“Moonbug Kids” Linear Channel Rebrands And Changes Name To “Moonbug” As It Aims To Expand Global Access To Popular Kids’ Content

Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media, today announced a new refreshed look of the company's 24/7 linear channel, “Moonbug KIDS”, and a new name, “Moonbug”, in line with its wider corporate rebrand. The new “Moonbug” channel identity aims to convey the same energy and fun as its colourful shows and characters.

While streaming and content on demand continue to gain popularity, linear channels are still relevant and, in 2022, Moonbug saw a big expansion of its linear channel, reaching 75+ countries across the globe. Moonbug has provided dedicated feeds to leading partners across EMEA and APAC including O2, Multichoice/DStv, OSN, Turktelekom/Tivibu, Cignal, Astro, Turkcell/TV+, Telekom Malaysia/Unify TV, Telekom Indonesia/Indihome and more.

“We want to give every family the opportunity to enjoy our shows on their preferred and go-to platforms, whether it is on the go or at home on an ad-free linear channel,” said Moonbug’s Managing Director EMEA and APAC, Nicolas Eglau. “Especially with a preschool audience, linear channels can be a huge help for young families trying to establish healthy routines. Whether it is bedtime, mealtimes or brush your teeth moments, our programming finds the suitable content to mirror families' daily life.”

“Linear TV remains extremely relevant across many territories, where viewers favour ad-free content and a curated experience. It is also particularly relevant in markets where streaming penetration is not as extended and there is a big demand for linear services,” adds Dilek Doyran, Moonbug Director, Distribution & Content Partnerships in EMEA.

Moonbug is known for being a trusted brand for families around the world, and for delivering great entertainment for young kids. By listening to its audience and incorporating feedback from parents, Moonbug’s linear channels are designed to support families and their routines.

This rebrand further contributes towards moving everything under a cohesive Moonbug umbrella, elevating its brand positioning and encouraging industry and consumer recognition as the company behind some of the most beloved shows in kids’ entertainment.

Could A K-TV Type Channel Be Heading To MultiChoice's DStv Once Disney Channel Exits The African Market?

In 2021, The Walt Disney Company ripped the general entertainment channel FOX away from African countries alongside several other European territories. Amidst that time, MultiChoice renewed the agreement for their remaining channels through 2024.

The Walt Disney Company supplies factual and wildlife brands National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, kids brands Disney Channel and Disney Junior and sports channels ESPN 1 & 2.

As seen after the closure of FOX, several programs viewed on the brand were folded under the streaming service, Disney+ with National Geographic and Disney Channel anticipated to suffer a similar fate in the coming future - still no word on ESPN.

Disney Channel serves as one of the few brands on DStv to offer content for a mature audience with shows like Bunk'd, Raven's Home and Hannah Montana alongside animation like Phineas And Ferb, The Ghost And Molly McGee and The Owl House.

As mentioned, all of this will be put on a tile through Disney+ and unlike FOX in which MultiChoice turn to brands like M-Net, BBC Brit and Universal for similar content. Disney Channel just like these brands is basically premium tier of the kids section.

Meaning consumers are going to expect MultiChoice to source out an alternative brand as it's not like Nicktoons were most content can be viewed on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. as this is a brand with content consumers are expected to miss.

Over to replacements, considering the impact Disney Channel had offer tweens and older kids. The channel would likely have to do the same in order to keep the masses at bay and as seen in most international outlets this brand would come with its own programming.

The only thing that came to mind was K-TV, a defunct kids brand from M-Net serving up a lot of licenced material from NBCUniversal, BBC, Mattel Creations, Cookie Jar Group, The Walt Disney Company before being supplemented by Nickelodeon.

Although M-Net and MultiChoice expressed no interest in returning the K-TV brand. A few months ago, Sky (a division of Comcast) rolled out their children's division through Sky Kids featuring original content alongside content from DreamWorks Animation.

Would it be shocking if MultiChoice launched their own version of Sky Kids probably in partnership with NBCUniversal despite the existence of DreamWorks as the company already retains a 30% stake in Showmax alongside various other partnerships.

This channel could take up the format once seen on Universal Kids with live-action shows like Hank Zipzer, Bajillionaires, The Next Step alongside animation like She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, Voltron Legendary Defenders and Dennis: Gnasher Unleashed.

Showmax rolled out their first original animated series Jay Jay: The Chosen One with plans to do more if successful. Maybe this could be one of the new offerings for the supposed channel.

How To Watch eExtra's Kuiertyd In English?

Kuiertyd launched in 2018 and has since then become the most valuable member of eMedia's colony and a worthy advisory for M-Net's kykNET with shows like Soete Wraak, Elif, Impak and Gebroke Harte and Dokter Ali alongside a dedicated movie block.

For 5 years which is exactly how long Kuiertyd has been around, eExtra hasn't aired a Turkish drama in English I mean the last show was Matter Of Respect since then only reruns to the said show can be viewed on the channel with further content folded under Kuiertyd.

