Recap To Last Year: SABC 2 Has Lost 300,000 Viewers Following The Relaunch Of Snoozefest Vetkoek Paleis And Cancellation Of 7de Laan

Last year, the public broadcaster decided to end 7de Laan after its 23 year run with the last episode accumulating 800,000. It was since then replaced by a rebroadcast of 90s sitcom Vetkoekpaleis as the public broadcaster struggles to source income for more new content.

Following the series inception, Vetkoekpaleis was only able to pull 600,000 viewers in December making it 200,000 viewers short from 7de Laan. News of its re-entry was met with backlash from devoted SABC fans with most opting to rival stations like eExtra and kykNET.

This was proven as Vetkoekpaleis which was ranked in the top 5 viewed content on SABC 2 in December is now under the the top 10 from last month. Even more embarassing is how Nuus managed to accumulate more viewers than the actual repeat.

During the month, it was reported that the public broadcaster had cancelled FOKUS and will move remaining Afrikaans programs such as 50/50 and Nuus to SABC 3. While as other shows such as  Vetkoekpaleis will continue to air on SABC 2 most probably until it's ends.

This news similar to the induction of Vetkoekpaleis wasn't sitting well with some viewers. If anything, the move to SABC 3 will likely lead to a drop in consumption for shows to have stayed back on SABC 2 such as Vetkoekpaleis and probably lead more viewers to opt for rivals.

SABC hasn't been producing much content for this audience that some had only tuned into SABC 2 for 7de Laan. With less content hoping aboard SABC 3, this won't look good for their viewership and if anything probably endangers the possibility of a follow-up to 7de Laan.

Recap To Last Month: uMbali Makes History And Becomes The First Late Night Series Debuts In The Top 10 On e.tv, Vetkoekpaleis Continues To Be A Rating Disappointment On SABC 2

uMbali is garnering attention

After debuting on e.tv by October 2023, uMbali has proved to be a ratings success the first in the 22:00 timeslot as the series enters at the #11 spot from last month accumulating 1.8 million viewers. Other shows like Is'pindiselo crossed the 2 million when it aired on Sunday.

After eMedia Investments had opted to allocated these shows on weekdays neither Is'pindiselo or Housewives got the time of day after undergoing several timeslot changes as eMedia Investments continues to position e.tv in the leagues of SABC 1 and Mzansi Magic.

Viewers continue to boycott Vetkoekpaleis

After 7de Laan ended its run on SABC 2, the series was reported to have accumulated 800,000 viewers on its last episode. With the public broadcaster low on income substituted the drama with a 90s sitcom, Vetkoekpaleis.

Since it's inception, Vetkoekpaleis pulled 600,000 viewers following its reentry to primetime in December and after a month it currently sits with 500,000 viewers making it 100,000 viewers short as consumers migrate to eExtra's Kuiertyd and kykNET on DStv.

March 2024 On Cartoonito Across Africa | New Series Alert: Silly Sundays | Returning Shows Including Mush Mush And The Mushables | More

SILLY SUNDAYS

Silly Sonia

In this feel-good comedy series, Sonia, Hugo, and Mel create full-of-heart memories with Mom, Dad, and Granny on those playful days spent with family and friends. 

This month, Sonia's ducky toy is not working as she expected. Together with Hugo, she learns there are different ways to play with it. Then, Sonia wants to dance on stage by herself until she learns the importance of sharing the spotlight with her new friend, little Birdy. Later, Sonia tries her best to stay still during play time, and, along with all the family, she learns the benefits of taking a break.

Keep an eye out for a special marathon on Sunday, 31 March, to mark the Easter weekend!

📺 Premiere: Saturday, 9 March @ 07:30 CAT 

⏰ Tune in:  Saturdays & Sundays @ 07:30 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

MUSH, MUSH AND THE MUSHABLES

‘M’ is for ‘Mushable’!

Growing up in a tiny village in the middle of a peaceful forest, Mush-Mush, Lilit and Chep explore and discover just how fun - and wild - life can be. Surrounded by a caring community of Mushables of all sizes, colours and ages, they get to know themselves better, learn to master their gifts and understand how to overcome their fears. Mush-Mush and the Mushables is a fun journey of self-discovery, exciting outdoor adventure and mush, mush more!

In the first episode, the Mushlers lead Sushi-Mushi to believe that Pickled Swampost is Mushpot’s favourite dish - when he actually can't stand it – and they must try to stop Sushi-Mushi from serving it to him! 

📺 Premiere: Monday, 11 March @ 16:20 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays – Fridays @ 16:20 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

MOVIE STAR HOLIDAYS

Holiday Movie Magic

School’s out, and we’re celebrating with a great new movie every day from 21 March to 2 April!

In Tom and Jerry: Snowman's Land, Jerry and his nephew make a snow mouse that miraculously comes to life! On Friday, 22 March, hang out with Akissi: A Funny Little Brother and Scooby-Doo! Where Are You Now?

On 23 March, Tom and Jerry are on a Spy Quest and Scooby and the gang hang out with WWE stars in Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery on the 24th.

From Monday 25th, experience Tweety's High-Flying Adventure; Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins; Tom and Jerry: Blast Off to Mars; Scooby-Doo! Curse of The Lake Monster; Tom and Jerry and The Wizard of Oz; Tom and Jerry: Snowman's Land; Rabbids Invasion: Mission to Mars; Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run and Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse.

