New Series Alert: Barbie: It Takes Two And Thomas And Friends All Engines Go! Coming Soon To eToonz

eMedia Investments wraps up 2022 for the little ones on Craze and eToonz as the company fills their stockings with the last remaining shows for the year, Barbie: It Takes Two and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! both of were are supplied by Mattel Televisions.

Targeting girls aged six to eight, Barbie: It Takes Two expands from the film Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams as the pair both of which were named Barbie with variation from Malibu to Brooklyn share the spotlight and pursue their magical dreams in New York City.

They will also learn about each other's families, friends and cultures.

Targeting preschoolers aged two to five, the reboot of Thomas And Friends with the extended All Engines Go sees a younger Thomas the Tank Engine go on adventures with all of his friends as they work on the island of Sodor.

Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! was also picked by Warner Bros. Discovery for their Cartoonito block on Boomerang. It was also renewed for additional season despite the feedback.

Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! airs daily at 8:30 on eToonz from 12 December following a similar trait to the Cartoonito block on Boomerang. Barbie: It Takes Two airs Wednesdays at 15:20 on e.tv with repeats almost an hour later 16:30 on eToonz from 14 December.

Reminder: eMedia's 4 Channels To Go Dark On The DStv Platform Sometime In 2023

By the end of July, eMedia Investments 4 TV channels primarily eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz were reinstated on the DStv platform after an intense battle with MultiChoice later in the year over the carriage agreement for these channels.

As advised by the court, MultiChoice will have to put up with these 4 channels for another 6 months meaning the channels would likely have to go off air by either January or February but I'm not expecting them to post any notice.

Earlier in the year, eMedia and MultiChoice went to court in what everyone thought would be a case closed the channels went dark a few hours before their end date so I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled the same trick of rushing their release by next year.

If I had to be honest, I think it would make more sense to keep eExtra seeing as it's the kykNET of eMedia but I'm guessing Kuiertyd isn't enough for them to reconsider unlike eMovies and eToonz now those two had plenty of rebroadcasts but that doesn't mean no one's watching them.

As it is, MultiChoice already allocated the necessary alternatives such as DreamWorks and PBS Kids to their Compact and Easyview customers alongside KIX and Movie Room to their Access customers so I doubt they'd walk away from their decision.

They also boasted about transponder constraints which limits the amount of additions and resorted to retrenchment of channels so yeah I doubt these channels would walk out of this unscathed.

It was also revealed that SABC would be adding 3 channels one of which likely being SABC Education to the DStv platform in the coming future as replacements. SABC doesn't have much of a good history regarding the pay-tv platform.

This upcoming carriage is different as it includes Openview but their channels just wind up not being productive which just leads some viewers to doubt these channels won't just suffer the same fate as SABC Africa and SABC Encore but honestly time will tell with those 3 channels.

The public broadcaster is working on a turnaround plan and as seen with their carriage arrangement with eMedia Investments and the same with MultiChoice when SABC Encore was around we have a long journey ahead.

Roundups #110: Winx Club Reboot And New Movie Is In Development, HBO's Westworld Cancelled After 4 Seasons And Shelley Duvall Makes A Comeback In Horror Flick The Forest Hills

New Winx content in the works

Straffi said Friday on Instagram that a "big budget" film and a new animated series are in the works.

The post follows news that Fate: The Winx Saga was canceled at Netflix after two seasons.

"I am working on many exciting Winx projects in the near future, some of which I take so much joy in sharing with you," Straffi wrote. "First off -- a brand new CG Winx animated series reboot is going into production. Yes, a reboot that I promise to sweep you back to the Winx world."

"The second piece of news is about my long-time dream to produce a big-budget Winx movie that all of you deserve," he added. "For all the love you have given to Winx, I am working hard hoping to bring you a top-quality movie where you can experience the Winx world, embracing once again all the core values of what this iconic brand has meant for you."

Warner Bros. Discovery cancels yet another show

HBO announced late on Friday that it has cancelled its science fiction drama series Westworld after four seasons. The series aired in Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) and MultiChoice's video streamer Showmax.

The TV series, of which just the first season costed a reported $100 million, was based on Michael Crichton's science fiction film of 1973 about a futuristic amusement park where self-conscious androids start to kill and escape, and made its debut in 2016. The ever-dwindling ratings fell from 12 to 4 million over the course of its run, however.

Westworld's ratings fell sharply in the United States as viewers and critics complained that the story became too dense and confusing, with the show that has now fallen victim to Warner Bros. Discovery's ongoing cost-cutting across the company.

