Ahead Of Ultraview's Launch, eMedia Investments Discontinues Distribution Of Two Products On The Openview Platform

Few hours ago, eMedia Investments unveiled the social platforms for their long anticipated pay-tv platform, Openview Ultra. A competitor to the current DStv and StarSat platforms operated individually by MultiChoice and StarTimes (with On Digital Media).

Openview Ultra as expected is coming on with two add-on packages similar to AddMovies on DStv. Instead of movies, viewers will be treated to two optional entertainment packages Pride (also known as Ultraview Pride) and Spice (also known as Ultraview Indian).

The Pride Bouquet is set to cater to the LGBTQ community with brands like FUSE and OUTtv offering reality, lifestyle, drama series and movies. Something which MultiChoice has been depriving DStv consumers with on a 24 hour basis and likely will look into overtime.

The Spice Bouquet is a Bollywood based package basically a rival to the DStv and StarSat Indian bouquets with channels such as Zee Family and Star Select. Although not much has been specified about the brands my guess it's probably a duplicate StarPlus and Zee TV.

Taking that to account, the rumoured R75/R120 monthly price range for both platforms seem accurate as they do hold a fresh content as seen with AddMovies where you don't have to wait a year and so forth to watch the latest films.

As eMedia Investments is prepping for the launch of Ultraview. A couple of developments have occurred behind the scenes with the current Openview platform.

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?

First, Glow TV will cease to exist on the Openview platform later in the month after eMedia Investments failed attempt at ousting the channel back in 2021. Both parties refused to comment at the time of publishing if any update comes up we'll hopefully update.

As of right now, it's days are numbered and Spice from the looks it serves as a replacement or pay-tv alternative alongside Zee One, Star Life and if it's still considered an option in the coming future eExtra.

Last is in regards to the dongle, one of the first products eMedia Investments introduced when the main Openview platform got a facelift after eliminating HD from the name and adapted to the e.tv logo theme got scrapped as consumers attempted to use them.

Openview's dongles proved to be somewhat useful especially to households who miss out on daytime programming. It had proven to be controversial after eMedia Investments opted not to associate the likes of SABC 1-3 with this feature on top of the affected brands not being in HD.

My guess on the discontinuation probably had to do with Openview Ultra, eMedia Investments had mentioned working on newer versions of the Openview decoder maybe a dongle will be built-in making it the 2nd or 3rd time in 10 years eMedia rolls out another model.

Besides that, consumers were charged extra for the Openview decoder solely due to a dongle some people probably never use and this newer version of their decoder is one way to avoid such incidence from ever occuring again or at least what we hope to see.

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The River And Lingashoni's Cancellation Leads Fans To Believe 1Magic Is Shutting Down

During the week, it was reported across social platforms that 1Magic would be bidding farewell to one of their only relevant shows on the channel The River with its sixth and final season scheduled to air this week and continue on through February 2024.

Prior to that Lingashoni is expected to bow down on the channel by March 2023 with a new show (not a telenovela) expected to take it's place once the show finishes it's run on 1Magic.

1Magic is a brand M-Net conceived back in 2019 as a replacement for VUZU AMP which was once known as M-Net Series Reality within a 20 year period. The idea was to give consumers on the top rated package and Mzansi Magic a run for its money with the above-mentioned shows.

It even featured other shows VUZU AMP would have aired like Power, The Real Housewives, The Originals, Grown Woman and Basketball Wives.

DStv:
- Boomerang might be first channel to exit the DStv platform in 2023
- MultiChoice shares crytpic message about eMedia's 4 channels
- MultiChoice and eMedia Investments gets roasted over load shedding plans
- BBC to close linear channels and move to an internet only digital future

Since launch, several media outlets have criticized 1Magic some for treating Mzansi Magic like second class while as the others turn to the brand's former incarnates as mentioned above seeing as M-Net struggled to retain a channel.

Mzansi Magic is a brand that knows what it wants to be, there was never any problems with its viewers same goes for most Magic brands even kykNET was implemented perfectly unlike 1Magic.

As The River draws to a close with news of a replacement nowhere in site. M-Net plans to funnel the channel with short form series and reality shows once Lingashoni ends and by that logic it's possible the same fate awaits The River that is if the channel is around by then.

Considering how this channel had only been drooling over Lindiwe. There's chances these endeavours will backfire I mean if The River started getting more attention when it broadcast on Mzansi Magic what a chances these shows won't do the same.

Honestly, it makes more sense to scrap 1Magic as M-Net will be needing the international content to build up their offering with streamers like Disney+ and HBO Max taking away their content. On top of Mzansi Magic transmitting most of their local stuff a few days later.

DStv Flex:
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- Ratings for DStv from December 2022
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

If the goal is to deploy a competitor for the premium component to Mzansi Magic wouldn't it make more sense to source out a third party instead of auctioning out this channel's shows as premium only for them to be second hand when viewed on Compact.

These endeavours coming to 1Magic aren't guaranteed to have a huge following as seen through TAMS you have programs like The River and Lingashoni dominating DStv's viewership but only with Mzansi Magic and Wethu making them the ideal candidate to continue their legacy.

Roundups #138: Triggerfish Working On An Episode Of Star Wars: Visions, Giyani: Land Of Blood To Return With A Second Season On SABC 2 And The River Currently Viewed On 1Magic To End With A Sixth Season

SA's Triggerfish is going global

Animation fans should diarise May the 4th this year as this is when the second instalment in Disney’s animated anthology, Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 lands. While we’re already excited to see what the different studios have created this time around, Volume 2 is of greater significance as South African animation house Triggerfish will be helming one of the episodes.

Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced that the second volume of the animated anthology series will premiere May 4, 2023, a.k.a. Star Wars Day, exclusively on Disney+. Volume 2, building on the Emmy Award-nominated first run of Star Wars: Visions in 2021, will feature nine new shorts from nine studios from around the globe; the shorts promise to feature unique animation styles from a variety of countries and cultures, depicting each filmmaker’s specific vision of the Star Wars galaxy,” Disney explained in a blog post.

With Triggerfish working on an episode, this hopefully means that local Disney+ subscribers will be to access Volume 2 at the same time as its international counterparts, as this was not the case initially when the streaming service rolled out in SA.

As for the episode itself, it is titled Aau’s Song, but it is unclear what direction the studio is taking with the story. Hopefully it leans on an African influence, like much of the studio’s previous content has. Either way, we are excited to see what it showcases.

Regular Nick:
- Cartoonito to get a dedicated channel in France
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future
- PBS Kids has yet to rollout the new logo in other countries
- Disney renews 3 adult animated series through 2025

SABC 2 welcomes back a fan-favourite series from February 6th

"Giyani – Land of Blood explores powerful, emotive and clear themes about land and answers the questions: who the rightful owner of the land is, who has the right to exploit the land," a press statement reads. "All these thematic views are infused with all the captivating backdrops of a classical telenovela – two warring families, a secret past and a forbidden love story between Khensani Mudau (now played by Mahlatsi Mokoena) and Musa Baloyi."

This season sees the introduction of the Khoza family, headed by successful lawyer Solani Khoza (played by Lesley Musina) and his former promo girl turned club manager wife Pele (played by Bokang Phelane). Zigi Ndlovu (as Dzovo) joins as Solani's son and Khensani's new love interest.

Reprising their roles are Rami Chuene (as Manoko), who continues with her manipulation and criminal activities and Ndivhuho Mutsila (as Richard), Linah Ngcobo (as Mhani Tsani), Noel Baloyi (as Mahlori) alongside Fumani Shilubana (as Vukosi) and Maduvha Madima (as Shoni).

"Season 3 is about coming full circle on these themes of the series, and secrets will be exposed. This season embarks on the show's final odyssey with a world that has expanded and changed – the banana plantation has been replaced by the game lodge, which Manoko continues to pillage, while the villagers remain marginalized and living in poverty on their supposed own land."

1Magic bids farewell to the only relevant show on the channel

1Magic’s most-watched telenovela The River is ending after six seasons on South African television. Co-creator Phathu Makwarela from Tshedza Pictures production confirmed the show is ending on social media yesterday.

This is after the departures of actors Tango Ncetezo, who played Paulina since season one, and multi-award-winning actor Lawrence Maleka and Hlomla Dandala, who played Zolani and Zweli respectively.

Shirley Adonisi, who is the director of local entertainment channels at Mnet confirmed the telenovela is ending after six seasons.

“At M-Net local entertainment channels we would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the cast and crew of The River for a memorable five years. Their hard work, dedication, and brilliance have led to the telenovela’s success. The final season is going to be the show’s most epic one yet. The drama will be bigger and better, setting the stage for the ultimate finale.”

DStv Flex:
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- Ratings for DStv from December 2022
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild
- CBS Reality acquired rights to Killer's Caught On Camera

Boomerang Africa Also Rumoured To Be Replaced With Cartoonito By Early 2023

During the week, it was reported Warner Bros. Discovery in France would be rolling out a dedicated preschool channel, Cartoonito which currently runs a programming block on various Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels.

Prior to that, some parts of Europe have already confirmed the distribution of Cartoonito by March with Warner Bros. Discovery in Africa remaining silent with the recent developments that have been seen across the world.

For several months, Cartoonito has been increasing its stake on the channel while as Boomerang continues funneling their schedule with more preschool based shows like The Adventures Of Little Penguin and Legend Of Spark.

Insidus Games:
- Buzz Lightyear Star Command
- Pink Panther: Pinkadelic Pursuit
- Spider-Man Toxic City
- Baby Felix Halloween

It was no later than late January where the lineup of both Cartoonito and Boomerang collided when Masha And The Bear and Grizzy And The Lemmings were slotted in the programming block while as being made available outside of the block.

It further boosted speculation for the Cartoonito Channel's presence in the African market as shows like the above-mentioned alongside Batwheels and Interstellar Ella were all confirmed to rollout on Boomerang later in the year.

In a recent press siting where visuals are provided for brands like TNT, Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Several posters came in Looney Tunes Cartoons and Thomas And Friends both of which are now labelled as Cartoonito.

Take to account, programming blocks are only labelled under their respective brand which in this case happens to be Boomerang as seen previously.

If this happens to be accurate, it means Cartoonito might have a chance to rollout no later than March as seen in Central Eastern Europe which consists of Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Romania and several others or April like France as the material in question is for this month.

The sources in charge of providing visuals also took the time to unveil details regarding upcoming attractions for TNT and Cartoon Network but remain silent on anything regarding Boomerang as the recent sitings now label the brand's recent batch of content Cartoonito.

Regular Nick:
- Da Vinci Kids plans co-viewing future
- PBS Kids has yet to rollout the new logo in other countries
- Disney renews 3 adult animated series through 2025
- CoComelon to get yet another spinoff