Insidus

Friday, July 16, 2021

Could MultiChoice Be Prepping Up A Rival To Timeless Dizi Channel On StarTimes?

Aktüel Televisyonu (Actual Television often stylised as aTV) is a Turkey's most popular entertainment channel which is owned by Kaylon Group. Besides Turkey, the channel is viewable in some parts of Europe.

aTV is home to shows viewers may be familiar with through Timeless Dizi Channel such as Black Money Love (Kara Para Ask), The Red Scarf (Al Yazmalım), Karadayi, The End (Son) and Ezel.

Last year, MultiChoice rolled out three telenovela channels out of those channels only 1 didn't have any original content in this case Timeless Dizi Channel.

So maybe viewership had nothing to do with its demise but originality the second last channel in Dizi's position being Glow TV was told that they weren't performing well and MultiChoice refused to provide any stats.

Thereafter Star Life comes in with original content part of which have been viewable on Glow TV.

Perhaps the reason for MultiChoice not wanting such channels is due to streaming since most of their partners are depriving them from certain content for their own platforms and most that don't dwell on originality are likely to become obsolete as more people opt to streaming.

MultiChoice's streaming service Showmax has deals put in place for Telemundo and Zee TV for their content even went after tvN which is regarded as a pop-up channel.

With that in mind, it's possible that most of the third party channels available on DStv will likely have an agreement with Showmax put in place to distribute their content on the platform to fill the avoid Disney+, Discovery+ and Paramount+ will put on Showmax.

SABC, e.tv And DStv Ratings For June 2021

SABC 1:
Uzalo (Drama) - 8 024 208
Generations the Legacy (Soap) - 6 468 962
Generations the Legacy (Repeat) - 6 154 395
Skeem Saam (Drama) - 5 840 007
Zulu News - 3 973 900
Xhosa News - 3 872 578
Nyan Nyan (Reality) - 3 764 925
Judas Kiss (Movie) - 2 945 746
Now or Never (Documentary) - 2 884 266
Shay'iround (Reality) - 2 809 260
Lip Sync Battle (Various) - 2 676 991
Instapreneurs (Reality) - 2 558 572
Skeem Saam (Repeat) - 2 451 778
Uzalo (Repeat) - 2 411 197
Live Amp (Music) - 2 365 635
Siswati/Ndebele News - 2 336 340
Uzalo Omnibus - 2 267 505
Ubettina Wethu (Various) - 2 251 826
The Ranakas (Reality) - 2 226 921
Khumbul' Ekhaya (Magazine) - 2 118 704

SABC 2:
President Ramaphosa's Address to the Nat - 4 734 276
Muvhango (Drama) - 3 981 941
Speak Out (Actuality) - 1 835 930
7De Laan (Soap) - 1 174 559
Kelebone (Drama) - 876 484
Nuus - 872 537
Our Wedding Story (Reality) - 813 321
Voetspore (Magazine) - 776 757
Ses/Tsw/Sep News - 768 544
Muvhango (Omnibus) - 716 616
Music - 715 402
Mamello (Drama) - 715 629
Die Sentrum (Drama) - 668 018
Venda/Tsonga News - 664 065
Aksi' Spaza (Drama) - 617 738
Muvhango (Repeat) - 606 562
Skeem Saam (Repeat) - 596 308
Keletso (Drama) - 575 815
Swartwater (Drama) - 566 124
Musiek Roulette (Music) - 562 390

SABC 3:
International Friendly South Africa vs U Spor - 731 009
Seven Worlds One Planet (Documentary) - 721 755
Natural World Pangolins the World`s Mos (Documentary) - 543 035
Natural World Animal Weapons (Documentary) - 517 077
News - 501 083
The Estate (Drama) - 492 127
The Estate (Omnibus) - 475 009
The Greatest Dancer (Reality) - 427 161
Baby Chimp Rescue (Documentary) - 403 317
The Estate (Repeat) - 389 852
Unpacked with Relebogile (Magazine) - 345 203
More Than Honey (Documentary) - 340 964
Employee of the Month (Movie) - 320 395
The Insider Sa (Magazine) - 317 206
The Fighter (Movie) - 314 002
Special Assignment (Actuality, Repeat) - 306 345
Unpacked with Relebogile (Repeat) - 289 969
Gangs of New York (Movie) - 283 958
The Switch (Movie) - 278 771
Survivor (Reality) - 277 417