The Shining actress is set to star in another horror film

Shelley Duvall (The Shining) is gearing up to return to screens via The Forest Hills — an indie horror-thriller from writer-director Scott Goldberg, which marks her first project in 20 years. (The first behind-the-scenes still featuring the actor can be found above.)

Also starring Edward Furlong, Chiko Mendez and Dee Wallace, The Forest Hills follows a disturbed man who is tormented by nightmarish visions, after enduring head trauma while camping in the Catskill Mountains. Duvall will play the mother of the mentally and emotionally disturbed Rico (Mendez), who serves as his inner voice.

“We are huge fans of The Shining and it’s honestly one of my favorite horror movies of all time, up there with John Carpenter’s Halloween and George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead with the dark tones they delivered in their movies, along with perfect scores and elements that make them my personal favorites,” said Goldberg. “Shelley contributed to The Shining being an absolute masterpiece by giving her all, and performing in a way that really showcased the fear and horror of a mother in isolation.”

Review: The Outcome To The eFamily Of Channels On DStv

Earlier in the year, it was reported that eMedia Investments 4 TV channels currently seen on the Openview platform would exit the DStv platform. Now the channels remain onboard for a few months as the Competition Tribunal conduct their findings.

As it the channel's futures seem very dark on the pay-tv service as they've been hit with various limitations leading them to launch several new channels like Racing240, Hilaal TV and Qwest TV in place of others like Tellytrack, ITV Networks and MTV Hits.

But that's not what aggravated them to axe the channels but mostly the fact that these brands lacked originality and the only existed to mash the existing offering on their platform as it is eMovies and eToonz are duplicating Studio Universal and DreamWorks.

Honestly, when those channels exited for the short while sure I was pissed as there was plenty of content I followed but overtime I felt like a huge burden had been lifted of my shoulders. I mean I kind of got used to their absence and was stunned when they were reinstated.

Just as I was ready to just open up a new chapter I discovered there was more to the previous chapter in this eMedia. Trust me when I say I do take people's opinions to consideration but when it comes to these channels this comes from my point of view.

Honestly, I do feel that these channels are very much possessive or distractions but not a bad way I mean it's hard finding channels that can keep viewers glued this long despite the annual increases and reshuffle of entertainment.

If anything, the only other brand that has me latched onto the platform would be CBS Reality not because of Judge Judy or Cheaters but primarily over the fact that they're very selective I mean they have Animal Hoarding and Shocking Emergency Calls.

I know there's National Geographic Wild and Investigation Discovery but the magic is different from what you can already see on CBS Reality. eMedia's channels had the same effect with the bulk of alternatives already found on DStv.

Sure they may have been a mishap with the amount of Zee World on eExtra but that doesn't mean no one watches it. As it is neighbouring countries are up to speed with what's going on with Twist Of Fate and I Do while others have to catch up through this channel.

eExtra happens to be the most popular attraction on eMedia's stable on DStv alongside eMovies but comparing the two I do feel that this channel should fall back while the others remain exclusive to the Openview platform.

MultiChoice has plenty of movie channels at this point particularly on the ones that eMovies cater for in this case Premium all the way done to Access such as M-Net Movies 4, Movie Room, TNT and KIX and the same can be said about eToonz really.

With eExtra, it's not really about the stories but the fact eMedia views the brand as another window to their local endeavours with the likes of Die Kontrak and the former Afrikaans movie block so why leave kykNET as the only alternative at this point.

Sure there's plenty of viewers tuning into Elif and Verdeelde Liefde on eExtra alongside In Die Ysterhand Se Greep and Kind Van Die Noodlot on kykNET & Kie but those are just complimenting each other even if kykNET were to just give it a channel the feeling would be mutual.

Having both these brands would give consumers more choices compared to the Openview platform which seems to following the route of most M-Net channels that rush to duplicate an offering on another channel.

e.tv Updates: Annika Larsen Is Getting Her Own Talk Show, Corn And Peg Rip-off Series Coming Soon To The Craze Block And A Rebroadcast Of The Family Drama Wrede Stad Surfaces On Weekday Mornings

Annika Larsen is getting a late night talk show

e.tv is adding a new late-night interview talk show, with reporter and TV news anchor Annika Larsen who will debut My Guest Tonight with Annika Larsen on Tuesday 11 October at 22:00 on the red letter channel.

In the new half-hour interview show the veteran journalist will "take an intimate behind-the-scenes look at her interviewees, exploring their public and private personas" e.tv says about the new programme, noting that "she will ask the questions you always wanted answered".

Annika Larsen who also worked at Eyewitness News and M-Net's Carte Blanche, has been a journalist for 22 years and has reported for international radio and television news programs on the BBC, Associated Press and ITN Television News.

