Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Out Leadership Team For The France, Benelux, And Africa Region

Pierre Branco, General Manager of Warner Bros. Discovery for the France, Benelux and Africa region, announced today his new leadership team with immediate effect.

Branco said: “The new leadership team will work with me on writing the next chapters for our organization with a ‘one company’ mindset. I am convinced that we have the content, brands, talents and passion to grow our business even further and position ourselves strongly for the future in a competitive and challenging region that is also full of opportunities.”

- Romain Carbonne will manage the Insights and Research teams across the region
Guillaume Coffin will lead the region’s Affiliate Sales, Ad Sales and Content Licensing
- Yves Elalouf will lead the retail business for the region across Home Entertainment (Video, Games & Digital) and Consumer Products
- Tatiana Lagewaard will lead Content & Programming for General Entertainment (GE) and factual brands in the region, including Local Unscripted Productions for discovery+ and Discovery networks
- Stephane Queneudec will continue to lead the French Theatrical Local Production business reporting to Pierre Branco and will have a dual role, also managing the Content Licensing team reporting to Guillaume Coffin
- Gregory Schuber will lead Group Marketing & PR for the region. Marketing and PR teams for GE and factual brands and Content Licensing in the region will, therefore, now report to Gregory
- Olivier Snanoudj will continue in his role as head of Theatrical Distribution for France & Benelux.

New Channel Alert: Long Awaited Youth Channel Finally Surfaces On DStv

A new television channel dedicated to teenagers in Africa has been birthed by filmmaker Charles Novia and will start broadcasting on DStv later this month. Called Teen Africa TV, the channel marks a major limestone in the history of broadcasting in Africa as it is the first indigenous television channel for teenagers in Africa.

“Teen Africa TV is a new and exciting niche television channel poised to be the first platform for teenagers in the African broadcast space, running for 24 hours daily across African countries and targeting first line audiences of pre-teens, teenagers aged 13 to 19 as well as young adults and family,” said Novia.

The channel was initially slated to rollout on the platform in 2019 but got delayed within the following year only to surface on rival platform, StarTimes.

Teen Africa TV features talk shows, lifestyle, educational, entertainment and events programmes that are specifically tailored for teens. Some notable titles include Breakfast Club, Street Live, Fashionista and Culture Connect.

The channel rolls out on channel 394 on the DStv platform.

Teen Africa TV joins a list of upcoming channels set to rollout on the DStv platform by the end of the year including the jazz infused channel Qwest TV by Quincy Jones and the preschool sensation Moonbug Kids from Moonbug Entertainment.

 

7 Things You Didn't Know About The Classic Tom's Diner As You Wait On The Coffee

Suzanne Vega wrote her wordy a cappella tune "Tom’s Diner" in 1981 during a visit to a diner in her neighborhood, the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The place itself is actually called Tom’s Restaurant and would become even more famous as the exterior of the diner frequented by the characters on Seinfeld. The song appeared as the opening track on Vega’s second album, Solitude Standing, in 1987, but her label passed it over as a single in the States, going instead for “Luka,” a beautifully melodic downer about an abused child. ("Luka" reached No. 3 on Billboard’s chart, so it wasn’t a bad decision.) But “Tom’s Diner” ended up with a much longer, more interesting life full of revivals, remakes, and other shots at immortality, including a prominent sampling in Fall Out Boy’s hit “Centuries” last year and a recent, well-received cover sung by Britney Spears on the Giorgio Moroder album Déjà Vu. Some of the other highlights of “Tom’s” enduring life:

1. "Tom's Diner" was written from a male perspective.
Vega wrote the song when she was attending nearby Barnard Collage and stopped in for coffee. It’s written from a specifically male perspective, inspired by her photographer friend, Brian Rose, who told her that he perceived the world as if through a pane of glass. She thought of that as she sat at Tom’s and tried to imagine how her friend would see the things she saw that day. (She never mentions being a male narrator in the song, but she does imply that the character at first thinks the woman “hitching up her skirt” outside the diner is flirting with him, then he realizes “she does not really see me ‘cause she sees her own reflection.”)

