Important Notice: Curiosity Channel Might Scoop Up Content From Da Vinci Kids Once The Channel Goes Dark On DStv In November

During the week, it was reported that MultiChoice would be axing Da Vinci Kids from various DStv and GOtv platforms across Africa in November. With the future of Operation Ouch, Science Max and Horrible Histories residing within StarSat in South Africa and StarTimes across Africa.

Play Room is a children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group which offers fun and learning with popular animated shows dubbed in Zulu alongside live-action shows. The channel would replace Da Vinci Kids on channel 300 from November 6.

But from what we've analysed in regards to the content, Play Room's offering match that of Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network as opposed to Da Vinci Kids whose offering is similar to that of History and National Geographic so basically we're getting a random addition. 

Although Operation Ouch and Animal Rescue won't form part of the offering in the coming month. There's chances that some of this content may resurface on another TV channel or in this case, Curiosity Channel.

Curiosity Channel is a factual entertainment brand that was set up by Discovery founder John Hendricks. The brand offers a streaming service which bundles content from numerous brands like Tastemade, SOMM TV, One Day University and also Da Vinci Kids.

The only problem would be accessibility as MultiChoice regards this as premium channel and as such consumers would need to pay more in order to watch content from Da Vinci Kids or get StarSat which is very much affordable.

Recap To The Month: Consumers Seek The Help Of A Rival Platform For The Soon To Be Axed HONEY On DStv

During the week, it was reported that HONEY would be shutting down on DStv by the end of October and this comes after its disappearance from some parts of Africa on GOtv in August. With consumers curious on the fate of shows like 7 Colours, Making The Menu and The Buzz.

As mentioned, several shows from HONEY could resurface on various local channels from M-Net alongside Moja Love. A majority could end up dying out alongside the channel while other shows like Yes, I Have HIV Zambia could be restricted to only Zambezi Magic.

Similar to Novela Magic, consumers will be missing out on programming that is if no plan is set to motion to supplement this offering. Following the cancellation of HONEY, consumers have requested the help of another platform in order to keep the spark alive.

Even if an option was available (e.g. StarSat), they may not have the financial means to sustain it and another dealing with the content. Since it was technically funded by DStv, they have as much right to the content as Media24 meaning StarSat would need to find other content.

Although HONEY would end its run on DStv by the end of October with no replacement on the cards. Consumers can find a variety of entertaining shows on BBC Lifestyle (channel 174), Food Network (channel 175), TLC (channel 135) and Real Time (channel 155).

New Channel Alert: 1Free State TV Coming This November To DStv

During the month, it was reported that after HONEY would be exiting DStv by the end of October with Da Vinci Kids later in November. Play Room would be substituting the channel in South Africa and while Trace Urban would be added to DStv Access within the region.

It was also revealed that MultiChoice would be adding Zambezi Reloaded a sister channel of Zambezi Magic. Now the pay-tv company is set to unveil yet another TV channel, 1Free State Television (1FSTV).

Based in Bloemfontein, 1FSTV broadcasts a variety of programming including news, current affairs, entertainment, and educational shows. The channel is committed to promoting the culture and heritage of the Free State province, and to providing a platform for local voices to be heard.

1FSTV launched four years ago as a programming block on St Rise before getting a dedicated TV channel on StarSat. Now the channel expands to more platforms in South Africa with DStv from 16 November.

Details of a channel number and package have yet to be announced same with capacity as most new channels would usually come around the time another closes. If I had to guess it might be on Access or Easyview sitting between channel 251-299.

PRESS RELEASE: ONE FREESTATE TELEVISUAL LAUNCHES ON DSTV

One Freestate TV, a leading provider in high-quality entertainment, is thrilled to announce the launch of a 24-hour channel, which premiere on DStv channel 264 from Thursday, 16 November 2023 at 10:00 on all DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family, Access and Easyview.

Our channel promises an immersive and engaging experience, providing viewers with access to the best in entertainment, education and information. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a fan of local movies, a lover of music, adventures or a seeker of thought-provoking documentaries, One Freestate Televisual has something for everyone.

"We are excited to have One Freestate TV added to our platform expanding our local representation in the form of content from our regions within the country, and delivered in local languages," says Georginah Machiridza Executive Head Of General Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice Group. "The addition of another community TV station helps to ensure that we also play a part in actively disseminating information at a local scale that resonates with our audiences."

The exciting addition to the DStv line-up is set to captivate the audience with entertainment with its different range of programming delivered in Sesotho and English. We are dedicated to showcasing the richness and diversity of Free State, with a focus on local culture, innovation and community engagement.

"Our vision at One Freestate TV, has always been to become the essential source of content that brings distinctive and diverse talent, and create jobs to the community. We are proud to partner with DStv to bring this exciting channel to viewers across South Africa and beyond," says Mr. Paul Phitse: Founder and CEO of One Freestate Televisual.

New Series Alert: Divya Drishti And The Broken Marriage Vow Coming Soon To Star Life And Novela E Plus

Based on the British drama series Doctor Foster, The Broken Marriage Vow follows the life of A seemingly perfect home gets shattered by broken trust and infidelity, bringing forth catastrophic effects into the lives of the couple, their son, and everyone else involved. 

It starred Jodi Sta. Maria as Dra. Jill Victorino, Zanjoe Marudo as David Ilustre, Sue Ramirez as Alexis "Lexy / Lex" Lucero and Zaijian Jaranilla as Gio V. Ilustre.

Divya-Drishti tells the story of the characters of the same name who are sisters with divine powers of seeing and manipulating the future but get separated by an evil witch, Pishachini. However, they vow to reunite and destroy the witch together.

It starred Nyra Banarjee as Divya Sharma Shergill, Sana Sayyad as Drishti Sharma Shergill, Sangita Ghosh as Pishaachini, Adhvik Mahajan as Rakshit Shergill and Mishkat Varma as Shikhar Shergill.

The Broken Marriage Vow S1 will air daily at 20:40 from 28 October on Novela E Plus while Divya-Drishti will air daily at 23:00 from 12 November on Star Life.

Warner Bros. Discovery Unleashes Scooby-Doo Extravaganza Across EMEA!

Hold onto your magnifying glasses and prepare to join the year's grooviest celebration! Scoobtober is the annual month-long extravaganza and thrill ride through the world of Scooby-Doo, bringing fans a tidal wave of programming, products, and events across all of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Originally launched in the US, it is now a firm fixture in the seasonal calendar with an ever-growing list of activations that include spooky social clips and crossovers, 48-hour Watch Party live stream of content with links to exclusive Scooby products from best-in-class partners such as Playmobil, Plastoys and Funko. In line with the growth of seekers of a spooky thrill in Europe, Scoobtober is gaining momentum in the EMEA region, led in 2023 by the strongest-ever slate of Scooby-Doo content programming for the initiative in this market.

Kicking off the festivities, a Scooby-takeover will run all month (1st October – 5th November) exclusively on Boomerang UK, with Scooby-Doo & Guess Who, Be Cool Scooby-Doo, What’s New Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc airing all day 6am – 9pm. Scooby-Doo movies will give a fright on weekends and across half-term at 9am and 2pm, plus fans won’t want to miss the Scoobtober Watch & Win competition, airing exclusively on Boomerang UK. For more Scooby-Doo antics, fans can tune into OnDemand for a treasure trove of Scooby-Doo episodes, movies and compilations of Scooby-Doo’s most iconic moments.

Also on Boomerang FR, prepare for an uninterrupted month-long Scooby-Doo extravaganza on the BOOMERANG CINESTARS SPECIAL -   featuring the all-new Scooby-Doo et la Mission d’Halloween.

The excitement continues as Cartoonito Africa joins the celebrations for Scooby-Doo’s favourite month with specially curated Scooby-Doo episodes taking centre stage on the MOVIE STARS programming block on weekends.

On Cartoon Network MENA, Scoobtober will be celebrated across the Middle East & North Africa region with a Scooby-Doo-filled programming block featuring What's New Scooby-Doo, Be Cool Scooby-Doo, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who and lots more Scooby-Doo treats and movies, weekdays 5pm - 8pm.  It is set for a spooktacular Halloween in Italy, with Scooby-Doo movies airing on 31st October from 2pm – 7pm on Cartoon Network MENA.

Fans can also trick or treat with Scooby-Doo on HBO Max, available in Andorra, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

From the evening of the 16th of October, fans can celebrate Scoobtober in the metaverse on the popular kid-centred gaming platform, Roblox.  For the first time ever, players can join Scooby-Doo and Shaggy on Cartoon Network Game On! in an immersive experience that transports them to a realm outside the bounds of reality.  With a brand-new spooky mission, kids can interact with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy to investigate some mysterious hauntings taking place in the game.  Cartoon Network Game On! allows players to experience the fully experiential virtual world of hit Cartoon Network series - and now, with the introduction of Scooby-Doo, for a limited time only, kids can immerse themselves in a ghostly game to unlock awesome Scoobtober prizes. 

Julian Moon, Head of Global Consumer Products EMEA & Asia Pacific, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, says, “Scooby-Doo creates a world of spooky fun for playful spirits of all ages and instils an appetite for mystery that sparks curiosity. It is a brand that is synonymous with Halloween and an entry point into the world of mystery adventure and the classic whodunit.”

“The team are now looking to capitalise on the fantastic Scoobtober content programming and stunts seen across broadcast and WB Kids YouTube channels to provide licensing and retail partners with a long-term cross-divisionally supported opportunity to leverage the Halloween season, the popularity of which has grown exponentially across Europe.”

Following huge success in the US, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products is now encouraging and recruiting new and existing Scooby EMEA partners to celebrate all things Scoobtober 2024. Inspiration can be found from the global consumer products rollout, which spans all categories and includes BlackMilk, BoxLunch, Funko, Random House and Coppel.