BOMBSHELL. WildEarth Goes On A Rant And Exposes Lucrative Business Deal With MultiChoice's DStv

During the week, it was mentioned by WildEarth's CEO that they have made numerous attempts to in securing carriage fees for their channel on DStv. Following unsuccessful attempts, the company is looking to take their channel off DStv by the end of April.

The only way WildEarth can remain on the DStv platform would be for MultiChoice to pay for the channel and not vice versa.

Earlier the company had mentioned that MultiChoice would rather pay for National Geographic and National Geographic Wild. But through ongoing interaction with viewers some minor details had been revealed about their agreement with DStv.

Here’s a little David and Goliath story - although at this point, it is difficult to see how David is not going to get...

Posted by Wildearth on Tuesday, March 26, 2024

On top of their financial woes, WildEarth has been paying MultiChoice to keep the channel on air. For 4 straight years, WildEarth on top of generating some ad revenue had to split part of those earnings to keep their space on DStv and cover other expenses. 

Taking to account such deals are not unlawful but haven't proven to be favorable either. It's like running your own website where the publisher (DStv) offers ad platforms (WildEarth) a space to promote in exchange for money with ad platforms getting exposure.

Based on circumstances, it's "likely" WildEarth approached MultiChoice and only agreed to this as they were hoping to salvage more out of this. Not a lot of people were familiar with the brand as seen with flagship show SafariLIVE it seems like the only logical conclusion. 

Another would be that MultiChoice positioned WildEarth as a business type channel as seen with former channels VOOV and TV Mall.

MultiChoice had agreed to carry WildEarth as a pop-up channel initially under those terms. Based on figures opted to continue this agreement while WildEarth running on the platform was hoping to join the league of Warner Bros. Discovery and BBC Studios. 

Donate to WildEarth: click here 

Petition to keep WildEarth on DStv: click here 

Drafted Version: April 2024 On Cartoon Network And Cartoonito Across Africa | Returning Shows Featuring Craig Of The Creek And Ninjago | Earth Day Stunt Featuring Cocomelon And Bugs Bunny Builders | More

Cartoon Network 

• Craig Of The Creek (New Episodes): Following the adventures of Craig Williams and his two friends, Kelsey Pokoly and John Paul `JP' Mercer, as they explore the untamed wilderness of the Creek, which is dominated by tribes of children.

• Jellystone (New Episodes): Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear, Huckleberry Hound, and other residents of Jellystone cross paths in fun and ridiculous ways, turning everyday activities into hilarious pandemonium.

• Ninjago: Dragon's Rising (New Episodes): Two teenagers from different worlds use their Ninja powers to defend dragons from villains who want to harvest the dragons' life forces.

• Pokemon: The Power Of Us: Ash and strangers with nothing in common must work together to save the people and Pokémon of Fula City when a series of threats interrupt the annual Wind Festival. 

• Mewtwo Strikes Back: Dr Fuji creates a living weapon by cloning legendary Pokémon Mew. But when Mewtwo develops his own plan to destroy the world, Ash, Pikachu, and their friends must prevent catastrophe.

• Teen Titans GO! Vs. Teen Titans: The Master of Games, a villain who travels through the multiverse, abducts the Teen Titans in order to take over the world. He soon pits them against another version of themselves to destroy Earth.

• Teen Titans: Trouble In Tokyo:Teen Titans follow Saico-dek to Tokyo and learn about the Brushoman legend. Inspector Daizo, Head of Tokyo Troopers, hunts down Teen Titans one by one by implicating them in the murder of Saico-Dek.

Cartoonito 

Moley (New Episodes): Revolving around an adventurous mole's quest with friends to broker peace between humans and moles. Following the underground adventures of the charmingly optimistic charmingly young mole, Moley.

• Earth Day Stunt including Cocomelon, Bugs Bunny Builders, Zig & Sharko and Mr. Bean.

• All Day Marathon of Mr. Bean, Zig And Sharko, Masha And The Bear, Lu And The Bally Bunch, Grizzly And The Lemmings, Cocomelon and Batwheels.

Nickelodeon's Live-Action Slate On Possible Hiatus Following Release Of ID's Documentary Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV

During the week, Investigation Discovery unveiled a new four part documentary series, Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV. With a fifth episode set to rollout in the coming weeks which sees various former Nickelodeon stars talk about their experience on the network.

Episode 3 garnered the most attention after All That and Drake And Josh star Drake Bell came forward to address the abuse he experienced as a minor. Since then, several notable figures came forward to voice their support with talks over the matter still ongoing. 

Nickelodeon had responded to the revelations on Quiet On Set but some child actors feel more needs to be done by the network:

“Though we cannot corroborate or negate allegations of behaviors from productions decades ago, Nickelodeon as a matter of policy investigates all formal complaints as part of our commitment to fostering a safe and professional workplace environment free of harassment or other kinds of inappropriate conduct. Our highest priorities are the well-being and best interests not just of our employees, casts, and crew, but of all children, and we have adopted numerous safeguards over the years to help ensure we are living up to our own high standards and the expectations of our audience.”

Schneiderverse hold on Nickelodeon 

Following the release of Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV, Nickelodeon has distanced themselves from anything Schneider this includes Henry Danger and Danger Force shows that form part of the Dangerverse and also the last of Dan's masterpieces. 

