New Series Alert: Mzansi Magic Presents Ha Molefi, A New Drama About A Father And Son Overcoming Grief And More

This June, Mzansi Magic will premiere Ha Molefi, a drama about a father and son grieving the loss of a Mother and Wife, forcing them to deal directly with the complexities of their relationship.

Thabang Molefi (TJ Mokhuane) is a queer teenager from Pimville, Soweto, who has just lost his mother, Mam’ Linda, and is on a journey of healing and self-discovery. He lives with his father Ntate Molefi (Dingaan Khumalo/DSK) who is also grieving the loss of his wife, and together they set off on a journey of discovery that lays bare their fears and hopes while honoring Mam’Linda’s memory.

Thabang dreams of winning the all-round category at the annual Ballroom/Vogue Nights and he draws inspiration from his late mother, who was a musical sensation in the 90’s, and who always encouraged Thabang to live his truth and follow his dreams. 

Ntate Molefi, on the other hand, loves his son and has accepted him as he is. However, the recently widowed father has to learn that he must go beyond just loving his son but also make the effort to open up to him.

“Ha Molefi is an emotional story about a relationship between a grieving father and son, focusing on the raw and honest emotional turmoil that both face, especially concerning the son’s identity,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels.

“As the home of local, Mzansi Magic is proud to bring this inspirational story to our audiences and we hope that it will inspire. We hope viewers will recognise and appreciate how a parent’s love can manifest in fear and how that can either grow or destroy a relationship.”

Will Thabang realise his dream of celebrating his identity through Vogue/Ballroom while navigating this loving but tense relationship with his mourning father?

Watch this inspiring youthful drama when Ha Molefi premieres on Monday 17 June at 20:00, Mzansi Magic DStv channel 161.

10 TV Channels Exit DStv With More Closures Likely To Follow With Canal+ Acquisition Of MultiChoice

As some readers are aware, MultiChoice had removed 10 TV channels in under 5 months. This includes Deutsche Welle, Ginx TV, Emmanuel TV, B4U Movies, One Freestate Televisual, NWTV, 1Magic, People's Weather and Me with WildEarth to follow.

MultiChoice is in the midst of a possible takeover from French company Canal+ after garnering almost 37% hold of the company. With South African laws forcing them to obtain remaining shares and get approval from legislation or risk termination. 

If this deal goes forward, Canal+ and MultiChoice would be merging their stables with the acquirer Canal+ making some budget cuts. This is a norm when a company undergoes a takeover or merger but how much more turmoil can consumers put up with.

As discussed already, Canal+ assets clash with MultiChoice's current offering as the French company has bought up various properties in Africa. This includes ROK Studios who own the streaming service iROKO TV and linear ROK channels on DStv.

They're basically rivaling with M-Net's Africa Magic and unless Canal+ is looking to sell or restructure these brands they can't just "co-exist". Either ROK Studios will merge into Africa Magic or both will be unified to form another brand in the African market.

Same goes for their streaming services iROKO TV and MyCanal Afrique from Canal+ with DStv Stream and Showmax from MultiChoice. Unless there's no monthly fees attached, iROKO TV could be structured as a Showmax type streamer for Africa Magic.

Lastly, there's pay-tv platforms Canal+ offers to consumers within Francophone Africa while MultiChoice caters to English speaking countries. These serve as the most complicated of the pillar as Canal+ Afrique and DStv would be subjected to a merger.

These include a range of entertainment channels from both parties some of which will likely not form part of the merged packages. Canal+ has its own entertainment they can't just pay for duplicates unless it has appeal or originality in the mix.

Canal+ has stated that merging their assets with MultiChoice would give them a competitive advantage against NBCUniversal and Disney. These cutbacks are likely to hit all corners of DStv.

