decade - its customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter.

'Today's widespread account sharing undermines our long-term ability to invest in and improve Netflix, as well as build our business.' the company said in its letter.

'While our terms of use limit use of Netflix to a household, we recognize this is a change for members who share their account more broadly.'

YouTube Premium:
- Zoey 102 feature film is coming to Paramount+
- Dungeons And Dragons TV series is coming to Paramount+
- How to view the latest content on PBS Kids?

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

Bear Grylls is coming to Da Vinci Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CBS Reality is launching on DStv competitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moonbug Kids unveils its first new series of 2023

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

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

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

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

Get ready to SWiTCH up the entertainment on DStv

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

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

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

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

* Take into account, nothing is official for now.

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

HBO Max unsurprisingly cancels another series

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

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

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

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

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

Roundups #131: Phineas And Ferb Gets A Two Season Order On Disney Channel And Disney+, 3AM: The Driver Coming Soon To KIX And Decisions Makes A Comeback On Telemundo Africa Ahead Of Nurses S3

40 additional episodes of Phineas And Ferb had been ordered on Disney Channel and Disney+

Disney Branded Television has announced that it has signed a brand new overall deal with Dan Povenmire, who is the co-creator and executive producer of the global super-hit “Phineas and Ferb,” which includes production of 40 all-new episodes of “Phineas and Ferb,” a second season renewal of the animated superhero series “Hamster & Gretel” and the development of live-action projects.

“Phineas and Ferb” is a five-time Emmy Award-winner and the most successful animated series for Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 in Disney Television Animation history. Since its premiere, “Hamster & Gretel” ties as the #1 cable series among Kids age 6-11 delivery.

The announcement was made during a presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour by Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, who said in a statement:

“Dan is renowned for his ability to create universally beloved stories and characters with both heart and humor. We couldn’t be happier to continue our collaboration with him and bring back the iconic ‘Phineas and Ferb’ in a big way.”

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

Second instalment to 3AM launches on KIX

3AM serves as the channel's first attempt at TV series which was unveiled last year with its first instalment titled The Office. Now the channel will be rolling out the second out of five instalments from the anthology titled The Driver.

A taxi driver who is constantly judging others by his own standards, also reads into their every move and sets out to help 'victims' in his own way. When a woman he likes seems to be bullied by her son, he goes about setting things right for her, even resorting to turning himself into a cold-blooded serial killer.

Produced by Thrill, a general entertainment channel also owned by Celestial Tiger Entertainment. It stars Coby Chong, Thor Yin Wei and Irfani Zhang.

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

Telemundo counts down the days to Nurses S3 with Decisions

Earlier in the month, Telemundo welcomed back a fan-favourite Fearless Heart (Corazon Valiente) for the 100th time onto Africa's screens and with Nurses reaching its climax for the second season the channel opts for fan-favourite shows with Decisions.

The anthology tell stories that are affecting ordinary people today. Inspired by high profile research, cases of human identity, social and political struggles, each episode focuses on a transcendental decision that will change the lives of the main characters in a moving, extraordinary and radical way.

It features a variety of cast members including Jorge Luis Pila, Laura Flores, Litzy, Jonathan Islas and Ana María Estupiñán.

Decisions is expected to make a comeback on January 26th with season 3 of Nurses set to air on February 13th.

Everyday Novelas:
- Ramo coming soon to eVOD
- Forbidden Passion season 2 not moving forward on Telemundo
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion

Roundups #130: Iwayu Created By Set To Debut On Cartoon Network In 2024, Zoey 101 Is Getting A Feature Film On Paramount+ And Conspiracy Theory Surrounding kykNET Lekker's Availability Finally Revealed

New Nigerian animated series loading on Cartoon Network

Based on the graphic novel series from writer Roye Okupe and artist Godwin Akpan, HBO Max and Cartoon Network's upcoming Iyanu: Child of Wonder will be heavily influenced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

Financed and overseen by Lion Forge Animation, the 2024 animated TV series chronicles the tale of Iyanu, an orphaned teenage girl with no memories of her upbringing who yearns for a simple, normal life. Those dreams get shattered when a set of circumstances triggers Iyanu's dormant divine abilities. Teaming up with two other teenagers, Iyanu embarks on a quest to confront the Corrupt, a great evil rising in their homeland that threatens humanity. Along the way, Iyanu will slowly uncover the truth about her past, parents, powers, and destiny as the Chosen One.

