Insidus

Could Paramount+ And Peacock Be Folded Under One Streaming Service In South Africa?

America's Comcast pay-TV operator that owns Sky in the United Kingdom, and ViacomCBS announced on Wednesday afternoon that they will be launching SkyShowtime as a new video streaming service across Europe as a new joint venture.

SkyShowtime will launch in 2022 in more than 20 European countries, including Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, reaching around 90 million homes.

"SkyShowtime will bring together decades of direct-to-consumer experience and the very best entertainment, movies, and original series from the NBCUniversal, Sky and ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including titles from Showtime, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ Originals, Sky Studios, Universal Pictures, and Peacock," Comcast,Sky Group and ViacomCBS said in a joint statement.

"The service's vast slate will span all genres and audience categories, including scripted dramas, kids and family, key franchises, premiere movies, local programming, documentaries/factual content and more."

"SkyShowtime will be home to 10 000+ hours of entertainment from some of the top creators and most beloved content from around the world. Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International, in the statement says "With the launch of SkyShowtime we are well-positioned to utilise our global content engine to create a compelling streaming offering, quickly and at scale, with a smart strategic phased investment".

"As a complement to our recently announced Paramount+ partnership with Sky in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany, SkyShowtime represents a huge opportunity to accelerate our market expansion and build a leadership position in SVOD in Europe." Dana Strong, Sky CEO, says "Our new streaming service, SkyShowtime, will combine the best of the United States and Europe with iconic brands and world-class entertainment for millions of consumers in more than 20 new markets in Europe".

"On the heels of Peacock coming to Sky, this partnership provides an innovative approach to quickly scale internationally and monetise content across Europe."

"Drawing on the strength of the incredible programming from NBCUniversal, Sky and ViacomCBS, and powered by Peacock's platform technology, SkyShowtime will provide a truly compelling lineup for the whole family and strong brand recognition across these regions."

SABC, e.tv And DStv Ratings For July 2021

SABC 1:
Uzalo - 7 776 154
Generations the Legacy - 6 404 226
Skeem Saam - 5 911 857
Zulu News - 4 686 483
Xhosa News - 4 495 773
Nyan Nyan (Reality) - 3 430 790
Now or Never (Documentary) - 3 143 584
Judas Kiss (Movie) - 3 138 914
Caf Champions League Kaizer Chiefs vs Al - 2 955 015
Real Goboza (Magazine) - 2 755 322
Come Again (Reality) - 2 690 815
Uzalo (Repeat) - 2 638 808
Siswati/Ndebele News - 2 568 303
Evolution of Mzansi Street Culture (Reality) - 2 568 236
Live Amp - 2 547 106
Skeem Saam (Repeat) - 2 526 103
Born Legends (Reality) - 2 493 269
The Ranakas (Reality) - 2 404 385
Instapreneurs (Reality) - 2 364 446
Soccer Build-up - 2 357 043

SABC 2:
President Addresses the Nation News - 5 840 203
Muvhango - 4 364 992
President`s Address About Looting News - 4 171 470
Music - 4 073 689
Presidents Address Response to Public - 3 703 165
Ses/Tsw/Sep News - 2 690 448
Rsvp: Dare to Change (Documentary) - 1 419 161
7De Laan Soap - 1 279 908
Nuus - 1 197 989
Mmalonya (Drama) - 1 117 604
Through the Fire: the Legacy of Barack Ob (Documentary) - 961 359
Our Wedding Story (Reality) - 810 832
Muvhango (Omnibus) - 802 136
Keletso (Drama) - 786 266
Kelebone (Drama) - 785 007
Muvhango (Repeat) - 766 650
Setswana/Sesotho News - 765 679
Speak Out (Actuality) - 739 392
Die Sentrum (Drama) - 722 082
Massive Africa (Documentary) - 716 496

SABC 3:
Seven Worlds One Planet (Documentary) - 769 858
News - 766 334
Wild Orphans Rescue (Documentary) - 542 785
The Greatest Dancer (Reality) - 512 416
The Estate (Omnibus) - 503 193
Tokyo Olympics Wrap up - 454 104
Tokyo Olympics: Skateboarding - 407 923
The Estate (Repeat) - 403 592
Unpacked with Relebogile (Magazine, Repeat) - 384 261
If Only (Movie) - 377 014
Our Oceans (Documentary) - 374 860
The Pursuit of Happyness (Movie) - 362 204
The Insider Sa (Magazine) - 353 462
On Point News - 352 469
The Estate - 351 390
Slumdog Millionaire (Movie) - 348 991
Unpacked with Relebogile (Magazine) - 342 511
Tokyo Olympics: Gymnastics - 339 950
Indrajith (Movie) - 339 811
Tokyo Olympics: Men's Football South Africa - 327 316

e.tv:
Scandal - 5 232 729
House of Zwide - 4 241 023
Imbewu - 3 897 923
Ican with Absa Drive - 3 813 244
Rhythm City - 3 666 025
Transporter 2 (Movie) - 3 437 634
The President's Address - 3 199 306
The Transporter (Movie) - 3 153 043
Transporter 3 (Movie) - 3 054 131
Durban Gen - 2 797 873
Thor (Movie) - 2 708 990
Captain America: the First Avenger (Movie) - 2 626 219
Family Feud South Africa - 2 496 201
The Transporter Refueled (Movie) - 2 075 106
Iron Man 3 (Movie) - 1 988 038
South Africa Tonight News - 1 881 128
Marvel's the Avengers (Movie) - 1 867 627
Imbewu (Repeat) - 1 854 962
Durban Gen (Repeat) - 1 793 701
Etv News Presidential Speech - 1 747 639
(The Resident replaces Hawaii Five-O in August)

DStv:
MZAN Gomora - 1 624 270 & 2 005 207
MZAN The Queen (Drama) - 1 300 065 & 1 586 874
MOJA Uyajola 9/9 - 1 213 250 & 1 430 866
MZAN Idols SA - 1 018 607 & 1 262 272
MZAN The River (Drama) - 989 212 & 1 220 684
MZAN Diep City - 859 579 & 1 097 710
MZAN The Real Housewives of Durban - 859 425 & 1 073 684
MZAN Nqobile (Drama) - 791 437 & 986 328
MZAN Mnakwethu - 774 490 & 971 120
MOJA Isencane Lengane - 765 809 & 941 073
MZAN Abomama - 739 089 & 935 912
MWET Our Perfect Wedding - 701 741 & 919 220
MZAN Date My Family - 654 193 & 751 479
MWET Isibaya - 590 388 & 757 385
MZAN Unefa (Documentary) - 586 948 & 722 077
MZAN Gomora (Repeat) - 563 878 & 736 176
MWET The Queen (Repeat) - 553 365 & 768 305
MOJA Finding Bongani Fassie - 533 063 & 657 174
MZAN Lebo M Coming Home - 521 803 & 626 032
MOJA Mamazala - 517 283 & 623 398
MWET Abazali - 514 638 & 663 468
NEWA Newsfeed with Stephen Grootes - 501 728 & 523 576
MWET Ifalakhe (Drama) - 499 592 & 642 672
MWET Sengkhathele (Magazine) ,- 497 040 & 638 423
MWET The Queen - 484 267 & 661 579
MOJA Single and Mingle - 476 032 & 550 368
NEWA Daytime Update - 470 324 & 508 085
MZAN Pastor Wants a Wife - 452 117 & 555 221
MBIO Ubukhosi Nama Khosana - 440 802 & 603 485
MWET Ho Lekane - 437 377 & 541 272

SABC Has Seemingly Begun Work On Another Channel, SABC Parliament

SABC Parliament was one of the 18 channels SABC promised to have on DTT alongside SABC Education and SABC Sport back in 2012 before failing to materialize due to government delayed switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television.

In 2018, this unfunded channel was purposed once again alongside other unfunded channels at the time such as SABC Sport, SABC Education, SABC Health and SABC History.

Three years went by since anyone has last heard about the channel now it seems like SABC Parliament will actually get the light of the day as the public broadcaster begun testing the channel on their DTT platforms and LyngSat.

Similar to The Parliament Channel on DStv, SABC Parliament will offer coverage of central government proceedings and other public affairs programming.

Considering that the main parliamentary channel on DStv I'm assuming this one will rehash whatever is on there as well as offer exclusive content which is similar to what's already being viewed on the main channel.

As mentioned earlier, this channel is unfunded and SABC can't cover the expenses unless another party rescues them. They already got Telkom to assist with SABC Education and eMedia Investments joins them with SABC Sport while MultiChoice covers the expenses for SABC News. All service providers handle their 19 radio stations.

The struggling broadcaster hopes to launch a second sports channel and are likely sticking to their unfunded DTT plans for 2018 which are SABC Health and History on top of the two long awaited entertainment channels for Openview which might have been unveiled too soon.

They currently have an ongoing case with pay platforms with regards to TV licence and carriage fees for SABC 1-3. Not saying this issue affects the launch of their additional channels but they can't afford to exclude them if they wanted to.

Could Nicktoons Eventually Be Discontinued In Africa?

Nicktoons has been available in Africa for almost 7 years offering repeats from ViacomCBS other kids brands such as Nickelodeon and Nick Jr alongside other programming that hasn't been viewed on any of those channels.

For a while now, some of the channel's new content such as 44 Cats, Atchoo!, ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks and Ollie's Pack have seemingly been transmitted onto Nickelodeon on a exclusive basis.

Even Nick Jr. assisted the main brand by adopting Peppa Pig.

Nickelodeon even reached a point where they'd bring back series that were cancelled ages ago such as The Fairly OddParents and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and last year the South African feed went as far as including the Nick Jr. block.

Besides Nickelodeon Africa being split into two counterparts, there's also a variation in accessibility.

The South African feed of Nickelodeon (and Nick Jr) can be only be found on DStv on the top tier packages with Nicktoons available on the lower bouquets while the African feed of Nickelodeon is lower bouquets on DStv alongside several pay-tv providers with Nicktoons (and Nick Jr) targeting the top tier packages on DStv.

If you look at it those situating in South Africa have more use for Nicktoons while those who are subscribed to DStv and have access to Nickelodeon are likely ignoring Nicktoons so adding some of the content onto the channel is not only about accessibility but their way of trying to get people to watch the channel.

Since last year, ViacomCBS International started operating a Nick Global feed at times for the African Nickelodeon and Nick Jr channels just not Nicktoons.

There's reasons why Nicktoons could stay onboard and this is due to the lack of kids entertainment out there and the reason it could part ways is pay-tv operators have been religning their offering with the rise in streaming.

A year ago, Disney took away Disney XD and MultiChoice reduced their M-Net Movies channels from 6 to just 4 channels and cut two British channels with further content moving onto other channels.

Nickelodeon could have serve as a placeholder for Nicktoons with certain content being transmitted to their preschool brand, Nick Jr.

MultiChoice could look into other brands such as BBC Kids and DreamWorks Channel.

September 2021 On Ignition | 2 New Series Alert | 2 Season Finales

VINTAGE VOLTAGE
New Show Starts 13th September
Reality Entertainment
Sat: 6pm | Mon: 9pm | Thu: 3pm
The Vintage Voltage team is escalating classic cars all the way to the 21st century. How you may ask? - The catch is to electrify them to suit the times while maintaining their definitive appeal in looks.

SUPERCAR CUSTOMISER: YIANNI
New Show Starts 4th September
Reality Entertainment
Sat: 10pm | Mon: 6pm | Fri: 9pm
Yianni Charalambous is the go-to guy for some of your favourite celebrities sleekest ride needs. Some would dub him the king of customisation. Witness him wrap the craziest cars while exploring how complicated life at the top can be.

RESTORATION GARAGE
Season Finale : 13th September
Reality Entertainment
Sun: 7pm | Mon: 10pm | Thu: 12pm
At The Guild, David Grainger and his team of motoring mavericks restore some of the world’s most expensive and unique vehicles. They could be found rebuilding a mound of rust or replicating a heap of gold. This does not go without saying that there are some bumps along the road.

TEST DRIVE TUESDAYS
Season Finale: 21st September
Reality Entertainment
Sun: 3pm | Tue: 8pm | Thu: 2pm
This brand new local show on IGNITION see’s host, Thabsie Vokwana treating our local celebs with a test drive in some pretty luxurious rides. Connect and get to know know more about the people who influence our lives.