Recap To The Year: OUTtv Relaunches On eMedia Investments' Openview Platform And Also Streaming On Showmax

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OUTtv is a gay oriented entertainment channel based in Canada which specialises in made for TV films and series including Finding Prince Charming, RuPaul Drag Race, The Villberg Chronicles, Dr. Jackie: Unlicensed Psychotherapist and Haus Haus.

During the year, it formed part of eMedia Investments' initial offering alongside FUSE to their unbundled pay-tv service Ultraview which is similar to MultiChoice's DStv AddMovies which too comes with a limited number of alternatives at a high price.

As mentioned, OUTtv is a member of the LGBTQ something not supported by some religious groups. On top of that, such acts are prohibited in various African territories. So when you look at it you can kind of see why MultiChoice went against the channel.

Prior to its rollout on Openview, MultiChoice added OUTtv as a pop-up channel back in 2018 and were involved in a nudity scandal but that's not what stopped it from becoming permanent. Perhaps the issue at the time had to deal with preferences.

MultiChoice comes with a range of channels and consumers pay for selected while opting to tolerate the least necessary. OUTtv would have probably been that brand to drive away consumers or had smear campaigns launched against them and DStv as seen in Uganda.

Hence the reason for Showmax and Ultraview, as one comes with less restrictions while the other gives consumers particularly religious households the option of not viewing content from this particular brand.

eReality On DStv: Here's Everything Briefly Wants You To Know About The eFamily Member Channel

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Briefly News is a South African digital media and news platform that was founded in 2014. It is one of South Africa’s largest news and entertainment websites and one of the top-earning brands on Facebook in Africa. It is also partner to Genesis Media Emerging Markets.

Genesis Media Emerging Markets, a digital media holding operating in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and worldwide. Other GMEM news projects include Legit.ng (Nigeria), TUKO.co.ke (Kenya), YEN.com.gh (Ghana) and Sportsbrief.com (Worldwide).

In 2018, eMedia Investments launched a free-to-air reality channel on the Openview platform, eReality. It currently ranks as the most popular reality channel in the market featuring local and international series from e.tv, NBC, M-Net, Oxygen, BBC and MTV.

Prior to its rollout on Openview, rumours swirled around that eMedia Investments would be adding eReality as the 6th channel to MultiChoice's DStv joining the now defunct eBella alongside eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz.

Of course, not much was known about its potential rollout it was believed to be replacing eBella as news of a possible rollout of the reality channel coincided with the termination of the channel which introduced viewers to shows like Qubool Hai and Fatmagul.

Last year, an author of Briefly published a story about eReality but this time as a channel for DStv. Of course, not much is known about what led to the mix up or which channel the author was referring as they listed it under the Compact bouquet but not Openview.

eMedia Investments gave away broadcasting rights to eNCA to MultiChoice for another 5 years preventing Openview consumers from ever viewing the channel with SABC News currently viewable on SABC's DTT and streaming service, SABC+.

Briefly now viewing eReality as a DStv channel, would it be a bad idea to rip the channel away from Openview consumers as the switch to DStv could help give brands like TLC and MTV a ran for their money with their 90 Day Fiance and Teen Moms.

Honestly, it's better off on Openview as there's not much alternatives to the content and as seen with eMedia's 4 other channels on DStv. It would have likely joined the group of channels awaiting their departure from the pay-tv operator for carrying "DStv Repeats".

Source: Briefly

Development Alert: LM Radio And TransAfrica Radio Stop Airing On The Openview Platform

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LM Radio, a Mozambican based radio station catering to the oldies with hits from the 50s and 80s alongside the youth centric TransAfrica celebrating pop culture and featuring content for the trendsetters become the next channels to get culled from the Openview platform.

LM Radio was added on the Openview platform in February 2015 serving as one of the few radio stations on the platform while as TransAfrica Radio was introduced alongside eMovies Extra in October 2016.

Openview doesn't mention why these channels have been switched off but recommend consumers to their 25+ regional stations (19 of which are operated by the public broadcaster). Although, these brands are no longer on the platform it remains on DStv.

In eMedia Investments' annual report, they announced plans to rollout a few more channels in the current fiscal year alongside new decoders which would come with more memory and WI-FI capabilities. They recently launched 4 channels under the pay tier, Ultraview.

