Africa’s Dedicated Horse Racing Channel, Featuring The Best International And Local Horse Racing, Racing 240 (Channel 240 On DStv), Is Transitioning To High Definition

4Racing’s Head of Content, Stephen Watson said, “This is a huge step forward for the sport of horse racing and the culmination of all the work done since our inception to transition racing to higher broadcast standards. As reflected in our Nielsen Sports SA data, the Racing 240 channel has seen significant month-on-month viewership growth over the past 18 months, with no signs of plateauing and the channel performs well amongst its peers within SuperSport’s strong sports channel bouquet.”

“Additionally, we have effected an early contract renewal with MultiChoice, so will be upgrading Racing 240 to HD on a new year multi-year term,” he added.

Nielsen Sports SA Managing Director, Tumelo Selikane, confirmed, “At Nielsen Sports SA, we have diligently tracked Racing240 since April 2022. Previously, Telly Track broadcasted horse racing on DSTV, amassing a total unique audience of 1.9 million. However, Racing240, starting from ground zero, has impressively grown its total unique TV audience to 3.4 million to date.”

“We are proud to be their partner and to monitor their remarkable growth numbers. We eagerly anticipate the next three-year partnership with DSTV and what it holds for the future of Racing240.”

The new channel delivery path to MultiChoice’s HD uplink facilities in the United Kingdom will be fully configured and tested by the associated technical teams in the coming weeks and once signed off by both sides, a phased roll-out will commence across the continent, with a ‘go live’ date to be announced in due course.

Multichoice CEO Marc Jury commented: “Racing 240 has grown in popularity with our viewers across all subscription packages, so we are delighted to have reached agreement to upgrade the channel to High Definition on a new multi-year term. Having apremier horse racing channel within our existing dedicated sports channels bouquet aligns well with our strategy to continue bringing the very best international and local sporting action to our subscribers.”

In conclusion, 4Racing’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Fundi Sithebe said, “This is a significant milestone for the industry at large, with far reaching benefits for all racing stakeholders. Our broadcast is the shop window to our sport and we are deeply appreciative of both the working relationship and opportunity MultiChoice has given us to showcase racing in HD. We are very excited to offer this enhanced HD viewing experience to all racing patrons, punters and fans.”

TLC South Africa Brings Back the Beloved Busby Family - OUTDAUGHTERED

TLC South Africa is excited to announce the return of the heartwarming family series, OUTDAUGHTERED, premiering on Monday, 3 June, at 21:00. Viewers are invited to join the Busby family as they navigate the challenges of parenthood and the joys of raising six daughters, including the all-girl quintuplets that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

 

As the new school year begins, Adam and Danielle grapple with the demands of their growing family and busy careers. With Ava, Olivia, Hazel, Riley, Parker, and oldest daughter Blayke, the Busbys embark on new adventures, from learning to read to taking on more household chores. However, amidst the chaos, Adam and Danielle are keenly aware of their daughters' individual needs, striving to provide each with the attention and support they require to thrive.

 

Blayke, facing the challenges of middle school and social pressures, takes on the nerve-wracking task of trying out for the school volleyball team. As she grapples with her fears of not making the cut, Adam and Danielle offer unwavering support, navigating the complexities of parenting a preteen with love and understanding.

 

Adam and Danielle share their insights into the season, with Adam remarking, "Ever since I started to get more photography gigs outside the house, it’s been a big adjustment for Danielle and me. Me working, Danielle working, plus all the kids..."

 

Reflecting on the possibility of hiring additional help, Adam humorously adds, "If you put on a job description, ‘quintuplets …’" to which Danielle chimes in, "They’re like HECK no."

 

Despite the challenges they face, the Busbys make sure to carve out time for family bonding, embarking on adventures to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, meeting up with other families of multiples, and even cheering on their favourite football team, the Texans.

 

Tune in to TLC South Africa (DStv channel 135) on Monday, 3 June, at 21:00 for the premiere of OUTDAUGHTERED. Viewers will be treated to an intimate glimpse into the beautiful chaos of family life with the Busbys. 

Breaking Barriers: Telkom Demonstrates Education With The Rollout Of TelkomLEARN

It is now almost universally agreed that good education is the foundation to personal growth, stability and success. However, accessing that education is one of the fundamental challenges keeping young people from achieving success and fulfilment.

 

Preventing this access are material barriers such as cost, connectivity and the availability of quality educational resources.

 

It is also one of life’s great injustices that precisely the people who need education most – the poor and underprivileged, those living in remote rural areas, and those without strong social support networks – find it hardest to access quality education. This is in spite of education being a democratic birthright, promised to South Africa’s people in terms of our Constitution.