e.tv:
Scandal (Soap) - 5 185 260
Ican with Absa Drive (Advert) - 3 968 883
Imbewu (Drama) - 3 906 801
Rhythm City (Drama) - 3 891 554
Shanghai Knights (Movie) - 2 796 676
Kong: Skull Island (Movie) - 2 736 317
Family Feud South Africa (Variety) - 2 724 431
Shanghai Noon (Movie) - 2 642 024
Durban Gen (Drama) - 2 611 212
News - 2 075 418
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Reven (Movie) - 1 920 405
Bumblebee (Movie) - 1 905 210
South Africa Tonight News - 1 903 857
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Movie) - 1 864 030
Imbewu (Repeat) - 1 809 581
Doodsondes (Drama) - 1 802 659
Just for Laughs Gags (Sitcom) - 1 729 586
Iron Man 2 (Movie) - 1 657 043
Modern Family (Drama) - 1 651 773
Checkpoint (News) - 1 593 533

DStv:

MZANSI Gomora (Drama) - 1 269 245 & 1 544 027
MOJA Uyajola 9/9 (Reality) - 1 234 769 & 1 510 925
MZAN The Queen (Drama) - 1 026 858 & 1 281 713
MWET Our Perfect Wedding (Drama) - 884 021 & 1 142 527
MZANSI The River (Drama) - 777 525 & 954 788
MZANSI The Real Housewives of Durban (Reality) - 735 717 & 822 779
MZANSI Diep City (Drama) - 734 492 & 949 072
MZANSI Rockville (Drama) - 701 595 & 863 096
MOJA Isencane Lengane (Drama) - 690 226 & 875 335
MZANSI Date My Family (Reality) - 689 350 & 841 997
MWET Abazali (Reality) - 685 084 & 867 606
MWET Isibaya (Drama) - 587 466 & 741 117
MWET The Queen (Repeat) - 582 832 & 801 075
MWET Sengkhathele (Magazine) - 568 950 & 690 249
MOJA Finding Bongani Fassie (Documentary) - 551 876 & 684 837
MM4 Rush Hour 3 (Movie) - 519 137 & 680 326
MZANSI Pastor Wants a Wife (Reality) - 518 684 & 653 072
MBIO Iphela Lase Voslo (Drama) - 506 323 & 670 746
MBIO Uyangenza (Drama) - 489 771 & 649 477
MOJA Mamazala (Reality) - 485 835 & 561 283
MWET The Queen (Omnibus) - 481 910 & 596 552
MZANSI Love Back (Drama) - 473 264 & 583 597
MWET The Republic (Drama) - 472 119 & 616 858
MBIO Kwanele! (Drama) - 458 938 & 646 546
MWET Lockdown (Movie) - 455 020 & 603 402
NEWA Presidential Address News - 453 324 & 553 043
MM4 Rush Hour 2 (Movie) - 444 208 & 589 851
MWET The Queen (Movie) - 443 183 & 585 780
MBIO Iqhawe Lokuthula (Drama) - 426 314 & 576 257
MBIO Mama (Drama) - 424 029 & 549 776

August 2021 On ViacomCBS Africa (Entertainment) | New Seasons & Episodes On Comedy Central And MTV

Comedy Central:

MODERN FAMILY SEASON 10
WEEKDAYS FROM 16 AUGUST @ 21:00
In Season 10 of "Modern Family," Haley (Sarah Hyland) reconnects with her old flame Dylan (Reid Ewing), but their reunion has accidental consequences. Alex (Ariel Winter) is about to graduate from college but expresses fear of living in the real world. Luke (Nolan Gould) clashes with Phil (Ty Burrell) regarding the idea of Phil teaching in Luke's school. Cam (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) raise Cam's nephew Cal (Marcello Reyes) and worry about their daughter Lily's (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) odd behavior. Gloria (Sofia Vergara) suspects Manny (Rico Rodriguez) is gay. Claire (Julie Bowen) considers accepting a job at another company and fights with Jay (Ed O'Neill) about it. Jerry (Ed Begley, Jr.) drops by with news about DeDe (Shelley Long). The season also stars Jeremy Maguire as Joe, Chris Geere as Arvin, and Elizabeth Banks as Sal. Guest stars for the season include Nathan Lane, Mira Sorvino, Andrew Daly, Josh Brener, and Fred Willard.

