Could Toonami Be On The Chopping Block Perhaps For Adult Swim?

Adult Swim is a general entertainment brand owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that is home to various adult animation including Rick And Morty, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Robot Chicken. It is currently operating as a programming block on Cartoon Network in the U.S.

During the year, Cartoon Network's president Michael Ouweleen unveiled two series My Adventures With Superman and Unicorn Warriors Eternal shows initially meant to be released by Cartoon Network was folded under Adult Swim.

Later in the week, it was heard from sources that Ouweleen would be investing more airtime in Adult Swim therefore reducing the airtime seen on Cartoon Network in the affected region. Although, these changes don't seem to have an affect on the channel in other countries.

It does however bring out a lot of curiosity for the brands that do such as Toonami cause the last brand to have gotten this much attention was Cartoonito and by the end of March 2023 a lot of Boomerang feeds were phased out for this offering.

Similar to Boomerang, Toonami has a come off as repetitive and less productive or at least the feed situated in Africa as France was able to do a proper rebrand which saw the channel supply wrestling promotion AEW, anime and content from Adult Swim.

Kind of like how most of Cartoonito's existence was based off Boomerang, the same could be said about Adult Swim with Toonami. Content from the brand could help boost the offering in Africa and get more viewers invested on the channel currently it's a DC wasteland.

Another problem probably establishing a dedicated Adult Swim channel off the ground would be contractual issues as MultiChoice a platform that doesn't offer Toonami have rights to a portion of their content or in this case Adult Swim.

Considering Warner Bros. Discovery plans to rollout the Max streaming service in new destinations by 2024 that might as well change.

Recap To The Month: ESPN To Exit DStv, StarSat And The Rest Of Africa As The Walt Disney Company Facilitates Streaming

In 2021, The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to close 100 international channels in the coming future which included a range of  FOX, National Geographic and Disney Channels. This past week it was reported that the brand is opting to make ESPN a streaming exclusive.

This news doesn't come as a surprise as mentioned they already closed a couple of channels across the world and also this was discussed back in 2022 but more of a what if scenario as they're still looking at ways of getting this off the ground.

The idea similar to Disney+ is to rollout ESPN as a standalone streaming service. There is regions already bundling sports under Disney+ so it's likely that this streaming service will rollout under the streamer if not a standalone or add-on.

Despite their cancellation on DStv and StarSat, The Walt Disney Company revealed they're still willing to distribute selected content on cable meaning these outlets alongside various in the region will likely use existing sports channels if not replacements for the content.

Similar to National Geographic and Disney Channel where content such as The World According To Jeff Goldblum and Monster Inc: The Series were made exclusive to Disney+ now the content can be viewed on the mentioned brands alongside local broadcasters.

Seeing as there's no timeframe as to when the indefinite will occur my guess would be between 2025-2027 as the company is currently looking to review the NBA deal in the hopes to stream them on ESPN+ (or Disney+) and the other BBC is looking to become an online platform.

Recap To The Decade: eMedia Investments Has Yet To Cutback On Repeats Currently Viewed On Openview

MultiChoice has been providing repeats to DStv consumers since the dawn of time and over the years they found ways to simplify that offering by either reducing the number of alternatives available or at least on a particular package as seen with Magic Showcase.

Of course, Openview serving as a free-to-view component from eMedia Investments has took part in a similar scenario. Following the success of eExtra's Kuiertyd (Turkwood), they launched a dedicated channel in 2022 to relive the moments even after axing Rewind.

During that year, SABC unveiled plans to restructure the rebroadcasts seen across their plans which would see shows such as 7de Laan being made viewable to consumers on SABC 2 and SABC+ and no longer on the loss making SABC 3.

Alas, eMedia Investments has yet to take a similar route with consumers on the Openview platform as they offer primetime on eExtra and catch-up on e.tv despite the existence of ePlesier let's not forget eVOD where this content can be streamed at anytime.

Just like the public broadcaster, it almost seems as if they don't have enough content to fill up a single channel. As mentioned, e.tv offers a catch-up service to Kuiertyd with eXposed playing second fiddle to above-mentioned brands alongside eReality.

If I had to be honest, ePlesier would have probably been better off had eMedia Investments reduced the airtime on e.tv or move this catch-up service to the Rewind type channel with the main channel airing selected content in the hopes to lure potential Openview consumers.

Recap To Last Year: OnseTV And MyTV Are No Longer Available On StarSat, Should eMedia Investments Perhaps Get It For The Openview Platform?