Powerbirds sets its co-ordinates on Craze

Earlier in the year, eMedia Investments picked up rights to NBCUniversal original Powerbirds for their eToonz channel which happens to be one of the last originals which were produced for Universal Kids alongside other already seen series like Where's Waldo.

After several months, e.tv has scheduled a rebroadcast to the preschool series on Thursday at 15:45 from 20 October.

Polly and Ace are 2 birds who are owned by Max, a superhero-loving 6 year old boy, but when he leaves for school, they become Powerbirds, superhero birds who use their numerous powers to stop animal villains from ruining the neighborhood.

Wrede Stad makes a comeback on e.tv

Last year, eMedia Investments acquired broadcasting rights to the family drama, Wrede Stad (Zalim Istanbul) for their eExtra channel which concluded earlier in the year. Now consumers without the channel can witness the drama unfold from 20 October at 8:30.

Wrede Stad follows the life of Seher and his children. When Seher and Agah make an encounter, the lives of their families become complicated as tension and scandal arises between the two families. The series is headed by Fikret Kuşkan and Deniz Uğur.

Ay Yapım is the producer of the show and has worked on several other projects for the channel including Stiletto Vendetta, Elif, Kuzgun (Voelvry), Impak and several others.

 

New Series Alert: Gabby's Dollhouse Coming Soon To e.tv

e.tv, South Africa's free-to-air entertainment channel independently owned by eMedia Investments that is home to locally produced series is set to launch new preschool series from DreamWorks Animation on their kids block Craze titled Gabby's Dollhouse.

Gabby's Dollhouse follows the titular character and her host of feline friends play their way through her spectacular dollhouse, complete with mini worlds and never-ending surprises.

The series was created by Blue's Clues veterans Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey. 

It's currently in its fifth season on Netflix with DreamWorks Animation likely to distribute it between 2 seasons as seen with various DreamWorks shows on e.tv such as Dawn Of The Croods, The Adventures Of Puss In Boots and All Hail King Julien.

Gabby's Dollhouse is set to air at every Monday at 14:55 from 12 September making it the second DreamWorks original to roll out this month with Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous rolling out this week on eToonz.

 

Digital First: The Rise And Fall Of e.tv's Youth Block, Craze

Craze is a youth block provided by eMedia Investments on e.tv which has been around for nearly 15 years which houses several animated and live-action shows from various brands on DStv including DreamWorks Channel, JimJam, CBeebies and Da Vinci Kids.

For several months, Craze has slowly started to shift away from primetime as eToonz ramped up their schedule with a dedicated live-action block. On top of that, primetime has moved to weekdays on the channel with the launch of Doodlebops: The Animated Series and Fast And The Furious: Spy Racers.

I'm not saying that Craze won't be around for the foreseeable future but would it be shocking if eMedia was slowly trying to shift their attention away from the renowned youth block and more toward eToonz and their streaming, eVOD.

Take to account, the events that occurred in April where eMedia boosts their local endeavours with the likes of Is'phindiselo, The Black Door and Isono with few international series once seen in the 8:30pm slot now viewable on eXposed.

eMovies and eMovies Extra have both recieved their fair share of new movies something e.tv has been lacking since the introduction of their local lineup as viewership on Saturday and Sunday night slots had begun to deteriorate while other areas experience growth.

Craze's demise was very much in the works I mean look at eExtra and eReality how much of the content was rebroadcast from e.tv. Turn to eMovies and eMovies Extra didn't Abominable and Doctor Strange air first on those channels before e.tv so why not eToonz.

eToonz isn't the best or the worst but performing to the level of most kids channels despite not getting as much exposure as the other e.tv channels. Let's be honest, Craze has been roaming in a similar environment as the only difference was the number of viewers obtained on a monthly basis.

 

New Series Alert: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Coming Soon To eToonz

eToonz, South Africa's only free-to-air kids channel home to various animation and live-action series for children and tweens between the ages of 2 - 14 will be launching a new series from DreamWorks Animation titled Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous which is based from the Jurassic Park franchise.

After winning a video game, dinosaur fanatic Darius Bowman is given the opportunity to visit Camp Cretaceous, an exclusive adventure dinosaur camp on Isla Nublar. Once there, Darius meets five other teenagers—Ben, Yaz, Brooklynn, Kenji, and Sammy—who were also chosen for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, when the dinosaurs break free from their habitats, the campers are stranded and forced to venture across the island without any help in the hopes of finding a way out and getting out alive.