Openview added 513 840 activations, taking the total activations to just shy of 3.2 million and this doesn't include Ultraview. eMedia did not say how many of those who have activated set-top boxes remain current viewers of the platform same goes.

eMedia Investments And MultiChoice Renew Carriage Agreement For eNCA Through 2027, Still Silent On eMedia's 4 Other Channels Currently Seen On DStv

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Yesterday, eMedia Investments revealed in their annual financial results that it secured a five-year extension with MultiChoice to carry eNCA on DStv. It also sold exclusive rights to carry its flagship news channel, blocking its own platforms like Openview from carrying it.

eMedia said it maintained its prime-time audience market share of 34.5% across E-tv, Openview, and eNCA — up slightly from 34.1% on March 2022. E-tv’s prime-time market share dropped back to.21.4% after increasing from 21.8% in 2021 to 23.7% last year.

eNCA is the most-watched news channel in South Africa among the nation’s wealthiest demographic and the second most-watched news channel among “All Adults”. This is despite the channel not being offered on all DStv packages, whereas its competition is, eMedia said.

Last year, the company was embroiled in a carriage battle with the pay-tv company for their 4 channels: eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra. Since August 2022, the channel remained onboard on the platform following pending investigation.

Of course, eMedia Investments remained silent at the time of publication so we assume these channels might as well be a gonner as MultiChoice isn't looking to carry these channels full-time while eMedia Investments hopes to see them continue on the platform.

As for eNCA, we can only assume that the only way you can get this on Openview is through the pay tier, Ultraview. But majority of Openview consumers can't afford or aren't willing to pay for the the bouquet with some comparing it to the likes of DStv.

Could e.tv's Youth Block Craze Also Be On The Chopping Block Following The Rollout Of Takalani Sesame And Revised eToonz Offering?

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Last year, eMedia Investments was in a carriage dispute with MultiChoice regarding e.tv's 4 channels on the DStv platform which still remains as quo. Following the demise, eMedia Investments had begun boosting primetime on their least viewed channel, eToonz.

eToonz, a children's channel offering animation and live-action was basically a graveyard for most of e.tv's offering on their youth block, Craze. As mentioned, the channel has seen a growth in entertainment with the addition of live-action like Backstage and Hank Zipzer.

Content which has yet to be seen on e.tv as the only notable live-action show to date is Power Rangers and just like most of eMedia's channels they too provide content that hasn't been made available to the main channel so would it be shocking if eToonz followed.

As mentioned, there's been a lot of questions regarding the future of e.tv's youth offering as the latter serves as rebroadcasts from the SABC and eToonz with eMedia Investments limiting the international offering as seen this past week with The Goldbergs.

e.tv serves a free-to-air entertainment channel offering a mixture of local and international productions. Just like the SABC, they also follow a mandate which requires them to serve news which they initially intended to get out of the way alongside kiddies entertainment.

With that in mind, e.tv will continue to supply a lineup of kiddies content. Of course, this doesn't exclude the possibility of them revamping the block's current offering as seen during the year with Takalani Sesame.

Recap To The Decade: eMedia Investments Has Yet To Cutback On Repeats Currently Viewed On Openview

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MultiChoice has been providing repeats to DStv consumers since the dawn of time and over the years they found ways to simplify that offering by either reducing the number of alternatives available or at least on a particular package as seen with Magic Showcase.

Of course, Openview serving as a free-to-view component from eMedia Investments has took part in a similar scenario. Following the success of eExtra's Kuiertyd (Turkwood), they launched a dedicated channel in 2022 to relive the moments even after axing Rewind.

During that year, SABC unveiled plans to restructure the rebroadcasts seen across their plans which would see shows such as 7de Laan being made viewable to consumers on SABC 2 and SABC+ and no longer on the loss making SABC 3.

Alas, eMedia Investments has yet to take a similar route with consumers on the Openview platform as they offer primetime on eExtra and catch-up on e.tv despite the existence of ePlesier let's not forget eVOD where this content can be streamed at anytime.

Just like the public broadcaster, it almost seems as if they don't have enough content to fill up a single channel. As mentioned, e.tv offers a catch-up service to Kuiertyd with eXposed playing second fiddle to above-mentioned brands alongside eReality.

If I had to be honest, ePlesier would have probably been better off had eMedia Investments reduced the airtime on e.tv or move this catch-up service to the Rewind type channel with the main channel airing selected content in the hopes to lure potential Openview consumers.