Last year, eMedia Investments acquired Sisterhood and this was the first Turkish series within that period to not form part of Kuiertyd alongside Yalanci (Liar) and Tainted Love (Leke). To make a long story short, one of the three were phased out - no replacement.

We could only assume that they want to put more emphasis on Kuiertyd even if that means keeping shows like Yalanci (Liar) and Tainted Love (Leke) away from eExtra and reducing the remaining shows that have not fallen victim to Kuiertyd (e.g. Fatmagul).

In general, eExtra is the only brand to serve such content from a wider spectrum but it doesn't mean that they're the only option. Sure the other two options come baring fruits but one of them (StarSat) supply the already viewed content in English.

Timeless Dizi Channel is a general entertainment channel owned by SPI International (a subsidiary of Canal+. It's currently one of the most popular brands in the division serving Turkish shows such as The Red Scarf, Karadayi, The End and Black Money Love.

Three years ago, StarSat added the channel on their platform. Unlike the latter MultiChoice, Timeless Dizi Channel operates on the platform full-time with eExtra and kykNET shows including Kind Van Die Noodlot, Stiletto Vendetta, Bittersoet and Vöelvry.

Timeless Dizi Channel is available on the Max (R299p/m) and Super (R230p/m) package on channel 141.

Rumour: Paramount Global To Be Closing More MTV Feeds Internationally

Paramount Global has been active across the market for almost a year. Prior to the time it was known as ViacomCBS, they have been various adjustments and now that we've managed to wrap up 2022 we can finally see the extent and the justification to all that.

For those who watch MTV and Nickelodeon (or in this case Nick Jr.) may have noticed some a number of changes. For starters, MTV became a music channel once more with a bit of Catfish and Ridiculousness while as the preschool hotspot Nick Jr. has learnt a number of new languages.

As mentioned sometime ago, Paramount is cutting back on costs for their linear offering and these two were a result of that. My guess has to do with Paramount+ I presume they want to get as much fresh content onboard to attract potential clients.

Although there has yet to be confirmation of a closure, I wouldn't be surprised if we got to that position already Nickelodeon has been scrapped in most of Asia and i have seen various MTV channels mostly irrelevant close in various parts of Europe.

According to sources, Paramount might be looking into closing down MTV in the coming future (2023/4). Not sure whether this would affect their music portion but I don't see why it should as it's more like what NBCUniversal got with Peacock and it's linear offerings - variations.

As mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true especially with various local feeds merging which was the case for Disney XD before closing down. In the end, I do feel shows like Ridiculousness would make a perfect fit on Comedy Central and BET.

Compared to MTV, these two function in a way that doesn't collide with Paramount+ I mean one has The Nanny And Modern Family on repeat while the other offers All Of Us and plays second fiddle with The Neighborhood and Martin.

What To Expect On Curiosity Channel Africa In May 2023?

SUPER SCIENCE MONDAYS

Extraordinary Humans S2
New Episodes premiere 01 May 2023 CAT: 20h00 and 20h30
Episodes: 10 x 30 mins – ends 29 May 2023
Biologist Thom Hunt goes in search of people with genuine, real-life super- powers that push the known limits of the human mind and body.

Container Ship XXL
New Documentary Special Premieres 01 May 2023 CAT: 21h00 Episodes: 1 x 60 mins
Witness how technological visions become reality with the largest containership the world has ever seen. The largest cargo ship ever built is as large as four soccer fields, reaching 400 meters long and 63 meters wide.

Breakthrough
New Episode Premieres 22 May 2023 CAT: 18h30 Episodes: 1 x 30 mins
Take a deeper look at some of the recent developments in physics, astronomy, and other sciences. Premiere topics include NASA’s two new Venus missions and the James Webb telescope.

Cracking the Code
New Series Premieres 15 May 2023 CAT: 20h00
Episodes: 8 x 60 mins – ends 03 July 2023
The universe is full of coded secrets. Man-made enigmas hiding top- secret information, ancient wisdom lost in indecipherable languages, mysteries from space brought to us in strange radio waves. But despite their seemingly impregnable messages, genius cryptanalysts, spymasters, scientists and self-taught crackers have unraveled some of these great codes. Cracking the Code reveals the greatest codes known to humanity and the brilliant minds that crack them.

Oddly Satisfying Science
New Series Premieres 15 May 2023 CAT: 21h00 and 21h30
Episodes: 10 x 52 mins – ends 12 June 2023
Each episode of Oddly Satisfying Science will introduce us to several visually appealing experiments designed to blow our minds.

HISTORY LOVER TUESDAYS

War Gamers
New Episodes Premiere 02 May 2023 CAT: 21h00
Episodes: 6 x 60 mins – series ends 23 May 2023
In this Curiosity original docudrama series, explore the fascinating, little-known WWII story of a group of women who played a crucial role in defeating Germany’s dreaded U boats. Caught off guard by the Germans’ ‘wolf pack’ tactic to sink mass numbers of enemy supply ships, the British Royal Navy recruits an unlikely team –women who had never even been to sea. But under the leadership of an expert war gamer –their extraordinary skill and genius led to a crucial turning point the Battle of the Atlantic. Told through dramatic recreations and interviews with historians, these are the heroic stories of the WRENS.

