News Shorts: Zee World To Rollout This Is Fate And His Mistress's Child In Selected Territories, UTV Scoops Up Another Yet To Be Seen TLNovelas Drama And Kleva-Ish To Make A Landing On The eVOD And Amazon Prime Video Steaming Service

Cabo is expanding to Ghana

UTV is a Ghanaian based channel similar to how you'd describe Soweto TV in South Africa offers informative and engaging programming catered to a small audience. It is also known for supplying content from TLNovelas' parent company, TelevisaUnivision.

After debuting on Zap Novelas, it was learnt by sources not long ago that the Ghanaian channel will be allocating Cabo (another yet to be seen TLNovelas drama) in place of Overcoming The Past which is set to rollout on TLNovelas later this month.

Sofía and Alejandro get married in a dream wedding, but when Alejandro dies in a plane crash and Sofia travels to Cabo to meet his new family, she realizes that Alejandro is alive and that his real name is Eduardo.

Based on the 1985 Mexican telenovela Tú o nadie, the series starred Bárbara de Regil, Matías Novoa, Eva Cedeño, Diego Amozurrutia, Rebecca Jones and Rafael Inclán.

His Mistress's Child has been delayed

During the year, it was learnt by sources that Zee World had picked up rights to another family drama, His Mistress's Child. With the channel operating independently in Southern Africa, the drama was offered to consumers in neighbouring countries replacing Radha Mohan.

As for its release date in Southern Africa, initially it was slated to air on August 12 but Zee World for some reason thought of removing it from the schedule I presume they hadn't recieved the show yet so they opted for This Is Fate as if we don't get enough heartache from Pragya and Abhi.

Speaking of which, This Is Fate is speculated to be replacing If You Were Not There for the rest of Africa by August 23 but for all we know that could change as the channel is well known for giving out wrong dates and also that "coming soon" tag which would take 4 to 6 months before release.

Grown-ish based film to rollout on a platform near you

Following the rollout of Seconds, eMedia Investments together with Amazon Prime Video will be rolling out another local production from August 17th, Kleva-Ish meaning eVOD hasn't produced an original film that isn't distributed on a supposed rival platform.

Two misfits. One a Nerd the other a Spinner, Need each other to help them fit in. She needs his driving

school skills to get a drivers licence, He needs to transform into a roughneck to win back his ex who dumped him for being too soft.

It stars Phenius Bullets as MaLeather, Tshepiso Jeme as Pule, Galaletsang Koffman as Dimakatso and Ontshiametse Molekoa as Thulani. Thabang Masanabo and Ntshepe iFarah Nkosi serve as directors with Makanaka Mavenger assisting in writing.

Alongside Kleva-Ish, eMedia Investments is set to rollout 4 new telenovelas on their linear platforms: Ramo, Chrysalis, Winter Son and Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Development Alert: Ramo Coming Soon To eExtra + Release Date, Die Put Season 4 Currently Streaming On eVOD

During the year, eMedia Investments scooped up the action series Ramo for their eVOD streaming service. As seen with most of the offering on the streamer, this content is allocated to their linear platforms with eExtra slated to air the action drama by the end of August after the third season of Die Put.

The series tells the extraordinary story of Ramo, inspired by a real person, a man who goes against his superiors…It’s a story that encompasses the deep conflicts of family, justice, revenge, friendship and love. The series stars Murat Yıldırım, Esra Bilgiç, İlker Aksum and Yiğit Özşener.

The series broadcasts daily at 21:30 on eExtra by August 31st. Although Die Put wraps up its third season on the channel eMedia Investments added the final season to eVOD while consumers have to wait likely by January 2024 to view it on eExtra.

Die Put isn't the only program to have gotten cancelled by Kuiertyd. Even Doodsondes which is also slated for a new season in the coming month will be ending by next year with the longest running soap Elif's final season being carried through 2025.

New Series Alert: Net 20 Minute Is Currently Streaming On eVOD

Net 20 Minutes (20 Dakika) tells the story of a mild-mannered history teacher. Ali, who is thrown into a World of action and intrigue when his beloved wife Melek is arrested for the attempted murder of a young man. Ali must abandon his books and find inner strength and courage that he did not know he had in order to free his wife and reclaim his family life. 

Set in Turkey, 20 Minutes was inspired by the 2010 American film The Next Three Days and starred Tuba Büyüküstün and İlker Aksum in leading roles. Star TV served as broadcaster when the series was broadcast in 2013.

Since it's debut, the Emmy nominated series had been sold to 55 countries including Bahrain, Algeria, Djibouti, Morocco, Greece, Romania, Poland, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Mauritania, Somali, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Unlike Die Put and Annekan Die Swa Kry, 20 Minutes falls under the international tile of the eVOD streaming service. It is also the first exclusive show to be seen on the platform as the latter such as K-2 and Flowers Of Evil had been made available to eXposed days prior.