Recap To Last Year: OnseTV And MyTV Are No Longer Available On StarSat, Should eMedia Investments Perhaps Get It For The Openview Platform?

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Last year, it was announced that OnseTV and My TV would be scrapped from the StarSat platform. As of 2023, Glow TV join the brands as another list of channels that can't be viewed anywhere in the market.

OnseTV was a general entertainment channel which is meant to serve as a rival to the kykNET channels on the DStv platform offering a lineup of drama series, movies, reality shows and documentaries. It includes shows like Suidooster and Snoek & Patat.

MyTV was a lifestyle channel and by the looks of it a rival to Media24's VIA also seen on the DStv platform. It offers a mixture of lifestyle and factual content ranging from home, decor, food, fashion and several others. It includes shows like Vaskap and Eksieperfeksie.

As seen in 2022, StarSat has been focused on reshaping the South African landscape through content adaption, dubbing, sub-titling supported by innovative low-cost commissioning of unique programme formats that appeal to the "vast majority" of consumers.

Unfortunately, OnseTV and MyTV didn't resonate with those plans for consumers which led to the untimely demise on the StarSat platform after 13 years.

MyTV (formerly ASTV) was added onto eMedia Investments' Openview platform back in 2013 but died out over the years as consumers weren't that invested at the time as seen with eExtra's Kuiertyd which has luckily pulled close to half a million viewers.

Over the years, eMedia Investments had begun investing in more content for the brand including Saturday Night Movies on eExtra and the Afrikaans game show, Die Kontrak.

I mean the idea of getting a brand similar to OnseTV or MyTV perhaps for Openview Ultra wouldn't be the most far fetched thing to happen. eExtra is telenovela skewed particularly with Kuiertyd but with their fanbase they could as well get this content to new heights.

Initially, Openview was more like StarSat with this offering and following Kuiertyd. You got to see more of this brand as well as the community it caters for. At the moment, it kinds of repetitive and maybe content from both these parties will help change that.

How Glow TV Might Look Should It Be Reinstated On The Openview Platform?

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Glow TV was a South African based community channel operated by Nismedia which featured various reality shows, drama series and movies from the heart of India. It was also dubbed the home of Little Bheem, Get Real With Denver Naicker and Emperor Ahsoka.

Last month, the party involved in the distribution of Glow TV announced plans to take legal action against eMedia Investments for the removal of the channel on the Openview platform while StarSat similar to DStv remains unscathed following the termination.

Unlike eMedia's 4 channels currently seen on DStv, Glow TV has no other outlet to continue supplying the lineup of content as the only other alternative StarSat which was thought to be such at the time despite having little views opted not to renew their agreement.

Glow TV is back on DStv and StarSat but as a 1 hour segment Glow TV Plus on Soweto TV airing former Glow TV soaps such as Love Or Poison and Complicated Love. Chances are this is what we might expect should the channel eventually return to Openview.

I'm not referring to the shows but basically a lot of reruns, Glow TV had originals perhaps some of it will return as short form series if not repeats as the brand is currently going through financial constraints.

Ideally, they'd probably want to air some fresh material so similar to the original content they'd likely air a lot of short form content or similar to eExtra's Guilty Pleasure lineup with Dare To Love they'll distribute a lot in such little time.

Recap To The Past Decade: True African Was Ripped Away From Openview Consumers, Could eMedia Investments Finally Source Out A Replacement?

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True African was a general entertainment channel that came in place of the defunct eNolly+ channel on the Openview platform. The channel served a purpose of promoting content from West Africa particularly Ghana and Nigeria through the form of movies and series.

As mentioned, the channel was ripped away from Openview consumers in an attempt to offer fresher entertainment for which channel didn't reflect even when it was operating as eAfrica+ before the switch to eNolly+ it still had a repetitive nature.

But unlike e.tv's News And Sport channel much less OpenNews, the channel was revived on PremiumFree TV which serves as freemium platform's first ever competitor offering a range of movies, drama series, reality shows, music and kiddies entertainment.

Fact of the matter is eMedia Investments hasn't replaced True African sure we have channels like Zee One, Star Life, The Home Channel+ and People's Weather but none of this can make up for the closure of the brand's last attempt in Nollywood entertainment.

As of 2023, eMedia Investments launched their pay-tv venture on the Openview platform which comes with 4 channels and plans to grow the lineup. But what was also outlined about this new pay-tv service was the focus on diversity and inclusion resulting in OUTtv.

