Part 1: What To Expect On Warner Bros. Discovery Across Africa In November 2023?

TNT

ALIEN MENACE
Stunt
A journey through sci-fi wonders and otherworldly confrontations that will ignite your imagination. Dive into the realm of extraterrestrial enigmas with 'Alien Menace’.
*Channel premieres are in bold
Saturday, 4 November 
18:05 Men in Black: International (2019) 
20:00 War of the Worlds (2005) 
Saturday, 11 November 
17:50 Pacific Rim (2013) 
20:00 Venom (2018) 
Saturday, 18 November 
17:35 Man of Steel (2013) 
20:00 Edge of Tomorrow (2014) 
Saturday, 25 November 
15:40 Star Trek (2009) 
17:45 Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) 
20:00 Star Trek Beyond (2016)

EDDIE MURPHY FAN MONTH
Stunt
This special tribute to Murphy's iconic career reaches its pinnacle with a not-to-be-missed movie marathon on the last Friday of the month. A drive through the unforgettable characters and comedy that define Eddie Murphy's legacy, now available on TNT for the first time ever.
*Channel premieres are in bold 
Friday, 3 November 
17:00 Beverly Hills Cop (1984) 
18:45 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) 
20:30 Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) 
Friday, 10 November 
20:30 The Golden Child (1986) 
Friday, 17 November 
20:30 Boomerang (1992) 
Friday, 24 November 
13:30 Beverly Hills Cop (1984) 
15:15 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) 
17:00 Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) 
18:50 The Golden Child (1986) 
20:30 Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) 
22:15 Boomerang (1993)

UNDER SUSPICION
Stunt
Experience uncertainty unfold, as characters navigate tangled webs of mystery. A weekly rendezvous with intrigue, where mystery takes center stage and perceptions are questioned.
There are no channel premieres in this stunt. Wednesday, 1 November 
20:30 Minority Report (2002) 
Wednesday, 8 November 
20:30 Transsiberian (2008) 
Wednesday, 15 November 
20:30 Mystic River (2003) 
Wednesday, 22 November 
20:30 The Fugitive (1993) 
Wednesday, 29 November 
20:30 The Fan (1996)

PULP FICTION
TNT Hit
The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
*Channel premieres are in bold
Sunday, 5 November 20:00 
Pulp Fiction (1994)

Discovery Channel

WHEELER DEALERS S18B
20th Anniversary Stunt
Wheeler Dealers returns to the UK as multi-talented mechanic Marc "Elvis" Priestley joins experienced car dealer Mike Brewer on a mission to find and restore iconic cars that they can later sell for a profit.
Continuation of stunt from October featuring a curated line up of best episodes leading up to the premiere of S18B in November.
First TX: 17 Nov 
TX Day: Friday 
TX Time: 20:00
Last TX: 19 Jan 2024

THE GARDEN: COMMUNE OR CULT
Brand New
On 22 acres of backcountry land in the American South lies The Garden -- an off-the-grid community living by its own laws, free from the pressures of modern society. Every spring brings a new crop of people and questions about The Garden's cult-like vibe
First TX: 22 Nov
TX Day: Wednesday 
TX Time: 20:00
Last TX: 25 Dec

NAKED AND AFRAID: CASTAWAYS
Brand New
Naked and Afraid takes on a true-life survival situation when nine seasoned challengers are stranded on a remote island. Abandoned with no map or tools, they must fashion what they need to survive from wreckage and debris strewn across the island.
First TX: 1 Nov
TX Day: Wednesday 
TX Time: 20:55
Last TX: 20 Dec

GOLD DIVERS S11B
New Episodes
In Nome, Alaska, the gold rush is on. Driven by gold fever and sometimes desperate need, miners pilot their ragtag dredges and dive with hoses to suck up gold from the bottom of the frigid, unpredictable Bering Sea.
First TX: 13 Nov 
TX Day: Monday 
TX Time: 20:55
Last TX: 15 Jan 2024

TLC SA

90 DAY FIANCE S10
New Season
Using a unique 90 Day Fiance visa, overseas fiances will travel to the US to live with their partners for the first time. Each couple will have just 90 days to decide to get married or send their international mate home.
South Africa:
First TX: 9 November 
TX Day: Thursday 
TX Time: 20:00
Last TX: 21 March 2024

MEGAN THEE STALLION VS TORY LANEZ: FIVE SHOTS
One-Off
The shocking shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, revealed by insiders and lawyers involved. Told from both perspectives, it looks at how Tory Lanez still protests his innocence but examines why Megan was vilified on social media despite a terrifying ordeal.
South Africa:
TX: 26 November 
TX Day: Sunday 
TX Time: 21:00

