Recap: Cape Town TV Unveils Fresh New Look In The New Decade

Cape Town TV broadcasts free-to-air in the greater Cape Town area and nationally on DStv. The channel currently reaches an average monthly viewership of 2.5 million and appeals to a wide range of age, income and language groups.

In September 2022 Cape Town TV launched on South Africa’s digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) platform with a broadcast footprint across Cape Town and surrounding areas, reaching up to Stellenbosch, the West Coast and the southern peninsula.

Also coming with the new DTT platform was the channel's fresh new look within the decade with the slogan TV For You, TV By You.

Cape Town held a designer's challenge where from the looks of things the winner's design would be used across their platforms and what better way to have a new appearance than when analogue frequencies are being phased out.

DStv Flex:
- NCIS: Los Angeles cancelled after 14 seasons on M-Net
- Brand new seasons of your favourite shows coming to History
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY

This new logo kind of like the previous design both come off as old but I feel there's more to tell here aside from a black and white screen. Judging by the TV set, it's possible that Cape Town TV is trying to go for the retro approach while as trying to appease the new audiences.

Analogue frequencies are being phased out in the market in the coming future and this is probably a way to also remember their childhood.

Cape Town TV may not be part of list of channels I'd watch on a personal note but a lot of consumers count on it for their survival and it's also one of the few community brands that still remain productive.

In 2023, the broadcaster plans to expand the reach of their DTT platform to the whole of the Western Cape reaching a potential audience of 4.5 million viewers. As of right now, Cape Town can be. viewed on MultiChoice's DStv and Sentech''s Freevision.

DStv:
- MultiChoice might be adding two new catch-up channels
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

Cartoonito Is Coming!!! As Boomerang Africa Loses An Additional Two Hours Of Airtime And Possible Programming

As you already know, another Boomerang feed will be closed down and supplemented with Cartoonito which is currently seen in this region as a programming block. In CEE, shows like Tom And Jerry, Looney Tunes and Scooby-Doo are expected to rollout on Cartoon Network with Mr. Bean and Grizzy And The Lemmings residing with Cartoonito.

The variations have differed in a lot of regions as Italy for starters offers Tom And Jerry with Latin America adding Scooby-Doo to the lineup. From an honest perspective, I wouldn't be shocked if the outcome seen on CEE was duplicated in EMEA.

Although, there has yet to be news of a rebrand Warner has been adjusting Cartoonito's schedule and with this latest change I wouldn't be shocked if Boomerang were to be phased out before the end of the year especially with Batwheels debuting on the channel soon.

Insidus Games:
- Bugs Bunny & Lola Bunny: Operation Carrot Patch
- Buzz Lightyear Star Command
- Fix It Fun! Bob The Builder
- Daffy Duck: Fowl Play

Boomerang hasn't got much left on their plate aside from preschool shows Legend Of Spark and The Adventures Of Little Penguin. I assume these changes were probably one way Warner intends to rollout the Cartoonito channel.

As advised, Cartoonito's additional airtime comes with mascots from the channel and not only that they appear to exist outside of the block. Basically, it appears as if there's somewhat of a merger/crossover basically taking the brand from 2 to 4 hours.

Presenting the schedule rolling out in the coming weeks on Boomerang with preschool orientation highlighted in bold italics:

00:05 Zig & Sharko
00:30 Moka's Fabulous Adventures
00:50 Moka's Fabulous Adventures
01:15 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
01:45 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
02:00 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
02:20 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
02:45 Mighty Mike
03:10 Mighty Mike
03:30 Mr. Magoo
03:50 Zig & Sharko
04:15 The Tom And Jerry Show
04:35 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
05:00 Masha And The Bear
05:20 Grizzy And The Lemmings
05:40 Pat The Dog
06:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series

Cartoonito
06:33 CoComelon
06:55 DinoRanch
07:10 Thomas & Friends

07:35 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
08:00 The Adventures of Little Penguin
08:15 Grizzy and The Lemmings
08:45 Zig & Sharko
09:05 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
09:30 Masha And The Bear
09:50 Legends Of Spark

Regular Nick:
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids
- Could Universal Kids be the next channel to close down from NBCUniversal?
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj coming soon to Nickelodeon

Cartoonito
10:10 Thomas & Friends
10:20 Grizzy and The Lemmings
10:45 Masha And The Bear
11:05 CoComelon
11:30 Dino Ranch
11:55 Grizzy and The Lemmings
12:10 Masha And The Bear
12:25 Lucas The Spider
12:40 Thomas & Friends

13:00 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
13:35 The Adventures Of Little Penguin
13:50 Grizzy And The Lemmings
14:10 Legends Of Spark
14:35 Masha And The Bear
14:55 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
15:20 Grizzy and The Lemmings
15:50 Zig & Sharko
16:20 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
16:45 The Adventures Of Little Penguin
16:55 Masha And The Bear
17:25 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
17:50 Zig & Sharko
18:10 Legends Of Spark
18:25 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
18:50 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
19:15 Zig & Sharko
19:35 Grizzy And The Lemmings
20:00 Pat The Dog
20:20 Looney Tunes Cartoons
20:45 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
21:05 Mr. Bean: The Animated Series
21:30 Tom And Jerry Tales
21:50 Tom And Jerry Tales
22:15 Masha And The Bear
22:40 Masha And The Bear
23:00 New Looney Tunes
23:20 New Looney Tunes
23:45 Zig & Sharko

Taking the above developments to account, is it possible that just like CEE even EMEA (Africa) is doing something similar with their schedule before rolling out the channel I mean I wouldn't be shocked if that was the case.

New Series Alert: Om Elke Draai And The Rich Also Cry Coming To eVOD And Citizen TV Respectively

eVOD, a South African based streaming service owned by eMedia Investments home to various local productions and international content will be launching the long rumoured show to the platform titled Om Elke Draai (Her Yerde Sen).

Citizen TV which is known to selected East African audiences for its selection of telenovelas particularly Portuguese will be introducing a yet-to-be-seen TLNovelas program, The Rich Also Cry (Los Ricos También Lloran).

Om Elke Draai follows the story of a young man who buys a small architect company which is about to go bankrupt and buys his childhood house but eventually ends up sharing his house with his employee.

Everyday Novelas:
- Decisions is making a comeback on Telemundo
- Forbidden Passion season 2 not moving forward on Telemundo
- Nurses returns for a season 3
- The origin story of Forbidden Passion

It stars Furkan Andic, Aybuke Pusat, Ali Yagci, Aslihan Malbora, Ali Gozusirin, Deniz Isin, Ali Barkin, Fatih Ozkan, Cem Cucenoglu, Ayfet Tokatli, Ayse Tunaboylu, Binnur Serbetcioglu, Aziz Caner Inan and Beste Kokdemir.

Based on the telenovela of the same name, The Rich Also Cry follows Mariana, a poor woman, moves into a lavish mansion after saving the life of a wealthy patriarch. When she falls in love with the patriarch's son Luis Alberto, they must confront class differences between their family and friends.

It stars Sebastián Rulli, Claudia Martín, Fabiola Guajardo, Azela Robinson, Alejandra Barros, Víctor González, Lorena Graniewicz, Diego Klein, Arturo Barba, Thali García, Antonio Fortier and Rubén Sanz.

Om Elke Draai aired in Turkey between June to November 2019 with a total run 23 episodes each consisting of 2 hours while as The Rich Also Cry aired in Mexico last year between February to May with a total of 60 episodes each consisting of 45 minutes.

Both series are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

eMedia Investments:
- Ultraview Pride and Ultraview Indian coming soon to Openview
- More Bollywood coming soon to Openview Ultra
- Could SABC be unveiling another two channels for Openview Ultra?
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month

Roundups #133: Da Vinci Media Commissions Three Seasons Of New Bear Grylls Series, NCIS: Los Angeles Cancelled After 14 Seasons On M-Net And CBS And Starsat To Rollout CBS Reality In Various International Territories

Bear Grylls is coming to Da Vinci Kids

Da Vinci Media has set its sights on creating more inspirational content for kids and families with some help from British adventurer Bear Grylls and his co-venture studio BecomingX. The streamer has ordered three seasons of Grylls’ unscripted series Becoming Xtraordinary (30 x 24 minutes), which features influential celebrities, athletes and professionals from around the world.

Each episode will contain two interview-driven success stories encouraging kids of all ages to chase their dreams and providing advice on how to realize these goals. Some of the first season’s interviewees include actors Julia Roberts and Channing Tatum; sports superstars Roger Federer and Dame Kelly Holmes; and British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. TV host Mwaka Mudenda (Blue Peter) will serve as one of the show’s in-studio presenters.

Da Vinci commissioned the series after identifying a lack of inspirational content that kids and families can co-view together, said COO Estelle Lloyd in a release.

Pre-production is set to begin later this month, and season one is slated to premiere on Da Vinci’s platforms this spring and summer. The Da Vinci Kids app and YouTube channel will also feature full-length versions of the interviews to extend the experience of the series.

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

NCIS: Los Angeles is the next show to get axed on M-Net

One of CBS’ longest-running scripted shows, NCIS: Los Angeles, will be coming to an end after 322 episodes. Its current 14th season will be the show’s last, with the series finale set for May 14, airing on the network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+.

The NCIS spinoff, starring LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell, is tied as the fifth longest-running CBS primetime scripted series ever, only behind Gunsmoke, Lassie, CSI and Criminal Minds. Among the four, the two shows that have aired in the last 50 years, CSI and Criminal Minds, both have since been revived, which bodes well for NCIS: Los Angeles‘ future.

Additionally, NCIS: Los Angeles is a rare long-running procedural drama to have had its original leads, LL Cool J and O’Donnell, stay on for the entire run. Both have spoken publicly about their commitment to the series, which hit the 300 episode milestone last May, and their fellow cast members.

