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eMedia's 4 Channels Recieve Another Extension On MultiChoice's DStv, Might Go Dark By August 2024

Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice had been undergoing a carriage dispute with the Competition Tribunal. After the p...

Showing posts with label eExtra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eExtra. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

eMedia's 4 Channels Recieve Another Extension On MultiChoice's DStv, Might Go Dark By August 2024

Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice had been undergoing a carriage dispute with the Competition Tribunal. After the pay-tv operated planned to remove these channels by March of that year was only fortunate enough to axe eMovies, eMovies Extra, eToonz and eExtra by the end of May.

At the time, MultiChoice mentioned that they had been phased with transponder constraints and that eMedia's 4 channels didn't fit their 5 year content strategy. eMedia Investments showed that MultiChoice did have enough satellite capacity and that their channels do abide by local quotas.

Following their cancellation, MultiChoice was met with severe backlash from various DStv consumers. Overtime, the pay-tv operator managed to supplement this offering with the expansions of KIX and PBS Kids alongside further new channels, DreamWorks and Movie Room.

By August of that year, eMedia Investments had recieved numerous extensions for their 4 Openview channels. After MultiChoice was planning to remove it by July 2023 and could have removed it by January 2024 will probably be able get it over with by August 2024.

Alas this case will have a 2 year and 6 month duration and despite how some people (including myself) wish these parties could have solved their issues much sooner.

Just know, eMedia's 4 Openview channels future were predicted by the end of May 2022 - Openview. MultiChoice has refused eMedia's attempts for a possible extension and honestly the Competition Tribunal can only help them recieve compensation at this point.

From MultiChoice's perspective, these 4 channels don't really have much to offer as I've mentioned for the past year eMedia Investments had been bundling these channel's content on e.tv and a selection of content is also accessible on DreamWorks and M-Net Movies.

That doesn't mean they aren't performing to their potential I feel similar to Zee One or BBC UKTV. These channels will hold more use to consumers that don't have access to the content residing within DStv.

The only issue here which is similar to what Nismedia had with Glow TV before it's departure is sustainability. eMedia Investments would have cutback on content in order to stay afloat as about 40% of their revenue is on DStv.


Monday, December 18, 2023

News Shorts: Moonbug And Toikido Commune For PeaKeeBoo, Cape Town TV To Debut New Edutainment Series Side Hustle Susters And Doodsondes Season 5 (And Likely Season 6) Linear Release Date Reportedly Revealed


A new short form series debuts on YouTube

London’s Moonbug Entertainment and British toyco Toikido are embarking on a franchise-building partnership for a new short series called PeaKeeBoo. 

The preschool project, featuring 2D animation with CG-animated backgrounds, will star three tiny creatures (Pea, Kee and Boo) who are enthralled by all of the sights and sounds of nature. Moonbug is producing a 30 x one-minute first season that’s already slated for a global premiere sometime in 2024 on its Moonbug Kids YouTube channel (10.4 million subscribers).  

The companies are now working out a 360-degree franchise strategy for PeaKeeBoo, with plans to eventually launch toys, books, apparel, playsets and games. 


Cape Town TV announces their first show for the year

'Side Hustle Susters – van passie tot profyt’ is an Afrikaans edutainment female empowerment show by women for women, created by Dee Theart (who is also the presenter of the show), in conjunction with Cape Town TV.

The show confronts the scarcity of female jobs by educating and inspiring women to pursue their own business ventures. Every episode includes a weekly “side hustle suster” (female entrepreneur guest) and a weekly female business coach/expert guest talking about various business topics. The female narrative will be at the centre of the conversation.

Season 1 is set to air in early 2024.


Doodsondes season 5 and 6 (final) to debut on eExtra???

During the year, eMedia Investments mysteriously shelved the final seasons to the FOX original Doodsondes (Yasak Elma) to eVOD. With the first two seasons broadcast on eExtra only for the other two seasons to end up on e.tv with questions surrounding the finals.

According to sources, Doodsondes Season 5 is scheduled to air from the 1st of April. So the only show we know that is ending closer to that period is Roekeloos Dade (30 March) and if accurate we might have uncovered the first replacement to one of their current shows.

Synopsis for Doodsondes Season 5:

Six months have passed since the explosion in Hasan Ali's house. After the explosion, Ender and Yıldız were injured, while Hasan Ali passed away. After the investigation, it is understood that Hasan Ali's enemies carried out the bombing and the case is closed.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Battle Of The Oldies: SABC 2 Revisits The 90s With The Afrikaans Sitcom Vetkoekpaleis (Replacing 7de Laan) And eExtra's Kuiertyd Is Travelling To A Much Distant Time With Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling

7de Laan is being replaced by a rerun

During the day, it was learnt by news outlets that SABC had an outstanding debt with Danie Odendaal Productions for the last remaining episodes of 7de Laan so unless they try to try to pay the remaining amount. Danie Odendaal Productions will hold the remaining episodes.

