Development Alert (Rumour): MultiChoice Might Be Switching Nickelodeon In Southern Africa And Possible The Rest Of Africa To High Definition (HD)

Last month, it was reported that MultiChoice and Disney might be looking to switch Disney Channel to high definition therefore alienating Disney Junior from the bulk of HD channels by Disney including National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, ESPN 1 & 2.

Now it looks like the pay-tv company will enhancing the graphic quality on more kids channels likely for consumers in Southern Africa if not ROA with Nickelodeon. The channel was already upgraded to high definition in South Africa back in 2019 but surprised it took this long.

During the year, Nickelodeon rolled out a new on air look which brought one of their iconic logos The Splat back to our screens. It was launched on numerous Nickelodeon feeds internationally by August 2023 with Nicktoons likely to follow before the year ends.

In other developments, MultiChoice is set to add a new kids channel in the coming months, Play Room. If you guessed right, it will be getting the HD treatment while distributing a mixture of fun and educational programming with animation dubbed in local languages.

Recap To Last Month: StarSat Turns To Poor Viewership And Consumer Feedback For The Cancellation Of All Elite Wrestling Across Their Platforms

Last month, it was reported that TNT went dark on StarSat and StarTimes platforms across Africa due to ongoing negotiations. Prior to that, the pay-tv platform blamed rivals such as MultiChoice for retaining the channel on an exclusive basis through DStv.

TNT doesn't have much "premium" value as most content can be transmitted or replicated on other brands like M-Net Movies and Studio Universal which led several consumers to seek answers from Warner Bros. Discovery regarding the sudden disappearance of the channel.

It was through them that it was learnt that StarTimes fabricated details regarding the removal of TNT. But this isn't the first time StarTimes lied particularly with Warner Bros. Discovery as other channels to have exited their platform include Real Time and Investigation Discovery.

As mentioned from last month, StarSat blamed the likes of MultiChoice's DStv for the removal of TNT as it was believed to be part of a exclusive deal. But through a StarSat subscriber, we've recieved a completely different statement which directs it's attention at viewers.

After blaming MultiChoice for TNT, StarSat ought to take it's frustration out on viewers saying that repeats and consumers complaints was what led to its sudden removal. They also take note of viewership which hasn't been performing to their expectation.

They promise to improve the offering on St Movies Plus as a replacement for TNT is currently under evaluation.

If repeats were to truly have been the reason, StarSat would need to have to sought out a channel very opposite to TNT and their current movie offering. FilmBox Family was spotted on the StarTimes app and if this is the supposed replacement it too would further boost the repeats.

And also prove that StarTimes is just spouting more nonsense.

Press Release: Catch 'Em All In Alola! Pokémon Sun & Moon Lands On Cartoon Network Across Africa On Monday, 9 October 2023

Get ready for an electrifying adventure as Pokémon takes over your screens this October! Cartoon Network Africa is excited to announce the launch of Pokémon Sun & Moon (Season 20), premiering on Monday, 9 October! Tune in Monday to Friday at 17:30 CAT for a sun-soaked adventure with Ash Ketchum and his trusty Pikachu.

 

In this tropical escapade, Ash's summer vacation in the vibrant Alola region quickly transforms into a thrilling chapter in his pursuit to become a Pokémon Master. The Alola region boasts exciting new Pokémon, captivating locales, and fascinating people for Ash and Pikachu to discover. Along the way, they'll meet the affable Professor Kukui and the adventurous Samson Oak, each offering unique insights into the Pokémon world.

 

Guided by a group of skilled Trainers—Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles—and assisted by the enigmatic research assistant, Lillie, Ash's Alolan adventure promises exciting encounters and gripping challenges. But the journey is far from tranquil, as the infamous Team Rocket and the mischievous Team Skull set their sights on capturing powerful new Pokémon, adding a layer of excitement and danger to the adventure.

 

Stay tuned, as the Pokémon excitement doesn't end there! This December, gear up for Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures (Season 21), premiering on Monday, 11 December 2023, with a double dose of episodes airing Monday to Friday at 17:30 CAT. And the adventure continues into the next year with the highly anticipated Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends (Season 22), details of which will be revealed soon.

 

Get ready to embark on an epic Pokémon adventure in Alola and beyond! Catch all the action, drama, and excitement of Pokémon Sun & Moon starting Monday, 9 October at 17:30 CAT, only on Cartoon Network Africa!

Development Alert: Surrender In Love And Twist Of Fate Return For A Season 2 On eExtra + An Update On Chrysalis Season 2

For most of the year, eExtra's Bollywood offering has been a snoozefest rehashing content already viewed on the channel including Blue Venom Girl, The Heir and Till The End Of Time. Now, the channel is set to resume primetime with new seasons of Twist Of Fate and Surrender In Love.

Twist Of Fate follows the lives of Pragya and Abhi who find themselves entwined in a cruel twist of fate. However, despite their initial aversion towards one another, they fall in love and fight to be together against all odds.

