DStv Quietly Added Two Channels Between June And July

DStv quietly added NHK World-Japan and Hilaal TV to its channel list over the past two months, and they are both available to subscribers on all packages.

NHK World-Japan launched on DStv channel 431 and covers a variety of programming, including arts and culture, dramas, documentaries, sports, and current affairs.

“We are excited to bring this channel to our DStv subscribers, we are focused on offering the best of local and international content, and this channel’s unique content offering aims to do just that,” said Gideon Khobane, MultiChoice Group executive for general entertainment.

“NHK World-Japan will give our DStv viewers a chance to explore international culture through entertainment.”

Titles aired on the channel include NHK Newsline, Dining with the Chef, A Cat’s-Eye View of Japan, Journeys in Japan, J-Arena, and Medical Frontiers.

The channel has been active on the DStv app since 2020 so would you consider it a new channel or at least to those without the DStv app.

Jun Takao, president and CEO of Japan International Broadcasting — the subsidiary responsible for the worldwide distribution of NHK World-Japan — said the company is “delighted to offer the content of NHK World-Japan to the people of South Africa for the first time”.

“It has been our long-awaited desire to distribute our programmes in this region,” he added.

DStv also added Hilaal TV — a replacement for the recently dropped Islamic community channel iTV — towards the end of June. It is available on channel 347.

“Coming from their studios in Johannesburg and Cape Town, this channel is set to deliver the highest quality of Islamic content to DStv subscribers,” it said in a statement.

“The channel is created for a Muslim-based audience with spiritual and lifestyle content specifically aimed at uplifting, and supporting the broader Ummah.”

DStv announced in May that it was dropping iTV based on a review process it undertakes to ensure the quality of the local and international content it screens for its customers.

“MultiChoice constantly reviews its channel offering to ensure we continue to bring our customers the best quality local and international content,” it said in a statement.

“We continue to look for fresh content that resonates with our viewers, and an announcement for a channel to replace iTV will be made in due course.”

Hilaal TV actually launched in April or at the pop-up counterpart known as Ramadan TV. Most of the content from the pop-up is available full-time under this brand.

DStv is also launching a pop-up channel — dedicated to the nine Sony Pictures Spider-Man films — for its Premium subscribers.

The movies will be available from 23 September until 2 October on channel 111.

The addition of NHK World-Japan and Hilaal TV brings DStv’s total channel changes for the year to nine.

The table below summarises the channels added and dropped from DStv’s bouquets in 2022.

DStv channel changes in 2022

New channels
Dreamworks — 18 March 2022
KIX — 31 March 2022 (DStv Access)
Hilaal TV — 23 June 2022
NHK World-Japan — 1 July 2022
Movie Room — 27 August 2022

Dropped channels
Tellytrack - 28 February 2022
RT – 2 March 2022
Lifetime – 1 May 2022
iTV Networks — 17 June 2022
FliekNET — 15 July 2022

Channels dropped and reinstated
eMovies – dropped on 1 July 2022; reinstated on 1 August 2022
eMovies Extra – dropped on 1 July 2022; reinstated on 1 August 2022
eExtra – dropped on 1 July 2022; reinstated on 1 August 2022
eToonz — dropped on 1 July 2022; reinstated on 1 August 2022

Roundups #92: Jade Armor Expands To Cartoon Network EMEA, Burning Fire Expands To Ghana On UTV And NXT Europe To Rollout In 2023

Cartoon Network swoops into martial arts

WarnerMedia Kids & Family EMEA has acquired broadcast rights to “Jade Armor,” a banner martial arts action comedy animated series from France’s TeamTO, one of Europe’s foremost kids entertainment production companies.

As part of Cartoon Network’s declared commitment to broadcasting more animation targeting girls, “Jade Armor” will be released on both HBO Max and Cartoon Network in Europe, West Asia and North Africa later in 2022.

An instance of platforms’ drive into local animation and diversity which is galvanizing animation in Europe, the new licensing deal builds on last year’s sale of “Jade Armor” to WarnerMedia Kids & Family in the U.S., ensuring classy powerful premium platform distribution for the series.

Burning Fire coming soon to UTV

United Television (UTV) a 24/7 Ghanaian free-to-air channel privately owned by Despite Group Of Companies which features a line-up of well produced family entertainment dedicated to delivering informative and entertaining programming will be introducing a brand new series titled Burning Fire.

Dante and Irene Ferrer own an important olive-oil production company in Mexico. When they reunite their extended family, a forbidden love blooms between Gabriel and Alexa, who are unhappily married to other people.

The series stars Mariana Torres, Claudia Ramírez, Carlos Ferro, José María De Tavira, Claudia Martín and Kuno Becker.

WWE To Launch NXT Europe In 2023

WWE announced today that the NXT brand will grow internationally with the creation of an all-new NXT Europe, with the launch planned for 2023.

“Following the success of our live events and talent identification efforts throughout all of Europe, we believe this is the perfect time to expand NXT beyond the UK,” said Shawn Michaels, WWE Vice President of Talent Development Creative.

Launched in 2016, NXT UK has received critical acclaim and developed WWE main roster talent such as Rhea Ripley, Doudrop, Gunther and Butch. NXT Europe will reimagine the brand and its talent pipeline with a Pan European focus.

 

Team Sayari Revealed As Title For National Geographic Kids Africa Programme

Following field production commencing earlier this year, as well as the announcement of the local hosts, The Walt Disney Company Africa, together with its project partners, National Geographic, the US Department of State, the US Agency for International Development (Usaid) and WildlifeDirect have today revealed both the title and the set of the highly anticipated National Geographic Kids programme.