📺 Launch date: Thursday, 21 March @ 09:40 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Every day until 2 April @ 09:40 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

March 2024 On Cartoon Network Across Africa | New Series Alert: Pokémon Horizons | Returning Shows Including We Baby Bears | More

POKÉMON HORIZONS

Secrets and Sprigatito

A new adventure is beginning within the wide world of Pokémon! Arriving at Indigo Academy, a girl named Liko receives her first partner Pokémon, Sprigatito. But she soon finds herself pursued by the Explorers, a mysterious group that’s determined to take the pendant necklace she wears. Liko isn’t on her own, though, as Friede, Captain Pikachu, and the other Rising Volt Tacklers offer her protection aboard their airship.

Meanwhile, a boy named Roy dreams of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, unaware of the secret hiding within the Ancient Poké Ball he carries. As Liko, Roy, and the Rising Volt Tacklers set sail for new horizons, what kind of discoveries await?

📺 Premiere: Monday,  25 March @ 17:30 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays to Fridays @ 17:30 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

MR MAGOO

Fizz Foiled Again

Meet the ever-cheerful Mr. Magoo, always ready to lend a hand, but with one small problem – he's blissfully unaware that he desperately needs glasses. His unintentional misadventures make him the lovable troublemaker in town. 

Mr. Magoo's life without glasses results in a series of hilarious disasters, much to the dismay of megalomaniac hamster Fizz. Fizz's ambitious plans, from building a giant fan to beat a heatwave to attempting to steal the President's joke machine, are consistently thwarted by the unwitting Magoo. This month, the chaos continues as Fizz deals with a city struck by gold fever and finds himself exploring the whimsical world of Magoo's dreams.

📺 Premiere: Monday, 4 March @ 16:35 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays @ 16:35 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

WE BABY BEARS

Sibling Search

Bear siblings Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear travel to different locations around the world in the hunt for the perfect place to call home. 

On 9 March, the bears set off on new adventures with Box being able to transport them anywhere they wish. But what if Box could make their own choices? Later, the bears are accused of crimes they didn’t commit while on a visit to Bug City, and Ice Bear must team up with old friend Sam Spider Spade to help prove the bears’ innocence.

On Saturday 13 March’s ‘Veggie War’, the bears return to the Veggie Kingdom to visit their old friend Lima, only to find the kingdom at war with a familiar yet unexpected foe. Can the bears help save the veggie kingdom from total annihilation?

📺 Premiere: Saturday, 9 March @ 08:05 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Every Saturdays @ 08:05 CAT

Also available on DStv Catch Up

CN MOVIES

Each Day, A New Adventure

Experience some school holiday movie magic this month as we kick off with a series of films every weekday from 21 March! From Teen Titans Go! VS. Teen Titans to We Bare Bears: The Movie - where Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear catch the attention of the Department of Wildlife Control and have their world turned upside down, things are off to a rocky start.

The second week of movie madness features Regular Show: The Movie and a Ben 10 quadruple-header: Ben 10 VS The Universe: The Movie, Ben 10 010, Ben 10: Ben Gen 10 and Ben 10 Alien X-tinction.

The following Monday 1 April, it’s Pokémon time with Pokémon The Movie: I Choose You, before we wrap up with Adventure Time Distant Lands: Together Again and Adventure Time Distant Lands: Wizard City on 2 April.

📺 Launch date: Thursday, 21 March @ 11:00 CAT

⏰ Tune in: Mondays - Fridays until 2 April @ 11:00 CAT 

Development Alert: Nickelodeon To Launch ‘The Fairly OddParents’ Spinoff ‘A New Wish’, To Stream On Netflix Internationally

Nickelodeon is reimagining its Emmy-winning series The Fairly OddParents by launching the animated series Fairly Oddparents: A New Wish this spring.

The network promises that the new iteration will extend the fairy universe for a new generation while honoring the original series. The Fairly OddParents was created by Butch Hartman and ran from 2001-17.

The 20-episode new series follows Hazel Wells (Ashleigh Crystal Hairston,) a 10-year-old who has just moved to the big city of Dimmadelphia because of her dad’s new job. On top of being in an unfamiliar environment, it’s the first time she’s been without her brother, Antony, who’s just left for college, leaving her lonely and unsure of herself. All that changes when the pink-and-green-haired neighbors next door reveal that they are no ordinary neighbors — they’re fairy godparents Cosmo (Daran Norris) and Wanda (Susanne Blakeslee).

Fairly OddParents: A New Wish is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank. The series is co-executive produced by David Stone (Teen Titans Go!), Lindsay Katai (Infinity Train), Ashleigh Crystal Hairston (Tiny Toons Looniversity) and Daniel Abramovici (The Peanuts Movie). Fred Seibert (Adventure Time) and Butch Hartman (Fairly OddParents) also serve as executive producers. Production is overseen by Claudia Spinelli, SVP Animation for Big Kids at Nickelodeon, and Kelley Gardner, VP Current Series, Animation.

The series is overseen by Executive in Charge, Neil Wade.  

Fairly OddParents: A New Wish will also be available internationally on Netflix later this year.