It features the voices of Paul-Mikél Williams, Sean Giambrone, Kausar Mohammed, Jenna Ortega, Ryan Potter, and Raini Rodriguez as a group of teenage campers who become stranded on Isla Nublar after multiple dinosaurs escape their habitats. Jameela Jamil, Glen Powell, Stephanie Beatriz, Bradley Whitford, Angus Sampson, Greg Chun, Benjamin Flores Jr., Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Haley Joel Osment, and Andrew Kishino also star in recurring roles.

Since the series debut on Netflix in 2020, the series accumulated a total of 49 episodes between 5 seasons with international outlets likely to distribute the episodes within 2 to 3 seasons. It also managed to win Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects at the 48th Annie Awards.

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous airs weekdays at 5pm on eToonz from 29 August.

5pm

Epoxide 4 Thursday 1 September

 

Roundups #17: DreamWorks Animation Preps Up Four New Series, Obi-Wan Streaming May 22nd On Disney+, WWE Replaces 205 Live With NXT: Level Up And New Documentary Film KungFu Stuntmen Coming Soon To KIX Africa

DreamWorks Junior expands with two animated series on Netflix

Based on the book of the same name, Not Quite Narwhal dives into the daily adventures of a narwhal named Kelp, who discovers he’s part-unicorn and must learn to navigate life in the sea and on land.

Dew Drop Diaries pulls back the curtain
on a group of pint-sized fairies who have been assigned to help city-dwelling human families with tasks such as organizing toys and placing lost teeth under pillows for the Tooth Fairy.

Both slated to air in 2023.

Source: Kidscreen

Also read: 
- Paramount+ and Nickelodeon expand kids slate
- Possible channel closures from Warner Bros. Discovery
- ViacomCBS rebrands into Paramount
- Warner Bros. Discovery could terminate these channels
- NCIS: Los Angeles might get cancelled
- Cartoonito launches on Boomerang across Europe possibly as a trial run before scrapping the channel
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- February on ViacomCBS Africa channels
- February on TNT, Cartoon Network and Boomerang

Peacock greenlits Megamind and Abominable TV series

Megamind’s Guide To Defending Your City, follow-up to the 2010 film will see Megamind going from “being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who’s learning on the job. He’ll be bringing the audience along for the ride, as Megamind’s trusty brainbots will be recording everything, making him the world’s first superhero influencer.”

Abominable and the Invisible City, a comedy adventure series that will continue the story of DreamWorks Animation’s film. “Through Everest, the yeti, Yi, Jin, and Peng know that there’s a whole magical world out there. “When they discover that their surroundings are teeming with magical creatures in need of their help, the kids will set out on extraordinary and heartfelt adventures throughout their city and beyond.

Source: Deadline

Disney+ Limited Series Obi-Wan Kenobi to Debut on May 25th

The series begins with Obi-Wan Kenobi watching over Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, ten years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), and takes the character on a "rollicking adventure".

The new Disney+ limited series from Lucasfilm, will debut exclusively on Disney+ May 25. The series stars Ewan McGregor, reprising his role as the iconic Jedi Master.

NXT is getting a spinoff, kills 205 Live

WWE has canceled 205 Live currently seen on SuperSport and the WWE Channel and will air a new series in its place called “NXT: Level Up.” According to reports, WWE will tape NXT: Level Up at the WWE Performance Center and the new show is expected to be 60 minutes long.

WWE 205 Live premiered on November 2016 on WWE Network and it primarily featured talent from the NXT and NXT UK brands and originally focused on the WWE Cruiserweight division. More recently, WWE began to phase out the weight limit originally in place for the show, and the Cruiserweight Championship was unified with the NXT North American Championship.

SuperSport's WWE Channel is available on DStv channel 128 and a ray of WWE content can be viewed on other SuperSport channels.

KIX continue their martial arts journey with a brand new documentary

The documentary features such martial arts legends as Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, filmmakers Tsui Hark and Andrew Lau, along with a number of other stuntmen in the industry.

“Many legendary stuntmen live hard lives and many are unknown. That’s why I decided to make a documentary film in tribute to their continued efforts and never-yielding spirit,” said director Wei.

KIX is available on DStv channel 114

Also read:
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- Curiosity Channel to launch St Patrick's Day special
- Disney closing multiple channels in Latin America
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- In March, E! will also be hosting the Oscars live from the red carpet and launch the cover bands
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- Paramount+ greenlit Knuckle TV series and Seal Team movie
- Coroner and Tell Me Your Secrets coming soon to Universal TV
- AEW: Battle Of The Belts launches on TNT

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).

Roundups #82: More eToonz Coming Soon To Da Vinci Kids, More Wrestling Action Coming Soon To TNT Africa And Keanu Reeves to Lead ‘Devil in the White City’ Hulu Series From Martin Scorsese And Leonardo DiCaprio

More repeats for pay-tv consumers

As reported weeks days ago, eToonz alongside the 3 other e.tv channels returned to the DStv platform following pending investigations which could take up to 6 months. Since then, MultiChoice has been doing quiet a job filling up for eToonz.

Aside from DreamWorks Channel which is basically eToonz Extra and PBS Kids, Da Vinci Kids has been stacking their lineup with several content which seen been viewed on the red brand like Doki, The Deep and Bajillionaires and now another series fills that list, Yoko.

Yoko follows three children who unexpectedly meet the spirit of the game, Yoko. Together they revive the game and opens incredible world of childhood. Yoko adds magic to children's games and turns fantasy into reality.

The third instalment to Battle Of The Belts arrives on TNT Africa

This weekend’s Battle of the Belts III card, which took place in Van Andel Arena, West Michigan, on 6 August, features Claudio Castagnoli defending the ROH (Ring of Honor) world title against Konosuke Takeshita. That’s one of three belt battles coming your way. Saturday’s special will also see Jamie Hayter get her shot at Thunder Rosa and the AEW women’s championship, while the mighty Wardlow puts the TNT title on the line against Jay Lethal.

Fans can tune in to this AEW special, Battle of the Belts III, on Saturday, 13 August at 10:50 CAT on TNT Africa!

Other AEW fast-paced, high-impact competitions coming to TNT Africa this weekend include:

AEW Rampage, Saturday, 13 August @10:00 CAT:

· AEW Interim World Title Eliminator Jon Moxley vs Mance Warner

· Friday Night Street Fight Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs TonyNese & Josh Woods

· The Debut of Madison Rayne

AEW Dynamite, Sunday, 14 August @10:00 CAT:

· AEW Interim World Championship Jon Moxley vs Chris Jericho

· Coffin Match Brody King vs Darby Allin

· Jade Cargill Open Challenge for the TBS Championship

· Tornado Tag, Lucha Brothers vs Andrade El Idolo & Rush

Keanu Reeves starring in a Hulu series

It’s official: Hulu is moving forward with a TV adaptation of Erik Larson’s best-seller Devil in the White City with Keanu Reeves set to star in what will be his largest TV role to date.

The drama, which has been developed as a film and TV series since Leonardo DiCaprio optioned the property in 2010, has scored a formal series order at the Disney-backed streamer. The news was announced Thursday as part of Hulu’s virtual time before press at the Television Critics Association’s summer tour.

Based on Larson’s novel, Devil revolves around Daniel H. Burnham (Reeves), a demanding but visionary architect who races to make his mark on history with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first modern serial killer and the man behind the notorious “Murder Castle” built in the fair’s shadow. (DiCaprio is not expected to have an on-screen role as of press time.)

Roundups #81: The Doodlebops And Fast And The Furious Spy Racers Has Been Uploaded Onto eToonz, Reeva Steenkamp Documentary Coming Soon To M-Net And The Flash Cancelled After 9 Seasons By The CW

Home is where the happy is

eToonz, South Africa's only free-to-air kids channel on Openview and soon on DStv as eMedia had been granted rights to reinstate the channels following pending investigation which could take up to 6 months welcomed two series Doodlebops and Fast And The Furious: Spy Racers.

Doodlebops follows Deedee, Rooney and Moe Doodle a rock and roll band as they hang out and practice their song and dance routines in the coolest rehearsal space imaginable. The series features music, dance, comedy and pro-social educational issues.

Fast And Furious: Spy Racers based on the popular franchise Fast And The Furious follows the adventures abound as a group of teenagers infiltrates an elite racing league controlled by a nefarious organization that is bent on world domination.

M-Net is bringing Reeva Steenkamp to life with a three-part docuseries

It has been nine years since Steenkamp was brutally shot and killed by her world-famous paralympic athlete boyfriend Oscar Pistorius - a murder still deeply embedded in the minds of millions worldwide.

M-Net announced that it would be airing #MyNameIsReeva on #MNet101 on 25 August at 20:30. The docuseries seeks to depict the untimely passing of a beautiful, intelligent, and loved woman in her prime.

The CW continues to get chopped

It’s official: The upcoming ninth season of The Flash on the CW will be its last. It will debut in 2023 and consist of 13 episodes, making this the shortest season of its run.

The 13-episode midseason order would put The Flash series finale just weeks ahead of the planned June 23 release of Warner Bros.’ The Flash movie starring Ezra Miller as the title character. Coincidentally, the long-delayed film originally was announced just a week after The Flash series’ October 7 premiere on the CW. The series’ ending is expected to wrap its own storyline and not set up the movie in any way, sources said.

The CW brass has been diligent about giving its signature series a proper ending, when possible. The Flash is one of two legacy shows whose next seasons will be last, along with Riverdale.

Rumour: e.tv's 4 Channels To Go Live On The DStv Platform From Next Week

During this past week, it was reported that eMedia's 4 channels primarily eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra would be reinstated onto the DStv platform following pending investigation by the Competition Tribunal which could take up to 6 months.

MultiChoice told the Competition Tribunal that it had satellite transponder constraints and that eMedia's channels didn't fit their 5 year strategy regardless the channels are scheduled to relaunch on DStv with consumers beyond ecstatic to view their favourite dramas and movies.

On top of that, MultiChoice already found suitors for the channels with DreamWorks replicating the offering on eToonz, kykNET ramping up its telenovela offering on kykNET & Kie and Movie Room curating a variety of local movies with different genres.

The channels are rumoured to rollout on the DStv platform by August 8th I know quick rollout but that's how such cases go out as seen with Nismedia's Glow TV channel on the Openview platform.

The fact that these channels are returning to DStv doesn't guarantee that they'll have them onboard full-time as MultiChoice proved that they're more than ready to move away on from these channels especially now that they're transponder are met with constraints as they were only able to add 14 channels once e.tv's channels were removed.

eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra And eExtra To Relaunch On DStv Following Pending Investigation

In a judgment handed down on Monday, the court – which is a special division of the high court – overturned an earlier decision by the Competition Tribunal that the channels could be removed from MultiChoice’s DStv bouquets.

This is pending the final determination of the complaint, which has been referred by the appeal court to the Competition Commission for further investigation.

“The unannounced switch-off left eMedia without sufficient time to communicate to viewers

The appeal court ordered MultiChoice to reinstate the channels that were removed from DStv at the end of May. MultiChoice terminated the channels immediately upon receiving the decision of the tribunal.

The channels that were cut and that now must be reinstated pending the commission’s investigation are eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and e.tv Extra.
It’s understood that MultiChoice has also been ordered to pay eMedia’s legal costs for the appeal, including the cost of two counsel.

eMedia dragged MultiChoice to the tribunal in April to seek relief after a renewed channel supply agreement between the parties saw DStv opting not to carry the four channels.

“No reasons were provided for the ruling by the Competition Tribunal. The unannounced switch-off also left eMedia without sufficient time to communicate to viewers. Viewers are angry and disappointed that they are no longer able to see their programmes via the DStv platform,” eMedia claimed in a brief statement at the time.

Asked for comment on Monday, a spokesman for MultiChoice said: “We are aware of the decision made by the competition appeal court in favour of eMedia. We are considering the court’s decision to grant the order requiring us to carry the four eMedia channels for a limited period of six months while the Competition Commission conducts its investigation.”

Could The Rumoured SABC Children's Channel Replace eToonz On MultiChoice's DStv?

The public broadcaster is set to unveil a batch new channels before the end of the current financial year. These new channels are said to be bundled on their long anticipated streaming service SABC+ alongside the existing SABC 1-3, Sport and Education.

For several months, there's been rumours going around about the supposed channels set to be unveiled soon. One of which happened to be SABC Children.

SABC Children is a brand name for the public broadcaster children's division serving up a mixture of multilingual animation and live-action both local and international currently seen on SABC 1-3's kids blocks.

 

For nearly a decade, the channel had only been exclusive to the Tuluntulu app. As seen in 2021, the public broadcaster had begun testing out the channel alongside SABC Encore and SABC Parliament.

From what was analysed, SABC Children could be one of the two entertainment channels that failed to launch on the Openview platform in 2021. As the public broadcaster had stated the two channels would have content viewed on SABC 1-3.

Last month, MultiChoice revealed in the court proceedings with eMedia Investments that they were phasing out their 4 channels in order to make room for 3 new SABC channels one of which are SABC Education.

 

As seen with eMedia's 4 channels, there was a lot of existing content or at least at launch. After 5 years on DStv, there has been improvements despite not much original productions going on there.

These 3 channels coming to DStv will likely start out the same way as the e.tv channels - existing. From what was stated by MultiChoice, the e.tv channels failed to reduce the level of repetition and lacked local content which you might gain with SABC Children.

From what was seen with SABC Children on Tuluntulu, some of YoTV's content was added to this channel and selected content from SABC Education. The international offering had been dubbed to various local languages aside from English.