Inspired by the programme’s aim to motivate lasting, impactful behavioural change in young viewers across the continent and create the next generation of environmental conservation leaders, the programme will be titled Team Sayari. Incorporating the Swahili term for ‘planet’, the title embodies the programme’s goal – to provide viewers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to conserve and protect the natural world, in a fun way.

In the series, the young presenters will visit the wild to meet African experts in five countries across the continent to explore, discover, learn about our environmental challenges, and be inspired to reduce their impact, protect and restore nature.

Filming has also commenced in a custom-built set in Nairobi, the Sayari basecamp. A first-of-its-kind in Kenya, the set embodies childhood imagination and adventure with a tree house-inspired hideout that is locally built and designed, including African-inspired and nature-based motifs, coupled with elements of advanced technology. It comes complete with a mission control wall, a cosy chill area and a lively interview spot. The Sayari basecamp was produced almost entirely from recycled and upcycled materials, true to the ethos of the show.

The central feature is a gigantic tree, with a textured trunk named Funzi (derived from the Swahili word for learning) featuring interactive artificial intelligence technology and a DNA helix, and which imparts knowledge about the environment and challenges our young presenters. To impart a sense of movement, Funzi’s inner section spins slowly during interaction.

Wood panelling, leafy foliage and porthole-style windows complete the ambience of a hideaway nestled in a tree, high in the sky. Upholstery on the furniture, that was made from organic materials, features dual-level African print, which provides layers of texture and pops of colour. The set’s shelving is hand-crafted, adding an element of quirkiness to the design. A live-edge table where the markings of the tree have been preserved for a raw look, will be dressed uniquely per episode.

Marita Lucas and Shanah Manjeru on the Team Sayari set

At basecamp, Funzi gives the studio presenters, Mysha Hodson (13), Marita Lucas (12), Shanah Manjeru (14), Railey Mwai (10) and Adarsh Nagda (12) missions to complete, laying the foundation for the many adventures and fun throughout the episodes. It is also from this intriguing environment that they will link with other presenters from East, West and South Africa.

Team Sayari is the result of a collaborative effort between National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company Africa, Usaid, the US State Department and WildlifeDirect. The series, produced by local production company White Rhino Films aims to celebrate the environment and raise awareness of conservation and associated issues in a fun and relatable way, will air later this year on both National Geographic Wild and Disney Channel across Africa. There will also be engaging digital extensions on social media platforms that will allow viewers to further explore topics addressed in the series as well as an outreach programme that will extend the reach of the programme into countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

APK: Scooby-Doo Mystery

Scooby-Doo Mystery is the name of two video games released by Acclaim Entertainment in 1995 based on the Scooby-Doo animated series. One of the games was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and is an adventure game with platforming elements. The other title, released for the Sega Genesis is a more traditional adventure game with a point-and-click-style interface. Both were released exclusively in North America. In both games, players take control of Shaggy Rogers and Scooby-Doo, who help solve various mysteries with other members of Mystery Incorporated who serve minor roles during gameplay.

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Roundups #91: The Highly Anticipated Series Love By Chance Is Coming To Star Life, MultiChoice To Rollout Spider-Man Pop-Up Channel In Celebration Of 80th Anniversary And Droomvelore To Make A Comeback On eExtra

Destined Love is finally launching on Star Life

Earlier in the year, it was reported that Star Life had picked up rights to Indian drama Love By Chance (initially referred to as Destined Love, Kabhie Kabhie Ittefaq Se) alongside two other series Bold & Beautiful (Divya Drishti) and Unforseen Love (Mehandi Hai Rachane Wali).

Based on the Bengali drama Khorkuto, Destined Love tells the story of a sophisticated upper class girl who gets married to a scholar who lives with a middle-class joint family who educate her about morals and ethics.

The star cast of the show include Yesha Rughani, Manan Joshi, Delnaaz Irani, Yamini Singh and Nishigandha Wad. It airs from September 18th replacing Unspoken Bonds.

M-Net is bringing on the webslinger

To celebrate Spider-Man’s 60th Anniversary, M-Net Movies will be showing all nine Spider-Man movies from Sony Pictures over the course of 10 days, from Friday 23 September – Sunday 2 October on a dedicated pop-up movie channel (DStv 111), streaming on DStv Now and dangling around on DStv Catch Up. The Spider-Man Pop-Up channel 111 will be available to Premium customers and on Add Movies for Compact Plus, Compact Family and Access customers.

Since his debut as a sidekick in Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s Amazing Fantasy #15 anthology comic book in August 1962, Peter Parker has grown from nerdy high school student to troubled college student and from married high school teacher to single freelance photographer – but his mantra that with great power, comes great responsibility has been a constant as he’s used his web-shooters and ‘Spidey senses’ to save the day for six decades.

Starting in 2002 with the most recent instalment in 2021 , the nine films include eight live-action blockbusters and one animated hit: Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007), The Amazing Spider-Man (2021), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). Channel 111 will also broadcast the 30min documentary – Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home.

Droomverlore coming soon to eExtra

Last year, it was reported that eMedia Investments had acquired rights to the Turkish romcom Droomvelore (Erkenci Kus) starring Can Yaman and with Demet Özdemir's Verdeelde Liefde scheduled to air on eExtra later in the month.

Sanem is a young girl who works at her father's grocery store in hopes to become a famous writer one day. When her parents give her a choice to either get a proper job or an arranged marriage, Sanem gets a job in the advertising agency her sister works in. From there she meets her boss and love interest, Jan.

Droomverlore is rumoured to replace Begeertes once it finishes on eExtra.