Get ready for Hollywood's best wrestling documentaries
Dark Side Of The Ring is a documentary series by Viceland which focuses on controversial subjects and events within the realm of professional wrestling. Some of the notable topics covered include Chris Benoit, Bruiser Body and Gino Hernandez.
eMedia Investments picked up the show for their new channel Xposed alongside other Viceland productions including States of Undress, F**K That’s Delicious and Most Expensivest by 2 Chainz.
The series commences at 18:50 from Monday 4 April.
Taffy renewed for a third season on Boomerang
Cyber Group Studios and French kids broadcaster Gulli have announced the return of Taffy which has been renewed for a third season. Production is set to begin later in the year.
Season three of kids comedy Taffy will continue the capers of Bentley the dog, who is determined to show his owner that the cat she just took in is actually a raccoon. The format of the third season has not been finalized yet.
21 Again launches on SABC 3 this month
Five daughters send their mothers undercover as 21-year-olds. From dating to working to activism, the mums will be immersed in their world. Can the mums pull off being 21 Again?
According to sources, the channel is said to air a Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein (Lost In Love) which is a remake of Bengali series Kusum Dola from Star Jalsha.
Virat, a young police officer, marries to honour the promise he made to his dying father. But when his former lover re-enters his life, he finds his heart pulled in both directions.
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eMedia Investments discontinued News And Sport and Rewind from the Openview platform later this week and questions arouse on the fate of some content seen on these stations particularly News And Sport which is home to Impact's library.
Through an updated schedule, it has been confirmed that sports will now be available to eReality as Saturday afternoons are dedicated to sports.
The new Xposed channels seems to be incorporating a bit of Rewind as High Society Scandal, 48 Hours and Hawaii Five-O can be viewed on the station.
Akissi coming to Boomerang
In 2021, France Télévisions and WarnerMedia were co-financing an animated special based on publishing property Akissi, which centres on a mischievous girl growing up in Ivory Coast.
The 1×26' special was produced by French animation studio Ellipsanime while African Animation Network had international dubbing rights.
Akissi is expected to air next month on Boomerang.
WWE Channel available to DStv Access customers outside South Africa
MultiChoice Africa recently launched a brand new Ethiopian sports channel for consumers outside of South Africa and currently opened the WWE Channel to all DStv Access customers until April 4th.
Several Access customers in South Africa complained about the lack of sports seen on the platform while consumers on Openview get EPL, La Liga with Access customers in other markets awarded a football channel and for a limited time WWE.
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WWE Network, including its live event content, will be available on Disney Plus Hotstar in Indonesia beginning with Royal Rumble available on the morning of Sunday, January 30.
It’s the first standalone international distribution deal for WWE Network, and WWE’s first direct deal with Disney (although Disney has inherited Fox’s Latin America deals with the wrestling entertainment company). In the U.S., WWE last year shifted WWE Network to be exclusively available on NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium
. Separately WWE’s deal with Disney-controlled Hulu for re-air rights of “Raw” and “SmackDown” in the U.S. is up at the end of 2022.
Under the agreement, all WWE premium live events will be available on Disney Plus Hotstar Indonesia as part of the standard subscription price for no additional cost. Premium live event coverage will be delivered in Bahasa Indonesia as well as in English. In addition, Disney Plus Hotstar subscribers in Indonesia will have on-demand access to WWE documentaries and reality shows and additional WWE Network and archived content (including episodes of “Raw,” “SmackDown” and “NXT”).
“As home of the best global and local-language content, we’re excited to welcome the extensive library of content from WWE Network to the ever expanding slate of Disney Plus Hotstar,” Vineet Puri, GM for Indonesia at the Walt Disney Co., said in a statement. “With this new content on Disney+ Hotstar, we hope to expand our reach and engage even more audiences in Indonesia.”
WWE president Nick Khan commented, “The Walt Disney Company has long been the gold standard in creating iconic intellectual property that serves as the backbone for international business growth. Partnering with Disney Plus Hotstar will allow us to deliver WWE Network content including WrestleMania on a best-in-class platform to our existing fans in Indonesia while also introducing WWE to new audiences in the region as Disney Plus continues to expand its reach internationally.”
WWE Network hasn't experienced much growth since its inception and the idea of WWE closing down their mobile app doesn't seem far fetched at this point.
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WWE 2K22 is the first installment in the franchise since WWE 2K20 was released in October 2019. That entry had a number of issues and received lackluster reviews from critics. Sony offered refunds to unsatisfied buyers.
2K is promising that WWE 2K22 will “hit different”. It says the game will feature a redesigned gameplay engine, new controls, upgraded visuals, and all-new game modes.
“WWE 2K22 strikes back with a slew of upgrades and community-requested features to give players complete control over the WWE experience,” Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing Strategy at 2K, said in a news release.