It is currently unknown on whether eMedia Investments will ever intend to make 20 Minutes accessible on more platforms. For now, it's currently streaming on Netflix and as mentioned eVOD and the only known linear platform to have aired it is Timeless Dizi Channel.

Update: the series is part of Kuiertyd under Net 20 Minute someone needs to be fired for the choice in title.

Openview Plus Shorts: eMedia Investments' eVOD Streaming Service Reaches 800000 Consumers, To Rollout New Content Including Stout And The Phoenix, And Lego Friends: Heartlake Stories Rolls Out On e.tv

eVOD is garnering traction and also new content

eMedia's eVOD video streaming service has reached 800 000 registrations, fuelling South African viewers' transition from linear television to streaming content online.

eMedia says that eVOD - which continues to add eOriginals ranging from drama series to made-for-TV films - has become "a streaming success story, and is seen as one of the fastest growing, subscription-free, streaming platforms in South Africa".

eVOD currently has a growing slate of 24 locally produced eOriginals: Six TV series and 18 films which have all specifically been commissioned for the streamer, with a new locally-produced titled added monthly.

eVOD added a second season of the Splintered Pieces series in April and is set to add Seconds, starring Vusi Kunene, in July. Other productions set to join the lineup include the already mentioned film Tickets alongside two series Stout and The Phoenix.

Synopsis for Stout:

Welcome to Jonah's School for Boys (and girls according to one of the tutors), a school that prides itself on the reformation and rehabilitation of young, troubled (mostly troublesome) boys. Surely nothing sinister goes on behind the walls of this school.

It is a 26 part drama series.

Some details regarding The Phoenix:

The series was being produced by The Milton Empire with Siphosethu Tshapu, writer of e.tv's Nikiwe and Mzansi Magic's Umkhokha The Curse tied to the project. Details of the plot have yet to be released but it stars Yonda Thomas, Zikhona Bali, Dumisani Mbebe and Brenda Ngxoli.

More kiddies entertainment for your television

LEGO® Friends: Heartlake Stories (shown as Heartlake Stories) is a spinoff miniseries based on the LEGO Friends: Girls on a Mission series. These episodes were broadcast only on YouTube, but also have been shown on Netflix.

After three years, the four part mini series is set to make its freemium debut on e.tv on Tuesdays at 14:55 from 11 July.

New Movie Alert: Seconds Currently Streaming On Amazon Prime Video And Soon On eVOD

In the film, Seconds, a boxer, has to fight until he dies so as to repay a man who has given him a place to stay, a job and even taken his son to school.

Though his aging body is no longer allowing him to fight, his boss keeps demanding more in the ring from him. 

Kuhn said: “In Seconds, the team delves into the complex dynamics of the Khumalo family and the Van Tonder family, for whom Seconds has trained as a boxer while working at their family butchery.

“As the narrative unfolds, long-buried secrets and unresolved traumas begin to surface, causing tensions to rise. As Seconds’ son, Lukas Khumalo, embarks on a promising political career,his aspirations unknowingly strain his father’s relationship with Pa Van Tonder, the patriarch of the family.

“What follows is a journey of self-discovery as Seconds fights not only for his boxing career but also for the restoration of his family and reclaiming his own life.”

One of the executive producers of the film, Vuyelwa Booi, said: “We are very excited to see this beautiful work of art come to life.

“This is new territory for us doing a sports drama movie. We decided to commission it because it was a beautiful story to tell. The journey has been phenomenal.”

The film is set to debut on eVOD on July 13.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Roekeloos Dade, Annekan Die Swa Kry And Ramo

Roekeloos Dade (Hayat Sarkisi)
Roberto Kyle as Kerim Cevher
Rene Cloete as Hülya Çamoglu
Melanie Scholtz as Melek
Pierre Nelson as Hüseyin Cevher
Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck as Süheyla Cevher
Anja Taljaard as Filiz
Dee Theart as Nilay
Helena Baard as Bade Cevher
Chante Crainger as Ceylan
Liande Valentyn as Nürgul

Annekan Die Swa Kry (Kardeslerim)
Melissa De Vries as Sengül
Megan Spencer as Nebahat
Richard Van Die Westhuizen as Akif Aktul
Talitta Jameson as Asiye
John Koopman as Ogulcan
Marunzo Thomas as Kadir
Curtley Pitt as Mazlum
Anna Louise Bischoff as Harika
Zaan Du Toit as Suzan
Melissa Myburgh as Melisa
Christian Schoeman as Berk
Hunter Plaatjies as Aybike Eren

