Discovery Family Ceases Transmission In France, Could Africa And The Rest Of EMEA Follow?

Earlier in the month, consumers in France were able to confirm that Discovery Family operated by the newly formed company Warner Bros. Discovery had allegedly been discontinued as of March 29, 2022 which is close to the time it launched in Africa.

Just like Africa, Discovery Family wasn't a kids channel in France and offered content already viewed on other brands. From what I heard, the only reason it launched in France was because of how successful it was in Africa.

Over the years, the channel has hit a bit of a dry spell but that's not the reason for its termination in France and very likely Africa.

According to sources, Discovery Inc. made the decision to terminate the channel as part of their merger with WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery.

 

A few weeks ago, there was somewhat of a leak about this company in terms of management and TLC was folded under WarnerMedia as they're in charge of general entertainment while Discovery Inc. manages the factual and lifestyle.

Discovery Family is in general entertainment category and the only other repeat channel from the former Discovery Inc. is Real Time but that's regarded as factual and lifestyle channel.

If anything Real Time has a better shot of remaining in Africa or both could be terminated in an attempt to reduce redundancy and also there's the matter of Discovery+ which will give viewers plenty of time to binge old content.

Discovery Family and Real Time have been on opposite ends with Discovery Family being the eldest made it challenging for Real Time to gain any traction. The demise of Family actually benefits Real Time in terms of viewership.

Both brands have been sharing a batch of content particularly in the wildlife and food section so viewers won't be missing much as there's always Discovery Channel for adrenaline junkies.

 

Replacement for Discovery Family

In France, the content seen on the channel has since then moved to Discovery Channel, Discovery Science and Investigation Discovery. Except in Africa, Discovery Science is not on DStv and just like France they too are missing out on Animal Planet.

In 2017, MultiChoice stripped consumers of Animal Planet for the bloated Real Time so that channel is out of the equation but Discovery Science hasn't been seen on the platform.

In 2018, StarTimes replaced Discovery Science with Discovery Family until that got discontinued so could DStv perhaps do a switcheroo and perhaps extend the reach of Discovery Channel to Compact customers for the adrenaline lovers.

New Series Alert: Malquerida Coming Soon To TLNovelas Africa + Iron Rose Returns To Telemundo Africa

TLNovelas operated by TelevisaUnivision is a Mexican entertainment channel home to a variety of telenovelas such as Crown Of Tears and Simply Maria had announced the launch of a brand new series, Malquerida (A Malamada).

Malquerida is the story of Acacia, a beautiful young woman who has lost her father in a terrible accident when she was only a little child. She ignores that she will find in her stepfather one of the deadliest love triangles.

Acacia's mother, Cristina, suddenly becomes a widow, learning then that the hacienda is in heavy debt. Seeing no other solution, she decides the best thing to do is to sell it, despite the huge pain it gives her to lose her dead husband´s patrimony. It is right then that Esteban, a good-looking worker at the hacienda, offers his help to save the land which he dearly loves because he sees Cristina in it.

 

Esteban and Cristina boost the hacienda again. With the everyday sharing and their teamwork, their relationship grows into a beautiful love since Esteban has won Cristina´s heart. This hurts Acacia deeply because, being so young, she can´t get over her father´s dead, far less can she accept her mother is having a new relationship. Her disconformity is such that she tries to escape from the hacienda. Acknowledging Acacia´s feelings, her grandparents talk to Cristina so that her grandchild can move in with them while she manages to get past Alonso's dead.

Malquerida airs at 19:00 CAT from May 23rd.

In other developments

 

StarTimes launched Telemundo's original series Iron Rose earlier in the year which starred Aracley Arambula and apparently Telemundo will start airing reruns of the show from April 28th replacing another series which the lead actress takes part in, The Boss.

Based on the 1929 novel known as Doña Barbara, La Doña takes a modern twist revolving around Altagracia Sandoval a beautiful, elegant, successful woman, recognized in society and owner of an emporium in the construction world. Just as a young girl, she suffered two very strong traumas that marked her and made her the unforgiving "Doña" she is now.