In 2019, Nickelodeon did an investigation on misconduct in the workplace and fired Dan Schneider after investigation concluded. Although, he has no involvement in any projects from the network he is still being credited amongst properties.

Drake Bell after coming forward on Quiet On Set had criticized the network for keeping these shows on air for several years. It has caused further live-action on the channel to be boycott with their future in jeopardy.

As some readers aware, Nickelodeon currently has only two live-action projects on the air, The Really Loud House and Tyler Perry's Young Dylan. Following cancelations to Danger Force and That Girl Lay Lay, these shows are likely to suffer the same effect if not worse.

We're not saying Nickelodeon won't offer any further live-action but the toxicity that persisted on previous projects would endanger their success rate. If anything, it's possible Nickelodeon could put more attention to their animation slate. 

Something we've kind of seen Disney Channel put more emphasis as they've got a new movie on Big City Greens coming out alongside a new season of Phineas And Ferb. Monsters At Work which was previously a Disney+ first had moved to the network for Season 2.

Although Nickelodeon doesn't have a consistent lineup of content its one of the very few brands alongside Disney Channel to offer anything noteworthy as all other content is streamed these days.

Development Alert: Investigation Discovery Greenlights Fifth Episode To Teen Centered Documentary Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV

Investigation Discovery has ordered a fifth episode of the docuseries, titled “Breaking the Silence.” It will air Sunday, April 7 at 8/7c on Investigation Discovery (and stream on Max).

According to ID, Episode 5 “will delve deeper into the toxic and dangerous culture behind some of the most iconic children’s television shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s, including allegations of abuse, sexism and racism,” and build off “the revelations explored in the first four episodes.”

Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien will lead a conversation featuring previous participants Drake Bell (The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh), former All That cast members Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne, and Hearne’s mother, Tracey Brown. Additionally, “new voices” will appear — including fellow former All That cast member Shane Lyons — “to discuss where the industry can go from here.”

Bell, now 37, appeared in Episode 3 of Quiet on Set and revealed himself to be the minor at the center of Brian Peck’s 2004 conviction. Peck, who served as a dialogue coach at Nickelodeon and bears no relation to Josh Peck, appeared on episodes of All That and The Amanda Show, and was later convicted of a lewd act against a child and oral copulation of a person under 16.

Bell’s Amanda Show and Drake & Josh co-stars Josh Peck and Nancy Sullivan both released statements following the release of Quiet on Set. “I reached out to Drake privately, but want to give my support for the survivors who were brave enough to share their stories of emotional and physical abuse on Nickelodeon sets with the world,” Peck said on March 21. “Children should be protected. Reliving this publicly is incredibly difficult, but I hope it can bring healing for the victims and their families as well as necessary change to our industry.”

Sullivan, meanwhile, wrote that it “broke my heart into a million pieces to hear just how much Drake was holding inside while we were working together. I was both devastated and proud seeing the man he’s grown into sit down on camera and bravely tell his truth.

“Past abuse doesn’t define us,” she said, “and it has no right to rule our lives.”

‘Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV’ Exposes Toxic Working Environment On Dan Schneider's Popular Teen TV Series Of The 1990s And Early 2000s This April On Investigation Discovery Across Africa

Investigation Discovery Africa, the leading true crime network, is set to premiere QUIET ON SET: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS TV, a four-part docuseries that uncovers the toxic and dangerous culture behind some of the most iconic children’s shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s. 

QUIET ON SET pulls back the curtain on an empire built by creator Dan Schneider that had an undeniable grip on popular culture. Series such as All That and The Amanda Show, among others, were obsessively consumed by children across the country and defined comedy for a generation. But behind the upbeat onscreen presence on these shows with questionable jokes and over-the-top sketches, QUIET ON SET reveals an insidious environment rife with allegations of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate dynamics with its underage stars and crew.

QUIET ON SET features unprecedented access to key cast members, writers, and crew spanning Schneider’s popular series at Nickelodeon. Former All That cast members Giovonnie Samuels, Kyle Sullivan, Bryan Hearne and Katrina Johnson and director Virgil Fabian pull back the curtain on the culture on the set of the beloved teen sketch series.  In The Amanda Show writer's room, writers Jenny Kilgen and Christy Stratton expose allegations of a toxic and sexist environment. Alexa Nikolas offers insight into being a part of Zoey 101. QUIET ON SET will feature additional cast and crew from iCarly, Sam & Cat, Victorious, and other iconic series, such as Marc Summers from the popular game show Double Dare. The series will also offer emotional testimony from parents of cast members who attempted to advocate for their children on these sets.

Over the course of its four parts, QUIET ON SET will shine a spotlight on these emotional accounts, chronicling a pattern of gross, abusive, and manipulative behaviour that unfolded across decades, as well as exclusive stories about child predators on set. These interviews, woven with archival footage (some of which has never been broadcast), scenes from the shows and social media commentary, will recontextualise many moments within these series that may have seemed silly or off when first aired but now carry a much darker undertone, offering a powerful reframing of these beloved shows.

QUIET ON SET is directed by Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz and produced by Maxine Productions and Sony Pictures Television – Nonfiction in association with Business Insider.

QUIET ON SET: THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS TV will premiere across two nights, Sunday, 7 April and Sunday, 14 April, from 21:00 – 23:00 CAT on Investigation Discovery (ID) Africa with two episodes back-to-back each week.