Recap To The Week: SABC Extend Agreement With MultiChoice For News Channel, Rolls Out Second Local News Channel SABC Lehae On DTT Platforms

During the week, it was revealed by the public broadcaster that they extended their carriage agreement with MultiChoice for SABC News that promises to keep redefining the broadcasting landscape. Although, the duration of this agreement remains unknown.

Interesting to note, the public broadcaster finally gave an official brand name to their second news channel currently seen on DTT and DTH, SABC Lehae. After failing to officially roll it out during the year sources mentioned it had a soft launch.

Formerly known as SABC Parliament and SABC eKhaya, the public broadcaster views SABC Lehae as an alternative to SABC News. Not sure what that means when it comes to the multilingual brand's chances on pay-tv cause as seen with SABC Sport that's not seen on DStv.

But from what we've observed in a previous story, it's likely that the channel could be added onto eMedia Investments' Openview platform. The public broadcaster had promised the company as well as consumers two additional channels to accompany SABC 1-3 and Sport.

Aside from that, Openview doesn't offer a local news channel and SABC Lehae could help fill that void seeing as Newzroom Afrika and eNCA reside with DStv. Similar to these brands, SABC Lehae would hold an significant position keeping viewers up-to-date with daily happenings.

Channel Shorts: Nick Jr. Global Expand To Latin America And Brazil, Star Channel Rolls Out In Netherlands And Flanders By November, And TNT Provides An Update On Their Status With StarSat

Nick Jr. Global expands to Latin America and Brazil

For several years, various cable providers had been streamlining and cutting back on content costs for their linear platforms in an attempt to boost their streaming endeavours. Nick Jr. alongside MTV seems to be having that ripple effect in parts of the world.

During the week, a viewer had noticed that Nick Jr. had started using the global feed in Latin America and Brazil. Although some level of localisation will still be seen on the brand particularly during ratings buds, advertisements, localised test on trailers, and local programming.

Star Channel to debut on various FOX brands in Europe

The Walt Disney Company has unveiled a new name and visual identity for the TV channel FOX is the Netherlands and Flanders.

As of November 1, it will operate as STAR Channel while at the same time remaining “the number one series channel and home to high-quality entertainment as we have come to expect from FOX”.

According to Walt Disney, STAR Channel’s mission is to continue broadcasting the best action, drama, horror and comedy series from leading studios, including favourites such as “Hudson & Rex”, “Below Deck” & “Chucky”. In addition, the channel will soon launch several new titles. It will kick off with the epic new horror series “FROM” (from the makers of LOST & The Game of Thrones), with more new series to follow later in the season, including “Robyn Hood” & “The Goodship Murder”.

Walt Disney also notes that content on STAR’s streaming platform on Disney+ and the linear channel STAR Channel will differ. Furthermore, STAR Channel will maintain its position in the channels’ electronic program guide (EPG).

StarSat is telling more lies to consumers

Last week, TNT went dark on StarTimes across Africa without prior notice to consumers as it was alleged that the reason for the exit had to with a change in broadcast rights. Warner Bros. Discovery had since then been investigating the matter with an update finally released.

According to Warner Bros. Discovery's PR, TNT was only removed due to ongoing negotiations with S

which seem to have hit a dead end. As StarSat is now looking to replace TNT with another channel and had removed and muted any mention of the channel across their platforms.

Basically, fans of Hollywood blockbusters and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) can continue to watch TNT Africa's programming on DStv (channel 137), GOtv (channel 16, channel 116 in Ghana and 316 in Uganda), Canal+ (channel 140 in Rwanda and 163 in Ethiopia) and C&W Seychelles (channel 207).

What To Expect On Cartoon Network And Cartoonito Across Africa In October 2023?

CARTOON NETWORK

POKEMON SUN & MOON

Ash in Aloha

What starts as a summer vacation in the tropical Alola region becomes the next exciting chapter in Ash Ketchum’s quest to become a Pokémon Master! There’s plenty for Ash and Pikachu to explore, exciting new Pokémon to discover and interesting people to learn from along the way—including the cool Professor Kukui and the fun-loving Samson Oak. 