 

Digital connectivity offers a unique opportunity to overcome this injustice, and to give families and communities access to the educational resources they need to improve their lives. Integrated communications provider Telkom, already a leader in the education space, has taken this opportunity to heart.

 

The organisation has launched TelkomLearn, a digital learning platform for parents seeking high-quality educational resources for their children, as well as young people looking to further their careers. The platform offers a comprehensive solution in partnership with a diverse range of credible digital education providers.

 

The new platform is the latest expression of Telkom’s long-standing commitment to education, in line with its stated mission to seamlessly connect South Africans to a better life, says Telkom Group Executive for Innovation and Transformation, Dr Mmaki Jantjies.

 

“Telkom has lived our belief in the value of education through years of fostering digital learning opportunities through connectivity,” says Jantjies. “Through our long-established Telkom Foundation school development programme, our higher education bursaries, as well as the Telkom Centres of Excellence supporting Masters and PhD students, we consistently support the transformative power of education. TelkomLearn is an exciting new way to live out this commitment.”

 

Telkom Learn looks to redefine education, by providing seamless access to online learning and skills development, and is made possible through Telkom’s nationwide digital connectivity. The primary objective of Telkom Learn is to democratise access to quality digital learning resources for parents across the country.

 

The platform offers two main streams: Basic Education and Higher Education. Under the basic education path, parents can access the extremely popular Lightbulb Edtech platform established in 2015, which is powered by Telkom. Lightbulb gives Grade 8 ­– 12 learners access to supplementary materials, practice exercises and curriculum-aligned educational content, empowering them to excel in their studies.

 

For parents looking to support their children's higher-education goals, TelkomLearn offers a diverse array of courses through its partners, covering specific career skills like entrepreneurship, Cloud computing, web design, customer service, social-media marketing and financial literacy. There are more than 100 courses available, mostly free of charge, allowing parents to help their children explore different learning programmes and career opportunities.

 

The power of the Telkom Learn higher-education platform comes through way it aggregates several credible digital education providers on one channel, giving parents a comprehensive solution and an easily accessible way to enrich their children's educational journey. The TelkomLearn partners are all global leaders in the digital, and online education fields – IBM, Microsoft, HP, Duke, and Alibaba Cloud.

 

“Because these organisations are at the very forefront of the digital economy, the courses that they provide are absolutely relevant to the needs of modern business,” says Dr Jantjies. “This means that children and young people who take these courses will not only do better at school, they will be able to build successful careers in later life.”

 

Digital education is fast establishing itself as a tool of empowerment, giving parents a way to ensure their children can access the training and the opportunities they need to succeed in today's digital age.

 

Dr Jantjies said the comprehensive new offering brought quality educational resources within reach for all of South Africa’s people – something he said was a democratic imperative, but also an economic necessity for the country.

 

“We firmly believe that education is not only the key to personal development but also the cornerstone of innovation and national development,” she says. “By nurturing talent and fostering a culture of innovation, we aim to contribute to the long-term prosperity and development of our people – and our nation at large.”

New Series Alert: Cartoon Network To Premiere New Series "Tiny Toons Looniversity" On June 3 Across Africa

It’s the first day of school at Acme Looniversity and laughs are in session! From Amblin Television and Warner Bros. Animation, the brand-new series “Tiny Toons Looniversity” premieres Monday, June 3 at 16:35 CAT on Cartoon Network with new episodes airing daily. 

“Tiny Toons Looniversity” follows Babs, Buster, and their new friends Hamton, Plucky, and Sweetie to Acme Looniversity, the premier institution of higher hijinx learning. While enrolled, they form long-lasting friendships with one another and perfect their cartoony craft while studying under the greatest cartoon characters in history, the Looney Tunes. 

The voice cast includes Emmy Award-winner Eric Bauza as Buster, Daffy, and Gossamer, Ashleigh Hairston as Babs, David Errigo Jr. as Hamton J. Pig and Plucky, and Tessa Netting as Sweety. The series also welcomes back “Tiny Toon Adventures” alumni Jeff Bergman,

Bob Bergen, Candi Milo, and Cree Summer, who reprise their roles as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Dean Granny, and Elmyra, respectively. Bergman also voices Sylvester and Foghorn Leghorn, and Milo also voices Witch Hazel. Looney Tunes veteran actor Fred Tatasciore voices Taz and Yosemite Sam.

“Tiny Toons Looniversity” is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation. Steven Spielberg returns as executive producer, with Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, and Amblin Television Presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank also serving as executive producers. Erin Gibson (“Attitudes!”) and Nate Cash (“Adventure Time”) serve as showrunners and co-executive producers.

