The History To One Of South Africa's Fallen Brands Owned By The Nismedia Group, Glow TV

Glow TV was South African based community channel owned by Nismedia that celebrated Bollywood culture with a lineup of content ranging from drama series, movies, kids shows and local productions. It serves as one of the initial offerings on Openview in October 2013.

The channel was popular for shows like Little Bheem, Young Love (Ishq Mein Marjawan), Get Real With Denver Naicker, Citizen Khan, This Is Love (Yeh Hai Mohabbatein) and Emperor Ashoka. It established itself as one of the leading channels to resonate with India from a local perspective.

A year after its rollout on the freemium platform, Glow TV expanded through the pay-tv market on MultiChoice"s DStv and On Digital Media and StarTimes' StarSat platform. Things were going great for the channel until May 2016.

Kagiso Media which was the former distributor of the channel unveiled plans to close the channel later that year eyeing the economic climate and the continued rise in costs for the content or inflation better yet lead to the decision to close the channel.

Kagiso Media serves as a subsidiary of Urban Brew Studios stable which supplies several other brands to MultiChoice's portfolio of products including One Gospel and Dumisa both of which are gospel based entertainment channels.

A month after the termination, it was announced that the channel was acquired by the Nismedia Group, based in Centurion. Nazeer Noormohamed, who served as the head of the brand eyeing the positive impact of Glow TV to consumers boosting their interest toward the brand.

Since then, Glow TV continued stacking their offering but were met with further competition from the likes of Zee World and Star Life that it wasn't long till MultiChoice announced the closure of the channel on their platforms by 2018 with the latter eyeing viewer's preferences.

For the 3 past years, it could only be available on StarSat alongside the StarTimes app for paying consumers while those who wanted to get away from paying monthly premiums could as well get an Openview platform or at least that's what most thought at the time.

To make a long story short, Zee One was added to the Openview platform back in 2021 as a supplement to the channel on the Openview platform and the party in question Nismedia had beef with the Zee TV after their exit from the DStv platform.

Unlike MultiChoice, Glow TV was removed unethically on the Openview platform. It was the reason the channel managed to live through February 2023 and with that deal up in flames the channel was no longer available on the platform and for contractual reasons on StarSat.

As of March 2023, Glow TV is no longer viewable anywhere in South Africa. Nismedia is exploring other ways to continue the channel one of which include OTT. They thank fans for their continued support and encourage them to keep following their social platforms.

Glow TV in short was never ousting to be another Zee World or Star Life. It was clearly stated from the get go that they were more entertainment tiered than telenovela but audience reach and viewer's preferences was what doomed the channel apparently.

Although, we have Zee World, Zee One, Star Life it's clear that despite the large fanbase these brands generate none of them can make up for Glow TV. I mean how often do you get local programs, lifestyle or even kids shows as it's just soapies all day everyday.

New Series Alert: The Good Son And Love...Look What You Made Me Do Coming Soon To Zee One

More Zee World entertainment is said to be made available to more consumers across Africa in the coming weeks. After sources reveal that two of their programs being The Good Son and Love...Look What You Made Me Do had been picked up for the Zee One channel.

Debuted back in 2010s era, Love...Look What You Made Me Do is a drama series which presents different love stories presented by the youth of India. It narrates they various challenges these youngsters face and the outcome.

While The Good Son (Rajaa Betaa) is the story of Vedant who is a successful gynaecologist, but life is not easy for him as he has not been accepted yet by his family. As he has never experienced the joy of a blood relationship, his only wish is to become a father one day.

Rrahul Sudhir and Dishank Arora star as Vedant Tripathi, Fenil Umrigar stars as Pankhuri Mishra, Ankit Bhardwaj stars as Rahul, Shambhabana Mohantey and Pranali Ghogare stars as Poorva Tripathi, Anil Mishra and Sagar Saini as Ramesh Tripathi and Geeta Udeshi stars as Dad.

As mentioned, these are set to be next batch of content for the channel with details of launch date said to be available closer to the time both programs manage to surface. It's sister channel, Zee World unveiled Radha Mohan alongside 3 other drama series.

Recap To The Past Year: Is Cartoonito Being Unified Under Cartoon Network?

Cartoonito is a brand name used by Warner Bros. Discovery that offers preschoolers and their families fun, creative and engaging content. It features shows such as Thomas And Friends, Lucas The Spider, Grizzy And The Lemmings and CoComelon.

As seen across Europe by the end of March, Cartoonito is expected to replace several Boomerang feeds after the brand recieved international acclaim following its relaunch in the African market by April 2022.

