TelkomOne Vs. SABC+: Transition From International To Local Entertainment

Earlier today, TelkomOne without prior notice announced that they'll be unavailable for the rest of the day and left a cryptic message to their subscribers while as SABC has gearing up for the rollout of their long awaited streaming service, SABC+.

Moments later, it was discovered that TelkomOne would be shutting down and that SABC will fill the gap that Telkom would leave several of their subscribers so here's an overview.

TelkomOne alongside SABC+ are both based in SA and managed by different parties. If anything, their parties formed an agreement where one would leverage from the other in exchange for money so in this case is it really shocking as this was bound to happen.

I mean MTN, Cell C and Vodacom all joined the streaming game and backed out so why not Telkom in this case.

TelkomOne featured a variety of international content particularly premium channels like Real Time, Toonami, Discovery Science and EWTN all of which are likely dead at this point following the acquisition by the public broadcaster.

From what sources stated about SABC+, it would be similar to BBC iPlayer in the UK so basically another DStv App which comes with SABC 1-3, Sport and Education alongside their 19 radio stations and archived material.

If you study the facts carefully, basically all the content TelkomOne picked up without a linear channel will be compensated with archived content while as the linear channels such as Discovery Science will be supplemented with SABC 1-3.

Considering how many linear channels they were at the time my guess would be that they'll add a few more channels to the lineup just not as much as that of TelkomOne.

While as TelkomOne offered Toonami and Boing with SABC+ the likelihood is that consumers will get SABC Education and the rumoured Tuluntulu channel, SABC Children while as The Home Channel and Discovery Science and France24 would be compensated with SABC Encore and SABC Sport.

SABC Children and Encore were rumoured for about a year and I'm not saying these are the channels but you find plenty of global streamers like Paramount+ use several of their existing shows and forming a digital channel within the platform to promote the content.

The idea of SABC doing such doesn't seem far fetched especially after what happened last year as they stated Openview's upcoming channels would be repeat channels which is what SABC+ is all about.

During the years, I assume the public broadcaster took some notes from MultiChoice's Showmax and eMedia Investments' eVOD and will include Fast Forward or simulcast broadcasts to some of their properties.

Over to whether SABC News will be seen on SABC+ that's a definite maybe should it be included it won't be available elsewhere unless it's a product of MultiChoice which gives the brand stability.

All in all, viewers have to tune in tomorrow to see what else SABC has in store.

But from what was implied about it several times it's just a reduction to TelkomOne so I'm assuming some consumers will opt to cancel while those viewing the free version will latch onto the platform for the time being either way I can see it ending in a positive and negative manner.

TelkomOne Rebranding Into SABC+

Telkom is exiting the streaming media business. The telecommunications operator has agreed to “hand over” its TelkomOne platform to the SABC, which will rename it SABC+.

The TelkomOne website has been taken down and replaced with this message: “Your TelkomOne entertainment service will be temporarily unavailable until Thursday, 17 November 2022… Watch this space for a new and exciting announcement.” Meanwhile, the website www.sabcplus.com has gone live.

“Telkom and the SABC have had a successful partnership since the launch of TelkomOne in late 2020. The platform has now matured and ready to scale under the management of the SABC’s broadcasting expertise,” Telkom said in a statement.

Telkom and the SABC have had a successful partnership since the launch of TelkomOne in late 2020.

“Their expertise in sourcing and curating relevant content will enrich the current content library for existing and new customers,” said Telkom chief marketing officer Gugu Mthembu in the statement.

The entire customer base will be shifted over the SABC.

“We will continue to evolve to our digital lifestyle provider ambition through our investments in areas such as content, fintech, gaming and IoT by partnering with strategic partners to deliver products and services that create a better life for our customers,” Mthembu said.

Telkom said existing TelkomOne Amp customers with active subscriptions will automatically have access to SABC+ at no additional cost. “They can also look forward to enhanced content offerings which they can subscribe to directly through SABC+.”

Background

Telkom and SABC launched TelkomOne is November 2020 to house the public broadcaster’s free-to-air radio and television channels on a streaming platform.

The deal, which had a five-year term, would “showcase South Africa’s most-watched TV programmes and most listened-to radio platforms, on one online platform”, the companies said at the time.

The SABC agreed to provide its content to Telkom on a non-exclusive basis. In exchange, the SABC would receive a carriage licence fee as well as a share in the advertising revenue generated on the TelkomOne platform.

Could The Rumoured SABC Encore Revival Be Scrapped As The Supposed SABC Children's Channel Enters Post Production?