New Series Alert: Winx Club Reboot Is Reportedly Set To Premiere On Netflix In 2025

Rainbow Studios has announced its new, CGI-animated “Winx Club” series is scheduled to premiere on Netflix globally in 2025. The news is accompanied by the appointment of Playmates Toys and Giochi Preziosi as master toy partners for an extensive new Winx Club toyline. This strategic collaboration ushers in an era for a new generation of kids and the global fandom that has followed the franchise since the premiere of its first animated season in 2004.

Longtime business partners Playmates and Giochi Preziosi will split global distribution of a new collection of fashion dolls, accessories, role-play toys and playsets inspired by the new “Winx Club” series. Playmates will manage sales, marketing and distribution in North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South Africa; Giochi Preziosi will manage Europe and the U.K.

“Winx Club,” produced and distributed by the Rainbow Group, headquartered in Italy, celebrates its 20th year anniversary in 2024. When “Winx Club” debuted in 2024, it introduced a world of magic, friendship and courage. Created by Iginio Straffi, the series follows the journey of Bloom, a teenage girl from Earth who discovers that she is a fairy with extraordinary powers. As she enrolls in the Alfea College for Fairies, Bloom forms the Winx Club with her new friends, embarking on countless adventures across magical dimensions.

 “Winx Club” now spans eight animated seasons, three theatrical movies, four made-for-television movies, two “World of Winx” animated series coproduced with Netflix, two seasons of a Netflix Original live-action series “Fate—The Winx Saga” and a robust merchandising program. The “Winx Club” community has generated over 20 billion views of “Winx Club” content on YouTube and more than 35 billion views of “Winx Club”related videos on TikTok.

“We are honored to be at the forefront of this exciting new chapter,” says Georgia Manolas Walker, vice president, marketing, Playmates Toys. “The enduring legacy of ‘Winx Club’ is a testament to the timeless appeal of its stories and characters. We look forward to unveiling a spellbinding range of products that captures the adventure, friendship, and magic that ‘Winx Club’ represents.”

“We are very excited about this new chapter of the ‘Winx’ saga," says Jay Visconti, chief strategic officer, Giochi Preziosi Group. “Having worked hand in hand with Rainbow since the very first launch in 2004, we are fully aware of the appeal such an amazing brand/franchise has on consumers. We are sure that also this time ‘Winx’ will be a global success.”

“The Winx are returning stronger than ever, and I am grateful to once again collaborate with Netflix, the ideal partner to bring any IP to global audiences,” says Iginio Straffi, creator, “Winx Club” and president, Rainbow. “It’s a thrill to work with our long-time friends and partners Giochi Preziosi and Playmates, and to create the best Winx toys ever for all our fans. I am also very excited that the collaboration with these esteemed partners will ensure a bright future for a powerful ‘Winx’ comeback both on screen and at retail.”

Important Notice Dated 22 May

As reported a few days ago, we are currently reviewing our offering across platforms removing whatever redundancy lurks to enhance reader's experience. This included the removal of recent posts as the latter is viewed on related posts and labels.

Pictured above is what some knew as Insidus Plus, this had rebranded to DStv Flex the idea of creating two additional platforms was to give them some form of an identity which is what you can expect on DStv Flex.

For the record, this isn't associated with DStv in anyway and the names to some of our offerings are derived from IPs as a firm of tribute. DStv Flex is adult oriented, don't expect much changes to the offerings. 

Development Alert: Primos Delayed On Disney Channel Again Due To Controversy, Might Launch Before The Fall

Disney Channel has become home to multiple wonderful storytelling however in June 13, 2023, the network never faced a blackash to this level (“Thundercats Roar”, “High Guardian Spice”, “Velma”).

Primos has been delayed indefinitely according to EIDR, Disney+ and Disney Channel Schedule, additionaly the series theme song has been privatized on Youtube but it can still be viewed at Disney.com

Since the controversy happen several crew members mentioned that the series went on a retooling with some changes, one of the most notable ones was changing the name of Cookita to Lucita according to the VAs.

Disney instead of putting a statement or giving more information on what the actual show is about they prefered to stay silent and delaying the show until further notice or simply pretending it dosn’t exist, It’s very disrespectful to the crew an the critics as opposed to other Latino projects within the company like Coco and Encanto, since it seems that they only care to calm people when it’s a project from their feature film division who makes their projects while the TV division needs to face the harassment of millon of people for months.

Elizabeth Grullón (“The Owl House”) has confirmed that PRIMOS is indeed set to debut this summer.

