TOLDJA! e.tv's 4 Channels Were Meant To Go Dark On DStv By August But Were Extended, Might To Go Dark By The End Of 2023 If Not Early 2024

Last month, eMedia Investments' 4 Openview channels on the DStv platform were meant to go dark as the team advised consumers that eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra would be booted and would remain exclusive to the Openview platform with eExtra on StarSat.

Fast forward to the present, these channels are still onboard the DStv platform and through an enquiry it was revealed that eMedia Investments had got another months extension (possibly the rest of 2023) by the Competition Tribunal - you'd think they'd let this matter rest.

And also it was mentioned that eMedia Investments had tried to get an extension on DStv but MultiChoice refused which led them to run through the Competition Tribunal for help once again.

Amidst this extension, MultiChoice was looking to launch further channels like the Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel Zee Zonke later this month (possible replacement to the Afrikaans offering on eExtra) but was delayed to September likely due to this matter.

Last year, MultiChoice had mentioned that they were battling with transponder constraints which partly led to the cancellation of eMedia's offering while the other party claimed they had plenty of space for more channels. But it's possible MultiChoice's case was accurate as they closed several channels in the previous financial year.

With this extension you kind of wonder if the upcoming offering would make it to DStv or likely get scrapped as seen with Media24's Via duplicate for Access consumers. Aside from e.tv, other channels whose future are in question include National Geographic and Disney Channel.

As outlined through my research, Disney Channel (and if possible Disney Junior) might be the next channels to exit the platform as further content will be folded under another streaming platform if not Showmax as Disney is looking to streamline the business.

New Series Alert: He's Into Her Coming Soon To Novela E Plus

Novela E Plus, a general entertainment channel distributing content from Latin America, Turkey and Asia had acquired rights to the Phillipine teen comedy, He's Into Her.

It follows Maxpein is a spunky provincial girl raised by her grandmother and uncle, after her mother died moves to Manila with her newly discovered wealthy
father where she's treated as an outsider at the Benison International School by the varsity captain and love interest, Deib.

Based on the 2012 novel of the same name, it starred Donny Pangilinan as Deib Lohr Enrile, Belle Mariano as Maxpein Zin D. Luna, Jeremiah Lisbo as Randall "RJ" Echavez, Jr., Kaori Oinuma as Michiko Sil Tarranza and Vivoree Esclito as Melissa "Ysay" Baylon.s

Since the series inception, He's Into Her spawned 2 seasons with a combined total of 26 episodes. It accumulated various accolades including one for Best Fiction, Digital Series Of The Year and Best Drama Mini Series.

He's Into Her would make its highly anticipated debut on weekdays at 21:40 from August 30th.

News Shorts: Disney+ Might Be Excluded From Certain African Markets Ahead Of Channel Closures, More Timeslot Changes Coming To eExtra Ahead Of Annekan Die Swa Kry's Debut On e.tv And MultiChoice To Cease Transmission Of The DStv Platform In Malawi


Disney+ is undergoing changes

During the month, it was learnt by Disney's CEO Bob Iger that Disney+ would be reviewing their portfolio in several countries with some limiting the amount of content produced within that region if not shut down alongside most of their linear platforms across the world.

Since Disney+ inception in 2019, there's still various markets in Europe, Africa and Asia without Disney+ and Bob Iger was able to confirm why some of these markets haven't been seen with the streamer. As seen in the last months, they're looking at regions which can make the streamer profitable.

Unfortunately most of Africa doesn't fit that description so various content like Only Murders In The Building, Loki and Solar Opposites will likely be folded under existing brands like Multichoice's Showmax, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video as opposed to getting a seperate platform as seen in South Africa.

It is believed by analysts that Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery are doing something similar with consumers in other regions.

Winter Son and Annekan Die Swa Kry are doing a switcheroo

Last month, eExtra underwent a schedule change which saw various repeats move to the Power Up leaving the channel to air repeats to past programming alongside other content already viewed on both eReality and eXposed.

In recent developments, e.tv will be allocating a new Turkish drama known in Afrikaans as Annekan Die Swa Kry in place of the first season to Roekeloos Dade. As seen through an updated programme guide, the channel will be moving the 17:00 shows in which this new series resides to Winter Son's timeslot on eExtra at 12:25.

Winter Son airs weekdays on eExtra at 19:00 with repeats 2 and a half hours later at 22:30. The Heir gets burned off to midnights, possible indicator that the channel might be phasing out the Bollywood part of the brand.

MultiChoice to close shop in selected territories

MultiChoice Africa Holdings (MAH) said its decision followed an injunction issued by the High Court in Lilongwe in a matter between MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) prohibiting an adjustment to the DStv tariffs.

