Nickelodeon Expands The Universe Of SpongeBob SquarePants With Season 15

Nickelodeon continues to grow its most popular global franchise with the season 15 pickup of number-one animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. The announcement made today by Ramsey Naito, President, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, comes ahead of SpongeBob SquarePants' milestone 25th anniversary next year. SpongeBob SquarePants is produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank.

In season 15 (26 episodes) of SpongeBob SquarePants, incurable optimist SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Squidward will uncover even bigger nautical adventures. The pickup marks 345 total episodes of the series since its July 1999 launch and counting.

All-new episodes continue to debut on Nickelodeon and feature the characters embarking on a range of situations, including SpongeBob thinking he has developed an allergy to Krabby Patties, Plankton learning self-defense from Sandy, Mr. Krabs stepping into the gym and more. Fans can also check out seasons 1 – 12 on Paramount+, the home for SpongeBob SquarePants Universe content.

SpongeBob SquarePants voice cast members include Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton).

Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller are executive producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show and Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years. Production is overseen by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Animation for Big Kids, Nickelodeon, and Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series, Animation, Nickelodeon.

The greenlight is part of Nickelodeon's strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands its growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dora, along with The Smurfs partnership and Transformers and Monster High co-productions.

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 21 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount Global history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 29+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.  The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

Nickelodeon, now in its 44th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. 

Development Alert: Love Conquers & Movie Premieres, Goodbye And Phone Boot Coming Soon To Zee One

Zee One is thrilled to announce the premiere of its brand-new series, "Love Conquers," (Neem Phuler Modhu) starting October 9th, airing daily at 6pm. This emotionally charged drama delves into the profound transformation a young woman undergoes after marriage and the formidable challenges she must conquer.

Starring acclaimed TV actress Pallavi Sharma, Love Conquers promises an enthralling journey filled with love, drama, and intricate family dynamics.

 

Parna, a young woman of marriageable age, faces a pivotal decision when presented with potential suitors by her family. She chooses a dashing young man, Rubel, who falls head over heels in love upon seeing her beauty. However, after their arranged marriage, Parna's life takes an unexpected turn as she navigates the strict rules within her new household.

With unwavering belief in her husband's support, Parna embarks on a mission to overcome every obstacle in her path. Guided by her grandmother's wisdom, she learns that "the first year of married life is like the honey from a Neem flower – you have to taste the sourness first to savor the sweet flavor."

Don't miss the premiere of Love Conquers, exclusively on Zee One.

MOVIE: Goodbye

 

Goodbye, an emotionally charged movie starring legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Neena Gupta, tells the poignant story of a family brought together by tragedy.

Following their mother's unexpected passing, four adult siblings reunite at their father's ancestral home for her funeral. However, as they attempt to come together to carry out her final rites, differing perspectives and long-held grudges threaten to fracture the family forever.

Mark your calendars for the premiere of Goodbye on 8 October at 3pm. Experience the power of love and forgiveness in this heartwarming movie.

MOVIE: Phone Bhoot

 

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride with Phone Bhoot a suspenseful thriller starring Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khattar, and Siddhant Chaturvedi.

Stuart Shepard, a publicist, finds his life hanging by a thread when he answers a ringing phone in a Phone Bhoot. The caller delivers a chilling ultimatum; he will be shot the minute he hangs up the phone.

Don't miss the high-stakes drama in Phone Bhoot 22 October at 3 pm. Tune in for a suspense-filled experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In addition to our exciting premieres, Zee One offers a daily dose of entertainment with movies airing at 3pm and 10pm daily.  Stay tuned for a variety of blockbuster films that will keep you entertained day after day.

Recap To The Month: TV5Monde Looking To Grow Their Kids Slate In Africa

French public broadcaster TV5Monde wants to bring its French-language content to African kids in a major way, so it has been opening public-access centers where kids can watch its shows and movies together.

Kids in Africa tend to gather in groups of 20 to 30 to watch TV, but many families across the continent don’t have access to satellite services. So the broadcaster decided to bring its content to more children by creating TV5Monde Houses, outfitted with TVs and computers that kids can use.

The goal of these centers is to connect with kids in their communities, make TV5Monde’s content accessible, and spread the French language in the region, says Patrice Courtaban, the company’s EVP of global growth and business development. At the TV5Monde Houses, kids can watch African shows that TV5Monde acquires and pre-buys, as well as content from partner channels including France Télévisions and Télé Québec.

Since the initiative got underway in 2004, the broadcaster has opened 14 centers in African countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nigeria—each of which is regularly used by dozens of kids. TV5Monde is now plan- ning to expand the program by establishing 10 more centers this year (including a first one in Western Africa) and launching new resources to teach kids about the environment and digital literacy.

Locations are chosen with input from local authorities and financial partners, and the houses are run by teachers and NGO execs.

Beyond just getting in front of kids who otherwise wouldn’t see its content, TV5Monde is eager to reach a growing French-speaking population in Africa. By 2050, more than 80% of the world’s French speakers could live in Africa, says Courtaban, citing data from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, a group that promotes the French language worldwide.

“We can bring kids together around new shows and entertain them, and we believe that’s the best way to learn French,” says Courtaban. “We can also host large outdoor screenings where hundreds of kids can come together. We want more events like this.”

The centers showcase content that has been produced in Africa, such as animated series King Keita (Afrika Toon) and Canadian prodco Avanti Group’s live-actioner Alix and the Wonderful. But they also screen popular international shows such as The Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

TV5Monde’s data shows that on average, 50% of African kids ages four to 14 watch its TiVi5MONDE kids channel every week. New carriage deals are helping to increase awareness for both the channel and its con- tent, but it’s the centers that really connect children to the broadcaster.

“The centers can reach many people at once, and we can also talk to people and connect with kids,” says Courtaban. “We can find out what they want to see, and learn [their interests], while bringing the best kids content to Africa.”

News Shorts: An HD Feed To The Disney Channel Is Rumoured To Be In Development For DStv, Motor Mythbusters Make Their African Debut On Ignition TV And SABC 3 Scoops Up Doccie Series The Elon Musk Show Formerly Seen On M-Net

Disney Channel is going HD

For several years now, MultiChoice has managed to operate a number of premium channels in HD including M-Net, 1Magic, Discovery, TLC, MTV, Comedy Central and Food Network with Disney's bulk being the last to integrate with National Geographic moving over in 2021.

Now Disney Channel looks to join its sister channels and also rival brands Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon as MultiChoice appears to have begun work on an HD feed for the channel meaning Disney Junior will probably be the only Disney branded channel not in HD.

As mentioned, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild were integrated in 2021 while ESPN 1 and ESPN 2 were HD beforehand. Disney Junior not being in HD means that Cartoonito (formerly Boomerang) remains as the only preschool brand on DStv to integrate.

More Motor Trend for Ignition

If you're a major #petrolhead and enjoy the thrill of cracking myths then this show is definitely for you.

Motor Mythbusters follows a joyful search for truth behind popular automotive myths, to try to answer the biggest questions on every car fan's mind.

Be sure to tune in from 1st October at 20:00.

Elon Musk makes his free-to-air debut on SABC 3

The Elon Musk Show gets to the heart of who Elon Musk really is, by interviewing the people that know him best. Family members, employees, close friends and enemies tell the intimate story of Elon Musk’s incredible journey to become the world’s richest man.

Using extensive archive footage taken throughout his life, from South Africa to Silicon Valley, the series analyses the key moments in Elon’s career, from his first tech start-ups through to Tesla and SpaceX.

M-Net and Showmax picked up rights to the BBC docu-series back in December and after almost a year more consumers in South Africa can explore the story of the world's most richest man Elon Musk every Monday at 21:00 from 30th October just in time for halloween.

Development Alert: Showmax Pro To Go Dark Across Africa Ahead Of Peacock's Rollout Under The Streamer

MultiChoice Group has announced that it will phase out Showmax Pro ahead of the planned relaunch of the Showmax platform by the end of the year.

In a notice to subscribers posted on the Showmax website, MultiChoice explained that with the upcoming relaunch of Showmax, its sports offering will focus exclusively on Premier League football, which it described as the most-watched football league in Africa.

“Showmax Pro in its current form will be phased out by 30 November. More details around the refreshed pricing and the product will be shared soon,” MultiChoice said.

Showmax Pro offers the basic Showmax entertainment tier coupled with various sports matches provided by sister company SuperSport. Until now, Showmax Pro has carried not only Premier League football but also the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, the FA Cup and more. It has also shown athletics, running and boxing events.

“We want to make sure that our Showmax Pro customers are still able to access the sport they love. As part of this product change, existing Showmax Pro customers in South Africa will be offered a DStv Compact Plus Stream package at the same price as Showmax Pro.”

DStv Stream Compact Plus is currently priced at R549/month, while Showmax Pro costs R349/month, meaning Showmax Pro customers will save R200/month and get access to more sports, including selected Rugby World Cup 2023 games.

Showmax Pro

“Customers will be able to stream 115 live channels, access the full catalogue of the DStv video-on-demand library and continue to have full access to Showmax’s entertainment catalogue,” the group said. The deal is exclusively available to existing Showmax Pro customers, who will receive communication from MultiChoice about how to sign up. The offer is not available to Showmax Pro mobile-only subscribers.

From 1 October, Showmax Pro will no longer be available for subscription.

The changes come as MultiChoice prepares for a significant overhaul of Showmax, expected by year-end.

Speaking to the media in June, MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said “version 2” of Showmax will include strategic and technical input from new partner and co-investor NBCUniversal.

MultiChoice announced in March that NBCUniversal would acquire a 30% stake in Showmax as part of a plan to build the leading internet video streaming platform in Africa.

The agreement, which includes NBCUniversal sister company Sky – both firms are owned by Nasdaq-listed media giant Comcast — includes the supply of technology as well as new content to Showmax subscribers. MultiChoice has retained a 70% stake in the business.

“Powered by Peacock’s leading, globally scaled technology, Showmax subscribers will have access to an extensive premium content portfolio, bringing African audiences the best of local and international programming,” MultiChoice said in March. Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.

“The service will combine MultiChoice’s accelerating investment in local content with a pipeline of award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, third-party content from HBO, Warner Brothers International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League football,” it said.

Said Mawela: “Showmax version 2 will launch in the fourth quarter with a broader line-up of content, a better product offering, better user interface and more streams on live sport, and will be underpinned by the English Premier League.”

Showmax will remain a separate offering, distinct from DStv and “appealing to a streaming population that continues to grow” and who “might want sport as part of that offering”. 

How SABC Could Save 7de Laan From Complete Extinction

During the year, it was reported that the public broadcaster had axed 7de Laan after 24 years with the last episode set to be broadcast on Day Of Goodwill (26 December). Since news of its cancellation surfaced the SABC has faced severe backlash from fans.

As a petition is being drawn up for SABC at change.org to reconsider, several fans are looking to strike at Campus Square Auckland Park in Johannesburg this coming Thursday which is where the show had been filmed.

The public broadcaster view their current financial state as one of the reasons 7de Laan is being booted and another having to deal with the fact that the viewership of the Afrikaans soap has dropped in the past years with etv's Afrikaans offering at 5pm able to double it's audience.

It's unlikely that 7de Laan's viewership will get better overnight with Sentech cancelling several analogue feeds for their channels and also Eskom's blackouts. Striking is probably the only way consumers will ever get across to the public broadcaster and if possible find an outcome.

Despite having more viewers than M-Net and Mzansi Magic, SABC has seen their ratings drop in recent years with SABC 3 taking the most punches following the cancellation/removals of Days Of Our Lives and Isidingo SABC 2 likely to suffer the same fate with 7de Laan.

7de Laan ranks as the most watched Afrikaans soap and second watched soap on SABC 2 behind Muvhango. Overall, most of the public broadcaster's local productions can't surpass the viewership of Uzalo, Generations: The Legacy, Skeem Saam and Muvhango.

The only way SABC 2's viewership would probably remain intact would be if the public broadcaster was looking to replace 7de Laan with a follow-up show similar to Generations: The Legacy or if some if not majority of the cast were to be seen on the replacement soap.

Recap To The Decade: eToonz Remains As The Only Source To Kids Entertainment On Openview

eToonz is currently South Africa's only children entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments which feature a mixture of animation like Peppa Pig, SpongeBob SquarePants and Voltron alongside live-action like Victorious and Power Rangers.

Since it's inception, the channel has remained the only source to kids entertainment on Openview and also the least mentioned brand amongst eMedia Investments' stable with a lineup bombarded with repeats as other brands continue to boost their offering.

While others such as eExtra and eMovies got additional channels based on their content. eToonz on the other hand was left as a singular brand with content sharing happening across eMedia's linear platforms.

As mentioned in a previous article, adults dominate cable TV and unlike DStv there's not a lot of households on Openview with children or in particular ones that would view the content especially if a selected portion can be viewed on the main channel.

So the idea of an eToonz Extra wouldn't really have been the best implementation strategy for eMedia Investments. As seen already, eToonz doesn't have enough content to carry onto a second channel and should eMedia opt for one it would probably need to be a random channel.

In this case, something like Da Vinci or SABC Education would help fill that gap at this point. As it doesn't clash with the existing offering seen on eToonz but gives consumers more content to browse that is if eMedia Investments chooses to revisit this section.

Could NBCU's Universal Kids Or Sky UK's Sky Kids Expand To Africa??? Perhaps As A Future Replacement To Disney Channel On DStv

Sky Kids is a children's channel operated by Sky Group a subsidiary of Comcast which features live-action shows like My Friend Misty, The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates and Dino Club alongside animation like Where's Wally?, Clifford and Trollstopia.

Internationally, it is known as DreamWorks Channel and a local variation known as Universal Kids residing in the United States both of which are operated by NBCUniversal also a subsidiary of Comcast.

Disney is looking to consolidate their content to streaming as linear TV is no longer viewed as the core of their business as mentioned earlier. This has led to the cancellation of several Disney Channels in the United Kingdom, Asia, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

In Africa, these channels had extended through 2024 on DStv and are expected to go dark at some point. Thereafter, MultiChoice would need to sought replacement channels in order to keep viewers onboard their platforms and fill the void left by Disney.

With the lack of children channels across the world, MultiChoice would most likely need to curate a customary channel similar to AMC International and Paramount Global's CBS Justice and JimJam or Ngwato Nkosi Group Movie Room and Play Room channels.

Sky Kids wouldn't seem like a far fetched brand to incorporate within the DStv platform despite the pay-tv platform already packaging DreamWorks. Some content is very much viewed on Showmax prior to the announcement that NBCUniversal had acquired a 30% stake to streamer.

NBCUniversal also supply Universal, E! Entertainment, Studio Universal and Telemundo to DStv.

This kids channel likely titled Universal Kids would see MultiChoice and NBCUniversal join forces supplying content that is not only viewable on Sky Kids in the UK but also shows streaming on Showmax or in other words a follow-up to the defunct K-TV kids brand.

What To Expect On The Nickelodeon Channels Across Africa In October 2023?

* This is applicable to selected African countries

Nickelodeon

Transformers: Earthspark

Episodes: 116-126

Timeline: 19/09/2023-14/10/2023

Slot: Weekends

Time: 11:00

Squeeze That Sponge! Stunt

New Episodes: SpongeBob 280-287 Patrick Star 121-126

Timeline: 16/10/2023-01/12/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 14:30

Monster High

New Episodes: 114-118

Timeline: 25/10/2023-01/11/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 16:30

Halloween Stunt

Timeline: 29/10/2023

Slot: Sunday

Time: 11:00

Nicktoons

Transformers: Earthspark

Episodes: 111-115

Timeline: 10/09/2023-09/10/2023

Slot: Sunday

Time: 14:00

The Casagrandes

Episodes: 316-320

Timeline: 09/10/2023-19/10/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 14:25

Sunday Scary Halloween Stunt

Timeline: 29/10/2023

Slot: Sunday

Time: 11:30

Monster High

Episodes: 114-118

Timeline: 23/10/2023-01/11/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 15:00

Nick Jr.

Adventures Of Paddington

Episodes: 301-306

Timeline: 25/09/2023-06/10/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 07:15

Blue's Clues & You

Episodes: 407-410

Timeline: 09/10/2023-13/10/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 05:30

Santiago Of The Seas

Episodes: 221,223-226

Timeline: 16/10/2023-27/10/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 09:35

Deer Squad

Episodes: 301-310

Timeline: 23/10/2023-01/11/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 06:50

Halloween Stunt

Timeline: 28/10/2023-29/10/2023

Slot: Weekends

Time: 07:15

Bossy Bear

Episodes: 111-115

Timeline: 30/10/2023-10/11/2023

Slot: Monday-Friday

Time: 08:30