Roundups #41: WildEarth TV Now Available On Plex And Rad NFTV, Maya Erskine Joins Donald Glover In ‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith’ Series At Amazon And Botched Season 7B Launches On E! Africa

Plex, Rad NFTV to carry WildEarth FAST channel

Natural history-focused FAST channel WildEarth TV has launched on Plex, the AVoD and live-streaming service, and Rad NFTV, which claims to be the first streamer powered by non-fungible tokens.

WildEarth TV offers wildlife content 24/7, featuring eight hours of live programming a day, including twice-daily live safaris direct from locations including South Africa’s Djuma Game Reserve. Other live experiences include broadcasts studying the African penguin colonies on the Cape Coast and the wildebeest migrations in Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV series adaptation is in the works

Maya Erskine will star opposite Donald Glover in the upcoming “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” series at Amazon.

Erskine takes over the co-starring role from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who had originally been set to star alongside Glover but departed the project last year due to creative differences. Glover revealed the new casting in an interview.

The series is based on Doug Liman’s feature of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The pair played rival spies that discover they have been contracted to assassinate each other. According to Glover, he is currently writing the finale for the series.

Erskine is best known for co-creating, starring in, executive producing and co-showrunning the Hulu comedy series “PEN15.” The show was nominated for multiple Emmys throughout its two-season run, including one for best comedy series and two for best writing for a comedy series for Erskine as well as Anna Konkle and Stacy Osei-Kuffour. Her other TV roles include “Man Seeking Woman” and “Casual,” with Erskine recently working on films such as “Scoob!” and “Wine Country.” She will next be seen in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series at Disney Plus.

 

Paul and Terry are back for more intensifying surgeries

In the quest for perfection, some people’s efforts to improve their appearance can leave them with surprising results. World-renowned plastic surgeons Terry Dubrow and Paul Nassif continue to fix the unfixable, as their seventh season of correcting plastic surgery nightmares continues this April on E!.

Season 7B premieres Sunday 24 April at 20:00

The Home Channel Launches A Brand New Cooking Show - May 2022 Highlights

All About Property S6
All About Property takes that all-important factual look at the South African property market. Catch various real estate professionals and stakeholders each week as they shed valuable insight into all forms of property dealings – from buying and selling, renting and maintenance, to finance, legalities, disputes, technology, and so much more. On each episode, host, Cornelius Koopman and his team set out with the aim to arm viewers with up-to-date and relevant understanding of the property market, serving up a wealth of options, solutions, and tips for those wanting to get onto, up, down and even around the property ladder. So whether you want to invest or simply want to own a home, have a dilemma or just want to know more, All About Property has got you covered on what’s probably the biggest transaction of your life.

02 May 2022 to 31 July 2022
Monday 16:30
Wednesday 20:30 (Priority Slots)
Thu 08:30 Fri 12:30 Sat 17:30 & 00:30 Sun 13:00 & 21:30

Nick Knowles’ Home Improvements S1
Brand New Show
On Nick Knowles’ Home Improvements, Nick and his team of experts – composed of an interior designer, 2 carpenters, a props maker, garden designer, home organiser and upcycler – get stuck in to demonstrate their top tips on how to improve your house when it comes to storage, space and organisation. From reclaiming dead space in your house and turning it into stylish storage, to making the tiniest garden into an extension of your living space, the team venture into every area of the house.
02 May 2022 to 20 May 2022
Friday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 22:00 Tue 11:00 Wed 15:00

 

Grand Designs UK S15
New Season
Grand Designs follows intrepid home-builders as they pursue their architectural dreams. Designer and writer, Kevin McCloud is on hand to witness the trials and tribulations of those willing to put everything on the line to build homes they hope will transform their lives. Follow each build as it evolves from concept, through construction, to mind-blowing completion! From pavilions designed with perfection in mind, to derelict and forgotten jewels brought back to life, Grand Designs is a feast for both the eyes and the imagination.
09 May 2022 to 10 July 2022
Tuesday 17:00 Thursday 21:00 (Priority Slots)
Mon 13:00 Fri 09:00 Sat 11:00 & 18:00 Sun 15:00 & 22:00