More new faces will help guide Ash’s Alolan adventure, in skilled Trainers Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles—and a mysterious research assistant called Lillie. It’s not all set to go Ash Ketchum’s way, though – familiar foes, Team Rocket, have also made their way to Alola and are joined by new challenges, Team Skull.

📺 Premiere: Monday, 9 October @ 17:30 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 17:30 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

THE HEROIC QUEST OF THE VALIANT PRINCE IVANDOE

Prince in Peril

Accompanied by his loyal squire Bert, Prince Ivandoe sets off on a quest to Eagle Mountain through The Five Kingdoms to claim the legendary Golden Feather. So far, Prince Ivandoe has travelled from his home, the Kingdom of the Mighty Stag, through Svanland – the idyllic Land of the Swans, the rogue state of The Forest of the Outlaws, the Red Squirrel Kingdom – set high in the trees – and the Underground Kingdom of the Ogres, where King Ironhorn rules from a crumbling and this month, his journey takes him into the Underground castle. 

These new episodes bring a lot of wacky adventures along, Prince Ivandoe’s unfortunate hiccups have an interesting twist on a wish granted by a Wishpillar. His squire Bert is thrust into the limelight when he pulls a mysterious sword from a stone, and and Prince Ivandoe and Bert are going to form a unlikely bond with a Sassy Gnome while trying to get him reunited with his brothers!

📺 Premiere: Monday, 2 October @ 16:35 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 16:35 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

WE BABY BEARS

Star-Seekers

Hop in the box for a We Baby Bears journey where The Baby Bears’ wish upon a star turns their box into a magical means of transportation to many worlds, from a village of talking vegetables to a land where snow sculptures come to life.

This month – join Baby Grizz, Baby Panda, and Baby Ice Bear in a two-part special entitled ‘The Little Fallen Star’ where the Baby Bears travel to the far reaches of space to discover the origin of their magic box. 

📺 Premiere: Saturday, 21 October from 08:45 CAT

HALLO-FREAK HALLO-WEEK

Creepy Creatures

Cartoon Network celebrates Halloween this month with a daily block of spooky episodes of Teen Titans Go!; We Bare Bears; Craig of the Creek; The Amazing World of Gumball; and many more.

From 28 – 31 October, catch the freakiest, craziest, oddest episodes of your favourite shows in a special not-so-scary, a-bit-more-hairy block, only on Cartoon Network Africa!

📺 Tune-in: Saturday, 28 October – Tuesday, 31 October from 14:55 CAT

CN MOVIES HOLIDAYS

Film Fun

Settle in for a CN Movie every day of the spring holidays. In Teen Titans Go! vs Teen Titans (2 October), The comedic Teen Titans take on their serious counterparts when villains from each of their worlds team up to pit the two Titan teams against each other. On 3 October, Best Bros Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear go on a wild, hilarious and dangerous adventure to escape a foe that threatens to tear them apart in We Bare Bears: The Movie and on 4 October, DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis sees Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Bumblebee and the rest of the Super Crew must journey through the depths of the ocean to Atlantis. On 5 October, Ben 10 vs The Universe: The Movie sees Ben go interstellar to save the day when Vilgax returns to do double the damage on Team Tennyson and planet Earth. To round things off on 6 October, two slacker groundskeepers must go back in time and battle an evil volleyball coach in order to save the universe after accidentally creating a Timenado in Regular Show: The Movie.

📺 Tune-in: Monday, 2 October – Friday, 6 October @ 11:30 CAT

CARTOONITO

LU & THE BALLY BUNCH

Ladybird Lu

Lu is a ladybird who has started school at Ms Shella’s Shell School with her new friends in the village of Ballybug. Lu and her ‘Bally Bunch’ of five insect classmates learn how to laugh, play, and navigate their new social lives together at school, dealing with the ups and downs of getting along and sharing a new space with other children and learning about one of life’s most important skills – how to be a friend. 

Inspired by creator Nicky Phelan's memories of helping his mum in her own preschool, there’s nothing as funny as seeing a bunch of three-year-olds fail to navigate each other and nothing as heart-warming as seeing them learn to get along.

📺 Premiere: Monday, 9 October @ 17:40 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 17:40 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

THOMAS & FRIENDS: ALL ENGINES GO!