Among the features in WWE 2K22 will be a MyGM mode. It’s the first time the feature has been included in a WWE video game since RAW vs SmackDown 2008. It’s also the first time the mode will be available since 2K acquired the rights to the franchise in 2011. 2K says The MyGM mode will allow players to draft rosters and develop rivalries.
WWE 2K22 will also introduce a new MyFACTION mode. 2K players will be able to “collect and manage their dream faction with weekly events and regular updates”.
WWE 2K22 will include an upgraded Creation Suite. For the first time in the history of the franchise, the game will allow cross-platform sharing of players’ creations, including their “custom Superstar personas, arenas, and championships”.
Rey Mysterio is on the cover of WWE 2K22. 2K said he was chosen “in celebration of his 20th anniversary as a WWE Superstar”. Mysterio will be featured in the game’s 2K Showcase mode. Players will be invited to relive “iconic moments behind Mysterio’s most famous matches”.
“Representing the culture of Lucha libre as the cover Superstar for WWE 2K22 is a moment of great pride for me,” Mysterio said in a news release from 2K. “I’m looking forward to sharing the stories behind the big moments of my career with a dedicated community of players and connecting with WWE fans in a whole new way as they play through my 2K Showcase.”
WWE 2K22 is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 11, 2022, and is now available for pre-order. Four editions of the game will available to purchase.
Standard Edition: R1,099 (PS4 and Xbox One) R1,199 (PS5 and Xbox Series) – Includes the digital Standard Edition and the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack across previous and current-gen within the same PlayStation and Xbox consoles (*PlayStation 5 console required to play PlayStation 5 version. Xbox Series X|S console required to redeem and use Xbox Series X|S version. Xbox One console required to redeem and use Xbox One version).
Deluxe Edition R1,599 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series) – Includes the Standard Edition plus the Undertaker Immortal Pack; a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs; the MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger packs; limited-edition WWE SuperCard content (*included in-box for physical copies only; WWE SuperCard is required to redeem WWE SuperCard content). The Deluxe Edition will be available three days early, from March 8, 2022, and while supplies last. Players who purchase the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S edition will also receive the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack.
2K says players who pre-order the Standard Edition and Cross-Gen Digital Bundle will also receive the Undertaker Immortal Pack, which includes three additional Undertaker personas, MyFACTION EVO cards for Undertaker, plus MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses, including an Undertaker MyFACTION Logo Card, Undertaker MyFACTION Wallpaper Card, and Undertaker MyFACTION Nameplate Card. For physical pre-orders of the Standard Edition, items will be redeemed in-game via a code provided in the box. The pack is also included in the Deluxe Edition at launch.
WWE possibly being sold
WWE's waves of releases over the past two years combined with posting record profits has led some fans to believe that Vince McMahon and WWE president Nick Khan are trying to position the company to where they can be sold to a major media conglomerate in the near future. Khan spoke in an interview this week and was asked about that theory.
Ourand wrote, "Khan said the company has taken some inbound calls from companies looking to buy. But he stressed that WWE is not in active conversations trying to sell the company and is not actively looking to sell."
"If it once was a mom-and-pop shop, Vince certainly didn't believe it was anymore," Khan said regarding why McMahon hired him. "Part of what I believe he was looking for in bringing in someone from the outside was to make sure the community at large didn't treat it that way. We believe we're a global content company."
In a separate interview with Ariel Helwani back in August during SummerSlam weekend, Khan was asked directly about the cause behind the releases. He explained, "I don't know that there's one explanation for it," Khan said. "I think ultimately what's looked at is, is this person — for us — going to move the needle now, or in the imminent future. So, by the way, we had a tryout, a two-day tryout in Las Vegas which ended yesterday. Which Triple H, and Johnny Laurinaitis, and Bruce Prichard were all across, as were the rest of us. We've signed over a dozen new talent coming out of that tryout. And I'm not suggesting, "Oh that's why we cut the other talent." But we're always looking for what's next. We live in the present, we live in the future. We don't live in the past. So when people leave, and they move on with their life and their careers? That's good by us. For us, it's what works for us and our product at that moment in time, and again, what's gonna work down the road. And largely in part the existing roster is based on that."
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Xtreme Football League (XFL) is a professional American football league founded by wrestling executive Vince McMahon in 2018, as a reboot and successor to the league of the same name he founded in 2001.
McMahon re-founded the XFL to create a league with fewer off-field controversies and faster, simpler play compared to the National Football League (NFL), as well as one without the professional wrestling–inspired features and entertainment elements of its predecessor.
The first season of XFL began on February 8, 2020. The league planned to have a ten-week regular season through April 12, with division championships April 18 and 19, with the XFL Championship scheduled for April 26.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the XFL announced that the league would be cancelling the rest of the season, ahead of the league's suspension of operations and bankruptcy filing a month later.