2. The song references real places and events.
The “bells of the cathedral” Vega sings about are those of the nearby St. John the Divine, a majestic structure with a long history of its own, where she once had a "midnight picnic " with songwriter Jack Hardy.

3. Some intrepid fans figured out which day the narrator was at Tom's.
The official “Tom’s Diner Day”—the day Vega presumably wrote the song—is Nov. 18, 1981. An article posted on her official website traces the lyrical evidence, mainly the reference to the newspaper of that day, specifically “the story of an actor who had died while he was drinking/it was no one I had heard of.” Her friend Brian Rose, in his own article, placed the writing of the song between 1981 and 1982. Actor William Holden’s body was discovered Monday, Nov. 16, 1981, having lain in his California home for a week after he fell and fatally hit his head while drunk. The news broke Tuesday, Nov. 17, but The New York Post , one of the only two New York papers with the “funnies” the narrator is seeking, reported it on Wednesday, Nov. 18. And the horoscopes that the narrator had to turn through were, in fact, near the funnies in the Post. Alas, it didn’t rain that day, as the lyrics suggest it was doing while she wrote it. Vega, asked about the contradiction, said she actually wrote it on at least two separate mornings at Tom’s.

4. The remix wasn't Vega's creation, but she loved it anyway.
In 1990, three years after the original was released, two record producers from England working together as DNA remixed Vega’s original a cappella version with an R&B beat that sounded similar to Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) .” They called it “Oh Susanne!” and sold it at their local record store without proper permission from Vega’s label, A&M Records. When A&M got wind of this, they considered legal action. But Vega asked to hear the version and loved it, so she convinced A&M to pay DNA a flat fee and distribute it. The track got instant radio play and became a hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

5. The song became so popular, Vega was able to release an entire album of covers.
There have been many versions and samplings since DNA’s release, including an entire 1991 record called Tom’s Album that collected nine versions by other artists along with several Vega versions. It included a track by an act called Bingo Hand Job, which was the nom de plume R.E.M. used for a couple of secret London shows with English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. Other “Tom’s” riffs explored accidental pregnancy (Nikki D’s “Daddy’s Little Girl”), the Gulf War (Beth Watson’s “Waiting at the Border”), and TV’s I Dream of Jeannie (Marylin E. Whitelaw and Mark Davis’ “Jeannie’s Diner”).

6. Hip-hop artists love sampling "Tom's" beats.
Other samplings and reimaginings throughout the years have come from a surprising number of hip-hop artists: Felt’s “Suzanne Vega, ” Lil’ Kim’s “Right Now,” 2 Pac’s “Dopefiend’s Diner, ” Drake’s “Juice, ” Aaliyah’s “Hot Like Fire.” Timbaland even sampled the song on “Nothing But a Number ” for the TV show Empire earlier this year.

7. The song was used to create new music technology.

Vega is known as “the mother of the MP3” because her a cappella version was used by German engineer Karl-Heinz Brandenberg to fine-tune his compression algorithm when he was creating the format we all use now for our digital song files. Vega even visited the lab where it was done (and briefly haggled with the engineering team about the perfection of their sound quality). And there’s a haunting “version” of the song called “moDernisT," composed of the echoes from the compression process. So when you download Britney’s new version of “Tom’s Diner,” you have Vega to thank in more ways than one.

Credits: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

New Movies Alert: Gereza And Splintered Pieces Coming Soon To eVOD

2022 is proving to be a productive year for the streamer after Is'phindiselo made its linear debut on e.tv pulling close to 2 million households with Umbrella Men being a main attraction at the Toronto International Film Festival. The streamer continues to ramp up its local offering with Gereza and Sliding Pieces.

Their entrepreneurs decide to take the law into their own hands after learning the truck carrying their government-awarded funds is going to be hijacked. Intent on plotting the most perfect heist within a heist, they spend time crafting their immaculate plan. But on the day of reckoning, it all spirals out of control when a high-speed car chase with the Metro Police ensues on the highway and forces them into Alexandra Township where they are all trapped.

