Zee And Sony Merger Expected To Be Completed By September

The anticipated merger between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) is expected to be completed by the first half of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, Sony Corp CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said during the company's annual corporate strategy meeting last week.

"By the end of the first half of this fiscal year, we are trying to complete the merger with ZEEL," Yoshida said, adding that the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) market is ripe for accelerated growth due to its large population and the creative talent that exists in the country.

"India has become the most populous country globally. There are so many growth opportunities in India, especially in entertainment. India is a creative country, and it has become the biggest producer of films since 2005," he said. Yoshida also noted that half of India's population is below the age of 30. This, he said, presents a huge opportunity in areas like anime and gaming. "There is great potential for growth in India in these areas," he added.

Apart from Yoshida, the meeting was also addressed by Sony president, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki; NP Singh, MD of SPNI, also gave a presentation on the opportunities in the Indian M&E market and the progress made by the company in its 2.5 decades of existence in the country.

Totoki noted that Sony began its journey in India with electronics and later expanded into entertainment. "Now, the proportion of entertainment is bigger than electronics in India. We feel that this is a compelling market," he said.

Could e.tv's Youth Block Craze Also Be On The Chopping Block Following The Rollout Of Takalani Sesame And Revised eToonz Offering?

Last year, eMedia Investments was in a carriage dispute with MultiChoice regarding e.tv's 4 channels on the DStv platform which still remains as quo. Following the demise, eMedia Investments had begun boosting primetime on their least viewed channel, eToonz.

eToonz, a children's channel offering animation and live-action was basically a graveyard for most of e.tv's offering on their youth block, Craze. As mentioned, the channel has seen a growth in entertainment with the addition of live-action like Backstage and Hank Zipzer.

Content which has yet to be seen on e.tv as the only notable live-action show to date is Power Rangers and just like most of eMedia's channels they too provide content that hasn't been made available to the main channel so would it be shocking if eToonz followed.

As mentioned, there's been a lot of questions regarding the future of e.tv's youth offering as the latter serves as rebroadcasts from the SABC and eToonz with eMedia Investments limiting the international offering as seen this past week with The Goldbergs.

e.tv serves a free-to-air entertainment channel offering a mixture of local and international productions. Just like the SABC, they also follow a mandate which requires them to serve news which they initially intended to get out of the way alongside kiddies entertainment.

With that in mind, e.tv will continue to supply a lineup of kiddies content. Of course, this doesn't exclude the possibility of them revamping the block's current offering as seen during the year with Takalani Sesame.

Last Minute Notice: Devi + Checkpoint + Housewives Move To New Timeslots, Crime Watch + The Last Word With Shahan Ramkissoon Rolls Out On e.tv

Yesterday, e.tv decided to move current affairs shows Devi and Checkpoint to Sunday nights at 18:00 and 19:30 respectively without prior notice and unlike most of the changes that the channel has made over the years this takes the icing of the cake.

Devi and Checkpoint had their timeslots rearranged numerous times since their launch and if a show that ran as long as Checkpoint is going to have their timeslot rearranged it can only mean trouble I mean e.tv without Checkpoint doesn't seem far fetched.

They ripped away Days Of Our Lives which will likely resurface on MultiChoice's Showmax streaming service when Peacock rolls out in the market. If they were willing to axe SunRise and South African Morning on eNCA what's stopping them from axing Checkpoint.

I don't see anything good coming out of these changes especially to those who've actually been following Devi and Checkpoint on weeknights as both will be airing in much earlier timeslots where consumers will probably not be tuning in.

Checkpoint's rollout in the 19:30 timeslot also signals the reduction of international content on the channel as sitcoms were viewable on e.tv twice a week in the current timeslot of Checkpoint now the channel reverted back to one sitcom, The Neighborhood.

We can't say this is a shocker as eMedia Investments rolled out eXposed in 2022 and similar to eReality it took most of their international slate so it won't be surprising if the only form of funny on the channel being The Neighborhood suffers a similar fate.

Housewives which launched on Sundays at 20:00 timeslot last year and vanished only to resurface on Mondays 2 hours later at 22:00 is now airing 3 days later Thursdays in the same timeslot as The Last Word With Shahan Ramkissoon airs Mondays to Wednesdays.

Synopsis for The Last Word With Shahan Ramkissoon:

Shahan Ramkissoon talks to newsmakers and reveals his uncensored opinions about what's happening in South Africa. He also brings in some comedy, by looking at the lighter side of news.

This is basically the show that take over Devi and Checkpoint's timeslot and only time will tell if Shahan Ramkissoon will still be getting this much airtime or similar to the above-mentioned have their timeslots rearranged only cause of low viewership.

Crime Watch also launched on the channel Sundays at 18:30 and here's the synopsis on the latest episode:

This week on Crime Watch, we bring you an update on the "Gold Mafia" expose', real crime videos and look at how the demand for self defence training is on the rise as many people are now wanting to protect themselves.

New Series Alert: The Loud House To Make Its Freemium Debut On eToonz

eToonz, South Africa's only free-to-air children's channel home to variety of animated and live-action content part of which is currently viewed on e.tv's youth block Craze has acquired rights to one of Nickelodeon's most popular shows, The Loud House.

Synopsis for The Loud House:

The series revolves around the chaotic everyday life of a boy named Lincoln Loud, who is the middle child and only son in a large family of 11 children. It is set in a fictional town in southeastern Michigan called Royal Woods.

Since the series inception back in 2016, it has spawned seven seasons currently seen on Nickelodeon alongside three feature films two of which are live-action. It has also spawned two spinoffs, The Casagrandes and it's live-action counterpart, The Really Loud House.

In June 2017, the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB), headed by CEO Ezekiel Mutua, ordered a ban of the series alongside several shows seen on Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel for allegedly promoting homosexual themes to minors.

Although, The Loud House can't be viewed in other parts of Africa alongside Nicktoons. It is however very much active in South Africa on Nickelodeon with eToonz set to be a number of alternatives for The Loud House from 1st June at 16:00.

Everyday Novelas Shorts: Shaka iLembe Make It's Highly Anticipated Debut On Mzansi Magic, Galaxy TV Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Si Nos Dejan And A Rebroadcast Of On The Other Side Of The Wall Rolls Out On Telemundo Africa

Shaka Zulu remake is coming to Mzansi Magic

Set in the 1700s, Shaka iLembe tells the story of the making of the iconic African king, with iterations from his early childhood through to adulthood. The production has been six years in the making, consulting historians, academics, and family descendants, including the incumbent King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as well as the late King Goodwill Zwelithin.

The series premieres 18 June on Mzansi Magic and will be made available on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, Pearl Magic Prime and Maisha Magic Plus.

Si Nos Dejan expands to more African territories

Alicia Montiel has the perfect family and is married to Sergio Carranza, one of the most respected and recognized journalists in Mexico. They have 3 children and are icons and the synonym of the ideal family in society. Alicia's world falls apart when she discovers that Sergio has been unfaithful to her for the last 3 years with the co-host from his television show, Julieta Lugo.

The series launched on Ghanaian platform UTV back in 2022 and was picked up Galaxy TV during the week.

Marjorie De Sousa and Litzy star in this mother duo drama Al Otro Lado Del Muro

The story follows the lives of two women, one of humble origin and the other a prominent figure, who cross the border from Mexico to the United States for different reasons: one chasing a dream and the other fleeing a nightmare. In this contemporary series, which reflects the reality of many emigrants, both women will have to do the impossible to move their children forward and survive, leaving behind everything they knew until then.

It is expected to replace the double bill slot of Blood And Wine from 28 May at 19:00.