New Channel Alert (Rumour): OUTtv + FUSE + Zee Family + Star Select Coming Soon Exclusively To Openview Ultra

eMedia Investments is prepping up the pay-tv version to the current Openview platform and from what is seen these past weeks I wouldn't be shocked if it was unveiled before the end of the month and before we get to the four channels, here's what you should know.

For those using Openview, there was 4 test channels and from what was seen through those lab experiments were SABC 2, SABC 3, Zee TV and Colors TV and as predicted these were just placeholder channels for the final product which turns out to be OUTtv, FUSE, Zee Family and Star Select.

OUTtv is a general entertainment channel owned by OUTtv Media Global Inc. which is meant to promote the LGBTQ community with drama series, reality shows, movies and documentaries. Some of the content include Absolutely Fabulous, Call Me Mother and Brideshead Revisited.

It was launched as a pop-up channel on DStv back in 2018 unfortunately MultiChoice opted not to have a 24 hour channel but rather to bundle it with Showmax and with this news I wouldn't be shocked if they tried prepping up a similar offering.

eMedia Investments:
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- More Bollywood coming soon to Openview Ultra
- More e.tv coming soon to DStv customers
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month
- Could Openview+ lead to 24 hour capability of these channels?

FUSE owned by FUSE Media LLC from what I can gather is a music and lifestyle channel similar to OUTtv it celebrates the LGBTQ community with shows like Made From Scratch, Sex Sells, We Need to Talk About America and Stay True.

The other two remain as much of a mystery to me but here's my hunch about both brands.

Zee Family is a general entertainment channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises while as Zee World and Zee One rely heavily on soaps to keep their lineup afloat this channel will incorporate that and explore other aspects of India including reality, lifestyle, kids movies and doccies.

Star Select is a general entertainment channel owned by Disney Star likely serving as a competitor to Zee Family with a similar offering while as serving as an expansion to the current Star Life channel.

As to whether these channels are dubbed in English that is unknown but I'm expecting them to be Hindi with English subtitles. Makes sense as we don't want to burn off so much money.

As for the pricing you may want to sit down when reading this, remember when Openview Ultra was first announced as Openview+ with a price tag R150 well that's not the case with revamped package.

Apparently, Openview Ultra has priced these channels under two tags Ultraview Pride which is R75p/m with Ultraview Indian being priced at R119p/m together that takes you to R194p/m almost R200p/m for just 4 channels.

Take to account, Openview Ultra is just a newbie to the market and overtime we will see more entertainment. For those who've been followed DStv for a while would understand that pricing is not determined by quantity but quality which is the case right here.

MultiChoice's premium package for starters almost priced at R900p/m has most funds going onto M-Net and SuperSport and with Openview Ultra I believe people will have a better understanding as to how MultiChoice actually prices their packages.

How Kartoon Channel Will Likely Launch On The DStv Platform If Considered?

Kartoon Channel is a kids channel operated by SPI International which serves a division for Canal+ that airs quality animations including Angry Birds, Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten, Rainbow Light Brigade, Om's Story and Barbie's Dog Adventure.

With a core audience of 2 - 10 yrs, Kartoon Channel aims at providing family entertainment content, the program scheduling fully considers the activity time for children of all ages. Every weekend, family and children movies will also be broadcasted.

The channel's parent company as reported had finalised a multimillion dollar deal with TOHO International for critically-acclaimed series, Bee and PuppyCat, Frederator’s pop culture phenomenon Bravest Warriors, and the upcoming series Catbug, based on the popular character in the Bravest Warriors’ series.

As some readers are already aware of the condition with its carrier, StarSat. It's basically a ticking time bomb after closing about 30+ channels in a short span of time with replacements failing to materialize 90% of the time and that 10% taking the plunge part of the time.

Insidus Games:
- Powerpuff Girls Snowboarding
- Baby Felix Halloween
- Looney Tunes Monster Match
- Thor: The Dark World

You got to wonder whether Kartoon Channel would end up like DreamWorks which too was exclusive to the platform before getting scrapped after two years and eventually rolling out on the DStv platform.

