News Shorts: People's Weather Loads Up On New Documentary Guardians Of The Forest, Divya-Drishti Gets A New Release Date On Star Life And Warner Bros. Discovery Scraps Tooncast And TCM From Brazil By The End Of 2023

People's Weather is travelling to Zambia

People's Weather, an environmental and wildlife channel currently viewed on DStv and Openview had announced the launch of a new documentary Guardian Of The Forest from Tuesday 5 December.

Explore how the magnificent Luangwa Valley in Zambia is working to protect its forests, biodiversity and livelihoods. With investable carbon offsets, the Luangwa Valley is making Africa shine by helping save the planet by reducing emissions through the proper management of forests, surrounding communities and their interaction with nature. 

Star Life is giving the run-around

During the month, Star Life was initially slated to launch the supernatural drama Divya Drishti but to many viewers surprise the current rebroadcast to A Magical Love Story would take up its timeslot daily at 23:00 with repeats still at 17:00.

Through an updated EPG, Divya Drishti is anticipated to replace Mismatched at 22:00 from Sunday 24 December - exactly as I anticipated. Of course, we take "premiere dates" on both Zee World and Star Life with a grain of salt and rather focus on the program in general.

Sky boots two WB channels

Through a viewer in Brazil, it was announced TCM and Tooncast would be exiting Sky on 31 December 2023. It's currently unknown whether this affects Latin America but prior to the termination consumers across Europe would be losing Discovery Turbo Xtra and Discovery Science.

Tooncast was a Latin American adaptation to the current Boomerang and Boing channels seen globally as the channel would leverage content viewed on Cartoon Network while TCM was viewed as a retro movie channel home to films from the 60s to 00s.

Before TCM's exit in Brazil the channel was shuttered across the UK and if one had to guess the reason for these terminations. Warner Bros. Discovery is probably removing non-performing channels as they've seen a decline in relevance from advertisers and viewers.

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

Mindset bites the dust

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

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

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

Liberty Learn is available on DStv, StarSat and Openview.

Teleyawnder is back for more Decisions

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

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

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

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

TCM is getting dismantled

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

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

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

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

Cord Cutting: Several Channels Missing From The Merger Between WarnerMedia And Discovery Inc.

Warner Bros. Discovery is scheduled to launch by mid 2022 which will see Discovery Inc. (29%) and WarnerMedia (71%) merge into one unit therefore strengthening the bond of Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet from Discovery Inc. with HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim from WarnerMedia.

As the merger reaches its final stages, both brands have made available cutbacks within the last year such as the retraction of Great American Country, spinning off CNN and possibly phasing out the TNT brand across Europe.

Recently, The CW which is home to Charmed, Walker, The Flash, Riverdale and Batgirl had been put up for auction on WarnerMedia's side while Hasbro is trying to piece out their agreement with Discovery Inc. for Discovery Family as both are deemed liabilities.

Also read: 
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- Cartoonito launches on Boomerang across Europe possibly as a trial run before scrapping the channel
- MultiChoice might launch an eLearning channel
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- Racing240 coming soon to MultiChoice Africa
- BBC Kids launches in the United States, could Africa be next?

During the course of 2021 amidst the news of Warner Bros. Discovery, a list of brands owned by both parties have surfaced the net and notice how all brands affected by this merge haven't been listed alongside several other brands particularly Travel Channel, TCM and Boomerang.

TCM has been phased out in most markets and Boomerang is currently on autopilot as Cartoonito launches across Europe. Despite not having much on their plate, these two are beloved have been considered fan favorites.

These two would make suitable tiles on HBO Max to help promote content from the past millenium.

For over a decade, Travel Channel has been viewed as the black sheep long before it was acquired by Discovery Inc. alongside Food Network in 2018. The channel is currently going through an identity crisis and a decline across Europe.