Ramo
Hein De Vries as Ramo
Veronique Jephtas as Sibel
Keenan Herman as Alpay
Christian Bennett as Kasak
Anrich Herbst as Yavuz
Craig Adriaanse as Sakik
Jacques Theron as Hale
Grace Pienaar as Neslihan
Abdurgaman Adams as Süleyman
Jill Levenberg as Kerimak
Sanchia Davids as Afet
Hein Poole as Bücür
Rushney Ferguson as Fatos
Basil Appolis as Ismail
Maria Van Die Almeida as Cavidan
Jurgen McEwan as Docak
Nethanel Swartz as Arap
Celeste Matthews as Sebanat
André Samuels as Durdu

Three Ways To Watch tvN's K-Dramas In South Africa

tvN is a South Korean entertainment channel owned by CJ ENM which broadcast a variety of content including reality shows, drama series and movies. It was added as a pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv attributing success with shows like Flower Of Evil and The K-2.

But MultiChoice went against the idea of launching a permanent channel thus leaving various households without shows like Another Miss Oh, Tail Of The Nine Tailed and The Tunnel so we turn through two simple methods of getting access to some of these shows.

1. eVOD

eVOD is a video on demand home to various local productions by eMedia Investments including Splintered Pieces, Housewives, Piet's Sake and Whatever It Takes. It's also home to various shows already viewed on eMedia Investments' e.tv and eExtra channel including Gebroke Harte, House Of Zwide and The Black Door.

As mentioned, eVOD is also home to Asian programming or in this case content seen on tvN including Ice Adonis, The K-2, Flower Of Evil and The Devil Judge. The best part all of this is free but the only downside is the limited offering.

2. Showmax

Showmax is a streaming service owned by DStv's parent company also known as the tvN hater MultiChoice. Just like eVOD, they're also home to various local productions including Blood Psalms, Recipe For Murder, Devilsdorp, St. Agnes and The Wife. It is also licences various content from NBCUniversal, CBS Studios, Sony Pictures Television and Disney Star.

The streamer is also home to the corporation that deprived DStv consumers of tvN as they rather keep the best shows on Showmax including Melting Me Softly, Cheese In The Trap, Encounter and Revolutionary Love. Unlike eVOD, you can browse a number of content but it comes with a fee.

3. VIU

VIU is an Asian based streaming service from VIU International Ltd. which distributes a number of drama series and movies from Indonesians, Malaysians and Burmese to audiences in the Middle East and Africa. They also offer a selection of content from Paramount, AMC International and A+E Networks.

Just like the previous two, they also offer Korean Programming such as L.U.C.A The Beginning and Mouse and some of this comes with a fee while others come at no charge.

Development Alert: Two Shows Both Titled Annekan Die Swa Kry Has Been Silently Added To eVOD Ahead Of Premiere On eExtra

Aşk Mantık İntikam follows a couple who gets divorced after several years of marriage. But things change when the man suddenly gets rich, with his ex-wife working with him. It stars Burcu Özberk, İlhan Şen and Zeynep Kankonde.

Based on the Korean drama Cunning Single Lady, it stars 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.

During the month, there's been a bit of mixup with sources implicating Roekeloos Dade formerly slated on eExtra will now air on e.tv after Daai Crazy Somer while Om Elke Draai rolls out on the channel in it's place after #DisComplicated.

After awaiting confirmation of the identity of Annekan Die Swa Kry, to no one's surprise you'd think the romcom Aşk Mantık İntikam was the mysterious addition that failed to launch on eExtra but quite the contrary apparently eMedia's team mistook it for Kardeşlerim.

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.

Annekan Die Swa Kry is also a seasonal program as seen with Chrysalis, Die Put, Elif and Doodsondes. eMedia Investments is currently airing the first season on eVOD while the whole of Turkey are awaiting on the third season later in the year on ATV.

As seen in recent weeks, no one at eMedia Investments bothered to even promote this show. My guess has to do with the fact the above-mentioned error made on their side. Consumers have one show available on display but are viewing something else.

My hunch is that Aşk Mantık İntikam will likely be retitled following this confusion while as Kardeşlerim will likely adapt onto the tag Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Development Alert: Piet's Sake 2 To Stream July 18th On eVOD

Last month, eMedia Investments bundled various of upcoming eVOD originals on Amazon Prime Video which included Tickets and a sequel to Piet's Sake with questions surrounding the sudden addition to streaming service and also the fate of the content on eVOD.

For several years, streamers like Disney+ and Netflix have been ripping made for TV films and shows and confining them into their platforms leading consumers such as M-Net to investment more original production.

eMedia Investments had underwent a similar with House Of Zwide and The Black Door on e.tv alongside Is'phindiselo and Housewives on eVOD. After almost a month of anticipation, it's been reported that one of the two Piet's Sake will roll out on eVOD from July 10th.