Tracking down Adventures

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! is back on track with big adventures fueled by friendships. Thomas and his friends will embrace unexpected surprises and discover more about each other as they get into new shenanigans on the Island of Sodor.

When Carly doesn’t return from saving Emily from an accidental derailing, a worried Sandy recruits the help of a bored Diesel to find her best gal pal. As their friends organise a special party, Sandy and Kana try to create a surprise of their own - but when it goes wrong, they learn that togetherness is more important than any surprise. In a bid to make their job of prepping hay bales for a huge hay delivery more fun, Terence and Carly set out to create the tallest hay tower ever!

📺 Premiere: Monday, 23 October @ 08:25 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 08:25 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

LOONEY TUNES AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

Get Ghostly!

A special new episode of Looney Tunes Cartoons marks the spookiest day of the year – Halloween – with a bunch of our Cartoonito friends putting their own spin on the ghostly celebration. We kick off with some spooky episodes of Masha and the Bear, Cocomelon, Mr Bean and many more at 15:10 CAT. Then to cap off the Halloween fun, catch the 30-minute special Bugs Bunny's Howl-o-Skreem Spooktacula Graveyard Goofs where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig take center stage – but will things go as planned?

⏰ Tune in: Bugs Bunny's Howl-o-Skreem Spooktacula Graveyard Goofs – Tuesday, 31 October @ 17:35 CAT

Halloween special block – Tuesday, 31 October from 15:15 CAT

MOVIE STARS HOLIDAYS

Daily Dose of Adventure

Whether it’s Hibernation Rabbid heading for Mars on a misinformed adventure, Robin Hood needing a helping hand from Tom & Jerry to save himself and rescue Maid Marion or Scooby-Doo and the gang setting out to clear their names after being accused of plotting a practical joke, there’s something for everyone with some of the biggest stars on Cartoonito this spring school holiday!

⏰ Tune in: Monday, 2 October – Monday, 9 October @ 09:40 CAT

2 October: Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars

3 October: Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and his Merry Mouse

4 October: Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword

5 October: Tom & Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 

6 October: Looney Tunes Rabbits Run

7 October: Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (Live action)

8 October: Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (Live action)

9 October: Kangaroo Jack: G'Day USA

Play Room Vs. eToonz: MultiChoice's Third Attempt At Phasing Out An e.tv Channel

Since last year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have embroiled in a carriage dispute regarding the 4 Openview channels currently viewed on DStv. Since then the pay-tv company had introduced several new channels including Movie Room, DreamWorks, BBC UKTV and Magic Showcase.

At the time, this news had garnered backlash particularly on how MultiChoice opted to supplement each channel which saw several consumers inherit only a single channel out of 4. When really it should have been about catering to the package(s) these brands were allocated on.

As seen in the last months, MultiChoice seems to have found other ways to rectify their mistakes from last year. Zee Zonke was introduced in August and if anything some would say this was the pay-tv company's way of phasing out eExtra as it's the exact opposite of the channel.

Movie Room launched last year and had proven to be a popular addition to DStv consumers. Although, Ngwato Nkosi Group doesn't disclose any figures but we assume it's enough to fill up the gap left by eMovies and eMovies Extra together with the help of TNT and M-Net Movies.

eToonz being the last contender in the game will be facing off against Play Room in the coming months. We're aware that there are other brands on DStv like Cartoon Network and Disney Junior but we've thought of looking for a brand that was more up their alley which is Play Room.

Similar to the previous comparisons, Play Room has a limited amount of original productions as the latter is said to be rehashing shows something we've seen on eToonz for several years. Another thing would the addition of dubbed programming something lacking within the red brand.

Unlike eToonz, Play Room will be doing a lot of language switching with select content viewed in English with others in Zulu and a bit of sign language. Another as mentioned would be the local production which again is very much lacking within the red brand.

If anything, Play Room is believed to not be giving their content much exposure market wise something that has been seen with eToonz. Honestly, it wouldn't be shocking as Movie Room barely market their offering probably because there's nothing newsworthy at this point.