IMPRACTICAL JOKERS SEASON 2,3,4,5
WEEKDAYS FROM 2,6 & 8 AUGUST @ 21:30
Four prank-loving friends compete in extremely awkward social experiments in this hidden-camera series. The loser must partake in a particularly abominable practical joke. Starring Brian "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray and Joe Gatto.

AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS SEASON 2
SATURDAYS FROM 14 AUGUST @22:30
Creator and writer Awkwafina ( Crazy Rich Asians) stars in the Certified Fresh half-hour scripted comedy inspired by her real-life growing up in Queens, NY. Raised by her Dad (BD Wong) and Grandma (Lori Tan Chinn) alongside her cousin (Bowen Yang), Nora Lin leans on herfamily as she navigates life and young adulthood in outer borough-NYC.

NOT SAFE WITH NIKKI GLASER SEASON 1
SATURDAYS FROM 07 AUGUST @ 23:20
It's safe to say Nikki Glaser is in love with sex talk. That relationship equal parts open, honest, shameless and salacious is the comic's calling card, providing a platform for the self-proclaimed "curious perv" to talk about it during her act and, in the case of this series, examine with her comedian friends the things people do, the things people think about doing, and the things people would never do. "Not Safe" allows comics to joke, learn, and share personal stories about all things sex. The frank, fast-paced episodes feature panel discussions, field pieces, and social experiments that aim to be both hilarious and titillating.

MTV:

CATFISH UK
WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST – 22 SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 21:30 CAT
This hour long documentary series focuses on the issue of teen pregnancy, with each episode detailing the wide variety of challenges marriage, adoption, finances, gossip and graduating high school among them a pregnant teenager faces while still coming of age.

THE CHALLENGE S37
MONDAY 16 AUGUST –13 DECEMBER 2021 AT 15:00 CAT
Reality stars party, fight and hook up in exotic locales while competing in insane physical challenges and scheming to win cash prizes on the competition show that started it all.

Why eMedia Investments Stopped Distributing Turkish Dramas In English?

Kuiertyd was introduced in October 2018 on eExtra offering a mix of reality, lifestyle and drama series from kykNET as well as some Turkish dramas which was the reason for the Afrikaans block's success.

The first dubbed Turkish show Gebroke Harte (Paramparca) pulled almost half a million viewers following its debut on eExtra. From what I remember these dramas didn't get this much attention when they were available in English.

So pretty much eMedia Investments is the reason Afrikaans folks are giving dubbed programming a chance. From what I remembered most would either 7de Laan or binge watch Devious Maids or Game Of Thrones.

Besides distributing international content, eMedia Investments has catalogue of original programming ranging from Imbewu, Rhythm City and Scandal.

If you look at these dramas none of them are in Afrikaans so dubbing these Turkish dramas is sort of their way of making up for the times wasted and eMedia doesn't have any of its own Afrikaans reality shows so they borrowed from kykNET.

Why go after Turkish? Character I presume they wanted individuals Afrikaans folks can idolize and relate to, second being these shows are time consumers with all the plot twists and lastly accessibility as not a lot of platforms harper these type of shows.

e.tv had tried getting local content onto other channels back in 2013 all of which were black based before it didn't work out so eExtra is targeting an audience SABC 2 has been very distant with.

It looks like eExtra and possibly eMedia will invest more time in Kuiertyd soaps than Telemundo and Azteca soaps as their streaming service seemingly has these shows absent perhaps due to international content rights so maybe it will be obtainable later.

August 2021 On Discovery Channel & TLC Africa | More Say Yes To The Dress | Discovery Got A Whole Bunch Of New Series

Discovery Channel:

Three Men Four Wheels
From Friday 6 August at 21:00
Antique and classic car dealer Drew Pritchard, motoring broadcaster Andy Jaye and racing driver Marino Franchitti always argue over what are the greatest racing cars of all time. Now they want to settle those arguments once and for all, one car at a time. In each episode of this turbo- charged series, one of them champions an iconic racing car that they believe is an all-time great. Then they all pitch in; arguing, joking around, learning the history, and having a good poke around under the hood. The series reveals the story behind the cars, talks to the people who own or drove them, then hits the track as the lads put every car through its paces. From the most successful F1 car ever, to a classic which reduces Drew to tears, to a Hot Rod that sets fire to the track - each vehicle is an amazing racing machine, but which ones will the boys agree are the greatest of all time?

Attack Of The Murder Hornets
From Sunday 29 August at 20:00
The world's most fascinating natural and historical mysteries go under the spotlight in this compelling strand of documentaries. Everest's Greatest Mystery follows mountaineer Jake Norton and his team as they search the upper reaches of Mt. Everest for undiscovered clues that prove who was the first climber to get to the top. The Lost Lincoln investigates whether a newly discovered photograph could be the final image of President Abraham Lincoln following his fatal shooting in 1865. And, Attack of the Murder Hornets, from horror movie producer, Michael Paul Stephenson, looks at the terrifying phenomena of the huge - and potentially deadly - winged insects. These flying frights have found their way to America's Pacific Northwest...can they be stopped?

Billy Buys Brooklyn
From Saturday 7 August at 21:00
Billy Leroy is making an offer you can't refuse. This guy is old New York to the core; his legendary vintage shop in Manhattan, Billy's Antiques & Props, attracted locals and celebrities alike. But when the developers knocked it down, he had to start over across the city in Brooklyn. Now, he's opening the doors of his new vintage, antiques, and collectibles store to reveal mind-blowing objects. This series follows Billy and his team buying, restoring and sometimes reluctantly selling history's most amazing items - from a Haro BMX bike to a Victorian walking cane hiding a secret gun. Using his knowledge, curiosity, and network of contacts, he seeks out the most unique items to make his new venture a success.

TLC:

Dr. Pimple Popper
From Friday 13 August at 20:00
The queen of pop, top dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee, is back as the hit series continues - and this time she's squeezing in the most astonishing cases yet! Dr. Lee, better known as Dr. Pimple Popper, treats all sorts of people who have various skin ailments, from football- sized lumps and bumps to painful boils and mysterious growths. Coming up this time, cases include a woman who's been called a monster due to a genetic condition that causes head-to-toe bumps; the growth between a man's eyes that could put him in danger at his job; and, a woman's shoulder growth that prevents her from being the playful teacher she once was. No case is too severe or unusual for Dr. Lee as she uses her expertise to tend to each patient, helping them to lead a life free of embarrassment - one needle, pop, and scalpel at a time.

So Freakin Cheap
From Saturday 21 August at 20:00
In a world beset by financial crisis, every penny counts. Saving money can be done in various ways; from cutting back on holidays or dinners out to living off a tin of beans for a week - but then the extreme money savers take it to the next level. In this outrageous series, four unique families go to extraordinary lengths to save money and live their most frugal life. Whether it's dumpster diving for freebies, planning a wedding on a $700 budget or taking DIY home renovations to new levels, these families will stop at nothing to spend nothing!

Say Yes to the Dress
From Tuesday 31 August at 20:00
Part fashion show, part bridal story and part family therapy, life at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan is always full of surprises. And, with the fabulous Randy Fenoli on hand to offer expert sartorial guidance, the brides are in safe hands! Every day the consultants at this premiere boutique face practical and emotional hurdles to deliver the perfect dress in time for a bride's big day. Will these adventurous brides will find the dress that meets their wildest wedding day expectations as well as the all- important approval from their entourage? One thing is certain: it will never be straightforward and there may be tears, but these women are searching for the most important dress they'll ever buy.

Little People, Big World
From Wednesday 4 August at 20:00
The Roloffs are continuing to grapple with all of the changes in the family this season. Matt has decided it's a good time to declutter the farm - and make a little money at the same time. Meanwhile, Amy's house hunting may finally be coming to an end, just in time for her three-year anniversary dinner with Chris, when he plans to surprise her with a shocking question! But will everyone be happy with the outcome? For America's favourite family of little people, there's never a dull moment as the Roloffs continue to navigate the ups and downs of living in an average-sized world.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

New Channel Alert: Maisha Magic Plus And Maisha Magic Movies Might Be Launching On DStv In Southern Africa

On top of the news that MultiChoice plans to rollout an East African movie channel I mentioned earlier called Maisha Magic Movies. It looks like they want to compliment the offering with Maisha Magic.