The idea of eMedia Investments exploring something similar to True African TV possibly for Openview Ultra wouldn't be far fetched. It's not like consumers were familiar with the offering seen on OUTtv and yet there's plenty of households willingly to pay monthly.

The current offering (excluding OUTtv) kind of resembles the existing lineup seen on StarSat and DStv as well as the pricing for those wishing to view the offering.

eNCA Reveals An Empowering New Brand Identity

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eNCA reveals an empowering new brand identity with an emotive call to action, inspiring South Africa to make the news their own.

From 1 May, viewers will see an updated logo and fresh look for the channel.

The channel made history when it launched on 1 June 2008 as South Africa's first 24-hour news service.

Since then, it's dominated the market as a leading and discerning voice in the South African local news landscape and trusted as a reliable source of news and current affairs.

As part of the refresh, viewers can expect some updates in the daily broadcast schedule.

Viewers can look forward to entertaining mornings with a simulcast of The Morning Show (currently on e.tv) from 6 to 9am, followed by Tumelo Mothotoane and Gareth Edwards on NewsLink from 9am to midday.

Viewers will still see the familiar faces they’ve grown to rely on, and also some new ones who will join the channel.

Amongst others, Shahan Ramkissoon will be back with a brand-new show: The Last Word, which will be broadcast on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.

The weekend schedule is also being refreshed. Going forward, We the Nation will be shown on Sundays at 8pm.

eNCA will also extend its broadcast hours until midnight, every night.

Presenting The 12 TV Channels On DStv To Offer DStv Repeats

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Last year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice got into a fist fight in regard to e.tv's 4 channels. According to MultiChoice, the channels don't fit their 5 year content plan and leverage of DStv content so we look at channels from the platform that air DStv content.

1. Televista

Not to be mistaken with Televisa, the channel is operated by Consolidated Media in Nigeria is home to brands like Trybe TV and SoundCity. Initially, the line-up featured the best of Mexico and Latin America with shows like Part Of Me and Without Breasts There's No Paradise. But over the years, the channel has gone as far as supplying Bollywood shows from Zee World.

2. TLNovelas

Despite being home to various original shows such as Head Over Heels, Secrets At The Hotel and Rubi. The TelevisaUnivision channel has been licensing content to various broadcasters across Africa so if there's a channel you want out then look no further than TLNovelas or likely the competition, Citizen TV.

3. Akilli Kids

Located in East Africa, Akilli Kids is a popular children's channel home to educational content in various languages including English aside from Akilli And Me. The channel supplies a stack of shows already viewed on DStv including various shows like Wild Kratts, Team Umizoomi, Splash And Bubbles and Elinor Wonders Why.

4. DreamWorks

International adaptation of eMedia Investments' eToonz so to speak as NBCUniversal had been licencing numerous content in a similar manner to TLNovelas to various broadcasters including the SABC. Basically, 90% of the channel consists of rehashed content for consumers in South Africa while eToonz gets with modern times.

5. Movie Room

Launched in 2022 as a replacement to eMovies and eMovies Extra, the channel is an M-Net Movies Zone or TCM tiered channel with Kagiso Media hoping to rollout original local films on the channel. The competitor to M-Net Movies has some type of uniqueness that can't be explored on other movie channels but when it comes to new movies there's only repeats of Step Up, Madea and Dragonball: Evolution.

6. TNT

Replaced TCM back in 2018, the channel currently ranks as the most popular movie channel in South Africa reaching 10 million households has something for action lovers with Venom, Poltergeist, Lethal Weapon, Suicide Squad and Justice League as if that hasn't been explored on M-Net Movies alongside TV's most talked about wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling.

7. Studio Universal

Basically an international version of eMovies or so what we almost believed at one point. The channel blew M-Net Movies out of the water after bringing out the latest films before any other channel on the Compact bouquet including Men In Black: International, Woody Woodpecker, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Bad Boys For Life all of which had been seen on M-Net Movies 1 & 2.

8. Comedy Central

Being one of the few routes for international dramas (comedies) alongside BBC Brit and M-Net (or Me) the channel has garnered traction with the likes of South Park, The Daily Show, The Carbonaro Effect and Impractical Jokers. But what catches consumers attention is the endless reruns of M-Net's Two And A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family and Friends.