From what I can sum up, Play Room doesn't seem to be animation centric at least to a wider audience which works in eToonz favour as that's substituted with educational material, content which is very much lacking on the red brand and content that's been in demand on Openview.

Could SABC eKhaya Be The Next Channel By The Public Broadcaster To Launch On Openview?

During the year, SABC announced the rollout of a second news channel on their DTT platform, SABC eKhaya. Formerly known as SABC Parliament, the news channel would serve as a spinoff to the current SABC News channel on DStv offering content in local languages.

Similar to SABC Education and SABC Sport, the channel would feature a lot of archived material and telecast content already seen on SABC 1-3. Overtime, the public broadcaster would work on ways to limit the rebroadcasts as the channel garner traction.

Unlike MultiChoice's DStv and SABC's DTT, eMedia Investments doesn't offer a local news channel on the free-to-view Openview platform. The last iteration News And Sport was shut down due to financial constraints and poor feedback from consumers.

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Most other local news stations like the already mentioned SABC News alongside Newzroom Afrika and eNCA are funded by MultiChoice's DStv.

From the looks of things, SABC eKhaya appears to be the only option for eMedia Investments and works under their platform's current budget. As mentioned, there's not much live content on the channel it basically serves as a catch-up service to SABC 1-3.

Similar to SABC Sport, it has longevity and could help fill that void left by News And Sport. The only issue would be funding as consumers would expect a brand like SABC eKhaya to function like SABC News but that is only possible if the SABC were to receive funding.

In other developments, SABC is said to have finalized details for the next TV channel which might be unveiled in the next financial period with rumours suggesting it to be a general entertainment brand similar to the defunct SABC Encore.

Could eMedia Investments Look Into Removing Their Content From DStv Catch-Up As Seen With The SABC?

During the week, MultiChoice was forced to SABC 1's Skeem Saam, Uzalo and Generations: The Legacy alongside SABC 2's Muvhango and 7de Laan also known as The Big Five. It forms part of a decision by the public broadcaster which has left consumers to rely on SABC+.

Not long ago, the public broadcaster announced that the streamer had failed to reach their expectations after only gaining 150000 out of 2 million households. With that came the decision to limit the platforms to view catch-up on these show's respective channels.

It could help lure more consumers to SABC+ but the only reason their streaming endeavours hadn't reached its peak would be lack of marketing. Another having to do with the fact that nothing newsworthy has been brought to consumers attention.

SABC+ comes off as a catch-up service and a platform to view past content by the public broadcaster while as local broadcasters like eMedia Investments and MultiChoice invest in original productions and other exclusive content for their streaming service.

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Something that wouldn't come as a shocker to some and this is something that somewhat been observed is if eMedia Investments were to undergo a similar route at some point. They had scrapped their content from VIU and kept them on DStv Catch-up as they believe in accessibility.

Since last year, eMedia Investments had been embroiled in a carriage dispute with MultiChoice over their 4 Openview channels which had remained onboard DStv for the time being due to court ruling.

They've tried several times to negotiate a new agreement but MultiChoice won't budge. Although SABC's decision to remove these programs wouldn't favour them viewership/money wise, you can clearly see where they're getting at I mean they want to be less dependant.

Similar with Disney+, they want to put more emphasis on their platforms and that's something that has yet to be seen by eMedia Investments and might as well be something they look into as more consumers flee to their platforms.

New Series Alert: Eve Coming Soon To Novela E Plus

Novela E Plus, a dedicated telenovela channel tailored for StarTimes which features various English dubbed shows from Latin America, Turkey and Asia had acquired broadcasting rights to the 2022 Korean melodrama Eve (also known as Eve's Scandal).

Eve tells the story of a chaebol family divorce lawsuit that shocks the entire nation, of which, at the center of the lawsuit is Lee La-el, the daughter of the chaebol family who seeks vengeance against those that killed her parents when she was a child.

It starred Seo Yea-ji as Lee La-el/Kim Sun-bin, Park Byung-eun as Kang Yoon-gyeom, Yoo Sun as Han So ra, Lee Sang-yeob as Seo Eun-pyung and Lee Il-hwa as Jang Moon-hee.

