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Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Cartoonito Is Coming!!! As Boomerang Is Set To Close Down In Central Eastern Europe By March 2023

Cartoonito is a brand name Warner Bros. Discovery gives to Cartoon Network's preschool offering since it's rollout in 2020. It has been well established in Europe and since then several original shows have been produced.

Notable shows include Batwheels, Bugs Bunny Builders, Little Ellen (scrapped) and upcoming shows like Tom And Jerry Time, Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups and Jessica's Big Little World.

As seen in various markets, Cartoonito operates as a linear channel and comes with programming blocks on Cartoon Network and Boomerang part of which has started gaining traction after news of another Boomerang closure came in.

Insidus Games:
Tom And Jerry: Infurnal Escape
Tom And Jerry: The Magic Ring
The Wild Thornberrys Movie
The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp Chase

Two years after Cartoonito rollout in Latin America, sources revealed that Boomerang in Central Eastern Europe will also be rebranding the channel to Cartoonito in March since then several shows such as Looney Tunes Cartoons had exited the schedule.

Of course, Boomerang in most EMEA regions had become a preschool hub even before Cartoonito with shows like Grizzy And The Lemmings, Masha And The Bear, Pat The Dog and in some shocking news Mr. Bean so it's possible that the feeds could remain for the time being.

Take one factor to account, the channel is out of content as their remaining shows such as Looney Tunes Cartoons and Tom And Jerry In New York have already been shelved while as Legend Of Spark and The Adventures Of Little Penguin are technically preschool.

Regular Nick:
CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

If anything, I'd expect more Boomerang channels to follow or at least ones identical to the EMEA feeds as we got some OGs that have yet to air not that we're behind on anything but it would make sense for the rebrand to happen once they launch.

I'd love to see Warner Bros. Discovery create a lot of hype and save up content for the Cartoonito channel but from the looks of the feed in EMEA even CEE you got to wonder how much content is being saved up ahead of its launch or not being used as a pawn.

SABC Parliament Has Been Scrapped For Upcoming DTT Channel, Might Be Added Onto Openview And DStv

During the week, the public broadcaster unveiled a promo where several of their anchors announced the launch of an influential news channel which will serve as a complimentary to SABC News covering Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa basically all 12 indigenous languages.

The channel is said to not offer English news bulletins or at least from what other places are showing as they're leaving that to the current SABC News channel carried exclusively onto MultiChoice's DStv and also available on their DTT platform.

As discussed, no name had been shared for the channel as it gears up for an early 2023 release on DTT platforms.

SABC:
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

From what several consumers have shared SABC Parliament, a brand which formed part of the public broadcaster failed DTT plans have been shelved or restructured better yet to cater for this new channel with shows like Fokus, Leitlho La Schaba and Ngula La Vuthi.

All of this are basically repeats from SABC 1-3 and News and also summarised my theory for this new channel just another OpenNews which might as well have more success than eMedia's failed News And Sport channel.

SABC:
- Could SABC Encore revival be scrapped?
- A former SABC channel was added onto Openview
- SABC Movies' dream journal
- SABC Education not launching on Openview

Taking the content to account, it's possible that this might be one of the two entertainment channels eMedia Investments failed to launch in 2021 and also one of the three yet to be launched channels on DStv to replace eMedia's 4 channels.

The public broadcaster is behind on launching new channels but the details about this upcoming channel matches the description promised to Openview consumers about the two channels in 2021: it would carry a lot of existing and archived material.

With SABC Parliament scrapped, you've got to wonder what's become of the SABC Encore revival and SABC Children. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if these suffered the chop as well but the channels were just clear speculation.

New Series Alert: A Woman Of Steel Coming Soon To TLNovelas Africa

Not to be mistaken with competitor Telemundo's 2015 series Woman Of Steel, the Mexican based brand TLNovelas offering dramas that contain romance, drama, comedy and other socio-economic situations will be introducing a new series, A Woman Of Steel (Soy Tu dueña).

Valentina's life is turned upside-down after her fiancé Alonso leaves her at the altar. She becomes a different woman and her new attitude sends her to the family's hacienda, where she governs with a firm hand and soon this protagonist becomes the town's villain.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses S3 coming soon to Telemundo
- Fearless Heart coming soon to Telemundo
Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?

Based on the 1995 telenovela La Dueña, it stars Lucero and Fernando Colunga as the protagonists with Eduardo Capetillo as the co-protagonist, while Gabriela Spanic, David Zepeda, Sergio Goyri, and Jacqueline Andere stars as the antagonists.