9. Universal

Serving as one of the few competitors to M-Net and BBC Brit, the channel garnered traction for the likes of Rosewood, Law And Order: SVU, Transplant and Fantasy Island. But just like most channels on the list play second fiddle to DStv/M-Net repeat with shows like Chicago P.D., NCIS: Los Angeles, S.W.A.T., Rizzoli And Isles and Bones.

10. Real Time and Discovery Family

After axing Discovery World and Animal Planet, MultiChoice thought of a swell to duplicate the content seen on Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network, HGTV and Investigation Discovery on two channels thus limiting the content seen on the successors for content selected consumers already have.

11. Nicktoons

Currently the only kids channel to play second fiddle to another DStv channel as Cartoonito graduated out of repeats prior to its rebrand but Nicktoons continues to build up their offering with a stack of content already viewed on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. including Dora The Explorer, Paw Patrol, The Casagrandes and Middlemost Post.

Conclusion:
This is Insidus giving you the 11 channels to offer DStv repeats but remain onboard while eMedia Investments 4 TV channels on DStv platform were being phased from existence for that exact same reason.

Nismedia Looking To Take Legal Action Against eMedia Investments With The Competition Tribunal Following The Removal Of Glow TV

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Following the ongoing saga of MultiChoice and eMedia Investments' carriage dispute regarding e.tv's 4 channels would be Nismedia's Glow TV which went dark on both Openview and StarSat by the end of February with no means of survival for the affected party.

Since then, eMedia Investments unveiled the Bollywood bouquet Spice TV for their Openview Ultra consumers which featured sister channels to the freemium Zee One and Star Life while StarSat welcomed the addition of 4 channels including CBS Reality and Kartoon Channel.

As seen yesterday across Glow TV's social platforms, the channel is looking to take legal action against eMedia Investments which could result in the reinstatement of the orange brand through the Openview platform similar to the affected party channels which are still on DStv.

From what is understood by their statement, they want authorities to see if eMedia Investments removal of the channel was proper in anyway or anti-competitive which again is the reason eMedia's 4 channels haven't left the DStv platform as they conduct their investigation.

StarSat isn't affected by the whole matter so it seems as the pay-tv company similar to MultiChoice at the time when the channel went dark on the platform in 2018 ended it on contractual obligations.

Zee One was added to the Openview platform as a replacement to Glow TV in 2021 and at the time eMedia Investments removed the channel before the contract could expire resulting in this rift between Nismedia and eMedia Investments for Glow TV.

We honestly feel that Glow TV should be repositioned as a lifestyle channel or serve as the Soweto TV or TBN of the country if not look up to PremiumFree or SABC's DTT if they wish to continue operating in the market as there's so much Bollywood on their former platforms.

Glow TV wasn't a soapie channel like Zee World or Star Life but a general entertainment brand featuring reality, lifestyle, drama series, news, kids shows and local programs. All of which wasn't enough to retain its status on the affected platforms.

Why eExtra's Demise On The DStv Platform Is A Good Thing If You Ask?

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Last year, MultiChoice and eMedia Investments were like cats and dogs in regard to the carriage of eExtra, eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra. One minute, they're there the next minute is gone and now they're back again. First, they're associates now rivals now they're allies.

As advised, these channels aren't permanent they were suppose to be off after 6 months and already past that all 4 remain on the platform. In a media enquiry, eMedia Investments mentions these channels will remain onboard while as MultiChoice considers them temporary.

As for the channels in general, we feel eExtra deserves the most amount at redemption. All the other channels continue to borrow their lineup from other DStv channels and while eExtra offers something unique 50% of the time it has built a fanbase through Kuiertyd.

Kuiertyd serves as another local component for eMedia Investments and an arch nemesis for kykNET. It could also be one of the reasons 7de Laan and several Afrikaans programs have been getting more attention from consumers although I wouldn't say the impact is that big.

As seen through last year, kykNET grew more closer to the Kuiertyd offering with the launch of the Turkish lineup of kykNET & Kie which too is arch nemesis to Kuiertyd but also another alternative for anyone craving for more drama.

eExtra has been gaining a lot of attention through these shows and it's remainder on the DStv platform just only complicates things even further for kykNET.

If the idea for kykNET was to give these shows more attention and to boost their offering then eExtra distances the attention better yet it puts the success rate for these shows in more jeopardy as more people will invest more time watching Kuiertyd than kykNET.