New Series Alert: Powerbirds And Robin Hood Currently Airing On eToonz

eToonz is a fun destination for children aged 2 - 12 where they can discover and spend some time with their favourite characters whether you're playing in muddy puddles with Peppa Pig or fighting Nihloks on Power Rangers. eToonz has got so much to keep the little ones at bay.

For preschoolers Powerbirds follows pet parakeets Ace and Polly that transform into the superhero Powerbirds to save the neighbourhood from animal villains.

 

The show was picked by NBCUniversal back in 2015/6 under the banner Sprout and went through development hell before

For kids Robin Hood is back for more adventures as a teenage Robin of Locksley and his outlaw friends fight back against the tyrannical plots of a young Prince John.

 

The show ran originally ran for 2 seasons before being revived for more seasons in 2021. Reruns of the first 2 seasons have since then been viewable amongst eMedia's brands.

Powerbirds airs daily at 2:30pm while Robin Hood comes an hour later at 3:30pm on eToonz.

More Reasons To Believe eToonz Is Performing At Max Capacity

eToonz is currently the only kids channel to be based in South Africa following the discontinuation of M-Net's K-TV and StarSat's (formerly Top TV) Top Kids channel. The brand is currently operated by eMedia Investments on the free-to-view Openview platform.

eToonz doesn't offer original content but its free-to-air status deems it reliable but some consumers mainly children with shows like Thomas And Friends, Peppa Pig and Bob The Builder for preschoolers while older kids get Power Rangers, Winx Club and Dawn Of The Croods.

Since its inception to the market, eToonz hasn't gotten much praise as consumers complain about the bulk of rehashed content on e.tv and the content which is exclusive can be tiresome not because of the content in general but how the general chooses to rollout content.

 

eToonz is not the only kids channel in the globe to rollout on a 24 hour basis and have less weekday programming even China Central Television (CCTV) CCTV 14 roll out content in that form while other brands found on pay platforms will roll them out 5 days a week.

Despite the outcome of the channel, it happens to be the least watched or underrated brands amongst eMedia's stable that it's hardly spoken of in annual results and its also one of the longest running channels beside eMovies while eNCA is registered under their pay company e.Sat.

All the details presented make it seem like an underachiever but what if there was more reasons the channel is still on and getting content what if eMedia found another way to determine its performance in the market even without DStv.

 

In the United States, a general entertainment channel like HBO can pull 5 million viewers while kids brand like Cartoon Network can generate almost half a million viewers. Could that be the case for most kids brands in South Africa particularly eToonz I mean Cartoon Network generates over 300000 views a month?

Most consumers that watch TV are adults as they are the ones paying for these devices and not all of them have children and ones that do either let them hog the screen for a limited time while others are doing basic kids stuff like playing outside or finishing up schoolwork.

Taking that to account, eToonz is performing at max capacity or at least for most kids stations if anything it being regional clouds it from its full potential and with DStv it kind of helped eased the burden.

Why DStv Was Able To Remove e.tv's Channels?

The Competition Tribunal has released its reasons for dismissing eMedia’s application to force MultiChoice to keep four of its channels on DStv.

In early March 2022, DStv first announced it would stop airing the E-tv Extra, eToonz, eMovies, and eMovies Extra channels from the next month.

It halted the move after eMedia brought an application for interim relief with the Tribunal.

eMedia sought an order to stop MultiChoice from dropping the channels for six months or until the outcome of its main application to have the channels restored.

The E-tv owner argued that MultiChoice’s actions amounted to a refusal to supply a scarce service and claimed it would suffer significant financial harm due to a loss of advertising revenue.

 

DStv refuted these claims and said the decision was based on commercial considerations.

The Tribunal ruled against eMedia and DStv cut the channels without further warning to viewers at the start of June 2022.

According to the Tribunal, eMedia had not demonstrated the financial harm it would suffer was sufficient to establish competitive harm.

The Tribunal has now explained the following three conditions had to be met to constitute exclusionary conduct on the part of MultiChoice:

• There must be a refusal to supply goods or services to a customer or competitor.
• The refusal to supply must be in respect of scarce goods or services.
• It must be economically feasible for MulitChoice to supply.

Based on the elements above, the Tribunal said eMedia had not established that MultiChoice’s behaviour amounted to a refusal to supply an input to a downstream competitor or customer since MultiChoice was not a supplier of inputs to eMedia.

It also failed to demonstrate that MultiChoice’s behaviour was refusal to supply a competitor access to the DStv platform since MultiChoice argues that it does not provide access to the technical platform services and is only obligated to carry the public broadcasting services channels.

