NFL Is In Talks To Acquire Some Of Skydance's Assets Ahead Of Merger With Paramount Global

The National Football League is in talks with David Ellison’s Skydance Media and one of his major investors, RedBird Capital Partners, that could result in some of the league’s media assets changing hands, according to people familiar with the conversations.

The talks could include a sale of NFL Media and its NFL Network cable channel, or an acquisition by Paramount Global of the league’s interest in Skydance Sports, a joint venture that produces movies and TV shows, according to the people, who asked to not be identified because the discussions are private.

Paramount, which holds rights to broadcast NFL games, is in the process of merging with Skydance, an independent film and TV studio, in a deal expected to close next year. Paramount’s contract with the league includes a change of control provision that could allow the NFL to seek another media partner, the people said. The NFL’s deal with Paramount’s CBS network is worth about $2.1 billion a year through 2033.

Although it is unlikely that the NFL will seek to replace CBS as its broadcast partner, the provision has prompted a wider conversation about business opportunities between the league, Skydance and RedBird. The league is already in business with both parties and Commissioner Roger Goodell has praised Skydance in interviews.

In 2022, the NFL invested $45 million in Skydance Sports in a deal that valued the entity at about $100 million. Skydance and NFL Films produced a new season of HBO’s Hard Knocks documentary series, focusing on the New York Giants, this year. The two companies are also working on a 10-part documentary series on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The league and RedBird are partners in EverPass Media, which distributes the NFL Sunday Ticket games to bars and restaurants. RedBird is also an owner of the United Football League, which plays in the spring season. Larry Ellison, the father of the Skydance founder and one of the world’s richest men, has previously expressed interest in owning a professional football team.

The NFL has been shopping its media assets for a few years. NFL Media includes the league’s digital operations, the NFL cable network, the film unit and NFL RedZone, a subscription service. Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN sports division had been in talks about a potential deal that could have seen the company acquire NFL Media, giving the league a stake in ESPN in return. Those talks have stalled, however.

eExtra To Debut New Series "Legend Of Fuyao"

The story takes place in the universe of Five Kingdoms that is led by the Imperial City of Tianquan. Fuyao was formed from a lotus borne by the Ancient firmament. Adopted as an orphan, she served as a slave for the Xuanyuan sect from the Taiyuan Kingdom. A series of tragedies resulted in a journey across the land to gather the magical artifacts that could lift the curse that blighted her life. 

Along the way, she met the Crown Prince of Tianquan who was masquerading as the heir of Taiyuan while conducting secret missions to quell unrest in the Five Kingdoms. The pair fell in love as they battled the complicated politics and power plays between the different forces. With the help of her loyal companions, Fuyao set out to unravel the heinous plot of the ancient firmament.

Based on the novel Empress Fuyao, Legend of Fuyao aired on the Chinese network Zhejiang TV from June 18 to August 13, 2018 with 66 episodes having being filmed. It starred Yang Mi as Fuyao, Ethan Juan as Zhangsun Wuji, Zhang Dongshen as Xuanyuan Ren, Hu Ke as Xuanyuan Xiao, Lai Yi as Zong Yue, Liang Yimu as Yun Hen.

Legend of Fuyao will air daily at 16:15 replacing Jeyran from Thursday 10 October with an age restriction of 18. In other developments, eExtra will be adding two new shows to their offering in the month Op Dun Ys after being uploaded on eVOD alongside Viola.

This will be the first Asian drama to have been broadcast on the channel during the year after the channel had seen its primetime offering reduced for Kuiertyd's imports. Recently, eMedia Investments had added all of their channels graphic designs to commemorate their 24 year anniversary in the market.

StarSat Issues Out Official Statement After It's Services Were Closed In South Africa With Transmission Disrupted For The Rest Of Africa

Not long ago, we reported that SAPS and ICASA had raided StarSat offices in South Africa after operating illegally for over a year with failure to shutdown as warned. With over 500000 consumers inactive, this will only lead to disaster for On Digital Media and StarTimes as paying consumers will likely raid their offices demanding for their money.

Since March, they were advised to settle their affairs and close by last month but didn't so and now consumers have raided their social platforms demanding answers on when the broadcaster will settle it's affairs with ICASA. Just to let you know, these things take time and we don't know what action awaits them.

If StarSat were to apply now that they were forcefully closed one result is a temporary ban meaning they'd have to wait a stipulated period to reapply which again 500000 can't afford. Consumers will likely just flee from their services and by the time they do return there may not be much to salvage as this market them and DStv harvest is crashing.

Below is a press statement from the company 

StarSat, operated by On Digital Media (ODM), confirms that earlier today, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), accompanied by the South African Police Service (SAPS), entered its Midrand offices and disconnected services.

During this process, not only were ODM’s services impacted but also those of StarTimes Media’s pan-African broadcast. As the service provider to ODM and a subsidiary of the larger StarTimes Group, StarTimes Media holds a valid individual electronics communication network service (ECNS) licence for transmissions across Africa.

