End Of The Road For SuperSport And WWE??? As Netflix Banks On RAW, SmackDown, NXT And Premium Live PPVs

In 2022, MultiChoice and WWE were looking to bundle Raw, SmackDown, NXT alongside various PPVs like WrestleMania and SummerSlam on Showmax. But the deal appeared to have fallen flat as this never materialized with the streamer now partially owned by Comcast.

After e.tv halted further distribution of Raw, SmackDown and various other WWE content from their platforms in 2017. SuperSport became the official home to the WWE Network for the past 7 years and all of that is likely to change in the coming future.

As reported moments ago, Netflix had exclusive rights to Raw and various other content from WWE which will start streaming in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America beginning January 2025. There are plans underway to add more international markets to the lineup.

This puts SuperSport's current linear offering in a precarious position especially the WWE Channel. As Netflix scooped up WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects alongside the premier shows Raw, SmackDown and NXT.

The mere thought of less sporting events on SuperSport wouldn't seem far fetched a stretch. Initially, they weren't going to broadcast AFCON as they were more focused on European football even the rebranded Showmax service will only feature Premier League.

Last year, MultiChoice shuttered Showmax PRO which served as digital counterpart for SuperSport with La Liga, PSL and various other sporting content. Now the streamer will only offer a price plan for Premier League while further sports can be streamed on DStv Stream.

 

As mentioned, Netflix will become the exclusive home to WWE in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America by January 2025. It's currently unknown whether WWE will be purged on Netflix for consumers across Africa at the same time.

Its also possible that SuperSport could slide in a better deal but from what we've already seen in the past months there's some doubts. Another would be for Raw, SmackDown and NXT to be retained on the platform alongside PPVs with everything else on streaming.

SuperSport is structured for first run programming and not delayed or week old sporting events. With the possible discontinuation of channel 128 alongside various content from WWE, I wouldn't be shocked if MultiChoice were to add SuperSport Action in place.

SuperSport Action serves as an alternative offering to WWE as it broadcasts a range of extreme sports as well as major boxing matches and EFC mixed martial arts programming. They are also home to UFC which alongside WWE are owned by TKO Group Holdings.

Netflix To Become The Exclusive Home Of WWE Network Beginning In 2025

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., and Netflix today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. 

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base." 

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple  H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. 

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms. 

How tvN Managed To Retain It's Presence In Africa?

tvN is a South Korean entertainment channel operated by CJ ENM that distributes various drama series and reality shows. Some of the content to have been produced by the channel includes Doom At Your Service, Cheese In The Trap, The K2 and Ice Adonis.

MultiChoice added tvN as a pop-up channel in March 2021 and by popular demand extended it for another few months. They weren't onboard with adding tvN as a permanent channel and since then the broadcaster was looking to continue their services through another platform.

During that time, tvN had garnered a following and through that were able to engage with viewers before quietly distancing themselves from social platforms with further accounts of tvN Africa directed to tvN international.

The outcome of tvN Africa

Although, tvN is not viewable as a linear channel several broadcasters including eMedia Investments, VIU, Netflix and StarTimes had all been distributing selected content from the brand. Best plausible option is that CJ ENM was only able to retain their programs in the market.

MultiChoice to date still doesn't feature any content from tvN on their platforms. They were able to retain an alternative offering to tvN and that includes NHK World Japan, CCTV-4, CGTN and KIX.

February 2024 On Travel Channel And Real Time Across Africa | New Series Alert: Homicide City | Returning Shows Including Fright Club | More

Travel Channel (South Africa)

Fright Club S2

NEW SEASON

Jack Osbourne and the Ghost Brothers -- Dalen Spratt, Marcus Harvey and Juwan Mass -- compete to freak each other out with the creepiest, craziest, most mind-blowing paranormal footage they can find before voting on their Nightmare Clip.

First TX: 22 Feb

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 25 April

Ghost Hunters S15

NEW SEASON

Renowned TAPS team members Jason Hawes, Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango, along with Shari DeBenedetti, reunite to revisit their most chilling cases and investigate disturbing new hauntings. Armed with state-of-the-art technology, their proven methodology and special guest investigators, TAPS tackles disturbing paranormal activity head-on, leaving no stone unturned to reach the dead among the living.

