Press Release: Netflix Announces Live Action Scooby-Doo Series

The eight-episode show goes back to the haunting case that started it all.

Half a century, three theatrical films, and more than a dozen animated series later, Scooby-Doo remains one of pop culture’s most recognizable and entertaining characters. But few people know about how the cowardly dog and his mystery-solving gang first got together. In a new series, showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg (and their production company, Midnight Radio) are going back to the beginning, to the terrifying case that started it all.

Based on the characters from Hanna-Barbera, the latest show is a modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog. During their final summer at Camp Ruby-Spears, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever-so-handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.  

The series will be executive produced by Rosenberg and Appelbaum, as well as Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman (via Berlanti Productions), and André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner (via Midnight Radio). “One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cels,” says Greg Berlanti. “Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warner and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!”

This isn’t the first time a beloved franchise has made its live-action debut on Netflix. Netflix has continued the world-building of beloved franchises with live-action adaptations of ONE PIECE and Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as fan-favorite characters like Wednesday. “Mystery Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time,” said Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series at Netflix. “The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced. Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.” 

The show is a result of Berlanti Productions’ overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. Clancy Collins White, president of creative affairs at Warner Bros. Television, added, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with our longstanding partners at Berlanti Productions and with Midnight Radio to bring the legendary Scooby-Doo franchise to a live-action series for the first time. It’s no mystery why audiences continue to love these iconic characters after more than a half century. We’re excited for a new generation to discover Mystery Inc. And we’re grateful to our partners at Netflix for the opportunity.”

Warner Bros. Discovery Was Rumoured To Be Selling Off The Looney Tunes, Could This Affect Cartoon Network?

According to a report on ComingSoon.net, Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to sell Looney Tunes, one of its oldest IPs as the company looks to prioritise family and adult programming moving forward. In light of this, Warner Bros. Discovery has remained hush hush on the matter.

But it should be worth noting, Cartoon Network had cancelled Tiny Toons Looniversity and Bugs Bunny Builders after two seasons. It was mentioned that corporate had sold rights to their latest animated film The Day The Earth Blew Up to Ketch Up Entertainment with them looking to scoop up the scrapped Coyote Vs. ACME in 2026.

The reasons Warner Bros. Discovery was said to be doing this as mentioned on ComingSoon.net - possible sale. But several outlets had since opted to rebuff that claim as Looney Tunes is basically Warner's Mickey Mouse then again it had been alleged that it's struggling to garner traction with modern audiences.

To top it off, Warner Bros. Discovery doesn't seem interested in animated content nowadays as a library of shows from Cartoon Network had since moved from Max to rival platforms. All of this has kind of lead some to wonder if Warner Bros. Discovery could look to be offloading more content aside from Looney Tunes.

Warner Bros. Discovery will be moving most of their cable networks to a new division Global Linear Business placing them in a position to be potentially sold off to either Comcast's SpinCo or Paramount. 

Let's remember, Warner Bros. Discovery was in talks with Paramount Global for a potential merger some years back before the deal fell flat. If Warner Bros. Discovery was looking to offload most of their animated content aka "the problem child" nothing would have gotten in their way of merging with Paramount.

Comcast's SpinCo is reportedly looking to venture into food and history and Warner Bros. Discovery has plenty of assets that align with that structure. It could as well lead to sale of Food Network and Investigation Discovery if not them obtaining a ownership stake of 40% to 51%.

Entertainment Upgraded!!! MultiChoice Extends Comedy Central To DStv Family With Nicktoons To DStv Access

South African DStv subscribers will have access to a whole lot more fun and laughter following the addition of NickToons to the satellite service’s Access package and Comedy Central Africa to the Family package, effective from 1 April 2025.

This development means existing subscribers will now be able to watch the fan favourite premium programming exclusive to these two Paramount Africa channels without having to upgrade their DStv packages.

Says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & GM Paramount Africa & Lead BET International; “We are delighted to expand the reach of Comedy Central Africa and NickToons to more South Africans. Comedy Central delivers non-stop laughs as the continent’s only around-the-clock comedy destination, while NickToons serves up perennial family entertainment favourites while constantly adding fresh, new content with local flavour to its roster. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing inclusive world class entertainment for all.”

The move of NickToons (channel 308) – Nickelodeon’s go-to channel for the best cartoons with maximum local flavour – to DStv Access means that a broader group of kids will have access to the groundbreaking Nick In Your Language initiative. Always animated, always funny, the channel will premiere a new season of The Patrick Star Show (from 31 March, weekdays at 16:30), and new episodes of PAW Patrol (starting in June) in isiZulu and Afrikaans, in addition to the original English.

 

Don’t be surprised to see the little ones up on their feet, singing, moving and vibing to NickMusic (weekdays at 09:00), a lively music variety show counting down the world’s coolest tunes mixed with interactive games and activities. Also available will be brand-new episodes of all-time fan-favourite SpongeBob SquarePants.

SpongeBob fans can come and meet their favourite pineapple-dwelling TV character at the Joburg Zoo this Easter break, from 18 to 21 April 2025, when he makes a guest appearance during the Nickelodeon Easter Extravaganza with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

DStv Family subscribers will enjoy full access to a bumper offering from Comedy Central Africa (channel 122) from 1 April 2025. Nostalgia junkies can dive into beloved classic programming such as The Neighbourhood, Everybody Hates Chris and King of Queens, while the long-running South Park continues to shatter records (and funny bones) with its subversive animated humour and The Daily Show dishes up hilarious hot takes on the news of the day.

Plus, subscribers can look forward to the annual Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards in May, celebrating the continent’s most side-splitting comedians and their outrageous one-liners.

eToonz Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Mush Mush And The Mushables, Cooking Buddies And Poppy Cat

eToonz is a South African based children's channel operated by eMedia Investments that offers a mixture animated and live-action shows. The channel is animated shows like Peppa Pig and ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks alongside live-action like MasterChef Junior and Hank Zipzer.

The channel is set to be rolling out 3 new shows in the coming weeks including Poppy Cat, Mush Mush And The Mushables and Cooking Buddies.

Synopsis for Poppy Cat

Based on a book series created by Brit author Lara Jones that sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide, the show is about the imaginative tales a young girl spins for her cat, Poppy. Over the course of each ep, she imagines fantastical animal characters that embark on extraordinary adventures to magical destinations such as the marshmallow mines and the trumpet tree forest. 

The show is co-produced by Coolabi’s television production arm, Coolabi Productions, and King Rollo Films.

Synopsis for Mush Mush And The Mushables 

Mush-Mush and the Mushables follows the forest adventures of Mush-Mush, his best friends Chep and Lilit and the rest of the Mushable community, as they explore, grow and discover just how fun and wildlife can be.

Mushables are the ‘Guardians of the Forest’, and each member has a special talent or ability – while Mush-Mush can communicate with nature, Chep has a huge memory and Lilit lights up and glows – all of this in theory at least, as they all still have a lot to learn! Mush-Mush and the Mushables is a journey of self-discovery from a child’s point of view, through exciting adventure, comedy and mush mush more!

Created by Flemish artist Elfriede de Rooster, Mush-Mush and the Mushables is produced by Perrine Gauthier and directed by Joeri Christiaen (My Knight and Me).

Synopsis for Cooking Buddies 

The show is based on Buddy Oliver‘s cooking channel — also called Cooking Buddies — which has amassed over seven million views, prompting Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children’s Commissioning 7+ at BBC Children’s and Education, to order a ten-part series for television. The executive producer for the Jamie Oliver Group is Samantha Beddoes.

Cooking Buddies is billed as a “fun cooking show with a twist,” in which kids join Buddy as he teaches them how to cook simple meals for someone or an important occasion. In a skill-swap, his guests teach him a skill they are passionate about, from basketball to street art, football, karate, ice skating, boxing, BMX’ing, hip hop, salsa and more. 

April 2025 On TNT Across Africa | Fam-tastic Weekend With Ice Age | Nature's Fury With War Of The Worlds | More

Fam-tastic Weekend

Stunt

This April, catch the Fam-tastic Weekend on TNT! From Good Friday through Family Day

Monday, we've lined up a delightful array of family films every afternoon. Make your long weekend memorable with TNT!

Friday, 18 April

14:10 Ice Age (2002)

15:30 Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (2006)

17:05 Happy Feet (2006)

18:45 Happy Feet 2 (2011)

Saturday, 19 April

11:40 Home Alone (1990)

13:25 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

15:25 Kung Fu Panda (2008)

17:00 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

18:30 Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Sunday, 20 April

13:45 Cats & Dogs 3: Paws Unite! (2020)

15:10 The Croods: A New Age (2020)

16:50 Madagascar: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)

18:25 Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

Monday, 21 April

12:00 Little Rascals (1994)

13:25 Big (1988)

15:10 Night at the Museum (2001)

17:00 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)

18:50 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

Nature's Fury

Stunt

Honour Earth Day on 22 April with TNT's Nature's Fury special event. Experience the powerful and unpredictable forces of nature through a thrilling lineup of films featuring natural disasters, extreme weather, and survival battles.

Tuesday, 22 April

14:20 War of the Worlds (2005)

16:20 The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

18:20 Oblivion (2013)

20:30 San Andreas (2015)

22:25 Crawl (2019)

Freedom Fighters

Stunt

Celebrate Freedom Day with TNT through a special two-day event from 27 - 28 April. Immerse yourself in powerful films featuring heroes who battle for survival and justice.

Sunday, 27 April

13:35 Escape from Pretoria (2020)

15:25 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

17:25 Gladiator (2000)

20:00 The Revenant (2015)

Monday, 28 April

12:55 Robin Hood (2010)

15:10 Braveheart (1995)

18:05 The Negotiator (1998)

20:30 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

TNT Hit

Channel Premiere

Movie Synopsis: When June (Cameron Diaz) meets Roy (Tom Cruise), a lethal operative, in an unlikely encounter, she gets entangled in his adventures and falls in love with him. However, she must figure out whether he's a traitor or a good guy.

Saturday, 5 April

20:00 Knight and Day (2010)