Also read:
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- The last FOX Life available in the United States closes down in March
- National Geographic ending in the UK and several other markets
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- Could Nicktoons be discontinued in Africa and likely the rest of the world?
- February on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

Discovery Inc. will form 21% of Warner Bros. Discovery so the question boils down to whether their current portfolio can make up that percentage and whether more cuts are underway perhaps for brands like Cooking Channel and the same can go to WarnerMedia for any of their brands.

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).

TNT Africa Is Here! Iconic TCM - Powered By Movies Makes Bold Statement With A Fresh Rebrand This September!

Lights, camera, action! TV screens all over Africa will never be the same again as Turner ushers in a new era. African audiences can prepare themselves to re-imagine TV through TNT, a young, fresh and entertainment-filled offering for the entire family.

On 21 September, TNT Africa will reveal its slick new look which promises to be an immersive experience, providing creative and relevant programming specially tailored for African fans.  TNT Africa is the culmination of TCM’s move to refresh its brand image and adapt its brand positioning; the channel moved away from its former global positioning in favour of a more bold and appealing positioning of the ‘American blockbuster channel’.

“The TCM brand has had a strong classic association which doesn’t reflect the actual brand proposition, or deliver the right message, to our African audiences. Even though we have listened to our viewers and worked hard towards modernizing the image of the channel, there was still a strong association of the TCM brand to ‘classic Hollywood silver screen productions’,” says Guillermo Farré, Head of General Entertainment for Turner in Southern Europe & Africa. “We therefore decided to switch TCM to TNT to fully reflect the new brand identity and perspective in line with our American blockbuster programming strategy.”
TNT is one of the best performing, and well-known, general entertainment brands in the world, being one of the top TV brands in the US, Latin America, Asia and Europe. In South Africa, TNT Africa will inherit TCM’s audience of 6 753 545* viewers every month, consisting of a slightly male skew and a growing number of viewers in the 25-49 age range, particularly amongst black Africans.

As the 21st of September, TNT will unleash an action driven, pulse raising slate, mixed with romantic gems and hilarious comedy aimed to keep its African audiences glued to their screens! To kick off the rebrand, TNT has an exciting line-up of never before seen titles to be screened from 21 – 23 September including: The Illusionist, The Green Mile, Crank, Robin Hood, Hellboy 2, Doom, Tango and Clash and Gladiator.

Robocop Is Invading TCM Africa In February 2017 With More Memorable Stunts And Movies

ROBOCOP MEGA MARATHON
Every Saturday at 20:00. Afternoon marathon on the 25th It is 30 years on since a fatally wounded cop blasted onto the silverscreen as a powerful cyborg in crime-ridden Detroit. To mark the anniversary of the premiere of the first Robocop film in 1987, TCM is premiering all three of the franchise’s movies across Saturday evenings. And, don’t miss the action-packed ‘mega Robocop marathon’ of all three films playing back to back on 25 February on the DStv channel ‘powered by movies’.

4th of February:
20:00 – Robocop (1987) – channel premiere
By Paul Verhoeven, with Peter Weller & Nancy Allen

11th of February:
20:00 - Robocop 2 (1990) – channel premiere
By Irvin Kershner, with Peter Weller & Belinda Bauer

18th of February:
20:00 - Robocop 3 (1993) – channel premiere
By Fred Dekker, with Nancy Allen & Robert John Burke

25th of February:
20:00 - Robocop (1987)
By Paul Verhoeven, with Peter Weller & Nancy Allen
21:45 - Robocop 2 (1990)
By Irvin Kershner, with Peter Weller & Belinda Bauer
23:50 Robocop 3 (1993)
By Fred Dekker, with Nancy Allen & Robert John Burke

OSCARS SPECIAL
Every Sunday at 20:00 - double feature. On Oscars Sunday, 26 February, enjoy an all-day marathon On 26 February, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will celebrate the 89thAcademy Awards ceremony. TCM joins in all the excitement, glamour and golden statues that is the Oscars, with a month of Oscar-winning double features screening every Sunday evening – from classics such as Cleopatra, The Sound of Music and E.T. The Extra Terrestrail – to more recent winners including Shakespeare in Love, Ray and Inglorious Basterds. Get comfy on the couch on Oscars Sunday for a full-day affair with all your favourite Oscar-winning movies.

