Entertainment Inside Us (Insidus)

DStv is a pay-tv platform operated by MultiChoice that offers movies, series, sports, documentaries and kids shows. It is currently Africa's biggest entertainment provider operating in 50 countries which is currently in the process of being acquired by French broadcaster, Canal+ . Earlier in the year, MultiChoice had shuttered both M-Net's Me and 1Magic in an attempt to boost their streamlining endeavors which led to the inclusion of 1Max . Similar to 1Magic, this channel was only applicable to Compact+ and boasted a selection of local content.  The channel embraces and explores dynamic, authentic African stories with an edge, kicking off with titles such as Tracking Thabo Bester and Red Ink. It also features content from other parts of Africa and the world such as The Real Housewives Of Lagos, Ted and The Good Doctor.  This was also the channel set up to replace Me but MultiChoice has been reluctant to answer consumers with questions of such regard. Consumers ha

Warner Bros Discovery’s senior management is looking to avoid a break-up of the company as executives race to reverse the Hollywood group’s plunging share price, according to people familiar with the matter.  Following a fall of almost 70 per cent in its stock price since WBD was formed in 2022, chief executive David Zaslav and chief financial officer Gunnar Wiedenfels have recently evaluated “all options” to arrest the decline, said two people familiar with the matter.  However, senior executives who carried out a detailed analysis of the consequences of a split have determined that fencing off the group’s declining television channels from its streaming and studio business was not the best option at this time, according to people familiar with the discussions.  The Financial Times reported last month that WBD — which owns HBO, the Warner Bros studio and CNN — was drafting a break-up plan.  But while such a split initially looked “compelling on paper, it would create very

PBS KIDS is an educational brand for children aged 2 to 8 years offering shows like Arthur, Wild Kratts, Cyberchase and Dinosaur Train. Operated by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), Africa was the only international market to offer the brand following its closure in Australia in 2023 . Through the electronic programme guide (EPG), it was revealed that the last international feed will stop airing on DStv by the end of August. This would be the 12th TV channel to go dark on the platform in the year alongside People's Weather, Africa Magic Urban and Ginx TV. We are told that MultiChoice would be extending the reach of existing TV channel likely for their Easyview consumers. In 2022, PBS KIDS unveiled a new on air look which was designed to build on the equity and strength of the brand for today's digitally focused viewers. The blue was incorporated to acknowledge the main PBS brand with the green from its previous logo targeting younger audiences. Two years have

TF1+ is the new streaming platform that offers a replay experience, but also films, series and shows on almost all media. Appearing on January 8, 2024 to replace the old name “MyTF1”, TF1+ has the same objective as its predecessor, to offer an improved experience of TF1’s original content as well as a streaming-type experience to compete with giants like Netflix, Prime Video or Apple TV+. If this strategy has nothing to be sued, it is the name “TF1+” that poses a problem. Canal+ has just sued the channel because it does not have the right (according to Canal) to use the “+” sign. TF1+, the new name that created a scandal at the Canal group In 2019, Disney+ was starting to make a lot of noise in the streaming world. With a launch in the United States, then in France, the Canal group did not look favorably on the fact that the American giant used the acronym “+” in France. The group then tried to oppose Disney+ by appealing to National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI

A decade ago, SABC had planned to launch its own DTT platform which would be rivaling with eMedia Investments' Openview platform before seeking comfort with Sentech. This platform would feature SABC 1-3 and their 19 radio stations with e.tv exempted from the lineup.  There were also plans for SABC to expand its linear offering with 18 additional channels which included SABC 4, SABC 5 and SABC Movies all of which got scrapped with SABC Education and SABC Sport entering fruition.  These endeavors had been delayed with eMedia Investments that forged ahead with its rival offering Openview which extends its reach to more than 3 million households. With the impending demise of analogue transponders SABC is hoping to lure these consumers with its own DTT platform.  The SABC said it wants to enhance the broadcasting landscape and deliver on its digital transformational journey with  an integrated free-to-air Direct to Home (DTH) platform will enable the SABC to be in control

Chinese national broadcaster CCTV 6 and TG4 in Ireland are among the latest networks to pick up the first season (26×30’) of the CG-animated reboot of classic kids’ series Inspector Gadget. Canela.TV in the US and Latin America, Kanopy Kids in the US, Canada and Singapore, VSTV in Vietnam, and Kartoon Channel in the US, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Vietnam have also picked up the first season. In the reboot, Inspector Gadget is brought out of retirement after the evil Dr Claw reactivates his global crime syndicate MAD. Canada’s WildBrain produces and distributes the series and also owns the original library of Inspector Gadget content as well as its IP. Elsewhere, Blue Entertainment has acquired specials Inspector Gadget’s Biggest Caper Ever (1×60’) and Inspector Gadget’s Last Case (1×90’) for its SVoD service Blue Play in Switzerland and Lichtenstein. In a partnership that takes Inspector Gadget onto FAST channels in Germany, LG has picked up season one o