Synopsis for Piet's Sake 2:

When the son of a well-off Zulu polygamist squares off with his Indian varsity lecturer over who can be a youth or an adult better than the other, life gives them an opportunity to swap lives and live out their differences through a comedy of errors.

The film stars Starring Motlatsi Mafatshe, Kaseran Pillay and Warren Masemola. Norman Maake who known for Mzansi Magic's It's Complicated reprises his directing role to the sequel of Piet's Sake which for some reason is also titled Pete's Sake 2.

It serves as a sequel the 2021 film, Piet's Sake.

On a related note, e.tv is set to rollout another Turkish telenovela later in May, Roekeloos Dade. Prior to that, Om Elke Draai currently seen on eVOD will be made available on eExtra in the coming weeks.

Why eVOD Ranks As The Best Alternative For eExtra's Kuiertyd?

A few days ago, a source had mentioned that Soete Wraak currently seen on eVOD would be launching on eExtra in the coming days and this was after the channel announced the launches of new series Hart Van Goud and Roekeloos Dade.

eMedia Investments has piled up their eVOD streaming service with four yet-to-be-seen developments for eExtra including Om Elke Draai, Chrysalis and Ramo with Die Put being one of the brand's longest running action series is currently on its third season.

Aside from kykNET, eMedia Investments has been having a bit of rivalry amongst their portfolio or in this case eVOD and eExtra. As seen already, consumers on the app are currently streaming the third season of Die Put with potential spoilers ahead of its launch on eExtra.

While as consumers viewing on eExtra are enjoying an even wider offering of fresh shows such as Elif and soon to exiting Verdeelde Liefde, #DisComplicated and Die Vertroueling. Other shows joining the lineup include Kurt En Shura and e.tv's Daai Crazy Somer.

The downside for eExtra particularly without eVOD is that these shows are arranged in particular hours of day and when load shedding hits sometimes even with rebroadcasts you're screwed as opposed to the streamer where you can view it anywhere at anytime.

Another aspect is that with streaming is the lack of censorship. I mean shows like Die Vertroueling and Die Put are confined to the nighttime while as eVOD gives you an option to watch these series in any hour of the day even with load shedding you could still find time.

I'm not saying eVOD is #1 as you have these shows on ePlesier similar to eExtra viewable at anytime. But considering this is a rival platform, the shows in question for eExtra are viewed firsthand meaning just like Die Put you're at risk of spoilers.

On top of that the platform has a tendency of signing you out no matter how frequent of a consumer you are as opposed to eExtra's current platform, Openview where you can experience signal loss but won't need to constantly log on to browse shows.

At this point, the only thing eExtra is good for at the moment is giving these shows more exposure and one way to better promote the vast offering seen on eVOD other than it's mostly rebroadcasts from the streamer or other platforms.

New Development Alert: Scandal + Imbewu + Splintered Pieces S2 + Yolanda Is Swanger Coming Soon To eVOD

In 2021, eMedia Investments unveiled they are much anticipated streamer, eVOD. What was meant to viewed as a momentous occasion for the red brand ended in chaos after Asian based streamer VIU accused the company of breaching their agreement.

VIU was launched in the market by March 2019 and at the time eMedia Investments signed a content agreement which gave the streamer exclusive rights to various content including Scandal and Imbewu through 2024 but that's not the case anymore.

As seen on various outlets yesterday, eMedia Investments reclaimed these shows so where does that leave VIU - we honestly don't know. But it wouldn't be shocking if they became another Acorn TV. For now consumers can stream these shows from April 4.

Joining the lineup is the second season to Splintered Pieces of which eMedia Investments has yet to make available on their linear platforms. The series follows.

On top of that the streamer has a new production titled Yolanda Is Swanger around the time, e.tv is set to unveil Nikiwe in the coming months.

Synopsis for Yolanda Is Swanger:

Yolanda (Lindsey Cele) has a secret – she might be pregnant. This is a huge problem for her as she lives in a small, coloured community known as Toekies near Randfontein, where everyone knows everyone's business. Her conservative and deeply religious family attend the local Dutch Reformed Church where her mechanic father, Pieter (Theo Jantjies), is a deacon. Her mother, Karen (Megan Carelse), receives weekly prayers from the church because of her chronic illness, and news of her daughter’s pregnancy might be a nail in her coffin. What will happen if they find out?

The series stars Lindsey Cele, Adrien Steyn, Loi Duplessis and Roderick Jaftha. Yolanda Is Swanger will be available to stream on the platform from April 18.

Recap To The Past Decade: eMedia Investments And Amazon Prime Video Sign Content Distribution Agreement

Several years ago, Asian based streamer VIU signed a content distribution agreement with eMedia Investments for various original productions including Scandal and Imbewu and that went to hell after the said supplier breached their contract.