 

Furthermore, eMedia could not show that “basic satellite television services” were scarce, the Tribunal stated.

Because eMedia could not establish there was a refusal to supply a service or that the service was scarce, its claims that it was economically feasible for MultiChoice to carry the channels were redundant.

“The Tribunal concluded that granting interim relief may unduly alter the state of competition in the market in favour of eMedia to the exclusion of other competitors in the market,” the Tribunal said.

“This would not be consistent with the Tribunal’s role to intervene to prevent damage to competition in the market as a whole, rather than damage to a competitor.”

The Commission added that a full investigation and oral evidence may or may not confirm evidence of harm against eMedia.

Introducing The Renowned Graphic Designer For eMedia's eToonz Channel, Rayaan Cassiem + Several Designs For The Channel

Born and raised in Cape Town, Rayaan was never found without a crayon, paintbrush or pencil in hand scribbling, doodling and painting for hours at a time.

Being determined to study Graphic-Design at the Technical University, he sold his car and worked odd jobs, ranging from construction to shelf-packing. His hard work and dedication paid off and he received a bursary in his third year, completing his BTech in Graphic Design. Rayaan draws his inspiration from a myriad of avenues including graffiti and street art, album covers, comic books, animation, video games, fine art as well as graffiti and street art. ‘Being able to earn a living and supporting my family doing what I love is a blessing,’ he says.

 

Rayaan’s artwork appeared alongside local and international artists as part in popular mixed-media group exhibitions in South Africa, Europe and the United Arab Emirates, where currently lives and works. His special interest in local African Mythology and Folk stories inspired Rayaan’s edition of 30 portraits of children from the Matchbox daycare centers in his unique graffiti-inspired style, all drawn on fine paper in A4 format.

Roundups #70: Iron Rose Reloads On Telemundo Africa For Second Season, Turkish Drama Full Moon Starring Can Yaman Launches On Novela E Plus And ZNBC 3 Launching Soon On The DStv Platform

Iron Rose is not done just yet

Popular demands has been taking Africa by storm offering already viewed content like My Heart Beats For Lola, Woman Of Steel, A Passion For Revenge and Lord Of The Skies as Telemundo works on sourcing out more content.

Ahead of its anticipated return, StarTimes acquired rights to Iron Rose while Telemundo loaded one of Aracley Arambula's other projects from the channel, The Boss with Iron Rose following immediately after it ended.

 

 

The second season of Iron Rose is set to load on the channel from June 27th at 6pm replacing current season of the series.

Can Yaman is coming to StarTimes

The actor and model is currently seen on e.tv's Droomvelore portraying the role of Can Divit. Just like stars Demet Özdemir, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Dilan Çiçek Deniz viewers will be getting double the action as Novelas E uploads new series, Full Moon.

Nazli Pinar a young culinary student who is hired as Ferit's private chef and must deal with his specific rules for preparing his meals. The two initially clash and form a beautiful friendship. What will happen when the two fall in love?

 

 

The series airs at 8pm from June 26 on Novelas E which comes 3 hours and 30 minutes after Droomvelore on e.tv.

MultiChoice Africa continues sourcing more local entertainment

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) is a Zambian television and radio station, formerly state owned, now owned by Zambians. It is the oldest, widest and largest radio and television service provider in Zambia.

 

ZNBC also supplies a set of linear and radio stations offering news, public affairs, sports, religion, education and sport similar to the supposed channel set to launch on the DStv platform soon.

MultiChoice has begun testing out a channel titled ZNBC3 which was believed to be a religious channel at the time but turns out to be plus channel to the current ZNBC 1 & 2 which carries the above-mentioned.

eToonz Repeat Is Coming To DStv With The Latest Season On Openview

Last month, eToonz launched the DreamWorks original series Archibald's Next Big Thing which served to be the last new program on the channel for DStv customers leaving the outdated DreamWorks Channel to pick up its own slack from rival stations.

 

As seen on e.tv, some of the content from this station as well as other defunct brands on DStv including eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra eventually surface on the main station as repeats.

Good news for eToonz fans on DStv is that the first instalment to Archibald will make way to e.tv from June 27th at 15:20.

 

Tony Hale produces and voices the lead character Archibald Strutter, a positive chicken who often goes astray from home, but eventually always finds his way back home. Other characters tagging along the ride are his siblings Sage, Loy and Finly, and best friend Bea.

Since its departure from the DStv platform, eToonz has already begun airing the second instalment to Archibald's Next Big Thing with the extension 'Is Here!' which consists of 4 seasons that will be divided into two seasons.