Recap To Last Month: CBS Reality Ends It's Run In The UK As Paramount And AMC Networks Decide To Drop The Last CBS Channel In The Region After 14 Years

CBS Reality is a factual entertainment channel operated by AMC Networks International together with Paramount Global. The channel is home to shows like Judge Judy, Close Calls On Camera, Border Patrol, Haunted Case Files and Random Breath Tests.

In the UK, it was announced that CBS Reality would end its run after 14 years thus bringing an end to CBS brand name. Prior to this announcement, CBS Reality's programming had been altered to feature true crime and also there's a FAST channel resembling it's likeness.

This was something to be expected and also it doesn't really answer any questions regarding the feed seen in Europe and Africa. One theory that comes to mind would be the disastrous ending to CBS Reality seeing as Poland halt production of further original programs.

Perhaps, the plan would be shift more toward true crime as the last original programs to have been produced were all crime skewed. Another would be keeping the non-crime portion of CBS Reality (particularly in Africa) intact and finding supplements.

This change seen in the UK is part of streamlining efforts and as it is AMC+ is not viewable in some of the regions CBS Reality resides in. It's likely that the channels could take up another form if not True Entertainment or True Crime but it does appear they'll remain intact for the time being.

My Opinion Regarding The Demise Of Boomerang And Rise Of Cartoonito

During the year, Boomerang was folded under Cartoonito after it rolled out on the channel as a programming block in 2022. It featured various shows like CoComelon, Thomas And Friends and Dino Ranch and expanded to include Batwheels, Interstellar Ella and Bugs Bunny Builders.

As seen through my research on the Latin American market, Boomerang retains a stake in Cartoonito particularly for figures such as Scooby-Doo, Tom And Jerry and Looney Tunes. Of course, the Boomerang DNA has slowly subsided on the channel.

So yeah, I kind of get why parents and children across Africa would be very fearful about the future of Boomerang. This was a channel that was home to classical figures outside of Warner Bros. such as Garfield and The Addams Family and overtime evolved to include shows like Grizzy And The Lemmings and Zig and Sharko.

But this is a rebrand and as such various measures should be implemented, to me them keeping a small fraction of Boomerang was probably a way to phase off the channel to its entirety and also another way to keep existing viewers while as welcome newer audiences to Cartoonito.

I could be angry about this rebrand but hey similar to how some viewers say Cartoon Network died over the years the same could have been said about Boomerang. At one point, it was almost like Boing thereafter it got another identity therefore tarnishing the name.

Cartoonito as a whole kind of makes sense right now as it keeps the original DNA Boomerang intact and it's one better way to kind of align the brands. I know some are angry about Looney Tunes Cartoons but hey I noticed better treatment on the channel than Cartoon Network international.

In short, I don't think Cartoonito is that bad of a channel especially if there's still viewers out there willing to watch CoComelon and Thomas And Friends. It's productive and imaginative unlike some other kids channels I know of but won't mention right now.

What To Expect On The Home Channel In December 2023?

Escape to the Chateau is back with an action-packed series full of family adventures, awe-inspiring renovation projects, big reveals, and a magical Christmas special. Bringing a warm hug into living rooms, Dick, Angel, Arthur and Dorothy share more enchanting tales from the Chateau as they continue the renovation of their 19th-century fairytale home and grounds! Despite the havoc, the Chateau reveals more of its secrets while Dick and Angel continue to find ingenious ways of bringing new rooms back to life and creating a home full of happy memories.

Show Title and Season: Escape to the Chateau Season 9

Starting Date: Monday, 25 December 2023 12:00

End Date: Sunday, 18 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME Thu 20:00 & Fri 19:00 | Mon 12:00 | Tue 16:00 | Fri 08:00| Sat 12:30 Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Every week, the designers will be set a new commercial design challenge, to take on the interiors of show homes, offices, hotels, shops, beach huts, salons, restaurants and luxury holiday villas. Their skill and expertise will hopefully create design magic to impress the discerning judges. Hosted by Alan Carr Michelle who is joined each week by a different guest expert, on hand to offer their advice and appraisal. The series includes appearances by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Linda Boronkay, Kit Kemp, Ross Bailey, Sophie Robinson, Abigail Ahern and Matthew Williamson.

Show Title and Season: Interior Design Masters Season 2

Starting Date: Monday, 4 December 2023 15:00

End Date: Friday, 26 January 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Wed 19:00 Mon 15:00 | Thu 22:00 | Fri 11:00

Real Health is a studio-based lifestyle show featuring holistic health solutions presented in an easy-to-absorb and palatable manner. It explores how these solutions, when practiced correctly, lead to a physically, emotionally and mentally healthier body, mind and soul.

Host, Michael Porter chats to different experts from the health and wellness field about a variety of topics that all contribute to holistic health, mind, body and soul. Each episode inspires, transforms and enlightens viewers on their personal journeys towards real health.

Show Title and Season: Real Health Season 14 

Starting Date: Monday, 4 December 2023 18:00

End Date: Sunday, 3 March 2024 

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Mon 18:00 Tue 23:00 |Wed 10:00 |Thu 14:00 Sat 09:30 | Sun 08:00

Fresh Cut with Jill Manson is an inspiring floral show that takes viewers on a South African floral journey. Each episode revolves around a theme and brings relevant information and inspirational floral designs to you.

Join floral communications expert, Jill Manson, as she meets the farmers who grow some of South Africa’s most spectacular blooms, goes behind the scenes at the flower market and brings you tips and floral arrangements that you can recreate at home.

Show Title and Season: Fresh Cut with Jill Manson Season 4 

Starting Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2023 21:00

End Date: Sunday, 3 March 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Tue 21:00 Wed 09:00| Thu 13:00| Fri 17:00 Sat 12:00 & 19:00 Sun 16:00 & 23:00

Luxury Homes Revealed embodies everything luxurious in the housing business. Follow our hosts Gary, Nadia, Cindy and Anita on their journey around Australia and the USA walking through the most exquisite houses.

From an apartment to a 7,000 square foot estate, viewers of Luxury Homes Revealed get to see the ins and outs in some of the countries’ most extravagant homes. Getting to meet along the way real estate agents, builders and designers. This show has it all and is guaranteed to make your jaw drop.

Show Title and Season: Luxury Homes Revealed Season 4

Starting Date: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 19:00

End Date: Friday, 16 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Tue 19:00 Wed 22:30 | Thu 11:00 | Fri 15:00

“I Escaped to the Country” celebrates the house buying success stories of people who went on to purchase a rural property they were introduced to on their original “Escape to the Country” journey. Each episode highlights what they love about their new home and how the move has transformed their everyday lives.

We visit Shropshire and Suffolk. We see views that we chased and wildlife of the Scottish Highlands. We travel to Somerset and catch up with some escapees in Worcestershire. We continue revisiting escapees that moved to the South of Wales and the British countryside.

Show Title and Season: I Escaped to the Country Season 4

Starting Date: Tuesday, 19 December 2023 20:00

End Date: Friday, 23 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Tue 20:00 Mon 22:00 | Tue 11:00 Wed 08:00 & 15:00 Thu 12:00 |Fri 16:00 Sat 19:30 | Sun 09:30

Michael & Carlene Duffy are living their best renovation life. They’ve been transforming their strange old country club ‘house’ into a beautiful Palm Springs inspired masterpiece for over ten long years now! They’ve created some memorable improvements already, but there’s still a long way to go.

So, they’re heading out again to see some of the brightest and boldest renovations around for some great design ideas and plenty of inspiration. In every episode, Michael and Carlene will follow an incredible renovation from start to glorious end! And their place? All will be revealed, ready or not.

Show Title and Season: Ready Set Reno Season 2

Starting Date: Monday, 25 December 2023 11:00

End Date: Friday, 16 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Thu 19:00 Mon 11:00 | Tue 15:00 | Fri 22:30

Top Million Dollar Agent is based on the lives and careers of four of North America’s top real estate professionals. The show features Mike Donia, Jin Jiang, Daryl King, and Inez Kudryk.

In each episode, the host has a client who is interested in buying a home and takes them to four different million-dollar properties that are provided by the other agents and a guest agent or builder/designer. The goal is to entertain and enlighten audiences about the growing million-dollar residential market. Tune in . to satisfy your curiosity!

Show Title and Season: Top Dollar Dollar Agent Season 6

Starting Date: Monday, 25 December 2023 14:30

End Date: Friday, 2 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Wed 18:30 Mon 14:30 | Thu 23:30 | Fri 10:30

Grow Cook Eat responds to the burgeoning interest in growing your own food: you can grow vegetables and fruit in a very small garden, or even in containers on an apartment balcony. You don’t need half an acre or a polytunnel to do it. Presented by Michael Kelly and Karen O’Donohoeof Grow it Yourself (GIY), each episode focuses on a particular vegetable and takes you through the entire process, from sowing the seed, to harvesting and to cooking. This is a very practical series, aimed at people with little or no knowledge, but who like the idea of being able to grow at least something themselves. As well as the step-by-step guides to growing vegetables, there are features on building raised beds, making a compost heap, and improving soil fertility.

Show Title and Season: Grow Cook Eat Season 1

Starting Date: Tuesday, 26 December 2023 18:00

End Date: Sunday, 11 February 2024

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Tue 18:00 Wed 23:00| Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 Sat 07:30 | Sun 14:00

In conjunction with the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Australia by Design: Landscapes and Gardens showcases Australia’s best landscape designs. The series features an array of projects from parks and open spaces to urban design and private gardens. It examines what makes each landscape so unique and innovative and looks at the problems they are trying to solve.

Over each episode. leading landscape architects and an expert panel of industry leaders decide which landscape statements will go through to the ‘best of the best’ final episode. In the final episode, we count down the top 10 to determine Australia’s ultimate Landscape and/or Garden of the year..

Show Title and Season: Australia by Design: Landscapes and Gardens Season 1 

Starting Date: Tuesday, 26 December 2023 21:30

End Date: Friday, 15 March 2024 

Broadcast Times: PRIME: Tue 21:30 Wed 09:30| Thu 13:30 | Fri 17:30

PBS KIDS-MAS! PBS KIDS South Africa Offers A Santa Sack Full Of Christmas Content For The School Holidays

Get ready for 12 Days of PBS Kids-mas, a festive extravaganza filled with 12 interactive activities designed to bring families closer and create memorable holiday moments.

PBS Kids South Africa encourages families to keep young hearts merry and bright with a diverse range of activities and content that the whole family can enjoy together. From recipes that spark culinary creativity to heartwarming e-books and fun dance lessons, there's something for everyone in our holiday Santa-sack.

In the 12 days leading up to Christmas, PBS Kids encourages families to visit https://pbskids.org/ and take part in the below activities designed for the whole family to enjoy:

1. Recipes: Whip up delicious holiday treats and share the joy of cooking with your kids.

2. Daniel Tiger e-Book: Delve into a heartwarming tale with Daniel Tiger that will capture the imaginations of young readers.

3. Learn to Dance: Get your groove on and learn some new dance moves, perfect for holiday gatherings.

4. Molly of Denali Podcast: Listen to thrilling adventures on the go – ideal for a road trip during the holiday break.

5. PBS Kids Rocks Album: Enjoy a musical journey with PBS Kids, perfect for singing along during road trips.

6. Prepare for a Trip with Molly: Add colour to your holiday preparations with a fun colouring activity featuring Molly.

7. Animal Bingo: Engage in a creative craft activity that is sure to entertain and educate young minds.

8. Donkey Hodie: Let your kids' creativity run wild with a Donkey Hodie colouring adventure.

9. PBS Kids App: Access a treasure trove of new videos every week and discover valuable parent resources.

10. PBS Kids Wash and Sing: Make bath time a blast with fun songs and entertainment.

11. PBS Kids Games: Play and learn together with exciting PBS Kids games.

12. Tune in to New Episodes of Martha Speaks: Join Martha, the talking dog, on her latest adventures. New episodes air weekdays at 4pm from Monday, 18 December only on DStv Channel 313.

The Simpsons Brings An End To Strangulation

Nothing lasts forever. In time, the continents will crash into each other once more, the sun will swallow the planet and, at some point long after that, The Simpsons will end. But that isn’t to say that it’s incapable of moving with the times before then. Because, in yet another nod to shifting tastes, Homer Simpson has revealed that he will no longer attempt to strangle his son to death.

In the third episode of the current 35th season, Homer greets his new neighbour by shaking his hand. When the neighbour comments that he wasn’t expecting such a firm grip, Homer replies: “See Marge, strangling the boy paid off,” before acknowledging that he doesn’t actually do that any more. “Times have changed,” he adds.

The move has, inevitably, riled a number of feathers. The famously tolerant GB News shrieked that The Simpsons had gone woke by refusing to depict any more scenes of an adult human repeatedly gripping a 10-year-old child by the throat so hard that he struggles for breath and his eyes bulge. Twitter has similarly been ablaze at the snowflakes in charge of their show and their apparent disdain for child abuse.

However, it’s worth pointing out that the episode wasn’t about Homer reaching a point of realisation about never strangling Bart again. It was him pointing out that he doesn’t do it any more. And he really doesn’t. Homer hasn’t strangled Bart since season 31. An entire global pandemic has come and gone in the time since Homer last strangled Bart. The fact that nobody noticed until Homer verbally acknowledged it is either a sign that the outrage machine often operates outside the realms of basic human context, or that people don’t really watch The Simpsons any more.

Either way, despite the howls of the naysayers, this is probably the right thing to do. Homer strangling Bart never sat particularly well in the bigger picture of The Simpsons. Back in 1992, when the show was in its infancy, president George HW Bush publicly remarked that American families needed to be “a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons”. The line went down badly, because it only demonstrated that Bush didn’t understand The Simpsons. Yes, they were dysfunctional and often at loggerheads with one another, but the Simpson family was bonded together by a tight and permanent love. If you watched the show, you understood this perfectly.

However, it was nevertheless a loving family where the patriarch routinely punished his son by strangling him. I basically came of age with The Simpsons – I was Bart’s age when it first started airing – and the strangulation gag always seemed a bit too near the knuckle to me. I couldn’t properly verbalise at the time, but to me it undermined the basic premise of the entire show.

What’s more, it was never actually funny. The strangulation gag was unyielding in its rigidity. Other running gags, like the prank calls to Moe, could evolve and change over the years. And yet, with staggeringly few exceptions, Homer always strangled Bart in the exact same way. It was an overdone catchphrase. Even if times hadn’t changed, it would still be the weakest part of any episode.

But times have changed, and this is a sign that The Simpsons is doing its best to keep up. It wasn’t always like this. By sticking to its guns when Hari Kondabolu made his documentary The Problem with Apu, keeping Hank Azaria as the voice of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in the face of growing criticism, The Simpsons was dragged into a long and ugly public spat. Compare this to its quiet recasting of Black characters like Carl, Lou and Dr Hibbert, replacing Azaria with Alex Désert and Kevin Michael Richardson three years ago, and you’ll see a show that doesn’t want to get its fingers burned again. Also, it might just be coincidence, but since doing this, The Simpsons has regained a lot of its old form.

And there are always workarounds. I mentioned the strangulation development to my children, who hoover up episodes of The Simpsons in vast quantities on Disney+. At first, they were just as appalled as the worst recesses of Twitter. “It’s a classic gag!” my eight-year-old wailed. “Why are they taking this away from us?” I explained that it might not be very good for a TV show to depict scenes of a father strangling his children. Eventually they agreed. And then they suggested that Homer could punch Bart instead, or maybe throw him around a bit. So, if Matt Groening happens to be reading, maybe this could be an acceptable way forward.

Dr. Phil To Launch Primetime TV Channel In The US By Early 2024

Following the end of his long-running daytime syndicated talk show, Dr. Phil McGraw is launching Merit Street Media, a new news and entertainment cable TV network. It will be anchored by Dr. Phil Primetime, which will premiere Feb. 26, 2024 and will air nightly at 8 PM ET.

No details have been revealed yet about the new network’s distribution. It is expected to have nationwide carriage, which would be no small feat in the current challenging business environment of declining linear ratings and cord-cutting.

Merit Street will be based in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where a new state-of-the-art broadcast center, spanning over 5 acres, is completing construction. Dozens of longtime Dr. Phil staffers have relocated their families to Texas to continue working alongside McGraw.

In the coming months, Merit Street will announce its full primetime lineup; the network is expected to initially offer multiple hours of original daily programming, including live news broadcasts.

Dr. Phil Primetime will stay close to the format of McGraw’s daytime show, with him continuing to offer no-nonsense advice in addition to conducting interviews with headline makers.

“I absolutely love talking to real people about real problems. People who aren’t just complaining but are actively looking for real solutions to better their lives,” McGraw said. “It all begins and ends with real people dealing with these issues for real, using common sense, fact-based information, and action plans to create results.

In the months since Dr. Phil ended its run after 21 seasons, McGraw has continued to receive requests from viewers seeking advice.

“As always, the audience will dictate our content because they are our content, and I want my viewer’s help in building Merit Street,” McGraw said. “I continue my pledge to help individuals, couples, and families have the tough conversations, face the hard realities, and get real answers for the most positive and effective outcome.”

The new show also is expected to feature some of McGraw’s conservative views on family values, immigration and education curriculum which he shared in the final years of his daytime talker. He hinted at that in his official comments about the launch Merit Street.

In the coming months, Merit Street will announce its full primetime lineup; the network is expected to initially offer multiple hours of original daily programming, including live news broadcasts.

Dr. Phil Primetime will stay close to the format of McGraw’s daytime show, with him continuing to offer no-nonsense advice in addition to conducting interviews with headline makers.

“I absolutely love talking to real people about real problems. People who aren’t just complaining but are actively looking for real solutions to better their lives,” McGraw said. “It all begins and ends with real people dealing with these issues for real, using common sense, fact-based information, and action plans to create results.

In the months since Dr. Phil ended its run after 21 seasons, McGraw has continued to receive requests from viewers seeking advice.

“As always, the audience will dictate our content because they are our content, and I want my viewer’s help in building Merit Street,” McGraw said. “I continue my pledge to help individuals, couples, and families have the tough conversations, face the hard realities, and get real answers for the most positive and effective outcome.”

The new show also is expected to feature some of McGraw’s conservative views on family values, immigration and education curriculum which he shared in the final years of his daytime talker. He hinted at that in his official comments about the launch Merit Street.

“American families and our core values are under attack,” he said. “I love this country, and I believe family is the backbone of our society. Together we are going to stand strong and fight for the very soul and sanity of America and get things that matter back on track.”

Additionally, the name of the new network, Merit Street Media, refers to McGraw’s publicly stated respect for the meritocracy on which the U.S. was built.

Veteran news and programming executive, Joel Cheatwood, known for his work at WCBS, CNN, and Fox News, will serve as Chief Operating Officer for MSM. Other staffing announcements will be made in the next few months.

Could Da Vinci Kids Have Been Axed In Favor Of More Local Programming On DStv And GOtv?

Last month, it was reported that Da Vinci Kids would be exiting the DStv platform from 14 November and not only that but some parts of Africa lost the channel months prior. In place of these channels would be Teen Africa TV for consumers in West and Eastern parts of Africa with Play Room in Southern Africa.

Play Room is a children's channel which looks to combine fun and learning with live-action shows alongside popular animated shows in isiZulu. The channel is operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group who also manage Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room across Africa.

Teen Africa TV is Africa's first dedicated TV channel for teenagers "and their families" featuring locally produced shows and films. The channel was founded by Nigerian filmmaker Charles Novia and is also viewed on StarTimes under a separate agreement.

As outlined sometime ago, Play Room and Teen Africa TV are both looking to build the local offering for consumers in Africa. While Teen Africa TV is producing originals like Culture Connect and Listen, Play Room on the other hand is licencing animated content across Africa.

These include shows like Akili And Me and uBongo Kids which are based in Kenya with Bino And Fino residing within Nigeria.

As seen, MultiChoice doesn't outline a reason toward the cancellation of Operation Ouch and Pet Rescue from these consumers but if we had to guess it may have to do with the content. Prior to the introduction of Moonbug, Da Vinci Kids was set to be scrapped from the platform.

But due to overwhelming feedback from a majority of DStv customers about the content Da Vinci Kids remained onboard the platform for a forseeable future. After a year, history would repeat itself as MultiChoice plans to ripped away Da Vinci Kids from DStv and GOtv.

Consumers wishing to see more factual entertainment and wildlife would need to tune into National Geographic, BBC Earth and History for a similar offering.

Recap To Last Year: A Swahili And Hausa Dubbed Version To Zee Zonke Was Said To Be In Development, No Word On Amharic

During the year, MultiChoice and Zee Entertainment Enterprises unveiled South Africa's first Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel, Zee Zonke. Based on Zee Marathi, the channel would complement and also rival with the existing offering seen on Zee World and Star Life. 

Zee Zonke is applicable to consumers in South Africa and across Southern Africa particularly Botswana, Namibia and Malawi meaning the Western and Eastern parts of Africa such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda don't have the channel.

Prior to its debut, Zee Entertainment Enterprises had been dubbing numerous shows from Zee World in local languages such as Jodha And Akbar and Twist Of Fate. On top of that, the company was rumoured to rolling out a general entertainment channel in the Swahili and Hausa language.

Considering that Zee Alem caters for Ethiopia with Zee Zonke catering for Southern Africa. It wouldn't seem far fetched if MultiChoice Africa and Zee Entertainment Enterprises were looking to get more local localised versions of Zee Zonke to these regions.

Zee Alem already operates in Ethiopia dubbing various content from Zee World in Amharic so content from Zee Zonke could as well just migrate the channel if not form a separate channel as seen in Southern Africa.

Recap To The Year: More Channel Changes Coming Soon To DStv And StarSat??? As Spectrum And Soon DirecTV Look To Cut Down On Secondary Channels

A few months ago, the Charter Communications and Disney struck a deal after a heated carriage dispute to keep channels like FX and ESPN while as making Disney+ and ESPN+ freely accessible. This led to the demise of Disney XD, Disney Junior, Nat Geo Wild and Freeform.

According to Global Market Intelligence analyst Scott Robson from NextTV, Spectrum could look into dropping more channels and this includes secondary channels already seen on DStv and StarTimes such as E!, CNBC World, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and Boomerang.

Similar to what MultiChoice has been doing in recent years, Spectrum is streamlining their portfolio and putting more emphasis on core brands. DirectTV is said to be ongoing a similar route by 2024 with Disney's linear offering which coincides with MultiChoice's pending agreement.

As seen with Spectrum, the channels to have been affected reside within DStv and StarSat and this included the preschool brand Disney Junior and factual channel National Geographic Wild while the animation centric Disney XD was axed in most parts of Europe years prior.

Disney XD hasn't gotten original content following the launch of Disney+ while the 24 hour Disney Junior channel serves as catch-up to the primetime block on Disney Channel. National Geographic Wild alongside the two brands had all seen a decline in cable households.

The decline in cable and also carriage for these channels could lead a brand like Disney to further downsize their portfolio as seen in most parts of the world where the latter is streaming exclusively on Disney+.

Cable remains a necessity in Africa as a majority of households can't afford to bulk Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video under one subscription. As mentioned, Spectrum is looking to make such platforms accessible and as more households use these platforms it further reduces the linear offering.