Could SABC eKhaya Be The Next Channel By The Public Broadcaster To Launch On Openview?

During the year, SABC announced the rollout of a second news channel on their DTT platform, SABC eKhaya. Formerly known as SABC Parliament, the news channel would serve as a spinoff to the current SABC News channel on DStv offering content in local languages.

Similar to SABC Education and SABC Sport, the channel would feature a lot of archived material and telecast content already seen on SABC 1-3. Overtime, the public broadcaster would work on ways to limit the rebroadcasts as the channel garner traction.

Unlike MultiChoice's DStv and SABC's DTT, eMedia Investments doesn't offer a local news channel on the free-to-view Openview platform. The last iteration News And Sport was shut down due to financial constraints and poor feedback from consumers.

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Most other local news stations like the already mentioned SABC News alongside Newzroom Afrika and eNCA are funded by MultiChoice's DStv.

From the looks of things, SABC eKhaya appears to be the only option for eMedia Investments and works under their platform's current budget. As mentioned, there's not much live content on the channel it basically serves as a catch-up service to SABC 1-3.

Similar to SABC Sport, it has longevity and could help fill that void left by News And Sport. The only issue would be funding as consumers would expect a brand like SABC eKhaya to function like SABC News but that is only possible if the SABC were to receive funding.

In other developments, SABC is said to have finalized details for the next TV channel which might be unveiled in the next financial period with rumours suggesting it to be a general entertainment brand similar to the defunct SABC Encore.

Could eMedia Investments Look Into Removing Their Content From DStv Catch-Up As Seen With The SABC?

During the week, MultiChoice was forced to SABC 1's Skeem Saam, Uzalo and Generations: The Legacy alongside SABC 2's Muvhango and 7de Laan also known as The Big Five. It forms part of a decision by the public broadcaster which has left consumers to rely on SABC+.

Not long ago, the public broadcaster announced that the streamer had failed to reach their expectations after only gaining 150000 out of 2 million households. With that came the decision to limit the platforms to view catch-up on these show's respective channels.

It could help lure more consumers to SABC+ but the only reason their streaming endeavours hadn't reached its peak would be lack of marketing. Another having to do with the fact that nothing newsworthy has been brought to consumers attention.

SABC+ comes off as a catch-up service and a platform to view past content by the public broadcaster while as local broadcasters like eMedia Investments and MultiChoice invest in original productions and other exclusive content for their streaming service.

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Something that wouldn't come as a shocker to some and this is something that somewhat been observed is if eMedia Investments were to undergo a similar route at some point. They had scrapped their content from VIU and kept them on DStv Catch-up as they believe in accessibility.

Since last year, eMedia Investments had been embroiled in a carriage dispute with MultiChoice over their 4 Openview channels which had remained onboard DStv for the time being due to court ruling.

They've tried several times to negotiate a new agreement but MultiChoice won't budge. Although SABC's decision to remove these programs wouldn't favour them viewership/money wise, you can clearly see where they're getting at I mean they want to be less dependant.

Similar with Disney+, they want to put more emphasis on their platforms and that's something that has yet to be seen by eMedia Investments and might as well be something they look into as more consumers flee to their platforms.

New Series Alert: Eve Coming Soon To Novela E Plus

Novela E Plus, a dedicated telenovela channel tailored for StarTimes which features various English dubbed shows from Latin America, Turkey and Asia had acquired broadcasting rights to the 2022 Korean melodrama Eve (also known as Eve's Scandal).

Eve tells the story of a chaebol family divorce lawsuit that shocks the entire nation, of which, at the center of the lawsuit is Lee La-el, the daughter of the chaebol family who seeks vengeance against those that killed her parents when she was a child.

It starred Seo Yea-ji as Lee La-el/Kim Sun-bin, Park Byung-eun as Kang Yoon-gyeom, Yoo Sun as Han So ra, Lee Sang-yeob as Seo Eun-pyung and Lee Il-hwa as Jang Moon-hee.

The series debut last year on Korea's #1 entertainment channel tvN and spawned 16 episodes each with a 1 hour duration. It was part of the APAN Star Awards where Yoo Sun was presented with the Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries at the time.

Eve would eventually make its African debut on Novela E Plus from September 23 at 22:30. Aside from Eve, other shows from tvN to have been viewed in the market include Flower Of Evil, The K-2, Tails Of The Nine Tailed, Cheese In The Trap, Ghost Doctor and Ice Adonis.

Development Alert: Blind Eye Has Been Silently Added On The eVOD Streaming Service Despite Being Released In 2021

During the year, eMedia Investments was scheduled to air the youth drama Annekan Die Swa Kry on eExtra but was silently added onto eVOD after failing to launch on the channel and now another local production titled Blind Eye had been snubbed by the streamer.

Zandile, a young vibrant auditor with the Auditor General is driven to root out corruption wherever she finds it. She is dispatched to go and verify assets of a notorious municipality before its audit begins. Standing in the way is Gogo Dlamini, a fearless and corrupt businesswoman.

The film starred Noxolo Mathula as Zandile, Thembi Mtshali as Gogo Dlamini and Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe as Nhlanhla. Mengameli Nhlabathi served as director whose previous work include Double Life (BET) and Swartwater (SABC 2).

Blind Eye was screened at the 30th African Diaspora International Film Festival and won the Roma Short Film Festival which took part last year and a few months ago it was also screened at the ADIFF Chicago 2023.

As mentioned, Blind Eye wasn't part of the streamer's initial offering when it rolled out in 2021 and not much marketing was done to promote an 'original production'. It's like eMedia Investments doesn't seem to care about how the film performs with consumers.

What To Expect On Da Vinci Across Africa In October 2023?

EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE 

Becoming Xtraordinary presented by Bear Grylls         

SERIES PREMIERE (10 x 30’)

From October 01 I Sundays at 20:00

Get ready to be inspired and motivated by the incredible journeys of the world's most exceptional individuals! From Julia Roberts to Roger Federer, Courteney Cox to Channing Tatum, you'll gain insights and inspiration from today's most accomplished individuals. Our captivating 10-part docuseries takes you on a journey through their lives, as we uncover the secrets to their success and explore the qualities that set them apart. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best at Da Vinci and unlock your full potential. 

Genres: Documentary, Educational, Interview, Public Affairs, Self Improvement

Presenter: Bear Grylls - British Adventurer, Survivalist, and TV host. Recipient of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Daytime Program, Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program, & 2015 BAFTA. 

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

Operation Ouch GROSS ALERT! 

From October 31 I Tuesday at 11:30

Get set for a hair-raising Halloween with "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT"! Join Dr. Chris and Dr. Xand in a spooktacular medical exploration, unveiling eerie bodily functions and spine-chilling scientific marvels. From ghastly ghouls to jaw-dropping experiments, this special edition delves into the spine-tingling side of the human body. Get ready for an educationally thrilling experience that will leave you laughing, shivering, and on the edge of your seat. Tune in to "Operation Ouch: GROSS ALERT" for a ghoulishly good time!

Genre: Medical, Health, Science, Educational, Comedy

Awards: BAFTA Children’s Award Best Factual 2013 & 2014 Winner, BAFTA Best Children’s Programme 2015 Winner, and BAFTA Nominees for Best Presenter Award 2016 & 2017. 

NEW EPISODES

Did I Mention Invention?

(17 x 30’)

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)  

(16 x 10’)

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