First TX: 9 Feb

TX Day: Friday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: TBC

Travel Channel (Africa)

Kindred Spirits S6

New to Channel

Paranormal investigators Amy Bruni and Adam Berry and psychic medium Chip Coffey help families tormented by restless spirits. During their emotional and terrifying investigations, the all-star paranormal team captures evidence and brings closure to each home by giving a voice to the dead.

First TX: 21 Feb

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 22:00

Real Time

Guy's Grocery Games S14

NEW TO CHANNEL

Guy Fieri sends talented chefs running through the aisles of Flavortown Market for the chance to make some serious dough. They face real-world challenges as they compete to be the last chef standing in this high-stakes cooking competition.

First TX: 1 Feb

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 12:05

Last TX: 14 Feb

Homicide City S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

In every metropolitan area, train tracks connect an urban area to the suburbs, which are often seen as separate places. But for homicide detectives manning the region, it's all one city and murders happen everywhere, disturbing every type of neighbourhood.

First TX: 21 Feb

TX Day: Everyday

TX Time: 21:40

Last TX: 26 Feb

Kartoon Studios Announces Significant Increase in Content Production Planned for 2024

Kartoon Studios announces a significant increase in content production and development planned for 2024 for the Company’s Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Networks, Mainframe Studios, as well as major broadcasters and streamers, including Netflix, Disney Channel, and others. The Company has also appointed Gregg Goldin, former creative executive at DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network and MTV, to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Development & Production.

Kartoon Studios kicks off 2024 with a roster of properties in production and/or development, including Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders and three series for Frederator Networks: Land of Boggs; Chikn’ Nuggit, in partnership with BuzzFeed Animation Lab; and an adult animated comedy series in partnership with Wheelhouse DNA, starring internet sensation Adam W, who was named one of “The 20 Most Influential Creators” by Rolling Stone Magazine with over 50 million followers across his channels.

Goldin joins Kartoon Studios with over twenty years of experience in animation and live-action content development and production, overseeing highly successful movies and series across multiple genres, including DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster franchises How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, and Fast & Furious. In this new role, Goldin will be responsible for heading up development and production for both new and original IP to deliver to the marketplace. Goldin will report jointly to Kartoon Studios’ Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward and COO Michael Jaffa.

Brian Parisi, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We have significantly streamlined our operations and have built a highly scalable infrastructure. With the increase in content production and other initiatives to be announced in early 2024 to drive revenue, we are well on our way to achieving our goal of sustained profitability. It should be noted that our streaming service Kartoon Channel! achieved break even in 2023, only three years after launch, and is expected to move to profitability in 2024, alongside Netflix. Kartoon Channel! continues to dominate the User Rankings in the Apple app store among all services delivering kids’ content.”

Andy Heyward noted, “As we enter a significant phase of growth in our development and production pipeline this year, with productions in the works for our Kartoon Channel! and Frederator Networks, we are thrilled to welcome a creative executive with Gregg’s pedigree to drive our content business. He has managed the development of some of the industry’s most successful franchises while at DreamWorks and Cartoon Network, and he will be an invaluable asset as we continue to build our IP catalog for global distribution. As Kartoon Channel achieved breakeven this last year, and drives to enhance profitability in 2024, Gregg will be pivotal in fueling the service with top tier content, as he did so successfully for DreamWorks Animation at Netflix.”

“Andy has made enormous contributions to the animation industry over the years, and I’m thrilled to work with him and the team at Kartoon Studios as we significantly ramp up over the next couple of years with new IP coming to market,” stated Goldin.

Goldin joins Kartoon Studios following a ten-year tenure at DreamWorks Animation where he served as Vice President of Current Series, overseeing multiple series in production. In this capacity, he also generated and pitched show presentations to marketing, franchise partners, publishers, retail buyers and network/streamers, facilitating new series launches and providing opportunities for consumer product programs.

Prior to DreamWorks Animation, Goldin guided the development and production of live-action and animated series and pilots at Cartoon Network, as well as a slate of original made-for-TV movies for seven years as Director of Development, Current & Original Series. Projects included two Ben 10 live-action features and Scooby-Doo prequel movies, among others. Previously, he served as Director of Development at MTV Films, contributing to the development and production of a robust slate of feature films, including Crossroads (Britney Spears), Jackass: The Movie, Save the Last Dance (Julia Stiles), Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) and Fighting Temptations (Beyoncé).

Development Alert: Disney Nordic Announce The Closure Of Disney Junior In Denmark While VH1 Is Being Replaced By NickMusic

Disney is closing more channels

After Disney closed and merged the Scandinavian feed of Disney Channel within EMEA/Southern Africa by 2023. It is was revealed through Digitalt.TV that the company will no longer distribute Disney Junior in Denmark by the end of February with content folded under Disney Channel.

Considering this was a decision made by Disney in the Nordic countries it's likely that Disney Junior could be going off air in Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Of course the pay-tv operator was based in Denmark so nothing can be confirmed as yet.

As mentioned, Disney Channel's feeds in these regions are all aligned with Southern Africa and if anything it's possible that Disney Junior's days for the rest of Europe could be numbered.

Although, it's just mere speculation Disney Channel has been running low on content following cancellations of Bunk'd and The Ghost And Molly McGee. It's basically become a graveyard for Disney+ programming such as Chip 'n Dale: Park Life and Cars On The Road.

NickMusic expands to Denmark

VH1 was an international entertainment channel which was basically a mash up of MTV and BET. It is operated by Paramount Global and over the last decade the company had been dismantling the trademark with various channels closed in most parts of the world.

After a viewer in Denmark had spotted VH1 with no EPG, it lead some to believe in the possible demise of the channel. Now Norlys is reporting that VH1 will fold under Nick trademark with NickMusic despite the existence of MTV.

Nick Music already has a presence in parts of Latin America and Europe broadcasting a large selection of music videos and music-related content for the whole family. By the end of March, Denmark will join these territories as VH1 exits the region.

Could Content Cuts Lead To The Closure/Merger Of Disney Channel And Disney Junior In Europe And Africa Alongside Disney XD In The United States?

Following Disney+ inception, Disney has been consolidating their content thus leading to closures of several linear channels across the world. To date, most of the company's linear offering reside within Europe, Middle East and Africa as the streamer's trail goes dry.

From what was established, Disney's remaining linear offering will stick around for the foreseeable future. This was partially due to the absence of Disney+ in parts of the above-mentioned regions and another income as these brands help sustain Disney+.

As seen in the last few months, Disney Channel has been running low on content with shows like Bunk'd and The Ghost And Molly McGee axed. The channel has become a graveyard for Disney+ with programming like Cars On The Road and Chip'n Dale: Park Life.

Part of this may have to do with the actor's strike back in 2023 but honestly it wouldn't seem far fetched if more consolidation were underway. There's been a decline in linear consumption and also these affects have been underway across the world.

If anything, Disney XD could as well shut down in the United States with content being integrated between Disney Channel and Disney+. While Disney Junior's remaining linear offering in parts of the world could revert back to a mere programming block on Disney Channel.

News Shorts: Paramount Unveils First Look At Daria Spinoff Jodie, Wizards Of The Waverly Place Prequel In Development For Disney Channel And The Fairly OddParents To Get A Sequel Series On Netflix

Jodie: First Look at 'Daria' Spin-Off's Logo

Comedy Central announced back in August 2020 that it had commissioned Jodie, a spin-off film based on Daria starring Tracee Ellis Ross, as part of the network tapping into IP across Paramount Global to build an original animated slate of adult comedy around stalwart South Park. Although not much has been said about the new movie since the original announcement, it looks like that's all about to change!

Paramount Global, the parent company of Comedy Central, has started to apply for trademarks for the film with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including for "Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services" and "Clothing; footwear; headgear", the latter giving us a first look at the Jodie logo!.

