Analysis: Could eMedia Investments Or StarTimes Revive ITV Choice And tvN?

ITV Choice was a British based entertainment channel operated by ITV Studios that offered a mixture of reality, lifestyle and drama series. Some of the content included on the channel were Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Jonathan Ross Show and Doc Martin.

The channel was phased out from the DStv platform by June 2020 and with no outlet to continue watching the channel consumers had to rely on BritBox for further content or view the little remains of ITV (Tipping Point and The Chase) on BBC and M-Net.

tvN was added to the pay-tv platform as a pop-up channel featuring various content from South Korea such as The K-2, Tails Of The Nine Tailed, Another Miss Oh, Cheese In The Trap and Tunnel. Despite being a popular addition, MultiChoice went against the idea of a full-time channel.

Since then, the Korean entertainment channel had been looking to continue on another platform and surveyed several fans even got a petition in the hopes to return on DStv but since then there had been no updates with consumers fleeing to Netflix and YouTube to view the offering.

Although, tvN is not viewable on DStv some of its programming such as Ice Adonis and Doom At Your Service had been scooped up by eMedia Investments to build the primetime offering for both their linear and digital platforms. It kind of led some to wonder if the red brand could eventually source out tvN.

With tvN not regarded as a cheapo addition, the channel would likely fall under eMedia Investments' pay tier, Ultraview. Thanks to the existing Asian offering seen on Openview, consumers would be able to familiarise themselves with the channel's programming.

I mean the idea of eMedia Investments pursing tvN or something similar for Openview consumers wouldn't seem far fetched .Prior to Zee One even Star Life's induction, eMedia Investments had broadcast several Bollywood dramas through eExtra with some help from Glow TV.

Unlike tvN, ITV Choice would likely have to come in a form taken over by Zee One or The Home Channel+ - free-to-view. eMedia Investments hasn't added any incentives to this offering and the only option BBC UKTV was ripped away from them by MultiChoice's DStv.

This ITV managed brand would make up for the loss of BBC UKTV and also be it's first official competitor seeing as they both cater to low income households unlike BBC Brit which is mid tier. This channel would have to reintroduce shows some of which aren't on DStv to new consumers.

New Channel Alert (Rumour): Moja Love Owners To Allocate Third TV Channel To The DStv Platform Likely For Easyview Customers

A couple of years ago, Siyaya TV was planning to rollout its own rival platform for MultiChoice's DStv but unsuccessful opted for Moja Love. Since its launch, it happens to be one of the leading brands on DStv for shows like X-Repo, Uyajola 9/9 and Show Me Love.

It wasn't long till MultiChoice would have spun off the channel to Access consumers under Moja 9.9. serving as a platform for archived material alongside content already viewable on Moja Love.

During the week, MultiChoice had begun tests on another HD channel from Siyaya TV whose identity as been revealed. But from what we can make of this it might have something to do with Moja Love as one of its most controversial shows Umakwapheni is slotted there.

Other than that no other program can be viewed on this possible new channel either because Siyaya TV hasn't added other content to the channel yet or possibly hadn't provided MultiChoice with a full length programme guide.

And if this channel paints out to be what I'm assuming "another repeats channel" then I'm guessing this channel will be tailored to Easyview customers should it be a copycat to Moja 9.9. and something like that would come out as a bit weird on MultiChoice's part.

I mean Moja 9.9. already exists it would have made more sense moving that to Easyview as opposed to starting up another channel to rehash shows. It's not like Easyview has that many consumers but considering what happened with Magic Showcase anything can be expected.

Foxtel closed several premium channels in Australia due to streamlining attempts I'm assuming this is MultiChoice's way of investing less time with DStv. They lose several premium clients every year and maybe something like this one way to save up on costs.

Despite Easyview being a small base within the DStv bouquet, MultiChoice does offer other packages in neighbouring countries so this channel may cater to them as well if not only South Africa.

Could Nicktoons Be Traded For Nickelodeon On DStv?

During the year, Nicktoons woke up from its repeat slumber with a batch of original content from Nickelodeon including Star Trek: Prodigy, Monster High, Rugrats and The Patrick Star Show and exclusives like The Adventures Of Sammy & Raj and Best & Bester.

As seen in July, these exclusive shows had since then been transmitted on Nickelodeon leaving Nicktoons to open up more timeslots for The Loud House's placeholder The Casagrandes alongside Nickelodeon's longest running show, SpongeBob SquarePants.

From what I can analyse here it's safe to say Paramount isn't prioritising the channel as much as seen in previous years. My guess on these exclusives perhaps it's a regional thing as some territories market Nickelodeon as a premium and in Southern Africa those roles are reversed.

That's also very risky as Southern Africa having Nickelodeon spend less time on Nicktoons but considering a majority can't afford the main channel. It's put in a much better position compared to most of Africa where viewers will probably call view it as liability.

This wasn't really an issue when it was inducted as the current audience weren't familiar with the Splat era of Nickelodeon. Over the years, they've always managed to balance out the content by licencing content from various studios and overtime that fell apart.

If you had to look at the current state of Nicktoons, it matches up to the standards seen on the Disney Channel where less investment is being poured toward new content with the rest of the schedule being bombarded with repeats or older programming.

Aside from Disney Channel if not the rest of Disney's linear offering being folded under Disney+. Would it seem far fetched if the same fate awaited Nicktoons once Paramount+ arrives in the market.

SCHEDULE

* Bold means the show has been cancelled

WEEKDAY

23:45 Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles

00:07 Breadwinners

00:29 The Barbarian And TheTroll

00:50 Dorg Van Dango

01:11 Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty

01:32 Sanjay & Craig

01:53 Corn & Peg

02:14 Fanboy & Chum Chum

02:36 T.U.F.F. Puppy

02:58 Rusty Rivets

03:20 Wallykazam!