SABC 2 will be forced to end it by yesterday and not 26 December as planned. My hunch if the money isn't allocated soon they could air a past episode(s) temporarily another would be by the grace of an intellectual being pay the outstanding amount on their behalf.

What is set to replace 7de Laan once it comes to an end?

It's simple, SABC will be digging up their archives further bolstering the amount of repeats on their channels with Vetkoek Paleis. A classic 90s sitcom follows Frikkadel Delport who starts a take-away business when he is retrenched. In the process of finding his feet in his new venture, he appoints two staff members without really meaning to.

The implications: 7de Laan had a huge following and due to the cancellation a majority of consumers are likely to flee the channel and divert their attention to rival broadcasters. Not saying that Vetkoekpaleis isn't better alternative but SABC 2 barely did reruns to the sitcom. 

The only other platform to had offered it on one occasion was the defunct brand, SABC Encore. Majority of households can't afford to pay a majority of monthly expenses and that includes DStv and this is where most of SABC 2's viewers were situated at the moment.

Kuiertyd is entering the golden era 

eExtra, a general entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments that is home to telenovelas from India, Asia and Turkey might be undergoing some schedule adjustments in the coming year. This has to pertain to their only weekend primetime offering, Soete Wraak.

In an updated EPG, Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling is listed in the timeslot currently reserved by Soete Wraak on the 14th January 2024. From the programme guide implies this could be the 1980s drama another would be the 2015 film that was made accessible on eExtra.

Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling airs from 20:00 to 22:30 and the idea of eExtra airing another local drama particularly for Kuiertyd audiences wouldn't seem far fetched. They had acquired rights to the comedy drama Ouma Sarie which is also viewable on e.tv.

Synopsis for Ballade Vir'n Enkeling: 

When well-known writer Jacques Rynhardt disappears, it is up to a journalist to unravel the mystery. To do that, she needs to go back to his childhood and get to know Jacques for who he was.

Monday, December 11, 2023

Everyday Novelas Shorts: Skeem Saam Undergoing Timeslot Changes On SABC 1, Ratings Flop Nikiwe To End With 1 Season On e.tv, eExtra And Star Life To Hit A New Low With Respective Rebroadcast Of Weaving A Tale Of Love And The Evil Eye

Skeem Saam is being repositioned

Entertainment commentator, Mlu reports that the SABC1 soapie, Skeem Saam will be changed from 18:30 slot to 19:30 from 2024.

The soapie will be competing with e.tv’s most-watched soapie Scandal!, and Mzansi Magic’s latest telenovela, My Brother’s Keeper.

Viewers of the youth soapie are concerned the show will lose viewers as Scandal! owns the timeslot with an average of 5 million viewers per month and continuously changes storylines.

A fan-favourite is coming back to Star Life

The Evil Eye follows Mohana, a 250-year-old Daayan, lives off of humans' life-force to stay young. However, when she sets her evil eye on the Rathod family, trouble and misfortune follow them everywhere. It dwells on family, drama, romance, supernatural and horror.

It will broadcast on 18 December replacing Mismatched.

Nikiwe is getting canned on e.tv

"The show launched in April 2023 and filled the 18:30 slot. Unfortunately, the show has not continued to deliver anticipated ratings. The channel continually reviews programmes and storylines to ensure we give our viewers the best local entertainment. Further information regarding the replacement show will be shared soon."

It lost 500,000 viewers just a month after its debut.

Nikiwe which will end sometime in early 2024 on e.tv and its streaming service eVOD also starred Muzi Mthabela, Clementine Mosimane, Kenneth Nkosi and Israel Matseke Zulu.

eExtra is cutting down on new programs

A few months ago, eExtra in a bizarre twist added a primetime repeat of Annekan Die Swa Kry at 17:05 which comes 5 minute after it airs on e.tv. Now it will be airing a rebroadcast to one of their most recent shows Weaving A Tale Of Love from Wednesday 20 December.

The last time this happened was with the Zee TV line-up viewed on weekday afternoons and this lasted about a year before adding new episodes of Surrender In Love and Twist Of Fate. Now the channel appears to be following a similar route with the Asian line-up.