It starred Sriti Jha as Pragya Abhishek Mehra, Shabir Ahluwalia as Abhishek Prem Mehra, Shikha Singh as Aliya Mehra and Leena Jumani as Tanushree.

Surrender In Love takes place 7 years later with Neel and Chahat's children. Shlok (Neel's son) is religious and kind-hearted but naive, Dua (Chahat's daughter) is mischievous, bold and caring. When the parents arrive with their respective children they begin to form a strong bond.

It starred Rajveer Singh as Neelkanth "Neel" Bhatt Dhyani, Pratibha Ranta as Chahat Neelkanth Baig Dhyani, Vidhaan Sharma as Shlok Bhatt Dhyani and Kisha Arora as Dua Bhatt Dhyani.

Twist Of Fate will make its return weekdays at 14:35 on eExtra from 19 October followed by Surrender In Love weekdays at 13:45 from 20 October replacing the double bill of The Heir.

Update on Chrysalis

During the week, eExtra unveiled a new romcom Wie Laaste in place of Chrysalis as consumers await an update regarding the drama's status. Currently streaming on eVOD for a season 2, Chrysalis is set to return immediately after Wie Laaste Lag by early 2024.

* Kamdaki Kiz (Chrysalis), Kumkum Bhagya (Twist Of Fate) and Qurbaan Hua (Surrender In Love)

Get Ready For A World Of Fun And Imagination With Play Room On DStv Access (UPDATED)

A few months ago, Ngwato Nkosi Group announced the addition of a third TV channel to sit alongside Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, Play Room. It will offer a world of fun and imagination featuring a mixture of animation and live-action part of which will be in local languages. 

Since news about the potential DStv and possible GOtv channel surfaced, consumers had wondered and asked MultiChoice on numerous occasions on whether this channel will be accessible to low tiered bouquets like Easyview or Access or mid tier bouquets like Compact.

Through an enquiry, MultiChoice have three different responses about the channel's future on DStv. Initially, it was stated through their platforms it would be added to Premium consumers so we basically saw no truth to that matter.

Considering what shows were already unveiled for the channel such as CoComelon and Paw Patrol content which can be viewed on Moonbug and Nickelodeon would irritate this type of consumers. Our hunch was that it would be bundled on Family or Access.

In a recent update through their numerous handles, PR issued out two different responses about the fate of Play Room. One mentions that the channel will be available only to Access consumers while the other regards it as a Compact channel but if we had to be frank this could a hiccup.

If we had to dive further into content, the channel would include a local tween show Play Room Live which is the only confirmed original for the channel and MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group might not want to exclude such a show from their mid tier bouquets.

My estimated guess for Play Room is that similar to Movie Room and Newzroom Afrika it will cater toward Access consumers while as being seen on the Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium bouquets. Various ads for the brand has been running across several channels.

Update: Play Room will be available to all DStv customers excluding Easyview.

A whole new world of learning and fun opens up for kids on November 6 when Play Room, launches on DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family and Access consumers on channel 300.

The channel combines education and entertainment, with original local shows as well as international shows, dubbed in Zulu.

Thabile Ngwato, CEO of the Ngwato Nkosi Group, which owns the channel, said they have dubbed the content to make it easier for children to learn their home languages.

“The languages used will be conversational and accessible, with language switching taking place as we do in everyday speech.

“Watching titles such as ‘Cocomelon’ and ‘Akili and Me’ in isiZulu empowers children to explore the world and their feelings in their own language.

“For the pre-teen kid, our content reaffirms that the way they express themselves and experience the world is also valid.

“Our content will give kids the tools they need to create the world they want to live in. Because at the end of the day, the world is their ‘Play Room’,” said Ngwato.

She added that while other kids channels were either explorative or about learning, Play Room would have both dimensions, with the added local flavour.

Georginah Machiridza, executive head of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, said the launch of the channel is an enhancement of what they believe parents and children will have a strong affinity to.

“We are constantly looking to give our customers the best entertainment and by increasing our content offering we’re providing more viewing options to them.

“From a local content perspective, we’re excited to expand on local representation in the form of content being dubbed in local languages.

“We will also have a fresh ‘Play Room Live’ offering every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 4pm which will see us bring back a tried and trusted format that audiences love.”

Morning programming will focus on educational material for 4- to 6-year-old children, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children’s imaginations.

Afternoons will feature live action and a local live show with high entertainment value for tweens.

Titles such as “Paw Patrol” and “Game Shakers” and new home-grown shows, to well-loved learning programmes will make their way onto the new channel.

Meanwhile, the afternoon live show will combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens.

“A multilingual approach will be adopted across the channel, championing the diversity of our country. There will also be sign language representation on the show, ensuring inclusivity across the board.

“The new channel would build on the success of the Ngwato Nkosi Group’s existing channels, Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, to provide a home of learning and fun for local youngsters,” Ngwato said.