Maisha Magic Plus is the Kenyan version of Mzansi Wethu which features a variety of local series including Selena Kona, Kiva, Sol Family and Hullaballo Estate. This one has been active in Kenya since 2020.

Maisha Magic Plus is a new East African movie channel MultiChoice was hyping about in their FY22 presentation. According to the guide, the channel will showcase the best of Ugandan, Tanzanian and Kenyan films so yeah it exists to compliment Africa Magic Epic.

Details on the dates and channel numbers will be unveiled VERY SOON. From what I can tell both channels won't be available in HD and it seems more likely for them to be available in Southern Africa since most of the series isn't viewable on Novela Magic while the movies can't be distributed on Africa Magic since it's focus is on West Africa.

Maisha Magic Plus is available on channel 163 in Kenya to DStv Access customers so if I had to guess South Africans will likely find it on channels 140-159 from Access and upwards while the new channel Maisha Magic Movies is made available to either Compact or Family customers in the same channel number area as Maisha Magic Plus.

According to sources in other African markets, Maisha Magic Movies launches 26 July and broadcasts 15 hours a day from the Compact package.

August 2021 On The Home Channel | 4 New Series Alerts Including A Spinoff To Million Dollar House | 4 Returning Series Including The Property Brothers

Real Health NEW SEASON 13
Holistic health experts and professionals join Real Health host, Michael Porter, to discuss every-day health conditions. They explore causes, symptoms and holistic ways of treating these issues and how these solutions, when practiced correctly, can lead to a healthier mind, body and soul. In each episode, our experts delve deep into the root of what happens at biological, physiological and psychological levels when healthy living is practiced holistically. They inform the viewer of the roles played by diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices on their overall well-being, and the viewer in turn learns about the diverse approaches to health that suit different lifestyles, personalities and beliefs. Whether it’s conventional Western medical solutions or Eastern disciplines that have been practiced for thousands of years, modern nutritional viewpoints or age old remedies, each episode of Real Health aims to inspire, transform and enlighten.
02 August 2021
Monday 18:00 (Priority Slot)
Tue 23:00, Wed 10:00, Thu 14:00, Sat 09:30 & Sun 08:00

Scotland's Home of the Year NEW SEASON 2
Three property experts travel far and wide, exploring and judging homes in a bid to find Scotland’s Home of The Year! Follow architect and university teacher, Michael Angus, renowned interior designer, Anna Campbell-Jones, and lifestyle blogger, Kate Spiers. In each episode, three stunning homes are put under the spotlight. We see what makes them extraordinary and get the chance to pick up a tip or two about self-building and styling. Each of the homes is scored out of the ten, and the one with the highest score goes through to the finale, where Scotland’s Home of the Year will be crowned.
02 August 2021
Monday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Tue 22:00, Wed 11:00 & Thu 15:00

Million Dollar House Hunters Australia BRAND NEW SHOW 1
Very few of us have a big budget to spend on a house. On Million Dollar House Hunters Australia, we meet the select few who have money to burn on high-end Real Estate. In each episode, hosts, Kris Smith and Nadia Bartel take couples on a tour of three luxury homes. From tennis courts to roof-top pools these homes have it all, and these house hunters have the money, the eye for detail and a hankering for ultimate luxury.