During the month, Cartoonito recieved some much needed attention after it was discovered that one of their upcoming shows, Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups would no longer be moving forward on HBO Max which brought a lot of questions to the channel's future.

For the past months, Warner Bros. Discovery has been making adjustments and to be honest things aren't looking good for the preschool brand. Michael Ouweleen was appointed as President Of Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Adult Swim no mention of Cartoonito.

This was the first time Boomerang was ever mentioned, aside from that Cartoonito has lost out about 19 hours of screentime in the past 6 months following its rollout on Cartoon Network in the United States.

As mentioned sometime ago, I doubt Cartoonito will be going anywhere for the foreseeable future as seen last year Batwheels launched on HBO Max and became the top preschool show aside from the channel in question already receiving popularity in other countries.

Even if they were reports of a shut down in the United States, it's been a proven countless of times that the outcome of a brand in one region doesn't always determine the outcome elsewhere I mean Cartoon Network is slipping in viewers but is the top kids brand in Africa.

If it's any consolation, I can see it shut down in the United States on Cartoon Network I mean on a monthly basis the block gets less and less airtime I don't think it has anything to do with viewer's preferences entirely another has to be the main network, Cartoon Network.

For almost a decade, they've been on autopilot relying on 3 shows and that's what's pulled consumers away from the channel and when Cartoonito rolled out the ship was sinking long back so I can see why they feel the need to reduce Cartoonito.

But as mentioned Batwheels is doing alright plus we have that new Foster's reboot targeted toward preschoolers which has got me thinking. Could it be possible that Cartoonito is being unified with Cartoon Network probably when this reboot pans out?

Interesting enough, this reboot doesn't acknowledge Cartoonito which led me to believe that maybe a merger between both brands could be underway I mean I can see Cartoonito being a thing on HBO Max as for Cartoon Network it will probably clash with other shows.

Cartoon Network hasn't introduced any original programs for a whole year unlike Cartoonito with Batwheels which could serve as a competitor to the current Teen Titans GO! as a merger might help reduce the show's airtime and try to build its variety.

Of course, I do feel a linear component to Cartoonito is long overdue. It doesn't have to offer any fresh content but follow a similar format to the PBS Kids block on PBS as well as the 24 hour repeat padded PBS Kids channel.

From The Clone To Prisoner No. 1: We Present A List Of Shows From The 2010s That Have Never Aired On Telemundo Africa

Telemundo has been in the African market for almost a decade offering a mixture of action, comedy, drama and romance. But what some may not be aware is that there's a number of series that haven't been seen on the channel.

And we're not referring to the shows below 2009 which most viewers would find outdated although they're great shows like El Diablo and La Tormenta. But this content dates as far as 2010 some even 2017 yet they remain to not be seen on the channel.

Considering these shows have no chance of airing on the channel, I just think it's best everyone knows that some of this content was picked up or filmed in English but somewhere along the line they were scrapped before even hitting African shores.

Here it is the list of shows that haven't aired on the African feed of Telemundo:

1. El Clon (The Clone)

Based on the Brazilian telenovela O Clone, this melodrama features a love triangle featuring Lucas, a handsome hero, challenging his clone for the love of an enticing, exotic woman. Lucas is young when he falls for a young Arab girl named Jade. She is caught between modern values and her Islamic upbringing. They separate and two decades pass. Then a strange turn of luck brings the pair together. Then Jade meets the clone, who is just like Lucas, but twenty years younger. She must choose between the man she loved and the memory she cherishes.

This limited run melodrama, which starred Mauricio Ochmann and Sandra Echeverría, deals with topics such as drug trafficking, cloning and Islam.

2. La Diosa Coronada (The Crowned Goddess)

The story is based on Angie Sanclemente Valencia's involvement in the transportation of cocaine from Argentina to Europe. The series stars Carolina Guerra, Arap Bethke, Jonathan Islas, Carolina Gaitán, Rodolfo Valdés and Margarita Reyes.

3. Ojo Por Ojo (Eye For An Eye)

From Gustavo Bolivar, the story is based on Laura Restrepo's novel, "El Leopardo al Sol" while borrowing some elements of William Shakespeare's " Romeo and Juliet ". The series stars Gaby Espino, Miguel Varoni, Gregorio Pernía, Carmen Villalobos and Gonzalo Garcia Vivanco.

4. Amar De Nuevo (Love Again)

The story begins one tragic day, when Frijolito was in a traffic accident with his best friend Palito and his parents, Salvador and Veronica. Veronica's cousin, Bulmaro, had received orders from his boss, Max, to cause the accident. Max wanted revenge on Salvador, as he had hoped to get closer to Veronica. After that day, everything changed. Frijolito and Salvador were killed in the accident, Veronica was in a coma for two years and Palito was entrusted to the care of his grandmother Lily.

The series stars Patricia Garza, Eduardo Rodríguez, Alejandro Felipe and Jorge Eduardo García.

5. Flor Salvaje (Wild Flower)

Based on the novel La Novia Oscura, the series follows a young girl who loses her mother and brother all in one day. Only to then be abandoned with her three younger sisters by her father. It stars Mónica Spear, Tony Dalton José Luis Reséndez, Roberto Manrique, María Elisa Camargo and Gregorio Pernía.

6. Camelia La Texana

The story of a naive and beautiful young woman who tries to escape her destiny. The story begins in the 1970s when young Camelia and her mother flee one of Mexico's most dangerous capos, Don Antonio. Camelia's beauty attracts a lot of attention, jealousy from other women and infatuation on the part of many men, who fall powerless at her feet. Her mother tries to protect her from the fate that pursues her, but as she sets off in search of adventure Camelia meets the man who will be the love of her life, and also her betrayer: Emilio Varela. The series stars Sara Maldonado, Erik Hayser, Andrés Palacios and Dagoberto Gama.

The story is based on the song titled "Contrabando y Traición" by Los Tigres del Norte.

7. Villa Paraíso

Cristina, a beautiful young woman who fights to preserve the family heritage stays an apartment complex called "Villa Paraíso" which she inherited from her parents. The tenants are more than friends and little by little they become a big family. It stars Ximena Duque and David Chocarro as the main protagonists, while Silvana Arias and Ricardo Chávez star as the main antagonists.

8. Celia

Based on the life of Celia Cruz, it tells the story of one of the legends of Latin music and her major international career. We know the beginnings of her passion for singing in Cuba starting in 1950, and her recognition as the most decisive singer of La Sonora Matancera. The series stars Jeimy Osorio, Aymée Nuviola, Modesto Lacén, Willy Denton, Carolina Gaitán, Abel Rodríguez and Margoth Velásquez.

9. Mariposa de Barrio

Based on the autobiography Unbreakable: My Story, My Way authored by Jenni Rivera before her death. The inspiring and poignant story will follow in the footsteps of Jenni Rivera towards a dream of fame; An autobiographical journey from birth, based on her book "Unbreakable", as well as unpublished testimonies that reveal, as never before, her own family and explore her life as a daughter, mother, wife, lover and artist.

It stars Angélica Celaya, Gabriel Porras, Rosalinda Rodríguez, Samadhi Zendejas, Tony Garza, Regina Orquín, Enrique Montaño, Adrián Carvajal, Adriano Zendejas, Emmanuel Morales, Xavier Ruvalcaba, Raúl Sandoval and Mauricio Novoa.

10. José José, El Príncipe De La Canción

The fictionalized life story of Mexican singer and composer known as José José, based upon his autobiographical memoirs. It stars Alejandro de la Madrid, María Fernanda Yepes Itatí Cantoral, Danna Paola and Rosa María Bianchi

11. Prisoner No. 1 (Preso No. 1)

The story of a humble farmer who becomes President of Mexico. When he is falsely accused of fraud and incarcerated, he must fight back against the corrupt system behind the scheme and clear his name for the sake of his country and family. It stars Erik Hayser, Alejandra Ambrosi, Alejandro de la Madrid, Mariana Seoane, Arturo Peniche and Angélica Celaya.

Recap To The Past Week: Rubi 2004 Is Coming To TLNovelas Africa, No Word On The Follow-Up To Classic Series

During the month, TLNovelas unveiled a brand new on air look and as seen in various European territories they were being nostalgic with by rolling out a couple of classic content and from what was seen through various outlets the 2004 adaptation of Rubi is gearing up for its debut on the channel.

Based on Yolanda Vargas's 1963 serial Lágrimas, Risas Y Amor, the series follows the titular character living in a poor household comprised of herself, her single, elderly mother Doña Refugio, and her older sister Cristina who is the breadwinner. They live in a rundown department complex. Thanks to the efforts of Cristina and Rubí's own academic brilliance, Rubí is able to get a partial scholarship at a prestigious private university. While majoring in Business Administration, Rubí befriends and envies Maribel, a crippled, shy, Spoiled Sweet girl.

Maribel meets Héctor, a rich architect, on the internet and the two quickly become a couple. However, Héctor finds himself very physically attracted to Rubí from the get-go. With Héctor comes Alejandro, a middle-class, talented physician who subtly pretends to be more well-off than he actually is in order to seduce Rubí. The two genuinely fall in love but due to Alejandro's trickery and Rubí's ambition, their relationship is ill-fated.

Rubí, overcame by heartbreak and her envy toward Maribel, sets out to seduce Héctor who she has proof is wealthy. She succeeds and they flee to Cancún the day of Héctor and Maribel's wedding. Once married to him, Rubí starts living her dream life, surrounded by luxury and a handsome, wealthy husband eager to please her. Unfortunately, she's no Karma Houdini and her deeds start catching up to her three years later when it's revealed that Alejandro became a Self-Made Man and that he and Maribel are now an item.

The series stars Bárbara Mori as Rubí Pérez Ocho, Eduardo Santamarina as Alejandro Cárdenas Ruiz, Jacqueline Bracamontes as Maribel de la Fuente Ortiz, Sebastián Rulli as Héctor Ferrer Garza, Ana Martín as Refugio Ochoa Vda. de Pérez and Yadhira Carrillo as Elena Navarro.

As advised the series airs on the channel daily at 19:05 from April 3rd. As for the follow-up which was initially announced, it has been filmed in English not sure what's going on in terms of premises but the original become one of the top shows while that one was the most hated so far amongst adaptations.

Our sources did hit us with the 2020 component but considering how behind the channel is on a number of aspects. I wouldn't hold my breath hoping for it to air at some point in the year cause honestly does anyone need the follow-up cause this version makes more sense to explore.

What To Expect On Da Vinci Africa In April 2023?

SPECIALS
Earth Day Marathon
From April 8th, Saturdays at 10:55

FEATURED SHOWS:
Siyaya: Come Wild with Us
Saturdays at 10:55
Jump on the zebra bus with Oompie and the young adventurers who set off to explore the national parks around South Africa. From deserts to the deep blue sea, they discover how people, plants, and animals can learn to live in harmony - even in the harshest of environments.

Learning Focus: S.T.E.M. & Social Emotional Learning

Awards: Environmental Film & Screenplay Festival, Best Film 2021;
Golden Bee International Children’s Film Festival, Best Documentary 2021

Xploration Nature Knows Best
Saturdays at 12:55
What do you get if you cross a silkworm with a spider? A substance strong enough to stop a 747 jet! This is just one of the incredible inventions in this fascinating series that looks at the fun and clever ways today’s scientists, engineers, and innovators are using nature to create some of the world’s most exciting advancements.

Learning Focus: S.T.E.M. & Critical Thinking

Presenter: Danni Washington—marine biologist, conservationist and thrill-seeker! She is also a co-founder of The Big Blue & You, an organisation that uses the arts and media to educate young people about ocean conservation.

Xploration Awesome Planet
Saturdays at 14:35
In Xploration Awesome Planet, Phillippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, explores the most spectacular places - on the earth, inside the earth, and above the earth. Why are pollinators so important and how do horseshoe crabs migrate?

Learning Focus: S.T.E.M. & Critical Thinking

Awards: Daytime Emmy Nominee, 2017-2019
Presenter: Philippe Cousteau—Famous explorer, oceanographer, environmental activist and co-host of the popular YouTube channel “Xploration Station”

What To Expect On Via In April 2023?

Ram vir ‘n Rus
Season 2
12 April 2023 // Wednesdays 20:00
46 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Reality / Dating
The reality-based dating show Ram vir ‘n Rus was a hit for VIA and had viewers talking about four South African men’s attempts at finding love with Russian women. After a long hiatus, the second season is set to return to VIA – with a few new tweaks guaranteed to keep viewers entertained.

Vrydagaand-musiek  (working title)*
Season 1
14 April 2023 // Fridays 20:00
46 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Music
A fun-filled TV show focused on Afrikaans music. Expect everything from game to tunes and, of course, plenty of laughs. Perfect family viewing for a Friday night.

Uit die slaapkamer*
Season 3
19 April 2023 // Wednesdays 21:00
23 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Talk show
The sexologist Doctor Elna Rudolph became a fan favourite of VIA viewers after a series of appearances on Minki van der Westhuizen’s talk show Minki. And now Doctor Elna has her own talk show in which she (with the help of an opinionated panel) answers and addresses everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sex but were too afraid to ask.

Huisgenoot: Ware Lewensdramas
Season 9
24 April 2023 // Mondays 20:00
46 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: True crime / Docuseries
VIA and Huisgenoot magazine’s popular true-crime series returns. Each week focuses on the story behind the high-profile stories that shock South Africans and grabbed headlines – from brutal murders to nefarious scams.

Kookpunt
Season 3
25 April 2023 // Tuesdays 20:00
46 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Cooking competition
A fast-paced cooking competition in which chefs and cooks duke it out for an enviable prize package. In each episode, three contestants go head-to-head to serve up restaurant-quality dishes using mostly unusual and unexpected ingredients. Expect some blood, a fair amount of sweat, and a whole lot of tears. With Yolani Abrahams and Chris Erasmus.

Konings van kitskos
Season 8
27 April 2023 // Thursdays 17:00
23 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Food
VIA’s popular food show is back! Besties Alvin Bruinders and Gerhard Steyn hit the road to sample the very best fast food South Africa has to offer.

Kom ons braai
Season 16
29 April 2023 // Saturdays 20:00
46 minutes x 13 episodes
Genre: Food / Competition
Three couples braai against one another for points and prizes. Each couple has a chance to throw a braai party at their own home and the duos score one another efforts in terms of braai technique, taste and entertainment.

Recap To The Past Month: TNT Rebranding Into Warner TV??? As Warner Bros. Discovery Africa Leaves A Trail Of Bread Crumbs

Last month, it was announced that Warner TV will be rolling out in more European countries with Italy expected to rollout the channel as a pay-tv brand while Spain joins Germany, Romania and Poland in folding it under the TNT brand name.

TNT is general entertainment channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that is tailor made for contemporary and Hollywood blockbuster films in the African market. It features content that is action-driven, pulse-raising with a mixture of romantic gems and hilarious comedy.

As seen these past months, the brand's YouTube channel is more of a wasteland but the last video kicks of the campaign, "Celebrating Every Story". Of which, Warner Bros. Discovery has been using to rollout the premium entertainment brand, Warner TV.

Fast forward to Facebook, their last noted post to date celebrates Lethal Weapon with the hashtag #WB100. All of which indicate the presence of Warner TV in the African market.

As mentioned in the press release by Warner Bros Discovery in Spain:

Warner Bros. Discovery officially kicked off its global centennial campaign in January, under the banner Celebrating Every Story, in advance of Warner Bros. Studios 100th Anniversary on April 4, 2023. Throughout this year, around this exceptional birthday, activities and events will be held around the world, to which the brands that make up the Warner Bros. Discovery group will join. The launch of Warner TV in Spain is part of the special actions to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the prestigious Warner Bros. studio.

From what is seen this month on the channel it's basically repeats you have the trilogy of Mad Max alongside other films like Lethal Weapon, Suicide Squad and The Fugitive. So is it safe to say that the channel is only incorporating these WB repeats as they gear up for Warner TV.

Boomerang made several changes to their lineup before news of a 24 hour service of Cartoonito. It wouldn't be far fetched if the reasons these repeats are surfacing more frequently than usual had to with Warner TV.

Warner TV is set to be a premium brand so it won't be entirely repeats or from what this press statement suggests but an alternative to the likes of Universal, BBC Brit, BBC UKTV and Me. Of course, it hasn't been confirmed yet if the channel would be airing series.

Most of the TNT feeds alongside films had series added to the lineup but with the alignment being inevitable it's very much possible that the channel will be airing more content outside of AEW and films perhaps even Adult Swim and Toonami's catalogue will be viewed here.

Rumour: TNT Is Being Discontinued As A General Entertainment Brand Across Africa

By the end of March, several Boomerang feeds across Europe will replaced by Cartoonito. A new preschool destination offering fun, imaginative and entertaining content with shows like Batwheels, Interstellar Ella and Bugs Bunny Builders.

As mentioned last month, Boomerang might not be the only feed to get supplemented by another brand later in the year even the likes of TNT is said to be phased out for a more modern brand, Warner TV.

According to a press release in Spain, TNT is being discontinued as a general entertainment brand across Europe, with Spain set to rebrand the channel to Warner TV from April 14. Joining regions such as Poland, Latin America and Romania.

This was kind of expected after the UK announced the relaunch of TNT but as a sports channel something Warner Bros. Discovery wants to incorporate globally.

Of course, Warner Bros. Discovery in Africa remains silent about the upcoming developments on TNT and their silence further boosts speculation of a possible rebrand. TNT is also celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros. as the above-mentioned regions for Warner TV.

The only thing I'm curious about with this new brand name is how it will be any different from TNT. Cause honestly I can see them continuing to reserve it as a movie brand as we got more modern films and less TCM these past months with Venom and Suicide Squad.

But most Warner TV's are seen airing made for TV series so chances are we could get something similar if not the usual films and wrestling. The channel is male oriented, perhaps a selection of Adult Swim would make much sense at this point.

My hunch is that TNT Africa will probably rebrand in April or May. My guess on why Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to talk about the channel has to do with the upcoming rollout of Cartoonito. They want to put more emphasis on that and by next month or so focus on TNT.