As mentioned a while ago, Kartoon Channel aside from StarSat was rumoured to rollout in two other platforms one of which were MultiChoice's DStv but here's the problem regarding that matter.

MultiChoice has been facing transponder constraints almost like when your storage space is almost full so you have rid yourself of useless items in order to make space for more furniture which was the case for last year as Tellytrack, Lifetime, Novela Magic and MTV Hits fell prey to that matter.

And I'm not saying that Kartoon Channel will be another placeholder but with the current scenario facing several other brands on the platform. It wouldn't be shocking if it were fortunate enough to rollout once another channel closes.

Taking to account which channels are likely closing or might be on the chopping block

1. Disney Channel and Disney Junior
The Walt Disney Company is planning to close more international channels with Africa set to lose these channels sometime in 2024 as more content is available to stream on Disney+.

We're not saying MultiChoice will use Kartoon Channel as leverage for two channels but the replacement will likely be independent and not become another Nicktoons so the likelihood just like Cartoon Network it might as well offer preschool shows.

Regular Nick:
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- Here are other ways to view PBS Kids
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise

2. JimJam
AMC International has been making some major cutbacks in staff and this is due to the fact that most consumers would rather watch Wednesday on Netflix as opposed to repeats of Judge Judy on CBS Reality.

Not long ago, the CBS brand name was phased in most of their property in the UK. It wouldn't be surprising if they were some cutting down for this preschool brand as it hasn't been all that productive during the years.

3. Nicktoons
Kind of like AMC International, even Paramount is reducing staff for a similar reason people are exhausted of watching the entire 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory on Comedy Central. So what better than reducing the amount of localised feeds or variations.

Compared to Nick Jr, Nicktoons hasn't been as productive as some viewers may think as the channel schedule mainly consists of cancelled series Horrid Henry, The Casagrandes and likely Middlemost Post with trashfest Best & Bester getting burnt off.

Another channel MultiChoice and Paramount might as well chop the finger.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Die Vertroueling, Soete Wraak And Chrysalis

All the credit goes out to Die Afrikaans Voices actors.pagie

Die Vertroueling

Keenan Herman as Marasli
Margo Kotze as Alina Boz Mahur
Johann Vermaak as Saygin Soysal Savas
Keeno-Lee Hector as Serhat Kilic Necati
Chris Van Rensburg as Cemil Büyukoogerli Ilhan
Charlene La Roux as Melis Isiten Dilsad
Andahr Cotton as Cihan Yenici Ozan
Thomas Van Niekerk as Kerem Atabeyoglu Aziz

Soete Wraak

Cintaine Schutte as Pelin
Johann Vermaak as Sinan/Tankut
Albert Maritz as Riza
Amor Tredoux as Süheyla
Wynand Ferreira as Tolga
Tanja Franzsen as Basak
Antonette Louw as Simay
Daneel Van Der Walt as Ceyda
Hendrik Nieuwoudt as Bülent
Lee Roodt as Necip
Frieda Van Den Heever as Havva

Chrysalis

Roeline Daneel as Nalan
Chris Van Nieken as Rafet
Rushney Ferguson as Dondu
Leatitia Solomons as Gulcihan
Maria De Valente as Billur
Marcel Van Heerden as Adil Ipekoglu
Stiaan Bruwer as Tako
Antoinette Kellerman as Feride Ipekoglu
Amalia Uys as Cana

Recap: More Cancellations Awaiting The CW As 5 Original Shows Are Said To Be Moving Forward

If you’re a fan of a CW show, it’s best if you read this news sitting down. Since the mass cancellation sweep in 2022, viewers have been on edge over the network’s future. For months, report after report has hit the Internet concerning CW’s new majority owner, Nexstar, and the company’s vision for its direction.

Profitability has been the chief priority, hence the original series cuts that will effectively end the Arrowverse once The Flash bids farewell after its ninth season run. Shake-ups at Warner Bros Discovery have also put into question whether Superman & Lois will still have a home at The CW and if Justice U will move forward at all despite the series being in development.

Ratings, which weren’t previously a major factor in whether an original series on the network got a renewal, are of the utmost importance. But if you pay attention to The CW’s viewership, it’s the worst performing of the Big 5 cable networks by a large margin.