Friday, November 17, 2023

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Wie Laaste Lag

Nadia Beuke as Esra
Johan Joobert as Ilan
Donovan Pietersen as Cinar
Claudia Jones as Çagla 
Eloise Cupido as Menekse
Rowlen Ethelbert von Gericke as Ekrem
Henrietta Gryffenberg as Zümrut
Mila Guy as Elif
Karin Retief as Reyhan
Kevin Smith as Yalçin
Sue Tyler as Feraye
Bernice Du Toit as Zeynep
Gustav Gerdener as Musa
Bertha La Roux as Neriman

Source: Die Afrikaans Voice Page and Insidus Plus

Thursday, November 2, 2023

News Shorts: The Final Season Of Chrysalis Is Currently Streaming On eVOD, Boing To Be Added On StarSat Platforms Across South Africa Soon, Queen Of The South Rumoured To Return With A Third Season On Telemundo Across Africa By 2024

Chrysalis S3 is on eVOD

Learning that Cana is pregnant, Nalan brought her to the mansion to confront Sedat, but she still could not learn the truth. Determined to take her revenge on Rafet, Pervin told Rafet about Gülcihan and Cavit's past. Pera, on the other hand, left Muzo on the wedding day with a note she left.

It starred Burcu Biricik as Nalan, Selma Ergeç as Selen, Enis Arıkan as Muzo, Feyyaz Şerifoğlu as Sedat, Nur Sürer as Feride, Şerif Erol as Adil, Hande Ataizi as Cana and Tuğrul Tülek as Levent.

The first 7 episodes are currently streaming on eVOD with more episodes to rollout weekly. Season 2 is set to debut sometime in 2024 on eExtra likely after Roekeloos Dade.

Boing is coming to South Africa

During the week, Warner Bros. Discovery and StarTimes unveiled 4 new channels for consumers, Investigation Discovery, TLC and Discovery Channel, with Boing missing from the pay-tv company's line-up for consumers in Southern Africa.

In a response from PR, it was revealed that they are currently in the process of seeking approval from ICASA for the acquisition of broadcasting rights for Boing. Only then we'll they issue a formal announcement until the channel the channel will rollout in the rest of Africa.

Boing is a children's channel which takes up the DNA of Nicktoons by featuring various archived material and content viewed on Cartoon Network and Cartoonito. Some shows to have been seen on the channel include Ben 10 (2005), Dexter's Laboratory and Adventure Time.

Kate Del Castillo is back on Telemundo

After four years in prison in the United States for the deaths of three DEA agents, Teresa Mendoza escapes but will have to face a world full of conspiracy, risking her life in order to clear her name and reunite with her daughter Sofía.

It starred Kate del Castillo as Teresa Mendoza, Pêpê Rapazote as Pablo Landero, Antonio Gil as Oleg Yosikov, Isabella Sierra as Sofía Dantes and Alejandro Calva as César Güemes "Batman".

Queen Of The South S3 is rumoured to replace Lord Of The Skies daily at 22:00 from Monday 1st January.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

News Shorts: Nickelodeon Silently Rebrands The Nick Jr. Instagram Page To Nick Family, Annekan Die Swa Kry Takes Up Primetime On eExtra Amidst Season 2 Debut On e.tv And Comedy Central Unveils Its Festive Lineup For Fans Across Africa

Another brand bites the dust

During the week, Nickelodeon rebranded it's Nick Jr. Instagram page as Nickelodeon Family (stylised as Nick Family). Following the move, any attempts a user makes with the handle @nickjr will lead consumers to "sorry, this page isn't available" message.

The company also operate Nickelodeon Parents, the network's resource website that features activities and information for kids, families and teachers. That too had been folded under the Nick Family brand with the domain NickFamily.com being redirected to NickelodeonParents.com.
Another Kuiertyd rebroadcast for eExtra

Last year, eMedia Investments had cutback on their Bollywood primetime offering leaving consumers to repeats of Twist Of Fate, Blue Venom Girl and The Heir while the Asian and Turkish section of the channel continued to bolster their offering on Openview.

In the coming weeks, those roles are going to be reversed but with the Asian offering taking a dump on primetime as the Korean drama Home For Summer reaches its climax on eExtra from 13 November at 17:10 it's timeslot will be allocated by Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Which begs the question, could Annekan Die Swa Kry be moving to eExtra as well as seen with Roekeloos Dade as both shows were initially slated for the channel before heading to e.tv or are plans still underway to replace Home For Summer with another Korean drama.

Here's a synopsis to season 2 episode 1 which airs 16 November at 17:00 on e.tv:

While Kadir is waiting with hope for the day when his innocence will be revealed behind bars and he will be reunited with his siblings, the siblings, who are scattered all over the place, are doing their best to get their brother out of prison. When Doruk learns the bitter truth about his father Akif, his life is shaken to a great extent, and his relationship with Asiye enters an irreversible path.
December on Comedy Central

Sunday Movie Nights 
Office Race - 3 December
Pretty Stoned - 10 December
Binged To Death - 17 December
Sundays at 22:00 CAT

South Park Holiday Stunt
18 - 25 December at 22:00 CAT
Watch all the South Park Christmas Classics during this South Park Stunt.

The Daily Show
1 - 15 December
Weekdays at midnight
The Daily Show (TDS) is an American late-night talk and satirical news, television program. The Daily Show draws its comedy and satire from recent news stories as well as political figures, media organisations, and often uses self referential humour.


Tuesday, October 24, 2023

News Shorts: A Rebroadcast Of Pasion Prohibida AKA Forbidden Passion Launches On eExtra, Disney Channel And TNT Both Gearing Up With Respective Premieres Across Africa With Hailey's On It And 100 Years Of Warner Bros. Studios

Monica Spear and Jencarlos Canela star in a fan-favourite series

Forbidden Passion (Pasion Prohibida) is a 2012 soap opera produced by Telemundo Studios that told the story of a woman's scorn over her mother after discovering that her she cheated on her father prior to his death so she married the man she chased after there she falls for his nephew.

Based on the 2008 Turkish drama Aşk-ı Memnu which derives from the novel of the same name. It starred Monica Spear and Jencarlos Canela alongside Roberto Vander, Mercedes Molto, Rebecca Jones, Henry Zakka, Jorge Consejo and Carmen Aub.

The series broadcasts weekday mornings on eExtra from 1st  November.

Disney Channel rolls out another female led series

Hailey's On It is a comedy-adventure centers around a risk-averse hero who’s tasked with saving the world by completing every item on a long list of challenging tasks. Hailey’s On It! is slated for a 2023 release, and there was no additional information about its format at press time.

Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) is the voice actor behind lead character Hailey, with Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) as her best friend Scott. The series was created by Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton (Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything), and is in production at Disney Television Animation by a team that includes co-executive producer and supervising director Howy Parkins (Lion Guard), producer Wade Wisinki (The Owl House), story editor Karen Graci (Tuca & Bertie) and art director Lee Ann Dufour (The Breadwinner).

The series broadcasts weekday afternoons from 20 November on Disney Channel.

TNT is celebrating Warner Bros. Studios with a new documentary

100 Years of Warner Bros. takes a historical look at the legacy of one of America's leading studios. The documentary explores the origin, evolution and endurance of Warner Bros. - from a family affair to a global juggernaut.

Tracing a century of movie and TV history, these four documentary specials explore the unparalleled global impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce, and culture. '100 Years of Warner Bros.' Doc featured George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Tim Burton.

It airs every Wednesday at 20:00 from December on TNT.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

News Shorts: Showmax Debuts Another Original Animated Series Twende, Once Upon A Studio To Rollout On Various e.tv And Disney Platforms And Help I'm In A Secret Relationship Returns For New Episodes On MTV Across Africa

Meet ‘Twende,’ Showmax Africa’s First Original 2D Toon

Showmax has released a trailer for Twende — the first Showmax Original 2D animated series. The show follows a pangolin — an endangered species which is the slowest on the savannah and the most-trafficked type of animal in the world — who makes up for his natural lack of speed by driving a motorcycle taxi.

Twende will premiere on Showmax across Africa on December 4. New episodes will roll out on Saturdays.

Once Upon A Studio debuts in Africa

Featuring 543 characters from more than 85 Disney feature-length and short films, Once Upon a Studio welcomes heroes and villains, princes and princesses, sidekicks and sorcerers - in all-new hand-drawn and CG animation - to celebrate 10 decades of storytelling, artistry and technological achievements.

Will be on Disney+ from 09h00, Disney Channel from 16h55 and on e.tv at 18h20.

Also on OpenView at these times:
- eExtra: 17h50
- eSeries: 18h15
- eToonz: 18h50
- eReality: 18h50
- eMovies: 19h50
- eMovies Extra: 19h50
- ePlesier: 20h00

November on MTV

Help, I'm In A Secret Relationship S2B
Monday, November 27th @20:00
Episodes 211-224

The broken hearts professionals are back in action! In season 2 of HIIASR, Travis and Rahne return to the streets to help suspicious and confused partners find out why their relationship’s being kept secret. But with the trend of hiding more prevalent than ever…they’ve got their work cut out for them this around.

On season 2 of HIIASR, our hosts are dealing with wilder stories, even crazier twists, and more jaw-dropping, shocking reveals than they’ve ever encountered before.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Development Alert: Surrender In Love And Twist Of Fate Return For A Season 2 On eExtra + An Update On Chrysalis Season 2

For most of the year, eExtra's Bollywood offering has been a snoozefest rehashing content already viewed on the channel including Blue Venom Girl, The Heir and Till The End Of Time. Now, the channel is set to resume primetime with new seasons of Twist Of Fate and Surrender In Love.

Twist Of Fate follows the lives of Pragya and Abhi who find themselves entwined in a cruel twist of fate. However, despite their initial aversion towards one another, they fall in love and fight to be together against all odds.