It doesn't mean kykNET's offering will flop but it only means that the offering won't reach its full potential if eExtra is around distracting consumers from the offering giving MultiChoice all the more reasons to have it booted as it limits the competition.

Rivalry is good for any business I mean SABC Sport is on Openview even though both brands owners serve as rivals in the free-to-air industry. eExtra's content isn't going anywhere as the latter fills in the blanks for e.tv same with most other channels from the brand.

Recap To The Year: The Future Of eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra And eExtra On DStv Will Likely Be Unveiled In The Coming Weeks

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In 2017, eMedia Investments expanded their partnership with MultiChoice to include general entertainment channel eExtra, two movie channels eMovies and eMovies Extra and kiddies channel eToonz and since last year that all went to hell.

MultiChoice attempted to replicate the offering with kykNET & Kie's international telenovela slate alongside the additions of DreamWorks and Movie Room. Since then, the pay-tv company had been ordered to keep these channels onboard their platforms for 6 months.

Considering these channels were reinstated no later than August 2022 it means the channels were meant to go dark before the end of the previous financial year which is 31 March 2023 but few days into the next financial year they're still aboard.

If we had guess it's possible MultiChoice extended the agreement for these 4 channels past the 6 month cutoff date I mean the idea wouldn't be far fetched. From what is known from reps, these channels aren't permanent but they don't disclose when they're going dark either.

So it's possible that eMedia's 4 channels were being put on a trial run on MultiChoice's DStv platform to see which channel has a bigger impact on consumer's viewing habits and it's also possible that they're looking at ways to properly depose of these channels.

Compared to eExtra, all other e.tv channels supply a lot of rehashed content from DStv something the mentioned platform has been trying to reduce over the years with Magic Showcase and CineMagic being accessible to Easyview with kykNET Lekker on Access.

While as top level consumers such as Premium, Compact+ and Compact have access to a variety of channels such as Mzansi Magic, BBC Brit, kykNET, kykNET NOU! and several others.

As for eExtra, it's possible the pay-tv platform wants to limit the amount of dubbed programming. These programming have grown successful over the years so it's possible that similar to ITV Choice on M-Net they'd rather incorporate this on kykNET & Kie.

I mean the limitation of dubbed programming on DStv has been speculated for sometime now after the platform opted not to renew their agreement with Canal+ SPI International for the Turkish channel Timeless Dizi Channel and CJ E&M for Korean channel tvN.

All in all, it's possible that all the channels might go dark in the coming months as MultiChoice had sought out several channels for the affected consumers Access and Easyview including Movie Room, BBC UKTV, CineMagic, Moonbug Kids and Magic Showcase.

It's also very much possible that selected channels could remain onboard such as eExtra for instance as there's less duplication in terms of content but more in terms of dubs.

New Channel Alert: Openview To Add Some Spice To Ultra

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Right in time for the Easter holidays, Ultraview is surprising audiences with a second bouquet on Ultra, their recently launched Pay TV offering.

Will have the latest addition of niche channels with never-been-seen programmes, and that launched at 6:30pm on 6 April 2023. It will be home to two channels: Star Select and Zee Family, and promise to be an entertainment hotspot with a variety of Hindi content.

Viewers can get a taste of the flavourful content for a limited period, at no cost. From there the Spice bouquet will be available on a subscription basis at R119,99 per month using the Openview decoder to activate the chosen bouquet.

Star Select is a premium Hindi bespoke entertainment channel, specially curated for South Africa’s Hindi speaking viewers. Star Select is the entertainment hotspot that offers something for every age group, making the channel a family destination that offers the best romantic dramas, entertaining comedy shows, popular reality TV and the biggest Bollywood blockbuster hits. Some of the shows include Banni Chow Home Delivery (Genre: Drama), Swayamvar: Mika Di Vohti (Genre: Reality), Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara (Genre: Romance), Saubhagyavati Bhava (Genre: Drama), May I Come In Madam: (Genre: Comedy). and many more.

Zee Family offers exciting and heartwarming entertainment from India in Hindi with English subtitles. The channel caters to families showcasing award-winning romance and drama series, comedies, blockbuster movies, lifestyle, cooking and reality shows. Viewers can look forward to Baal Shiv, Ghar Ek Mandir, Kripa Agrasen Maharaj, Ki Ek Mahanayak Dr. BR Ambedkar, Main Bhi Ardhangini and the acclaimed reality singing competition, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Encore Revival Is Still In Development For The Openview Platform

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SABC is gearing up for the launch of their second news channel, SABC eKhaya. It will serve as the 7th TV channel by the public broadcaster and it will also be a regional spinoff to the current SABC News brand viewed on MultiChoice's DStv, SABC's DTT and SABC+.

It will debut in the second quarter of the year exclusively on SABC's DTT and SABC+ offering news in all 11 South African languages. A format which was once seen on the current SABC News but abandoned following the brand's expansion to the rest of Africa.

As seen these past years, SABC has been behind on expanding their linear presence. In 2021, they formalised a partnership with eMedia Investments for 3 additional channels including SABC Sport and now we are in 2023 and we're still awaiting updates on the 2 channels.

From what was gathered, these two channels would leverage content from SABC's archives and just like SABC Sport. The plan was to offer something unique and not available on SABC 1-3 as more households tune into these stations and their content.

Although, we have yet to get an update on the supposed channels. SABC eKhaya isn't the only channel the public broadcaster might be looking to introduce in the coming future but likely a revival to the controversial SABC Encore now referred to Intelsat as SABC 1.

For almost 2 years, the public broadcaster had been working on this supposed channel under SABC Entertainment, SABC Children and SABC Encore. What had me more convinced about Encore was the time since it left DStv which is when these tests were underway.

One of the brand names, SABC Entertainment was initially meant to be the name for SABC Encore before those plans were scrapped while as the connection with SABC Children may have to do with the fact that both channels exist to leverage from SABC 1-3.

The public broadcaster had marketed SABC Encore on numerous occasions particularly for live matches or memorial services alongside talked on a revival. On top of that, SABC 1 had been spotted with the SABC Encore tag.

If anything, I do wonder how this brand would be any different to the version viewed on DStv. The channel was opened on numerous occasions for rebroadcasts of live matches on top of that memorial service and with SABC restructuring repeats on SABC 1-3.

It wouldn't be shocking if SABC Encore returned in a similar form to M-Net's SWITCH channels or eMedia's Power UP as SABC 1-3 won't be leveraging repeats from the other. Considering it was somewhat relevant, I can see the 80s/90s version of the channel remain intact.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Children's Future As Linear Channel Likely On Openview Alongside The Possible Revival To SABC Encore Remains Quo

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SABC Children is the name of the public broadcaster's kids division that offers a mixture of local and international programming for kids aged 2-12. It was also intended to be a preschool spinoff for the educational channel, SABC Education.

SABC Children was added as an online channel on Tuluntulu alongside SABC Education and this was before SABC Education was eventually added to SABC's DTT and SABC+. The channel served content (mostly repeats) in multiple languages including English.

In 2021, the public broadcaster began experimenting on a potential cable counterpart to the current SABC Children as seen with SABC Education in 2020.

Numerous tests were conducted at the time which included the likes of SABC Encore and SABC Entertainment. Basically, these channels were funneled under one tile and it was only last year were there was any mention of its outlet or in this case Openview.

It's no secret that the public broadcaster is expanding their linear presence on the platform. In 2021, they added 19 radio stations alongside SABC Sport and promised consumers two channels a few months after but never launched them as intended.

SABC Children was listed as a potential new channel even before the platform was mentioned. Since 2022, the channel has been using the placeholder SABC 1 for which the actual channel was actually spotted in 2022 using the tag, SABC Encore.

It's not clear whether SABC Children will launch separately or under SABC Encore. But for one tile to be using three brands and out of all one has an identity of its own, SABC Children seems like a possibility maybe this one tile is being used for multiple channels.

As to when the public broadcaster will unveil these two channels or provide an official update it's likely to rollout after SABC eKhaya. A brand which might not be made available to Openview consumers but pay-tv platforms such as DStv and StarSat.

Conspiracy Theory: Openview Consumers Might Miss Out On Yet Another New Channel By The Public Broadcaster

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The public broadcaster is gearing up for the rollout of their second news division, SABC eKhaya (formerly SABC Parliament). A multilingual news platform offering news in your language and also a spinoff to the current SABC News channel seen on the DStv platform.

Prior to that, the public broadcaster was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1 for the Openview platform. It is believed to be SABC Encore as consumers had spotted it on the programme guide of SABC back in 2022.