As some might have already noticed, Google has made some rather bizarre updates to their algorithms which had affected part of my traffic. It's worsened to a point where some of my content struggles to get indexed or picked up through search engines and yes I discovered this has affected various website owners.  We are currently exploring various options for our platforms in order to continue feeding readers content. It's evident with Google's recent updates that they've become unreliable in shaping the stability of this platform and it sucks honestly as there's websites taking your content and recieve better results with Google.  Some of these websites block users with ad-blockers, have very thin content which Google mentions from time to time again they can't tolerate. Last thing on our words is to remain on air as we've seen a couple of websites shut down if not abandon their readers due to these changes.

Warner Bros. Discovery announced today that the standalone video streaming app and website for its Boomerang service, which is dedicated to classic cartoon brands, will be shut down on September 30 of this year. Boomerang content will be added to WBD’s Max platform as the company moves to consolidate its streaming services. Current Boomerang subscribers will see their accounts automatically converted into Max ad-free plans at their same payment rate. Existing login credentials will also be ported to Max. Boomerang is the WBD branded home for well-known animated content from the Warner Bros. library, including Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears favorites like Scooby-Doo, The Jetsons and Tom & Jerry as well as the iconic Looney Tunes banner. The statement from WBD to Boomerang subscribers reads: Hey folks, We’re reaching out to let you know that Boomerang will be moving to Max, and as of September 30th, the Boomerang app and website will no longer be available. The exciting

With Skydance currently undergoing a potential takeover of Paramount after receiving approval from Shari Redstone . The merged seeks reduce costs which amount to $2 billion dollars  which may include retrenchment, possible sale of assets and as seen with Paramount+ content cuts. In the UK, it had revealed by a viewer that MTV Hits and MTV 80s are both receiving the same frequencies as those seen in other parts of Europe (EMEA). For those who aren't familiar with these brands, MultiChoice once carried the pop centered MTV Hits before replacing it with jazz infused Qwest TV . Canal+ who similar to Skydance are looking to also gobble up an existing company or in this case MultiChoice also distributes MTV Hits for consumers in Ethopia and alongside MultiChoice offer MTV, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.  Prior to these takeovers, Paramount was doing a lot of budget cuts take for instance the main MTV channel which had been unified across Europe. These endeavors had also reached k

E! Entertainment Television – the pop culture channel from NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC – today announced the start of production for Dating #NoFilter, a 10x60’ unscripted comedy dating series produced by Brainstorm Entertainment. Licenced globally by NBCUniversal Formats, the format originally aired on E! in the US and is being adapted for the African audience, with filming in progress at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg. The show is set to premiere exclusively on E! Africa (DStv channel number 124) later this year. Dating #NoFilter will follow a group of singles on blind dates whose search for love will be accompanied by commentaries from some of South Africa’s most hilarious celebrities. Amongst the 15 comedic cast are comedian, TV personality and actor Jason Goliath (E!’s Celebrity Game Night, Ses' Top La); actress and radio personality Hope Mhbele; and media personality and content creator Lebogang Tlokana – also known as “The Funny Chef.” Jaso

Telemundo hits the snooze button with A Passion For Revenge  Set in Houston, Texas, the story of the well-raised, humble and hardworking Gallardo brother's quest for vengeance against the wealthy and powerful Del Junco family. When the body of young, beautiful, and pregnant Alma Gallardo is found in the Houston River, her brother's Arturo, Samuel, and Flavio believe the family of her lover Ignacio Del Junco is to blame. Taking the last name "Rey" to disguise their identity, the brothers begin to work as construction workers at the sprawling Del Junco horse ranch to get closer to their enemy. With Ignacio already dead and learning how their beloved sister was mistreated by Ignacio's family, the brothers set out for revenge against Ignacio's widow, Cayetana, and her daughters Sofía, Irina, and Andrea.  It airs daily at 19:00 from 13 August. Mnakwethu Happily Ever After? is back Mzansi Magic's Mnakwethu Happily Ever After? returns to Mzansi Magic

Not to be mistaken with the factual entertainment channel of the same name on MultiChoice's DStv platform. Discovery Family which is also operated by Warner Bros. Discovery in a joint venture with Hasbro is responsible for the distribution of various kids shows and other educational content.  Not long ago, Discovery Family updated its social platforms to unveil a new on air look with the name shortened to DFC. Basically taking a page of Boomerang and Boing feeds, the channel offers various content from Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios. As pictured above, these includes shows like Summer Camp Island, Steven Universe,  The Smurfs, Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries and Looney Tunes while as returning the Hasbro portion of the brand with My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.  What's more mind boggling about this is the fact that Warner Bros. Discovery had already been licensing content to Weigel Broadcasting for their own kids channel, MeTV Toons. The fi