Now with eMedia Investments' contract with the party set to expire by next year. Questions amount to whether or not a new agreement would be put in place as consumers on these platforms rely on the streamer for several content seen on SABC and e.tv channels.

As eMedia Investments look to funnel their remaining original productions from VIU to eVOD.

In the past years so to speak, Amazon Prime Video had begun strengthening their bond with eMedia Investments or in this case particularly with streamer eVOD for various films including Eye For An Eye, Piet's Sake and Abafana Ababi.

Two new films debuted earlier in the month, Tickets and Piet's Sake 2 (also known as Pete's Sake 2) and as mentioned they aren't available to view on eVOD if they were why not advertise your own content to better inform consumers.

From what I can establish here, eMedia Investments similar to DreamWorks Animation and Telemundo are producing streaming based content something the SABC wants to embark on but in this case not all the content will be produced on their respective streamer.

So consumers will have to get used to the fact that eMedia Investments will produce content and some of it won't be on eVOD firsthand. While those that can be seen on eVOD will likely be confined to a paywall as seen with eVOD's originals on Amazon Prime Video.

New Movie Alert: eMedia Investments In Partnership With Amazon Prime Video Drop Two New Productions, Tickets And Piet's Sake 2

eMedia Investments similar to MultiChoice and French company Canal+ seem to be going on a joint venture with the international streamer, Amazon Prime Video. As they unveiled two new local productions for streamers earlier in the month, Tickets and Piet's Sake 2.

Synopsis for Tickets:

Young lovers Crystal and Marlyn can’t keep their hands off each other. He dreams of rapping and she dreams of singing on the big stage. What they both actually want, is just a way out of the Flats. Phyllis, Crystal’s Mom, lives with a heavy secret, the burden of hiding it is driving a wedge between her and her daughter.

The film stars Robyn Rossouw, Monique Rockman and Danny Ross. Marvin-Lee Beukes whose known for his work on kykNET's Binnelanders and Suidooster sitting in the director's seat for the film, Tickets.

Synopsis for Piet's Sake 2:

When the son of a well-off Zulu polygamist squares off with his Indian varsity lecturer over who can be a youth or an adult better than the other, life gives them an opportunity to swap lives and live out their differences through a comedy of errors.

The film stars Starring Motlatsi Mafatshe, Kaseran Pillay and Warren Masemola. Norman Maake who known for Mzansi Magic's It's Complicated reprises his directing role to the sequel of Piet's Sake which for some reason is also titled Pete's Sake 2.

Those using eVOD may find it hard to view Piet's Sake 2 or Tickets as Amazon Prime Video obtained streaming rights. Unlike, most of eVOD's originals these ones were also managed by Amazon Prime Video so there's no clue on if this will be seen on eVOD.

If you're new to Amazon Prime Video, you get a 7 day free trial of the streaming service.

Could eMedia Investments Be Cutting Back On More Programming??? As These Brands Take A Plunge With Rebroadcasts

eVOD was launched back in 2021 joining existing streamers like Showmax, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, VIU, Disney+, BritBox and several others offering local and international productions seen across eMedia's platforms as well as some unseen content.

eMedia Investments was planning to commission and produce as much original content as possible and use various of their linear channels to help promote these offerings. You had attractions such as Housewives, uMbali, Soete Wraak and Christmas Without Gogo.

Fast forward to 2023, eVOD has hit a dry spell but I'm not referring to the original offering but the third party content in general. 360 Sport and Microblast TV was removed from the lineup alongside selected international dramas.

International dramas was what use to make up 10% of e.tv's international drama slate with shows like SAF3, LA's Finest and The Book Of Negroes and over the few months eExtra's with Piyaa Albela, Naagin, The Girl Named Feriha and Fatmagul.

Interesting to note, Durban Gen was axed on e.tv with the final episodes scheduled in the coming months same goes for Imbewu and Isono with news of an undisclosed replacement but that doesn't cover the other aspects much less give us a glimmer of hope.

Most of eVOD's originals or at least the ones catered to a black audience haven't as yet been seen on e.tv while as eExtra's Guilty Pleasure slate basically an alternative to Kuiertyd hasn't been successful in sourcing out fresher content.

Kurt En Shura, Blue Venom Girl and Ice Adonis are what makes up primetime and the actual fresh/DStv rebroadcast from the channel Twist Of Fate is being replaced by the fourth rebroadcast in the trio, Dare To Love also seen on DStv in the coming days.

I don't want to think badly about any brand if I'm being honest it's best to do what anyone does when browsing one section of a platform. Take your remote or your finger and browse other areas I think that's how anyone will survive at this point.

But honestly what is happening with the current developments of eExtra and eVOD, could it be that guilty pleasure is being phased out for more Afrikaans dubbed soap operas I mean the idea wouldn't be far fetched as we have Openview Ultra rolling out.

