Disney XD Shutting Down In The UK, How Does This Affect Africa?

Disney has confirmed that, from October 1st, its Disney+ D2C service will be the exclusive UK home for content from Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney Junior – effectively ending the carriage of the linear channels by UK pay-TV platforms BT TV, Sky and Virgin Media.

As some are already aware the launch of Disney+ has led several markets to cutback on some if not all Disney Channels mostly Disney XD. The reason Disney's contract wasn't renewed is because the pay-tv operator sees Disney+ as a threat.

Now in Africa, where Disney remains silent on when or if the streaming platform will be made available in the market has experienced similar effects to other markets.

MultiChoice, a South African platform has signed an agreement with Netflix and Amazon but details of the agreements are yet to be announced but this likely reduces the chances of channel cancellations but that doesn't mean that they won't remove a channel.

My likely guess would be that if Disney+ makes its way to the market there's chances it might take away Disney XD  now that Disney has shut production of original content for that channel leaving it with nothing but reruns in the coming future and Disney+ supplies reruns already.

Since 2018, Disney XD alone hasn't brought any new shows all they've done is air new episodes of their remaining shows along with reruns of selected animated series with Amphibia coming from Disney Channel. As some may not know Disney XD Africa is using the same feeds as other countries excluding the United States, Asia and Latin America.

Disney Africa has shown signs of its distance from XD like their YouTube Channel. It stopped being active from July 2017 and since then all the XD shows on YouTube moved to Disney Channel YouTube account while Junior programs have it's branding through that platform all of XD programs have Disney Channel's branding instead. Even in their upfront, they were very silent in presenting new content for the channel.

In most markets that already have Disney+ the main target was mostly Disney XD and viewers were directed to Disney Channel and Disney+ since content from that channel can be viewable on those platforms. So if Disney XD were to shutter in Africa then Disney+ would be the reason for the decision.

It doesn't seem like Disney has plans to to place any long time investments on the channel e.g. Pokemon. The United States and UK both created an animation block on Disney Channel which also does reruns of XD remaining animation and this happened long before the UK announced the channel's termination so how long will it be till Africa follows with XD since this market also manages the channels in Africa as well.

More Factual And Educational Content Will Be Making It's Way To Da Vinci Kids Africa

Since the channel's launch in 2013 through the African market, the channel has managed to make a major impact in the market providing the best in factual and educational content for children. The channel has been described as the kids version of Discovery Family which is currently available through MultiChoice's DStv alongside StarTimes Media and ODM's StarSat platforms.

Da Vinci Kids, was known for being repetitive as well in nature that was until the UK SVOD service Azoome acquired the brand earlier this year. The channel has recieved a boost in content offering.

The channel is set to introduce three new shows including the eighth and possibly final season of Horrible Histories and all this content can be found on Azoomee or better yet they were always available on that platform so yeah Azoomee could be using Da Vinci to repeat content seen on their streaming platform as well.

Marvellous Makes, this kids show brings to life the love and joy of creating things with plasticene and simple household objects. It's not about making things perfectly, but it's about getting creative and having a go! Arts and Crafts.

Horrible Histories, the channel is set to air it's eighth season. A group of British comedians show the sides of history they don't teach you in school. From the 'Savage Stone Age' to the 'Troublesome 20th Century', you see the full side to history.

Clean Eating: The Dirty Truth, Dr Giles Yeo investigates the latest diet craze and social media sensation - clean eating. In a television first, Giles cooks with Ella Mills, the Instagram entrepreneur behind Deliciously Ella, one of the most popular brands associated with clean eating, and examines how far her plant-based cooking is based on science.

Hands Up, a series of digitally accessed art projects for young kids commissioned by the NSPCC. Get your hands up and make some beautiful arts and crafts! Arts and Crafts.

Da Vinci Kids is available on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv platforms in South Africa and across Africa alongside StarSat in South Africa and StarTimes for the rest of Africa.