03 August 2021
Tuesday 18:30 (Priority Slot)
Wed 23:30, Thu 10:30, Fri 14:30, Sat 15:30 & 22:30, Sun 11:00 & 19:30

Never Too Small BRAND NEW SHOW 1
Growing populations and land scarcity are squeezing our cities, and around the world people are turning to more affordable and smaller homes. Never Too Small sits down with award-winning designers and architects to break down their tiny homes, micro apartments, cabins and more, revealing how urban design and architecture will shape how we live, how we work and how we socialise in the future. Never Too Small explores the experimentation and self-expression on the path to perfecting design, travelling across the globe in search of the best small spaces. Each episode explores a new theme, from preserving historic buildings, sustainability in rural areas, to life in the most densely populated cities in the world – speaking to the architects themselves as they transform small spaces into homes. Designed well, no space is ever too small.
03 August 2021
Tuesday 19:30 (Priority Slot)
Wed 22:00, Thu 11:30, Fri 15:30, Sat 13:30 & 20:30, Sun 17:30 & 00:30

Money for Nothing 4
One man’s trash is a salvager’s treasure on Money for Nothing! Interior designer, Sarah Moore, and furniture restorer, Jay Blades, meet people who are throwing out what they consider to be worthless goods. Recycling, up-cycling and repurposing is the name of the game. In each episode, three items destined for the skip are salvaged and transformed. The new creations are then sold, and the profit given to the previous owners of these items, proving that you indeed can make Money for Nothing.
03 August 2021
Tuesday 20:00
Friday 16:00 (Priority Slots)
Wed 08:00 & Thu 12:00

Great British Gardens: Season by Season BRAND NEW SHOW 1
Great British Gardens takes us on a guided tour, throughout the seasons, of four of the most beautiful and important gardens in Britain. Each episode explores one stunning garden, and taking us though them is gardening guru, Carol Klein! From the arts and craft treasure Great Dixter in the Sussex Weald and the minutely tended ‘John’s Garden’ at Ashwood in the Black Country, to the Gravetye Manor in East Sussex, with its enviable kitchen garden and Gresgarth Hall, the Lancashire retreat of one of Britain’s most renowned designers, Carol visits each garden, meets the people who care for them, and learns the secrets of some of Britain’s most treasured outdoor spaces.
10 August 2021
Tuesday 21:30
Friday 17:30 (Priority Slots)
Wed 09:30 & Thu 13:30

Property Brothers: Forever Home NEW EPISODES 1
In Property Brothers: Forever Home, Drew and Jonathan Scott are on a mission to help couples transform their current houses into forever homes—a place where they can put down roots and happily spend the rest of their lives. The homeowners aren’t looking to flip properties or make a quick buck, they know their house is “the one” and have plans to grow old together. But before that can happen, they need Drew and Jonathan to unlock its full potential. First, Drew takes the homeowners on a tour of nearby renovated homes to learn about the features they can and can’t live without. Then, Jonathan presents two design options that showcase different ways their house can be reimagined. Stakes are high and the pressure is on as the brothers tackle full-scale renovations, with design and demo hurdles along the way, to turn these houses into their forever homes.
16 August 2021
Monday 17:00
Wednesday 21:00 (Priority Slots)
Thu 09:00, Fri 13:00, Sat 16:00 & 23:00, Sun 11:30 & 20:00

Open Homes NEW SEASON 2
On Open Homes, expert home and garden designers take a tour through some of the most awe-inspiring properties you’ll ever see; from homes with endless water views and restored historic mansions, to life- changing gardens and cutting edge modern abodes. If you’re renovating, building or just addicted to looking through stunning houses, Open Homes is the show for you.
16 August 2021
Monday 19:30 (Priority Slot)
Tue 22:30, Wed 11:30, Thu 15:30, Sat 10:30 & Sun 09:00

Farmhouse Facelift BRAND NEW SHOW 1
Brother and sister duo, Billy Pearson, a craftsman contractor, and Carolyn Wilbrink, a designer, tackle tough renovations on Farmhouse Facelift. Each week, they’ll take on one massive renovation for their clients, bringing stunning designs and customized modern conveniences to each new project.
23 August 2021
Tuesday 16:00
Thursday 20:00 (Priority Slots)
Mon 12:00, Fri 08:00, Sat 12:30 & 19:30, Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Slice of Paradise 1
Track the journeys of couples, families and partners as they endeavour to get on, climb up or go down the property ladder. Hosted by Peter Wolfkamp and Shelley Ferguson, Slice of Paradise sees the two property aficionados go head-to-head competing to find the best property for each group. They’ll focus on different priorities for their buyers and pull out all the stops to get them their Slice of Paradise.
23 August 2021
Friday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 22:00, Tue 11:00 & Wed 15:00

