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

Hints: MultiChoice To Add More SABC Channels To The DStv Platform

eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have been beefing over the carriage agreement for eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra on which these 3 new SABC channels were set to replace but following the court's recent ruling complicates things for these channels as MultiChoice doesn't have much room for more channels.

In an interview earlier in the year, the SABC promised new content for the current SABC 1-3 alongside these new channels while also changing the way content would be distributed amongst their brands as they gear up for the launch of their long awaited OTT platform.

These new channels which are likely the same ones eMedia Investments failed to launch last year although there that much hasn't been confirmed would it be shocking if it was true as these brands were set up to replace eMedia's channels on the DStv platform.

From the info presented to the press about Openview's long awaited SABC channels, consumers should expect a lot of archived material as seen with SABC Education but as more viewers glue themselves to these brands expect some fresh content every now and then.

I'm no wizard in this but wasn't this how most if not all eMedia's brands panned out and following its expansion to the DStv platform you saw an increase in primetime so yeah these new channels have to be the same ones coming to the Openview platform.

Onto the specifics for these channels, SABC hasn't provided any detail in that regard but they have been giving a couple of teasers like SABC Sport 2 alongside the return of SABC Encore.

SABC Sport 2 comes out of the fact that the main channel SABC Sport has seen success on the Openview platform but as mentioned on several occasions they're not financially fit to launch more channels unless they have a reliable source of income and regardless this is a brand that MultiChoice wouldn't really want on their platform.

SABC Encore on the other hand is an uphill battle not that channels can't relaunch on DStv but for the time that it ran on DStv. There wasn't anything worth exploring that viewers hadn't got on SABC 1-3 but as mentioned in an interview they plan to revive the brand on another platform that doesn't it can't come back.

All the channels needs is improvement over whether it can launch again it's a mystery maybe this channel will launch on Openview and a seperate entertainment channel likely called SABC Entertainment surfaces on DStv as SABC had been tinkering with the brand names.

The second channel SABC Education has been going through development hell and as speculated most of this is on SABC as MultiChoice had been waiting on the other two channels to surface but as usual the public broadcaster can't meet up to a deadline.

The last channel is a complicated scenario, SABC had registered an SABC Parliament while Openview is expecting repeats that's not the case with this channel but seeing as they are replacements it's better to just cut that out of the list and look at another potential channel, SABC Children.

I know out of the 3 channels 2 cater for children but remember SABC Education revamped their lineup in 2021 and just like Da Vinci Kids also includes content for adults. The channel offers shows like Skeem Saam, Afro Cafe and Speak Out something you wouldn't find a lot of toddlers watching.

If you look at the possible 3 channels, the idea doesn't seem far fetched as MultiChoice has plenty of entertainment channels and while as with SABC I don't envision them adding anything that could rival with SABC 1-3 any further than SABC Encore/Entertainment.

Could SABC 1-3 Undergo Some Lineup Changes On DStv Following New Regulation Set By ICASA?

ICASA published amendments to the so-called “must-carry” regulations on Thursday, in which it reiterated that satellite broadcasters (or at least those that offer more than 29 channels) must carry the television programmes of the public broadcasting service.

Until now, the regulations have allowed MultiChoice and other pay-TV operators to carry the SABC public service channels at no cost. Under the amended regulations, the parties will have to negotiate a contract deemed fair to both parties.

Since last year, MultiChoice (through SuperSport) held free-to-air rights for PSL broadcasting them exclusively on their platforms through the SABC channels while other outlets that carried these brands got a different game playing on the same channel.

Theory 1:

Although the public broadcaster is celebrating their success a little too soon, every agreement has a loophole and it won't be long till MultiChoice finds that dark hole and buries them.

The public broadcaster is probably hoping MultiChoice will pay them based on production costs and all other expenses when the truth is they'll likely look at the costs to distribute each station besides that the quality differs from Mzansi Magic.

Theory 2:
This new regulation although granting SABC more revenue could increase the amount of exclusivity/management on their channels not only targeting sports but other aspects of the public broadcaster including general entertainment and news.

Instead of taking away Uzalo, what if this new deal grows the number of SABC channels instead in the process.

What if MultiChoice decided to distribute a seperate feed of the SABC Sport channel which didn't disrupt the lineup of the 3 SABC channels and broadcast games restricted from platforms like TelkomOne and Openview.

Netflix And CNN International Pull Out Off Russia With More International Businesses Likely To Follow

Netflix and possibly various other streamers halt services in Russia

Earlier this week, the streaming service had announced that it would pause all future projects and acquisitions from Russia, joining a growing list of companies that have cut ties with the country. Netflix had four Russian originals in the works, including a crime thriller series directed by Dasha Zhuk, which was shooting and has since been put on hold. Netflix also recently refused to carry 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that it was required to host under Russian law.