The epic superhero adventure promises to draw from Nigerian culture, music, and lore. In addition, creator Okupe has written and directed multiple episodes. Lion Forge's head of production Saxton Moore, who serves as supervising director, and executive producer David Steward II recently spoke about adapting the graphic novel, cultural representation, Iyanu's quest, and anime influences.

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

Another Nickelodeon revival gets the greenlit for Paramount+

Zoey 101 star Jamie Lynn Spears announced on Instagram a reboot of the Nickelodeon series, titled Zoey 102, is coming to Paramount+.

“IT’S OFFICIAL! 🎬 Are you ready…. @paramountplus @nickelodeon,” Spears wrote in her Instagram caption on Thursday, teasing the show’s iconic theme song, which she sang.

The film was written by Monica Sherer and Madeline Whitby, according to the script shown in the Instagram post. Variety reported on Thursday that production has begun on the movie, and it is expected to be released later this year.

The Instagram post shows a photo featuring the names of some of the original characters, including Chase (Sean Flynn), Logan (Matthew Underwood), Michael (Christopher Massey), Quinn (Erin Sanders), and Stacey (Abby Wilde).

Paramount:
- Conspiracy Theory: The introduction to Nick Jr. Global
- The Smithsonian Channel is closing down in the UK
- VH1 is being redirected to BET
- MTV Hits no longer available in South Africa

kykNET Lekker is part of a mysterious open window

In December 2022, MultiChoice opened up kykNET Lekker (DStv 148) which was exclusive to only Access customers to their DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact and Family with not much info available as it occurred prior to the festive holidays.

As school's reopened and consumers reverted back to their daily lives, a source at kykNET was able to confirm that kykNET Lekker is in fact an open window but couldn't provide any more details other than what you already heard.

Basically, the kykNET Lekker's open window is what has been seen from 2022 - a mystery. The channel isn't listed on other packages compared to when channels like Nickelodeon have open windows and them listed on that package and the other having to be the lack of info regarding the channel.

DStv:
- MultiChoice might lose yet another two channels
- Could Russia Today be removed from the DStv platform?
- Qwest TV coming soon to Showmax
- eMedia's 4 channels to go dark on the DStv platform

Roundups #129: Perfect Husband Makes It Freemium Debut On Zee One, The Cartoonito Channel To Launch On Boomerang CEE By March 18th And Doodsondes Returns For A Fifth Season On e.tv

Zee World rebroadcast coming soon to Zee One

In 2021, Zee World an international entertainment channel owned by Zee Enterprises acquired rights to air family drama Perfect Husband or as it's called in India Perfect Pati. After a year, more consumers will have access to all the drama in store.

Perfect Husband explores the non-idealistic married life of Vidhita and Pushkar and tries to question the thought that whether an ideal son is capable of being an ideal husband. It stars Farman Haidar, Shamu Akhtariya Moulik and Alok Nath Pathak

It premieres 20th January on Zee One prior to that will be the launch of historical drama Razia Sultan and second family drama Broken Bonds on Zee World.

Everyday Novelas:
- 5 Turkish shows rumoured to rollout in South Africa
- Ramo coming soon to eVOD
- Forbidden Passion season 2 not moving forward on Telemundo

Boomerang CEE will be no more from March 18

Viewers in Balkans, Baltics, Benelux, CIS, Caucasia, Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, East-Central Europe and Eastern Europe bid farewell to Boomerang as Warner Bros. Discovery welcome a new channel, Cartoonito.

Cartoonito is a place for preschoolers and their families. They are welcomed with open arms by individuality and originality. The youngest and their parents or guardians can enjoy familiar characters and stories from leading creators, as well as brand new series and lots of laughs. discovery.

Some of the new shows lined up for the channel include Batwheels, Bugs Bunny Builders, Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups and Jessica's Big Little World. More feeds are expected to follow.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang set to rebrand to Cartoonito in parts of Europe
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon

Doodsondes 5 is coming to e.tv this August

e.tv, the most viewed English channel operated by eMedia Investments which is home to various local productions and international content wrapped up the fourth season to Doodsondes last week with the fifth season only being made available by August.

The fifth season goes as follows:

Six months have passed since the explosion and nothing is the same anymore. As Yildiz's life evolves in a completely different direction, Ender's arrival will help her cope with the problems she is experiencing. Yildiz's next-door neighbor, Kumru, who has just entered her life, falls into everyone's lives like a bomb with her different character.