Following the expansion of SABC Sport and SABC's 19 radio stations, the public broadcaster was looking to the idea of launching a second sports channel on top of a potential revival to the defunct and controversial SABC Encore once viewed on DStv.

As mentioned prior to the testing of SABC Parliament, SABC was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1. Compared to most experiments this is the only channel to mention it's platform as others like SABC eKhaya were currently being tested for DTT.

With that in mind, it's possible SABC eKhaya alongside SABC Education might not be one of the two channels expected for Openview customers. If anything, the multilingual news channel might be something the public broadcaster is looking to get on pay-tv platforms.

If anything, the public broadcaster might as well be working on launching more TV channels in the coming future aside from the above-mentioned. Some channels the public broadcaster were looking to start up include a health and history channel.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Looking To Launch A Second Sports Channel And Reduce Sports Offering On SABC 1-3

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eMedia Investments in partnership with the public broadcaster expanded their agreement in 2021 to include more content from the SABC on the Openview platform. SABC Sport serves as the only additional channel currently ranks as the top 10 watched channels.

Amidst that success, SABC had suggested the idea of launching a second sports channel which too would carry it's own content. As of this moment, it only remains a dream but considering they're launching another news channel - anything goes at this point.

From what was mentioned decades ago by the public broadcaster when implementing DTT. The idea for SABC Sport was not only to give consumers a strong competitor to SuperSport but to also lessen the blows of SABC 1-3's primetime offering.

In a briefing, they blamed the government's failed attempts at eradicating analogue signals that the SABC had to stay behind while eMedia Investments launched their own DTT platform which currently serves 3 million households in South Africa.

SuperSport limits some of their sporting rights to DStv, SABC's DTT and SABC+ thus causing some conflict amongst SABC 1-3 with the current SABC Sport channel as they have to exclude certain programs in order to cater for the consumers who can view them.

Analogue TV is said to be phased out in the coming future not putting my hopes on March 2023 and the public broadcaster will be undergoing even more changes particularly with SABC 1-3 which will have their primary shows airing on their respective brands.

Sports in this case hasn't been discussed in terms of phasing out I mean it's still in talks but no timeframe was given which kind of begs the question as to what happens the day SABC 1-3 limit the access.

Several DStv particularly Access and Easyview alongside StarSat rely on these channels and not much alternatives are available. As for Openview, SABC Sport is a wreck on top of limited alternatives there's repeats hovered inbetween.

Getting back to the topic of the second sports channel, is it possible they'll use this channel perhaps to remove the burden of primetime on SABC 1-3 and seeing as SuperSport controls part of their lineup. What if this sports channel didn't cater to the likes of Openview.

Drafted Version: What To Expect On Openview Ultra's Highly Anticipated Channel, Star Select?

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A few days ago, eMedia Investments unveiled two new channels for their Ultraview bouquet, Zee Family and Star Select which are expected to rollout on April 6th. Prior to that, sources had provided content details to one of the new channels, Zee Family.

Zee Family as mentioned a while ago will be spun off from Zee TV offering shows like Goan Gullies, Baal Shiv and Ghar Ek Mandir. In a few days, Star Select which is spun off from StarPlus will also be rolling out on the Openview platform with the following:

- May I Come In Madam: A young man is dejected after getting constantly browbeaten by his wife. However, he is smitten with his good-looking employer and tries to seek her attention in different ways.
- Dil Se Dil Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhava?: A middle-class girl, Jahnvi, gets married to a rich man, Viraj Dobriyal. Little does she know that she has landed herself in a marriage from which there is no escape.
- Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara: Aditya, who comes from a wealthy yet broken home, marries Pankhuri, who has been raised in a joint family. Together, they struggle to overcome challenges and reunite their family.
- Banni Chow Home Delivery: Banni, an independent and brave woman who runs a food delivery business, crosses paths with Yuvan, an oppressed young man with special needs, and their lives change.
- Kya Qusoor Hai Amala Ka?: Amala, a rape victim, faces numerous problems in society. However, with strong willpower, she battles all her problems with aplomb.
- Swayamvar - Mika Di Vohti: Renowned singer Mika Singh sets out to pick his perfect bride from a group of beautiful women who attempt to steal his heart.
- Armit Manthan: Features the teachings and preaching of the great saints of Maharashtra delivered by Purushottam Dada Maharaj Patil. Theses teachings make the day-to-day life easier for the common man.