New Channel Alert (Rumour): Soweto TV's Ladies In Heels And Faith Cooking To Resurface On Upcoming DStv Channel

During the day, MultiChoice had begun work on another TV channel using the test cards of a untitled movie channel likely from M-Net Movies. Currently there's only four shows that had been registered: Faith Cooking, Dingo Untamed, Ladies In Heels and Kasie Vibes.

From what we can make here this is not the full 24 hour lineup as the schedule runs through Sunday and thereafter not much is seen by then. Similar to Zambezi Reloaded, it's currently unknown whether this would will eventually surface on their platform by the looks of the EPG.

But from what two of the shows on the list Ladies In Heels and Faith Cooking entails, this could be an additional channel for Soweto TV. I mean why not Tshwane TV and GauTV are both managed by Zallywood Inc. so why not give Soweto TV a sibling of its own.

Although this section of DStv is very much discarded, Soweto TV was ranked as the leading community stations when it started out in 2008. It was also an eye grabber to various international shows like Maury, Curb Your Enthusiasm and even Steve Harvey.

In other developments, MultiChoice will be rolling 1FSTV to the DStv platform in the coming weeks. It doesn't seem like very much of a coincidence that they'd roll yet another community channel in the decade to sort of compliment the existing offering.

Development Alert: Jessica's Big Little World Cancelled After 20 Episodes On Cartoonito, Could Batwheels And Bugs Bunny Builders Follow?

During the week, it was reported that Warner Bros. Discovery had halted further production of original preschool programming. This comes after the company had opted not to move forward with Max originals Scooby-Doo And The Mystery Pups and Tom And Jerry Time.

According to a staff member of Craig Of The Creek, Jessica's Big Little World will conclude after 20 Episodes ahead of its international debut on Cartoon Network and Cartoonito as Warner Bros. Discovery no longer wants to produce content for preschoolers.

The series follows the titular character as she navigates her way through a world where everything seems much bigger than she is; inspired by the grown-ups around her, she persists in conquering monumental children's tasks.

It had also been implied/speculated that Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders would also conclude in the same manner. This comes after Batwheels one of Max's leading preschool shows on the streamer was renewed for second season which could potentially be scrapped.

Batwheels not moving forward with a second season wouldn't seem far fetched. This wouldn't be the first show from Warner Bros. Discovery to gotten front row seats only to get culled off as another show Mao Mao: Heroes Of Pure Heart went on hiatus for 2 years before cancellation.

Theoretically, it is believed that Cartoonito's remaining shows will be folded under Cartoon Network ahead of their demise. Internationally, the brand has garnered traction with several shows currently in the works including Silly Sundays and Spookies.

Rumour: Warner Bros. Discovery Will No Longer Be Producing Original Programming For Preschoolers, International Cartoonito Remains Safe

Last year, WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. formalised their merger which lead to the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery which saw properties such as HBO, TNT, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Cartoonito, TLC, Discovery Channel, Investigation Discovery and HGTV fold under one hub.

Of course, this merger had also stirred up controversy as the current CEO of the brand David Zaslav had axed various productions from the Warner part of the brand including Mao Mao: Heroes Of Pure Heart and Batman: Caped Crusader on Cartoon Network and Cartoonito's entire catalogue of original shows.

Cartoonito was introduced in 2021 as rival to Disney Junior and Nick Jr. with Warner Bros. Discovery planning to conceive 50 preschool programs by 2023. So far only Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders were introduced alongside the recently launched Jessica's Big Little World.

According to sources on Reddit, Jessica's Big Little World will end after its current season as Warner Bros. Discovery will no longer be producing original preschool programs and this follows last year's move which saw them scrap further production of live-action kids and family shows.

This news doesn't come as a surprise considering the amount of exposure Cartoonito is given on Cartoon Network. Although Warner Bros. Discovery had never disclosed the ratings for the block, Cartoonito's airtime has declined from last year initially 6 hours dropped to 1.5 hours part of which may to do with the purge.

In Africa, Warner Bros. Discovery content from its kids multiplex dominates the Top 20 shows across all kids’ channels. More than 105 000 children watch CoComelon with almost 90 000 watching Interstellar Ella on average. Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders rank as the #5 and #6th most watched shows in thez a market.

All of which might not have any impact pertaining to the future of these shows. If it's any consolation, Cartoonito will most likely continue to broadcast in most parts of Europe seeing as it was structured as a family channel which is probably the most safest thing for the brand right now.

Prior to this development, Max acquired rights to Hop (from Marc Brown, creator of Arthur) and Barney's World based from the Barney And Friends franchise. It's likely that Cartoonito will continue (without original programming) or get scrapped before any of this is released.

Reminder: Discovery Cameras Venture Into Controversial Off-Grid Community For New Series The Garden: Commune Or Cult Premiering in Africa On Wednesday, 22 November At 20:00 CAT

An infamous off-grid community that went viral on social media for disturbing allegations is now the subject of a six-part limited series, THE GARDEN: COMMUNE OR CULT, arriving on Wednesday, 22 November at 20:00 CAT on Discovery Channel.

 

On 22 acres of backcountry land in the American South lies The Garden – a community that lives by its own laws, free from the pressures of modern society. They maintain an open-door policy to anyone seeking to join their ranks, but new people must submit to an initiation period. Some barely last a week, others are forced to leave, and a chosen few will call The Garden home for good. Questions continue to arise about the cult-like vibes of the controversial community, but this spring is different. Cameras have been granted unprecedented access to The Garden, documenting its spread to new locations deep in the Ozarks.

 

Founded as a cooperative, ‘leaderless’ community, The Garden could be viewed as a post-apocalyptic wonderland free of societal rules. However, when potential members arrive, they quickly realize there’s more than meets the eye. New initiates include Tyler, a veteran and self-described doomsday prepper; Tisheila, a truck driver survivalist; ‘Oak’, who wants to toughen up after years behind a desk; and Jessica, a former cheerleader looking to reconnect with nature. 

These newcomers have ten days to prove to The Garden that they have what it takes to be part of the community. Did they join a commune working towards a sustainable, off-grid way of life? Or have they just surrounded themselves with members of a mind-controlling cult?

 

Produced for Warner Bros. Discovery by Hot Snakes, The Garden: Commune or Cult airs on Discovery Channel from Friday, 22 November up to Monday, 25 December 2023.

Exciting Saturday Nights Ahead Of Love, Laughter And I Dos On Mzansi Magic As Date My Family And Our Perfect Wedding Return

Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family because Mzansi Magic is bringing back the warmth, laughter, and love with the return of two fan-favourite shows. Date My Family Season 11 and Our Perfect Wedding Season 14 are back to spice up your Saturday nights, starting 11 November at 18:30 and 19:30.

 

Date My Family (DMF) continues with episode 14 and is here to change the way you spend your Saturday nights. DMF offers an alternative twist to conventional dating shows. Here, singletons aren't just finding a date, they're experiencing the full package, one family at a time. By interacting with potential partners' families, they get an insider's look at what life might be like with their future love interest. This season promises more fun, surprising revelations, and possibly the most memorable dates yet.

 

Season 14 of Our Perfect Wedding (OPW) kicks off with episode 9, making a grand entrance. Re-joining the Saturday line-up, OPW allows you to witness love stories ending in the union of hearts. Each episode, one engaged couple takes us on their journey, ticking off their wish list to achieve their dream wedding. And with the vibrant trio of hosts across episodes – Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco, Khaya Dladla and Swankie Mafoko –  each segment is guaranteed to be filled with charm, style, and heartfelt moments.

 

Why Saturdays are extra special

Mzansi Magic has always been your home for local entertainment, and with these two shows taking the prime time slots where Idols SA reigned one last time, expect plenty of emotions, drama, and pure bliss.

 

After basking in the love and laughs from DMF and OPW, stay tuned for a local movie at 20:30. We begin with Ubuhle Bendalo by Ingwe Films on 11 November, followed by Ukukhetha from 2 Go 2 Media on 18 November, and uMashaya Othando by Thape Media on 25 November. These films are not just movies, they're journeys into the heart of our culture and storytelling.

 

About Mzansi Magic Saturday movies at 20:30:

Ubuhle Bendalo (11 Nov)

A journalist goes undercover in a beauty pageant to uncover the hidden secrets of the sponsor behind it. The sponsor claims to empower women, but lies and deception lurks beneath the surface.

 

Ukukhetha (18 Nov)

Gog’ Flo, with a chronic disease, relies on her grandson, Jabu, to collect medication for her. However, things change when Jabu starts hanging out with the wrong people.

 

Umashaya Wothando (25 Nov)

A big-money scammer earns a living by influencing women to give him their money and possessions. However, things change when he falls in love, gets caught in his scam, and must own up to the damage caused.

 

With the latest seasons of Date My Family and Our Perfect Wedding, Saturdays are no longer just another day of the week, they're a celebration of love, family, and the joy of togetherness. So, why not spend time with the home of entertainment right in your living room? Let's laugh, cry, and celebrate love with Mzansi Magic.

 

Join us from 11 November, every Saturday night, for a line-up that promises to keep you glued to your screens on DStv channel 161. And if you're on the go, don't forget you can tune in via DStv Stream.