"We are excited to reinvent this iconic franchise with a new creative team and our partners at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio," Chris McCarthy, President of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, shared in a statement back in 2020 when the news was first announced. "Ren & Stimpy joins our rapidly expanding roster of adult animation, including South Park, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Clone High, as we continue to reimagine our treasure chest of beloved IP for new generations."

Selena Gomez and David Henrie reunite for Wizards Of The Waverly Place

One of Disney’s signature comedies, Wizards of Waverly Place, is getting a sequel. Disney Branded Television has ordered a pilot for the follow-up, which is executive produced by original stars Selena Gomez and her small screen sibling David Henrie. Gomez will guest star in the pilot for Disney Channel as the character that helped launch her career, Alex Russo, with David Henrie reprising the role of Justin Russo as a series regular. He is joined by new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just Roll with It), Alkaio Thiele (Call Me Kat) and Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess).

The revival pilot comes from writers and executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas who are behind another Disney Channel comedy spinoff, Raven’s Home. It picks up after a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin Russo has left his wizard powers behind, opting for a normal, human life with his wife and two sons. But he gets a surprise when a powerful young wizard in need of training shows up at his door… and Justin must embrace his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World.

The Fairly OddParents is getting another reboot

It's been reported that a new series is in development at Netflix called The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. Though the show has not been officially announced, the report claims that its existence was uncovered by way of a leaked video. The news also follows original Fairly OddParents voice actor Daran Norris mentioning in July 2023 that he was working on a new project for the franchise, though he didn't share any additional details at the time.

The fresh report also noted some plot details for The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. It is said that the sequel series will introduce a 10-year-old girl named Hazel Wells as the new protagonist, the role Timmy Turner played in the original series. Despite the change in protagonists, however, it's reported that Norris and Susanne Blakeslee are reprising their roles as Cosmo and Wanda from the original series, as the characters are "coming out of retirement to grant Hazel her wishes." 

February 2024 On Discovery Family And Food Network Across Africa | New Series Alert: Undercover Billionaire And Big Sky Kitchen With Eduardo Garcia | Returning Shows Including Girl Meets Farm | More

Discovery Family

Undercover Billionaire S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Self-made billionaire Glenn Stearns grew up poor in the sticks of Maryland and was only 14 years old when he became a father. A few years ago, however, he sold his company for $2.2 billion and is ready to put his money where his mouth is by making another million in only 90 days with just $100 in his pocket. If he succeeds, he'll give that money back to the people that helped him along the way.

First TX: 13 Feb

TX Day: Mon - Fri

TX Time: 20:35

Last TX: TBC

Food Network

Girl Meets Farm S13

NEW SEASON

Cookbook author, food blogger and Midwest

transplant Molly Yeh embraces her country life

and makes dishes inspired by her Jewish and

Chinese heritage -- with a taste of the Midwest,

too.

First TX: 1 Feb

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 17:00

Last TX: 14 Mar

Big Sky Kitchen With Eduardo Garcia S1 & S2

BRAND NEW

Montana-based chef, outdoorsman and wild food

forager Eduardo Garcia hosts this cooking series

inspired by his love for nature. His fun and

delicious meals become food celebrations for

family and friends under the big sky.

First TX: 4 Feb

TX Day: Saturday & Sundays

TX Time: 16:05

Last TX: 25 Feb

BBQ Brawl: Flay V. Burrell V. Tila S3

NEW SEASON

Undefeated champion Bobby Flay is joined by

Anne Burrell and Jet Tila, who both want a crack

at leading Food Network's next Master of 'Cue to

victory and a featured role on Food Network

Digital.

First TX: 26 Feb

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 18:00

Last TX: 15 Apr

BBQ USA S1

BRAND NEW

It's the most competitive game in food -- BBQ!

Chef and restaurateur Michael Symon heads to

the biggest BBQ competitions across America to

showcase the talented pitmasters, die-hard

devotees and, of course, the most

mouthwatering 'que around.

First TX: 18 Feb

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 18:00

Last TX: 24 Mar