MAH has argued that its local subsidiary is not responsible for setting prices for the service, which are set by the parent company independently. MultiChoice Malawi does not offer DStv to the Malawi public. The local outfit is responsible for the digital-terrestrial GOtv offering, for which it applied and received approval from the regulator for price adjustments.

Having argued repeatedly that the Malawi operation was not responsible for the DStv service, MAH said the subsidiary was incapable of complying with the court order to implement MACRA’s ruling on prices.

Since failure to comply could have “grave consequences for the directors and management of MultiChoice Malawi, including imprisonment”, it said it was withdrawing DStv from the country.

What To Expect On DreamWorks Channel Across Africa In September 2023?

NEW EPISODES
VOLTRON LEGENDARY DEFENDER

From days long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe comes the original series, DreamWorks "Voltron: Legendary Defender." DreamWorks Animation reimagines one of the most popular fan-favoriteshows of all time in this all-new comedic action-packed show from executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos ("The Legend of Korra," "Avatar: The Last Airbender") and co-executive producer Lauren Montgomery ("The Legend of Korra"). Five unsuspecting teenagers, transported from Earth into the middle of a sprawling intergalactic war, become pilots for five robotic lions in the battle to protect the universe from evil. Only through the true power of teamwork can they unite to form the mighty warrior known as Voltron Legendary Defender.

From Monday 4th September
Weekdays at 10.30pm

STUNT
KUNG FU PANDA: THE PAWS OF DESTINY

DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny is an all-epic adventure series! When four panda kids stumble upon a mystical cave beneath Panda Village, accidentally absorbing the chi of ancient and powerful kung fu warriors known as the Four Constellations, they must realize a destiny to save the world from an evil force. Meanwhile, Po finds himself faced with his biggest challenge yet --teaching this ragtag band of kids how to wield their newfound powers.

From Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October
Back-to-back episodes Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm

MOVIES
Friday at 5pm
Saturdays at 9am
Sundays at 9.30am

Shrek The Third: Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th September
The greatest fairy tale never told continues when Shrek (Mike Myers) embarks on another whirlwind adventure with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) to find the rightful heir to the throne. Meet the magical misguided Merlin (Eric Idle), an awkward Arthur (Justin Timberlake), and a powerful posse of princesses in a tale where everyone lives happily ever laughter.

The Iron Giant: Friday 29th, Saturday 30th September
Imagine you confront your enemy--a giant, scary robot from outer space--and he becomes your best pal. A young boy befriends a monster in the heartwarminganimated feature The Iron Giant. October, 1957. Nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes lives in Rockwell, Maine, a seemingly idyllic town. Hearing stories of a UFO that crashed into the sea, Hogarth, always on the lookout for mutant aliens, finds a huge, metal-eating robot with an insatiable curiosity and equally insatiable appetite. But the extraterrestrial'spresence unleashes a wave of Cold War paranoia that threatens to engulf Rockwell unless Hogarth and his 50-foot friend can stop it. Acclaimed animation director and writer Brad Bird brings his creative talents to the big screen in this unique tale of two heroes. In times like these, you really find out what your friends are made of ... sometimes it's metal, if your best buddy's The Iron Giant.

What To Expect On Da Vinci Kids Across Africa In September 2023?

PREMIERE
Did I Mention Invention?          
SERIES PREMIERE (17 x 30’)
From September 7 I Wed, Thurs, Fri at 16:10
A robot snake that can help with surgery. A jet ski submarine that flies underwater. Stone sculptures created using physics. You’ll find them all on “Did I Mention Invention?” Host Alie Ward meets the inventors of the present and future and discovers how their ideas grew from a glimmer of inspiration to things that improve our world. Got an idea for an invention of your own? She’s got tips for budding inventors too! And some fun facts on everyday inventions that we take for granted now. Fascinating!
Genre: Science, Technology, Documentary 

Marvellous Makes Lab (S02)        
SEASON PREMIERE (16 x 10’)
From September 16 I Weekends at 9:00 
Welcome back to Season 2 of “Marvellous Makes Lab”, where science meets creativity! 
Join us as we explore fun experiments using everyday household items, unveiling the fascinating science behind each creation. Let the excitement begin!
Genre: Arts/Crafts, Science, How-to, Educational

CONTINUING SPECIAL
DIY SCI Marathon             
(44 x 30’)
Saturdays at 10:15 
Get your lab coats ready because Steve Spangler is coming to your screens with 4 seasons of a wild science adventure! Laugh, learn, and be amazed as he unleashes mind-blowing experiments using everyday items. Brace yourself for a journey full of fascinating connections to real-world innovations and a whole lot of fun.  You will definitely say to yourself that Science has never been this fun!
Genre: Science, Technology, How-to, Educational, Entertainment
Awards: Daytime Emmy Awards 2017 nominee; Daytime Emmy Awards 2018 nominee.