SABC Encore is a defunct entertainment channel that was home to archived material mainly 80s and 90s shows by the public broadcaster that was once available on an exclusive basis alongside SABC News to MultiChoice's DStv and SABC's DTT platform.

Its been 2 years since the channel went off air and a year since rumours swirled around about the potential revival after the SABC had mentioned considering reviving the channel on another platform on top of that it's presence on Sentech which has since then been taken down.

As seen for the past year, SABC Encore was registered alongside SABC Children now updated excludes the channel as Children takes up the space once shared by the channel which raises concern for some readers.

Also seen in the past year was the SABC's mentions of an SABC Encore without any mention of MultiChoice. Of course, it's presence was often a temporary matter as it was used to beam memorials or catch-up on sports matches.

As seen earlier in the month, Openview consumers were alarmed to see SABC 1 branded as SABC Encore as this had happened frequently and of course eMedia Investments and the SABC remaining silent on the matter. Even TelkomOne at one point had an SABC Encore without using SABC 1.

Taking that to consideration I doubt SABC Encore is dead or at least from my perspective considering how sneaky they have been with referencing the channel so if anything the brand is going through somewhat of a phase that's beyond our understanding.

SABC Encore when first spotted was registered under its initial name SABC Entertainment which might as well be the future of the channel of course nothing is certain at this point in regard to the concepts of the channel.

It was never part of SABC's initial DTT offering but due to the load of followers it just led them with the idea of reviving the channels which too would be unveiled with SABC's untitled streaming service which would introduce further channels and programming.

The further channels will carry archived material so there's no reason to not believe it's Encore or something remotely close to it, SABC Entertainment but how do you go about adding "further programming" if the name boasts on repeats we'll see what happens.

If anything I'm expecting them to either make the channel cater to viewers of the 80s and 90s with fresh content that compliments their tastes or to just use the concept for their SABC 4 and 5 that were part of their failed DTT attempts which was just diving SABC 1-3 to cover more ground.

New Channel Alert (Rumour): SABC To Launch SABC Children As New Children's Channel On DTT As Brand Enters Post Production, Will Be Added Onto More Platforms Soon

SABC Children has been rumoured entertainment channel SABC in partnership with eMedia Investments failed to launch on the Openview platform in 2021 after the channel was spotted on Sentech and on DStv consumers MultiChoice had promised 3 SABC channels after eMedia's 4 channels went off-air at the time.

SABC Children is currently broadcasting a digital service on the Tuluntulu app and interesting to note SABC Education was once a digital exclusive on the platform before getting a linear service in 2020 which just builds onto the suspicion.

But the one thing that has seems credible at this point is Sentech. Initially, the channel was registered alongside SABC Encore without logos now SABC Children appears to have an official logo which is the exact same logo used on Tuluntulu and several media sites.

In some old documents about the channel, SABC Children is said to provide content segmented into defined age categories with an investment emphasis on early child development and preschool children basically a spinoff to SABC Education which also caters to 18-49 year olds.

From what was currently seen through old SABC Children media accounts. The channel is multilingual and unlike SABC Education there is a bunch of international content not sure if it will be included in this version of the channel but seeing as some are dubbed it's possible.

Now that SABC Children's existence seems more alive then ever questions amount to the existence of the second SABC entertainment channel likely SABC Encore. Is it launching at the same time as Children or do viewers have to wait a while before we can get any update and confirmation to any of this.

The launch of SABC Children coincides with the launch of their long awaited streaming service which is expected to bundle not only SABC 1-3, Sport and Education but further channels from the broadcaster which are expected to

YouTube Bans Russia Today (RT) And Several Other Channels From Generating Revenue As There's Calls Have It Removed From Across Africa On DStv, StarSat, StarTimes And TelkomOne

YouTube is blocking state-backed Russian media outlets from advertising and earning money on the platform. As Russian troops continue to invade Ukraine, YouTube told Reuters it’s “pausing a number of channels’ ability to monetize on YouTube, including several Russian channels affiliated with recent sanctions.”

YouTube spokesperson Farshad Shadloo told Reuters that YouTube will recommend Russian state-run media to users less often. Some of these channels — including RT — will also be restricted in Ukraine due to “a government request,” potentially in response to Ukraine digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call for YouTube to block Russian propaganda on the platform.

While YouTube says it’s barring RT from running ads, it remains unclear which other channels have also been temporarily demonetized. As Politico chief technology correspondent Mark Scott points out on Twitter, some state-backed channels still appear to have ads. The Verge asked YouTube for a list of affected channels but didn’t immediately hear back.