SAY YES TO THE DRESS WITH TAN FRANCE
Brand New
Brace yourself for some explosive drama, outrageous comedy, stunning dresses and an outpouring of love, as Tan France (Queer Eye, Next in Fashion) takes over the wonderful world of "Say Yes to the Dress”.
South Africa:
TX: 14 November 
TX Day: Tuesday 
TX Time: 22:00
Last TX: 2 Jan 2024

TLC Africa

MEGAN THEE STALLION VS TORY LANEZ: FIVE SHOTS
One-Off
The shocking shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, revealed by insiders and lawyers involved. Told from both perspectives, it looks at how Tory Lanez still protests his innocence but examines why Megan was vilified on social media despite a terrifying ordeal.
Africa:
TX: 26 November 
TX Day: Sunday 
TX Time: 21:00

SISTER WIVES S11B
New Season
The Brown family boldly faces the worst year they have ever had. As Kody and Christine's relationship falls apart, family members take sides and tensions rise. Nothing will ever be the same again for the Browns.
Africa:
First TX: 1 November 
TX Day: Wednesday 
TX Time: 21:00
Last TX:20 March 2024

HGTV

LUXE FOR LESS
Brand New
Designer Michel Smith Boyd uses clever budget
hacks to help homeowners create luxurious
renovations without stretching their bank
accounts. Along with his creative team, Michel
brings upscale design within reach to deliver
beautifully overhauled spaces.
First TX: 15 November 
TX Day: Wednesday 
TX Time: 22:00
Last TX: 20 December

UGLIEST HOUSE IN AMERICA S4
New Season
Comedian Retta travels across five different
regions of the US to tour properties competing for
the ugliest home around. After crowning the worst
of the worst, HGTV designer Alison Victoria
surprises the homeowners with a spectacular
$150,000 renovation!
First TX: 2 November 
TX Day: Thursday 
TX Time: 22:00
Last TX: 23 November

MY LOTTERY DREAM HOME S15
New Season
Recent lottery winners go on over-the-top house
hunts for their new dream homes with David
Bromstad, and he'll help them decide if they
should spend all their winnings on an extravagant
mansion or settle for a sound investment.
First TX: 20 November 
TX Day: Monday 
TX Time: 22:00
Last TX: TBC

BUILDING ROOTS S2
New Season
Design masterminds Ben and Cristi Dozier take
on boundary-pushing projects as they turn basic
Colorado homes into one-of-a-kind spaces. Their
passion for doing the impossible drives them to
help clients plant roots and discover what it means to be home.
First TX: 30 November 
TX Day: Thursday 
TX Time: 22:00
Last TX: 18 January

Daran Norris Confirms New 'The Fairly OddParents' Project Is In Development

Speaking on the Ned's Declassified Podcast Survival Guide, Norris, who voiced characters such as Cosmo, Timmy's dad, and Jorgen Von Strangle on the long-running animated series, revealed that, following last year's live-action/CG-animated hybrid spin-off Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder, that "we're in the process of doing something new":

During the podcast episode, Norris also reminisced about working on three shows - Fairly OddParents, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and Veronica Mars - at the same time and working on Team America: World Police.

The news follows the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) revealing earlier this year that Paramount Global, the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has applied to register The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish with the USPTO under several NICE classes, including NICE class "41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services", which is for Goods & Services pertaining to "entertainment services in the nature of continuing program series, featuring live action, comedy and drama provided through cable television, broadcast television, internet, video-on-demand, and through other forms of transmission media; providing online information in the field of entertainment concerning television programs".

Paramount has also applied to register the title under NICE classes 28 for "Games; toys; sports equipment" and 25 for "Clothing; footwear; headgear".

At the moment, not much information is available about The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, including whether it'll be a TV series of a movie, a reboot or a revival of the original series, live-action or animated (or a hybrid of both), and whether it'll be for Nickelodeon, Paramount+ or both. The news comes as Nickelodeon is in the midst of reviving a raft of iconic properties, including Rugrats, iCarly, Good Burger, Zoey 101, The Thundermans, Dora the Explorer, and more. The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish would also be the second Fairly OddParents revival in recent years, following last year's animated/live-action hybrid Paramount+ Original series Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder.

Nickelodeon’s beloved animated The Fairly OddParents series, which ran from 2001-2017 with 172 episodes, followed the magical adventures of 10-year-old Timmy Turner and his well-meaning fairy godparents, Cosmo & Wanda, who grant him wishes. During its run, The Fairly OddParents became one of Nickelodeon’s most beloved properties from both fans and critics alike, having won and been nominated for dozens of awards. The Fairly OddParents was created by Butch Hartman.

Paramount, Home To MTV And Nickelodeon Reportedly Up For Sale or Merger

Recently, Paramount, the parent company of Nickelodeon and Paramount+, has been looking to sell some of its assets and make cuts to others. Now, according to a report from CNBC, Shari Redstone, president of National Amusements and controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, is open to a merger or selling the company if the price is right.

