Development Alert: FilmBox Family Added Onto The StarTimes App, Might Launch Elsewhere

During the week, TNT went dark on StarSat and StarTimes platforms across Africa due to a change in broadcasting rights or at least that's what's been stated by them as Warner Bros. Discovery had launched an investigation with an update expected in the coming week.

Prior to the cancellation, StarSat promised consumers that they would look into replacing TNT with another movie channel. Although not much details is known about the possible new channel FilmBox Family had been slotted on the StarTimes app.

FilmBox Family is a general entertainment channel catered for children and family featuring films ranging from fantasy, adventure, animation, drama and comedy. It is operated by SPI International that also package FilmBox, FilmBox Action and Timeless Dizi Channel on the platform.

Although not much had been stated by either StarTimes or SPI International about the addition of FilmBox Family, would it seem far fetched if the channel were to be made available elsewhere at some point perhaps as a replacement to TNT.

The downside aside from the exclusion of All Elite Wrestling or sports in general, it caters to another level of consumers (as mentioned children and family) and if you take that to account this would be a downgrade in quality for consumers of TNT and particularly StarSat.

Peter David's Spider-Man 2 (Novel)

Two years have passed, and Peter Parker struggles to cope with the demands of life as a college student, a Daily Bugle photographer, and a crime-fighting superhero. But it hasn’t gotten any easier. Condemned by the press, tormented by secrets he can never reveal, forced to give up the girl of his dreams—at times the lonely burden of Spider-Man seems almost too great to bear . . . and the temptation to give up grows stronger by the hour.

Enter the archfiend Doc Ock, armed with a lethal invention powerful enough to destroy half the city. If Spider-Man tries to stop Doc Ock, he’ll be placing the lives of those closest to him in mortal danger. If he doesn’t, it could be the end of the Big Apple. With millions of lives hanging in the balance, high about Manhattan’s glittering skyline, Spider-Man confronts his destiny, his fiercest enemy, and himself.

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Peter David's Spider-Man (Novel)

It begins with an orphan named Peter Parker, raised by his beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Queens, New York. A quiet student, he works diligently at his studies and pines for the beautiful Mary Jane Watson. But this ordinary teenage boy is about to have his life turned upside down, when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Suddenly, he finds himself possessed of spectacular powers. He is now and forever Spider-Man!

Follow Spider-Man’s action-packed journey, from his struggle to harness the extraordinary gifts that will prove to be both blessing and curse, to his fight to save innocent lives while the media tears him to pieces. It all leads up to his ultimate battle high above New York streets, against the death-dealing madman known as the Green Goblin. While the city watches helplessly and countless lives hang in the balance, Spider-Man confronts his archnemesis, and the Goblin puts Spider-Man’s vow to fight crime to the ultimate test

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Recap To The Week: The Mysterious Disappearance Of TNT, Could More Channels From StarSat Be On Their Way Out?

During the week, it was reported that TNT vanished from StarTimes and StarSat platforms across Africa. Following the removal of TNT, Warner Bros. Discovery had launched an investigation onto the sudden removal and are anticipated to share an update in the coming week.

According to StarSat, the likes of a competitor [MultiChoice] had led to the removal of the channel due to a change in broadcasting rights. As mentioned, this could be a lie I mean why would Warner Bros. Discovery need to launch an investigation on the matter.

In 2021, brands like Real Time, Investigation Discovery and Discovery Science were all booted from the platform. It was stated at the time that StarTimes had unresolved contract with Warner Bros. Discovery leading to addition of CBS Reality and CBS Justice.

Following the merger of Discovery Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery a similar outcome could have awaited TNT. Another reason to believe StarTimes could be deceitful is in regards to the carriage of TNT.

I was told by a source that Canal+ in Ethiopia also package TNT alongside Cartoon Network and Cartoonito in a seperate agreement. The feeds currently viewed in Ethiopia is what's being transmitted on DStv across Africa but why it's still baffling.

Canal+ has a minority stake in MultiChoice and some consumers may not be aware but with that stake they were able to distribute M-Net Movies 4, Me, Zee World and SuperSport Variety 9 brands that are packaged exclusively for DStv onto their own platforms.

If StarTimes were to be lying and this matter were to never be addressed or reported, they were very much fortunate to deceive consumers pointing toward existing rivals such as MultiChoice instead of being transparent and say they can't afford to maintain a brand like TNT.

Other brands to be retained on StarTimes and operated by Warner Bros. Discovery include Toonami and CNN. In short, could these channels also be going dark on the platform if not other brands like National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, ESPN 1 and 2.

Recap To The Week: New Logo For BBC Earth Repositions The Global Brand As A 'Window To The World'

New logo

The new creative refresh, developed by the award-winning BBC Studios Creative team, celebrates the premium and much-accoladed brand and features some of the hit content it has created and broadcast globally, including Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet II and The Green Planet, while looking ahead at future BBC landmark series Planet Earth III launching this autumn.

This suite of new logos and assets uses a circular device that captures spectacular content and amazing stories, representing the 'Window to the World' and transporting viewers out of their surroundings into realms of infinite wonder.

The new look will start to roll out globally across all platforms from 14 September. It is visually distinct and ownable, ensuring that the BBC Earth brand, like its programming, is both recognisable and unmissable.

Brand concept

"We wanted to elevate the heritage of the circular device within the current brand, to give it real purpose and dimension," explains Nick Meikle, executive creative director at BBC Studios Creative. "The core brand idea is a 'Window to the World': a circular window representing the Earth and the infinite wonder it has to offer."

"It is a visual mechanic that seeks to relentlessly discover immersive moments," he continues, "bringing spectacular stories into the homes of our audience, creating an emotional connection to our planet, and connecting them to the world at large.

"The brand refresh also allowed us to unify the visual language across all touch points from this central idea, as the brand has evolved significantly since its original TV launch over eight years ago."

Overall, it's a simple device that's been executed perfectly. By keeping the graphical elements to the minimum, it brilliantly achieves its goal of letting the colourful, high-definition imagery from its hit shows speak for themselves and tell their own story.