Also read: 
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- DreamWorks Channel will be added to MultiChoice's DStv
- SABC registered three channels: SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- Tellytrack will stop airing on DStv
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- Could Nicktoons be discontinued in Africa and likely the rest of the world?
- Multichoice won't be adding anymore community channels
- Kwara TV might launch on StarSat and DStv

The Meta-owned Facebook has already moved to pause ads from state-backed Russian media on its platform, while Twitter suspended all ads in both Ukraine and Russia to help ensure the visibility of public safety information. Russia has since restricted access to Facebook and Twitter. Although Russia hasn’t blocked YouTube just yet, it threatened to ban the platform entirely for deleting two RT channels in September.

RT has been banned in Germany and Poland later in the month as the UK is currently reviewing the channel while Africa is yet to take any legal action.

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SABC Finally Switch SABC 1-3 To HD On Openview, Still Silent Over The Two Upcoming Channels

Last year, eMedia Investments forged a deal with SABC which would see SABC 1-3 switch to HD and launch further channels to the platform within that year. At the time, SABC Sport alongside SABC's 19 radio stations have since then made available to the Openview platform.

They failed to launch the two further channels as well as switch the current ones to high definition but now that all changes as Openview announced through their social pages that SABC 1-3 will be available in crystal clear HD after waiting almost a year.

The channels have been viewable in this format on both MultiChoice's DStv and Telkom's streaming service TelkomOne with Openview joining pair as the only providers to not only house these channels in HD but also operate their 19 radio stations.

Seeing that SABC failed to launch their two entertainment channels to Openview in 2021. They'll likely provide an update later in the year perhaps even sooner than expected.

Also read:
- SABC 2 to air Indian series from Zee World
- Doodsondes S4 airs later in the year on eExtra
- New movie: Surviving Gaza coming soon to eVOD
- SABC registered three channels: SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore
- The Carmichael Show returns to e.tv
- eVOD offers the latest episodes of High Society: Scandal before eExtra
- eToonz needs these improvements

As mentioned on this site last year, SABC Encore and Children could be the two channels Openview customers have been longing for while SABC Parliament is a side dish probably for another platform.

These names were spotted on LyngSat I mean whatever is there isn't taken for granted and there's no way they could have thought of these names without any input from the SABC.

SABC Children and Parliament was part of the public broadcaster's DTT plans for 2012 which fell flat and Parliament was resubmitted 4 years ago while SABC had mentioned in an interview that they have considered reviving the controversial SABC Encore.

Reasons why these two could be for Openview and not Parliament, the two entertainment channels launching soon will house archived material and again perfect fit for those two possible entertainment channels.

Also read:
- Fatmagul returns to eExtra
- The complete season of eExtra's upcoming series Dayan, Destructive Beauty is on eVOD
- Possible schedule adjustments for Star Life
- What we might get from SABC's streaming service?
- Star Life to air Lockdown Ki Love Story
- More Zee World repeats for Zee One and eExtra
- More about eVOD's Microblast TV
- Indian horror Dayan, Destructive Beauty has a release date on eExtra

Unlike Parliament, SABC Children wasn't part of SABC's DTT plans for 2018 making it a liability so the only reason such channel would be conceived by them was if they'd get something out of it. SABC 3 despite being the least watched between the three SABC channels still brings in the dough.

Regardless, the two upcoming channels are launching on a nonexclusive basis meaning any other platform such as DStv and StarSat even TelkomOne can package part if not all these channels.

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New Channel Alert: FilmBox, FilmBox Arthouse, FashionBox, Gametoon, Fastbox & Fun, Docubox And 360 Tunebox Currently Streaming On TelkomOne

Following the launches of Toonami and Boing, TelkomOne continues to expand their offering with the additions of FilmBox, FilmBox Arthouse, FashionBox, Gametoon, Fastbox & Fun, Docubox And 360 Tunebox from SPI International and Canal+.

FilmBox is a basic tier film channel dedicated to a wide audience of movie fans. It offers more than 300 premiere titles every year, and features the best directors’ films, television series and miniseries, as well as high-budget television productions. It can also be on the StarSat platform.

FilmBox Art House features works from the world's most prominent directors, including Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Fellini and many others. In addition to classic movies viewers may enjoy films presented at the most important film festivals including Cannes, Toronto, Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Sundance, Karlovy Vary and Tokyo.

Also read: 
- StarTimes added W-Sport to their app
- MultiChoice might launch an eLearning channel
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- Xtreme Football League founded by WWE's Vince McMahon returns in 2023, could SuperSport get it?
- A Pan-African tourism channel is currently available in Europe
- WWE was almost sold to FOX Corporation
- Zee World becoming a Sony Channel could lead to a name change
- Discovery World revived for 6 seconds on DStv

FashionBox HD is your one-stop shop for all things style featuring inspirational, educational and always highly entertaining content on shopping, lifestyle and new fashion trends.

Gametoon features highlights of popular video games, entertainment content from gaming youtubers, video game tournaments (e-sports) with million dollar prize pools and much more.

Fastbox & Fun is for the adrenaline junkies featuring Car Racing, Motocross, Boating, Sailing, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Skydiving, BMX, FMX and more.

Docubox features an unforgettable collection of fascinating, award-winning documentaries and TV programming exploring the mysteries and beauty of our planet.

360 Tune Box is addressed to music lovers whose musical interests go beyond the mainstream array of popular artists who occupy the top lists on the existing music channels. The channel will play a large variety of music videos by the breakthrough and emerging artists from all over the world.

These channels are currently available under the AMP'D TV section of TelkomOne home to brands such as Discovery Science, The Home Channel and Real Time.

Also read:
- 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?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Possible terminations and additions on DStv

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New Channel Alert (Partially Rumors): TelkomOne Seemingly Add Two Kids Channels Toonami And Boing As Well As Movie Channel TNT While W-Sport Has Been Added Onto The StarTimes App + MultiChoice Might Be Launching An eLearning Channel

Following the ongoing removal of linear channels from cable as content shifts to streaming services. Cable providers have seen a decline in third party entertainment while streaming experiences continues to rise in terms of viewership and programming.

Also read:
- 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?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- As Africa await for their Disney Channels to close in 2024 Latin America starts with Star Life, National Geographic Wild, Disney XD and FX Movies
- Possible terminations and additions on DStv

In this case, Telkom's streaming service TelkomOne adds Toonami and Boing from WarnerMedia to their existing set of channels while StarTimes uploads W-Sport which is also available on TelkomOne to their app.

MultiChoice on the other hand continues their invest toward the local industry with several productions currently underway within the year including a possible eLearning channel from Royal Records.

Toonami is a superhero themed channel offering the best of DC superheroes including Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Teen Titans and Justice League alongside anime like Dragonball Super and Inazuma Eleven.

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Boing is a mashup of Cartoon Network and Boomerang offering programs formerly or currently seen on the channels including Courage The Cowardly Dog, Johnny Bravo, The Jungle Bunch, Angelo Rules and Teen Titans GO!.

W-Sport as the name implies showcases the very best in female sports whether you're football, basketball, house racing or tennis fan this brand is all about empowering woman.

Also read:
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- Xtreme Football League founded by WWE's Vince McMahon returns in 2023, could SuperSport get it?
- A Pan-African tourism channel is currently available in Europe
- WWE was almost sold to FOX Corporation
- Zee World becoming a Sony Channel could lead to a name change
- Discovery World revived for 6 seconds on DStv

The yet to be mentioned eLearning channel on DStv will broadcast 24 hours and include a mobile app to uplift the economic sector with a studio and presenters.

At the moment, W-Sport can be viewed on the StarTimes app and might be available elsewhere but this may not include viewers in South Africa as StarTimes there as a cheapo platform due to ODM's 35% stake in the brand. At this point, the brand needs channels and W-Sport is a neat addition to their portfolio.

Toonami and Boing were spotted on the AMP'D TV section of the app. From there you're directed to MyPlay where you see a variety of pay-tv channels and programming. Perhaps TelkomOne plans to expand to other markets and MyPlay is the distributor for now nothing is it's a mystery.

The supposed DStv channel is still rumoured for the time being.

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Telkom In Partnership With SABC Launch A Streaming Service

Telkom launches its TelkomONE video streaming service including linear TV channels with free package and R7 per day subscription; plans more bouquets and says 'we're here for the long run'.

Telkom that initially promised to do so on Thursday last week, on Monday launched its new TelkomONE streaming service, offering some linear TV channels in its offering, with a free version as well as a TelkomONE Amp subscription package that will cost R7 per day or R49 per month.

While currently only offering the free package that will carry advertising and one AMP subscription package, Telkom says it will expand over time to offer various different subscription fee packages.

The TelkomONE video-on-demand (VOD) service was built by Discover Digital and Telkom signed a 5-year contract with the SABC to carry SABC1 and SABC2 as linear TV channels, as well as a package of library content from the SABC archives for its video-on-demand service.

TelkomONE however carries more than just SABC content. The heavy local catalogue curated along the genres of lifestyle, comedy, music and reality TV content is flavoured with some international shows from Hollywood and independent overseas studios, and well as from South Africa locally.

TelkomONE is available through downloading it as a mobile app, internet browsers at telkomone.tv on personal computers, Android TV and Telkom's own Telkom LIT set-top box. Payment for TelkomONE can be done with Telkom airtime, adding it postpaid to fixed and mobile Telkom contracts, credit and debit cards, vouchers or cash.

Telkom declined to answer a media enquiry on Monday asked what the financial investment in rand has been so far in establishing TelkomONE as its video-on-demand service and for what period it will definitely be running it before evaluating its prospects and return on the investment to the telecom's bottom line.

Linear TV channels that will be streaming on TelkomONE include SABC1, SABC2, Kaya TV, SABC Sport, SABC Education, Mindset, Al Jazeera, africanews, Deutsche Welle, euronews, France24, RT, GOD TV, Hope Channel, Inspiration TV and SonLifeBroadcasting Network (SBN).

The SABC's 19 radio stations will also be streaming on TelkomONE including MetroFM, RSG, Umhlobo Wenene, 5FM, Thobela FM and Ukhozi FM.

Included in the TelkomONE AMP package users get an additional 30 curated audio playlists that is done by a Canadian service provider packaging and distributing African content.

Notably absent from TelkomONE is SABC3 because the streaming licensing rights for international content on the channel couldn't be cleared, as well as the SABC's own TV news channel SABC News.

Neither Telkom nor the SABC explained why SABC News isn't available although it's likely that although it is a public broadcaster channel, it was commissioned and is being paid for by MultiChoice for its DStv service.

The SABC will receive an annual channels carriage licensing fee for its linear TV and radio channels, as well as for the on-demand archive content, 10% of which the SABC will cycle and change monthly to keep it fresh. This deal includes 1000 of hours of VOD content.

The SABC will also share in the TelkomONE advertising revenue.

The SABC placing its content on TelkomONE is separate from the SABC's plan to launch its own SABC iPlayer video streaming service in 2021.

Sipho Maseko, Telkom CEO, says "TelkomONE will make it possible for subscribers to pause, go back into the electronic programming guide and time-shift, and instantly watch a scheduled TV show they may have missed. Telkom is making digital TV functionality available to all".

Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO, says "We believe that the transition to digital broadcasting and over-the-top (OTT) is a key strategy for the survival and relevance of the South African public broadcaster".

Stephen Watson, founding managing director of Discover Digital that built TelkomONE, says it contains technologies and functions that are first in the African market.

On the AMP package a subscriber can download 5 titles and a user have 48 hours to start watching.

Users can record content and shows from the live linear TV channels which will be recorded in the could and then appear in the account section under "my recordings".

Interestingly, if you've missed a show, users can now go back into the past with the free package on the EPG for 24 hours and select a show that was already broadcast, and it will play immediately. On the AMP package a TelkomONE viewer can scroll back on a specific linear TV channel as far as 3 days and still watch a specific show.

With TelkomONE the time-shifted PVR function is therefore no longer limited to consumers who can afford a set-top box with a hard drive.

TelkomONE will also offer a 4K channel broadcasting music festivals and says it will build out its 4K content offering over time. Within the free package TelkomONE will offer talk shows and music artists performing live, streamed in 4K resolution, which will be available to Telkom LIT box users.

After Telkom last week said "we're ready" and will launch on 5 November, Wanda Mkhize, Telkom's executive for smart home and content, told TVwithThinus about the postponement that "with us delaying the launch and actually launching today we had some technical and connection challenges on Thursday and unfortunately couldn't launch the platform and as such we made sure that we could at least deliver as soon as possible and that's why TelkomONE is launching today".

TVwithThinus also asked whether the TelkomONE app will also be added to MultiChoice's latest DStv Explora that will carry and offer a carousel of different VOD streaming services like Netflix, Showmax and Amazon Prime Video, or in terms of set-top boxes it will be limited to Telkom LIT.

Wanda Mkhize said that "Telkom and MultiChoice have had a longstanding relationship, we currently carry the DStv application on our Telkom LIT box, and relationships with regards to services and what we produce we would definitely continue having those conversations".

With the South African VOD landscape already littered with failures like VIDI, Altech Node, PCCW's OnTapTV, Kwesé Play and Kwesé TV and most recently Cell C black that sucked up hundreds of millions of rands without a return on investment, Wanda Mkhize, when TVwithThinus asked for how long TelkomONE will definitely be running, said "we're here for the long run".

"We've looked at the strategy, we've framed it in regards to introducing two bouquets right now. We have a future-view of introducing more bouquets, opening up and create greater access specifically to our fixed-line customers."

"We also believe and are following the strategy of being a super-aggregator which means that we believe that our customers need to have choice in regards to the services that they like to take up. Therefore we will be introducing more services onto the platform and giving our consumers- both mobile and fixed - more access."