May 2024 On The Home Channel | New Series Alert: Rochelle Humes Interior Designer in the Making | Returning Shows Including Home Of The Year Ireland And Open Homes | More

Show Title and Season: Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making

Season 1

Starting Date: Monday, 13 May 2024 at 15:00

End Date: Sunday, 21 July 2024

Broadcast Times: Mon 20:00 & Wed 19:00 | Mon 15:00 | Tue 08:00 | Wed 12:00 | Thu 16:00 & 22:00 | Fri 11:00 | Sat 08:30 | Sun 07:00

The popstar takes her personal passion for all things interior décor into the world of professional interior design. She helps deserving families transform their homes with a life-enhancing makeover that is fit for the 

post pandemic world. Rochelle designs an open-plan kitchen and living space for newly-weds Rob 

and Amie then she helps Jade and Matty come up with a gorgeous scheme that banishes the clutter and chaos of family life. Next, Rochelle turns a rental into a family home as well as designs a master bedroom for Helen and Matt and so much more!

Show Title and Season: Mark Moriarty: Off Duty Chef Season 2

Starting Date: Monday, 6 May 2024 at 12:00

End Date: Sunday, 16 June 2024

Broadcast Times: Tues 18:00 | Mon 11:00 & 22:00 Wed 23:00 | Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 | Sat 07:30 & 

20:30 | Sun 14:00 

Award winning and world-renowned chef, Mark Moriarty, is the host of this brand-new TV series. When he’s not working in some of the finest Michelin starred restaurants in Ireland, Mark loves nothing more than cooking everyday meals in his own kitchen. And now, Mark wants to re-ignite a passion for cooking good food at home. For

each episode, Mark will produce a collection of easy-to-follow recipes based around a single food group. Whether it's all about meat one week, or pasta the next, each recipe is simple yet mouth-watering. The best thing is that each recipe features some of those staple ingredients you all have hidden in your kitchen cupboards, making cooking at home as easy as it will ever be.

Show Title and Season: Open Homes Season 5

Starting Date: Monday, 20 May 2024 at 16:30

End Date: Sunday, 28 July 2024

Broadcast Times: Wed 20:30 | Mon 16:30 | Tue 22:00 | Thu 15:30 | Fri 12:30 | Sat 17:30 & 00:30 | Sun 13:00 & 21:30

Take a tour through some of the most awe-inspiring properties you’ll ever see. Join expert designer hosts as they peek through homes with 

endless water views, restored historic mansions, life changing gardens and cutting-edge modern homes. If you’re renovating, building or just addicted to looking through stunning houses - you’re going to love ‘Open Homes’.

Show Title and Season: Home of the Year (Ireland) Season 9

Starting Date: Monday, 27 May 2024 at 10:30

End Date:  Friday, 21 June 2024

Broadcast Times: Mon 19:30 & Thur 18:30 | Mon 10:30 | Tue 14:30 & 22:30 | Wed 11:30 | Fri 23:30 | Sat 10:30 | Sun 09:00

What makes a house a home? Three judges view selected homes throughout Ireland, seeking in individuality, functionality & design in hopes of finding the 'home of the year’. Championing individuality, flair and commitment to design, Home of the Year features homeowners around Ireland who have done something extraordinary to the place they call home. Scoring the homes are design legend Hugh Wallace, award winning 

Architect, Amanda Bone, & award-winning interior designer, Sara Cosgrove winner.

Show Title and Season: Great British Gardens: Season by Season Season 2

Starting Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2024 at 18:30

End Date: Sunday, 1 September 2024

Broadcast Times: Tue 18:30 & 21:30 | Wed 23:30 | Thu 10:30 & 13:30 | Fri 14:30 & 17:30 | Sat 22:30 | Sun 11:00 & 19:30

Renowned horticulturist Carol Klein embarks on another season-by-season tour, visiting some of Great Britain’s favourite and most remarkable gardens, through a whole year. Each episode explores one inspiring garden: from the epic splendour of Arundel Castle Gardens, to the minutely tended borders of Coton Manor, or Wollerton Old Hall Gardens. And from the pioneering plantsmanship at Bressingham Hall and Beth Chatto Gardens, to two jewels in the crown of Wales’ horticultural heritage. Sharing her extensive knowledge, Carol meets the people who care for them, and learns the secrets of some of Britain’s most treasured outdoor spaces.