DStv Flex:
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net

Its shows can’t crack a million on the night views and only two series in the 2022-2023 television season have managed to maintain a million viewer average with the Live+7 ratings factored in. Those series happen to be a part of the newly established Walker franchise.

Walker, which stars Jared Padalecki, is a modern western action family cop drama. Its prequel series, Walker Independence, stars Katherine McNamara as Abigail Walker, the matriarch of the entire line. The freshman show has held its own as the highest rated new addition to The CW’s roster which is a feat considering it’s a period piece set in the Old West.

Given the transition the network is in with its business model, viewers were aware more cancellations would be coming. But, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that could mean less than five original series will be kept on.

Reportedly fewer than 5 CW originals are to move forward in 2023

As the outlet reports, in an article about Greg Berlanti’s overall deal renewal with Warner Bros TV, The CW’s shift in business model to profitability will include “what sources say will be fewer than five U.S. scripted originals.”

This, of course, means the Walker franchise, the All American franchise, Kung Fu, The Winchesters, and Superman & Lois are in danger of cancellation. There are eight shows waiting for renewal news and less than five scripted slots to fill. Not to mention, the network has shows in development as well.

If we’re to go off ratings, as the strongest performers Walker and Walker Independence, aren’t likely to get the boot. All American could survive, but it’s a veteran show. As for The Winchesters, the series keeps shedding viewers, but it’s number 3 on the network in views. If it can maintain its audience in the back half of the season and regain its momentum, it could survive this television season.

Genius Brands Expands International Market Launches For Kartoon Channel! Worldwide

Continuing to build the global footprint of Kartoon Channel! Worldwide, Genius Brands International, Inc. has signed a deal with China’s StarTimes to launch the rapidly growing Kartoon Channel! on January 31st on DTH satellite and digital terrestrial in South Africa and in 46 countries throughout the Sub-Saharan African region.

The brand new 24/7 Kartoon Channel!, dedicated to Africa, will be available to all StarTimes customers in the basic tier on DTH satellite and digital terrestrial: channel 304 on satellite and channel 357 on DTT (276 in Uganda). Kartoon Channel! Africa will offer exclusive and first run series that have proven popular with kids and families, including Genius Brands’ originals “Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Rainbow Rangers,” “Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab,” and “Llama Llama,” starring Jennifer Garner and based on the bestselling children’s book franchise. The channel will also feature family-friendly movies on the weekends such as “Stan Lee’s Mighty 7,” “Ella Bella Bingo,” “Toys and Pets,” and “Boonie Bears.”

Insidus Games:
- Powerpuff Girls Snowboarding
- Baby Felix Halloween
- Looney Tunes Monster Match
- Thor: The Dark World

Additionally, Kartoon Channel! Africa will internationally premier the recently announced new 10-episode elimination-style competition reality series and accompanying Roblox Game Experiences for children, Kidaverse Roblox* Rumble. Hosted by TV personality and former NFL star, Rashad Jennings, the series will air as part of a games-branded programming block on weekday afternoons.

“We continue to build the global presence of Kartoon Channel! by creating unique partnerships, and we are delighted and honored to work with StarTimes to bring Kartoon Channel! to African kids and families in 2023. Our family-friendly brand values and safe environment deliver the perfect recipe to entertain and inform kids via characters and shows they adore. We are just getting started in growing Kartoon Channel! as a preeminent children’s entertainment destination worldwide,” stated President of Kartoon Channel! Worldwide Paul Robinson.

“We are thrilled to launch a channel throughout Africa that offers such a diverse line-up of programming for children 2 – 12-years-old and their families.  With safe, value-driven content across multiple genres, we anticipate Kartoon Channel! to be a hit across the region, and look forward to working with Genius Brands in the coming years to bring a unique entertainment experience to our young audiences across the region,” said General Manager of StarTimes Media Lily Meng.

Kartoon Channel! is currently available in key territories around the world, including Australia and New Zealand (Samsung TV Plus), Germany (Waipu), and the Philippines (Tapp Digital). Kartoon Channel! branded blocks are also currently available in 65 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Regular Nick:
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- Here are other ways to view PBS Kids
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise