How Play Room Could Pan Out In The Rest Of Africa On DStv And Possible GOtv?

During the week, it was reported by sources that Ngwato Nkosi Group and MultiChoice will unveil their third TV channel to consumers, Play Room. A KTV and Akili Kids infused channel featuring educational and entertaining content some of which will be in local languages.

From what is understood, it's currently unknown if Play Room will be available in the rest of Africa at the same time as South Africa. Similar to sister channel, Newzroom Afrika it was first launched in South Africa before rolling out in the rest of Africa.

Movie Room on the other operate with two independent feeds one seen in Southern Africa and another for other African markets.

If anything, Play Room could undergo a similar scenario seen with their other sister brands. It could first establish its presence in South Africa or rollout across Africa at the same time and in a similar form to Movie Room I mean the idea of housing seperate feeds wouldn't seem far fetched.

It was very much confirmed that popular animated titles like CoComelon and Akili And Me would be dubbed in Zulu. A language that some parts of Africa aren't familiar with so if anything it wouldn't be shocking if there wasn't any local push initially in these countries.

Countries like East Africa already supply their own Play Room brand, Akili Kids. That is likely to get phased out should MultiChoice put any local investment toward Play Room.

I mean the scenario in each country is different but in recent years MultiChoice has been doing a lot of quality control. Not that Akili Kids is not performing to its potential but there's just so much of a resemblance to Play Room that MultiChoice may want to limit that offering.

Another having to do with transponder constraints, a lot of people following up on the matter are expecting more channels to close as the pay-tv company unveils new attractions.

What Has Glow TV Been Up To Following Their Departure From Linear Television?

Glow TV was a general entertainment channel operated by the Nismedia Group. It promoted Hindi culture with a variety of made for TV content like This Is Love and Little Bheem from India alongside content based in South Africa like The Get Real Talk Show With Denver Naicker.

Earlier in the year, Glow TV ended transmission on the Openview platform after a heated dispute with eMedia Investments for the distribution of the brand. It was also removed from StarSat after negotiation between the two didn't pan out - therefore ending it's run on TV.

As for an OTT platform, Nismedia was looking to continue Glow TV in some capacity and one of those could have been a digital service. Although they didn't want to dive further into specifics, their main concern overall was on their future with linear television.

Openview partly contributed to Glow TV's success that it was sort of hard on Nismedia to imagine a future without their viewers and sort of hard to build something like eVOD and Showmax from scratch.

Netflix continues to remain dominant in the African market alongside YouTube leading MultiChoice to sell part of their stake in Showmax to NBCUniversal. eMedia Investments on the other had to sought through partnerships to build the streamer's local portfolio.

Both platforms are confined to a paywall that select shows would be freely accessible as a means to lure potential consumers particularly those tailored to platforms like e.tv and SABC as a source of entertainment.

As for what Glow TV has been up in the last months, it's hard to tell as there's been a lot of inactivity or at least with the Glow brand indefinitely as Nismedia had been using the channel's social accounts to promote their other properties, Laudium Sun. 

The Laudium Sun is a community newspaper serving it's readers in Laudium & surrounds since 1984. The newspaper is delivered door-to-door in residential areas, whereby mainly people of Indian origin live. The paper is a household name amongst the community.

If one had to guess, it's possible Glow TV had been folded under Laudium Sun and this is probably their only means of survival. Although, it doesn't come with a linear platform or TV series. They do engage directly with consumers through live events and other activities.

Recap To The Year: Disney EMEA Halts Original Programming For The Disney Channels, Further Content Being Distributed By Disney+

A few months ago, Disney Branded Television and Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to announce further projects for Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ all of which were divided by their respective region.

Disney Branded Television announced the additions of Ariel, StuGo, Primo, ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series, Playdate with Winnie the Pooh and Disney Junior Wonderful World of Songs. Returning shows include The Wonderful World Of Mickey Mouse, Kiff, Firebuds and Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

Disney EMEA announced Magicampers, The Sunnyridge 3, The Doomies, Dragon Striker. The only returning series would be Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life. Unlike Disney Branded Television, Disney EMEA hadn't announced any new shows coming to the Disney Channel or Disney Junior as the latter is being distributed by Disney+.

Disney Branded Television handles the linear portfolio as the name implies but Disney EMEA despite serving as an independent unit had often credited these platforms. As seen in this presentation, Disney Branded Television credits their international feeds as "Disney platforms" which could imply several things.

One of which that wouldn't come as a shocker to the majority would be the abrupt cancellation of the Disney Channel and Disney Junior. They've cut off several feeds in Australia, Italy, United Kingdom and there's still plenty of feeds residing in Europe that hadn't lost transmission yet.

We assume it had to do with Disney+ as they didn't have a local presence in most countries and it's still like that to some extent. But it doesn't guarantee that these channels will sit put as some countries to have lost channels (like FOX) are still awaiting a platform if not Disney+ to hopefully view these shows.

As I've seen in the last months, Disney Channel and Disney Junior had been cutting back on programming and promoting a bulk of content from Disney+. So it's only a matter of time till Disney decides to pull the plug on the channels for some if not all these regions.

Another thing that brings about the brand's demise would be their original film segment Disney Channel Original Movies. Since Disney doesn't view their linear business as a priority the latter is distributed by Disney+ as Disney Original Movies while the streamer's current offering would be credited for Disney+.

What To Expect On Via In October 2023?

My plek of joune

Season 9​

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

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Home makeover​

Sponsor: Decofurn, Ryobi, Tjhoko paint

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​

Sponsor: Luvland​

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​

Sponsor: Afrikaans.com​

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​

Sponsor: Gelusil​

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​

Sponsor: Blanco Bridal​

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. Hosted my Mila Guy.

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.

The Untimely Passing Of Former Impact Wrestling And WWE Star Chris Candido

At one time, Chris Candido had the world in his hands. He was one of the best technical wrestlers in the world, married one of WWE's most popular divas in Sunny, and quickly shot up the ranks in both WWE and ECW. However, life doesn't always go as planned. His time in WWE ended sooner than he might have hoped. Addiction issues arose and his marriage ended up on the rocks.

It was after he beat his addiction issues and got his life back together that things tragically ended. Candido was back on a major national wrestling stage. His marriage was back intact. He even looked like he could be a top star again. However, just like that, he died at 33 after what should have been a routine surgery.

Chris Candido's Road To WWE Began With ECW And Jim Cornette

Chris Candido got his start in wrestling as a teenager in New Jersey. In 1986, he and a friend began working in the industry by setting up rings. He went on to train at Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory and then made his debut in the ring that same year. Candido was 14 when he worked his first match. By 1993, Candido made his way to the pre-Extreme ECW, where he worked in a stable known as The Suicide Blondes. This led to Jim Cornette taking notice of the wrestler.

Candido had fallen in love with Tammy Lynn Sytch in high school and the two joined Cornette's Smoky Mountain Wrestling together, where she worked as his manager. He won several titles while working for Cornette and then even won his only world title when he captured the NWA World Championship after Shane Douglas vacated the title when ECW broke away. He held the title for three months and then one year later, he and Tammy signed with WWE.

WWE changed his name to Skip and made Tammy into Sunny, and they took on a fitness guru tandem who often mocked other wrestlers for being out of shape. It was here that Sunny became one of the biggest stars in WWE and Candido found his biggest national success as part of the Bodydonnas with Tom Prichard (Zip). However, it was also here that his life began falling apart. Reports that Sunny cheated on him with multiple wrestlers strained their marriage. This was also when both wrestlers began experimenting more with drugs.

Chris Candido Had Stints In ECW And WCW After Leaving WWE

In an interview, Chris Candido's brother Jonny said that when they got to WWE, they started abusing drugs more. He was just in the eighth grade when this happened, but he said he remembered a lot of messed up stuff going on with his brother and Sunny. Many of his stories were horrific, and it was obvious things needed to change fast or Chris might end up dead. By 1996, Chris quit WWE and went to ECW, and eventually Sunny joined him there.

This was a fresh start for Candido. Sunny was only in ECW limited times, but Candido himself became part of Shane Douglas' Triple Threat faction with Bam Bam Bigelow. He had a long tag team title reign with Lance Storm before he finally left after three years. After this, Candido worked in WCW for a short time in 2000, but mostly disappeared from the world of professional wrestling outside of indie promotions.

The Tragic Death Of Chris Candido Came After An Injury In TNA Wrestling

According to Jonny, Chris Candido was doing more and more drugs to block out the idea that Sunny was cheating on him. "He desperately didn't want to believe it because she would come home to him every night, and he literally had this unconditional love for her," Jonny said. "He was so nice and so naïve; he would...believe anything she told him."

That isn't how his life would end though. Chris reportedly got his life back under control again. He even got another chance at wrestling on a big stage again when he signed with TNA Wrestling in 2005. He worked with some top stars, including AJ Styles, Dustin Rhodes, and Diamond Dallas Page. Candido was on his way up the ladder, but it all came crashing down when he broke his leg in a tag team match at Lockdown 2005. TNA kept him involved in storylines, even having him come out in a wheelchair to help The Naturals win the tag titles. However, that episode aired days after he died.

At 33, Chris Candido had titanium plates and screws inserted into his legs after the injury. While recovering, he ended up developing a blood clot in his leg. Though many people believe the blood clot killed him, his brother Jonny said the autopsy said that the cause of death was acute pneumonia, caused by a sleep aid he received against doctor's orders. His lungs reportedly filled with fluid, and he died while recovering from his surgery. TNA honored him with a tag team tournament in his name and in 2009, the Hardcore Hall of Fame inducted him into its membership.

Credits: The Sportster