The other having to do with the fact that e.tv had experienced a cutback of international programming with Days Of Our Lives likely to make a comeback on MultiChoice and NBCUniversal's revamped Showmax streamer and eMedia needing more money.

 

Roundups #144: ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks Possibly Cancelled On Nickelodeon, Die Put To Return For A Third Season This March On eVOD Ahead Of Debut On eExtra, Nikki Bella Makes A Comeback To E! Africa To Say I Do

It's farewell to Alvin, Simon, Theodore and David Seville

Just like most other instalments of the franchise, the series reflects the trials and tribulations of a single parent, David Seville, trying to raise six hyper-active Chipmunks. Like most parents, Dave's patience will be pushed to the limit, forcing him to end most sentences in "ALVINNN!!!"

The series gained a lot of popularity following its debut in 2015 on Nickelodeon (or Nicktoons) that multiple broadcasters such as e.tv acquired rights to the musical duo. So far the series has over 260+ episodes within 5 seasons with an additional two seasons possibly scrapped.

In 2019, it was announced an additional two seasons were ordered bringing ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks to 360+ episodes and 7 seasons through 2025 but as several sources noted Nickelodeon has removing the show or promoting them less internationally.

Coincidence, the owners of the Alvin And The Chipmunks franchise Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman were exploring a potential sale and Paramount was said to be a bidder with these developments happening in several countries it could mean they're out the running.

Regular Nick:
- Wonder Pets revival might be in the works for Nickelodeon
- Peacock greenlights two new animated series
- Boomerang to go dark on the DStv platform next month

Die Put becomes a eVOD exclusive

Ahead of its debut on eExtra in May, eVOD the digital component of the channel announced the upcoming third season of Die Put would be available to stream on the platform two months in advance. I don't know but it doesn't look like eMedia is pulling a DStv.

I mean several channels ranging from M-Net, 1Magic even the BBC are labelled as premium based channels with the second grade channels such as Me, Mzansi Magic and BBC UKTV picking up the slack now eExtra knows how it feels to be second rate.

Here's a synopsis to Die Put S3:

Koçovalı Family are faced with the biggest pain of their lives. Because of Yücel's trap, one of Yamaç or İdris Koçovalı had to kill the other. While Akın Koçovalı takes control of Çukur, where nothing will be the same as before, the step of Baykal's daughter Efsun to Çukur will cause the cards to be redistributed. While Efsun's plan, who collaborated with Yücel, Azer, and Timsah, is eagerly awaited, it will be a question mark how Akın will led the neighborhood.

Everyday Novelas:
- Zee World to add an additional 3 shows to their lineup
- Second Chance and Hart Van Goud coming soon to Zee One and eExtra respectively
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam

The Bellas are making a comeback on E!

Following the network's commitment to Total Bellas and Total Divas, E! a celebrity based lifestyle channel which since NBCUniversal had been cutting back on original programming supplies content from Bravo had announced the launch of Nikki Bella Says I Do.

Nikki Bella, a WWE Superstar, and, Artem Chingvintsev "Dancing with the Stars" champion, share all of their special moments of the ultimate decision to get married in the city of lights on their four-part special event tagging along will be Brie Bella.

The series is slated to premiere on E! from Sunday, 12 March at 19:05 CAT.

In other developments, E!'s sister channel Telemundo will be rolling out two new dramas in its repeat padded schedule, Until Money Do Us Part and Ana's Revenge in place of The Way To Paradise and The Chosen Granddaughter in the coming months.

DStv Flex:
- March on VIA
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

SABC+ Vs. eVOD: The Consequence Of Free-To-View Television

SABC+ and eVOD are both South African based streaming services functioned respectively by the SABC and eMedia Investments. They both offer a limited selection of content part of which can be viewed on their linear counterparts while others remain unseen.

SABC+ is all about celebrating South Africa's rich heritage with offerings such as Generations: The Legacy, Isidingo, Makoti and Noot Vir Noot. Basically a carbon copy of SABC 1-3 and to some extent BBC iPlayer as they bundle various channels and incorporate variety.

They also offer a mixture of international and mostly local content ranging from sports, news, current affairs, reality, wildlife, education, movies and lifestyle.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

eVOD at the moment appears to be the more edgier and modern side to the current SABC+ if you take to locals like Housewives, Splintered Pieces, uMbali and An Eye For An Eye alongside others like Chrysalis, Soete Wraak and Die Vertroueling.

Kind of like SABC+, they also a mixture of content ranging from telenovelas, reality, movies, kids shows and doccies.

eMedia Investments:
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments plan to combat load shedding get a lot of attention
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month

The only downside to SABC+ is the lack of first run content basically anything on the platform is viewable elsewhere. As for eVOD, there's not much in terms of reality shows, international dramas and kids shows I mean some content is duplicated in other areas.

In short, eVOD puts themselves in a competitive position if you're browsing for telenovelas and films while as SABC+ excels in other fields such as live TV, sports, wildlife, news, children's programming etc.

Recap: eVOD Has Yet To Offer Live TV Channels As Promised In 2021

During eVOD's launch party in 2021, eMedia Investments unveiled plans to build up on their local offering. On top of that, they were planning to stream several linear channels and so far only their rival SABC were fortunate enough to offer such following their acquisition of TelkomOne.

From what was understood prior to the time TelkomOne was still around, SABC 3 wasn't part of their initial offering and this was due to the number of international shows currently bundled and most of eMedia's channels lurk around that corner or at least from what it seemed.

Since 2023, the only channels to skew less in foreign shows and put themselves in a position to be bundled onto the streamer is e.tv, eExtra and ePlesier but I can clearly see why neither of them particularly e.tv and eExtra aren't seen on eVOD.

Firstly it may have to do with the programming, most if not all SABC 1-3 programs can be streamed anytime of the day while as eVOD offers selected content from e.tv and eExtra. If these channels were to be included most people would expect a catch-up section to each program.

Taking to account, the mess currently seen with eMedia's streaming service I'm not going to say it's impossible for them not to offer something similar to these channels. If anything, only ePlesier appears to be in a position to be streamed here.

eMedia Investments:
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments plan to combat load shedding get a lot of attention
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month

ePlesier mostly consists of Kuiertyd rebroadcasts as opposed to eExtra which has shows like Rebel Princess and Orphan Of A Nation. Live TV could be another way to get consumers to browse other sections they'd never explore.

Several streamers like Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video offer such channels that only promote their existing offering (repeats), so why can't eVOD?

If getting some of the programs onboard is a problem, maybe creating seperate counterparts to e.tv and eExtra wouldn't be a such a bad idea same goes for their other brands.

The first channel ePlesier as discussed consists of rebroadcasts. Basically there's nothing stopping it from having a tile on eVOD.

The second channel could be a local infused channel featuring shows like The Black Door and House Of Zwide while as leveraging several local programs from eReality's eKasi block as well as eVOD's archives.

The third possibly fourth channel could be a movie channel carrying similar formats to the current eMovies and eMovies Extra.

As for eToonz, kids corner doesn't have that much to be carried on its own channel so it will probably serve as a complimentary to the second channel in an attempt to build their offering.

Another channel that comes to mind would be an international skewed channel. It doesn't carry any local content I mean it could cater to the kiddies lineup, the movie section is already packed and the little variety and drama series would do good for the brand.

Perhaps having some exclusive run content I mean content that would never be made available to Openview consumers. SABC+, which serves as a rival offers content from Curiosity and Da Vinci so maybe something similar to that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Roundups #137: Disney Renews Family Guy, The Simpsons And Bob's Burgers Through 2025, Dulas To Stream On eVOD This Valentine's Day And Twitter Now Comes With A Dedicated Hacker's Account, GOD MODE

Fox hands two-season extensions to ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Family Guy’ & ‘Bob’s Burgers’

The three shows, all produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television Animation, have each received two additional seasons to take them through the 2024-25 broadcast cycle.

The renewals guarantee seasons 14 and 15 for Bob’s Burgers, the 22nd and 23rd seasons of Family Guy and the 35th and 36th seasons for The Simpsons, extending its standing as the longest-running scripted series in television history.

“Across 750 episodes of The Simpsons, 400 episodes of Family Guy, and 250 episodes of Bob’s Burgers, we couldn’t be more proud to continue delivering these three animated hits with the most brilliant teams in animation,” said Marci Proietto, EVP of 20th Television Animation.

“Our relationship with Fox over the past three decades has allowed this trio of shows to thrive, grow and deliver immeasurable moments of hilarious and irreverent entertainment for fans, and we are absolutely thrilled that Fox is doubling down on each of these iconic shows.”

Regular Nick:
- February on Disney Channel and Junior
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj to rollout on Nicktoons in Africa
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

eMedia Investments to launch their first local production of 2023 next month

Last year, it was announced that uMbali will be returning for a second season to the platform but we all that's not entirely new as it's another way expand the duration of a product unlike this production streaming February 14th, Dulas.

A notorious township thug comes back from prison after being sabotaged by his girlfriend and best friend. He hid millions in a grave before getting arrested, but when he returns to the graveyard it has changed completely and now every other tombstone looks like his.

Thabo Malema, Mpho Molembo and Keke Mputhi star in the leading roles.