Shari Redstone owns roughly 80% of Paramount Global voting stock and was reportedly the main force behind merging CBS and Viacom back in 2019. That merger resulted in the company we now know as Paramount.

Paramount holds a lot of assets that would attract many potential buyers. Its local affinities and the CBS network alone are highly attractive, especially for their NFL contract. However, the company has a lot more to offer, including Nickelodeon, Paramount+, MTV, Pluto TV, Comedy Central, Showtime, and more. This also includes popular shows and franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Star Trek, South Park, and more.

In recent years, most media companies, including Paramount, have been struggling with the growth of  cord cutting. Paramount’s market capitalization has reportedly dropped to $7.7 billion as 2023 hit many media companies hard. That is the lowest level it has been at since the 2019 Viacom and CBS merger. That drop could make the company a target for a merger or a sale.

According to CNBC’s sources, any potential deal for Paramount would have to be at a good price or the Redstone family wouldn’t accept it. Exactly what that price is was not disclosed in the report.

Paramount has a lot going for it right now, with Paramount+ hitting 61 million subscribers, a number that other major streaming services could only dream of. It also has very lucrative sports deals, including the NFL, March Madness, and a new deal with the Big Ten that will see more college football and basketball games on CBS. This could help Paramount outlast any further drop in the market, but it also makes it very attractive to potential buyers.

Some outsiders have said they believe Paramount is too small in the long run, though, to compete with Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, NBCUniversal, and a growing number of streaming companies like Amazon along with Apple. Even with its large catalog of shows and networks Paramount is facing massive companies like Disney and the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery.

For years we have heard predictions that there would be consolidation in the market because of cord cutting. Disney’s deal to buy 21st Century Fox was likely only the start of what could be a number of big mergers. We also saw Discovery and Warner Media merge recently. Now, there are rumors that Warner Bros. Discovery and even NBCUniversal could be interested in buying up some or all of their competitors. Could that mean they are looking at Paramount? For now, we will have to wait and see.

Colombian Actress Alejandra Villafañe Who Starred In The Chosen Granddaughter And Nurses Dead At 34

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 21, the world of Colombian show business and entertainment was shocked after learning of the death of actress Alejandra Villafañe due to severe cancer that had been afflicting her for a few months. 
You may be interested in: Alejandra Villafañe's boyfriend announced a tribute to the actress: 

“The only thing left to do is honor her life” After her departure, her boyfriend, also an actor Raúl Ocampo, decided to say goodbye to her with a short but heartfelt dedication through social networks, where he also He shared several photographs of the last moments he lived with Alejandra. 

Ocampo accompanied his girlfriend Alejandra Villafañe until her last moments of life on Instagram. In the photographs revealed by the actor who played Carlos in the production Café con Aroma de Mujer, they reveal the love that united them and how Ocampo and Villafañe enjoyed his last moments alive. 

Almost immediately, the comment box of the publication made by the artist was filled with messages of condolence, support and solidarity from family, friends, colleagues and followers of the couple, who also wished them a lot of strength for the difficult time they are now going through. 

Juliette Pardau, Lorna Cepeda, Verónica Orozco, Carla Giraldo, Natalia Jerez, Carlos Torres, among others, expressed their pain and mourning over the death of the 34-year-old actress. It is worth mentioning that before confirming the news that mourns the acting world, Raúl Ocampo rode a bicycle and went up to the traditional Patios sector, in La Calera, as he showed in his stories, because he has always shown that this sport is another of his passions. 


#BoycottingPlayRoom: Could Play Room Fill Up The Void Left By Da Vinci Kids When It Exits Both DStv And Possible GOtv In November?

During the day, it was reported that Da Vinci Kids would be exiting both DStv and GOtv platforms in November as the channel continues to be broadcast on StarSat. Prior to the termination, MultiChoice would be adding another kids channel to their platforms, Play Room.

Play Room is basically "an eToonz for Africa" featuring animated shows like CoComelon, Paw Patrol and Jabu's Jungle alongside live-action shows like Play Room Live and Game Shakers. It is operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group who manage Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room.

Da Vinci Kids was a factual based children's channel which like carried animated shows like Wild Kratts, Mily Miss Questions and Pincode alongside live-action shows like Operation Ouch, Horrible Histories and Odd Squad. It was described as the Curiosity Channel of children's television.

The minor setback with Play Room would be the programming despite catering for the same demographic none of the content match to that of History, BBC Earth or National Geographic but to the likes of brands like Cartoon Network, Disney Junior and JimJam.

In short, if you wish to view the content from Da Vinci Kids then you need StarSat and a similar offering can be found on as mentioned National Geographic and BBC Earth. Play Room competes with brands like Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and as mentioned Cartoon Network.