Now, the company is taking an additional step in shutting down its service entirely.

“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia,” a spokesperson for Netflix said.

The economic blowback that Russia has faced in the wake of its decision to go to war with Ukraine has been intense. Not only is the country grappling with extensive sanctions, but many corporations and organizations have pulled out of Russia. Companies like Microsoft, Apple and Dell have announced that they have suspended sales in the country, while Ikea has closed stores and Nike has said it will no longer fulfill online orders. On the entertainment front, all of the major studios have announced they will stop releasing their films in Russia.

Also read:
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- WildBrainTV launched in Canada, could it expand to more regions?
- Megamind and Abominable TV series currently in development for 2023
- The Casagrandes will be folded under The Loud House
- More Sonic The Hedgehog projects underway plus a free android game
- Jimmy Neutron revival might be on the cards
- DreamWorks Jr. greenlit several preschool content

CNN International, Bloomberg and various other news channels halt production in Russia

Global news media said they were temporarily suspending reporting in Russia to protect their journalists after a new law cracking down on foreign news outlets was passed that threatened jail terms of up to 15 years for spreading “fake news”.

BBC said on Friday it had temporarily halted reporting in Russia, and by the end of the day, the Canadian Broadcasting Company and Bloomberg News said their journalists were also stopping work. CNN and CBS News said they would stop broadcasting in Russia, and other outlets removed Russian-based journalists’ bylines as they assessed the situation.

Not long ago, sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union had led to the global distributor of Russia Today to halt broadcast of the channel to all suppliers, including MultiChoice and TelkomOne.

Also read:
- Obi-Wan limited series coming in May to Disney+
- March on Cartoon Network and Boomerang (finalized)
- March on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3 + Earthworm Jim + Crazy Mr. Dong + The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare = APK Download
- International companies postpone the release of their products to Russia
- Kevin McCallister working on travel series
- March on Disney Channel and Disney Junior
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery
- Iron Chef reboot is coming to Netflix
- Paramount+ working on Knuckles TV series and Seal Team feature film

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Russia Today (RT) Stopped Airing On DStv And TelkomOne

RT, the Russian state-owned news channel formerly known as Russia Today, is no longer available on DStv, just one day after MultiChoice Group said it had no intention of canning it. But the decision was out of the pay-television broadcaster’s hands.

Viewers who tune into DStv channel 407 – where RT is meant to be housed – are now greeted with a message saying the “channel is closed” and are encouraged to check the television guide for when it might open again.

The closure of the channel was spotted on Wednesday evening. The channel also seems to have been suspended from the online streaming version of DStv.

The channel’s disappearance comes a day after MultiChoice told this publication that it would not pull the channel of its pay-TV bouquets, despite an EU-wide ban and restrictions placed on it – and another Russian news broadcaster Sputnik – by technology giants including Google, YouTube, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Twitter.

But MultiChoice, it has transpired, had nothing to do with taking RT off DStv. In response to a query from TechCentral, the company confirmed RT was pulled off its platform effective 2 March and “not be carried on the DStv platform until further notice”.

Also read: 
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- SABC will launch more HD channels and streaming service
- 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

“Sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the global distributor of the channel ceasing to provide the broadcast feed to all suppliers, including MultiChoice,” it said.

Satellite services
MultiChoice relies on satellite backhaul links to receive its programming. It also distributes its channels to viewers using an Intelsat satellite. Intelsat is headquartered in Luxembourg, which is a member state of the EU.

The bans and restrictions on RT and Sputnik come as many nations impose severe sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, a move that is expected to cripple the country’s economy. Harsh sanctions have also been imposed on Putin and his inner circle, as well as many of the country’s oligarchs, who have prospered in the corrupt Russian system.

South Africa is not one of the nations that has imposed sanctions, and the governing ANC has strong historical ties to Russia and continues to have good relations with it.

Meanwhile, communications regulator Icasa also weighed in on RT’s removal from DStv. Icasa said in a statement issued late on Wednesday evening that it will approach MultiChoice about the decision.

Also read:
- KIX launching on DStv Access
- YouTube bans Russia Today from generating revenue
- After a year, DreamWorks Channel replaces Disney on DStv
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- New movie channel launching later in the year on DStv
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- SABC Encore and SABC Children channel might be in development
- Could eNCA launch on Openview?

Icasa chairman Keabetswe Modimoeng
“Given the underlying principle of the South African broadcasting system for promoting a plurality of views, it is only prudent for Icasa to enquire with DStv on the rationale for the discontinuation of the RT channel,” said Icasa CEO Keabetswe Modimoeng in the statement.

Icasa said it “would like to put it on record that the broadcast of RT on the DStv platform is and continues to be a commercial agreement between the subscription TV broadcaster, MultiChoice and RT”.

