Boomerang To Close Down In Thailand By The End Of August

Last month, it was learnt by sources that Warner Bros. Discovery would be phasing out several Boomerang channels across the world for Cartoonito. Of course, this news comes as a shocker and also raises confusion particularly in some parts of Asia.

In Thailand, it was confirmed on Boomerang's official Facebook page that the channel would go dark by the end of August with consumers having to flee to YouTube and other social platforms such as Facebook to continue interacting with the brand.

Not long ago, Boomerang was rebranded to Cartoonito in the rest of Asia offering original shows such as Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders alongside other shows like Grizzy & Lemmings, Alice & Lewis and Baby Looney Tunes.

Not much is known about the channel's sudden departure, Warner Bros. Discovery was said to be streamlining and keeping some of their in studio content. Similar to what The Walt Disney Company had been doing for years with Disney+ which has led to the cutback of channels.

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire To Be Broadcast Across Africa This August On Disney Channel

After its global premiere on Disney+ last month, The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced that the Disney+ Original anthology series “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” will be broadcast across Africa when it lands on Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) this August.

Featuring stories from the continent, a double bill of films will be broadcast at 17:00 CAT each weekday from 28 August – 1 September with 5-film marathons airing at 15:15 CAT on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September respectively.

“Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” is an action-packed animated sci-fi anthology that presents ten futuristic visions from Africa, inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures. Creators hailing from South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe present uniquely African perspectives to imagine brave new worlds of advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters.

Says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa: “We are excited to be bringing this innovative and celebrated series to viewers across the continent, giving those without access to Disney+ the chance to be part of an unforgettable ride into Africa’s future, presenting visions of the continent as never before seen.”

The ten creators include Ahmed Teilab (Egypt), Simangaliso ‘Panda’ Sibaya and Malcolm Wope (South Africa), Terence Maluleke and Isaac Mogajane (South Africa), Ng’endo Mukii (Kenya), Shofela Coker (Nigeria), Nthato Mokgata and Catherine Green (South Africa), Pious Nyenyewa and Tafadzwa Hove (Zimbabwe), Tshepo Moche (South Africa), Raymond Malinga (Uganda) and Lesego Vorster (South Africa).

The sci-fi series features an exciting cast from across the globe and includes the voices of Florence Kasumba (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), Kehinde Bankole (“Blood Sisters”), Pearl Thusi (“Queen Sono”), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (“Hotel Rwanda”, “Godzilla vs. Kong”), Sheila Munyiva (“Rafiki”), Stycie Waweru (“Supa Modo”, “Supa Sema”), Candice Modiselle (“Generations: The Legacy”), Lillian Dube (“Soul City”), Clementine Mosimane (“Poppie Nongena”), and Mandisa Nduna (“Blood Psalms”), as well as comedians Tumi Morake (“Serious Single”), Sne Dladla (“Black Tax”) and Tyson Ngubeni (“A Royal Surprise”) and rappers Nasty C (“Blood & Water”) and Gigi Lamayne (“Temptation Island: South Africa”).

Oscar®-winning director Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse”), Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston all serve as executive producers. Triggerfish is the lead studio for the anthology, working in collaboration with animation studios across the continent and globally.

“Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” will premiere on Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) with double bills each weekday from 28 August – 1 September at 17:00 (CAT), with special 5-film marathons on 2 and 3 September at 15:15 (CAT).

What To Expect On Via In October 2023?

Myne vir joune 

Season 9​

12 October 2023 – 25 January 2024 Thursdays 17:30​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Home makeover​

Two people who live under the same roof and are caught in a style dispute over a room in their home, are given the opportunity to broker peace at last. A coin toss determines which one of them will have the chance to makeover the problematic room (in the space of one day) with the help of interior decorator Isabel Barends and handyman Melt van der Spuy.​

Uit die slaapkamer 

Season 4​

18 October 2023 – 31 January 2024 Wednesdays 21:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Talk show​

The sexologist Doctor Elna Rudolph became a fan favourite of VIA viewers after a series of appearances on Minki van der Westhuizen’s talk show Minki. And now Doctor Elna has her own talk show in which she (with the help of an opinionated panel) answers and addresses everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sex but were too afraid to ask.​

Slimkoppe met Netwerk24 

Season 1​

23 October 2023 – 5 February 2024 Mondays 21:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Game show​

In each episode of this fun game show, a panel of hilarious trivia lovers duke it out through three rounds of general knowledge head-scratchers. Hosted by Susan Booyens. In partnership with Netwerk24.​

Sterkbek 

Season 1​

24 October 2023 – 6 February 2024 Tuesdays 20:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food / Talk show​

In each episode, Nic Mac – AKA The Godly Giemba – invites a local celebrity to join him in tasting the hottest, spiciest food in the Western Cape. They visit a cheap and cheerful eatery where they taste a few increasingly spicy dishes that have been lathered in hot sauce. With each dish, the questions for the celeb get more personal and prying. Will they be able to take the heat?​

​Konings van kitskos 

Season 10​

26 October 2023 – 8 February 2024 Thursdays 17:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food​

VIA’s popular food show is back! Besties Alvin Bruinders and Gerhard Steyn hit the road to sample the very best fast food South Africa has to offer.​

About Alvin​:

Alvin Bruinders is an entertainer known for his work in various fields, including acting, comedy, MCing, radio presenting, and singing. He is best known for his role in the sitcom Vetkoek Paleis.​

About Gerhard​:

Gerhard Steyn is a popular Afrikaans singer, guitarist, and songwriter.​

Waar’s my trourok?