Save My Reno S2
On Save My Reno, cash-conscious homeowners finally catch a break when savvy contractor, Sebastian Clovis, and resourceful DIY designer, Sabrina Smelko, toss out overpriced reno quotes to make dreams come true. Together, they give homeowners the reno they want on a budget they can afford. Each episode sees Sebastian and Sabrina take on the challenge to deliver budget-friendly home renovations using salvaged goods and putting the homeowners to work.
09 May 2022 to 12 August 2022
Wednesday 18:30 (Priority Slot)
Mon 14:30 Thu 23:30 Fri 10:30

Ten Minute Kitchen S1
Brand New Show
It's dinner time and there are hungry mouths to feed, but you're out of ideas and you only have 10-minutes to conjure up an amazing meal. The impossible is now possible with Ten Minute Kitchen - a celebration of creative, easy, family-friendly meals that anyone can cook at home. Co-hosts - Chef Scott Pickett, Diana Chan, Mike Reid and Kelvin Cheung - share their tips, tricks and inspiration in the kitchen. Each recipe uses staples from the pantry and these talented cooks show viewers how to take family meals to another level.
16 May 2022 to 10 July 2022
Thursday 18:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 10:00 Tue 14:00 Fri 23:00 Sat 07:00 Sun 13:30

Never Too Small S1
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 delve into the details of 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.

16 May 2022 to 05 August 2022
Thursday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 11:00 Tue 15:00 Fri 22:30

 

Design Matters S1
Brand New Show
Design Matters showcases unique homes and artists on the edge of design. In each episode we meet designers who show us simple hacks and creative ways to remodel your space. From artisanal ceramic pieces to thrift store finds, there are a number of ways to transform your house into a home.
16 May 2022 to 17 June 2022
Wednesday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 15:00 Thu 22:00 Fri 11:00

Kirstie’s Celebrity Craft Masters S1
The queen of craft, Kirstie Allsopp is on a mission to share her love of all things handmade on Celebrity Craft Masters. Kirstie puts several famous faces to the test to see if they can cut it on some tough craft challenges. They’ll learn every skill in the book: from paper craft to pyrography, quilling to drilling, and woodwork to cake decorating. They may be stars of screen, stage and sport, but will they embrace embroidery, go potty for pottery, or say no-way to crochet?
23 May 2022 to 02 September 2022
Friday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Mon 22:00 Tue 11:00 Wed 15:00

Living By Design S1
Brother and sister duo Jake and Jazz Smollett team up to transform the living, work, and play spaces of millennial families in Living By Design. They know how to hold it down in fashion, food and design! In this series, Jake and Jazz create simple solutions to everyday design dilemmas for aspiring millennial families. Whether it’s a new mom redecorating a nursery on a tight budget, a fierce young woman who’s landed her dream job and now has to spruce up her home office, or a young couple moving into their first home, Living By Design will help transition their houses into beautiful spaces.
30 May 2022 to 16 September 2022
Thursday 18:30 (Priority Slot)
Mon 10:30 Tue 14:30 Fri 23:30

Top Million Dollar Agent S4
Four agents...Four houses...One decision Top Million Dollar Agent is a reality television show that showcases the best in luxury real estate around the world. Each episode features a couple looking to invest in a knockout property, aided by a cast of top Toronto real estate agents. After touring four multi-million dollar properties, the couple has to choose which home is the perfect fit. Luckily, they have the help of not only the all-star agents but also special guests that include mortgage brokers, lawyers, builders and consultants. From first-time home buyers to experienced investors, Top Million Dollar Agent has something for everyone, offering a peek into the sumptuous world of international luxury home ownership.

31 May 2022 to 08 July 2022
Tuesday 19:00 (Priority Slot)
Wed 22:30 Thu 11:00 Fri 15:00

Space Invaders S1
Authentic, emotion-charged and always good humoured, Space Invaders is a show that helps those in greatest need, and in the process inspires homeowners to improve their lives. Across the globe people are battling a clutter crisis and desperately need an intervention, and with the help of declutter guru, Peter Walsh, families take ownership of their belongings turning chaos to calm. Joining Peter is renovation queen Cherie Barber and treasure hunter Lucas Callaghan. Cherie has just two days to renovate the homes, with her mantra ‘minimum spend for maximum impact’. Meanwhile former Aussie Pickers star, Lucas sorts through the trash to find hidden gems he can turn into fast cash.