Ready Set Reno 1
On Ready Set Reno, design and construction power-couple Michael and Carlene Duffy are scouring all corners of Australia in search of the best home renovations, whilst simultaneously trying to finish their own renovation that has been six years in the making. You’ll learn a thing or two and meet some of the best designers Australia has to offer, teaming up with real people battling to achieve their dream home.
30 August 2021
Thursday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 11:00, Tue 15:00 & Fri 22:30

Design Junkies 1
Six Design Junkies compete to see who among them is best at turning junk into treasure! Car wrecks, washed-up items found on the beach and the weekly bulky waste of a city are all in line for the biggest transformation of their existence. With a new brief each week, and two days to design and create slick and functional pieces worthy of any designer showroom floor, each of the contestants gets the chance to accumulate points. They’ll each also be working on one unique and ultimate showpiece to show off in the finale! Whoever has the most points at the end of the season gets to be crowned New Zealand’s best Design Junkie.
30 August 2021
Wednesday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 15:00, Thu 22:00 & Fri 11:00

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Warner TV Replaces TNT In Romania And Poland In October With Questions Over It's Fate In TNT Africa

A month ago, WarnerMedia announced that they were replacing TNT with Warner TV in Germany from September with other European markets expected to follow gradually.

Well gradually came in quick as Romania and Poland will be canning their TNT channels together a month later and also around the 20s like Germany.

TNT launched back in 2015 to replace the outdated but ever successful TCM in those regions just like Africa they were also used for movies.

Now they're getting out of their comfort zone for the generic, Warner TV which is said to position itself as a brand for its unique story, first-class content and remarkable storytelling.

Basically, it's taking content already available on M-Net and their streaming service Showmax ranging from HBO, The CW, TNT and Adult Swim, and putting them under one hub.

The possible exiting of the ever so modern TNT Africa does raise questions for the additional offering available being AEW Dynamite and TNT Original Movies. All evolutions of TNT have brought something to the table at the expense of another.

TCM had an ongoing stack of outdated movies, TNT has a new movie block and sporting action with AEW Dynamite so what will the generic channel like Warner TV offer perhaps series to also compete with the likes of FOX and Universal if so what will viewers lose from all this.

After Going Dark In Africa, FashionTV Makes It's Comeback On StarSat

FashionTV is an international fashion and lifestyle broadcasting channel offering a review of global fashion and is independently owned and operated from the headquarters in Paris, London and Vienna.

The channel was removed from DStv later in 2016 in favour of its sister channel, Fashion One and thereafter the channel went blank in 2020 and StarTimes tried contacting them with no luck they kicked it to the curb.

Now the channel returns to StarTimes as a replacement for the irrelevant FashionBOX channel owned by SPI International who are also in charge of Timeless Dizi Channel, Filmbox and Gametoon.

As usual, StarTimes failed once again to inform the media about these changes while the owners of FashionTV remain quiet on this channel as well as Fashion One's blackout.

The channel launches 15 July on StarSat channel 282. It might be available on other platforms in future.

Friday, July 9, 2021

Germany, Australia And Switzerland Are The Next Markets To Lose FOX (And Disney Junior), Could The Disney Channels Demise There Actually Predict When The Ones In Africa Will Follow?

The Walt Disney Company announced plans to shut down its pay-TV channels Fox and Disney Junior in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on September 30. The films, series, and other programs will transition over to streaming service Disney+.

Disney+ is not available in South Africa as yet but with these new African productions coming. It won't pose much of a shock if we're part of their 2022 rollout.

More markets are closing down their Disney Channels as the CEO announced sometime back the goal is to close 100 international Disney Channels (even highlighted Africa) and they'll continue at a robust rate.

The Walt Disney Company took Disney XD and FOX Life away from Africa with FOX, National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, ESPN 1 & 2, Disney Channel and Disney Junior remaining.

Around the closures, it was announced that Disney was doing away with FOX name. We got to see Korea find an alternative name while Latin America renamed it into Star which is a section on Disney+.

FOX Africa has been adding content from Star which signals the possible rebrand. The only reason it might not have changed as yet is due to the Star India channels.