According to sources, the cast and crew of NCIS: Los Angeles are being told today about the series coming to an end. A cancellation of a long-running drama with big-name leads filming in L.A. should not come as a shock given the big price tag involved, especially at a time when networks across the board are looking to cut their spending. Still, I hear the cancellation news came as a surprise to many associated with the show as it follows the strong ratings for the three-way crossover with mothership NCIS and latest offshoot NCIS: Hawai’i.

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

CBS Reality is launching on DStv competitor

After closing off 30+ channels in the last 5 years, StarSat is finally in the process of rolling out new channels with Kartoon Channel set to officially launch by the end of January with other brands like FilmBox Action, CBS Reality and CBS Justice awaiting release.

As seen during the month, FilmBox Action and CBS Justice were unveiled by the pay-tv platform in selected regions with CBS Reality supposedly being the last minute entry and from the looks of it I wouldn't be shocked if they were more last minute entries.

CBS Reality is factual entertainment channel owned by AMC International and Paramount Global which offers content like Dangerous Flights, Judge Judy, Dogs Behaving Very Badly, Cheaters, Shocking Emergency Calls, Hardcore Pawn, Paranormal Survivor etc.

If I had to guess, CBS Reality was likely added to replace Discovery Family. I mean both are educational and offer factual content if anything the target group is different as CBS Reality doesn't cater much to kids and family isn't something you'd find on such a channel.

DStv:
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

Roundups #132: Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series Ocean Explorers, MultiChoice And M-Net Likely To Unveil Two New Channels Titled SWITCHED ON And Gossip Girl Cancelled After 2 Seasons On HBO Max

Moonbug Kids unveils its first new series of 2023

Kids2, a global company that designs holistic solutions to help early-stage parents and families, announced the launch of Baby Einstein™ Ocean Explorers™, a new STEAM-focused ocean adventure edutainment series in conjunction with a comprehensive line of two dozen products for children, including toys and baby gear.

Created in partnership with child development experts, Hello Einstein Studios and EDH Animation, each Baby Einstein™ Ocean Explorers™ 5-minute episode reinforces early learning skills through repetition and interactivity as beloved Baby Einstein characters Cal, Neptune, Opus, Tinker and Dean discover undersea and seaside wonders together with young viewers.

“Baby Einstein Ocean Explorers is our biggest launch of content and product yet,” said Ryan Gunnigle, CEO and Owner of Kids2 and Founder of Hello Einstein Studios. “From its expert-led creative direction to its unique format, the show reimagines how entertainment can engage, teach, and inspire young viewers. Plus, we bring the nautical theme to life with more than two dozen products that integrate the series’ songs, characters, and themes.”

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

Get ready to SWiTCH up the entertainment on DStv

Expanding from what was already reported from yesterday, MultiChoice and M-Net have allocated SWiTCHED ON on channels 109 and 110 probably hinting at them likely being a pop-up channel for viewers to catch-up on what they've missed out on similar to what eMedia Investments unveiled this past week.

The first channel is a kykNET and Mzansi Magic infused channel just lost as to how the second is only based on Mzansi Wethu. Is it possible that maybe kykNET Lekker is running this content smoothly so there's no need to repeat any of the content missed or that viewers won't care much about this.

At the moment, most parts of these unofficial channels have yet to be filled up. From what is already seen they broadcast 18 hours a day apparently similar to eMedia's Power-Up and there's nothing worth exploring.

Judging by the content, I'm guessing that DStv Compact, Compact+ and Premium will get both channels while as other packages but Easyview get the other for the time being as Eskom doubles down on power cuts.

* Take into account, nothing is official for now.

DStv:
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

HBO Max unsurprisingly cancels another series

HBO Max has cancelled the Gossip Girl reboot show after two seasons, just days before the premiere of the final episode of the second season on January 26.

Like the original show, which was developed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the new reboot series was also based on the book by Cecily von Ziegesar and was developed by Joshua Safran.

Set eight years after the parent series, the reboot follows a new generation of New York school teens who get to know about the social surveillance of the Gossip Girl site. It stars Jordan Alexander, Julien Calloway, Whitney Peak, Thomas Doherty, Evan Mock, Eli Brown, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Zion Moreno, Elizabeth Lali, and Savannah Lee Smith, among others.

“We are very grateful to showrunner/executive producer Joshua Safran, and executive producers Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz for bringing us back to the Upper East Side and all the scandals at Constance Billard,” HBO Max said in a statement to Deadline. “Although we are not moving forward with a third season of Gossip Girl, we thank them for the enticing love triangles, calculated backstabbing and impeccable fashion this series brought to a new audience.”

YouTube Premium:
- HBO Max's new series Velma scaring away viewers
- VH1 is making a comeback to international shores through BET
- DStv Streama bundles Disney+
- The Walt Disney Company to expand the reach of Star Channel