Likely to debut on July/August probably the latter due the premiere of Descendants The Rise Of Red, a preview will be screened at Annecy Film Festival alongside exclusive looks to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0, StuGo, Zombies The Re-Animated Series, Robogobo and the Phineas And Ferb revival.

Credits: Disney Television Animation News, Disney Channel Schedule 

Total Carnage??? MultiChoice Was Rumoured To Be Selling Off DStv And Keeping Showmax Few Years Back, Could This Explain The Sudden Inclusion Of 1Max And Possible Pursuit Of Canal+?

Last month, M-Net's 1Magic and Me channels merged to form another TV channel in the M-Net Series trilogy, 1Max. The channel would home to various original shows already streaming on Showmax with some hiccups from M-Net and the former 1Magic.

Since its inception, 1Max was a subject of numerous conspiracies as the channel was only unveiled by midnight when 1Magic went dark. There was no notice issued to the media beforehand about 1Max but they were reports of a rebranded offering. 

Since their demise from last month, consumers had been asking where to view shows like The Real Housewives Of Durban and Heels and whether or not a followup to Me is on the cards.

If you were MultiChoice, you'd tell consumers that that all this content was allocated on 1Max and that consumers need to upgrade to Compact+. But no mention of that by MultiChoice and M-Net even their PR don't mention them in their content offering. 

Now why 1Max's rollout remains a mystery is simple firstly programme guide for the channel often lists 1Magic. I mean it's understandable if it were SuperSport as most content is live and previous iterations Me and 1Magic never went through such scenario. 

The other accessibility as 1Max is applicable to premium consumers in South Africa. Other consumers are told to view remaining M-Net channels and experience an enhanced viewing experience on Showmax.

Few years ago, some inside sources had mentioned that MultiChoice was looking to separate DStv and Showmax. These rumours even escalated further as sources had mentioned the possible sale of DStv with all the focus shifting onto Showmax. 

During the year, Canal+ took center stage and expressed interest in acquiring remaining shares at MultiChoice. Considering the various hurdles, the French broadcaster will have to undergo as a foreigner some envision them only getting a select assets from MultiChoice. 

This could be pay-tv platforms DStv and GOtv alongside MultiChoice Studios. Perhaps a portion of MultiChoice could continue to operate independently this part would only focus on Showmax and retain few channels like M-Net for instance.

This arrangement could serve more like Disney-FOX merger where the American feed of FOX continues to offer the best of 20th Century Studios despite the TV channel not being under Disney's custody in the region. 

Maybe there's a reason 1Max is not viewable outside of South Africa and this could have something to do with Showmax. 

Similar to DStv, it's likely a majority of Showmax consumers aren't in these markets I mean it wouldn't seem far fetched. Various international streamers like VIU and Disney+ only reside in South Africa and aren't accessible in other African countries. 

PBS International Partners With Brands & Rights 360 To Expand Global Presence In Kids Markets

PBS International, the global distribution and co-production arm of PBS Distribution, announce a strategic partnership with Madrid-based marketing and commercial company Brands & Rights 360. In a unified effort, Brands & Rights 360 will collaborate with PBS International’s recently restructured children’s sales team, which includes Andrea Burton, Jamie Shata, and Sabrina Hall Aguirre, to serve as sales agent for PBS KIDS content. 

As part of this partnership, Brands & Rights 360 will work with international broadcasters, leveraging their extensive network and expertise in the industry to maximize the reach and impact of PBS KIDS award-winning content which includes Arthur, Lyla in the Loop and Elinor Wonders Why. With a shared dedication to delivering high-quality programming, PBS International and Brands & Rights 360 are poised to introduce PBS KIDS shows to broadcasters in new territories, ensuring more children and families worldwide can enjoy enriched content.

'We are thrilled to welcome Brands & Rights 360 to our international sales team for PBS KIDS content', said Andrea Downing, President of PBS Distribution. 'Their deep understanding of the global kids' market and proven track record of success make them an ideal partner'.

Brands & Rights 360 is known for its selective approach to partnerships, taking on a few, carefully chosen, high-quality and diverse animation and live action titles and brands with a  strong potential in the international market. This aligns perfectly with PBS International's commitment to delivering content that not only entertains but also educates and inspires young minds.

'We are delighted to work with PBS International to distribute their high-quality and award-winning children’s programming', said Ignacio (Iñaki) Orive, President of Brands & Rights 360. 'We look forward to bringing the wonderful PBS KIDS titles to many more international linear channels and digital platforms to reach families worldwide'.

This partnership comes at a time of growing demand for premium children's content across global markets, with families increasingly seeking programming that combines entertainment with educational value.