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Friday, April 8, 2022

Disney Channel And Disney Junior Have Been Zombified

The Walt Disney Company has closed several channels across the world including the UK, Latin America, Australia and Asia with Europe and Africa expected to lose more channels once Disney+ enters the market.

Disney Channel and Disney Junior seem to be repeat padded as South Africa gears up for the launch of Disney+ in May.

Although consumers won't be losing the channels until at least fall 2023 or early 2024. The pair seem to be going the route of their former sister channels FOX and Disney XD where the lineup is stacked with repeats.

Disney Junior shifted most of their primetime to weekends while reruns of their programs often surface on Disney Channel. Walk The Prank which is an XD original launches on the main channel. All the more reason to think these channels are done for in Africa.

 

If I had to guess what fate awaits the remaining channels it would be easy. The Walt Disney Company will increase the load of reruns in an attempt to lure consumers onto Disney+ and continue sourcing out more content even if it was seen on other stations.

Conspiracy theory
The question only boils down to the closures
I know the agreement with MultiChoice expires by the end of 2023 or sometime in 2024 but is it possible that there could be more to the deal.

Since South Africa will be the first market to get Disney+. What if 2024 included a set of dates for their linear channels some of which are for 2022.

 

In Asia, the channels closed down in phases and the idea of the same fate awaiting for these ones in Africa doesn't seem far fetched as the market has a history of such phases. Take for instance, Animal Planet which was shuttered in 2015 for DStv in the rest of Africa and two years later in South Africa.

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Countdown To The Wildest Stories From Dark Side Of The Ring


10. Ric Flair's actions

Plane Ride From Hell was one of the worst instances of nothing going to plan. On that fateful day during WWE's tour of the UK. The plane was delayed for 7 hours and they were on a charter plane WWE stars consumed alcohol and waited for the plane to get going unfortunately the plane stayed long enough for the stars to consume multiple carts of alcohol. While some fooled around with Dustin Rhodes or his wife, Brock Lesnar and Perfect Brawley even cutting of Michael Ace's ponytail.

Things went wrong in a different direction, Ric Flair wore a robe with nothing underneath. According to a flight attendant and several other people, the wrestler cornered her in a plane forcing her to touch him. No one who knew bothered to help except Dustin Rhodes.

Tommy Dreamer revealed the flight attendant a bribe and compared the situation to his haircut which led him to get suspended from Impact Wrestling while Ric Flair possible losing any chance of getting into AEW.

9. Owen Hart's death

One of the saddest episodes of Dark Side Of The Ring, WWE had planned his entrance at the last minute which led to tragedy where he would fall and pass from the impact.

It was revealed in the show that the original plan was to have him lowered from the ceiling but they instead used a new rigging system from one they had initially.

It turned out that the rig that was holding Owen had been built for a sailboat which was designed to hold 6 pounds of pressure. On top of that his wife and son blamed WWE for his death and chose not to let him into the Hall Of Fame. According to people at the scene, Owen Hart's last words before plummeting to his death was "LOOKOUT".

 

8. Life of Dino Bravo

Bravo was a heel of a wrestler who enjoyed a rich lifestyle. In Montreal, he was famous and respected and was suppose to face Hulk Hogan. WWE couldn't handle having their Babyface being booed at so they swapped the matches and event.

Bravo signed a new deal with WWE which would see him with new look but was repackaged as a heel. When it came time for him to retire, he didn't know what to do as he didn't save money and to try and keep his lifestyle going worked with his uncle in a crime family and a year later he would be found dead with drugs worth $400000 being confiscated.

7. Jimmy Snuka

The controversial wrestler sparked attention for allegations made on the death of his wife. Even before Snuka had killed Nancy. The family had doubts about him with her mother being supportive of their relationship.

There was a time where Snuka would struggle her throat and slapped her and she fled the scene seeking comfort with her sister who encouraged her to exit the relationship but continued on until her death.

Snuka was under investigation as he told different versions of his wife's murder saying she would fall and hit her head and that she was sleeping while he had a match.

There were allegations that WWE founder Vince McMahon offered Nancy's mother hush money of which hasn't been confirmed as there was no evidence of course the case was reopened and Snuka was unable to stand trial due to his dementia and cancer.

6. Godfather Hates Pimps

Despite his character being a pimp, it turned out in his personal life he had a history with pimps before WWE he worked as a bouncer. It was revealed he would hit any pimp that entered the strip club.

 

5. Brawl For All

JBL wanted to find out who was the toughest man in the locker room though Vince Russo was the one who conceived it. Russo didn't like JBL for the way he was bullying everyone so he figured someone would embarass him.

All those involved suffered immensely while JBL was forced to eat dirt.

4. New Jack's storyline

Jack passed away around the time he was trying a minor who had hoped to face him. Hunter Ray punched him in the face and Jack angry stabbed him multiple times only for Jack to get arrested. Red came to visit him in prison hoping to turn it into a storyline and he agreed and the two never contacted each other again.

 

3. The killing of Bruiser Brody

One of the most disturbing stories, Brody was one of the most respected wrestlers with his style being influencal. Invader and Brody didn't like each other.

When Invader came to WWE, Brody beat him badly which resulted in Invader holding a grudge. Brody went to WWC and told that he was owed money there. They were also talks of him becoming minority owner there.

Tony Atlas said the locker room there was tense and Brody wasn't looking good asked Tony to sketch a sign. Atlas came with a towel to speak with Brody and heard a punch only to see Invader holding a knife trying to stab Brody again and Tony protected him and laid him on the floor.

The ambulance arrived 45 minutes later, he needed surgeries for the cuts and bruises and Brody was alive when he left the hospital and died later in the morning. No one was arrested, Invader (Jose Gonzalez) got off saying it was self defence while police thought it had something to do with their jobs.

Brody was portrayed as a loving husband and father in Dark Side Of The Ring.

2. North Korea

In 1995, WCW teamed up with North Korea to hold a wrestling event. Ric Flair, Scott and Rick Steiner and several others made the journey. Muhammad Ali managed to make the event thanks to the organizer of the event, Antonio Anoki.

According to Eric Bishop, there was an attendance of 300000 with the audience being forced to attend. A group of wrestlers were confronted by security after trying to play pool. Scott getting his call interrupted as he had to fight with the country.

According to Too Cold Scorpio, he had considered playing the role of Warrior Hog with him taking a hit with a chopstick. Chris Benoit urged him not as he would regret it and Scorpio listened.

1. Grizzly Smith

He wrestled between the 50s and 70s and was father to including Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Rockin' Robin, and Sam Houston. Despite Jake being the most famous no one knew he was part of a wrestling family.

His siblings were estranged to each other as they lived separately for part of their childhood where Jake had to live with his grandfather then abusive husband.

Jake was sexually assaulted by his stepmother when he told his father she abused him. He found out Grizzly had been doing the same to his sister Robin from the time she was 8.

Robin revealed her mom left with her when she told her of the situation. Grizzly's fifth child was married and had a child by the time she was 18 then she was kidnapped and her husband was convinced although no body was found.

Robin believed that her father may have some involvement in the death of her sister. One time, he showed up at her house with a 9 year old girl and discovered Grizzly had been treating her the same way as her.

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New Channel Alert (Rumoured): Media24 To Launch Second Afrikaans Channel On DStv

Media24 is Africa's largest publisher, printer, and distributor of magazines and related products, as well its largest newspaper publisher. In charge of online publications like News24 and newspapers like Daily Sun and City Press.

Media24 partnership with MultiChoice first began in 2015 with the launch of VIA an Afrikaans lifestyle channel and it wasn't long till the concept would expand to the rest of Africa with the launch of HONEY.

 

Now Media24 became not only Africa's largest publishing company but entertainment brand for its selection of original programmes – from food shows to true-life dramas and nail-biting reality shows.

After nearly a decade, MultiChoice awarded VIA with a second TV channel. Just like Moja 9.9., the brand will repeat content consumers on the family package would have come across on VIA such as Huisgenoot, Minki, Koskuns Met Lientjie Wilhelmela and Musiekpaniek.

Details on the rollout haven't been confirmed if I had to guess it will either rollout by the end of the month or sometime in May. Just like Moja 9.9., it will likely be made available to Access customers on channel 151 as VIA to fliekNET/Woordfees occupy 147-150.

 

This news comes after eMedia Investments also rolls out an Afrikaans channel to the Openview platform, ePlesier home to Turkish dramas seen on eMedia's linear and OTT platforms.

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New Series Alert: Family Secrets Makes Their Free-To-Air Debut On SABC 3

Earlier in the year, it was reported that SABC 2 will rebroadcast Zee TV's Saloni and East Meets West in the coming future after a decade of no Bollywood. It seems like SABC 3 will be joining the Bollywood spectacle.

Apparently, the public broadcaster picked up rights to the 2017 drama Rishton Ka Chakravyuh (Labrinth Of Relationships) which is also known on Star Life as Family Secrets.

 

Based on the story of Lai Bhaari, Family Secrets revolves around a mother, authoritative royal businesswoman Satrupa, and her 17-year-old free-spirited, confident daughter Anami. The show depicts the life of a royal, industrialist family that resides in Laal Mahal, the house of conspiracies.

The show stars Narayani Shastri, Sangita Ghosh, Mahima Makwana, Ankit Siwach and Ajay Chaudhary.

 

Family Secrets is scheduled to air every weekday at 19:00 on SABC 3 from Monday 18 April. In other developments, Zee One is scheduled to air the African adaptation of the Indian drama, Mehek.

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eToonz Now Caters To Teens With This Slate Of Live-Action Series

After almost 2 years, eMedia Investments gives eToonz some fresh content once seen as another Rewind in their portfolio burst out of that bubble with a dedicated live-action slot accompanying the already available Power Rangers.

The slate of programming that was recently added to the channel includes the preschool series In The Night Garden from CBeebies. Accompanied by some other kids programming mostly Canadian by the brands WildBrainTV and CBBC.

Here's some details on the new content for the channel:

Preschool

- In The Night Garden - the programme features a large cast of colourful characters with unusual names who live in a magical forest scattered with large daisies and brightly coloured pompom flowers. The characters mostly speak short and repetitive phrases and each one has their own special song and dance. The garden is a sunny and colourful environment and the music is jaunty and music box-like.

 

Kids

- Backstage - The trials and tribulations of the students at Keaton School of the Arts, which includes dancers, singers, musicians, and artists. The characters frequently break the fourth wall, talking to the viewers in so-called "confessionals.
- Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever - Hank Zipzer is a young boy who is dyslexic. He lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family, and attends P.S. 87 at Amsterdam Avenue and W 78th Street. His best friends are Frankie Townsend and Ashley Wong.
- Make It Savvy - A kids magazine series out of Canada hosted by Annie LeBlanc from the Bratayley YouTube channel and have segments on music, fashion, and DIY, as well as lifestyle elements, and celebrity profiles and interviews.
 

- Bajillionaires - Is a hilarious live-action kids’ comedy that follows the exploits of a group of fledgling entrepreneurs running a tech start-up out of one of their parents’ garages. Led by 12-year-old CEO Max Graham, the neighbourhood pals are constantly brainstorming ideas for the world’s next great invention, and while most of their creations are hilariously bad, totally weird and wildly impractical, the kids are always learning something new, becoming better friends and getting one step closer to their BIG idea.
- Make It Pop: Summer Splash - Follows Sun Hi, Jodi, and Corki around Mackendrick Prep, a boarding school, who form a high school K-pop-inspired band called XO-IQ, with the help of Caleb, and find music, mischief, love, and friendship.

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World War II Is Back On History Africa As The Channel Explores One Of The Most Political Crisis In History - May 2022 Highlights

WORLD WAR II
Sundays from 20:15
Every Sunday in May and June the HISTORY Channel Africa will deep dive into World War II. Involving most of the world’s countries, World War II was one of the great watersheds of 20th-century geopolitical history. From uncovering Secret Nazi Expeditions to the Story of the Spitfire and in-depth features on Dunkirk and the D-Day landings, the HISTORY Channel Africa investigates every angle of the biggest and deadliest war in history.

Brand New & Exclusive
SECRET NAZI EXPEDITION
1 May
Sundays 20h15
During their rise to power and throughout World War II, Adolf Hitler and SS leader Heinrich Himmler led a secret team of elite scholars and archaeologists known as the “Ahnenerbe”. It was their covert mission to rewrite history and establish the superiority of the Aryan race, a belief that dominated Nazi ideology.

 

Brand New & Exclusive
STRANGEST THINGS S1
20 May
Fridays 19h25
Strangest Things explores the stories surrounding some of the most unusual and interesting objects ever found or created. From the most distant man-made object in the universe to a 10,000-year-old shaman’s headdress, each show will feature three riveting objects and their stories. Using the latest scientific research, photographs, declassified files and expert test mony – combined with a unique visual style – we explore the strangest objects on Earth to reveal the true stories of what they really are.

Brand New & Exclusive
THE ENGINEERING THAT BUILT THE WORLD
24 May
Tuesdays 20h15
As the latest instillation of the HISTORY Channel’s popular “That Built” franchise, The Engineering that Built the World sheds light on the iconic structures and engineering feats that have shaped and defi ned our world. From the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Panama Canal, Transcontinental Railroad, Statue of Liberty and beyond, this series tells the stories of the brilliant visionaries behind the most epic builds of the past two centuries. Up against insurmountable challenges, these are the unknown tales of rivalries, egos, backdoor politics and the brilliant engineering innovations that made the future possible.

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Rumoured: eMedia Investments Reportedly Entered Talks With StarSat


eMedia Investments is taking MultiChoice to the Competition Tribunal in regard to their agreement for the 4 channels currently seen on DStv. The brand demands for more money and obviously MultiChoice refused which led to the axing of their channels from the brand by June.

In an interview, eMedia Investments was asked about their future on pay-tv or whether their channels will remain exclusive on the Openview platform and they had this to say:

Our strategy is that our channels are free-to-air channels and should be available wherever people access channels.

Not long ago, several consumers approached StarSat on the possibility of adding more e.tv channels to the platform and responded with a cryptic message:

We are working on it.

 

Although that doesn't say much, it does bring joy to the dismissal portfolio.

In 2014, the pay-tv platform negotiated with eMedia Investments of the once available eAfrica+ alongside eMovies+ (now eMovies) and eKasi+ (now eExtra) before plans fell through and a year later they were only fortunate to get eKasi+ onboard.

Fast forward to 2022, the pay-tv platform lost a lot of premium channels such as FOX, Fine Living, The Smithsonian Channel, Discovery Family, SA Music, St Eyethu and several other channels with failure to source out alternative channels.

eMedia Investments bundle of channels could fill up the gap for some of these areas.

 

eToonz could make up for the loss of DreamWorks which is now on DStv, although no movie channels were harmed on the platform eMovies could bolster the movie offering either way I don't see the sense in having that on StarSat unlike eReality which could make up for the portion of Discovery channels removed on the platform.

In other regions, it appears that the brand is just sourcing some regional stations to make up for the losses and the idea of StarSat bundling more channels from the platform doesn't seem far fetched at this point.

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What To Expect On Openview's Brand New Turkish Channel, ePlesier?

In 2018, eMedia Investments launched the 2 hour Afrikaans block on eExtra and since then the brand has been available on multiple outlets including e.tv, eMovies and eVOD.

After almost 4 years, the brand will be getting a dedicated channel that won't serve as a competitor but compliment the existing offering seen on other brands such as the 3 mentioned above.

Although not much details have been shared regarding the format or rollout of the channel. ePlesier has enough content to be a 24 hour channel but again that's entirely up to eMedia Investments.

 

The last 24 hour channel was eMovies Extra which came out in 2016 on Openview. Thereafter further channels on eMedia complimented eToonz with its open time being 6AM.

I have no doubt in my mind that the channel will be a success for Openview customers but some would expect local content from an Afrikaans channel but hey this format of dubbing shows is not new to anyone.

If you visit Germany, you'll find several international content dubbed in local languages. Even in Africa regions like Ethiopia all house channels like ePlesier. Back when the content was still in English, the volume was on silent until they were folded under Kuiertyd that's where the figures started skyrocketing so hats off to ePlesier.

Through some ads online, a list of shows were mentioned for the channel of course there's chances some will only be added later and they go as follows:

 

From e.tv
- Deur Dik En Dun - Based on Dr. Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu’s book "Hayata Dön" (Return to Life), the dei follows Faruk the owner of a bus company and the leader of a powerful family in Bursa which is a metro-pol in Turkey. Faruk meets a violinist girl and falls in love with her. But the dominant mother of Faruk isn't happy with her son's relationship. The series starred Özcan Denizz, Aslı Enver and İpek Bilgin.

From eExtra
- Gebroke Harte - Follows the lives of two women from different social backgrounds intertwine after their newborn babies are accidentally switched at the hospital. The series starred Erkan Petekkaya, Nurgül Yeșilçay and Ebru Özkan Saban.
- Bittersoet - Two separate worlds, both close and distant to each other, lie in a seaside neighbourhood of Istanbul. Two young people from these separate worlds fall in love. The series starred Burak Özçivit, Neslihan Atagül and Kaan Urgancıoğlu.
- Die Wiel Draai - Follows the adventure of a mother who has to deal with her husband who betrayed her, after having another identity and face. The series starred Dilsad Çelebi, Ipek Erdem Cansel Elcin, Tardu Flordun and several others.
 

- Stiletto Vendetta - As teenagers, Arzu, Merve and Pelin played a cruel prank on their over-achieving best friend Oya, leaving her shamed, devastated and suicidal. Over the years the three remained close but didn’t hear again from Oya, never daring to make contact, fearing the worst - that they had driven her to take her own life. When fate brings the foursome back together, Oya is determined to get close to the women who threatened to ruin her life, and seek her final revenge. The series starred Gökçe Bahadır, Aslı Gürbüz, Bade İşçil, Tülin Özen, Mert Fırat and many others.
- As Die Skoen Pas - Defne, a poor girl living with her grand mother, brother and sister is tangled in a deal to make the famous business man, Omer fall in love with her and marry her before it's too late. The series starred Barış Arduç, Elçin Sangu, Salih Bademci, Sinem Öztürk , Nergis Kumbasar , and Levent Ülgen.

From eVOD
- Voëlvry - Rifat Bilgin and Yusuf Cebeci are police officers and partners whose families are inseparable. Their children Kuzgun Cebeci and Dila Bilgin are childhood sweethearts who also grew up together because of the close-knit nature of both families. Unfortunately, Sultan, Dila's mother is sick with cancer, and Rifat is unable to get the necessary drugs. During a sting operation, Yusuf and Rifat uncover a cartel's drug consignment. They offer bribes. Yusuf refuses but Rifat succumbs to temptation, selling Yusuf out and aiding in setting him up by planting drugs in his home which the police find and arrest him. The series starred Barış Arduç and Burcu Biricik

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Roundups #37: 7 Colours Renewed For Season 2 + Premiere Date On HONEY, MultiChoice Launching Woordfees Pop-Up Channel For A Second Time And Adds Kwibuka 28 For Only 7 Days

7 Colours continues on HONEY

HONEY, Africa's first and only reality lifestyle channel home to locally produced content has just renewed the cooking show 7 Colours for a second season currently scheduled for May 19th at 16:30 CAT.

7 Colours is a loved South African meal. Most families pride themselves in being able to prepare the best version of this meal. In this show, the to put that theory to the test. Three teams will go head-to-head to cook the perfect 7 colours plate, they will also host each other in their homes. The teams judge each other and the ones with the most points take the prize.

Other continuing shows include Battle of the Ankara Season 1, Sangoma, Khanyisa! Season 1, My Horror Love Story Season 1, My Big Bozza Cook-off Season 1, Hair to the Throne Season 1, My Kenyan Plate Season 1, Will He Say Yes? Zambia Season 1, The Ten Season 4, Ehe! It’s A Match: Nigeria Season 1 and Wawu, That’s My Dress: Kenya Season 3.

 

Woordfees is back by popular demand

MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch Woordfees will once again run the Woordfees TV arts festival pop-up channel on DStv in July 2022 for a second time, after starting it in 2021.

In October 2021, MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch-based Woordfees festival decided to work together to run South Africa's first-ever arts festival channel, Woordfees TV on DStv channel 150, with the pop-up channel's run that was extended for a further 3 days due to feedback from the public and DStv subscribers.

For South Africa's winter school holiday, MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch Woordfees are planning to run the Woordfees TV pop-up channel again from 1 July, again on DStv channel 150. DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and Family subscribers will have access to the Woordfees TV pop channel on DStv from July 2022.

Kwibuka 28 is now available on DStv

DStv Premium, Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access customers are in for a treat this April, as DStv Launches a brand-new pop-up channel Kwibuka 28. This inspirational and informative channel is set to launch on Thursday, 7 April to Wednesday, 13 April 2022.

 

Kwibuka 28 is a special commemoration Pop-Up Channel that highlights the impact of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and the subsequent process of reconciliation and healing. During this 28th Commemoration, the channel will broadcast a series of exclusive LIVE events and talks-shows, with a daily Kids block, inspiring testimonials, as well as curated youth programming and special reports.

The channel will spotlight Rwanda’s resolute spirit to Remember-Unite-Renew. With programming running for 24 hours a day, the channel will be available on DStv and customers can look forward to programming such as:
• Kids: Junior React – a show where the younger generation share their perspective of the impact of the Genocide and give a view of their aspirations for a united, renewed Rwanda
• The Then and Now (LIVE) Talkshow – hosted by Eric Utuje, this is a platform for guests to discuss a variety of informative social, economic and political topics related to the Genocide
• Features: Testimonies – a show where survivors share their inspirational stories of healing, reconciliation, courage and hope
• The LinkUp 28: Blend of talk, music, and interactive segments with Rwanda superstars as special guests who will share their views and perspectives on Genocide curated daily topics.

DStv is always looking for ways to better customer viewing experience, giving them great value, choice and some of the best local and international shows. It is with this in mind that the platform offers great new channels, Pop-Ups and Studio stunts sure to keep viewers glued to their TV screen.

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