Revolution in Colour
New Series Premieres 30 May 2023 CAT: 21h00
Episodes: 2 x 60 mins – ends 06 June 2023
Revolution in Colourtells the story of Ireland’s struggle for independence during the early decades of the 20th Century.

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAYS

Just Animals
New Episodes Premiere from 03 May 2023 CAT: 18h00
Episodes: 10 x 60 – series ends 31 May 2023
Just Animals … a spectacular celebration of the world’s wildlife.

Unknown Carpathians – Hidden Treasure of Romania New Special Mini-Series Premieres 03 May 2023 CAT: 20h00
Episodes: 2 x 60 mins – ends 10 May 2023
The unknown border regions of Romania are some of Europe’s best kept secrets. From the oldest mountain railway or the perfectly situated health resort of Banat to the rich culture of the Maramures, examples of Romania’s rich nature are celebrated in this special mini-series.

Bahama Blue
New Series Premieres 03 May 2023 CAT: Wednesdays at 21:00 Episodes: 7 x 60 mins – ends 14 June 2023
Past the white sand beaches and beneath idyllic turquoise water lays one of the fiercest natural habitats in the world. Explore the magnificent coral, blue holes and caves and the sand flats in the Bahamas wonderland.

Untamed Switzerland
New Series Premieres 17 May 2023 CAT: 21h00
Episodes: 4 x 60 mins – ends 07 June 2023
Untamed Switzerland is an expedition into the nature reserves of the animal and plant world from the Upper Engadineto the Verzasca Valley.

HISTORY LOVER THURSDAYS

Oops, I Changed the World
New Episode Premieres 04 May 2023 CAT: 20h00 Episode: 1 x 60 mins
Oops I Changed The World! tells the fascinating stories of accidental and surprise inventions that have transformed our lives.

Nefertiti: The Lonely Queen
New Series Premieres 04 May 2023 CAT: 21h00
Episodes: 3 x 60 mins – ends 18 May 2023
NEFERTITI: THE LONELY QUEEN looks at the status of cultural treasures taken from their country of origin, the Parthenon marbles from Athens, and the current situation in the Middle East and how that affects the cultural heritage of certain areas.

Titans: The Rise of Hollywood New Series Premieres 25 May 2023 CAT: 20h00
Episodes: 6 x 60 mins – ends 29 June 2023
No respectable industry would have them; so, they created one of their own… Immigrants. Artists. Performers. Renegades… When these disenfranchised young men and women discovered that the American Dream didn’t apply to them, they picked up and left home. Their destination: an arid stretch of coastal California… the town of Los Angeles. Far removed from their impoverished lives on the East Coast, these first and second-generation Americans created an empire in the desert —a new industry built on nothing…where anything would be possible.

Profession: Queen!
New Series Premieres 25 May 2023 CAT: 21h00
Episodes: 3 x 60 mins – ends 08 June 2023
The documentary series Profession: Queen! accompanies and observes the three young European queens for one year: Letizia of Spain, Mathilde of the Belgians, and Máxima of the Netherlands.

The Emperor’s Darling – Joséphine de Beauharnais New Documentary Special Premieres 25 May 2023 CAT: 22h00 Episodes: 1 x 60 mins
Joséphinede Beauharnais was Napoleon's Empress, his muse, and his great love. It is next to impossible to imagine him without her or her without him. Hundreds of letters, long thought to be lost, have allowed us to reveal the true life of the clandestine Empress.

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE FRIDAYS

Declassified
New Episodes Premiere from 05 May 2023 CAT: 20h00
Episodes: 8 x 60 mins –series ends 26 May 2023
Declassified is an anthology spy series that delves into the riveting true stories of America’s covert operations.

HUMAN STORIES SATURDAYS

Dangerous Waters S2
New Episodes Premiere 6 May 2023 CAT: 21h00 and 22h00
Episodes: 10 x 60 mins –series ends 27 May 2023
Follow the Dangerous Waters crew members as they embark upon an epic adventure riding their JetSki personal watercraft around the world.

BEST OF CURIOSITY

Raider of the Lost Art Season 2
New Episodes Premiere 06 May 2023
CAT: Saturday from 12h00 –15h00
Throughout history some of the world's most amazing works of art have disappeared; this series attempts to uncover them.

Lifers: Behind Bars
New Special Mini-Series Premieres 06 May 2023
CAT: Saturday from 15h00 –17h00
This groundbreaking documentary series shows what it's like to serve a long- term prison sentence in Britain.

Forensics: The Science of Crime
New Special Mini-Series Premieres 13 May 2023
CAT: Saturday from 12:00 –15:00
A weapon is found at the scene of a crime. An important question for the investigators: Was the victim shot with this weapon? Molecular ballistics can make a decisive contribution to clarification.

Murder Maps
New Special Mini-Series Premieres 20 May 2023 CAT: Saturdays from 15h00 – 17h00 Episodes: 4 x 60 mins – ends 27 May 2023
This drama-doc series takes you back in time to the most shocking and surprising murder cases in history.