Season 5 ensembles Sevval Sam, Eda Ece, Berk Oktay, Biran Damla Yilmaz, Murat Aygen, Ece Dizdar, Melisa Dogu, Baris Aytac and Serkan Rutkay Ayiköz.

Openview Plus:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions
- Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra

Roundups #128: Dungeon And Dragons TV Series Has Been Ordered By Paramount+, Kartoon Channel Greenlit New Roblox Inspired Reality Series And Plot Synopsis For HBO Max Upcoming Series Velma Scares Away Potential Viewers

Another video game is getting a TV adaptation

Paramount+ has given an eight-episode, straight-to-series order to an adaptation of Hasbro’s wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game franchise. Red Notice filmmaker Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote the pilot script and is set to direct the first episode of the series which will be a co-production between eOne and Paramount Pictures.

eOne, the lead studio, took the project out in November, garnering interest from multiple buyers, with Paramount+ ultimately landing the show in a competitive situation. eOne and Paramount Pictures are partnering on the Dungeons & Dragons series after also co-producing and co-financing the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie directed by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, which premieres March 31.

At Paramount+, the Dungeons & Dragons series will join Halo, the video game adaptation, which is one of the streamer’s most popular originals. Over the last couple of years, there has been a resurgence in bringing gaming titles to television, and this is the latest example.

Insidus Games:
- Powerpuff Girls Snowboarding
- Baby Felix Halloween
- Looney Tunes Monster Match
- Thor: The Dark World

Roblox TV series is coming to Kartoon Channel

Aimed at tweens, Kidaverse Roblox Rumble (10 eps between eight and 15 minutes long) will follow a group of contestants ages eight to 12 as they compete for a grand prize of US$1,000.

The kids must avoid getting eliminated in each round by winning a variety of physical games, including everything from an arctic obstacle course, to a dune buggy race. GBI will also turn these offline challenges into Roblox games.

Former NFL star Rashad Jennings (pictured) will host the series, which should launch on GBI’s Kartoon Channel! later this year. Jennings is an avid gamer himself, and the author of The Coin Slot Chronicles, a kids book series published by Zonderkidz. 

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

Velma is receiving criticism from several Scooby-Doo fans

HBO Max’s latest adult-oriented animation Velma will be premiering on Jan. 12 and fans of the Mystery Inc. Gang have been anticipating the Scooby Doo gang origin story (minus the mystery-solving dog). The show is executive produced by Mindy Kaling of The Office and The Mindy Project fame and the star will voice the near-sighted main character as she forms relationships with the rest of the Scooby crew. As the show’s premiere date draws closer, Velma‘s plot synopsis is making the rounds on social media and even the most diehard Scooby fans are not impressed.

A tweet by @LightsCameraPod shared the synopsis, describing it as “certainly something.” Twitter users evidently agreed and quickly began roasting the synopsis which reads as follows:

“At Crystal Cove High School, Daphne (Constance Wu) is a popular mean girl orphan who deals drugs because of a dark family secret. Her boyfriend Fred (Glenn Howerton) personifies mediocre white richness. His mansion holds a dark secret — and he has teeny widdle privates, a subject of much conversation. “Shaggy” has become Norville (Sam Richardson), a school-newspaper striver friendzoned by his beloved Velma. He worries he’s a beta male; remember that lame humor concept from 20 years ago?”

Roundups #127: The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy & Raj Coming Soon To Nickelodeon International, kykNET Lekker Added To More DStv Customers Alongside A Rerun Of Kind Van Die Noodlot And Between You And Me Becomes The First Zee One Original To Rollout In 2023

New Bollywood series coming soon to Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon International teamed up with Nickelodeon India, a part of Viacom18 that is a joint venture between Paramount Global (formally ViacomCBS) and Network18, to co-produce The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj. The new series marks the first collaboration between the top kids’ entertainment brand and the leading Indian kids’ category brand from India’s fastest growing entertainment network.

The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj was commissioned in September 2020, with animation and storyboards for the new 20 x 30-minute 2D animated series being developed in India, scripting in the U.S. and U.K., and casting being initiated in the U.S.

With a mysterious time-altering app at their fingertips, Twisted Timeline of Sammy and Raj follows the reality-bending adventures of a pair of cousin-brothers, as they pause, rewind, fast-forward and slow-motion their way into a whole host of rowdy laugh-out-loud exploits.

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

DStv Access customers can now have access to the Turkish antics

Last month, MultiChoice gave several DStv customers above Access including Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium customers access to kykNET Lekker with no exact details as to why that is so as they were trying to block out repeats which includes this channel.

As some consumers on Access aren't aware, eExtra's Kuiertyd recieved its first rival last year as kykNET's sister channel kykNET & Kie welcomed In Die Ysterhand Se Greep with consumers having access to Kind Van Die Noodlot.

Consisting of 148 episodes, Kind Van Die Noodlot follows Defne and Kahraman Yorukman a wealthy and childless couple whose family rejects them and this drives Defne to find an alternative way to give her husband an heir: She decides to hire a surrogate mother to give birth to a child for them.

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

Between You And Me coming soon to Zee One

Zee One a Bollywood entertainment channel which is meant to serve as the more freemium tier to the pay-tv brand Zee World is set to introduce another exclusive series titled Between You And Me (Meri Hanikarak Biwi).

This show revolves around the life of two completely different individuals, Akilesh Pandey and Iravati aka Ira Desai. Aksilesh is a village simpleton and an ardent follower of Bajrang Bali. He is illiterate, but a great wrestler, while Ira is an aspiring medical student. Destiny had meant these two individuals to meet and unite.

The Hindi drama series aired between 2017 to 2019 on &TV starring Karan Suchak and Jiya Shankar and is expected to air on Zee One from 3 January at 7pm.

Evil: Curse Of The Sands was abruptly scrapped although they had 30 episodes remaining.

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

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

Game Of Thrones spinoff hits more bumps on the road

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

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

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

The disrespect of Nickelodeon

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

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

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

For those who want to see the post:

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

New Phillipine series coming soon to St Novelas Plus

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

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

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

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

Roundups #125: Avatar To Return With New Animated Series On Nickelodeon, Eternal Love Rebroadcast Coming Soon To Star Life And SABC Plans To Launch Indigenous News Channel In 2023

Third Avatar instalment in the works at Paramount

Get ready to show off your element-bending skills as Paramount+ is brewing a new Avatar animated series. The show is slated for a 2025 release and will feature an ‘earth Avatar’ after Aang and Korra. There is also a report that an animated movie will arrive in theaters after the series comes out and will have the same Avatar as the show.

Avatar Studios is building its own universe now, and with many projects booked and planned ahead, there is going to be no shortage of Avatar content for fans. An adult Aang movie is reportedly coming to theaters on October 10, 2025, as well as the much-anticipated on-demand series. Both will be released in the same year – a major launch for the studio.

The movie will be Avatar Studios’ first-ever project, hence this implies that it will come before the animated series, followed by the animated movie. Fans should also not forget that there is a live-action young Aang series coming in 2023.

Regular Nick:
- CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

Eternal Love is back by popular demand on Star Life

Eternal Love revolves around the lives of Dr. Rohit Sippy and Sonakshi Rastogi, two completely different individuals belonging to completely different worlds unaware of the fact that their worlds, though poles apart, are meant to collide.

It is an Indian romantic drama television series that aired from 17 June 2019 to 14 March 2020 on StarPlus. Produced by Sandiip Sikcand under SOL Productions, it starred Karan Grover and Dipika Kakar as lead actors.

The series aired on the channel in 2021 and makes a comeback as part of The Best Of Star Life from January 9 replacing Forbidden Love.

Everyday Novelas:
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
- Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World

Second SABC News channel reportedly in development

SABC News has been exclusive to DTT and MultiChoice's DStv platform giving viewers insights on what's happening in South Africa and across the world. Despite having a bit of rivalry with eNCA remains as another valuable brand to the market.

As seen within their bulletins, it was revealed that the public broadcaster wants to launch its 7th TV channel by next year probably before March which serves as an expansion to the current SABC News Channel offering multilingual content and a possible replacement to SABC Parliament.

Of course, the public broadcaster fails to mention where they'll get the necessary funds to go on such a venture. My guess is the channel will serve as one of the upcoming channels for Openview (Openview Ultra, grain of salt) and DStv.

My guess seeing as this channel may not be tied down like the SABC News Channel is that it will be crawling with repeats from SABC 1-3 possibly dubbed and offer primetime news for about 2 hours.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

Roundups #124: Cartoon Network Unveils New Look Amidst 30th Anniversary, Nurses Returns For Third And Possibly Fourth Season On Telemundo Africa And Jackie Chan Confirms Development Of Rush Hour 4

Cartoon Network gets yet another wardrobe change

Cartoon Network explained their big brand refresh this week. As more eyeballs hit the channel as a result of the larger Warner Bros. Discovery restructuring, the company has to forge a new path ahead. Senior Vice President of creative and design for Cartoon Network, Jacob Escobedo spoke to AdWeek's Mollie Cahillane about the changes. Traditionally, the channel has employed a CMYK color palette, but things are broadening out with this new refresh. In the comments, the sap took aim at those rumors of Cartoon Network's demise and singled out the new direction for the different programming blocks. Warner Bros. Discovery is targeting a wider family audience and girls with some of these decisions. It will be interesting to see how that proceeds. Check out some of the comments down below.