Sunday 5th of February:
18:10 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
By George Roy Hill, with Paul Newman & Robert Redford
20:00 - Ray (2004)
By Taylor Hackford, with Jamie Foxx & Regina King

Sunday 12th of February:
17:20- Out of Africa (1985)
By Sydney Pollack with Meryl Streep & Robert Redford
20:00 - Inglorious Basterds (2009)
By Quentin Tarantino, with Brad Pitt & Diane Kruger

Sunday 19th of February:
18:05 - E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
By Steven Spielberg, with Henry Thomas & Drew Barrymore
20:00 - Shakespeare in love (1998)By John Madden, with Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes

Sunday 26th of February:
02:10 - The Sound of Music (1965)
By Robert Wise, with Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer
05:00 - Cleopatra (1963)
By Joseph L. Mankiewicz, with Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton
08:55 - E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
By Steven Spielberg, with Henry Thomas & Drew Barrymore
10:50 - Full Monty (1997)
By Peter Cattaneon, with Robert Carlyle & Mark Addy
12:20 - Ray (2004)
By Taylor Hackford, with Jamie Foxx & Regina King
14:50 - Inglorious Basterds (2009)
By Quentin Tarantino, with Brad Pitt & Diane Kruger
17:20 - Out of Africa (1985)
By Sydney Pollack with Meryl Streep & Robert Redford
20:00 - Born on the Fourth of July (1998)
By Oliver Stone, with Tom Cruise & Raymond J. Barry
22:20 Shakespeare in love (1998)
By John Madden, with Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes
00:20 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
By George Roy Hill, with Paul Newman & Robert Redford

THE WONDERFUL YEARS
Every Monday at 20:00 Remember the good ol’ days? Those back-to-school days spent hanging out with the gang in the school corridors… and not a care in the world? During February, TCM is revisiting those halcyon school days with a selection of movies from the 80s and 90s, from high school rebels to dancer wannabes, to revive those memories for the most nostalgic of viewers – and gives a whole new meaning to “Monday School Blues’!

Monday 06 February:
20:00 - Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
By Amy Heckerling, with Sean Penn & Jennifer Jason Leigh

Monday 13 February:
20:00 - The Breakfast Club (1985)
By John Hughes, with Emilio Estevez & Molly Ringwald

Monday 20 February:
20:00 - Kindergarten Cop (1990)
By Ivan Reitman, with Arnold Schwarznegger & Penelope Ann Miller

Monday 27 February:20:00 – Fame (1980)
By Christopher Gore, with Debbie Allen & Carlo Imperato

SIDNEY POITIER: THE PIONEER
Every Sunday at 20th February 20 is an extra-special day for movie lovers: it is the day Sir Sidney Poitier celebrates his 90th birthday. In honour of this much-loved movie star, who became the first actor of colour to scoop a Best Actor Oscar for his role in Lilies of the Field in 1964, TCM is screening three iconic movies that feature this twice-Oscar winner in the lead role, on Friday evenings – or, why not indulge in a three-Poitier movie marathon on 24 February.

3rd of February:
20:00 - A piece of the action (1977)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby

10th of February:
20:00 - Let’s do it again (1975)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby

17th of February:
20:00 - Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby

24th of February:
16:25 - Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby
18:10 - Let’s Do it Again (1975)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby
20:00 - A piece of the Action (1977)
By Sidney Poitier, with Sidney Poitier & Bill Cosby

TCM Celebrates Leonardo DiCaprio's Birthday And Whoopi Goldberg In November 2016

SWEET REVENGE
These month will be full of vengeance stories and revengeful characters. Some motivated by love, others by anger, TCM brings a selection of five modern movies about the universal human feeling of rancor, and the measures taken to get rid of it.