The series debut last year on Korea's #1 entertainment channel tvN and spawned 16 episodes each with a 1 hour duration. It was part of the APAN Star Awards where Yoo Sun was presented with the Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the time.

Eve would eventually make its African debut on Novela E Plus from September 23 at 22:30. Aside from Eve, other shows from tvN to have been viewed in the market include Flower Of Evil, The K-2, Tails Of The Nine Tailed, Cheese In The Trap, Ghost Doctor and Ice Adonis.

Development Alert: Blind Eye Has Been Silently Added On The eVOD Streaming Service Despite Being Released In 2021

During the year, eMedia Investments was scheduled to air the youth drama Annekan Die Swa Kry on eExtra but was silently added onto eVOD after failing to launch on the channel and now another local production titled Blind Eye had been snubbed by the streamer.

Zandile, a young vibrant auditor with the Auditor General is driven to root out corruption wherever she finds it. She is dispatched to go and verify assets of a notorious municipality before its audit begins. Standing in the way is Gogo Dlamini, a fearless and corrupt businesswoman.

The film starred Noxolo Mathula as Zandile, Thembi Mtshali as Gogo Dlamini and Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe as Nhlanhla. Mengameli Nhlabathi served as director whose previous work include Double Life (BET) and Swartwater (SABC 2).

Blind Eye was screened at the 30th African Diaspora International Film Festival and won the Roma Short Film Festival which took part last year and a few months ago it was also screened at the ADIFF Chicago 2023.

As mentioned, Blind Eye wasn't part of the streamer's initial offering when it rolled out in 2021 and not much marketing was done to promote an 'original production'. It's like eMedia Investments doesn't seem to care about how the film performs with consumers.

What To Expect On Da Vinci Across Africa In October 2023?

EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE 

Becoming Xtraordinary presented by Bear Grylls         

SERIES PREMIERE (10 x 30’)

From October 01 I Sundays at 20:00

Get ready to be inspired and motivated by the incredible journeys of the world's most exceptional individuals! From Julia Roberts to Roger Federer, Courteney Cox to Channing Tatum, you'll gain insights and inspiration from today's most accomplished individuals. Our captivating 10-part docuseries takes you on a journey through their lives, as we uncover the secrets to their success and explore the qualities that set them apart. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best at Da Vinci and unlock your full potential. 

Genres: Documentary, Educational, Interview, Public Affairs, Self Improvement

Presenter: Bear Grylls - British Adventurer, Survivalist, and TV host. Recipient of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Daytime Program, Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program, & 2015 BAFTA. 

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Operation Ouch GROSS ALERT! 

From October 31 I Tuesday at 11:30

Get set for a hair-raising Halloween with "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT"! Join Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand in a spooktacular medical exploration, unveiling eerie bodily functions and spine-chilling scientific marvels. From ghastly ghouls to jaw-dropping experiments, this special edition delves into the spine-tingling side of the human body. Get ready for an educationally thrilling experience that will leave you laughing, shivering, and on the edge of your seat. Tune in to "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT" for a ghoulishly good time!

Genre: Medical, Health, Science, Educational, Comedy

Awards: BAFTA Children’s Award Best Factual 2013 & 2014 Winner, BAFTA Best Children’s Programme 2015 Winner, and BAFTA Nominees for Best Presenter Award 2016 & 2017. 

NEW EPISODES

Did I Mention Invention?

(17 x 30’)

Wed, Thurs, Fri at 16:10

A robot snake that can help with surgery. A jet ski submarine that flies underwater. Stone sculptures created using physics. You’ll find them all on “Did I Mention Invention?” Host Alie Ward meets the inventors of the present and future and discovers how their ideas grew from a glimmer of inspiration to things that improve our world. Got an idea for an invention of your own? She’s got tips for budding inventors too! And some fun facts on everyday inventions that we take for granted now. Fascinating!

Genre: Science, Technology, Documentary 

Marvellous Makes Lab (S02)  

(16 x 10’)

Weekends at 9:00

Welcome back to Season 2 of “Marvellous Makes Lab”, where science meets creativity! 

Join us as we explore fun experiments using everyday household items, unveiling the fascinating science behind each creation. Let the excitement begin!

Genre: Arts/Crafts, Science, How-to, Educational