31 May 2022 to 05 August 2022
Tuesday 20:00 (Priority Slot)
Wed 08:00 Thu 12:00 Fri 16:00

The Count Of Monte Cristo: The Story That Inspired eMedia's Is'phindiselo, Telemundo's The Boss And ABC's Revenge

Edmond Dantès, a handsome, promising young sailor, skillfully docks the three-masted French ship, the Pharaon, in Marseilles after its captain died en route home. As a reward, Dantès is promised a captainship, but before he can claim his new post and be married to his fiancée, Mercédès', a conspiracy of four jealous and unsavory men arrange for him to be seized and secretly imprisoned in solitary confinement in the infamous Chateau d'If, a prison from which no one has ever escaped. The four men responsible are:

 

1. Fernand Mondego, who is jealous of Mercédès' love for Dantès;
2. Danglars, the purser of the Pharaon, who covets Dantès' promised captainship;
3. Caderousse, an unprincipled neighbor; and
4. Villefort, a prosecutor who knows that Dantès is carrying a letter addressed to Villefort's father; the old man is a Bonapartist who would probably be imprisoned by the present royalist regime were it not for his son's, Villefort's, influence. Villefort fears, however, that this letter might damage his own position, and so he makes sure, he thinks, that no one ever hears about either Dantès or the letter again.

For many years, Dantès barely exists in his tiny, isolated cell; he almost loses his mind and his will to live until one day he hears a fellow prisoner burrowing nearby. He too begins digging, and soon he meets an old Abbé who knows the whereabouts of an immense fortune, one that used to belong to an immensely wealthy Italian family.

Dantès and the Abbé continue digging for several years, and from the Abbé, Dantès learns history, literature, science, and languages, but when at last they are almost free, the Abbé dies. Dantès hides his body, then sews himself in the Abbé's burial sack. The guards arrive, carry the sack outside, and heave the body far out to sea.

Dantès manages to escape and is picked up by a shipful of smugglers, whom he joins until he can locate the island where the treasure is hidden. When he finally discovers it, he is staggered by the immensity of its wealth. And when he emerges into society again, he is the very rich and very handsome Count of Monte Cristo.

Monte Cristo has two goals — to reward those who were kind to him and his aging father, and to punish those responsible for his imprisonment. For the latter, he plans slow and painful punishment. To have spent fourteen years barely subsisting in a dungeon demands cruel and prolonged punishment.

As Monte Cristo, Dantès ingeniously manages to be introduced to the cream of Parisian society, among whom he goes unrecognized. But Monte Cristo, in contrast, recognizes all of his enemies — all now wealthy and influential men.

Fernand has married Mercédès and is now known as Count de Morcerf. Monte Cristo releases information to the press that proves that Morcerf is a traitor, and Morcerf is ruined socially. Then Monte Cristo destroys Morcerf's relationship with his family, whom he adores. When they leave him, he is so distraught that he shoots himself.
To revenge himself on Danglars, who loves money more than anything else, Monte Cristo ruins him financially.

To revenge himself on Caderousse, Monte Cristo easily traps Caderousse because of his insatiable greed, then watches as one of Caderousse's cohorts murders him.

 

To revenge himself on Villefort, Monte Cristo slowly reveals to Villefort that he knows about a love affair that Villefort had long ago with the present Madame Danglars. He also reveals to him, by hints, that he knows about an illegitimate child whom he fathered, a child whom Villefort believed that he buried alive. The child lived, however, and is now engaged to Danglars' daughter, who is the illegitimate young man's half-sister.

Ironically, Villefort's wife proves to be even more villainous than her husband, for she poisons the parents of Villefort's first wife; then she believes that she has successfully poisoned her husband's daughter by his first marriage. With those people dead, her own son is in line for an enormous inheritance. Villefort, however, discovers his wife's plottings and threatens her, and so she poisons herself and their son. At this point, Dantès is half-fearful that his revenge has been too thorough, but because he is able to unite two young people who are very much in love and unite them on the Isle of Monte Cristo, he sails away, happy and satisfied, never to be seen again.