Roundups #76: The Boys Spinoff Gets Official Title, The Little Mermaid Preschool Series Is Rumoured To Be In Development And Nintendo To Launch Animation Studio

Gen Z is currently underway on Amazon Prime Video

Get your superhero suits ready and head on down to Vought International because Amazon’s college-based spinoff of “The Boys” has an official title: “Gen V.”

The title is a clever reference to today’s youthful Gen Z and the show’s super power-giving chemical known as compound V. Cast members announced the title in a new video shared on social media.

Set at America’s only college exclusively for young-adult superheroes (owned and operated by Vought International, of course), “Gen V” is “an irreverent, R-rated series that explores the lives of hormonal, competitive Supes as they put their physical, sexual and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the best contracts in the best cities,” per Prime Video. It’s part college show, part “Hunger Games” with the same raunchy satirical tone of “The Boys.”

 

The Little Mermaid is preschool

According to some new trademarks that have been listed, Disney Junior is also working on a new project, called “Ariel”, which is likely to be a new version of “The Little Mermaid” for pre-school ages.

There are a number of trademarks being applied for, including for entertainment services; education services; distribution services and production services.  In addition to trademarks for a large number of merchandise items, clothing, footwear and headwear.  In addition to paper products and non-medicated cosmetics.

Disney hasn’t officially announced that it is developing a new pre-school series, “Disney Junior Ariel”, but with the new live-action film and it being over 30 years since the original animated film was released, these trademark listings do indicate that Disney is planning a major new campaign of merchandise and entertainment services.

 

Nintendo becomes an animation studio

Nintendo has announced the acquisition of Dynamo Pictures, an animation studio in Tokyo that collaborated on several animated Pikmin shorts that premiered on the Nintendo 3DS. Renamed Nintendo Pictures, the studio will continue to work on the “development of visual content utilizing Nintendo IP,” according to the company’s press release.

“Nintendo has decided to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding shares (excluding treasury shares) of Dynamo Pictures and make it a wholly owned subsidiary to strengthen the planning and production structure of visual content in the Nintendo group.”

They have a working relationship with Illumination, the studio behind the popular Minions franchise. The animated Chris Pratt-led Super Mario Bros. movie spawned from that partnership will release in 2023, barring any future delays.

‘Powerpuff Girls’ & ‘Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends’ Animated Series Reboots From Craig McCracken In Works At Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe

Craig McCracken, Emmy-winning creator of The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends, has teamed with Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe to bring new animated versions of the classic series back to the small screen. McCracken, who first began his career at Hanna-Barbera Cartoons 30 years ago, is developing animated reboots of both series at the studio.

The Powerpuff Girls reboot revisits and expands upon the world of the original series as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup face off against a gallery of villains comprised of familiar foes and new threats. The original series debuted on Cartoon Network in 1998, earned two Emmy Awards and numerous animation honors throughout its 78-episode run. The Powerpuff Girls centers on three sugar-coated superheroes — Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup — whose mission in life alternates between going to school, fighting crime, winning at hopscotch, and saving the world before bedtime.

 

A live-action reboot based on the original Powerpuff Girls Cartoon Network series remains in development at the CW. The network announced last year that the pilot was being re-worked and re-piloted off cycle. Talent deals for cast have lapsed but the project, from Warner Bros TV and Berlanti Productions, remains alive at the network.

The beloved Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends will return as an original preschool animated series with a new cast of preschool-aged imaginary friends, promised to be “as silly and playful as the original bunch.” The original series ran for six seasons from 2004-2009 on Cartoon Network, earning six Emmy awards during its run.

McCracken serves as creator, producer and director, and Sarah Fell, VP, Original Kids and Family Animation, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, will oversee development of both projects at the studio.

 

“The Hanna-Barbera homecoming of Craig was an opportunity we could not pass up,” said Sam Register, President of Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. “Along with his unparalleled sense of fun and imagination, he’s bringing two of his greatest works in The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and we are so excited for these characters to be a part of the new legacy taking shape at the studio.”

Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe is currently in production on The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe and the anticipated The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie! (wt) and The Amazing World of Gumball: The Series (wt) for HBO Max. Recently announced development includes a stop-motion animated reboot of Wacky Races starring Dastardly and Muttley.

Delayed SABC Channel Launch On DStv And StarSat Explained

In 2020, the public broadcaster gave SABC Education a linear channel after its inception in 1996 which was 26 years ago. The channel seeks to help youth with their academics while as improving the lives of fellow South Africans.

Some of the programming featured on the channel mainly reruns from SABC 1-3 were kid and teen based shows like Words And Numbers, Thabang Thabong, Geleza Nathi and Hectic Nine-9 while older audiences got Uzalo, 50/50, Speak Out and Musiek Roulette.

In an interview on SABC News with the general manager of the SABC, he was able to confirm that the public broadcaster was in talks with the likes of MultiChoice's DStv and ODM's StarSat to reserve some space for the educational channel.

 

MultiChoice added SABC Education to the iPlate section (still visible with no EPG) while StarSat included it on their website (which has since then been removed) and this was two years ago and aside from DTT you can view the channel on TelkomOne.

SABC Education was created amidst the pandemic and was part of the SABC's DTT plan. It was believed that the channel would rollout on these two platforms within that period as schools were closed for most of the semester but that wasn't the case.