In January 2021, Star India's channels rebranded to Utsav in the UK and parts of Europe while the Middle East, Africa, Singapore and other parts of Europe for some reason experienced that with only Star Vijay which seemingly confirms the new brands rollout in those territories.

Out of all these regions that got Utsav only the UK lost FOX while other markets have yet to join the Latin American counterpart of the channel but one things for certain is that these changes are coming in phases.

With that in mind, could it be possible that Star Life and StarPlus will rebrand into Utsav within the next month or two where one channel is celebrating a birthday with FOX following within two to three months where certain channels were wiped from the face of the earth or at least in Africa.

New Channel Alert: Untitled East African Movie Channel Using An Existing Brand Name Is Coming Soon To DStv

In the financial year end of March 2021, MultiChoice unveiled two channels the first being an entertainment channel for Mozambique with the other being a movie channel for East Africa.

It looks like the movie channel will be launching soon there's no reason for it to not be this channel seeing as they have large stack of fresh movies from 2020 featuring a ton of African stars.

For some strange reason the channel is using the name Pearl Magic which exists in Uganda so this may be a placeholder name for something surrounding that brand or it could be put under brand well-known by Kenya and Tanzania which is Maisha Magic since both are located in East Africa.

Now the question remains on why such channel is popping up in Southern Africa's airwaves. Could it be possible that MultiChoice SA and other parts of Africa are planning to ignite some of their brands.

West and East of Africa has got channels from the other parts of Africa while our market hasn't gotten any from one part being East Africa so could it be possible that this new movie channel as well a channel which was playing in the test channel section before going dark Maisha Magic be part of our region to introduce viewers to Swahili.

MultiChoice has been Afrocentric for a while now with the likes of fliekNET, kykNET Lekker, Wild Earth, Novela Magic, Moja 9.9. and Honey. They even got some local productions launching on M-Net within the next year and have launched Mzansi Magic adaptations in other markets ranging from Pearl Magic (as mentioned), Akwaaba Magic, Zambezi Magic, Abol TV and OneZed TV.

Did eMedia Investments' Possibly Give Us A Hint On What To Expect From SABC's "Long Awaited" Streaming Service?

A week ago, eMedia Investments' "possible details" of the brand's upcoming streaming service, eVOD which is scheduled to be released sometime in July surfaced the net.

With this possible leak, could we possibly see a last minute rollout of the service or a possible delay as this wasn't the first time something related to the brand surfaced the net.

In 2017, e.tv's 4 new channels at the time were listed on their website with DStv channel numbers with DStv adding them to their i-Plate section before eventually rolling them onto the platform.

With the help of a certain user, I got to analyse each of the possible details for eVOD.

For starters, there's no international series present on this app (apparently Kuiertyd dubbed soaps are listed as local) which wouldn't come as a shock if it's true. Telkom did mention in their interview it was hard securing rights to SABC 3 due to all the international programming available on there so maybe eMedia will try supplying some international content overtime.

This might also signal less to no new content.

SABC: This implies that MAYBE the platform won't carry any linear channels since they do sacrifice part of their schedule for international programming. It was already stated that at the time that they wouldn't have any international content there.

Secondly, there's a Fast Forward feature which grants paying customers (seperate from data charges) access to a minimum amount of episodes from their favourite local programs even before airing on TV.

SABC: They might have something similar but grant those with an up-to-date TV licence access to 1 episode and perhaps rollout a pay option for those without TV licence.

Third, eNews content has been added onto the platform.

SABC: It's very likely that the service will latch content as well but possibly livestream news from their linear channels.

Fourth, just like international series is present on eMedia Investments set of channels and absent on eVOD. The same is likely to happen with sports as it's not reflected on the service.

SABC: They could launch news segments to highlight the matches or possibly distribute old matches like their sports channel. In the end, it might not be easy getting sports if Showmax offers it for an extra R450 a month.

Last, the streaming service has been grouped all their content either by theme or genre. There's an eOriginals, Fast Forward (as mentioned earlier), eNews section, eCatch-Up, Afrikaans Premium (Kuiertyd soaps), Documentaries and an categorised movie section.

SABC: They've been around for decades so it's possible that their content will be grouped by timeline, age group, race and possibly genre.