Disney & ESPN Reportedly In Talks To Acquire The NFL

Back in July 2023 it was reported that Disney is in talks with the NFL, NBA, and MLB to have them take joint ownership of ESPN along with Disney. Now it is being reported that Disney is close to a deal that would see ESPN take over the NFL Network in a deal with the NFL.

Exact details of the deal are unknown but earlier reports said that the NFL would offer their games to be aired on ESPN in exchange for a small share of ESPN. Exactly how much the NFL would own of ESPN is unknown. It is also unknown if this deal will still include the NFL taking part ownership of ESPN.

According to CNBC, theNFL could include Disney taking a stake in the NFL Network, NFL.com, and RedZone. With ESPN taking over production of all three. This could help both sides benefit by giving the NFL access to ESPN productions and Disney access to NFL money. The Wall Street Journal also added that the NFL+ service could be a part of this deal with Disney.

Disney currently owns 80% of ESPN, and Hearst owns 20%. Disney could easily sell part of ESPN to the NFL and NBA and still own a controlling majority of ESPN.

For now, we will have to wait and see what happens. Now that ESPN is building its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, it clearly is looking for partners to help make that a reality.

News Shorts: Explore The Wilderness With Peak Zoo On Play Room And eExtra's Primetime Slot Plummets With A Repeat Of Forbidden Passion

Play Room is going Scottish 

Peek Zoo is an Irish animated children's television series based on a book series by Kevin Waldron. The show follows the life of zookeeper Mr Peek and his children Jimmy and Violet, who solve problems and mysteries with the help of the animals in the zoo.

The series airs daily at 08:30 replacing one timeslot of Magic Cellar or at least in the daytime. We presume the show will be in English which is why they're evading from airing it in the night as the channel has a one hour block for languages. 

eExtra loads up on the reruns 

As if it isn't enough that Annekan Die Swa Kry and Kelders Van Geheime is telecast on both e.tv and eExtra. The channel has even reduced the Asian offering to merely one timeslot which too is repeats now the Indian offering is set to undergo further downsizing. 

Beyhadh is currently airing on the channel at 13:45 and from 8 May this offering will be axed in favor of Forbidden Passion which ended earlier in the year.

Similar to Telemundo and TLNovelas who both saw a drop in primetime during the course of 2024. It appears that eExtra is undergoing a similar procedure but with the guilty pleasure timeslot home to English dubbed dramas from Asia and India. 

"Enter The Splat Zone": Paramount Rebrands Nicktoons In The UK, Might Rebrand Alongside TeenNick In Parts Of Europe And Africa In The Coming Weeks

In 2023, Nickelodeon revived one of their iconic logos "The Splat" and incorporated it with the current font of the brand. A year after its rollout, there's still various countries that have yet to go Splat as Nicktoons in the UK rebranded earlier in the week.

As reported by NickALive, the rebrand occurred on Worker's Day being May 1st in parts of UK & Ireland. Based on Nickelodeon’s recently launched Splat logo, the rebrand includes new on-air graphics such as bumpers, promos and idents.

Last year, MultiChoice and Paramount had reached a new agreement which would see Nickelodeon in the rest of Southern Africa switch to high definition. This was also accompanied by the revamped Splat logo which was introduced months prior.

At the time, it was also stated that Nicktoons and Nick Jr. would undergo a rebrand before the end of 2023. None of which come to pass as Nick Jr. was only fortunate to go Splat by February of this year (due to globalization) with Nicktoons that has yet to switch.

Insiders report that the designs of Nicktoons and TeenNick's global feeds might be updated by May 20th. Although, that's still awaiting confirmation 

most feeds are aligned or handled within the UK so the timeframe of the rebrand would only seem logical.

This may more likely include the Nicktoons feed in Africa cause as mentioned part of the feed is globalized with some local variations. It was long speculated after the feed had switched from the U.S. graphic designs to the one situated in parts of Europe. 

"Sisonke With Zee Zonke": Now Ranked No. 1 Pay TV Channel In South Africa

Zee Zonke is a Zulu dubbed entertainment channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that showcases romance, drama, action, suspense and crime. It is home to shows like Onespiho, Imfihlo, We Mamezala and Umakoti Oyintandokazi. 

Since its debut in South Africa, Zee Zonke has been regarded as the no. 1 pay-tv channel. Catered for adults and families, it currently sits around 276,000 in the month of April which is 67% increase from January which was merely 184,000 viewers.

The individual figures for each show has yet to mentioned which is what Zee Zonke is likely using in getting these results. But from observing through Zee World and Star Life, its likely that the 7pm to 9pm timeslot is where these shows are at its peak. 

Zee Zonke in these endeavors had allocated Umakoti Oyintandokazi in April which had proved to be a popular addition with our readers. Later this month, they will be launching their second series, Uthandolwani. 

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has been operating in the African market for several years with their most popular jewel being Zee World. It contributed to further additions within Africa aside from Zee Zonke there's Zee One and Zee Alem.

New Series Alert: The Thread Of Love Coming In July On TLNovelas Across Africa

TLNovelas, a Mexican entertainment channel operated by TelevisaUnivision that is home to various Portuguese dramas will be rolling out a new series in the coming months titled The Thread Of Love, known in Portuguese as Diseñando Tu Amor.

Based on the Portuguese telenovela Meu Amor, it followed Valentina and her sister Nora with a desire to become successful in the fashion world. As they try to reach their dreams, obstacles like family and romance complicate their journeys.

It starred Gala Montes as Valentina Fuentes Barrios, Juan Diego Covarrubias as Claudio Barrios, Sergio Goyri as Guillermo Vargas Mota, Ana Belena as Helena Vargas Reyna and Osvaldo de León as Héctor Casanova Morales.

The Thread Of Love debuted on Las Estrellas 26 April to 7 October 2021 with 120 half hour episodes having been filmed. Before it's rollout on TLNovelas, TelevisaUnivision had licensed the content to various broadcasters in the African market.

The series will air on 22 July replacing The One Who Couldn't Love and prior to this another series My Secret rolls out in June replacing Thinking Of You.