03:42 Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty

04:04 SpongeBob SquarePants 

04:26 SpongeBob SquarePants

04:48 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:00 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:22 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:44 SpongeBob SquarePants

06:07 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

06:22 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

06:33 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

06:46 The Casagrandes

07:11 The Casagrandes

07:30 Peppa Pig

07:51 Peppa Pig

08:06 Paw Patrol

08:20 Paw Patrol

08:44 Blaze And The Monster Machines

09:08 Blaze And The Monster Machines

09:30 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

09:53 ALVINNN!!! And TheChipmunks

10:17 Lego City Adventures

10:43 SpongeBob SquarePants

11:05 SpongeBob SquarePants

11:30 SpongeBob SquarePants

11:55 SpongeBob SquarePants

12:18 The Casagrandes

12:43 The Casagrandes

13:05 The Casagrandes

13:29 The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj

13:55 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

14:19 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

14:34 SpongeBob SquarePants

15:00 NickMusic

15:25 The Casagrandes

15:35 The Casagrandes

15:45 The Casagrandes

16:10 The Casagrandes

16:34 The Casagrandes

17:00 SpongeBob SquarePants

17:24 SpongeBob SquarePants

17:50 SpongeBob SquarePants

18:15 SpongeBob SquarePants

18:39 The Casagrandes

19:01 The Casagrandes

19:26 The Casagrandes

19:50 SpongeBob SquarePants

20:14 SpongeBob SquarePants

20:41 SpongeBob SquarePants

21:05 SpongeBob SquarePants

21:31 The Patrick Star Show

21:55 The Patrick Star Show

22:09 Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness

22:32 Kung Fu Panda: Legends Of Awesomeness

22:55 Avatar: The Last Airbender

23:19 The Penguins Of Madagascar 

23:32 The Penguins Of Madagascar 

23:55 The Penguins Of Madagascar 

WEEKEND

23:45 Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles

00:07 Breadwinners

00:29 The Barbarian And The Troll

00:50 Dorg Van Dango

01:11 Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty

01:32 Sanjay & Craig

01:53 Corn&Peg

02:14 Fanboy & Chum Chum

02:36 T.U.F.F. Puppy

02:58 Rusty Rivets

03:20 Abby Hatcher

03:42 Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty

04:04 SpongeBob SquarePants

04:26 SpongeBob SquarePants

04:49 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:00 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:22 SpongeBob SquarePants

05:44 SpongeBob SquarePants

06:07 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

06:22 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

06:46 The Casagrandes

07:11 The Casagrandes

07:30 Peppa Pig

07:52 Dora The Explorer

08:16 Top Wing

08:26 Top Wing

08:49 Paw Patrol

09:03 Paw Patrol

09:30 The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj

09:54 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

10:18 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

10:43 The Casagrandes

11:07 The Casagrandes

11:30 Monster High

11:55 The Patrick Star Show

12:18 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

12:43 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

13:05 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

13:30 SpongeBob SquarePants

13:53 SpongeBob SquarePants

14:19 SpongeBob SquarePants

14:45 SpongeBob SquarePants

15:00 The Patrick Star Show

15:13 The Patrick Star Show

15:26 The Casagrandes

15:48 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

16:12 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

16:36 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

17:01 Monster High

17:27 SpongeBob SquarePants

17:49 SpongeBob SquarePants

18:16 SpongeBob SquarePants

18:38 The Casagrandes

19:01 The Casagrandes

19:24 The Casagrandes

19:37 SpongeBob SquarePants

19:59 SpongeBob SquarePants

20:26 The Patrick Star Show

20:49 The Patrick Star Show

21:13 The Adventures of Kid Danger

21:38 The Adventures of Kid Danger

22:01 SpongeBob SquarePants

22:24 SpongeBob SquarePants

22:36 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

22:59 ALVINNN!!! And The Chipmunks

23:23 The Adventures of Kid Danger

23:45 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 

Recap To Last Year: WildBrain To Roll Out A Dedicated Kids Channel In Canada, Could StarSat Or DStv Perhaps Get It?

WildBrain is a Canadian based company known for owning the largest independent library of children's television programming, which is distributed through its multi-channel network, WildBrain Spark, and a group of Canadian specialty television channels (e.g. WildBrain TV).

Some of the programming to have been distributed by the brand include animations like Johnny Test, Carmen Sandiego, Berry In The Big City and Inspector Gadget alongside live-action shows like Hank Zipzer, Survivalists, Degrassi: Next Class and Bajillionaires.

As of 2022, Canada has been the only known region to distribute a linear service with the trademark WildBrain Spark adopted by the UK and global to manage a number of external brands currently seen on digital platforms which has accumulated $70 million in revenue.

With Disney consolidating most of their content to streaming and shuttering their remaining linear offering. Cable outlets have been up and about trying to fill the void left by the blue brand by either producing original content or licencing third party content from various studios.

Moonbug and DreamWorks had both seen a boost in popularity for their programming and WildBrain could serve as a third contender within that list of children's stations as seen in Canada.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Verbode Liefde

Elma Potgieter as Ülfet

Mari Molefe as Suhandan

Alicia Van Emmenis as Saniye

Natasja Jobs as Fitnat

Saanli Jooste as Nevicihan

Marijke Coetze as Döne

Karin Retief as Azimet

David Johnson as Adil

Charl Van Heyningen as Abbas

Andre Retief as Rüstem Kuloglu

Claudia Jones as Culsum

Danielle Retief as Meliha Kuloglu

Rowlen Van Gericke as Serhat 

Source: Insidus Plus, Die Afrikaans Voice Page