Last year, it was announced that OnseTV and My TV would be scrapped from the StarSat platform. As of 2023, Glow TV join the brands as another list of channels that can't be viewed anywhere in the market.

OnseTV was a general entertainment channel which is meant to serve as a rival to the kykNET channels on the DStv platform offering a lineup of drama series, movies, reality shows and documentaries. It includes shows like Suidooster and Snoek & Patat.

MyTV was a lifestyle channel and by the looks of it a rival to Media24's VIA also seen on the DStv platform. It offers a mixture of lifestyle and factual content ranging from home, decor, food, fashion and several others. It includes shows like Vaskap and Eksieperfeksie.

As seen in 2022, StarSat has been focused on reshaping the South African landscape through content adaption, dubbing, sub-titling supported by innovative low-cost commissioning of unique programme formats that appeal to the "vast majority" of consumers.

Unfortunately, OnseTV and MyTV didn't resonate with those plans for consumers which led to the untimely demise on the StarSat platform after 13 years.

MyTV (formerly ASTV) was added onto eMedia Investments' Openview platform back in 2013 but died out over the years as consumers weren't that invested at the time as seen with eExtra's Kuiertyd which has luckily pulled close to half a million viewers.

Over the years, eMedia Investments had begun investing in more content for the brand including Saturday Night Movies on eExtra and the Afrikaans game show, Die Kontrak.

I mean the idea of getting a brand similar to OnseTV or MyTV perhaps for Openview Ultra wouldn't be the most far fetched thing to happen. eExtra is telenovela skewed particularly with Kuiertyd but with their fanbase they could as well get this content to new heights.

Initially, Openview was more like StarSat with this offering and following Kuiertyd. You got to see more of this brand as well as the community it caters for. At the moment, it kinds of repetitive and maybe content from both these parties will help change that.

NCPD And Marvel Unite For Call To Celebrate Youth With Disabilities

The National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) today announced that it has joined forces once again with The Walt Disney Company Africa to bring awareness to and celebrate children and youth across the country.

Inspired by the Marvel retail campaign of the same name, the Marvel Heroes Unite initiative kicks off this month with a call for all South Africans to show their support for youth with disabilities. From 16 May 2023, fans are able to purchase specially branded wristbands from www.ncpd.org.za for R30.00 each.

On Youth Day, 16 June 2023, those who have purchased the wristbands are invited to wear them, showing their support and celebration of inclusion and equity for children and young persons with disabilities. Schools in particular are invited to show their support with learners encouraged to wear their wristbands on 15 June 2023, with a chance to win prizes for both the schools and individual learners. Wristbands will be available to purchase throughout the remainder of 2023.

Participants are welcome to share their support on social media by using the hashtag #NCPDHeroesUnite #Marvel and tagging @vavaiyouth on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. It is through these channels that you can enter the photo competition with fabulous prizes to be won.

Driven by the youth-focused project of the NCPD, Vava iYouth, the campaign seeks to further build on the long-term objective of facilitating full economic and social participation, rights and enjoyment for youth with disabilities. Funds raised from the campaign will go towards funding, education and training, as well as seeking opportunities for self-representation for this sector of the population. Ultimately, the long-term goal is ensuring that youth people with disabilities have equal access to resources and opportunities, leading to meaningful and fulfilling participation in society.

“Marvel Super Heroes showcase attributes such as heroism, relatability and community, with an openness in an interconnected world,” says Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, The Walt Disney Company Africa Consumer. “We are excited to lend our support to the NCPD, after two successful collaborations under the Disney Princess banners, and bring this powerful campaign to life, all in an effort to showcase and celebrate young South Africans with disabilities.”

“The Heroes United campaign is a reminder that when we join in unity we can achieve great things and make the world a better place for everyone. It demonstrates that age, gender, race or ability do not have to be barriers to working together towards a common goal. Indeed, real life heroes do exist, they are ordinary people who show kindness and who are not afraid to advocate for social justice. So, let’s stand hand-in-hand and work to create an inclusive society that values and celebrates diversity.” Ado Bakasa, NCPD Coordinator Youth Affairs: Vava iYouth.

Inspired by the diverse, heroic, inspirational Marvel Super Heroes, the campaign seeks to show that the attributes that make the characters who they are – strength, endurance, kindness, courage, etc. – are found in all of us. In addition, it is when our characters unite that they are able to overcome all obstacles. Retailers are currently celebrating Marvel Heroes Unite across the country.

Marvel Heroes Unite wristbands are available online at https://ncpd.org.za for R30 and bulk orders are available to organisations and schools who would like to support. All funds will go directly to the NCPD.