It starred Sriti Jha as Pragya Abhishek Mehra, Shabir Ahluwalia as Abhishek Prem Mehra, Shikha Singh as Aliya Mehra and Leena Jumani as Tanushree.

Surrender In Love takes place 7 years later with Neel and Chahat's children. Shlok (Neel's son) is religious and kind-hearted but naive, Dua (Chahat's daughter) is mischievous, bold and caring. When the parents arrive with their respective children they begin to form a strong bond.

It starred Rajveer Singh as Neelkanth "Neel" Bhatt Dhyani, Pratibha Ranta as Chahat Neelkanth Baig Dhyani, Vidhaan Sharma as Shlok Bhatt Dhyani and Kisha Arora as Dua Bhatt Dhyani.

Twist Of Fate will make its return weekdays at 14:35 on eExtra from 19 October followed by Surrender In Love weekdays at 13:45 from 20 October replacing the double bill of The Heir.

Update on Chrysalis

During the week, eExtra unveiled a new romcom Wie Laaste in place of Chrysalis as consumers await an update regarding the drama's status. Currently streaming on eVOD for a season 2, Chrysalis is set to return immediately after Wie Laaste Lag by early 2024.

* Kamdaki Kiz (Chrysalis), Kumkum Bhagya (Twist Of Fate) and Qurbaan Hua (Surrender In Love)

Monday, September 25, 2023

New Series Alert: Nirvana In Fire Coming Soon To eExtra

eExtra, a South African based free-to-air network operated by eMedia Investments that is home to international dramas from Turkey, Asia and India has acquired broadcasting rights to the 2015 Chinese historic drama Nirvana In Fire starring Hu Ge and Liu Tao in lead roles.

In 6th-century China, there was a war between feudal Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties. The Liang commander general, Lin Xie, his son, Lin Shu, and the Chiyan Army defeated hostile Wei forces. However, when the Chiyan were weakened from the battle, they were massacred under the Emperor's orders.

The drama was a commercial and critical success, surpassing 100 million streaming views by its second day, and receiving a total number of views on iQiyi of over 3.3 billion by the end of the series. Nirvana in Fire was considered a social media phenomenon, generating 3.55 billion posts on Sina Weibo that praised its characters and story-line.

The drama was also one of the recipients of the Outstanding Television Drama Award at the Flying Apsaras Awards, the highest government honor given for outstanding achievement in the television industry. Kong Sheng also won the Outstanding Director Award for his work in Nirvana in Fire. 

Following its popularity, a sequel titled Nirvana In Fire II: The Wind Blows In Chang Lin was aired in 2017 with a third installment still in development. eExtra set to air the first instalment from Thursday 5 October replacing Goodbye My Princess every weekday at 16:15. 

In other developments, Roekeloos Dade returns to the channel from Wednesday 4 October for new episodes and a brand new series Wie Laaste Lag joins the lineup from Wednesday 18 October in place of Winter Son and Chrysalis respectively.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Development Alert: Wie Laaste Lag Currently Streaming On eVOD + Coming Soon To eExtra

During the week, eMedia Investments added the first 10 episodes to the highly anticipated Turkish romcom Wie Laaste Lag (Aşk Mantık İntikam) to the eVOD streaming service with the series slated to rollout on eExtra in the coming weeks and not 6 months as seen with past shows.

Based on the Korean drama Cunning Single Lady, Die Wie Laaste Lag follows a couple who gets divorced after several years of marriage. But things change when the man suddenly gets rich, with his ex-wife starts working with him.
,

It starred Burcu Özberk, İlhan Şen, Zeynep Kankonde, Günay Karacaoğlu, Süleyman Atanısev, Mehmet Korhan Fırat, Ceren Koç, Emir Güler, Sevda Baş, Mehmet Yilmaz, Burak Yörük and Melisa Döngel.

The series was broadcast between 2021/2 with total of 42 episodes each consisting of 2 hours. It joins other programs from the FOX brand including Dokter Ali (Mucize Doctor), Doodsondes (Yasak Elma), Om Elke Draai (Her Yerde Sen) and Daai Crazy Somer (Son Yaz).

Wie Laaste Lag is slated to rollout on eExtra from October 4 replacing Chrysalis at 20:00. Prior to its debut, Roekeloos Dade returns to the channel for a new episodes after being ripped away from e.tv after 68 episodes from October 18 replacing Winter Son at 19:00.

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Openview Plus Updates: eMedia Investments' eToonz To Get It's First Ever Official Competitor From Ngwato Nkosi Group And e.tv Scraps uBettina Wethu Season 4 As Die Kontrak Returns With A Season 3 On eExtra

DStv to rollout a premium eToonz channel

Last month, MultiChoice and Zee Entertainment Enterprises unveiled a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel titled Zee Zonke. In some way, it sort of seemed like this was the pay-tv operators way of doing eExtra's Kuiertyd dirty by launching the exact opposite.

