Insidus: Entertainment Inside Us

Filling In The Blanks, What To Expect On TNT And Possibly Cartoon Network Africa In March 2023? (Drafted Version)

TNT:

Last year, the channel hosted a segment known as TNT Original Movies offering fresh and well crafted masterpieces like Hero Mode, Escape From Pretoria and Gun Akimbo. Fast forward to 2023, it never existed instead we have cinema based films like Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, Suicide Squad and in March, Venom.

The following stunts are also anticipated to rollout within the month:

- And The Winner Is - it looks like competition to see which film is better modern Mad Max or the original film Suicide Squad.
- TNT Hit - likely a replacement to TNT Original Movies with the film Venom.
- Never Give Up - Blood Diamond and a yet to be confirmed film joins the lineup.

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

Cartoon Network:

Taking to account this is a school holiday and most channels don't tend to be productive. Unlike most channels Cartoon Network struggled to be the least bit unproductive over the years but fast forward to 2023 things have changed. Could it have something to do with the much anticipated rollout of Cartoonito Channel well the blanks on the channel imply that.

We Baby Bears - New Episodes

We Bare Bears: The Movie

Brick Flicks Week
A LEGO based stunt offering films from various D.C. Superheroes including Batman, The Flash, Justice League and D.C. Superhero Girls.

Teen Titans GO! Vs Teen Titans

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

Boomerang (possibly Cartoonito):

As advised, no plans have been shared for the channel ahead of time as seen with TNT and Cartoon Network. Considering there was not much fresh content left outside of Cartoonito my guess is shows like Looney Tunes Cartoons and Zig & Sharko will transmit on Cartoon Network should the theory of the brand be proven to be true.

Could Boomerang Be On The Chopping Block Likely For Cartoonito??? As Warner Bros. Discovery Africa Remains Silent About Upcoming Attractions

Boomerang is a 24 hour family based children's channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery that is home to shows like Zig & Sharko, Mr. Bean and Grizzy And The Lemmings and it's even a branded mascot for franchises such as Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo and Tom And Jerry.

In 2021, Warner Bros. Discovery unveiled plans to produce content for girls, preschoolers and families so there came Cartoonito. A new preschool destination consisting of original content like Batwheels alongside other shows like CoComelon and Lucas The Spider.

Since then, several markets already supply a daily programming block on various Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels while others went as far as operating a standalone channel to assist with some of the content while as build the offering.

For a while, it had been long speculated that Warner Bros. Discovery was planning to give Boomerang the axe after plans were underway to build Cartoon Network's family offering with whatever remains of Boomerang aligning itself closer with Cartoonito.

As we fast forward to 2023, Boomerang has no original programming left as it's current program Looney Tunes Cartoons has wrapped production leaving them with mostly reruns alongside Cartoonito favoured shows Legend Of Spark and The Adventures Of Little Penguin.

Now in February branded the month of love, Warner Bros. Discovery thought of sending a little gift to media outlets, Looney Tunes Cartoons a show not suitable for Cartoonito being branded a Cartoonito. Implying that a rebrand could be in development.

Taking to account the timeframe, it's possible the switch will happen in March as seen with other European countries as Warner Bros. Discovery continues to promote upcoming attractions for TNT and Cartoon Network but remain silent with Boomerang.

Boomerang has always been the Comedy Central of children's TV sure it may not have quality content or a decent schedule but it was good to the pass the time and all the memories shared with the brand will always have a space in viewer's hearts.

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

Boomerang To Remain In France For The Time Being As Boing Exits The Market, Could More Regions Follow?

During the week, Warner Bros. Discovery in France announced the launch of a new preschool brand, Cartoonito. A brand which operates as a linear channel and a programming block on various Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels.

Some of the shows expected for the preschool counterpart come from supposed brands above including Lucas The Spider, Thomas And Friends, Mush Mush And The Mushables, Interstellar Ella, Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders.

Cartoonito will be standing beside Boomerang as seen in the UK and Italy as opposed to a replacement as seen in Latin America and soon parts of Europe. In a recent, development it was confirmed the channel would replace Boing instead.

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

Take to account, several Boomerang feeds are already being phased out for Cartoonito. Is it possible that Boing too is being phased out completely or is it possible for Boomerang to take it's place?

Boing served as a mashup of Cartoon Network and Boomerang offering shows currently and formerly viewed on the channels including Adventure Time, Teen Titans GO!, Secret Saturday, Angelo Rules, The Jungle Bunch and Total Drama.

Its success had led to a number of regions such as France, Italy, Spain and Africa to sought out the modern/retro infused channel for their own means.

Boing to sum it up was what Boomerang in these regions used to be and had since then abandoned - TCM. Over the years, that format despite being met with praise by audiences was eventually phased out for the Comedy Central inspired brand we came to love.

I mean the reasons it had to be altered seemed very much logical. Firstly, repeat channels don't get that much attention one of the reasons TCM, AMC and even Sundance TV were phased out in a lot of regions and Boomerang fitting in the trio was the most successful.

Boing in general isn't that knowledgeable by a lot of people as seen with Boomerang. The main feed is kind of like what Boing is today with a lot of history involved so phasing out European based channel wouldn't be a bad idea as it makes business sense.

Important Notice: Several YouTube Channels For Boomerang Rebrand To Cartoonito

Boomerang is expected to be obsolete by March 2023 in Central Eastern Europe which consists of regions like Poland, Hungary, Denmark, Romania, Russia, Belgium and likely Austria, Germany, Switzerland basically most of the regions which got a Cartoonito domain.

As reported during the week, it appears Africa which is still awaiting confirmation from Warner Bros. Discovery alongside France which has very much been confirmed are expected to rollout the Cartoonito Channel within the period of the above-mentioned regions.

Since then, Boomerang Africa has boosting it's preschool offering accompanied by Cartoonito with France expected to use Boing to supplement the Cartoonito offering while Boomerang in that region remains intact.

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

Although we have yet to see a rebranded YouTube channel for Boomerang Africa or even a dedicated YouTube channel for Cartoonito in France, here are some for the supposed regions in question:

Cartoonito Denmark: click here
Cartoonito Poland: click here
Cartoonito Hungary: click here
Cartoonito Romania: click here
Cartoonito Benelux: click here
Cartoonito Russia: click here

Roundups #139: Hello Sunshine Another Division From Moonbug Kids' Candle Media Closes Down, Idols SA Cancelled After 19 Seasons On M-Net And Mzansi Magic, And Paramount+ Set To Merge With Showtime Network

Another division ceases to exist

Hello Sunshine is shuttering its kids and animation business as part of a strategic decision to focus Candle Media’s kids and animation efforts under Moonbug, the family production studio the corp snapped up for a near $3 billion in November 2021.

Hello Sunshine will collaborate with Moonbug on future kids and animation projects.

As a result, a few individuals will be departing Hello Sunshine over the coming weeks.

The Blackstone-backed Candle Media, which is also co-run and co-founded by Tom Staggs, acquired Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine in August 2021 for $900M.

Another show bites the dust

M-Net has cancelled the long-running Idols with the upcoming 19th season on its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel which will be the last for the [SIC] Entertainment-produced reality singing competition show following viewership fatigue and a massive plunge in ratings.

The cancellation of the South African version of the Fremantle format follows after a dramatic ratings plunge for Idols in season 17 that coincided with a relationship scandal involving Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo after his ex Mohale Motaung made serious allegations of emotional and physical abuse.

While Idols started off its 17th season in South Africa in July 2021 with 1 018 607 viewers as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month, it suddenly plunged to 10th place on DStv's most-watched list with 693 760 viewers at most in August 2021, shedding 32% of its viewers.

After the very large drop in viewers and in an effort to revitalise Idols, M-Net's general entertainment channels division and [SIC] Entertainment decided to retain Somizi Mhlongo for 2022's18th season and axed judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi whose contracts were not renewed and were replaced with artists Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa.

DStv Flex:
- The River cancelled after 6 seasons on 1Magic
- Virtual Reality offers a new opportunity for African filmmakers
- Ratings for DStv from December 2022
- Big Cat Sunday this February on National Geographic Wild

Another merger is on the horizon

Paramount’s merging its Paramount Plus streaming service and premium Showtime channel, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. In an internal memo, CEO Bob Bakish announced the company’s rebranding its Showtime channel as Paramount Plus with Showtime.

Paramount confirmed the change in a post on Twitter, noting that the merger is “the natural next step in our evolution.” The company’s also planning to carry over “select” original content from Paramount Plus to the TV network, which could include shows like Halo and Yellowstone spinoff 1923.

Bakish says the move “brings uncertainty for the teams working on these brands and businesses” and that he’ll share more details in “the coming weeks.”

In addition to the possibility of layoffs, Deadline reports that some shows like Three Women (which was never aired), Let the Right One In, and American Gigolo could get axed as part of the consolidation. The specifics of what will happen to existing episodes of each series are unclear, but the report says that titles pulled from Showtime will be made available to take elsewhere.