Development Alert: NBC Renews Law And Order: SVU For Season 26, Law And Order For Season 24, Chicago Fire For Season 13, Chicago PD For Season 12 And Chicago Med For Season 10

Dick Wolf is in for another busy season at NBC. No surprise here, the Peacock network has renewed “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: SVU” for the 2024-25 broadcast TV season. Among Dick Wolf scripted series, that leaves just “Law & Order: Organized Crime” on the bubble; a renewal for that show, which has experienced multiple showrunner changes in its short life, is still in discussion.

Among the shows, this will rep the 26th season of “Law & Order: SVU,” the 24th season of “Law & Order,” Season 13 for “Chicago Fire,” the 12th season for “Chicago PD” and the 10th season for “Chicago Med.” All of the renewed series are produced by Universal Studio Group’s Universal Television division, along with Wolf Entertainment, and all shows stream the following day on Peacock. (Wolf’s deal with Universal is currently through 2027.)

Per NBC, “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago P.D.” (collectively known as “One Chicago“) are the top three Wednesday shows in total viewers and rank among the top 10 primetime entertainment shows this season. Also, Season 25 of “Law & Order: SVU” is Thursday’s top-rated entertainment show in the 18-49 demo.

Across all platforms, Chicago Fire” is averaging 12.6 million viewers (+86%) and is +236% in the adults 18-49 demo (live+35); “Chicago P.D.” is averaging 12.0 million viewers (+114%) and is +287% in the demo; “Chicago Med” is averaging 10.5 million viewers (+57%) and is +141% in the demo; “Law & Order: SVU” is averaging 11.2 million viewers (+111%) and is +325% in the demo; and “Law & Order” is averaging 7.7 million viewers (+56%) and is +122% in the demo.

Dick Wolf is creator and executive producer on “Law & Order: SVU”; David Graziano, Julie Martin, Mariska Hargitay, Norberto Barba, Kenneth Brown, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski also executive produce. Wolf is also creator and executive producer on “L&O,” with Rick Eid, Pamela Wechsler, Alex Hall, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.

“Chicago Fire” executive producers are Dick Wolf, Derek Haas, Andrea Newman, Reza Tabrizi, Arthur Forney and Peter Jankowski; Dick Wolf, Diane Frolov, Andrew Schneider, Stephen Hootstein, Eli Talbert, Derek Haas, Arthur Forney, Matt Olmstead, Michael Brandt and Peter Jankowski are executive producers on “Chicago Med”; “Chicago P.D.” executive producers are Dick Wolf, Gwen Sigan, Chad Saxton, Rick Eid, Derek Haas, Gavin Harris, Jason Beghe, Arthur Forney, Peter Jankowski and Michael Brandt.

Development Alert: Baby TV Unifies Its Latin American Signal With Spain And Other Parts Of Europe

Since today, the children's channel, international subscription television channel for babies, Baby TV, has merged its Latin American signal with one from Europe, to specify, Spain. 

Baby TV was launched in Latin America on April 1, 2007 by Fox Networks Group Latin America. On March 20, 2019, the channel became part of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International as a result of The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

The brand at the time obtained a 3-hour morning block on the defunct Fox Life channel, only to return years later as a block on the OnDirecTV signal, this being the only way to view the channel's content in HD.

It is worth mentioning that the changes will not be as palpable, because BabyTV does not handle localized IDs and commercials, or in this case, the same ones are counted, this due to its programming basically intended for fewer 3-year-old children, so the only Notable change is the image quality.

It is also worth noting that the channel was already managed from Europe, offering a signal intended for Latin America due to the age rating indicators.

Credits: ANMTV

First Look At The Cast For e.tv's First Ever Afrikaans Soap, Kelders Van Geheime

THE ABRAHAMS FAMILY

Edmund Abrahams (Duane Williams) is the winemaker on Soebatskloof, and Nenna Abrahams (Vinette Ebrahim) is the retired housekeeper and hospitality manager whom Edmund calls 'mother'.

THE SISTERS HOUSEHOLD

Joey Syster (Cedwyn Joel) is the patriarch of the Syster family, and has lived and worked on Soebatskloof all his life. Sandy (Riana Alfreds) is Joey's daughter, and has taken over Nenna's responsibilities. Sandy's eldest daughter Debbie-Lee (Veronique Jephtas) works with her, while her youngest, Shireen (Vashti Prins) establishes herself as a general practitioner in the Wineland. Phillip Smith (Dean Balie) is the man in Debbie-Lee's life.

THE MARAIS FAMILY

The Marais family has lived on Soebatskloof for decades. Charl Marais Senior (Nic de Jager) is owner of the wine farm, while his second wife Hermien Marais (Sandra Prinsloo) keeps herself busy with sculpture.

In one of many surprising twists, Brümilda van Rensburg also makes a visit to the farm.

Tjoppie Marais (Geon Nel) is Hermien's son from her first marriage. Tjoppie grew up with Charl Senior's children from his first marriage. Charl Marais Junior (David Chevers) lives in London, and Annette Fourie (Ashley de Lange) lives in Australia with her rugby player husband, Du Toit Fourie (Zak Hendrikz). Lynn Fourie (Illse Roos) is Du Toit's "Social Butterfly of the Winelands" mum.

Veronique (Rushney Ferguson), Tjoppie's wife, is the manager of the restaurant on the farm. CJ (Angelo Johnson), the couple's eldest child, is a matriculant this year at Simonsvallei Gymnasium, where Marco (Angelo Bergh), the couple's youngest, is now in Grade 11.

THE HELP 

One need not look to the mountains for help in these regions! Rijk Nel (Marcel van Heerden) is the Marais family's accountant, while Dewald Piedt (Abduragman Adams) is the family's loyal lawyer. Mercy (Tyral-Lee Miggles), Gabby (Karli Heine), Jason (Ben Albertyn), and Armand (Robert Hindley) are the waiters who keep customers happy. Stil Piet (Jurgen McEwan), Nicodemus (Lorenzo Cyster), Napoleon (Ivan Abrahams), and Bismarck (Jason van Wyk) are among the workers on the bustling farm.

The series will air on weekdays at 18:00 starting in May on e.tv

Recap To Last Month: New Channel With The Letter X In Development For DStv, Could A Second TV Channel Be On The Cards?

1Magic was a BET inspired channel operated by M-Net which would serve the freshest local and international content to premium households. The channel was home to shows such as The Real Housewives, Power, 1802: Love Defies Time and Bel-Air.

During the week, several consumers had spotted a notification on both Me and 1Magic where the pay-tv company inform consumers that these channels would sign off by 31 March 2024. Not only will consumers be paying more by April but getting less channels.

M-Net is streamlining its channel offering to provide a more seamless entertainment experience for DStv customers. After a comprehensive analysis of our content strategy, we have made the decision to terminate 1Magic [and Me].

As reported sometime ago, MultiChoice will be giving Showmax an open window to DStv consumers in a standalone channel under the working title Channel X. It would feature a lineup of original productions alongside third party content from other studios. 

This channel will be accessible on Compact Plus in place of 1Magic - a date has yet to be mentioned. With details pertaining to the fate of several programs from Me still underwraps.

If one had to guess, Channel X could also replace Me for Compact and Family consumers. But considering that Channel X will have a lineup of locally produced content there may not be much space to cater for Me leading to a theory of a second TV channel. 

Although MultiChoice has remained very discreet about some behind the scenes developments. The idea of a second TV channel wouldn't seem far fetched as Me also offered a local portfolio such as Reyka and Lioness whose positions have yet to be determined. 

Perhaps with the addition of Channel X, Me could resurface in another form perhaps as a DStv Access type channel probably from a third party brand. This would mean shows like Lioness and Reyka which is on season 2 would restart from season 1.

Press Release: Warner Bros. Discovery To Launch Max In Europe Beginning May 21

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that Max, its enhanced streaming service, will launch in the first European countries beginning May 21. Max brings together HBO Max’s can’t-miss programming, Discovery’s engaging real-life entertainment and all the world-class action from Eurosport’s premium subscription service to create a complete viewing experience for the whole household with premier TV shows, fresh and iconic movies, unmissable sports, and flagship TV networks in select countries, in a single destination for the first time.

On May 21, Max will become available across the Nordics, Iberia, and Central and Eastern Europe. Launches will follow closely after in Poland, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium*. France and Belgium are the first new countries where WBD has launched its streaming service in over two years. These launches mean Max will be available in 25 countries in Europe and 65 countries and territories worldwide after launching in the U.S. in May 2023, and launching in Latin America and the Caribbean earlier this year.

JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming & Games at Warner Bros. Discovery announcing the rollout of Max at the TV festival Series Mania said: “Max is the streaming home of Warner Bros. Discovery and builds on our long heritage in Europe, bringing together an incredible breadth and depth of culture-defining entertainment from our services and networks, all in one place. The unrivalled content we’ve got on Max from ‘House of the Dragon’ to Olympic Games Paris 2024 and beyond means whatever your mood or the occasion, Max has something great for everyone, every time.”

Content offering

The launch of Max in Europe is marked by the return of the highly anticipated HBO Original “House of the Dragon,” which premiers on Max in Europe on June 17. Max will bring a new streaming experience to Europe with more than double the amount of content currently available on HBO Max. This summer, Max will be the only place to stream every live moment of Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the 25 European countries where Max will be available. Paris 2024 will be included in all subscription plans, ensuring all customers will gain complete access to the biggest sporting event in the world.

Max stands out as distinct amongst streamers by uniquely combining unrivalled breadth and its new and improved app with iconic franchises and a strong product experience. Subscribers will be able to enjoy a wide range of quality entertainment with Warner Bros. movies such as Barbie, Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, and Wonka, HBO Originals The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria, True Detective: Night Country, The Regime, The Sympathizer, The Jinx - Part Two and the upcoming new comedy The Franchise.

A new slate of Max Originals based on popular Warner Bros. Pictures’ entities will be coming to Max including The Penguin and Welcome to Derry (Stephen King’s IT). Films from WB’s extensive library including the Harry Potter franchise, Paddington, The Matrix, The Dark Knight, Joker, and The Lord of the Rings, as well as fan favorites like 90 Day Fiancé, Gold Rush and Fixer Upper from Discovery will also be offered.

A Sports Add-On will bring fans extensive coverage of major international and European sports including every tennis Grand Slam – Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon and the US Open, cycling’s three Grand Tours – Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta a España, and the Tour de France in addition to the Tour de France Femmes, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and every major winter sports World Championship and World Cup events. Rights vary between countries.

A selection of flagship live linear networks will also be available on Max in some countries in select plans including CNN International in France and Poland, TVN in Poland, TV Norge in Norway, Kanal 5 in Sweden and Eurosport in all countries.

Plans

Max will offer a choice of different plans, plus a Sports Add-On which may be added to any base plan**. Full details about pricing will be announced in the coming weeks and will vary country by country.

Basic with Ads Plan:

• This plan will allow users to enjoy Max at a lower price and will include advertising.

• It will be available first in nine European countries, before expanding to others.

• The first countries where the Basic with Ads plan will be available are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Romania, Poland, France and Belgium.

• Users will be able to stream content on 2 devices simultaneously. 

• Content will be available in Full HD resolution.

 

Standard Plan:

• Users can stream content on 2 devices simultaneously. 

• Content will be available in Full HD resolution. 

• This plan will allow up to 30 downloads of available content to watch offline.

 

Premium Plan:

• Provides the best consumer experience.

• Users can stream content on up to 4 devices simultaneously. 

• Full HD or 4K resolution and with Dolby Atmos sound (as available).  

• This plan will allow up to 100 downloads of available content to watch offline. (Limits apply)

 

Sports Add-On:

• The Sports Add-On will provide coverage of top sports events including Grand Slam tennis, cycling’s Grand Tours, 24 Hours of Le Mans, the live linear networks Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 and much more.

• Customers should check local listings for rights availability in their countries.

• The Sports Add-On is sold as an add-on to any base plan.

• Users can stream sports content on 2 devices simultaneously (of their available base plan streams).

 

Existing HBO Max subscribers will be able to discover the new experience on Max while keeping their current profiles, and viewing history, continuing their Max journey where they left off. In some cases, depending on device or operating system, the HBO Max app will be automatically updated to the Max app. In other cases, when users open their HBO Max app, they will be prompted to download the new Max app, allowing them to begin exploring the new platform in just a few clicks. discovery+ and Eurosport premium SVOD subscribers will be given details in due course about how to subscribe to Max.

*WBD’s enhanced streaming service will be called HBO Max in the Netherlands and Belgium.

**Channels and live content in Standard and Premium plans, and the Sports Add-On may contain ads. On-demand content in all plans may include sponsorship and product placement.

April 2024 On Investigation Discovery Across Africa | New Series Alert Including Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV | Returning Shows Including Evil Lives Here And Murder Under The Friday Night Lights | More

Lost Women Of Highway 20

BRAND NEW

*Executive produced & narrated by Octavia Spencer*

When a local journalist uncovers a sealed court document, she discovers a trail of missing and murdered women in the wilderness of Oregon and a killer who used a desolate stretch of highway to hide dark secrets.

First TX: 21 April

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 21 April

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV S1

BRAND NEW

Discover the untold story of the toxic and abusive environment inside '90s kids' TV. Hear harrowing accounts from former child stars and crew who probe the balance of power in the industry and reveal an era that inflicted lasting wounds still felt today.

First TX: 7 April

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 14 April

*2 episodes per TX day*

Evil Lives Here S8B & S9A

NEW SEASONS

People recount their harrowing true stories about living side-by-side with sociopathic friends or family who go on to commit heinous crimes. Many are at first fooled into thinking these sly charmers are good and kind, but signs soon come to light that these loved ones are truly evil at heart.

First TX: 2 April

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: TBC

Murder Under the Friday Night Lights S3

NEW SEASON

Across the country, high school football unites small-town communities. But when a heinous murder shatters that Friday night dream world, the crime ripples beyond those immediately impacted, and the community will never be the same again.

First TX: 8 April

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 29 April

Jack and Kelly Osbourne: Night of Terror

BRAND NEW

Jack and Kelly Osbourne board the infamously haunted Queen Mary for a terrifying three-day investigation. The ocean liner has been closed to the public, but it is hardly empty. Aggressive entities are tormenting the staff, and it gets worse by the day.

First TX: 13 April

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 13 April

Jack Osbourne’s Night of Terror

BRAND NEW

Embark on a night of terror unlike any other with paranormal investigator Jack Osbourne as he explores the most spine-chilling destinations across America with his famous family and closest celebrity friends.

First TX: 20 April

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 27 April

Late Night Lockup S1

BRAND NEW

When the sun sets, the strangest suspects pass through police stations, and officers encounter

their weirdest and wildest behavior. Direct access to body cams and CCTV takes viewers along for the ride with police who must deal with insanity after dark.

First TX: 24 April

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: TBC

Michigan Hell House

*New to Channel*

It's the most terrifying story you've never heard: In 1974, the Pomeraning family was tortured by "humanly impossible" poltergeist activity. Using newly uncovered recordings, Steve Shippy and Cindy Kaza try to identify the evil that rocked a small town.

First TX: 27 April

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: TBC

April 2024 On Discovery Channel Across Africa | New Series Alert Including Gold Rush: America’s Backyard Gold And Road Rage | Returning Shows Including Street Outlaws | More

Gold Rush: America’s Backyard Gold S1

BRAND NEW

There's an estimated $2 trillion in gold still

waiting to be found, with thousands of miners in pursuit...hoping to strike it rich. But where is all that gold? Dave Turin is using years of experience as a master prospector to traverse rarely-explored gold regions to unlock the potential of hidden family legacies.

First TX: 1 April

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 20:55

Last TX: 20 May

Road Rage S1

BRAND NEW

A half hour program featuring four or five real-life, caught-on-camera road rage incidents. Each episode features multiple interviews from victims or witnesses from these harrowing events. Powerful narration accompanies edge-of-your-seat music to set a fast-paced tone. Graphics are used to enhance and clarify each segment.

First TX: 2 April

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 20:55 & 21:25

Last TX: 23 April

Kindig Customs S10

NEW SEASON

Dave Kindig, owner and operator of Kindig-It Design, turns out one-of-a-kind vehicles for his demanding (and sometimes famous) clientele. Working on all types and periods of cars, we'll see them rendered, designed, built, and restored from the ground up.

First TX: 19 April

TX Day: Friday

TX Time: 20:55

Last TX: 28 June

Salvage Hunters: The Restorers S6B

NEW SEASON

Skilled craftspeople are bringing Drew Pritchard's antique finds back to life. With demanding customers and high turnover, their hard work turns trash into treasure.

First TX: 6 April

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 20:00

Last TX: 18 May

Big Little Brawlers S1

BRAND NEW

This series follows a group of extraordinary athletes in one of the world's most

successful wrestling leagues. Against all odds, they strive to achieve their dreams in the ring and struggle to be the best they can be for their family out of it.

First TX: 6 April

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 20:55

Last TX: 11 May

Street Outlaws: Mega Cash Days S2

NEW SEASON

Cash Days gets supersized! Sixty-four of the fastest street racers in the country converge on one road to race off for a giant prize pool.

First TX: 14 April

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 20:00

Last TX: 2 June

Beneath The Surface: The Fight For Corals

BRAND NEW

The Coral Reefs of our oceans are the backbone of the planet's entire ecosystem on which humans survive. This film will hero the coral through the lens of the undiscovered reefs of the Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline and the staggering, unique biodiversity it supports.

First TX: 22 April

TX Day: Monday

TX Time: 17:00

Repeats (subject to change):

27 April at 08:18

28 April at 13:50

Apollo Global Management Offered To Buy Paramount Global Studios For $11 Billion

Recently, we learned that Warner Bros. Discovery and Skydance Media are both in talks to buy a majority control of Paramount. Only last month to find out that Warner Bros. Discovery was no longer interested. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Appollo Global Management has offered to buy the film and TV studio for $11 billion.

This deal is only for the studios and is very different from other offers to buy or merge with all of Paramount. This includes an offer from Skydance to merge with Paramount.

Talks with Skydance are reportedly in the early phases and could easily fall apart, especially with investment firms now possibly driving up the price of Paramount. No date for an auction has been revealed, but bankers have reportedly started the process of sharing details about Paramount with potential bidders, it is reported that Redstone is looking at selling its share of Paramount at auction to the highest bidder.

Currently, Paramount Global is controlled by media executive Shari Redstone. Redstone also controls National Amusements, which owns 77% of Paramount’s voting shares. Reportedly the Redstone family is also looking to sell their 77% ownership of Paramount.

Any new owner of National Amusements would control Paramount’s cable TV networks, which include Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and multiple movie theaters.

The news comes as the entertainment industry faces difficult times with cable TV viewership is declining and a majority of streamers struggling to achieve profitability. Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, is among the companies fighting to stay afloat.

News Shorts: Moonbug To Create New Animated Series Based On VeeFriends Franchise And America's Backyard Gold Debuts On Discovery Channel In April Alongside New Season Of Hier Sit Die Manne

Moonbug & VaynerWatt to co-create animated series

The companies have struck a strategic partnership deal and will work together to create a 2D-animated series for kids aged 6-11 called VeeFriends, which is based on Vaynerchuk’s existing kids franchise of the same name. It will launch on YouTube in September, with Candle Media-owned Moonbug and VaynerWatt both attached.

The series will be set in the VeeFriends universe, which features a collection of larger-than-life VeeFriends characters such as Gratitude Gorilla, Quick Quail and Clever Crocodile who will compete in the VeeDome, the “ultimate over-the-top challenge arena, to battle out the biggest issues facing tweendom today.” Every character who goes into the VeeDome comes out “a little stronger and a lot more self-aware.”

Dave Turin is coming to Discovery 

Embark on an unprecedented journey with master miner Dave Turin as he unlocks the secrets to $3 trillion worth of undiscovered gold in the brand-new series, America’s Backyard Gold, premiering on Discovery Channel on Monday, 1 April @ 20:55 CAT.

In the midst of recent storms and floods unearthing fresh deposits across the United States, the age-old pursuit of gold hunting has never been more opportune, intensifying the race to strike it rich. Renowned prospector Dave Turin guides viewers from the rugged Dakotas to sun-drenched Georgia plains and majestic Montana peaks to California's sun-kissed shores in a quest for hidden family legacies and life-changing fortunes. In America’s Backyard Gold, modern miners discover the treasure lies not in heavy equipment or costly investments but in knowing where and how to look.

Produced by Raw TV for Discovery Channel, the series captivates with its gripping narrative, stunning landscapes, and the promise of untold riches.

Hier Sit Die Manne returns with a season 4

A male-interest talk show hosted by Frank Rautenbach. In each episode Frank interviews a guest who is relevant to the market. Additional inserts will focus on popular male interests such as cars, fishing, hunting, investing, travel, rugby, and more.

Frank Rautenbach is a South African director, actor, author, and producer who has worked widely in both film and television. He has appeared in several popular South African films and TV shows, such as The Bang Bang Club and Faith like Potatoes.

The series will air every Saturday at 17:30 from 6 April.