Interesting Fact: Nickelodeon Was Also Late Entry In Germany As It Relaunched In 2005, Followed By Africa Three Years Later Now Its Winding Down

Not long ago, it was reported that Nickelodeon will be exiting Germany as RTL looks to acquire the channel awaiting regulatory approval. Several shows from the channel such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol are set to rollout under Toggo.

Nicktoons and Nick Jr. serve as sister channels to Nickelodeon are anticipated to remain in the market for now.

Based on a programming block on Super RTL, Toggo will be rolling out as 24 hour channel in the region which is set to continue the Nickelodeon legacy while also supplying other content. As Paramount opts to build its children's offering through streaming. 

Interesting to note, Nickelodeon had a troublesome launch in the market initially rolling out in 1995 went through bankruptcy and several of its shows had been licensed to Super RTL. Coincidence, went it relaunched in 2005 it only came in Africa by 2008.

Prior to this, M-Net had operated K-TV as a children's channel to consumers in select countries. The channel shuttered as M-Net was looking to further distance themselves from the kids market due to the rise in competition from other stations.

It wasn't long till Play Room was rolled out taking a page of Sky Kids and Akili Kids offering fun and educational content part of which is locally produced. Although, it is owned/branded as an M-Net channel it is funded by them through MultiChoice - technically K-TV.

The parent company for Nickelodeon had been auctioned off to potential buyers including Skydance, Apollo Global Management and Sony Pictures Television. Skydance is said to be in advanced talks as Sony looks to partner up with Apollo.

Sony was said to be looking to distance themselves from the streaming and linear regime only handling the studios. Apollo on the other would have minimal control of Paramount so if anything could we be looking at the future of their linear lineup through Germany.

Most channels by Paramount Global nowadays had been operating under one feed either commercial or ad free. Then several productions such as The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish and The Casagrandes Movie are being burnt off to Netflix. 

If anything, it wouldn't seem far fetched if Nickelodeon were to halt their linear operations at some point and some countries looked into following RTL's footsteps and kept some content on the air.

Development Alert: Super RTL Looking To Acquire Nickelodeon In Germany And Rebrand It To Toggo, As Paramount Looks To Streamline Its Portfolio In The Region

German family channel Super RTL wants to take over children’s channel Nickelodeon in Germany and rebrand it into its children’s brand Toggo.

The companies confirmed a corresponding agreement to German industry publication DWDL.

According to the agreement, Super RTL will take over Nickelodeon’s established satellite frequency on Astra (19.2° East) and operate the channel under its own Toggo brand after a transitional period, while continuing to show popular Nickelodeon series such as Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants. The Nickelodeon channel brand will disappear from German free-TV. Paramount intends to focus entirely on its streaming services Paramount+ and Pluto TV in the children’s sector in Germany in future.

“By expanding the partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, Super RTL is offering its young audience an even richer wealth of high-quality children’s programmes. The takeover of the satellite frequency creates a new valuable Toggo touchpoint for the target group of 3 to 13-year-olds. This fits perfectly into the strategy of making the Toggo brand present and tangible for children across as many channels and platforms as possible,” said Thorsten Braun, Head of Marketing, Brand & Consumer Products Officer at RTL Deutschland.

Michael Keidel, Vice President Ad Sales, Affiliate & Streaming Partnerships in Northern, Central & Eastern Europe at Paramount, added: “Thanks to the strategic partnership with Super RTL, the popular Nickelodeon characters and stories for children in Germany continue to have a firm place on free-TV. This fits perfectly into our strategy of entertaining fans via numerous high-reach touchpoints. These include our premium streaming service Paramount+, our free, ad-finGerman family channel Super RTL wants to take over children’s channel Nickelodeon in Germany and rebrand it into its children’s brand Toggo.

The companies confirmed a corresponding agreement to German industry publication DWDL.

According to the agreement, Super RTL will take over Nickelodeon’s established satellite frequency on Astra (19.2° East) and operate the channel under its own Toggo brand after a transitional period, while continuing to show popular Nickelodeon series such as Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants. The Nickelodeon channel brand will disappear from German free-TV. Paramount intends to focus entirely on its streaming services Paramount+ and Pluto TV in the children’s sector in Germany in future.

“By expanding the partnership with Nickelodeon and Paramount, Super RTL is offering its young audience an even richer wealth of high-quality children’s programmes. The takeover of the satellite frequency creates a new valuable Toggo touchpoint for the target group of 3 to 13-year-olds. This fits perfectly into the strategy of making the Toggo brand present and tangible for children across as many channels and platforms as possible,” said Thorsten Braun, Head of Marketing, Brand & Consumer Products Officer at RTL Deutschland.

Michael Keidel, Vice President Ad Sales, Affiliate & Streaming Partnerships in Northern, Central & Eastern Europe at Paramount, added: “Thanks to the strategic partnership with Super RTL, the popular Nickelodeon characters and stories for children in Germany continue to have a firm place on free-TV. This fits perfectly into our strategy of entertaining fans via numerous high-reach touchpoints. These include our premium streaming service Paramount+, our free, ad-financed streaming service Pluto TV and our pay-TV channels.”

The transaction is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.anced streaming service Pluto TV and our pay-TV channels.”

The transaction is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office.

Recap To The Decade: Canal+ Afrique Also Offer Pornographic Material With Hustlers TV And Private TV, What Could Await This Lineup Should It Rollout On DStv?

As some readers aware, StarSat once offered a pornographic content on their platforms for consumers in South Africa. This had garnered a lot of media coverage and even led to numerous legal disputes with the channels alienated within the region.

Despite StarTimes playing it safe by having those channel's offering reduced to weeknights and making consumers who opted to bundle the entertainment pay extra. Their attempts had proven to be unsuccessful and led consumers to flee the platform. 

Now Canal+ is seeking to acquire MultiChoice and should these attempts prove favorable. DStv's entertainment would have to be merge/aligned with Canal+'s current offering of course this may prove to be another hurdle.

Similar to StarTimes in select countries, Canal+ offers also offers pornographic material known as MultiMan TV with Hustlers and Private TV. It might form part of MultiChoice's current offering as part of an alignment of content and TV channels.

We're not saying that packages will be axed but seeing as Canal+ already offers English stations those will likely be the first to resurface on DStv. With MultiChoice residing in 22 million households they would give this entertainment further exposure. 

Development Alert: A Rebroadcast Of Eternal Love Launches On eExtra, Annekan Die Swa Kry Returns For Season 3 On e.tv

eExtra hits the snoozefest button with Eternal Love 

After debuting on the channel earlier in the year, a rebroadcast of Eternal Love is scheduled to air daily at 16:15 from 3 May. This is by far the quickest comeback ever for a rebroadcast as it ending sometime in February taking a 3 month gap.

Based on the novel of the same name, Eternal Love followed a free-spirited woman's soul inhabits the body of a timid woman from a different time. She must find a way to balance her double life when she falls in love with two different men.

The Erens are back for more drama

As seen on the programme guide, Annekan Die Swa Kry is not going anywhere after the second season finale debuts on e.tv from 19 May. As season 3 is scheduled to air immediately after the second season finale in the same timeslot on e.tv at 17:00.

Synopsis on the first episode of season 3

While the Eren brothers are enjoying the rich life they have, Akif, who is left without a penny, is looking for ways to regain his former power with all kinds of cunning. While the excitement of the new term at Ataman College increases with the new students coming to the school; Ömer's ignorant cooperation with his brothers and his arrogant attitude cause them to come face to face with Asiye. The showdown at the party organized by the Eren brothers at the mansion ends unexpectedly.

Prior to its debut, e.tv will be airing its first Afrikaans soap Kelders Van Geheime from 4 May. Filmed in Simondium, it stars Veronique Jephtas, Vashti Prins, Charl Marais Senior, Zak Hendrikz and Geon Nel.

May 2024 On Discovery Channel And HGTV Across Africa | New Series Alert: Crime Gone Viral And Wild And Weird America | Returning Shows Including Down Home Fab | More

Discovery Channel 

Crimes Gone Viral S1

NEW TO CHANNEL

Gripping clips of kidnappings, break-ins, wild car chases, and other crimes rack up millions of views, but the stories behind these crimes are often never told -- until now. This series takes viewers inside the most shocking crimes that went viral.

First TX: 28 May

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 20:55 & 21:25

Last TX: 6 Aug

Wheeler Dealers World Tour

BRAND NEW

After twenty years of iconic makeovers Mike and Elvis are back to take on their most ambitious projects yet and this time, they're going global. From the US, to Australia, Europe and the UK, Mike will track down a selection of vehicles that are iconic to each country, in need of some serious TLC, set up in a local garage and

leave it to Elvis and local mechanics to restore them to their former glory.

First TX: 31 May

TX Day: Friday

TX Time: 20:00

Last TX: 2 Aug

Wild & Weird America S1

BRAND NEW

Watch uproarious real-life moments: backyard mishaps, car chaos, avalanche disasters, stunts, spills and thrills. It's an unforgettable rollercoaster of laughter caught on camera.

First TX: 18 May

TX Day: Saturday

TX Time: 20:55 & 21:25

Last TX: TBC

Border Control Spain S2

NEW SEASON

In Madrid's main airport, Madrid-Barajas, 5,000 security cameras help agents maintain security. Follow state security forces to discover how they monitor Spain's borders.

First TX: 14 May

TX Day: Tuesday

TX Time: 20:00 & 20:30

Last TX: TBC

HGTV

Down Home Fab S2

BRAND NEW

Chelsea and Cole DeBoer navigate the most

challenging chapter of their lives as they create and build a design business and take on client

renovations, all while raising four young children.

First TX: 29 May

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 17 July

Fixer To Fabulous Italiano

BRAND NEW

In this new limited series we will embark on the

adventure of a lifetime as the Marrs and their family head to Italy to help some family friends renovate a historic home and turn it into the farmhouse they've always dreamed of!

First TX: 16 May

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 20 June

Rock the Block S5

NEW SEASON

Four teams of HGTV superstars return to the block to face-off in the ultimate home renovation competition. With identical starting waterfront homes and budgets, the team's house that appraises the highest at the end wins it all!

First TX: 4 May

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:00

Last TX: 15 June

Why The Heck Did I Buy This House? S2

NEW SEASON

Designer and renovator Kim Wolfe comes to the

rescue of homeowners feeling major buyer's remorse. This former Survivor winner and mom of three uses her expert skills to reinvent lifeless spaces and make homeowners finally fall in love with their home.

First TX: 22 May

TX Day: Wednesday

TX Time: 22:00

Last TX: 10 July