The authority’s role in the broadcasting of RT has been solely limited to channel authorisation as submitted by the licensee (in this case, MultiChoice) and approved by Icasa prior to the channel being introduced.

“This is a regulatory requirement fulfilled by the licensee before introducing any new channel for consumption by the South African public,” the regulator said.

“Our licensing and compliance division has not received any notification by MultiChoice confirming the discontinuation of the channel on its DStv platform. It is in the public interest to know the reasons for this discontinuation since the authorisation was approved by the authority,” said Modimoeng. 

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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: 
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- 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.

.

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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New Channel Alert (Rumor): SABC Entertainment And SABC Encore Might Be The Two Anticipated Entertainment Channels Coming Soon To Openview And TelkomOne And This Happens Admist Their 85 Year Anniversary

As some viewers on Openview (and TelkomOne) wait impatiently for the SABC to unveil their two long awaited entertainment channels which was suppose to be announced in June. It seems people find their own means of recovering the info.

A week ago, viewers spotted SABC Encore through TelkomOne which disappeared (for now) not to mention SABC hosted a funeral which highlighted the channel as well.

According to a viewer, they spotted another SABC channel through LyngSat Intelsat 20 which goes by the name, SABC Entertainment and oh look even SABC Encore is tallying along.

Another channel present but still under development is SABC Parliament which implies that SABC is more serious about adding channels.

SABC Entertainment was the first name the public broadcaster had chosen for SABC Encore that was part of 5 year agreement they forged with MultiChoice where the channel would offer archived material from the SABC.

According to sources, the only reason SABC Entertainment wasn't used at the time was that the SABC wanted a name that fits with the channel's premise being repeats and I applaud them for that.

SABC Entertainment seemed more like an SABC 1 you'd find on a pay-tv platform when I first saw that name.

My guess would be that this revived concept will serve as the SABC 4 and 5 channel they tried to pawn or a another eExtra which is used for repeats and leftovers.

MTV in the United States has two music channels one for the 80s the other 90s maybe SABC Entertainment and Encore will ride on that wagon for the time being and as the ship sails they'll definitely be some reshuffling.

SABC currently has an ongoing battle with MultiChoice (in fact pay-tv platforms) regarding the carriage agreement for SABC 1-3 alongside a pending deal with regards to SABC Education. This has been around for more than a decade actually if you count TV licence.

Others rumours is Openview is said to give eVOD it's own channel (114) which is probably similar to DStv's defunct Explora Tutorial channel and SABC Encore on channel 113 (spotted this week) so I'm presuming SABC Entertainment will launch on channel 112 since 111 was often used for eMedia's pop-up channels.

SABC is celebrating 85 years of broadcast and we might get some confirmation about these channels.

Read Also:
- Could Star Life and Rewind be the first channels to go off air on Openview?
- Is SABC working on a reality channel?
- What we might expect from SABC's streaming service?
- Could Star Plus and Star Life be rebranding soon?
- Voelvry coming in future on e.tv
- Kamer 309 delayed on eExtra
- Other shows coming soon to eToonz?
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv 
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

New Channel Alert: One Of SABC's Two New Entertainment Channels On Openview Might Have Surfaced

SABC held a memorial service for fellow musician Tsepo Tshola and in the advert they displayed what appears to be SABC Encore and that it's available through DTT.

Not only that, Telkom's streaming service, TelkomOne seems to be transmitting SABC Encore through their platform which is likely part of a carriage agreement both parties established in 2020.

SABC Encore began in May 2015 and lasted about 5 years through an exclusive clause on MultiChoice's DStv. SABC mentioned on two occasions that they were working on reviving the channel through another platform.

I have no doubt in my mind at this point that SABC Encore is one of the two long awaited entertainment channels SABC promised to launch on the Openview platform.

In March, SABC stated these two channels coming to Openview will also be found on DTT as well as OTT platforms e.g. TelkomOne. Also that these two channels would have 80% existing content and 20% new content so maybe the memorial service is part of the 20%.

SABC Encore which was created to present the best of SABC will likely become another Disney where they make new property based on old content. In this channel's case I mean documentaries, reality shows and TV specials.

SABC Encore would be ReWIND's first competitor should it launch on Openview kind of like how SABC Sport is competing e.tv News & Sport.

Read Also:
- SABC has a pending deal with DStv and StarSat, this might include SABC Sport and SABC Encore
- Could Star Life and Rewind be the first channels to go off air on Openview?
- SABC plans to launch a second sports channel
- What we might expect from SABC's streaming service?
- eMedia Investments' streaming service, eVOD might launch next month
- Voelvry coming in future on e.tv
- Kamer 309 delayed on eExtra
- Other shows coming soon to eToonz?
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv 
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

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."