kykNET Vs. eExtra: MultiChoice's Purposed Attempt To Replicate Kuiertyd

MultiChoice and eMedia Investments have been on opposite sides for long time and the matter only worsened when the pay-tv operator opted to replicate the current offering seen with the red brand which led to the discontinuation of their 4 channels.

Now we look at what MultiChoice regards as the new eExtra.

kykNET serves as the Afrikaans division to M-Net's local endeavours offering content ranging from drama series, movies, lifestyle, reality shows and news something that's been lacking with SABC 2. Some notable titles include Tussen Ons, Suidooster and Binnelanders.

Honestly speaking, you can clearly see why MultiChoice would want to burden customers with something like kykNET I mean it has a lot of variety something which eExtra's Kuiertyd had but was later revamped to match that of Telemundo.

eExtra is very much regarded as general entertainment it doesn't have to be anything like HBO but anything that can offer a variety of flavours in one pot is cool by me. The channel features a range of telenovelas from Turkey, Korea and India including Elif and Twist Of Fate.

Let me say this one fact, if it wasn't for Kuiertyd I doubt a lot of consumers would take a lot of initiative to the Afrikaans movies and Die Kontrak. I'm not expecting them to get as much shows as most dubbed soaps but the impact does come with its own benefits.

It's not really about the language that got viewers glued to Doodsondes but the content in general. As it is, eExtra has a Turkish slot which falls out of Kuiertyd which is all the more proof that content drives in the ratings.

eExtra through Kuiertyd may lack a lot of things like reality shows, music and local dramas but you have to admit these Turkish shows is what gets anyone more viewers latched onto anything kykNET at this point.

Review: The Outcome To The eFamily Of Channels On DStv

Earlier in the year, it was reported that eMedia Investments 4 TV channels currently seen on the Openview platform would exit the DStv platform. Now the channels remain onboard for a few months as the Competition Tribunal conduct their findings.

As it the channel's futures seem very dark on the pay-tv service as they've been hit with various limitations leading them to launch several new channels like Racing240, Hilaal TV and Qwest TV in place of others like Tellytrack, ITV Networks and MTV Hits.

But that's not what aggravated them to axe the channels but mostly the fact that these brands lacked originality and the only existed to mash the existing offering on their platform as it is eMovies and eToonz are duplicating Studio Universal and DreamWorks.

Honestly, when those channels exited for the short while sure I was pissed as there was plenty of content I followed but overtime I felt like a huge burden had been lifted of my shoulders. I mean I kind of got used to their absence and was stunned when they were reinstated.

Just as I was ready to just open up a new chapter I discovered there was more to the previous chapter in this eMedia. Trust me when I say I do take people's opinions to consideration but when it comes to these channels this comes from my point of view.

Honestly, I do feel that these channels are very much possessive or distractions but not a bad way I mean it's hard finding channels that can keep viewers glued this long despite the annual increases and reshuffle of entertainment.

If anything, the only other brand that has me latched onto the platform would be CBS Reality not because of Judge Judy or Cheaters but primarily over the fact that they're very selective I mean they have Animal Hoarding and Shocking Emergency Calls.

I know there's National Geographic Wild and Investigation Discovery but the magic is different from what you can already see on CBS Reality. eMedia's channels had the same effect with the bulk of alternatives already found on DStv.

Sure they may have been a mishap with the amount of Zee World on eExtra but that doesn't mean no one watches it. As it is neighbouring countries are up to speed with what's going on with Twist Of Fate and I Do while others have to catch up through this channel.

eExtra happens to be the most popular attraction on eMedia's stable on DStv alongside eMovies but comparing the two I do feel that this channel should fall back while the others remain exclusive to the Openview platform.

MultiChoice has plenty of movie channels at this point particularly on the ones that eMovies cater for in this case Premium all the way done to Access such as M-Net Movies 4, Movie Room, TNT and KIX and the same can be said about eToonz really.

With eExtra, it's not really about the stories but the fact eMedia views the brand as another window to their local endeavours with the likes of Die Kontrak and the former Afrikaans movie block so why leave kykNET as the only alternative at this point.

Sure there's plenty of viewers tuning into Elif and Verdeelde Liefde on eExtra alongside In Die Ysterhand Se Greep and Kind Van Die Noodlot on kykNET & Kie but those are just complimenting each other even if kykNET were to just give it a channel the feeling would be mutual.

Having both these brands would give consumers more choices compared to the Openview platform which seems to following the route of most M-Net channels that rush to duplicate an offering on another channel.

Review: e.tv On Becoming An Open Window To Kuiertyd

Since the introduction of eExtra's Kuiertyd, e.tv has lent the block part of its schedule to air reruns of various telenovelas accompanied by the 17:30 slot which serves up new content to compliment the existing offering on the channel.

Earlier in the year, Rewind was scrapped or at least that's what they want everyone to believe as they rolled out a standalone Kuiertyd channel known as ePlesier which serves an additional outlet for repeats instead of helping to reduce the flow on e.tv.

Turkish programming is popular in South Africa I get it as kykNET too is joining on the antics but why put it up on 3 channels if you know 1 has mostly new than rebroadcast on top of that it's on eVOD as well. I mean wouldn't it be better to have it on less channels.

I mean repeats can be irritating especially if a broadcaster doesn't give viewers an opportunity to reminisce about a particular show and rush for its return. I do feel that e.tv should reduce the amount of Kuiertyd slots available in an attempt to get more consumers on the Openview platform.

ePlesier can be a waste I mean it's multitasking between two timelines and it doesn't have to be if only e.tv could cutback on amount of Kuiertyd during the week instead of duplicating the format seen with Mzansi Magic's channels.

Unlike DStv, Openview consumers aren't divided as it's singular or at least until Openview+ launches later in 2023 only then can pigs fly.

As of right now, I do feel perhaps merging the 8:30 slot with the 10:30 wouldn't be a bad idea as Kuiertyd is very much successful and the reduction would be another way to get more consumers latched onto the Openview platform as opposed to waiting on the bulk of content.

But if this is format is making them income who am I to oppose the choices a broadcaster makes. Cable is becoming obsolete and this is one of the few examples. Honestly, I'm more safer watching anything eExtra can dish out these days as opposed to zombify a schedule.

SABC 1 Title Card Had Been Registered For The Openview Platform

If you're probably reading this then you must have realised that that the public broadcaster once again missed the deadline to rollout their OTT platform accompanied by their additional channels which are set to join the existing SABC 1-3, Sport and Education.

At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if people forgot about these channels or pay attention to them as eMedia Investments had already found other means to keep viewers occupied. This year alone, Openview welcomed eXposed, ePlesier, The Home Channel+ and probably BBC UKTV.

Most of which are basically premium channels and are nothing like what ePlesier and the long awaited channels are going to be - repetitive as they were highlighted to get archived material.

Although we haven't gotten official confirmation toward the existence of SABC Children and any other SABC channel. The public broadcaster alongside eMedia Investments seems to have registered a brand known as SABC 1.

I know some viewers are thinking how absurd this appears but interesting fact about this SABC 1 was often referred as the defunct SABC Encore channel. Even had its logo swapped while transmitting on both Openview and TelkomOne.

Taking that to account, it's possible SABC 1 is just a cover up for another channel they don't want to mention e.g. SABC Encore, SABC Parliament or SABC Children. At this point, I'd be more shocked if none of these brands happened to be the reported channels.

I mean there's a lot of evidence staggering against them one is that DTT still has a slot for SABC Encore and the second is that SABC Education beforehand was available digitally on Tuluntulu before launching on DTT.

MultiChoice Might Have Scrapped Another New Channel On The DStv Platform

In March, MultiChoice announced plans to terminate eMedia's 4 channels on which they were reluctant on retaining its status on the DStv platform for another 6 months but the pay-tv idol already sourced the necessary alternatives which were somewhat bizarre.

Firstly, they just took an existing batch of channels and made them accessible to more consumers as if the higher ups weren't watching those channels and put most of their efforts on channels 101-106 worse is when they left a single channel to fill the void of eMedia's channels.

They also added DreamWorks which has been viewed as a replacement as opposed to a new offering considering the similarities with eToonz shocking was how expensive it got considering how the cheaper offering was ahead. Joining the channel is Movie Room which is somewhat niche from eMovies.

As several consumers had noticed eExtra was the only channel fortunate enough to not get replaced and this was before the announcement of kykNET's Turkish offering on kykNET & Kie that a new Afrikaans lifestyle channel would be making way soon to the DStv platform.

In May which was the same period of eMedia's demise, they had begun tests on this channel and from the looks of it this HD channel had a lot of already viewed content from Media 24's Via which led to believe that maybe this channel was curated for Access customers.

I mean Via hasn't been on DStv for that long I mean they launched around 2013/4 which is almost 10 years but a portion of content can be viewed on the main channel and plus this wouldn't be the first channel to serve as a catch-up.

MultiChoice has a long list of catch-up channels such as Mzansi Wethu, kykNET Lekker, Moja 9.9. and Novela Magic so the idea of Via getting similar treatment doesn't seem far fetched considering how most of these are local channels.

Of course the question that's been bottling up my mind is why the channel hadn't launched as intended. MultiChoice already launched further channels like Hilaal TV, INX Prime and the already mentioned Movie Room but not this Via duplicate.

Could it have something to do with those transponder constraints as they don't have a lot of space for more channels so they often need to remove one to launch another or do they feel that the amount of viewers on Access particularly those watching kykNET Lekker just can't cover it.

Honestly I can see them launch this channel if they aren't planning to make Via accessible to Access consumers as seen Media24's other channel HONEY which is said to be not getting that much attention by audiences which is why it was added to more consumers.

New Series Alert: Nature Cat Coming Soon To PBS Kids Africa

PBS Kids the #1 educational brand for children aged 2-8 with content that helps improve on their maths and sciences and even dwells on the creative side to life will soon rollout a new wilderness series titled Nature Cat.

The series follows an adventurous house cat goes on crazy trips and adventures with his friends to learn all about animals and nature. Through the learning experiences of the characters, this series intends to encourage children to similarly engage with and develop understanding of nature.

It debuted back in 2015 and was nominated for an Emmy Award and at the time there wasn't a linear PBS Kids channel. Back to the basics, it's currently in its fourth season overseas which is what consumers in Africa will be viewing as a fifth is currently underway.

PBS Kids debuted in Africa back in 2019 and is the first international feed to gain the brand. But since it's launch, the channel is very much behind with most of what the overseas feed currently has in stock for their audiences.

You even find shows shows such as Wild Kratts currently on the second season with Peg + Cat and Peep And The Big Wide World old content further back from their conclusions. The channel even unveiled a new look none of which is currently seen on the feed as yet.

It's one of the reasons Nature Cat will continue on the fourth season thereafter as time goes by it will do what Arthur and Cyberchase did by playing various past seasons.

Nature Cat S4 airs 1st November as part of the fresh at 4pm timeslot.

 

New Series Alert: Waves Of Life Coming Soon To Novelas E Plus

Novelas E Plus, a general entertainment channel home to various English dubbed telenovelas from Turkey, Phillipines and Mexico will soon be launching a brand new drama titled Waves Of Life (Kleun Cheewit) starring Prin Suparat, Urassaya Sperbund, Louis Scott (actor) and Jarinporn Joonkiat.

Jeerawat is a famous model and actress. On the surface, Jeerawat has a perfect life but deep down, she is in danger of being raped by her stepfather and longs for her mother's love. After Jeewarat's rich and powerful stepfather drugs Jeerawat, she manages to escape by driving away. Unfortunately, she hits a young woman on the road, who later dies at the hospital.

The dead young woman has a fiancée, Sathit, who is a lawyer who believes strongly in justice. He vows revenge on the female driver who killed his beloved fiancée. Unfortunately, Jeerawat's stepfather and mother use their influence and money to hide and hush all evidence. After coincidentally running into each other on many occasions, their fated encounters starts to change them both, as their bond deepens, Sathit becomes conflicted between the evidence that Jeerawat was involved in the car accident and between the good and kind person he finds underneath her public appearance, who risks her life for him. What will Sathit do when he gradually falls in love with Jeewarat?

The series was met with a lot of praise during its run in 2017 across various regions such as Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia and many more. It even got one of the most liked episodes by fans on Google and Twitter.

Waves Of Life airs at 20:40 from November 3rd.

What To Expect On Comedy Central Africa In November 2022?

SEASON 28
THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH
TUESDAY – FRIDAY FROM 4 OCTOBER @ 23:30
HostTrevor Noah delivers satirical news related to international and American political matters in an entertaining way. His wit, charm and charismatic persona allows viewers to kick- back, relax and take in a dose of current affairs in an entertaining way.

THE QUEENS OF COMEDY
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER @ 22:00
Four of today's hottest black comedians headline this Queens of Comedy video special and present a very provocative adult program with riffs on everything. Prepare for loads of laughter and those “I know right …”, raw moments of relatability. This stand up of comedian royalty: Miss Laura Hayes, Adele Givens, Sommore and Mo’Nique, leaves no stone unturned in ensuring an evening of giggles, adulterated laughter and irreversible trips of nostalgia.

BOB HEART ABISHOLA S2
TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER @ 21:00

A love story about a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit, who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack. He sets his sights on winning her over, undaunted by Abishola's lack of initial interest or the vast differences in their backgrounds. Bob is determined to win Abishola's heart, in this comedic examination of immigrantlife in America.

New Channel Alert (Rumour): Novela Magic Ripoff Magic Showcase Coming Soon To DStv???

Novela Magic is Pan-African telenovela channel basically the first of its kind to ever be introduced in the region. As you know, M-Net ain't investing in any new content for the channel as it airs yesteryear stock to M-Net's lower grade channels, Mzansi Wethu and Africa Magic Family.

Basically, M-Net has been building up their local portfolio by launching various adaptations to Mzansi Magic such as Pearl Magic, Maisha Magic and Abol TV. As some viewers are aware, the content basically dramas viewed on this brand can be viewed through Novela Magic.

As much as one would want to complain about the offering the load of repeats on a "new channel" you got to admit M-Net beat you to the punch with this one. Now viewers are enjoying the best of Mexican, Indian, Turkey and African stories.

Now there's just 1 problem, MultiChoice might be looking to launch a second Novela Magic type channel as several content which might as well have folded under the current Novela Magic had been added to this supposed channel: Arendsvlei, Legacy, Enakhe and Zuba.

Honestly I do wish this channel burns off the production table like that Via+ channel but it's launch seems definite from the looks of it. Although I see no reason of launching another Novela Magic.

The current one has plenty of repeats and certain shows have the audacity of restarting from scratch e.g. Zuba so I don't see the need of having such a channel a lot of consumers will probably get irritated by.

Perhaps this channel just like kykNET Lekker and Moja 9.9. is catered to certain DStv customers e.g. Easyview as they don't have any means to view the local junk from M-Net. But how many people are still using that package if there's plenty to watch on Openview.

The only thing I'm curious about the channel would be availability and it's presence as it is most channels entering DStv usually come to consume the place of another channel so you never know with MultiChoice.

Seeing as Novela Magic is on channel 165 perhaps this possible new channel will be allocated on channel 169 where ROK3 is sitting. Honestly, a lot of channels seem like potential targets e.g. ID, Real Time, NTA International, Spice TV, TLNovelas and Tshwane TV.