Show Title and Season: The Home Team

Season 5

Starting Date: Monday, 20 May 2024 at 18:30

End Date: Sunday, 2 June 2024

Broadcast Times: Mon 18:30 & Tue 20:30 | Tue 11:30 & | Wed 10:30 & 15:30 | Thu 14:30 | Fri 16:30 | Sat 10:00 & 20:00 | Sun 08:30

Have you ever wondered how to renovate your bathroom, or how to plant a veggie garden? Do you love seeing DIY projects and before and after reveals? Join Leah and Anthony as they will inspire you with affordable and creative ways to make your home stylish, cozy and sustainable. DIY enthusiasts Anthony and Leah have creative ideas to build the home of your dreams on any budget. Whether it’s getting into the garden for some landscaping or transforming a kitchen in dire need of a rejuvenating, The Home Team have you covered.

Skydance Reportedly Looking To Merge Paramount+ With Another Streaming Service

Last week, merger talks for Paramount Global heated up, with reports that the media company that produces and controls the Star Trek franchise had entered into exclusive talks with Skydance Media. One of the big questions has been how such a deal would impact Paramount+, home to original Star Trek programming. Now a picture of a possible future for the streaming service is starting to emerge.

Skydance wants to keep Paramount+

When the first reports about Paramount Global potentially being sold or merged started in December, industry analysts suggested Paramount+ might not survive the corporate shake-up. While Paramount has seen consistent growth with its streaming service, it has yet to turn a profit. However, now that Skydance Media is in exclusive talks to take over Paramount, they are apparently planning on keeping Paramount+, but will make some changes. The New York Times reports “The plan calls for Skydance to supercharge Paramount’s streaming capabilities, improving personalization with better algorithmic recommendations and making it more efficient through better deals with data providers.”

According to the same report, the post-Skydance/Paramount merger plan would call for teaming up with another major media company for a streaming joint venture in the USA. A new report in Bloomberg confirms Skydance wants to “preserve the Paramount+ streaming service and explore merging it with a peer, such as Peacock or Max.” A deal with Amazon Prime Video has also been considered, according to Bloomberg. Earlier this year, it was reported that Paramount had opened up discussions with Comcast to merge Paramount+ with their Peacock streaming service. The companies already operate the SkyShowtime joint venture in several markets in Europe.

A merged Paramount+/Peacock streaming service could be a winner, according to new consumer research reported today by Variety, 45% of US consumers say they would be interested in such a bundle. Analysis from consulting firm FTI Delta estimates a bundled service could bring in $1 Billion more than the current combined annual revenue of both services.

So if the deal with Skydance happens, it looks like some version of Paramount+ will survive. This would likely continue to be the primary home for original Star Trek television. Being part of a larger service could help ensure funding for more seasons and new Trek series and streaming movies as well.

Of course, none of this is finalized. The first step is for Skydance and Paramount Global to agree to a deal, and any such deal would have to be approved by the board. This can get tricky as the Skydance deal being contemplated is a rather complicated 2-step process, and current Paramount Global investors are expressing concerns over the deal structure being favorable to Shari Redstone, but not regular shareholders. There would also be scrutiny from regulators as well.

OUTtv Rebrands UK Service And Expands In Nordics With Allente Deal

The service, which will operate as OUTflix from 11 April, has also launched across the Nordics via a deal with a Allente that covers Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

OUTflix is also a commissioner of original UK content, recently greenlighting queer comedy series Stand Up Specials London (5 x 45-minute), featuring sets from emerging comedians including James Barr, Heleana Blackwell, David Ian, Kat Nip and Vix Leyton.

Other UK original content on the service includes Live At The Queer Comedy Club, and a series of short films from The Iris Prize festival selected titles.

In addition, two projects developed through the documentary film financing fund for emerging British LGBTQ+ filmmakers that OUTtv funds alongside The Iris Prize and Aberystwth University are hosted on OUTflix: Somina Fombo’s Some Girls Hate Dresses, which follows the lives of Black British tomboys from the 1990s, and the forthcoming Bender Defenders from director Ira Putilova, highlighting five queer, non-binary and transgender people at a queer Muay Thai club in East London.

Since launching in the UK in 2020 as a DTC offering, the service has also grown its partnerships to include OUTtv Proud, a FAST channel now available via Channelbox on Freeview, Plex and Netgem.

Brad Danks, CEO of OMG and OUTtv, said: “We are unifying the brand as we expand across Europe and beyond, so we’re thrilled to be launching OUTflix alongside our partnership with Allente across the Nordics – and look forward to many more viewers discovering the treasure trove of LGBTQI+ content we continue to grow.”