Gereza features Litemba Mkoka, Jesse Suntele, Anele Zondo and Bheki Mkhwane.

In the fast paced world of Maboneng, Johannesburg, friends Linda and Tshepi face relationship challenges and must learn to be honest to overcome obstacles to their happiness - but lust is not an easy beast to conquer.

Sliding Pieces features Didie Makobane, Batsile Ramasodi, Moliehi Makobane, Khatu Ramabulana and Kitty Moepang.

Gereza will be available to stream from 18 October as we await details on a date for Sliding Pieces. Housewives which serves as another local production for the streamer will be airing this Sunday on e.tv.

What To Expect On DreamWorks Channel Africa In October 2022?

NEW EPISODES:
BOSS BABY: BACK IN BUSINESS

Boss Baby, with the help of his big brother and partner-in-crime Tim, continues to navigate the cutthroat corporate jungle gym of Baby Corp, while angling to achieve the near-impossible: the work-life balance of a modern career baby.
From Monday of 3rd October
Weekdays at 8.15am, 6.05pm, 21.25pm
Weekends at 8.40am, 3pm, 9pm

NEW EPISODES:
HOME: ADVENTURES WITH TIP & OH
What happens after a misfit alien named Oh conquers Earth, befriends an adventurous teen girl named Tip and together they save the day? Oh moves in with Tip and her human family and finally discovers the true meaning of home. The galaxy's dynamic duo are back in DreamWorks Animation's "Home: Adventures With Tip & Oh," an all-new series jam-packed with outrageous laughs, tons of heart and contemporary urban pop music performed by teen singing sensation Rachel Crow ("Rio 2," "X Factor"). Life on earth will never be the same! Picking up where the hit 2015 animated film left off and building upon their enduring friendship, this coming-of-age buddy comedy follows fearless Tip and overenthusiastic Oh, as they navigate the crazily combined human and alien culture they live in, finding adventure everywhere they go. The series will also include tons of memorable and toe-tapping original music that highlight Rachel Crow's extraordinary vocal talents.
From Monday of 3rd October
Weekdays at 7am, 4pm, 7.45pm
Weekends at 7.25am, 4.50pm

NEW SHOW:
POSTMAN PAT
Each story features Postman Pat and his black and white cat Jess and their adventures in the village of Greendale. Pat is more than just a friendly postman delivering the mail. He is always ready to lend a willing hand to all the people he meets on his rounds. Everyone looks out for his bright red post van and he is warmly welcomed with a smile and the odd cup of tea!
From Monday of 3rd October
Weekdays at 10am, 12pm

NEW EPISODES:
CASPERS SCARE SCHOOL
For werewolves, vampires, zombies and ghouls, pretty much anything goes...except being nice to humans! When Casper, the world’s friendliest ghost, befriends a neighborhoodboy, his uncles send him to the only place that can cure his friendliness once and for all - Scare School!
From Monday of 3rd October
Weekdays at 6am, 1pm
Weekends at 6.30am

FILM:
THE BOSS BABY
From the studio that brought you "Shrek," "Kung Fu Panda" and "Madagascar" comes DreamWorks Animation's "The Boss Baby," a hilarious family comedy about how a new baby's arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator – a wildly imaginative 7-year old named Tim. The most unusual Boss Baby arrives to Tim's home in a taxi, wearing a suit, carrying a brief case and speaking with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin. The sibling rivalry between the two brothers is reluctantly cast aside when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is actually a spy on a secret undercover mission, and only he can help. An outrageous adventure ensues as the pint-sized partners prepare to thwart a dastardly plot involving an epic battle between puppies and babies.Inspired by the best-selling picture book by Marla Frazee, this riotous comedy for all ages features the voices of Alec Baldwin as Boss Baby, Steve Buscemi as the villainous Francis E. Francis, Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow as Tim and Boss Baby's unsuspecting parents, Miles Bakshi as Tim, and Tobey Maguire as the film’s narrator.
Friday Oct 21st 5:15pm
Sunday Oct 16th 9:30am