Play Room appears to be more enhanced version to the current eToonz channel as it set to carry a number of repeats like Paw Patrol, CoComelon and Akili And Me some of which will be dubbed in local languages and also get a sign language interpreter something not offered to Openview.

Why we consider this the first eToonz competitor? Simple, brands like Cartoon Network and PBS Kids are considered premium channels to some extent as they serve original productions and Play Room offering is limited which is why we pinned these two with each other.

Die Kontrak is back for a season 3

Last year, eMedia Investments revived Die Kontrak (formerly seen on Via) for a second season which had proved to be a resounding success if the show was fortunate enough to get a third season. Similar to Idols and The Voice, musicians are given a chance to own the stage with a winner set to get a recording contract.

Premiering episodes are on eExtra every Sunday at 18:00 with repeats said to be allocated on e.tv in an undisclosed timeslot.

uBettina Wethu has been removed from primetime

Last month, it had been reported that uBettina Wethu would return to e.tv for a fourth season as SABC lost rights to the fashion drama. But as seen in recent weeks, eMedia decided to pull the show off the schedule with its timeslot bombarded with content from eReality.

Several things came to mind and that was the possibility of this recent adjustment being permanent. Since rolling out local dramas in the 20:30 timeslot none of them have managed to immense as much success as Scandal or House Of Zwide.

Theoretically, could it be possible that uBettina Wethu could perhaps debut on a new timeslot perhaps 18:30 as Nikiwe has been struggling to garner much traction with consumers making it a very easy target and also another way to give the upcoming season exposure.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Development Alert: Roekeloos Dade Moves To eExtra For Season 2, Replaces Winter Son This October

During the month, e.tv unveiled the family drama Annekan Die Swa Kry in place of the first season of Roekeloos Dade. With questions amounting to the when e.tv will continue with a season 2 and this comes after Burcu Biricik (the lead actress) hoped onto eExtra's Chrysalis.

As doing some digging around, it has been revealed that e.tv decided to part ways with the show (for unknown reasons) with questions amounting to the future of Annekan Die Swa Kry. Following eMedia's streamlining of the brand, e.tv hasn't completed most of their programs.

The final seasons of Doodsondes are currently streaming on eVOD and earlier in the year the final episodes of Durban Gen were added on eExtra. Several international shows like Magnum Pi and The Goldbergs are being transmitted on eXposed which leads us to question the show.

MultiChoice plans to axe eExtra alongside eMedia's 3 other channels currently viewed on the Openview platform after their current extension expires. It had already been evident that consumers struggle to keep up with this offering and why this would affect DStv is simple.

40% of eMedia Investments' revenue and most likely viewers reside within the DStv platform. eMedia Investments not viewing any of these shows on e.tv as a priority does put them in a precarious position as consumers will likely just flee or in their hopes get Openview. 

As for the second season of Roekeloos Dade, it will return to eExtra this October replacing Winter Son. As for Annekan Die Swa Kry, like I said that's probably a goner as well it would fit the 18:00 timeslot once Elif ends in 2025 seeing as it is a family drama.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Winter Son On eExtra

Anton Schmidt as Mazhar
Bradley Oliver as Bora
Insey Cele as Nadide
Stephren Saayman as Burak
Vinette Ebrahim as Fatma
Raynad Slabbert as Efe/Mete
Sue Pyler as Seda
Eloise Cupido as Seda's mom
Dawid Minnaar as Resat
Roderick Jahfta as Yakup
Mortimer Williams as Ismail
Warren Hannelie as Sumru
Liane Heyl as Leyla
Zetske Van Pletzen as Nisan
Dirk Stoltz as Kadim 

Source: Insidus Plus, Die Afrikaans Voice Page

Friday, August 18, 2023

#BoycottingKuiertyd: Was Zee Zonke Meant To Be The Final Nail To The Coffin For eExtra On DStv?

Last month, it was reported by eMedia's team that their 4 Openview channels would be exiting the DStv platform. It's been a year since these channels were reinstated and MultiChoice has remained committed to move forward with the additions of Movie Room and DreamWorks.

As outlined in 2022, eExtra was the only brand that wasn't replaced with another channel instead M-Net attempted to duplicate the offering on kykNET & Kie with Kind Van Die Noodlot and In Die Ysterhand Se Greep both hail in Istanbul were the channel's first competitors.

Earlier in the year, that offering was crammed to a 1 hour timeslot and kykNET assures fans that another Turkish drama would be allocated but considering the recent schedule adjustments I honestly doubt that as consumers flee to e.tv for Annekan Die Swa Kry in the affected show's timeslot.

During the month, Zee Entertainment Enterprises unveiled a new Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel, Zee Zonke. Unlike its counterpart on Openview, Zee Zonke will come with its own programming or better yet import shows from Zee TV's Zee Marathi with 4 shows added to the lineup.