"We decided to peel back all the layers of our branding," Escobedo said. "We were up against a lot of strange press saying Cartoon Network was dying or that it was dead. With this new packaging and the content that we're rolling out in 2023, it shows that we're very much alive and that we're a vibrant, fun brand that has a lot going on."

While trying to expand all our content, it brings new challenges," Escobedo said. "How does Harry Potter fit with Teen Titans? How does this content live together? This split-screen was a fun device for us to mess around with… We're going after a wider audience. We're going after girls, we're going after family, a much broader fanbase."

"We wanted the palette to just feel inclusive," Escobedo said. "Signifying inclusivity."

Regular Nick:
- CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- January on Disney Channel
- January on Da Vinci Kids

Nurses returning for season 3 immediately after season 2 on Telemundo Africa

Throughout the year, María Clara has been incharge of managing the main plot for Nurses which includes a complicated love story, a failed marriage, raising her two children, and falling in love again--with a younger man. Not to mention her vital work.

As reported a while back the channel acquired rights to the third scheduled for February 13th and quite frankly a fourth season to Nurses. Although, the initial one in Colombia consists solely of three seasons. Various other distributors opted to portion the episodes within seasons.

The season finale of Nurses will be broadcast on January 29 and from what I can recall My Perfect Family will also be ending within the month. The channel hasn't found a replacement yet but will announce close to the time what's happening with the schedule.

Everyday Novelas:
- Prediction: What to expect on Star Life by next year?
- Meet In Love returning for season 2 on Zee World
- Televisa's Fall Into Temptation rolls out in Nigeria
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?

Rush Hour 4 has been greenlit

Jackie Chan revealed he is in talks for a “Rush Hour 4.”

The legendary martial arts star made the announcement at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he spoke about his upcoming projects and 60-year film career in front of a a crowd of adoring fans who regularly interrupted the talks to shout out questions, congratulate him on his honorary Oscar and ask him to sing. (He was happy to oblige with a quick burst of “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,” explaining that he learned to sing so that he’d be able to do something for his fans that wouldn’t involve fight moves.)

What has become “the Jackie Chan style” is marked by its combination of action and comedy. He said, “You cannot create any more action because, what? Punching? Kicking? Those kinds of things… boring. So this is why I slowly use comedy with action and all the props around me, and after I cannot use any more, then I do dangerous stunts. High jumps. Believe it or not, this year is my 60th year in the film industry.”

Chan speaks with extraordinary enthusiasm and affability. He’s the king of the humblebrag: detailing how he dominated cinema in Hong Kong, then Japan and finally Hollywood with “Rush Hour,” which, pairing him with Chris Tucker, finally allowed him to use his own frenetic style. He originally thought the movie would flop, but, “I got a phone call. Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker call me from New York. They’re crazy. We were $70 million in the first weekend. For me, I don’t know how to count.” But he adds to cheers: “We’re talking about ‘Rush Hour 4’ right now.”

Roundups #123: DreamWorks To Rollout New Local Production Inspiration Station, The Kelly Clarkson Show To Make It's Free-To-Air Debut On SABC 3 And Till Jail Do Us Apart Still Not Accessible In The African Market

DreamWorks investing in its first local production for the market

INSPIRATION STATION
Bringing local youth talent to the screen​.
Opportunity for children to connect more deeply with DreamWorks on DSTV​.

Aimed at kids ages six to 12, the series (six x 22 minutes) is hosted by two boys, Tanaka and Aaron, who discuss topical issues with other children from Johannesburg and Cape Town. The hosts will also explore the stories behind award-winning DreamWorks Animation series and films. Inspiration Station Africa will premiere from 13 January 2023, with a new episode airing weekly on the Universal+ SVOD in Latin America and on the DreamWorks channel available via African broadcaster DStv.

