Ginx eSports TV CEO Steps Down After 13 Years

Long-time CEO of gaming media company Ginx TV Michiel Bakker has announced his departure and is set to leave the company at the end of June.

Bakker made the announcement via LinkedIn, and while he did not share any future plans, he did mention that he is leaving the company with “mixed emotions.”

Founded in 2007, Ginx TV is a media company based in the United Kingdom. The company is known for its television channel, one of the world’s first TV channels focused strictly on gaming content. The company’s main channel has been rebranded to Ginx Esports TV in 2016, reflecting a shift towards esports. Apart from television, Ginx operates a gaming and esports news website, Ginx.tv.

Michiel Bakker first joined Ginx TV when the company was only three years old, in 2010. During his time at the company, Ginx has partnered with numerous esports, gaming, and other brands, and became an international company with a presence in many countries.

Bakker did not explain the exact reasons for his departure, but he did note that it is “high time for a fresh perspective, new ideas, and someone else to take the reins” of the media company. He added that change is a vital part of progress, and that he is proud of the work he did during his time at Ginx.

Ginx TV did not share news of Bakker’s replacement, but he did say that he is now “embarking on a new chapter in life.”

Bakker said the following via social media: “After an incredible 13-year journey at Ginx TV Ltd, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my departure from the company at the end of this month. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the CEO of Ginx, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.

“One of the most important lessons I have learned in my professional career is that change is vital for growth and progress. It is high time for a fresh perspective, new ideas, and someone else to take the reins.”

New Series Alert: Net 20 Minute Is Currently Streaming On eVOD

Net 20 Minutes (20 Dakika) tells the story of a mild-mannered history teacher. Ali, who is thrown into a World of action and intrigue when his beloved wife Melek is arrested for the attempted murder of a young man. Ali must abandon his books and find inner strength and courage that he did not know he had in order to free his wife and reclaim his family life. 

Set in Turkey, 20 Minutes was inspired by the 2010 American film The Next Three Days and starred Tuba Büyüküstün and İlker Aksum in leading roles. Star TV served as broadcaster when the series was broadcast in 2013.

Since it's debut, the Emmy nominated series had been sold to 55 countries including Bahrain, Algeria, Djibouti, Morocco, Greece, Romania, Poland, Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Mauritania, Somali, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Unlike Die Put and Annekan Die Swa Kry, 20 Minutes falls under the international tile of the eVOD streaming service. It is also the first exclusive show to be seen on the platform as the latter such as K-2 and Flowers Of Evil had been made available to eXposed days prior.

It is currently unknown on whether eMedia Investments will ever intend to make 20 Minutes accessible on more platforms. For now, it's currently streaming on Netflix and as mentioned eVOD and the only known linear platform to have aired it is Timeless Dizi Channel.

Update: the series is part of Kuiertyd under Net 20 Minute someone needs to be fired for the choice in title.

Development Alert: Boomerang In The Middle East, North Africa And Asia To Become Cartoonito

Cartoonito is the leading destination owned by Warner Bros. Discovery which distributes a variety of preschool content in the form of programming blocks across various Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels alongside standalone services.

During the year, Warner Bros. Discovery had been phasing out several Boomerang feeds across the world. Of course, there was various feeds which have yet to switchover to Cartoonito with the latter continuing to supply select content such as Batwheels and Interstellar Ella.

In the recent weeks, it had confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery within the regions particularly MENA and Asia particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the introduction of Cartoonito from September 4th and July 28th respectively.

According to WBD Asia, the move is “part of a big regional and global commitment by WBD to preschool content.” It follows Cartoonito rebrands and launches in other international territories including EMEA and LatAm.

Boomerang favourites including “Tom & Jerry,” “Baby Looney Tunes,” “Alice & Lewis,” “Pat the Dog” and “Grizzy and the Lemmings” will remain on the channel alongside other series like "Dino Ranch and recent additions Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders.

It's currently unknown if MENA will offer a similar lineup as seen in Asia but it's been speculated by various consumers that similar to EMEA. Cartoonito will likely keep Boomerang's remaining programming as WBD EMEA beside managing the brand in Africa also manage these regions.

Schedule Update: A Magical Love Story And King Of Hearts Coming Soon To Star Life And Zee One Respectively

King Of Hearts - premieres 1 July on Zee One

Siddharth, a hotelier, takes up the responsibility of repairing the relationship between his independent wife, Roshni, and his enterprising mother-in-law, Durga Devi.