In December 2022, TLNovelas unveiled another series The Heartless starring Livia Brito and José Ron is scheduled for to be released later in the month in place of Giving Up My Life so A Woman Of Steel will likely take up Overcoming Heartbreak in February.

DStv Flex:
What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
What to expect this January on Qwest TV?

Friday, December 30, 2022

Boomerang Vs. Cartoonito: Warner Bros. Discovery's Attempt At Reinventing A Family Friendly Platform

Cartoonito was relaunched on Boomerang in April with shows like Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go!, Lucas The Spider and CoComelon with plans to add at least 50 preschool titles in the near future or at least before the recent cutbacks come into effect following the merger.

One thing I believe will happen is the 50 titles but what seems far-off would be the duration. As it is, Cartoon Network's (including Cartoonito) ratings continue to plummet overseas but the brand has seen success in other countries.

But the one brand I see Warner Bros. Discovery doesn't take to account is Boomerang. As it is, the channel appears to be autopilot relying on the few programs it acquired or aired during the year including Looney Tunes Cartoons, Ninja Express and Mr. Bean.

Insidus Games:
- Tom And Jerry: Infurnal Escape
- Tom And Jerry: The Magic Ring
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie
- The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp Chase

All in all it appears that all the attention once given to Boomerang is being reverted to Cartoonito as they've got a lineup of existing preschool shows like Masha And The Bear, Legends Of Spark and Grizzy And The Lemmings.

Boomerang has been considered a family channel for nearly a decade now that Warner Bros. Discovery wants to put that focus on Cartoon Network. It kind of makes sense for the channel to adopt a new identity and for that I'm referring to their preschool brand, Cartoonito.

Cartoonito exists as a mere block on the channel and there hasn't been a lot of new content that doesn't mean it's not impossible to convert Boomerang. As mentioned, they've already got a set of existing content that fit the preschool brand current offering internationally.

Regular Nick:
CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

On top of that there is the matter of upcoming productions such as Interstellar Ella, Batwheels and True And Rainbow Kingdom all of which being preschool were registered for Boomerang.

Although, I have yet to see them rebrand the channel there hasn't been any new content that caters to the demographic of Zig & Sharko, Looney Tunes Cartoons or Ninja Express likely having to do with the recent Redraw Your World taking to effect on Cartoon Network.

Prediction: From CBS Justice And Nicktoons Untimely Demise On The DStv Platform To The Launch Of Openview Ultra, Here's What We Anticipate For 2023

A prediction is a statement of what you think will happen in future.

Regular Nick:
- Boomerang rebrands into Cartoonito by the fall of 2023 with shows like Zig & Sharko and Looney Tunes phased out of the lineup.
- Nicktoons goes off air partially due to the launch of Paramount+ with further content on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.
- The Ethiopian feed of Nick Jr. is discontinued.
- Cartoon Network launches a new preschool block daily at 5am.
- SABC launches a brand new kids channel: SABC Children.
- Da Vinci app and BBC Kids both launch on the Explora Ultra.
- eToonz introduces an educational block.

Superhero:
- MultiChoice rolls out two AddSports feature similar to AddMovies both of which are priced at R499p/m and offer SuperSport Grandstand.
- SuperSport Variety 4 made available to Easyview customers while Access customers get SuperSport Football.

YouTube Premium:
- Paramount+ launches in the first quarter of 2023 and is also available on the Explora Ultra.
- VIU, another international streaming service goes off air.
- Jou Afrikaans another streaming service scrapped and acquired by MultiChoice and Media24.
- Disney+ and Netflix launch a freemium version of their streaming service.
- On top of a free alternative, streaming services give viewers the option of which section they'd rather not watch.

Warner Bros. Discovery:
- Expectations on the merger between HBO Max and Discovery+
- Max: Possible name for merged Discovery+ and HBO Max streaming service
- Boomerang continues to boost its preschool offering in CEE
- Inside Warner Bros. Discovery's EMEA kids content strategy

SABC:
- After 2 years, SABC FINALLY unveils the new channels most of the public forgot about: SABC Encore and SABC Children.
- SABC managed to launch SABC Parliament and SABC Sport 2 both of which are exclusive to SABC+ and their DTT platform. Expect more of this.
- SABC Education reviews their international offering to also include international content.
- SABC to charge MultiChoice's DStv and eMedia Investments' Openview TV licence.
- SABC forces other streaming services to supply their content.

Everyday Novelas:
- TLNovelas undergoes another schedule adjustment in order to increase the amount of content aired on primetime.
- Telemundo introduces another variety/reality show alongside two short series basically a block of some sorts.
- Glow TV becomes a digital exclusive platform.
- Zee TV alongside it's set of channels unveil a new look possible name change due to that pending merger between Culver Max Entertainment and Zee Entertainment Enterprises.

Openview:
- Openview Ultra a trial version to the upcoming pay-tv tier Openview+ launches in the first quarter of 2023 with two channels: BBC UKTV and an untitled news channel.
- Glow TV and SA Music cease to exist.
- New channels part of which for Openview+ range from factual entertainment, sports, news and doccies.
- eReality offers 24 hour entertainment.
- Openview launches somewhat of a catch-up section on their platform to paying consumers with certain titles free.

The Walt Disney Company:
- Star Channel to replace remaining feeds of defunct brand FOX
- Disney unveils new series Kiff
- FOX Turkey rumoured to close down by 2023
- DStv Streama now offers Disney+

Google:
- Mickey Mouse horror flick is in development
- From Dusk Till Dawn and Beverly Hills Ninja both recieve movie reboots.
- A+E Networks is acquired by Warner Bros. Discovery with Lifetime turning to more fictional content and History becoming Discovery History.
- Alvin And The Chipmunks is acquired by Moonbug Entertainment (Candle Media).

StarSat:
- Toonami is the next kids channel to exit the platform.
- National Geographic, Baby TV and ESPN go off air on the platform all of which are owned by The Walt Disney Company.
- New channels include BBC UKTV, DocuBox and People's Weather.

DStv:
- eExtra and eToonz remain on the DStv platform while eMovies and eMovies Extra go off air.
- CBS Justice and CBS Reality merge to form RealityXtra or at least what we're hoping for.
- TNT rebrands into Warner TV, not much change at this point except for the name.
- Discovery Family, Travel Channel and Real Time kick the bucket and are replaced with Discovery Max.
- Other terminations include Ginx TV, People's Weather, Tshwane TV, Boomerang, Channel O, MTV Base.
- New channels consists from newer brands while some like BBC UKTV come from existing suppliers genres range from lifestyle, news, kids and general entertainment.

Roundups #125: Avatar To Return With New Animated Series On Nickelodeon, Eternal Love Rebroadcast Coming Soon To Star Life And SABC Plans To Launch Indigenous News Channel In 2023

Third Avatar instalment in the works at Paramount

Get ready to show off your element-bending skills as Paramount+ is brewing a new Avatar animated series. The show is slated for a 2025 release and will feature an ‘earth Avatar’ after Aang and Korra. There is also a report that an animated movie will arrive in theaters after the series comes out and will have the same Avatar as the show.

Avatar Studios is building its own universe now, and with many projects booked and planned ahead, there is going to be no shortage of Avatar content for fans. An adult Aang movie is reportedly coming to theaters on October 10, 2025, as well as the much-anticipated on-demand series. Both will be released in the same year – a major launch for the studio.

The movie will be Avatar Studios’ first-ever project, hence this implies that it will come before the animated series, followed by the animated movie. Fans should also not forget that there is a live-action young Aang series coming in 2023.

Regular Nick:
CBeebies picks up second season to Tish And Tash
Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

Eternal Love is back by popular demand on Star Life

Eternal Love revolves around the lives of Dr. Rohit Sippy and Sonakshi Rastogi, two completely different individuals belonging to completely different worlds unaware of the fact that their worlds, though poles apart, are meant to collide.

It is an Indian romantic drama television series that aired from 17 June 2019 to 14 March 2020 on StarPlus. Produced by Sandiip Sikcand under SOL Productions, it starred Karan Grover and Dipika Kakar as lead actors.

The series aired on the channel in 2021 and makes a comeback as part of The Best Of Star Life from January 9 replacing Forbidden Love.

Everyday Novelas:
Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World

Second SABC News channel reportedly in development

SABC News has been exclusive to DTT and MultiChoice's DStv platform giving viewers insights on what's happening in South Africa and across the world. Despite having a bit of rivalry with eNCA remains as another valuable brand to the market.

As seen within their bulletins, it was revealed that the public broadcaster wants to launch its 7th TV channel by next year probably before March which serves as an expansion to the current SABC News Channel offering multilingual content and a possible replacement to SABC Parliament.

Of course, the public broadcaster fails to mention where they'll get the necessary funds to go on such a venture. My guess is the channel will serve as one of the upcoming channels for Openview (Openview Ultra, grain of salt) and DStv.

My guess seeing as this channel may not be tied down like the SABC News Channel is that it will be crawling with repeats from SABC 1-3 possibly dubbed and offer primetime news for about 2 hours.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

List: 2023 In Terms Of Animation

Netflix:

Make My Day
Tomb Raider
Onmyōji
Untitled Asterix Animated Series
Boons and Curses
Little Baby Bum: Music Time
Mech Cadets
Princess Power
Akuma-Kun
CoComelon Lane
My Dad the Bounty Hunter
Dew Drop Dairies
Not Quite Narwhal
Exploding Kittens

HBO Max, Cartoon Network and Cartoonito:

Jade Armor
Velma
Bugs Bunny Builders
Batwheels
Clone High
Bea's Block
Goat Girl
Tiny Toons Looniversity
S.M.A.S.H.
Bea's Block
Gremlins: Secrets Of Mogwai
Batman: Caped Crusader
Hurry Hurry Tom And Jerry
Young Love
Scavengers Reign
Tom And Jerry Time
Unlimited Squirrels!
Iyanu: Child Of Wonder
Spookies
My Adventures With Superman
Silly Sundays
The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe
Totally Spies!
Jessica's Big Little World

Insidus Games:
- Tom And Jerry: Infurnal Escape
- Tom And Jerry: The Magic Ring
- Captain America: Sentinel Of Liberty
- The Wild Thornberrys Movie
- The Wild Thornberrys: Chimp Chase

Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Junior:

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
Tiana
Win Or Lose
Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes
Duffy And Friends
Pretty Freekin Scary
Monsters At Work
SuperKitties
Primos
Hamster And Gretel
Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur
Hailey's On It
X-Men '97'
Kiff
Iwájú
Hailey's On It
Pupstruction

Paramount+, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr:

HexVet
Dora The Explorer
Bossy Bear
Two South Park Films
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Max & the Midknights
Rubble & Crew
Hamsterdale
Zokie Sparkleby

Insidus Games:
Johnny Bravo: Big Babe Adventure
Lego Star Wars
Trace On
The Lion King
Garfield 2: Royal Adventure
Legend Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

CBeebies, BBC Kids, CBBC and BritBox:

Dentist
Ginger and the Vegesaurs
Lellobee City Farm
Vida the Vet

PBS Kids:

Work It Out Wombats!
Mashopolis
Alma's Way
Rosie's Rules

Others including DreamWorks, Peacock and eToonz:

Calliou
Krapopolis
Lil' Stompers
Lego Monkie Kid
Grimsburg
Koala Man
Team Mekbots Animal Rescue
Abominable and the Invisible City
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight
The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib
Pinecone & Pony
Team Zenko Go
DreamWorks Dragons: The Nine Realms
The Croods: Family Tree
She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power
Doug Unplugs
Trollstopia
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Wizards: Tales of Arcadia

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

10 Turkish Shows eMedia Investments' Kuiertyd, SPI International's Timeless Dizi Channel And M-Net's kykNET & Kie Should Acquire For The Year 2023

In 2018, Kuiertyd launched in South Africa offering a variety of telenovelas which have proven to be favourable for viewers. Four years later, kykNET ramps up a competitive offering for the consumers resulting in double the drama.

Stuck in the middle of this battle is Timeless Dizi Channel owned by SPI International which is a company of Canal+ which has minority stake on MultiChoice.

Heard from sources about 1 or 3 new series coming to South Africa through these brands and instead of divulging further onto those shows I thought of looking at similar shows part of which I've managed to browse.

Based on my recommendations don't be surprised if some of this content pop-up on either one of them. In a random order, we present the 10 Turkish shows eMedia Investments' Kuiertyd, SPI International's Timeless Dizi Channel and M-Net's kykNET should acquire in 2023.

1. Dolunay (Full Moon)

Picked up by StarTimes during the year, the series follows Nazli Pinar a young culinary student who is hired as Ferit's private chef and must deal with his specific rules for preparing his meals. The two initially clash and form a beautiful friendship.  The series stars Can Yaman and Özge Gürel.

Openview Plus:
uMbali season 2 coming soon to eVOD
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
Soete Wraak coming soon to eExtra
A look at former NBC soap, Passions
Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra

2. Afili Asle (Stellar Love)

Slanderous accusations force Ayse to marry Kerem, a well-known, rich, handsome playboy. Caglar Ertugrul and Burcu Özberk take up the leading roles.

3. Her Yerde Sen (You Are Everywhere)

Demir and Selin stubbornly claim the same house and are forced to live together. The company will become inevitable when someone comes to the company he works for and the other as manager. The series stars Furkan Andic, Aybüke Pusat, Ali Yagci and Aslihan Malbora.

4. Hayat Sarkisi (Song Of Life)

Hulia, a poor girl who pretends to be strong, aims to make enough money to help her sibling pursue her studies and lead a decent life despite all the challenges they face. The series stars Burcu Biricik, Birkan Sokullu, Tayanç Ayaydin and Ecem Özkaya.

5. Fatih Harbiye (In Between)

The main character is a girl who lives in the suburbs of Istanbul. All her thoughts together about how to get out of poverty and miserable life and enter the socialite. Girl walking confidently towards the realization of its objectives, although a man of her class who loves her madly. The series stars Kadir Dogulu and Neslihan Atagül in the leading roles.

6. Fazilet Hanim ve Kizlari (Mrs. Fazilet And Her Daughters)

The story of Fazilet, mother of two Hazan and Ece, eager to gain money, using her younger daughter, Ece,modeling skills. While Hazan pursues a sport coach life, far from her mother ambitions and falls in love with a rich spoiled man. The series stars Nazan Kesal, Deniz Baysal and Caglar Ertugrul.

DStv Flex:
What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
What to expect this January on Qwest TV?
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
What to expect this January on TNT?

7. Hercai (Folklore)

In the center of the story is the fate of a young man named Miran, whose parents died through the fault of a man who became his mortal enemy. In order to avenge their death, Miran decides on classic revenge: he seduces Reyyan to destroy the girl, thereby depriving his enemy of the only creature dear to him; his daughter. The series stars Akin Akinözü, Ebru Sahin, Ayda Aksel and Macit Sonkan.
 
8. Yeni Hayat (A New Life)

Adam is an ex-special forces solider who is hired to work as a bodyguard for Yasmine, Timur's wife. Serkan Çayoglu and Melisa Pamuk take up the lead roles.

9. Söz (The Oath)

Yavuz, a well-trained Turkish soldier, is in Istanbul with his fiance where a terrorist operation takes place. Bahar, who is not a surgeon, tries to save his fiance. After this incident, Yavuz goes back to Karabayir and Bahar follows him all the way to give him something that belongs to him. The series stars Tolga Saritas, Meric Aral and Nihat Altinkaya.

10. Ariza

Ali Riza is a taxi driver preparing to marry his sister Nihan off to his dear friend; Halide Gurkan attends Fuat Ersoylu's magnificent party given on the occasion of his father's birthday and during the party Fuat's son Burak proposes to Halide, who refuses, then leaves the party and gets into Ali Riza's taxi. The series stars Tolga Saritas, Ayça Aysin Turan, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan and Olgun Toker.

Just Like That, Fearless Heart Enters 2023 With A Bang On Telemundo Africa

Telemundo an international channel owned by NBCUniversal which is home to various Spanish telenovelas all of which have been fully dubbed in English will be welcoming it's first popular demand of 2023 and to no one's surprise it's Fearless Heart.

Fearless Heart (Corazon Valiente) follows childhood friends Ángela and Samantha who were separated by fate for years reunite and become bodyguards for those who need protection. It's one of the longest projects Telemundo's produced in the previous decade outside super series.

Everyday Novelas:
Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World
Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv

Adriana Fonseca and Ximena Duque are the leads alongside José Luis Reséndez and Fabián Ríos, with Aylin Mujica and Manuel Landeta starred as the main antagonists.

My Perfect Family (Mi Perfecta Familia) is set to come to a close by January and Fearless Heart will launch in its place and remain like that for about 4-6 months and isn't like before where it consumed the whole year's schedule.

Fearless Heart rebroadcast joins other reruns available on the channel including Lord Of The Skies and The Way To Paradise.

Nurses will also have a season finale within the next month with season 3 onboard only by February as the channel remains silent on the program occupying the timeslot of the medical drama.

DStv Flex:
What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
What to expect this January on Qwest TV?
Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
What to expect this January on TNT?