Every Saturday at 20:00
5th of November:
-Max Payne (2008)
12th of November:
-Inglourious Basterds (2009)
19th of November:
-Sleepers (1996)
26th of November:
-Hannibal (2001)

GO WHOOPI GO!
TCM celebrates the 61st birthday of the American actress Whoopi Goldberg making a selection of four movies that will be on our channel every Sunday night, from hilarious comedies to tear-jerking dramas.

Every Sunday at 20:00. On Sunday 30th, afternoon marathon.

6nd of November:
-20:00 - Rat Race (2001)
13th of November:
-20:00 - Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986)
20th of November:
-20:00 - Homer and Eddie (1989)
27rd of November:
-Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986)
-Homer and Eddie (1989)
-Rat Race (2001)
-20:00 - The Color Purple (1985)

‘TILL MADNESS TEARS US APART
These four stories have something in common: madness. From a patient on a mental institution to an alien from another planet, all these characters will turn TCM upside down during the month of November.

Every Thursday at 20:00

3rd of November:
-20:00 - One Flew Over The Cukoo’s Nest (1975)
10th of November:
-20:00 - The Soloist (2009)
17th of November:
-20:00 - K-Pax (2001)
24th of November:
-20:00 - Me, Myself & Irene (1999)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEO
Our favorite Hollywood actor blows 42 candles on Friday 11th of November. TCM celebrates this anniversary by airing two of his best movies: The Beach and Blood Diamond.

On November 11th, double feature
November 11th:
-The Beach (1999)
-Blood Diamond (2006)

This August The Woman Are In Charge With Blockbuster Movies Every Tuesday Night At 20:00 On TCM Africa Not Only That TCM Is Celebrating Robert De Niro On 17 August With Movie Tributes For The Star

SATURDAY NIGHT BLOCKBUSTERS!
Big Blockbusters every Saturday at 20:00
TCM is bringing you some of the biggest blockbuster titles to your TV screen every Saturday evening during August. With such box office successes as Hannibal and Inglourious Basterds, as well as the channel premiere of the movie Jarhead, we know where you and your mates will be spending your Saturday nights!

Saturday 06 August 20:00 - Hannibal (2001)
By Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore & Gary Oldman Saturday 13 August 20:00 - Alexander (2004)
By Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell & Angelina Jolie Saturday 20 August 20:00 - Inglourious Basterds (2009) By Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz & Melanie Laurent Saturday 27 August
20:00 - Jarhead (2006) - channel premiere By Anthony Swofford, Jake Gyllenhaal & Jamie Foxx

WOMEN IN CHARGE
Every Tuesday at 20:00. On Tuesday 9th, whole day marathon
It’s “When you strike a woman, you strike a rock…” – this sentiment is synonymous with the celebration of women across the country on 09 August, National Women’s Day. As we pay tribute to the struggle stalwarts of the past and praise the efforts of women from all walks of life in South Africa today, TCM joins in this celebration with the screening of five movies that feature strong and powerful women, every Tuesday evening during August. And, on Tuesday, 09 August, on Women’s Day, viewers will be treated to a special full-day movie marathon. 
Tuesday 02 August:  20:00 - The Interpreter (2005) By Syndey Pollack, Nicole Kidman & Sean Penn Tuesday 09 August: 12:50 - The Sound of Music (1965) By Robert Wise, Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer 15:45 - The Witches (1990) By Nicolas Roeg, Anjelica Huston & Mai Zetterling 17:20 - Out Of Africa (1985)
By Meryl Streep, Robert Redford & Klaus Maria Brandauer 20:00 - Gorillas in the Mist (1988) - channel premiere By Michael Apted, Sigourney Weaver & Bryan Brown 22:05 - The Interpreter (2005)
By Syndey Pollack, Nicole Kidman & Sean Penn Tuesday 16 August: 20:00 - The Witches (1990) By Nicolas Roeg, Anjelica Huston & Mai Zetterling, Tuesday 23 August: 20:00 - Out Of Africa (1985)
By Meryl Streep, Robert Redford & Klaus Maria Brandauer Tuesday 30 August: 20:00 - The Sound of Music (1965) By Robert Wise, Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer

SWEAT, GLORY & MOVIES: OLYMPICS SPECIAL
On Friday 05 August, enjoy a sports-focused movie marathon
The 2016 Summer Olympics begins on 05 August in Rio de Janeiro, where the best of the best from countries around the world gather to compete for gold, until the last race is run on 21 August. TCM goes sporty with the screening of five fast-paced and full-on action movies that celebrate the skills and competitiveness of world-class athletes, be it basketball, hockey or rugby to name a few. See if you have the strength and stamina to keep up with the full-day movie marathon airing on your favourite movie channel – let the games begin! 
Friday 05 August:
13:55 - The Great White Hope (1970) By Martin Ritt, James Earl Jones & Jane Alexander 15:40 - Million Dollar Baby (2005) By Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank & Morgan Freeman 17:50 - Invictus (2009)
By Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Matt Damon 20:00 - White Men Can’t Jump (1992) By Ron Shelton, Wesley Snipes & Woody Harrelson 21:55 - Slap Shot (1977)
By George Roy Hill, Paul Newman & Michale Ontkin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. DE NIRO!
Every Wednesday at 20:00; all-day movie marathon on Wednesday, 31 August

On Wednesday, 17 August, Mr. Robert De Niro, one of Hollywood’s most admired and loved actors, will blow out 73 candles on his birthday cake. TCM pays homage to this revered Oscarwinning movie star by dedicating every Wednesday of the month to celebrating his impact on the silver screen.
Wednesday 03 August: 20:00 - Casino (1995)
By Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro & Sharon Stone Wednesday 10 August : 20:00 - Sleepers (1996) By Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro & Brad Pitt Wednesday 17 August: 20:00 - A Bronx Tale (1993) By Robert de Niro, Chazz Palminteri & Lillo Brancato Jr. Wednesday 24 August: 20:00 - Midnight Run (1988) By Martin Brest, Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin Wednesday 31 August – all-day movie marathon: 13:30 - Midnight Run (1988) By Martin Brest, Robert De Niro & Charles Grodin 15:35 - Sleepers (1996) By Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro & Brad Pitt 18:00 - A Bronx Tale (1993) By Robert de Niro, Chazz Palminteri & Lillo Brancato Jr. 20:00 – Casino (1995)
By Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro & Sharon Stone

There is enough fun, blockbuster titles and non-stop action on TCM to keep the heat up the whole month long. With movies to suit every taste, the only place you need to be this winter is curled up on the couch with your DStv locked on Channel 137. TCM – Powered by Movies.

Movie Premieres On TCM During April 2016

FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCKBUSTERS
Every Friday @ 20:00
Don’t miss the fantastic blockbuster titles TCM has lined up every Friday night of the month. Big screen successes take over the TCM screen, with the premieres of sparkling movie gems such as Blood Diamond and Public Enemies. Travel across continents from England to Australia where sophisticated, fancy city ways meet plainspoken cowboy gibberish, where cattle driving becomes a mission, cultures clash and in the middle of it all – a half Aboriginal boy. Drama continues in a multiple-personality film filled with heart-felt drama and flashy action taken to the brim with explosions. In the middle of it all, Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou on a quest to find the blood diamond.

Friday 01 April:
20:00 Australia (2006) – channel premiere
By Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman
Friday 08 April:
20:00 Public Enemies (2009) - channel premiere
By Michael Mann, Johnny Depp & Christian Bale
Friday 15 April:
20:00 Volcano (1997) - channel premiere
By Mick Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones & Anne Heche
Friday 22 April:
20:00 Blood Diamond (2006) - channel premiere
By Leonardo Dicaprio, Jennifer Connelly & Djimon Hounsou
Friday 29 April:
20:00 – Always (1989) - channel premiere
By Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter & John Goodman

FREEDOM DAY
Wednesday, 27 April @ 20:00
On 27 April, TCM joins South Africans across the country as they celebrate Freedom Day and commemorate the first post-apartheid elections held on this day in 1994. With a show reel of big blockbuster movies planned from morning to night, and with something for everyone to enjoy, this is the perfect day for you, your family and your friends to get comfortable in front of the TV. TCM has lined up the perfect movie to celebrate Freedom Day, with the screening of Hollywood’s iconic movie focusing on South Africa’s freedom: Invictus. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman in the role of President Nelson Mandela, Invictus will be airing at 20:00.

Wednesday 27 April:
The Boston Strangler (1968) - channel premiere
By Richard Fleischer, Tony Curtis & Henry Fonda
The Wiz (1978) - channel premiere
By Sidney Lumet, Michael Jackson & Diana Ross,
Blue Collar (1978) - channel premiere
By Paul Schrader, Richard Pryor & Harvey Keitel,
Big (1988)
By Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks & Elizabeth Perkins
Beetlejuice (1988)
By Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin & Geena Davis
Ladyhawke (1985) – channel premiere
By Richard Donner, Matthew Broderick & Rutger Hauer
Bachelor Party (1984)
By Neal Israel, Tom Hanks & Tawny Kitaen
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
By John Carpenter, Kurt Russell & Kim Cattrall
20:00 – Invictus (2009)
By Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Matt Damo
Hard Target (1993) - channel premiere
By John Woo, Jean-Claude Van Damme & Lance Henriksen 

ALIENATED
Every Saturday @20:00.
If you are still not convinced about the existence of aliens, make sure you are tuned into the TCM channel every Saturday evening during April. Many of these strange creatures have visited our planet via the cinema screen – now TCM is bringing them into your homes! Catch five of the best action-packed and adventure-filled alien movies from Hollywood… but, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Saturday 02 April:
20:00 The Abyss (1989) – channel premiere
By James Cameron, Ed Harris & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Saturday 09 April:
20:00 The Andromeda Strain (1971)
By Robert Wise, James Olson & Arthur Hill
Saturday 16 April:
20:00 Cocoon (1985)
By Ron Howard, Don Ameche & Wilford Brimley
Saturday 23 April:
20:00 Flight of the Navigator (1986)
By Randal Kleiser, Joey Cramer & Paul Reubens
Saturday 30 April:
20:00 The Thing (1982) – channel premiere
By Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley & Keith David

HITCHCOCK THRILLER NIGHTS
Every Monday at 20:00. Last Monday, 25 April: a Hitchcock double feature
On 29 April, the world of cinema pays homage to one of the most iconic movie directors of all time. With more than 50 movies under his director’s belt, Alfred Hitchcock remains the most recognisable British movie director, and one of the most important filmmakers in history, having greatly influenced the works of other film giants such as Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Dubbed ‘the master of suspense’ for his use of innovative film techniques in his thrillers, TCM will have you on the edge of your seat every Monday evening, with the screening of five of Hitchcock’s best.
Monday 04 April:
20:00 - Topaz (1969)
By Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin & John Vernon
Monday 11 April:
20:00 - Torn Curtain (1966)
By Paul Newman, Julie Andrews & Lila Kedrova
Monday 18 April:
20:00 - Marnie (1964)
By Alfred Hitchcock, Tippi Hedren & Sean Connery
Monday 25 April:
18:15 Frenzy (1972)
By Alfred Hitchcock, Jon Finch & Barry Foster
20:00: The Birds (1966)
By Alfred Hitchcock, Rod Taylor & Tippi Hedren


A memorable April: With trips all around the world from Europe, along Africa and all the way to Australia, the month of April takes you everywhere. A pinch of Hitchcock, spacey aliens kicking up your Saturday evenings, freedom to celebrate and cows/diamonds to fight for. Get ready for a month full of action, drama and big, awesome movies hitting your screen - only on TCM, Channel 137 on DStv.