It stars Ravi Dubey, Nia Sharma, Achint Kaur, Indraneil Sengupta, Shiny Doshi, Ahmad Harhash and Mouli Ganguly.

A Magical Love Story - premieres 17 July on Star Life

It tells the story of Aman who lives under the dark shadow of a Jinn while Roshni is blessed with angelic qualities. What turn will Aman and Roshni's lives take when the two entangle in a 'magical' love story?

It stars Vikram Singh Chauhan, Aditi Sharma, Shruti Sharma, Smita Bansal and Garima Vikrant Singh.

Reminder: Get Ready For A Trash-Tastic Adventure With The Hilarious And Action-Packed Garbage Boy And Trash Can Premiering On Cartoon Network Africa On Monday, 17 July @ 16:45 CAT

He's a superhero with no actual superpowers, and his sidekick is a trash can, but that's not going to stop young Tobi from using absolutely anything he finds to set off on a world of amazing adventures in Garbage Boy and Trash Can, the first Cartoon Network superhero animated comedy series to be produced in Africa.

Premiering on Cartoon Network Africa on 17 July at 16:45 CAT, Garbage Boy and Trash Can was commissioned by Cartoon Network Africa following Nigerian animator Ridwan Moshood winning the CN Creative Lab initiative. The series was produced in collaboration with the newly-formed animation production company Pure Garbage, a South African-based company specially launched for the project, which is a partnership between series creator Ridwan Moshood, Mike de Seve, head of US multi–Emmy Award-winning studio Baboon Animation and Nick Wilson, founder of African Animation Network (AAN). Magic Carpet, a leading Nigerian animation studio, co-produced the show, and actors from Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria and the USA voice the characters. This global collaboration marks the first innovative model in animation between talents from Africa, Europe, and the US under Cartoon Network's creative production process – a process intended to train and mentor African talent and produce content of international broadcast quality. 

He may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding locomotive, but Garbage Boy's belief in his superpowers may just be his actual superpower! Where most people see trash, Garbage Boy sees unlimited opportunities for fun and adventure. Whether it's building a bazooka out of some old PVC piping that fires wads of mouldy socks or an electron microscope from broken VCR parts, Garbage Boy believes that everything – even garbage - is worthwhile. Exiled from his home planet, the alien robot, Trash Can, is driven by his sense of duty. He has an infinite intellect, a cyber-noggin filled with galaxies of knowledge and a compact, metallic frame housing an endless number of gadgets. Together, they tackle their major enemies – boredom and Dr Sore Eyes (full name 'Braintomus Bombastus Edgar James Vanessa Sore Eyes, Ph.D.) – although the latter does a pretty good job of thwarting himself as he tries to avenge being shunned by the Academy of Really Real Sciences.

Creator, Director and Art Director Ridwan Moshood found inspiration for the show in the adversity of his childhood. "The inspiration for creating the lead characters came from the derogatory name some bullies used to call me back in junior secondary school. However, I soon realised that this name did not define my identity or limit my potential," he says. "It is this powerful message that I aim to convey to children currently experiencing name-calling and bullying. That's why I decided to create a show centred around the character 'Garbage Boy' who, despite the name, is actually a superhero — a symbol of overcoming adversity and proving that hurtful labels do not determine one's true worth."

The style of Garbage Boy and Trash Can is a homage to the cartoons Moshood watched during his childhood, mainly the Saturday morning shows like Dexter's Laboratory, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls, and more. "It is Dexter's Laboratory that greatly influences the artistic style of the show, as it remains my favourite Cartoon Network series. In fact, meeting the creator, Genndy Tartakovsky, is a personal aspiration of mine," he says.

Cartoon Network Africa's Creative Lab began its journey in June 2018 as an initiative designed to bring innovative, local short-form content to the channel and its digital platforms while reinforcing the local relevance of the brand. "The Cartoon Network team was amazed by Ridwan's talent and his vision for the show, even then – and we're delighted to see the final product adding to Cartoon Network's diverse and original content," says Ana González, Editorial Lead: Southern Europe and Africa, Kids Brands, Warner Bros. Discovery. "We are proud to produce and bring on air a pure African story with a fantastic Nigerian comedy hero in Garbage Boy and Trash Can, featuring fresh local animation talent and a truly stellar African voice cast to produce local, inclusive content."