On December 2, 2021, it was revealed on Dany Garcia's Instagram page that the 2023 XFL season would start on February 18, 2023, along with Training Camp in January 2023, as well as a player combine in June 2022.
XFL was distributed by a lot of Disney stations including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 with Fox, FS1, FS2 being retained by the FOX Corporation. Perhaps ESPN or SuperSport will pick up the new season in 2023.
WWE wanted to be purchased several years ago
Ex-WWE creative team member Freddie Prinze Jr told the media that FOX turned down the chance to buy the company outright back when they were negotiating terms to air SmackDown.
According to one of Prinze Jr's friends, who works as an executive at FOX, Vince McMahon's asking price was just too high - the network knocked back the chance to pursue a full purchase, and instead decided to license SmackDown for a still-hefty sum.
There had been chatter back in 2019 about FOX potentially moving to buy WWE, but it's incredible to hear that McMahon was so willing to cede control of his baby. Freddie also said that he'd been sitting on that story for a while, but couldn't resist telling it "because it has been long enough" since FOX were in the running.
Older wrestling fans may still struggle with the thought of Vince selling WWE. There was a time when that seemed impossible, but it's interesting to learn that he has a (rather high) figure in mind for the organisation.
That number was definitely too big for FOX.
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Another channel bites the dust... this time it's none other than the duplicate WWE Channel occupying channel 236 which annoyed a lot of DStv customers.
At the time, MultiChoice explained to both channels will remain as they are mirrored channels with the same content, the reason is to try and get WWE closer to their sports content (SuperSport), without affecting those who are accustomed to 128.
In short, they chose to remove 236 since it was hardly appreciated by most viewers and those that noticed only complained about the resemblance to 128. It's nice to see there's some justice with viewer's subscription.
If I had to guess which channel will likely go off air in the coming months on DStv. My pick would be M-Net +1 thanks to Catch Up and Showmax and the fact MultiChoice has started streamlining entertainment which led to the cancellation and restructuring of several channels.
SuperSlam (former name) launched as a a promotional channel back in August 2019 with some outlets referring to it as The WWE Channel and would continue running until the end of that year. The pop-up version was bombarded with repeats and yes Total Divas would constantly hit the restart button.
2020 was also the year where COVID-19 became a trendsetter causing setbacks in people's daily lives. On cable, you got to see viewers lose out on several channels while others were reshuffled and that's where SuperSport comes in.
In September 2020, the brand followed Sky in the UK and launched thematic channels. Not only that WWE could also be found on channel 236.
Now here's the issue, SuperSport gave the WWE Channel a different logo on top of that other channel number and viewers woke up and saw two WWE Channels and it wasn't even using the SuperSport logo.
Since then viewers have been complaining about it not only that UFC had its own channel now viewers have a hard time catching up due to the reshuffle. Once again proving that bigger brands (in this case cash cow) get most of the spotlight.
According to their customer care, both channels will remain as they are mirrored channels with the same content, the reason is to try and get WWE closer to their sports content (SuperSport), without affecting those who are accustomed to 128.
Now this is just ridiculous, viewers experience change everyday so I'm certain they're immune to these things look at BBC First and Disney XD for starters. Now tell me where was that energy when those channels were canned. Perhaps the other reason 128 is alive to keep Ginx TV on 127 company since they're both sports and entertainment brands.
The least SuperSport could have done was perhaps make 236 a timeshift channel where viewers get to watch everything an hour later kind of like what M-Net has with its M-Net +1 on channel 901 but hey that would impact negatively as it already is with DStv attempt to cutback on duplication and 236 is not a place for timeshift channels.
So how long do you suppose M-Net +1 will stick around with the likeness of Catch Up and the fact that content from M-Net resurfaces on its other channels. In the end, MultiChoice just proved to everyone once again why viewers should be disappointed and rather downgrade, cancel or look into other alternatives.
According to the Wall Street Journal, WWE’s deal to have Peacock on the Network is a big one financially as well as in terms of impact. The outlet reports that a person familiar with the deal is a five-year one and is valued at over $1 billion.
The report confirms that the WWE Network will officially shut down as an independent streaming service, and Peacock will license WWE’s programming, including WrestleMania and PPVs. Peacock has a current estimated subscriber base of 26 million. By comparison, WWE reported in Q3 of 2020 that the Network averaged 1.6 million monthly paid subscribers.
ORIGINAL: In a major deal, WWE has signed a multi-year agreement that brings the service to the Peacock streaming service in the US. Peacock and WWE announced on Monday that they have signed an agreement that gives the NBCUniversal service exclusive streaming rights in the United States.
The Network will launch on Peacock on March 18th.
The news comes just days after it was reported that NBC was shuttering the NBC Sports Network by the end of 2021 and moving live sports telecasts to USA Network and, to a lesser extent, Peacock. It was speculated at the time whether WWE would be affected by live sports broadcasts moving to USA Network. While nothing about that is mentioned in the announcement, the deal to break the Network to Peacock could potentially give WWE and NBCUniversal several options in terms of how to deal with the crunch of available timeslots.
