Development Alert: FilmBox Family Added Onto The StarTimes App, Might Launch Elsewhere

During the week, TNT went dark on StarSat and StarTimes platforms across Africa due to a change in broadcasting rights or at least that's what's been stated by them as Warner Bros. Discovery had launched an investigation with an update expected in the coming week.

Prior to the cancellation, StarSat promised consumers that they would look into replacing TNT with another movie channel. Although not much details is known about the possible new channel FilmBox Family had been slotted on the StarTimes app.

FilmBox Family is a general entertainment channel catered for children and family featuring films ranging from fantasy, adventure, animation, drama and comedy. It is operated by SPI International that also package FilmBox, FilmBox Action and Timeless Dizi Channel on the platform.

Although not much had been stated by either StarTimes or SPI International about the addition of FilmBox Family, would it seem far fetched if the channel were to be made available elsewhere at some point perhaps as a replacement to TNT.

The downside aside from the exclusion of All Elite Wrestling or sports in general, it caters to another level of consumers (as mentioned children and family) and if you take that to account this would be a downgrade in quality for consumers of TNT and particularly StarSat.

Peter David's Spider-Man 2 (Novel)

Two years have passed, and Peter Parker struggles to cope with the demands of life as a college student, a Daily Bugle photographer, and a crime-fighting superhero. But it hasn’t gotten any easier. Condemned by the press, tormented by secrets he can never reveal, forced to give up the girl of his dreams—at times the lonely burden of Spider-Man seems almost too great to bear . . . and the temptation to give up grows stronger by the hour.

Enter the archfiend Doc Ock, armed with a lethal invention powerful enough to destroy half the city. If Spider-Man tries to stop Doc Ock, he’ll be placing the lives of those closest to him in mortal danger. If he doesn’t, it could be the end of the Big Apple. With millions of lives hanging in the balance, high about Manhattan’s glittering skyline, Spider-Man confronts his destiny, his fiercest enemy, and himself.

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Peter David's Spider-Man (Novel)

It begins with an orphan named Peter Parker, raised by his beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Queens, New York. A quiet student, he works diligently at his studies and pines for the beautiful Mary Jane Watson. But this ordinary teenage boy is about to have his life turned upside down, when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Suddenly, he finds himself possessed of spectacular powers. He is now and forever Spider-Man!

Follow Spider-Man’s action-packed journey, from his struggle to harness the extraordinary gifts that will prove to be both blessing and curse, to his fight to save innocent lives while the media tears him to pieces. It all leads up to his ultimate battle high above New York streets, against the death-dealing madman known as the Green Goblin. While the city watches helplessly and countless lives hang in the balance, Spider-Man confronts his archnemesis, and the Goblin puts Spider-Man’s vow to fight crime to the ultimate test

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Recap To The Week: The Mysterious Disappearance Of TNT, Could More Channels From StarSat Be On Their Way Out?

During the week, it was reported that TNT vanished from StarTimes and StarSat platforms across Africa. Following the removal of TNT, Warner Bros. Discovery had launched an investigation onto the sudden removal and are anticipated to share an update in the coming week.

According to StarSat, the likes of a competitor [MultiChoice] had led to the removal of the channel due to a change in broadcasting rights. As mentioned, this could be a lie I mean why would Warner Bros. Discovery need to launch an investigation on the matter.

In 2021, brands like Real Time, Investigation Discovery and Discovery Science were all booted from the platform. It was stated at the time that StarTimes had unresolved contract with Warner Bros. Discovery leading to addition of CBS Reality and CBS Justice.

Following the merger of Discovery Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery a similar outcome could have awaited TNT. Another reason to believe StarTimes could be deceitful is in regards to the carriage of TNT.

I was told by a source that Canal+ in Ethiopia also package TNT alongside Cartoon Network and Cartoonito in a seperate agreement. The feeds currently viewed in Ethiopia is what's being transmitted on DStv across Africa but why it's still baffling.

Canal+ has a minority stake in MultiChoice and some consumers may not be aware but with that stake they were able to distribute M-Net Movies 4, Me, Zee World and SuperSport Variety 9 brands that are packaged exclusively for DStv onto their own platforms.

If StarTimes were to be lying and this matter were to never be addressed or reported, they were very much fortunate to deceive consumers pointing toward existing rivals such as MultiChoice instead of being transparent and say they can't afford to maintain a brand like TNT.

Other brands to be retained on StarTimes and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery include Toonami and CNN. In short, could these channels also be going dark on the platform if not other brands like National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, ESPN 1 and 2.

Recap To The Week: New Logo For BBC Earth Repositions The Global Brand As A 'Window To The World'

New logo

The new creative refresh, developed by the award-winning BBC Studios Creative team, celebrates the premium and much-accoladed brand and features some of the hit content it has created and broadcast globally, including Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet II and The Green Planet, while looking ahead at future BBC landmark series Planet Earth III launching this autumn.

This suite of new logos and assets uses a circular device that captures spectacular content and amazing stories, representing the 'Window to the World' and transporting viewers out of their surroundings into realms of infinite wonder.

The new look will start to roll out globally across all platforms from 14 September. It is visually distinct and ownable, ensuring that the BBC Earth brand, like its programming, is both recognisable and unmissable.

Brand concept

"We wanted to elevate the heritage of the circular device within the current brand, to give it real purpose and dimension," explains Nick Meikle, executive creative director at BBC Studios Creative. "The core brand idea is a 'Window to the World': a circular window representing the Earth and the infinite wonder it has to offer."

"It is a visual mechanic that seeks to relentlessly discover immersive moments," he continues, "bringing spectacular stories into the homes of our audience, creating an emotional connection to our planet, and connecting them to the world at large.

"The brand refresh also allowed us to unify the visual language across all touch points from this central idea, as the brand has evolved significantly since its original TV launch over eight years ago."

Overall, it's a simple device that's been executed perfectly. By keeping the graphical elements to the minimum, it brilliantly achieves its goal of letting the colourful, high-definition imagery from its hit shows speak for themselves and tell their own story.

News Shorts: CBC TV To Be Discontinued On DStv By 30 September, A Rebroadcast Of Zara's Nikah Rumoured To Launch On Zee World And If They Let Us To Debut On TLNovelas Across Africa By November

Another one bites the dust

During the week, it was reported that MultiChoice would be removing Maisha Magic Movies from the rest of Africa by next month which comes after the channel was closed down in South Africa and BBC UKTV was added to the DStv Compact bouquet alongside Zee Zonke.

Now the pay-tv company will be removing another channel from the platform by September 30th.

Channel Broadcasting Company Limited, also known as Covenant Broadcasting Company (CBC Television or CBC TV) is a Zambian owned general entertainment TV station that provides high quality and engaging local and international content, with 3 million viewers per day.

An enchanting love story resurfaces on Zee World

Zara's Nikha follows epic love tale of two Muslim couple Kabeer and Zara, both devout followers of Islam, who happen to interpret the holy Quran very differently. While Kabeer is a maulvi’ (priest) who abides by a moral-ethical code of conduct, Zara is a well-educated young woman who applies the teachings of Allah to a logical, liberal way of life based on modern fundamentals. 

It starred Adnan Khan as Kabeer Ahmed, Eisha Singh as Zara Siddiqui, Ankit Vyas as Rizwan, Rutpanna Aishwarya as Reema, Suneel Pushkarna as Qazi Irfan Siddiqui and Shalini Arora as Salma Baig.

The series is rumoured to replace Gangaa on September 22nd for consumers in selected territories.

A long awaited series make its African debut on TLNovelas

Alicia Montiel has the perfect family and is married to Sergio Carranza, one of the most respected and recognized journalists in Mexico. They have 3 children and are icons and the synonym of the ideal family in society. Alicia's world falls apart when she discovers that Sergio has been unfaithful to her for the last 3 years with the co-host from his television show, Julieta Lugo. Alicia works up the courage to divorce him and will have to face all the challenges that her new life will bring including falling in love with a man much younger than her, Martín Guerrero, who is also a journalist and has been the professional rival of Sergio. Alicia will give in to a new love, she will challenge whoever dares to question her and in freedom, she will give a chance to true happiness.

The series starred Mayrín Villanueva as Alicia Montiel de Carranza, Marcus Ornellas as Martín Guerra, Alexis Ayala as Sergio Carranza, Scarlet Gruber as Julieta Lugo and Gabriela Spanic as Fedora Montelongo.

If They Let Us (Si Nos Dejan) is expected to launch on November 10th on TLNovelas. The series was picked by several broadcasters within Africa including UTV (Ghana) and Citizen TV (Kenya).

What To Expect On The Home Channel And The Home Channel+ In October 2023?

BRAND NEW LOCAL SHOW

HOME STYLED

Start Monday, 02 October

Prime Time: Wednesday 20:00

Additional Broadcast Times: Mon 16:00 | Wed 20:00 | Thu 08:00 | Fri 12:00 | Sat 15:00 & 22:00 | Sun 10:30 & 19:00

Home Styled brings local home design transformation to our screens. This reality-style series explores various homeowners’ décor dilemmas. Some of them move into brand new, empty homes while others have been living in their homes for a while and need some rooms to be revamped. They call upon their designers who come to the rescue, by adding new furniture and décor elements to each of the spaces in need of saving.

The designer meets up with the client, they start their design planning, and the installation takes place. The new spaces are revealed to the homeowner who now enjoys a spruced up and functional space.

BRAND NEW SHOW

JAMIE’S QUICK & EASY FOOD

Start Monday, 23 October

Prime Time: Wednesday 18:00

Additional Broadcast Times: Mon 14:00 | Thu 23:00 | Fri 10:00 | Sat 08:00 | Sun 14:30

Jamie’s 30-minute meals is an energetic food series that sees Jamie Oliver giving solid instruction to the uninspired. In a tough-talking, fast-paced, as-live style, he creates great home-cooked meals from scratch. Jamie cooks up substantial mains, delicious sides and salads, gorgeous puddings and refreshing drinks – adding his own unique twist to each element.

This series supports Jamie’s continuing mission to improve people’s lives through food by tackling the issues of kitchen confidence and lack of time, head on. The result is food programming that is as relevant and helpful as it is beautiful and seductive.

NEW SEASONS

HOME OF THE YEAR IRELAND 

Start Tuesday, 24 October Prime Time: Tuesday 19:30

Additional Broadcast Times: Wed 22:00 | Thu 11:30 | Fri 15:30 | Sat 13:30 & 20:30 | Sun 17:30 & 00:30

Over eight weeks, 21 homes will compete for the title of Home of the Year, with three very different properties featured each week.

From redesign and new builds to renovations and restorations, Home of the Year Ireland features people who have made their dream home just the way they want it. The series will showcase homes from across the country.

ESCAPE TO THE CHATEAU

Start Monday, 30 October Prime Time: Thursday 20:00

Additional Broadcast Times: Mon 12:00 | Tue 16:00 | Fri 08:00 | Sat 12:30 & 19:30 | Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Escape to the Chateau is back with brand new season and Dick Strawbridge and his partner Angel are as hard at work as ever!

It’s been years since they’ve traded in their two-bed apartment in Essex for a dilapidated 19th century French chateau, and the massive restoration of this 45-room castle is almost complete. With even more events booked, Dick and Angel forge ahead with their plans amidst a terribly busy year at their new home.

FARMHOUSE FACELIFT 

Start Monday, 16 October Prime Time: Monday 20:00

Additional Broadcast Times: Tue 08:00 | Wed 12:00 | Thu 16:00 | Sat 08:30 | Sun 07:00

Brother and sister duo Billy Pearson, a craftsman contractor, and Carolyn Wilbrink, a designer, tackle the toughest farmhouse renovations for their clients in Farmhouse Facelift.

They bring stunning designs and customised modern conveniences to each new project they embark on.

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY

Start Monday, 16 October Prime Time: Monday 21:00

Additional Broadcast Times: Tue 09:00 | Wed 13:00 | Thu 17:00 | Sat 14:00 & 21:00 | Sun 09:30 & 18:00

Escape to the Country sets out to find the perfect home for families who are seeking to get away from city living. Each episode features one couple or family who are looking to make the escape and relocate to the country.

Join the presenters on their quest to find a home that fits the bill, whilst exploring the beautiful and unique surroundings of each location.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

GRAND DESIGNS NEW ZEALAND 

Start Monday, 02 October Prime Time: Thursday 21:00

Additional Broadcast Dates: Mon 13:00 | Tue 17:00 | Fri 09:00 | Sat 11:00 & 18:00 | Sun 15:00 & 22:00

Grand Designs New Zealand meets creative and enterprising people who are taking on the challenge of building their own unique and inspirational homes.

This series promises to deliver a range of stunning homes in exotic locations guaranteed to have people glued to their screens

SCHOOL NIGHT DINNERS

Start Tuesday, 03 October Prime Time: Tuesday 18:00

Additional Broadcast Dates: Wed 23:00 | Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 | Sat 07:30 | Sun 14:00

Remember the days of a sketchy mac and cheese around the dinner table? Hiding your peas in a napkin or feeding your pasta to the dog? We do. And we never want to go back. That's why we're bringing you School Night Dinners. Where drab meals are off the table, and healthy comes with a side of fun. With the help of Nic Chapman and Ian Haste, we're going to banish boring, one soggy chip at a time.

We'll be exploring the foods that feed the belly and fuel the brain. Nic and Ian also cook up some sweet treats that'll perk up anyone’s School Night Dinner! Who's hungry?

MILLION POUND PROPERTIES 

Start Monday, 09 October Prime Time: Friday 19:00 Additional Broadcast Dates: Mon 22:00 | Tue 11:00 | Wed 15:00

From castles to shoeboxes to rundown council houses, a record number of British properties are valued at a million pounds plus.

Filmed over one of the most unpredictable years the property market’s ever known, Million Pound Properties reveals what a million pounds actually buys across the UK, finds out what the country’s wealthiest buyers demand for their money and uncovers a council house millionaire.

FIND ME A DREAM HOME AUSTRALIA

Start Monday, 30 October

Prime Time: Wednesday 20:30

Additional Broadcast Dates: Mon 16:30 | Thu 08:30 | Fri 12:30 | Sat 17:30 & 00:30 | Sun 13:00 & 21:30

We all love to dream that we have the money to buy our dream home. On Find Me A Dream Home Australia, we meet the buyers who can do just that and have the dollars to invest in Real Estate.

On each episode, the Fabulous Nikki Osborne takes a couple on a tour of three of the most gorgeous homes in their price range.

FIND ME A BEACH HOUSE 

Start Monday, 30 October Prime Time: Monday 19:00

Additional Broadcast Dates: Tue 22:00 | Wed 11:00 | Thu 15:00

Find Me A Beach House follows the buying decisions of beach house hunters in various locations around Australia.

Deborah shows her buyers spectacular homes at various price points. Including finding a newly retired couple a beach shack to renovate on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Start Monday, 30 October Prime Time: Monday 19:30

OPEN HOMES

Additional Broadcast Dates: Tue 22:30 | Wed 11:30 | Thu 15:30 | Sat 10:30 | Sun 09:00

Join our expert home and garden designer hosts, as they take a tour through some of the most awe-inspiring properties you’ll ever see; from resort style pavilion homes to hinterland hideaways with endless views.

,

See on-trend interior design and even a house that floats on the side of a hill. If you’re renovating, building or just addicted to looking through stunning houses - you’re going to love Open Homes.

NADIYA BAKES

Start Tuesday, 31 October Prime Time: Tuesday 18:00 Additional Broadcast Dates: Wed 23:00 | Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 | Sat 07:30 | Sun 14:00

Nadiya Hussain Nadiya Bakes is a British baker and author. She is celebrating the joy of creating and sharing her favorite homemade cakes, bakes and delicious pastries alongside exciting new recipes inspired by other passionate bakers in Nadiya Bakes.

From everyday treats to indulgent desserts, these are guaranteed to bring a little joy into your life.

Could Warner TV Be Heading To DStv As TNT Exits StarTimes And StarSat Platforms Across Africa?

During the day, StarSat quietly removed from the channel list as consumers seek answers for the future of WWE competitor All Elite Wrestling as the channel is nowhere to be seen on any of their platforms in the early hours of the day.

Through an enquiry by the pay-tv company, it had been confirmed that the channel has indeed been removed from their platforms. Due to a change in broadcasting rights, MultiChoice in which the pay-tv company refers to as competitor holds all the rights to TNT.

Although the channel is closed on StarSat, the pay-tv company is looking to source out a replacement channel for TNT. Unfortunately, All Elite Wrestling is exclusive to TNT meaning you need a DStv bouquet to watch the action unfold.

We are awaiting on a response from Warner Bros. Discovery about the matter as the pay-tv company has been known to tell lies in previous years blaming the supplier or other local factors. But if it does turn out to be true, what future could await the TNT channel on DStv.

During the year, Warner Bros. Discovery had celebrated 100 years of Warner Bros. Studios and each country celebrated with a line-up of content and as seen in most parts of Europe various Turner based general entertainment channels had been phased out for Warner TV.

The most notable region situating in France had rolled out Warner TV [Next] in a similar fashion to Cartoonito when it launched on Boomerang in March. It wouldn't seem far fetched if the same fate awaited Africa at some point.

Warner Bros. Discovery has been aligning their brands in recent months. I mean Boomerang wasn't removed because Warner felt it was out of touch but due to developments in other countries. If anything, the Boomerang DNA still resides on Cartoonito and same could await TNT and Warner TV.

If StarSat were to be lying, they'd be known as the biggest jokesters in the market. There is a reason media outlets refrain from the platform and that was due to the constant runaround and exchanging of content and linear channels. 

DreamWorks and TLNovelas were added in 2020 both of which last less than two years. Another instance Real Time and Investigation Discovery, siting Warner Bros. Discovery as the reason these channels went dark as part of a complete shutdown when it was contractual issues.

After Being Snubbed By DStv In South Africa, Maisha Magic Movies Will Stop Airing In The Rest Of Africa From October

Last month, it was reported that Maisha Magic Movies would be exiting the DStv platform in South Africa. Since then, MultiChoice added BBC UKTV to the Compact bouquet in which this movie channel catered for alongside a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel, Zee Zonke.

Through a conversation with a DStv customer, it had been confirmed that Maisha Magic Movies will close not only in Kenya but the rest of Africa by October 8th.

MultiChoice in a statement mentions that the termination is line with their strategy to continuously review content and optimise channels. This is done to deliver unbeatable content to their customers as they continue to cater to the needs and viewing requirements.

Just as I thought, Maisha Magic Movies was probably struggling to garner traction as seen with Africa Magic Epic and Mzansi Bioskop. Another could be that similar to fliekNET, the channel didn't have much on its plate leaving them to bombard the schedule with repeats.

Prior to its termination, M-Net had reverted consumers to Pearl Magic and the other Maisha Magic channels so we assume similar to fliekNET once again. M-Net will work on building the local offering on these brands to fill that gap left by Maisha Magic Movies.

In other developments, MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group are set to unveil a rival kids brand in the coming months, Play Room. The channel will offer animated content in Zulu with some language switching happening between shows we assume it will replace another channel.