As seen through several ads, Zee Zonke was slated to air this month on channel 169 but I'm told by sources that the brand would only rollout by September which brings out many questions as to the delay of Bollywood brand.

Last year, MultiChoice outlined that they were battling with transponder constraints so they'd often be removing channels to make space for other channels. Particularly brands that were non-performing or lacked originality for which eMedia's 4 channels resided.

Another could be that Zee TV is planning some grand event similar to Disney Star's Star Life when it entered the market. As mentioned, Zee Zonke is not a catch-up channel much less a spinoff to Zee World but rather a Zulu duplicate to the Zee Marathi channel in India.

Recently, eMedia Investments had recieved another extension by the Competition Tribunal. As mentioned, Zee Zonke was meant to rollout this month but around the time this news came up it got delayed out of the blue.

TOLDJA! e.tv's 4 Channels Were Meant To Go Dark On DStv By August But Were Extended, Might To Go Dark By The End Of 2023 If Not Early 2024

Last month, eMedia Investments' 4 Openview channels on the DStv platform were meant to go dark as the team advised consumers that eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra would be booted and would remain exclusive to the Openview platform with eExtra on StarSat.

Fast forward to the present, these channels are still onboard the DStv platform and through an enquiry it was revealed that eMedia Investments had got another months extension (possibly the rest of 2023) by the Competition Tribunal - you'd think they'd let this matter rest.

And also it was mentioned that eMedia Investments had tried to get an extension on DStv but MultiChoice refused which led them to run through the Competition Tribunal for help once again.

Amidst this extension, MultiChoice was looking to launch further channels like the Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel Zee Zonke later this month (possible replacement to the Afrikaans offering on eExtra) but was delayed to September likely due to this matter.

Last year, MultiChoice had mentioned that they were battling with transponder constraints which partly led to the cancellation of eMedia's offering while the other party claimed they had plenty of space for more channels. But it's possible MultiChoice's case was accurate as they closed several channels in the previous financial year.

With this extension you kind of wonder if the upcoming offering would make it to DStv or likely get scrapped as seen with Media24's Via duplicate for Access consumers. Aside from e.tv, other channels whose future are in question include National Geographic and Disney Channel.

As outlined through my research, Disney Channel (and if possible Disney Junior) might be the next channels to exit the platform as further content will be folded under another streaming platform if not Showmax as Disney is looking to streamline the business.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

News Shorts: Disney+ Might Be Excluded From Certain African Markets Ahead Of Channel Closures, More Timeslot Changes Coming To eExtra Ahead Of Annekan Die Swa Kry's Debut On e.tv And MultiChoice To Cease Transmission Of The DStv Platform In Malawi


Disney+ is undergoing changes

During the month, it was learnt by Disney's CEO Bob Iger that Disney+ would be reviewing their portfolio in several countries with some limiting the amount of content produced within that region if not shut down alongside most of their linear platforms across the world.

Since Disney+ inception in 2019, there's still various markets in Europe, Africa and Asia without Disney+ and Bob Iger was able to confirm why some of these markets haven't been seen with the streamer. As seen in the last months, they're looking at regions which can make the streamer profitable.

Unfortunately most of Africa doesn't fit that description so various content like Only Murders In The Building, Loki and Solar Opposites will likely be folded under existing brands like Multichoice's Showmax, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as opposed to getting a seperate platform as seen in South Africa.

It is believed by analysts that Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are doing something similar with consumers in other regions.

Winter Son and Annekan Die Swa Kry are doing a switcheroo

Last month, eExtra underwent a schedule change which saw various repeats move to the Power Up leaving the channel to air repeats to past programming alongside other content already viewed on both eReality and eXposed.

In recent developments, e.tv will be allocating a new Turkish drama known in Afrikaans as Annekan Die Swa Kry in place of the first season to Roekeloos Dade. As seen through an updated programme guide, the channel will be moving the 17:00 shows in which this new series resides to Winter Son's timeslot on eExtra at 12:25.

Winter Son airs weekdays on eExtra at 19:00 with repeats 2 and a half hours later at 22:30. The Heir gets burned off to midnights, possible indicator that the channel might be phasing out the Bollywood part of the brand.

MultiChoice to close shop in selected territories

MultiChoice Africa Holdings (MAH) said its decision followed an injunction issued by the High Court in Lilongwe in a matter between MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) prohibiting an adjustment to the DStv tariffs.

MAH has argued that its local subsidiary is not responsible for setting prices for the service, which are set by the parent company independently. MultiChoice Malawi does not offer DStv to the Malawi public. The local outfit is responsible for the digital-terrestrial GOtv offering, for which it applied and received approval from the regulator for price adjustments.

Having argued repeatedly that the Malawi operation was not responsible for the DStv service, MAH said the subsidiary was incapable of complying with the court order to implement MACRA’s ruling on prices.

Since failure to comply could have “grave consequences for the directors and management of MultiChoice Malawi, including imprisonment”, it said it was withdrawing DStv from the country.

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Could eExtra Be Phasing Out The Bollywood Section Home To Naagin And The Heir?

eExtra is a general entertainment channel managed by eMedia Investments which had garnered popularity for its induction of Kuiertyd which has brought several international productions including Kruispad, Gebroke Harte, Doodsondes, Bittersoet and Impak.

The channel also featured programming from India such as Twist Of Fate, Naagin and The Heir and even Asian dramas such as Ice Adonis, High Society Scandal and Battle Through The Heavens.

For several years, eMedia had been shuffling the channel's line-up after having shows like Family Feud and Fear Factor on eReality and Chicago PD and The Goldbergs on eXposed. Even their current offering has seen a reduction or possible extinction over the years.

Before Kuiertyd, the channel was seen as a portal for international stories seen on Telemundo, Show TV and Globo most of which had been phased out for more Bollywood and Asian programming. Over the past year, even that appears to be the next thing eExtra is looking to limit.

By the end of 2022, eExtra had this section on repeat and now only the Asian part of the channel had resumed primetime while Naagin builds up the rest of the Bollywood offering seeing as Till The End Of Time and The Heir are basically repeats.

From August, this offering is moving to the 1PM timeslot basically the death slot of the channel with repeats at 11PM which too is known for viewership purge. Although there hasn't been much conformation as to the future of Guilty Pleasure.

It is believed by sources that Naagin and Dayan serve as the most viewed offering within this section could explain why it hasn't been filtered out yet with repeats and also it's kind of niche as Zee One and Star Life exempted themselves from such content.

eMedia Investments rolled out a pay-tv offering during the year catering to these consumers. Perhaps that played a big part in eExtra's offering I mean with Star Life and Zee One alongside Zee Family and Star Select consumers would have plenty of content to distract themselves and it would take the attention away from eExtra.

It's kind of uncertain on the plans eMedia have for their Asian offering on whether that could be a gonner as well. Considering that part of this helps eXposed and is sort of one way to alienate them from the rest of the offering it could stick around for a while longer.

In the end, it wouldn't be shocking if ePlesier and eExtra were sort of unified and eMedia just tried licencing content similar to Ouma Sarie and Die Kontrak.

Monday, July 31, 2023

Development Alert: e.tv Rips Yet Another Show Away From Primetime On eExtra, Annekan Die Swa Kry

During the year, eMedia Investments unveiled Roekeloos Dade of which it's Afrikaans title had yet to be revealed at the time. The series was initially slated to air on eExtra in the timeslot currently reserved by Om Elke Draai before it got scooped up by e.tv.

Prior to Om Elke Draai's arrival on eExtra, Annekan Die Swa Kry was initially slated to launch after Roekeloos Dade was nowhere to be seen closer to its launch date. But that never came to pass with eMedia silently rolling out the entire first season on the eVOD streaming service.

eVOD has been viewed as another hub for eMedia's local productions and often it was predictable to know which channel would get what at this point. The Afrikaans series were usually scooped up by eExtra while as e.tv dealt with the original portion of the streaming service.

After two years, the format has been broken with Annekan Die Swa Kry a series you'd expect to be tailored for eExtra's fans will instead make room on e.tv from August 21st after Roekeloos Dade goes on production break a week prior.

e.tv being branded as a freemium channel had started losing its value over the years. First you had Fear Factor and Celebrity Family Feud now it's on eReality then S.W.A.T. and Magnum Pi now on eXposed heck even eToonz is getting some airtime with The Loud House.

The Kuiertyd portion of the brand was something that was left unscathed for almost 4 years now but with eReality ramping up some local content this was bound to happen eventually.

eMedia Investments doesn't view these portions of e.tv as a priority as seen previously and they're also putting a lot of confidence into their other brands. Before you'd have e.tv serving as catch-up to most of their programming now they trust each brand to their own offering.

I guess the real question is what is become of Craze I mean with Takalani Sesame could we getting more curriculum based programming?

As for Roekeloos Dade, the series is expected to make a comeback around the time Winter Son on eExtra comes to a close and as for Annekan Die Swa Kry, here's what we know:

The story revolves around four siblings who lose their parents due to unfortunate circumstances and try to build their lives together. But soon the truth surrounding their parent's death slowly starts to unravel and nothing will remain the same.

It stars Fadik Sevin Atasoy, Celil Nalçakan, Su Burcu Yazgı Coşkun, Yiğit Koçak, Aylin Akpınar, Onur Seyit Yaran, Melis Minkari, Recep Usta and Cihan Şimşek.