As far as international markets are concerned this move won't have any affect on them as Peacock is exclusive to the United States. Even if Peacock were to be accessible "legally" outside of the United States chances are you'll get a watered down version of the platform.
A memo sent to NBC Sports staff was leaked today (Fri, Jan. 22) confirming the company is shutting down operations of cable network NBCSN at the end of the 2021 calendar year. With this, NBC Sports coverage of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and select NASCAR races will be carried and/or simulcasted by the USA Network during the 2020 season.
The company’s plan on shutting down NBCSN at the conclusion of 2021 is to shift sports focus to NBC’s new streaming service, Peacock, for 2022 and beyond. Elements of NBCSN’s current programming will shift to USA Network or Peacock, if sports renew contracts past the 2021 season.
The news has been rumored for a month now and hasn’t officially been announced yet, but as mentioned before, the leaked memo was sent by NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua to his staff.
NBC Sports was also home to some matches seen on SuperSport and ESPN such as the Premier League and NFL's Sunday Night Football. The USA Network handles majority of WWE (excluding SmackDown and reality shows).
These changes do affect SuperSport, WWE Channel and ESPN but it's not something to stress over as no one will be losing out on anything.
As stated earlier some of NBC Sports' content (Premier League and NFL's Sunday Night Football) will move to USA Network (home of WWE) so all they'll be doing is adjusting the timeslots perhaps even changing the day some of those programs come on.
This change comes in after NBC cancelled E! News and Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
WWE and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sports broadcaster, today announced a multi-year extension to continue delivering WWE’s weekly flagship programming live in more than 50 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa, while expanding the partnership to include a dedicated WWE channel on DStv.
The new WWE channel will air Raw, SmackDown and NXT live each week
and will feature premium WWE programming including 205 Live, Ride Along, WWE Chronicle and Table for 3.
The 24/7 channel launches on DStv channel 128 beginning Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, and builds on the success of the WWE pop-up channel that launched this year.
SuperSport channels will continue to air Raw, SmackDown and NXT live each week and be home to all of WWE’s monthly pay-per-view events.
“The fans of the WWE universe asked for it, and we are delighted to deliver,” said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport. “WWE programming has proven to be compelling content with riveting storylines and insane action, which our viewers absolutely love. This is a big step and a great start to the new year.”
“SuperSport is a valued partner who shares our approach to engaging and entertaining our fans,” said Stefan Kastenmüller, WWE Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, EMEA. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with a new, 24/7 WWE channel which will super-serve our passionate fans in the region.”
WWE fans can enjoy even more family-friendly action and entertainment from their favourite WWE Superstars like Roman Reigns™, Seth Rollins™ and Becky Lynch™ when DStv OFFICIALLY launches SuperSlam from Tuesday 17 December permanently. Yes, you read correctly Superslam will not close 31st December as advertised and will now be available on DStv Family for now Access customers have an open window for the channel.
SuperSport 7 is the home of La Liga matches live and repeats of previously played matches, highlights, Liga news and La Liga match analysis. It's available permanently on DStv Family permanently a year after Compact.
Trace Gospel is the 24-hour channel will showcase both local and international gospel, which includes contemporary gospel, urban gospel, worship gospel and traditional gospel. Programmes will include Sounds of South Africa, Urban Vibes, Hits 30, US Hit 10 and Praise Vibes. The channel launches 18 December.
WWE (NYSE: WWE) and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sports broadcaster announced a new, multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Starting Monday, August 28, SuperSport will air WWE’s flagship shows Raw® and SmackDown® as well as WWE specials, including WrestleMania® and SummerSlam®.
“WWE is a global phenomenon, so securing the broadcast rights for SuperSport is a terrific coup,” said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport. “The athletes involved are larger than life figures who command huge followings. At long last our viewers will get to share in this entertainment spectacle in high definition. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with WWE.”
“SuperSport is a best-in-class partner who shares our vision and passion for engaging with and entertaining our fans,” said Ed Wells, WWE Executive Vice President, International. “Televising WWE programming live in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time is an important milestone for us, and we look forward to working with SuperSport to cultivate new fans in the region.”
SuperSport channels S3, S4, S9 and SS10 will televise Raw on Tuesdays and SmackDown on Wednesdays, offering both live telecasts and same-day re-airs, and will broadcast all WWE specials live, including WrestleMania®, SummerSlam®, Survivor Series® and Royal Rumble®. All programs will be available with English commentary and on demand.
WWE programming will also be made available across some of DStv’s general entertainment channels.
To celebrate the new partnership, SuperSport will televise the prior week’s episodes of Raw and SmackDown on Monday, August 28.
