Could SABC 1-3 Undergo Some Lineup Changes On DStv Following New Regulation Set By ICASA?

ICASA published amendments to the so-called “must-carry” regulations on Thursday, in which it reiterated that satellite broadcasters (or at least those that offer more than 29 channels) must carry the television programmes of the public broadcasting service.

Until now, the regulations have allowed MultiChoice and other pay-TV operators to carry the SABC public service channels at no cost. Under the amended regulations, the parties will have to negotiate a contract deemed fair to both parties.

Since last year, MultiChoice (through SuperSport) held free-to-air rights for PSL broadcasting them exclusively on their platforms through the SABC channels while other outlets that carried these brands got a different game playing on the same channel.

Theory 1:

Although the public broadcaster is celebrating their success a little too soon, every agreement has a loophole and it won't be long till MultiChoice finds that dark hole and buries them.

The public broadcaster is probably hoping MultiChoice will pay them based on production costs and all other expenses when the truth is they'll likely look at the costs to distribute each station besides that the quality differs from Mzansi Magic.

Theory 2:
This new regulation although granting SABC more revenue could increase the amount of exclusivity/management on their channels not only targeting sports but other aspects of the public broadcaster including general entertainment and news.

Instead of taking away Uzalo, what if this new deal grows the number of SABC channels instead in the process.

What if MultiChoice decided to distribute a seperate feed of the SABC Sport channel which didn't disrupt the lineup of the 3 SABC channels and broadcast games restricted from platforms like TelkomOne and Openview.

NEW CHANNEL ALERT: ePlesier Coming Soon To Openview

Rewind and News And Sport went off air today with content such as Impact and EPL now on eReality while other content will be made available on the existing offering managed by eMedia Investments as well as the new channel, Xposed.

Xposed is set to go live next week Monday and eMedia Investments couldn't contain their excitement with the launch of another new channel, ePlesier.

ePlesier is basically another Rewind but dedicated mostly to the Turkish offering available on e.tv, eExtra and eVOD. Series set to launch on the channel include Voëlvry, Bittersoet, Deur Dik En Dun, Gebroke Harte.

 

The launch of ePlesier brings joy to Kuiertyd fans across South Africa but also creates a lot of complications amongst eMedia's portfolio.

e.tv has a large stack of Kuiertyd programs so I wouldn't be surprised if that was reduced to meet to keep ePlesier afloat and eVOD has an Afrikaans section for this content and this channel just saves consumers data and give them time to view other content.

The news of ePlesier is not as bad as it appears to be, Rewind was used to air the programs on Kuiertyd but now the channel will relaunch as Xposed which doesn't seem interested in Kuiertyd's offering so the idea of this channel doesn't seem far fetched.

 

MultiChoice has a set of ePlesiers available on their platform including Novela Magic, kykNET Lekker, Nicktoons, Mzansi Wethu, Pearl Magic Prime, Me and Maisha Magic POA. Point is channels like ePlesier aren't going anywhere for the near future.

Turkish shows have been in high demand in South Africa and MultiChoice opted not to include one on the platform but eMedia Investments thought ahead.

ePlesier will occupy on channel 112 from 18 April if I had to guess the focus now is on Xposed which explains the timing.

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New Series Alerts: Dokter Ali S2 + Elif S3 + Doodsondes S4 + Die Binnekring (Linear) + Verdeelde Liefde Coming Soon To eExtra And eVOD Respectively

By the time these developments take place, eExtra would have already been discontinued on DStv alongside eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz but viewers can catch-up on some of the content through e.tv with the rest on eVOD.

On the Turkish front, eMedia managed to ramp up five projects for their brands which include three returning series such as Elif, Dokter Ali and Doodsondes alongside new series Verdeelde Liefde and recently launched Die Binnekring.

 

Returning Series:
- Elif - told the story of a 6 year old girl who was seperated from her mother. Since it's inception, viewers got to see the ups and downs in her everyday live as well as those around her. In the third season, the Emiroğlu family face financial difficulties. Kenan and Tuğçe die when Arzu sets the house on fire, though Melek and Elif survive. With the death of Kenan, Selim becomes the head of the family-owned business. Gonca marries Serdar, who seeks to bring the Emiroğlu family to ruin.
- Dokter Ali (Mucize Doktor) - tells the story of a man with savant syndrome, who grew up in orphanages, graduated from the faculty of medicine with first degree. Then he starts to work in a private hospital as an assistant surgeon. In season 2, Ali is shown in a courtroom being trialled for the alleged murder of his patient. Then, the show flashes back to 15 days prior, breaking down what actually happened and setting the tone for the rest of the thrilling episode.
- Doodsondes - In the new season, Halit's regaining his former power was welcomed with joy by everyone and the Argun family returned to their old order. Halit's goal is to regain Yildiz, who supported him a lot in his difficult days, and to remarry with her. However, Yildiz is confused because of Kerim and she doesn't know what to do. She has to make the right decision quickly.

 

New Series:
- Die Binnekring (Halka) - brings two different young people from different places stand side by side and fight against a conspiracy. They go after a past that doesn't leave behind. They bring to account of old notebooks, dirty cases, big and small lies. They're in a life with the Mafia, money, intrigue. They face against Halka, the terrifying face of which they have yet to know. The series began in 2019 featuring Serkan Çayoglu, Hande Erçel, Kaan Yildirim, Hazal Subasi, Nazan Kesal, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, Burak Sergen.
- Verdeelde Liefde (Doğduğun Ev Kaderindir) - Caught between two families, Zeynep was born in the slums and raised by a rich family. Living in bad conditions, her family give her up for adoption in exchange for money. In the mist of her struggles she meets Mehdi. The action packed series is based on a true story and adapted from the novel by Gulseren Budayicioglu titled Girl Behind The Glass (Camdaki Kiz) which stars Demet Özdemir currently seen on e.tv's afternoon Turkish drama Droomvelore will be taking the lead alongside Ibrahim Çelikkol from Begeertes.

 

Both Elif and Dokter Ali are expected to return from April 18th at 18:30 and 20:30 respectively on eExtra alongside Die Binnekring and Doodsondes which is set to replace Die Put and possibly Dokter Ali S2 later in the year while Verdeelde Liefde airs on eVOD from April 11th.

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Update: eMedia Investments Take MultiChoice To Court For Their 4 Channels On DStv

Last month, eMedia Investments confirmed that their 4 channels currently seen on MultiChoice's DStv: eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra would remain on the platform but didn't want to confirm it publicly without getting the full details.

MultiChoice was only able to confirm these details a few days after but enlightened the media about the new agreement for these channels and just as predicted consumers were celebrating a bit too early.

Apparently, the channels will only stay on the platform for another two months as a eMedia Investments has gone to the Competition Tribunal, seeking to force MultiChoice to keep carrying eMovies, eMovies eExtra, eExtra and eToonz.

 

 

eMedia Investments was asked whether there's a possibility for MultiChoice to return the to-be-axed channels such as eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz to DStv, or for eMedia to make a carriage deal with StarSat, or whether the door on pay-TV carriage for these channels are permanently closed.

"It will be up to them. Our strategy is that our channels are free-to-air channels and should be available wherever people access channels. So that's their decision, there's no regulation that they need to carry the channels. Our view is that they should."

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Roundups #36: Dark Side Of The Ring Is Now Available In South Africa Through Xposed, Taffy Renewed For A Third Season On Boomerang, SABC 3 Welcomes Mother Daughter Reality Series And Star Life To Introduce New Series Lost In Love

Get ready for Hollywood's best wrestling documentaries

Dark Side Of The Ring is a documentary series by Viceland which focuses on controversial subjects and events within the realm of professional wrestling. Some of the notable topics covered include Chris Benoit, Bruiser Body and Gino Hernandez.

eMedia Investments picked up the show for their new channel Xposed alongside other Viceland productions including States of Undress, F**K That’s Delicious and Most Expensivest by 2 Chainz.

The series commences at 18:50 from Monday 4 April.

 

Taffy renewed for a third season on Boomerang

Cyber Group Studios and French kids broadcaster Gulli have announced the return of Taffy which has been renewed for a third season. Production is set to begin later in the year.

Season three of kids comedy Taffy will continue the capers of Bentley the dog, who is determined to show his owner that the cat she just took in is actually a raccoon. The format of the third season has not been finalized yet.

 

21 Again launches on SABC 3 this month

Five daughters send their mothers undercover as 21-year-olds. From dating to working to activism, the mums will be immersed in their world. Can the mums pull off being 21 Again?

Season 1 airs Tuesday, 5 April at 22:00.

 

Star Life to introduce Lost In Love

Last month, Star Life announced they will undergo some lineup changes by moving repeats to the afternoon slot and movies to weekends as they try to boost their primetime offering and launch the new series A New Life.

According to sources, the channel is said to air a Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein (Lost In Love) which is a remake of Bengali series Kusum Dola from Star Jalsha.

Virat, a young police officer, marries to honour the promise he made to his dying father. But when his former lover re-enters his life, he finds his heart pulled in both directions.

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