Aside from Dulas, eVOD will also be rolling out it's second Turkish drama titled Om Elke Draai a few days prior (February 9th). This Turkish romcom stars Furkan Andic and Aybuke Pusat in the leading roles.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam
- Close To My Heart coming soon to Star Life

No one's privacy is safe or at least what Twitter reps say

A new Twitter whistleblower has emerged, supporting last year’s surprising testimony about the dismal state of the company’s privacy protections and saying the company continues to violate its legal obligations under new owner Elon Musk.

The former employee has told members of Congress and staff at the Federal Trade Commission that any Twitter engineer can activate an internal program until recently called “GodMode” and tweet from any account today, three months after Musk’s takeover […]

The new whistleblower said that following internal objections about the program, engineers changed its name to “privileged mode.” The whistleblower said the purpose of the program was to allow Twitter staff to tweet on behalf of advertisers unable to do it themselves […]

The new whistleblower complaint says the GodMode code remains on the laptop of any engineer who wants it. All they would have to do is change a line of the code from FALSE to TRUE and run it from a production machine that they could reach through an easily accessible communications protocol known as SSH.

Google:
- A look into the life of X-Rated Rocky star Sylvester Stallone
- Malverde: Legend or Myth, a look at other patron saints
- 7 things you didn't know about Tom's Diner
- Inside the enduring mysteries of Elvis Presley's tragic fate

Development Hell: Dayan, Destructive Beauty + Liar + Tainted Love (Leke) NOT EXPECTED To Launch On eExtra Anytime Soon

eVOD, a South African based streaming services operated by eMedia Investments that is home to various local and international productions acquired rights to 3 series, Dayan, Destructive Beauty, Tainted Love (Leke) and Liar (Yalanci).

Liar follows a allegation of a rape case where both plaintiff and defendant try to persuade others that he/she is innocent. Who is the liar? Will Deniz remember the missing parts of that night? What will happen to their families and friends after Deniz reports that she has been raped by Mehmet Emir?

It stars Burçin Terzioglu, Deniz Sungur, Salih Bademci, Mehmet Emir Gürsoy, Hazal Türesan, Yasemin Aytekin and Cemal Toktas.

Tainted Love follows a young woman who grew up in the orphanage together with her brother. She leaves the orphanage when she is of manor age and studies and works at a law firm. Fate leads her to unexpected situations.

Openview Plus:
- Verdeelde Liefde to return with a second season on eExtra
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions

It stars Burak Sevinc, Melis Sezen, Tolga Gulec, Mehmet Bozdagan, Selen Ucer, Nail Kirmizigul and Selahattin Pasali.

Dayan, Destructive Beauty follows Janvi Maurya, a well-educated and family-oriented girl hailing from Ujjain, stumbles upon a dangerous ploy by an evil force as many unusual and mysterious happenings occur in her hometown.

It stars Tina Datta, Mohit Malhotra, Priya Bathija, Aashka Goradia, Anupama Solanki and Anupama Solanki.

As reported by sources during their premiere, these series would be made available to eExtra and since then several outlets had promoted the above-mentioned. But in a recent conversation with a viewer, it was reported that the series were only exclusive to eVOD.

Taking to account the news, is it possible that maybe these series were meant for release as eExtra always had time within that period to actually release these shows and for some miraculous reason it never occurred.

Also taking to account that eExtra launched Saturday night block for Turkish shows but instead of complementing Kuiertyd it serves as an additional competitor in eMedia's stable and just like Kuiertyd Premium all of that was supposedly scrapped.

As of 2023, only Tainted Love is available to stream on eVOD while as Liar and Dayan are nowhere in site. Speaking of Dayan, eMedia didn't have all the episodes so I'm curious as to how this series could have been added if the platform was short with about 20 episodes.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion
- New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam
- Close To My Heart coming soon to Star Life

New Series Alert: eMedia Investments Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Turkish Romcom, Aşk Mantık İntikam

eMedia Investments, the parent company of brands like e.tv, eExtra and ePlesier which has paved the way for Afrikaans television following the rollout of Kuiertyd will be welcoming another romcom to their stable, Aşk Mantık İntikam.

Based on the Korean drama Cunning Single Lady, Aşk Mantık İntikam 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 stars 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.

Openview Plus:
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions

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) and Doodsondes (Yasak Elma), Om Elke Draai (Her Yerde Sen) and Daai Crazy Somer (Son Yaz).

93 of users on Google recommend the show with IDMB giving it a rating of 6.5/10 with Dizilah giving it a rating of 4.5/5.

The series alongside Om Elke Draai are expected to rollout on the platform later in the year. Unlike Om Elke Draai, eMedia Investments hasn't stated whether it would be a new show for e.tv or eExtra or whether it will launch exclusively on eVOD.

eMedia Investments:
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- More Bollywood coming soon to Openview Ultra
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month