FILM:
DESPICABLE ME
In a happy suburban neighborhoodsurrounded by white picket fences and flowering rose bushes sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout belonging to Gru, a dastardly villain who, along with the help of his many little minions, is planning the biggest heist in the history of the world: he's going to steal the moon! But his plans are foiled the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. This smash hit, animated 3D adventure boasts a stellar all-star vocal cast that includes Steve Carell, Julie Andrews, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Danny McBride and more! He's despicable. He's deplorable. He's delightful!
Sun Nov 6th, 9:30am
Fri Nov 11th, 5:15pm

FILM:
MINIONS

From the moment audiences first experienced them in Illumination Entertainment’s "Despicable Me," we have always wondered: where did the Minions come from? In Minions, that question is answered and the Minions are presented in an origin story that showcases their unpredictable personality and physicality, and pairs them with equally memorable human characters. As it turns out, Minions have existed since the beginning of time. They have evolved from single (yellow) cell organisms into the familiar beings we know, and they live for a collective purpose: to seek out and serve the most despicable master they can find. Academy Award®-winner Sandra Bullock leads the voice cast of the human characters as Scarlet Overkill, the world’s reigning super-villain of the 1960s. The 3D-CG comedy adventure will be produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandriand Janet Healy, and the film will be directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for Minions, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer.
Sun October 23rd 9:30am
Fri October 28th 5:15pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
SCARED SHREKLESS

Halloween is Shrek's favorite holiday - and this year he's planning a night of frights, ogre style. Instead of the usual tricks and treats, Shrek ups the ante and challenges Fiona,Donkey,
Puss in Boots and the other fairy tale characters to spend the night in Lord Farquaad's castle, telling scary stories. One by one, they compete through the night, putting theirown fairytale spin on infamous spine-tingling tales that everyone knows and loves! The last one to be scared-Shrekless wins. "Scared Shrekless" is a half-hour animated specialdelivering fun for the whole family.
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
THE PIG WHO CRIED WEREWOLF

Of the famous Three Little Pigs, Heimlich is the one porker who finds a conspiracy around every corner. When The Big Bad Wolf moves in next door, Heimlich tries to warn his piggy pals Horst and Dieter that this may not bring a fairy-tale ending. Tired of hearing him 'cry wolf,' they ignore Heimlich's warnings until it's almost too late for them to live happily everafter. The chase is on!
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
NIGHT OF THE LIVING CARROTS

It's Halloween and a mutant alien pumpkin explodes on the Murphy's carrot garden. Now, zombie carrots rise up to attack the town, biting the townspeople and taking overtheir minds. B.O.B., Dr. Cockroach and The Missing Link must join forces to take on the zombie carrots and somehow, someway find a way to defeat these denizens of the dirt if they are ever going to take back the night.
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
GHOST OF LORD FARQUAAD

Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey are on their way to the hotel where Shrek and Fiona will spend their honeymoon when they encounter Lord Farquaad's ghost!
Farquaad sends his henchman, Thelonious, to bring Princess Fiona to him where he will force her to become the queen of the ghostly world. Now, Shrek and Donkey must save the princess in this timeless tale that’s filled with spooky-good fun.
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
FAR FAR AWAY IDOL

Join Shrek and the rest of the Far Far Away characters in this hilarious spoof as they battle it out in a singers’ showdown.
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL:
MUTANT PUMPKINS FROM
OUTER SPACE

Susan, B.O.B., The Missing Link and Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., are back to investigate a mysterious alien presence on Halloween and innocent-looking pumpkins are revealedfor what they really are – mutant aliens!
Luckily, the Monsters smash the mutants’ wicked scheme to take over Earth in thisaction-packed adventure starring Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie and Kiefer Sutherland.
Hero Slot: From Sun 30th to Mon 31st of October
Sunday at 8.10pm Monday at 1:30pm, 5:40pm