MultiChoice went ahead and included Mindset Pop but no signs of SABC Education and it even got more suspicious when StarSat also didn't include the channel in their bouquet of channels and if there's one thing these two have in common is the public broadcaster.

 

The public broadcaster is known for delaying as they promised two entertainment channels in the middle of last year on Openview and more than a year has passed since consumers have been waiting so it lead to suspicion that the same outcome was awaiting pay-tv consumers.

MultiChoice did mention in court by the Competition Tribunal that they'd be launching 3 new SABC channels and I'm not sure whose bright idea it was to delay SABC Education seeing as its TelkomOne which will likely get more SABC channels.

Perhaps SABC is rolling out these channels in phases or pay-tv providers opt to bundle SABC Education once the SABC finally launch their streaming service and additional channels which would carry a lot of archived material.

Roundups #75: Close Enough Cancelled After Three Seasons On HBO Max Banni Chow Home Delivery Airing On StarPlus International Just Not Africa, Part 2 Of WFO Titans National Extreme Euro Championship Coming Soon To Ignition

Another one bites the dust

HBO Max is not proceeding with a fourth season of adult animated comedy Close Enough, from Regular Show creator JG Quintel and Cartoon Network Studios. The decision comes a little over three months after the release of the second season on April 7.

“After three great seasons, Close Enough is coming to an end,” HBO Max said in a statement. “We are so proud of the series and grateful to creator JG Quintel and our partners at Cartoon Network Studios, who made this show an instant fan favorite on HBO Max.”

Close Enough, a surreal take on transitioning from twentysomething to thirtysomething, revolves around a married couple juggling such everyday challenges as parenthood, friendship, ham theft, stripper clowns and choosing the right day care.

 

Banni Chow on airing on StarPlus Africa

Banni Chow Home Delivery follows Delivery-girl Banni is a strong, young, good hearted soul, who delivers her delicious food around the neighbourhood. She soon crosses paths with Yuvan, a mentally disabled man, and thus forms a change in her simple life.

It is based on the Bengali drama series from Star Jalsha titled Khukumoni Home Delivery which aired later in 2021 with the Hindi adaptation to follow 6 months after its launch on StarPlus.

 

Unfortunately, Disney Star doesn't supply the show in Africa due to an issue with the title. If you read the title of the show it sounds exactly like Bunny Chow which could the cause for the delay so maybe the series will be shortened to Home Delivery makes sense at this point.

More adrenaline for Ignition

Enduro enthusiasts will have numerous opportunities to see the highlights from round 2 of WFO Titans National Extreme Euro Championship that was held at the home of Titans Racing in Broederstroom, South Africa on the 25th of June.

New Channel Alert: Celebrate Islamic Culture With MultiChoice's Latest Addition To The DStv Platform, INX Prime

Islam the religion of over 1 billion people hungry for content that resonates. Join Interactive Network Experience Prime (INX Prime) for the future in a rapidly changing world for the Islamic experience.

Africa was first to recieve Muslim historically and today 446 million people are adherent of the Islamic faith across the continent one of the highest in the world. The South African Muslim community forms part of the backbone of the country integral to its history and future contributing as artisans, business people and sensationals in all spheres of daily living and nation building.

Islam is a way of life, INX Prime reflects in the ethos with homegrown programming created in South Africa and carefully curated from across the globe with state of the art studios and houses in Johannesburg as well as links to studios in the major metropolitan areas and a commitment to sourcing stories from the lesser covered regions and communities we are the channel of choice for all face and cultures who seem to be inspired, appreciated and enlightened.

 

We will celebrate the modern Muslim while honouring and remembering the stories of those who brought us here. Our editorial direction is based on the Islamic values and commandments. As it is enshrined in the holy quran and prophetic teachings and examples of Prophet Mohammed.

INX Prime creates and showcases the Islamic identity of our diverse South African Muslim society while also benefitting from world-class international programming from other channels that share our vision. We are committed to empowering women throughout our programming and production department with emphasis on youth development and enabling indigenous African media and on-screen talent.

We are an Islamic lifestyle channel focused on creating an holistic approach to experience and living the Islam in the modern age.

 

Our programming schedule features a breakfast show with community news and happenings, trending items, health and mindfulness speeches, media reviews to entertainment.

Mid afternoon programming is dedicated to children's content with an array of popular animation series and a tailor made local magazine show which gives our young viewers their own platform to showcase their talent and happenings.

A range of women talk shows and magazine shows features late mornings on weekdays and caters for all hosts and guests across all African languages.

 

Evening primetime keeps the mind edutained with current affairs and local and international Islamic talk shows, reality and documentaries. Other key programming deliverable sent outside live broadcasts of community events, local dramas series and telenovelas with morals and values that they core while providing a platform for performers, young talent and media graduates to sharpen their skills.

Also in our programming is creative programming aimed at showcasing talent, feature films Friday which follows on the M-Net's Sunday Night aimed at getting families around the TV after ending the prayer of the day.

Format shows that feature weddings, cook offs, cars and reality TV concepts and live crossings 5 days a week to holy cities with our very own reporters on the ground. Journey with us as we realise an Islamic channel with something for everyone.