Season 1​

27 October 2023 – 9 February 2024​

Fridays 17:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Style​

In each episode, two brides-to-be and her loved ones pop into our studio to try on a range of wedding dresses before picking the one she’ll wear on her big day.​

About Mienke​

Mienke Ehlers is an actress, stylist, presenter, and influencer. She is known to her fans for her tongue-in-cheek, one-minute monologues on Instagram and TikTok.​

Instagram following: 11.7K​

TikTok following: 25.8K​

Kom ons braai

Season 17​

28 October 2023  - 10 Ferbuary 2024 Saturdays 20:00​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food / Competition​

Three couples braai against one another for points and prizes. Each couple has a chance to throw a braai party at their own home and the duos score one another efforts in terms of braai technique, taste and entertainment.​

Huisgenoot: Ware lewensdramas 

Season 11​

30 October 2023 – 12 February 2024​

Mondays 20:00​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: True crime / Docuseries​

VIA and Huisgenoot magazine’s popular true-crime series returns. Each week focuses on the story behind the high-profile stories that shock South Africans and grabbed headlines – from brutal murders to nefarious scams.​

What To Expect On Via In September 2023?

September Highlights VIA

Hier sit die manne 

Season 2​

20 September – 13 December 2023​

Wednesdays 17:30​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Talk show / Magazine show​

A male-interest talk show hosted by a noteworthy former Springbok. In each episode our host, Frank Rautenbach, will interview a guest who relevant to the market. Additional inserts will focus on popular male interests such as cars, fishing, hunting, investing, travel, and rugby.

Hier sit die manne 

Season 2​

20 September – 22 November 2023​

Wednesdays 20:00​

46 minutes x 10 episodes​

Genre: Reality​

The search is on for the number-one trouvrou (the ideal wife) in South Africa! In this provocative reality show a group of eight women from across the country will check into a luxury farmhouse where they will compete to be crowned the trouvrou of the year and to answer the question: Which area in South Africa produces the best marriage material? Our panel of three, opinionated judges will determine the leader board and the eventual winner.​

Slim vang sy baas 

Season 8​

22 September 2023 – 12 January 2024​

Fridays 17:30​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Game show​

In each episode of this fun-filled game show, two teams go head-to-head and battle it out through a series of rounds that will put their general knowledge to the ultimate test. Hosted by Beer Adriaanse.

News Shorts: Nickelodeon Africa And International Enter The Splat Zone, East Coast Radio Has Been Allocated On The Openview Platform And eMedia Investments Scraps Cryptic Detail About Their 4 Channels On DStv

Nickelodeon braces for another rebrand

Nickelodeon today (Tuesday 1st August 2023) launched Nickelodeon's 2023 rebrand, which brings back the iconic Nickelodeon Splat, in Africa alongside Australia & New Zealand, Asia and the Central Eastern Europe. Still no word on Canada and Latin America but the UK and MENA had migrated earlier.

To create the new identity, Nickelodeon partnered with six U.S. and international agencies. The company asked the agencies to come back with a spot that used the new brand work and represents Nick’s energy and identity through the lens of its most notable IP—SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, Blue’s Clues, Baby Shark, Loud House and Monster High—making sure there is a moment of the iconic Nickelodeon slime.

East Coast Radio reaches more households

During their financial year presentation, eMedia Investments unveiled plans to rollout a few more channels before the end of the current financial year. Prior to that, eMedia Investments disconnected the services of LM Radio and TransAfrica Radio on the Openview platform.

7 months into 2023, eMedia Investments unveiled a new addition to the Openview platform, East Coast Radio.

Serving as one of the largest regional stations in South Africa, East Coast Radio (ECR) is a KwaZulu-Natal commercial radio station with an

audience of approximately 5 million. It is operated by Kalgiso Media who also manage brands like Jacaranda FM and JUTA Publishing.

Presenters featured on East Coast Radio include Daren Maule, Ker Miller, Sky Shabalala, Carol Ofori, Vick Naidoo, Stacey Norman, J Sbu, Tee Xaba, Sam Cele, Mike V, Buhle Hlatshwayo, Andy James and Nick Taithen.

e.tv's 4 channels are set to go dark on DStv...supposedly

After announcing that the channel's would go dark on DStv by the end of July, eMedia Investments has scrubbed further details about the cancellation across their platforms which brings to question the viability on DStv.

From what is known at the moment, these channels are currently on limbo on the pay-tv platform with eMedia Investments that had since then promoted several shows particularly on eExtra's Kuiertyd without any mention of them also residing on the DStv platform.

Could it be possible that eMedia Investments had got the dates wrong or perhaps announced their demise a tad early or could a new agreement might be put in place for some if not all the channels seen within the Openview platform.