July 2020 On JimJam Africa | Guess With Jess S1 | More

Guess with Jess Season 1
Fans of Postman Pat, this is your chance to get to learn more about his cat, Jess. Lucky for us, Jess is able to talk and share his adventures with us. He is joined by many animal friends. Look forward to meeting Willow, a horse who wears a sunhat; Baa, a nervous sheep that lives with Billie, a field mouse who loves to investigate things; Horace the musical frog; and twin puppies, Joey and Jinx. Wednesday 1 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 08:30

Make a Way for Noddy
Based on the beloved character by Enid Blyton, Noddy is back on television with some familiar faces and new friends. Tessie Bear, Big Ears, Mr Plod, Dinah Doll and Bumpy Dog are here to make you smile. But watch out for two crafty goblins, Gobbo and Sly. Saturday 4 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 09:00

Guess How Much I love You
Based on the timeless classic, this series follows the adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare and his father Big Nutbrown Hare through mossy forests and cool rivers. They are joined by Grey Squirrel and Little Field Mouse as they find fun and journeys of discovery. Saturday 4 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 09:30

Caillou
Come on adventures with a 4-year-old boy who finds the world around him fascinating. His imagination takes him to faraway places or traveling on rocket ships and airplanes.  Wednesday 1 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 08:04

Say it with Noddy
Noddy, Big Ears and all their friends go on adventures and face their fears together. Wednesday 1 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 08:53

Bob the Builder
Bob and the Can-Do crew are ready to tackle any project. As part of their teamwork, they include positive thinking, problem-solving and follow-through to get the job done. Don’t forget the number one idea: “the fun is in getting it done.” Saturday 4 July on Jim Jam (DStv 310) at 12:09

July 2020 On TNT Africa | Escape From Pretoria | More

Escape from Pretoria
Get ready to see the former Harry Potter in a new light. Daniel Radcliff tackles a South African accent in a prison break story based on a true story. Set during apartheid, two white South Africans have been imprisoned for helping the African National Congress (ANC). They must work an intricate plan to escape the white man’s version of Robben Island – Pretoria Prison. Saturday 4 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 20:00

National Treasure
Nicholas Cage is Benjamin Franklin Gates, a man who comes from a long line of treasure hunters. Despite his father spending 20 years trying to find an elusive national treasure, Benjamin believes he has what it takes to finally track it down. When the next clue leads to the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin decides to steal it before someone with bad motives gets his hands on it. Friday 3 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 17:45

National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Benjamin Gates is back and this time his treasure hunting takes him on a rollercoaster mission. From discovering that his own bloodline might be linked to the assassination of President Lincoln to a secret writing inside Buckingham Palace, be prepared for a thrilling historical adventure . Friday 3 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 20:00

Gone in 60 Seconds
Memphis Raines is a reformed criminal looking for make a fresh start. When his younger brother gets involved with the wrong crowd, he must return to a life of stealing luxury exotic vehicles to save his sibling’s life. But to get fifty supercars in three days, he will need to put together the right crew.  Friday 10 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 18:00

Con Air
A US Army Ranger, Cameron Poe, returns home to Alabama and accidentally kills a drunken customer at his wife’s bar in an attempt to defend her. He is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and spends time in a federal penitentiary. He is released early for good behaviour but ends up sharing a prison plane with some very dangerous criminals. When they take over the plane and decide to fly out of the country, Cameron must find a way to stop them without their knowledge. Friday 10 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 20:00

Snake Eyes
An Atlantic City cop with political aspirations, Ricky Santoro is assigned to investigate the assassination of the Secretary of Defence. He uncovers a conspiracy that involves his best friend and a mystery woman in white.  Friday 17 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 18:00

Face/Off
In order to stop a bomb from blowing up somewhere in Los Angeles, FBI agent Sean Archer must take a radical step and trade faces with his son’s killer, Castor Troy. Archer, now as Troy, will then meet up with Troy’s brother to find out where the bomb has been hidden.  But the plan turns to chaos when Troy wakes up early and decides to wreck the mission. Friday 17 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 20:00

Matchstick Men
Roy and Frank are small time crooks who make enough money to get by. As an obsessive-compulsive agoraphobe, Roy decides to get professional help when his quirks affect his criminal ambitions. Under the direction of Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runnder) Nicholas Cage does some of the best acting of his career.  Friday 24 July on TNT (DStv 137) at 18:00

July 2020 On Boomerang Africa | Kingdom Force | Boomerang Club | Dog Like Us

Kingdom Force Season 1
Five mighty animals work together to protect five different animal kingdoms. Perfect for kids aged 36 years old, this fast-paced action series is the next big thing on TV. Mondays from 6 July on Boomerang (DStv 302) at 15:10

Boomerang Club
Wednesday mornings are the best time to spend with Boomerang. We feature the best of our line-up with Mr Bean animated, Zig & Sharko, Masha and the Bear, Moka’s Fabulous Adventures and many, many more. Wednesday 15 July on Boomerang (DStv 302) at 06:00

Dogs Like Us
Get ready for back to school with all the best in Boomerang dog shows. Mike and Mighty Mike, Bentley from Taffy, Spike and Tyke and Pat the Dog. Monday 20 July on Boomerang (DStv 302) at 18:20