Broadcast: Friday 13th of January 2023 to Sunday 19th of February
Times: Fridays at 5.05pm, Saturdays at 8.35am, 4.35pm, Sunday at 9.05am, 7.35pm

Regular Nick:
- CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- January on Disney Channel
- January on Da Vinci Kids

Kelly Clarkson is coming to S3

A few years ago, the public broadcaster cancelled The Real Talk With Anele since then S3 has been funneling the schedule with rebroadcasts. As seen in their showcase, the SABC transitioned to video entertainment and is looking to reinventing their offering.

As such the team acquired the talk show The Kelly Clarkson Show where the singer brings her gift of connection to a fun and funny hour each weekday, offering heartwarming stories, live musical performances, games and surprises.

M-Net acquired the show when it broadcast in 2018 and offered an open window to other consumers but didn't bother to give consumers a chance to view the Emmy Award winner now leaving consumers to flee to SABC 3 by January 2023.

DStv Flex:
- What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
- What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
- What to expect this January on Qwest TV?
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- What to expect this January on TNT?

Kate Del Castillo stars in this female led drama

Ángela, Viri, Esme and Sofía hate each other. When their husbands wind up in jail for stealing millions from the biggest drug lord in Miami, the foursome ends up on the street at his mercy. As they adapt to their new lives, the wives must work together to survive.

The show is currently streaming on NBCUniversal's Peacock which still hasn't been made available in South Africa and the rest of Africa but the DStv friendly version of the service Universal+ launched a while back.

As seen with Paramount+ and HBO Max, several content have been made for available for linear viewing and questions amount to how Till Jail Do Us Apart would rollout on a brand like Telemundo or pass down to Universal since it's more short form.

Everyday Novelas:
- Televisa's Fall Into Temptation rolls out in Nigeria
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
- Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
- Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv

Roundups #122: CBeebies Picks Up Second Season To Tish And Tash, Soete Wraak Eyeing An Early 2023 Debut On eExtra And AIT Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Televisa's Falling Into Temptations

CBeebies renews this preschool series for another season

London-based distributor CAKE brokered the presale deal for co-producers Studio Gale (South Korea), August Media Holdings (Singapore) and Karrot Entertainment (UK). CBeebies is in for an additional 52 x five minutes of the series, bringing its total episode count up to 104.

Aimed at three-to five-year-olds, Tish Tash revolves around the adventures of a young bear, her imaginary friend and her family as they turn everyday experiences—like boring car rides and cheering up a baby—into fun problem-solving moments.

Tish Tash premiered on South Korean pubcaster EBS in 2020. CAKE picked up worldwide distribution rights in fall 2020 and sold season one to both CBeebies and ABC Australia.

Regular Nick:
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- January on Disney Channel
- January on Disney Junior
- January on Da Vinci Kids

A brand new romcom is making its way to eExtra's Kuiertyd

eVOD is streaming services operated by eMedia Investments which is home to various current and upcoming local alongside international productions. As seen through various, Soete Wraak (Tatlı İntikam) will be making to eExtra by early 2023 possibly to replace Verdeelde Liefde.

Soete Wraak follows the story of two people who were together in college. Sinan has fallen in love with Pelin but he rejected his feelings and insulted her in front of all. They two meet each other again after many years and Pelin asks Sinan for help to change her fate and the situation brings them together. Pelin and Sinan both are in love, but faces many consequences.

Leyla Lydia Tuğutlu and Furkan Andıç take on the leading roles with the assistances of other actors such as İlker Kızmaz, Zeyno Günenç, Kerem Atabeyoğlu, Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu and Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu.

eExtra Updates:
- Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
- Charlize Theron faces backlash over the Afrikaans language
- eExtra alongside the 3 other channels to go dark on the DStv platform
- Vierspel Vuurspel getting a Romanian adaptation
- kykNET Vs. eExtra: MultiChoice purposed attempt at replacing Kuiertyd

TLNovelas is still lagging behind

TLNovelas launched in the African market by mid 2020 and since then the channel has been far behind with Las Estrellas and TLNovelas in Mexico alongside various African broadcasters in uploading fresh content so Nigerian broadcaster scoops up rights to Falling Into Temptation (Caer En Tentación).

Raquel and Damián are happily married with two children. Destiny leads Damián to meet Carolina and feels an undeniable attraction towards her. Until a fatal accident leads one to disappear on the scene. During the investigation by the police, their spouses learn that their spouses are lovers.

Silvia Navarro stars as Raquel, Carlos Ferro stars as Santiago, José Manuel Rincón stars as Nicholas, Gabriel Soto stars as Damián and Adriana Louvier stars as Adriana Louvier.

Everyday Novelas:
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
- Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World
- Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
- Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv