News Shorts: Akili And Me Expands To More African Households With Play Room, StarTimes Novela E Plus Acquired Rights To The Mexican Drama Rubi III And People's Weather To Rollout A Brand New Wildlife Documentary Monkey Rehabilitation

Akili And Me is getting more love

A few months ago, Ngwato Nkosi Group announced the addition of Play Room which features fun and educational content for children with a mixture of live-action and popular animated series such as the Tanzanian based series Akili And Me dubbed in Zulu.

Akili And Me follows a curious 4-year-old who lives with her family at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. She has a secret: every night when she falls asleep, she enters the magical world of Lala Land, where she and her animal friends learn and play games.

The series promotes numeracy, literacy and social skills toward preschoolers. Following its rollout on Play Room, Akili And Me has been picked up by numerous broadcasters including Akili Kids, The Africa Channel, Arewa 24, DBE TV, KTN, One Africa TV and MBC TV.

Rubi is coming to StarTimes

Based on the 2004 Mexican telenovela of the same name, the story revolves around a young journalist named Carla who convinces the titular character, a mysterious woman who lives in a dark mansion, to tell the story of her life and why she isolated herself from the outside world out of free will.

It starred Camila Sodi as the title character alongside other stars like Jose Ron, Rodrigo Guirao and Kimberley Dos Ramos.

The series received both positive and negative

reviews from the audience. Sodi's performance was compared to that of Bárbara Mori's from the 2004 adaptation. Luckily, the series managed to obtain good ratings during its run on Univision.

Rubi airs weekdays on Novelas E Plus from October 9 at 21:30.

Monkey Rehabilitation is now on People's Weather

Monkey Helpline, a compassionate haven dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of our primate friends. With a deep-rooted commitment to wildlife welfare, we strive to safeguard the lives and habitats of monkeys, offering them a second chance at a life filled with love and freedom.

It commences on October 2.

Why eXposed Was Silently Rebranded To eSeries On Openview?

eXposed (now eSeries) is a free-to-air TV channel operated by eMedia Investments that launched in 2022 offering a variety of international content from dramas like Hudson & Rex, The Walking Dead and House Of Cards to reality like Dark Side Of The Ring and F**k That's Delicious.

The channel was launched in place of Rewind and was also used to supplement or package the international lineup formerly viewed on e.tv as the brand looks to boost their local and streaming endeavours.

It is basically a mashup/competitor of several DStv channels particularly premium brands like M-Net, 1Magic, Universal and Comedy Central while as supplying content from tvN, Vice TV and Lifetime.

During the month, eMedia Investments' silently renamed the channel to eSeries after a year on air. In which eMedia had stated would offer a “unmatched, dramatic rollercoaster ride” with international series across multiple genres making top-rated content available on Openview.

Of course, details surrounding the rebrand remains a mystery if one had to guess it probably has to do with the recent change in programming as Bollywood shows formerly seen on eExtra such as Surrender In Love is now on eSeries another is the lack of edgy series.

eXposed was being built up as another M-Net Edge/City which featured a lot of edgier shows like Doom At Your Service, Billions and Why Women Kill. Overtime, that part of the channel probably subsided as there's was not much content to retain that part of the brand.

Henceforth, the switch from eXposed to eSeries.

Development Alert: Wild Kratts Encourages Empathy For Animals During World Animal Month Across Africa On PBS Kids

This World Animal Month, the beloved PBS Kids series "Wild Kratts" is back with Season 4, airing weekdays at 4pm from 2 October on DStv Channel 313. Known for its thrilling blend of science education and adventure, "Wild Kratts" aims to instill empathy for animals in young viewers.

"Wild Kratts" is not your typical wildlife show. With over a decade of live-action animal footage, the Kratt brothers bring the natural world to life, making science and natural history accessible to kids.

Key Empathy Concepts from "Wild Kratts":

Everything has needs: The series teaches that all living creatures share fundamental needs like food, shelter, and care.

Unique needs: Viewers learn that individual needs can differ among living things.

Taking action: "Wild Kratts" encourages children to act on empathy, building confidence and responsibility.

Celebrating World Animal Month with "Wild Kratts":

As World Animal Month unfolds, "Wild Kratts" offers a unique opportunity for families to connect with animals. The Kratt brothers exemplify respect and care for creatures, fostering empathy and connection.

Parents can encourage their children to care for animals at home, in the community, or in nature, leading to higher empathy scores. Even preschoolers can take meaningful responsibilities in pet care.  For families without pets, there are countless ways to support animals in the wild, such as cleaning up local parks, installing bird feeders, or cultivating pollinator-friendly gardens.

Wild Kratts" encourages children to become "creature adventurers, " observing animal life without harming creatures or their habitats.  As "Wild Kratts" returns with new episodes this October, families can embark on thrilling adventures and cultivate empathy for all living creatures, joining in the worldwide celebration of World Animal Month.

Nickelodeon Expands The Universe Of SpongeBob SquarePants With Season 15

Nickelodeon continues to grow its most popular global franchise with the season 15 pickup of number-one animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. The announcement made today by Ramsey Naito, President, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, comes ahead of SpongeBob SquarePants' milestone 25th anniversary next year. SpongeBob SquarePants is produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank.

In season 15 (26 episodes) of SpongeBob SquarePants, incurable optimist SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Squidward will uncover even bigger nautical adventures. The pickup marks 345 total episodes of the series since its July 1999 launch and counting.

All-new episodes continue to debut on Nickelodeon and feature the characters embarking on a range of situations, including SpongeBob thinking he has developed an allergy to Krabby Patties, Plankton learning self-defense from Sandy, Mr. Krabs stepping into the gym and more. Fans can also check out seasons 1 – 12 on Paramount+, the home for SpongeBob SquarePants Universe content.

SpongeBob SquarePants voice cast members include Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton).

Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller are executive producers of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show and Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years. Production is overseen by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Animation for Big Kids, Nickelodeon, and Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series, Animation, Nickelodeon.

The greenlight is part of Nickelodeon's strategy to be the home of the biggest franchises kids and families love, and it expands its growing portfolio of influential properties that already includes SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dora, along with The Smurfs partnership and Transformers and Monster High co-productions.

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 21 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount Global history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 29+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.  The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

Nickelodeon, now in its 44th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. 

Development Alert: Love Conquers & Movie Premieres, Goodbye And Phone Boot Coming Soon To Zee One

Zee One is thrilled to announce the premiere of its brand-new series, "Love Conquers," (Neem Phuler Modhu) starting October 9th, airing daily at 6pm. This emotionally charged drama delves into the profound transformation a young woman undergoes after marriage and the formidable challenges she must conquer.

Starring acclaimed TV actress Pallavi Sharma, Love Conquers promises an enthralling journey filled with love, drama, and intricate family dynamics.

 

Parna, a young woman of marriageable age, faces a pivotal decision when presented with potential suitors by her family. She chooses a dashing young man, Rubel, who falls head over heels in love upon seeing her beauty. However, after their arranged marriage, Parna's life takes an unexpected turn as she navigates the strict rules within her new household.

With unwavering belief in her husband's support, Parna embarks on a mission to overcome every obstacle in her path. Guided by her grandmother's wisdom, she learns that "the first year of married life is like the honey from a Neem flower – you have to taste the sourness first to savor the sweet flavor."

Don't miss the premiere of Love Conquers, exclusively on Zee One.

MOVIE: Goodbye

 

Goodbye, an emotionally charged movie starring legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Neena Gupta, tells the poignant story of a family brought together by tragedy.

Following their mother's unexpected passing, four adult siblings reunite at their father's ancestral home for her funeral. However, as they attempt to come together to carry out her final rites, differing perspectives and long-held grudges threaten to fracture the family forever.

Mark your calendars for the premiere of Goodbye on 8 October at 3pm. Experience the power of love and forgiveness in this heartwarming movie.

MOVIE: Phone Bhoot

 

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping ride with Phone Bhoot a suspenseful thriller starring Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khattar, and Siddhant Chaturvedi.

Stuart Shepard, a publicist, finds his life hanging by a thread when he answers a ringing phone in a Phone Bhoot. The caller delivers a chilling ultimatum; he will be shot the minute he hangs up the phone.

Don't miss the high-stakes drama in Phone Bhoot 22 October at 3 pm. Tune in for a suspense-filled experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In addition to our exciting premieres, Zee One offers a daily dose of entertainment with movies airing at 3pm and 10pm daily.  Stay tuned for a variety of blockbuster films that will keep you entertained day after day.

Recap To The Month: TV5Monde Looking To Grow Their Kids Slate In Africa

French public broadcaster TV5Monde wants to bring its French-language content to African kids in a major way, so it has been opening public-access centers where kids can watch its shows and movies together.

Kids in Africa tend to gather in groups of 20 to 30 to watch TV, but many families across the continent don’t have access to satellite services. So the broadcaster decided to bring its content to more children by creating TV5Monde Houses, outfitted with TVs and computers that kids can use.

The goal of these centers is to connect with kids in their communities, make TV5Monde’s content accessible, and spread the French language in the region, says Patrice Courtaban, the company’s EVP of global growth and business development. At the TV5Monde Houses, kids can watch African shows that TV5Monde acquires and pre-buys, as well as content from partner channels including France Télévisions and Télé Québec.

Since the initiative got underway in 2004, the broadcaster has opened 14 centers in African countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nigeria—each of which is regularly used by dozens of kids. TV5Monde is now plan- ning to expand the program by establishing 10 more centers this year (including a first one in Western Africa) and launching new resources to teach kids about the environment and digital literacy.

Locations are chosen with input from local authorities and financial partners, and the houses are run by teachers and NGO execs.

Beyond just getting in front of kids who otherwise wouldn’t see its content, TV5Monde is eager to reach a growing French-speaking population in Africa. By 2050, more than 80% of the world’s French speakers could live in Africa, says Courtaban, citing data from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, a group that promotes the French language worldwide.

“We can bring kids together around new shows and entertain them, and we believe that’s the best way to learn French,” says Courtaban. “We can also host large outdoor screenings where hundreds of kids can come together. We want more events like this.”

The centers showcase content that has been produced in Africa, such as animated series King Keita (Afrika Toon) and Canadian prodco Avanti Group’s live-actioner Alix and the Wonderful. But they also screen popular international shows such as The Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

TV5Monde’s data shows that on average, 50% of African kids ages four to 14 watch its TiVi5MONDE kids channel every week. New carriage deals are helping to increase awareness for both the channel and its con- tent, but it’s the centers that really connect children to the broadcaster.

“The centers can reach many people at once, and we can also talk to people and connect with kids,” says Courtaban. “We can find out what they want to see, and learn [their interests], while bringing the best kids content to Africa.”

News Shorts: An HD Feed To The Disney Channel Is Rumoured To Be In Development For DStv, Motor Mythbusters Make Their African Debut On Ignition TV And SABC 3 Scoops Up Doccie Series The Elon Musk Show Formerly Seen On M-Net

Disney Channel is going HD

For several years now, MultiChoice has managed to operate a number of premium channels in HD including M-Net, 1Magic, Discovery, TLC, MTV, Comedy Central and Food Network with Disney's bulk being the last to integrate with National Geographic moving over in 2021.

Now Disney Channel looks to join its sister channels and also rival brands Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon as MultiChoice appears to have begun work on an HD feed for the channel meaning Disney Junior will probably be the only Disney branded channel not in HD.

As mentioned, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild were integrated in 2021 while ESPN 1 and ESPN 2 were HD beforehand. Disney Junior not being in HD means that Cartoonito (formerly Boomerang) remains as the only preschool brand on DStv to integrate.

More Motor Trend for Ignition

If you're a major #petrolhead and enjoy the thrill of cracking myths then this show is definitely for you.

Motor Mythbusters follows a joyful search for truth behind popular automotive myths, to try to answer the biggest questions on every car fan's mind.

Be sure to tune in from 1st October at 20:00.

Elon Musk makes his free-to-air debut on SABC 3

The Elon Musk Show gets to the heart of who Elon Musk really is, by interviewing the people that know him best. Family members, employees, close friends and enemies tell the intimate story of Elon Musk’s incredible journey to become the world’s richest man.

Using extensive archive footage taken throughout his life, from South Africa to Silicon Valley, the series analyses the key moments in Elon’s career, from his first tech start-ups through to Tesla and SpaceX.

M-Net and Showmax picked up rights to the BBC docu-series back in December and after almost a year more consumers in South Africa can explore the story of the world's most richest man Elon Musk every Monday at 21:00 from 30th October just in time for halloween.

Development Alert: Showmax Pro To Go Dark Across Africa Ahead Of Peacock's Rollout Under The Streamer

MultiChoice Group has announced that it will phase out Showmax Pro ahead of the planned relaunch of the Showmax platform by the end of the year.

In a notice to subscribers posted on the Showmax website, MultiChoice explained that with the upcoming relaunch of Showmax, its sports offering will focus exclusively on Premier League football, which it described as the most-watched football league in Africa.

“Showmax Pro in its current form will be phased out by 30 November. More details around the refreshed pricing and the product will be shared soon,” MultiChoice said.

Showmax Pro offers the basic Showmax entertainment tier coupled with various sports matches provided by sister company SuperSport. Until now, Showmax Pro has carried not only Premier League football but also the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, the FA Cup and more. It has also shown athletics, running and boxing events.

“We want to make sure that our Showmax Pro customers are still able to access the sport they love. As part of this product change, existing Showmax Pro customers in South Africa will be offered a DStv Compact Plus Stream package at the same price as Showmax Pro.”

DStv Stream Compact Plus is currently priced at R549/month, while Showmax Pro costs R349/month, meaning Showmax Pro customers will save R200/month and get access to more sports, including selected Rugby World Cup 2023 games.

Showmax Pro

“Customers will be able to stream 115 live channels, access the full catalogue of the DStv video-on-demand library and continue to have full access to Showmax’s entertainment catalogue,” the group said. The deal is exclusively available to existing Showmax Pro customers, who will receive communication from MultiChoice about how to sign up. The offer is not available to Showmax Pro mobile-only subscribers.

From 1 October, Showmax Pro will no longer be available for subscription.

The changes come as MultiChoice prepares for a significant overhaul of Showmax, expected by year-end.

Speaking to the media in June, MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said “version 2” of Showmax will include strategic and technical input from new partner and co-investor NBCUniversal.

MultiChoice announced in March that NBCUniversal would acquire a 30% stake in Showmax as part of a plan to build the leading internet video streaming platform in Africa.

The agreement, which includes NBCUniversal sister company Sky – both firms are owned by Nasdaq-listed media giant Comcast — includes the supply of technology as well as new content to Showmax subscribers. MultiChoice has retained a 70% stake in the business.

“Powered by Peacock’s leading, globally scaled technology, Showmax subscribers will have access to an extensive premium content portfolio, bringing African audiences the best of local and international programming,” MultiChoice said in March. Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming platform.

“The service will combine MultiChoice’s accelerating investment in local content with a pipeline of award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, third-party content from HBO, Warner Brothers International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League football,” it said.

Said Mawela: “Showmax version 2 will launch in the fourth quarter with a broader line-up of content, a better product offering, better user interface and more streams on live sport, and will be underpinned by the English Premier League.”

Showmax will remain a separate offering, distinct from DStv and “appealing to a streaming population that continues to grow” and who “might want sport as part of that offering”. 

How SABC Could Save 7de Laan From Complete Extinction

During the year, it was reported that the public broadcaster had axed 7de Laan after 24 years with the last episode set to be broadcast on Day Of Goodwill (26 December). Since news of its cancellation surfaced the SABC has faced severe backlash from fans.

As a petition is being drawn up for SABC at change.org to reconsider, several fans are looking to strike at Campus Square Auckland Park in Johannesburg this coming Thursday which is where the show had been filmed.

The public broadcaster view their current financial state as one of the reasons 7de Laan is being booted and another having to deal with the fact that the viewership of the Afrikaans soap has dropped in the past years with etv's Afrikaans offering at 5pm able to double it's audience.

It's unlikely that 7de Laan's viewership will get better overnight with Sentech cancelling several analogue feeds for their channels and also Eskom's blackouts. Striking is probably the only way consumers will ever get across to the public broadcaster and if possible find an outcome.

Despite having more viewers than M-Net and Mzansi Magic, SABC has seen their ratings drop in recent years with SABC 3 taking the most punches following the cancellation/removals of Days Of Our Lives and Isidingo SABC 2 likely to suffer the same fate with 7de Laan.

7de Laan ranks as the most watched Afrikaans soap and second watched soap on SABC 2 behind Muvhango. Overall, most of the public broadcaster's local productions can't surpass the viewership of Uzalo, Generations: The Legacy, Skeem Saam and Muvhango.

The only way SABC 2's viewership would probably remain intact would be if the public broadcaster was looking to replace 7de Laan with a follow-up show similar to Generations: The Legacy or if some if not majority of the cast were to be seen on the replacement soap.