While we acknowledge ICASA’s mandate to shut down ODM’s South African services, we are appalled by the manner in which ICASA disregarded ODM’s reasonable initial request for a discussion regarding which equipment should be removed, should the execution order be carried out.

Instead, ICASA opted to remove all equipment, including that belonging to StarTimes Media, which has adversely affected its pan-African broadcast services. This disconnection is highly concerning as it affects legitimate operations under this licence.

While ODM acknowledges an ongoing dispute, it strongly contests the disconnection of a valid StarTimes Media connection, which it believes to be unlawful.

ODM is exploring all legal avenues to resolve this issue swiftly and restore services. The company’s legal representatives have urgently approached the courts and will continue to keep all stakeholders, including customers, employees, and the media, informed as the situation progresses.

As Expected, StarSat Shuts Down In South Africa After Operating Illegally For Over A Year

Last month, it was reported that StarSat which serves as DStv's only competitor in South Africa was suppose to shut down by mid September. Since then, they continued to maintain an active presence in the market by selling their decoders, employing staff and promoting their bulk of entertainment to the media.

At the time, StarSat had stated they had no intention of closing their doors in South Africa as they look to take on ICASA in the hopes to stay on air. They left several consumers and staff members in the dark about their closure and also the fact they were distributing their services illegally not even channel providers Disney and BBC were aware of this.

In recent developments, it was confirmed that both ICASA and SAPS had ordered the shut down of StarSat services in South Africa imagine the feds are now on their tail. The only thing StarSat consumers can see now is a message on screen alerting them of "connection failure or bad whether".

Like I said a month ago, those using StarSat should get their affairs in order and opt for DStv or an Openview if they wish to enjoy a similar offering. Them operating illegally for this long would have dire consequences and there's consumers that probably paid in advance and you wonder if they'll get reimbursed.

StarSat was gloating for a month that they were dealing with financial constraints with part of it stemming from COVID-19 and if they wanted to take legal action or try to retain their services where else would they get these funds. Now over 500000 consumers are now going to be wondering aimlessly with jobs lost. 

The next step in this scenario would be if StarSat's license holder On Digital Media were to apply for a new license and this time on legal grounds they're going back to square one. DStv is already experiencing a decline in consumers due to the current economic climate and also the rise in internet usage.

Now with StarSat being off air, consumers are likely to dump their decoders and explore other means but should they come back these consumers would have moved on. This whole process they are engaging in will take up a lot of time something the "fans" and members of StarSat can't afford at the moment.

StarSat could as well just end up in the same nutshell as Telkom Media or Cell C's Black with On Digital Media that will likely disband. As for StarTimes, they could as well focus on the other pay-tv services in Africa leaving MultiChoice as the only pay-tv provider in South Africa.

October 2024 On Disney Channel And Disney Junior Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Primos | Returning Shows Including Firebirds | More

Disney Channel 

PRIMOS

Season Premiere

Monday – Friday from 21 -30 October at 16:30 CAT

“Primos” is a coming-of-age animated comedy that follows Tater Ramirez Humphrey, an eccentric girl with big dreams, determined to find what makes her extraordinary. When her 12 chaotic cousins (“primos” in Spanish) move in for the summer, they help her discover her true self.

Catch the brand-new series Primos from Monday, 21 October at 16:30 CAT on Disney Channel

HAMSTER & GRETEL

Season 2 Premiere

Monday- Friday from 7 -16 October at 14:50 CAT

The music-filled “Hamster & Gretel” introduces Kevin and younger sister Gretel, who are about to be bestowed super-powers by space aliens. But something goes awry, and it’s Gretel and her pet hamster (named Hamster) who suddenly have new abilities. Now, protective older brother Kevin must figure out how to work with both Gretel and her pet Hamster to protect their city from mysterious dangers.

Highlights of the Season 2 episodes include an episode where Gretel gets stressed out when Kevin returns from a relaxation camp with a laid-back attitude.

Catch Season 2 of Hamster & Gretel from 7 October at 14:50 CAT on Disney Channel 

Lego Star Wars Terrifying Tales

Disney Channel Movie Premiere

Friday, 25 October at 17:00 CAT

Just in time for Halloween - all-new scary special from Lucasfilm and the LEGO Group that will have fans ready for a frighteningly fun time. After the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,” Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel. While waiting for his X-wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa, and Dean (a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballa’s mechanic) venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé. Along the way, Vaneé shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. 

Catch the fun animated series Lego Star Wars Terrifying Tales On Friday, 25 October at 17:00 CAT

KLIK KLUB

Season 2 Stunt

Weekends, 26 & 27 October at 06:50 & 12:20 CAT

Wandi & Kabz, a live-action meets animation comedy series, is anchored by Ogadinma Ngobili (14) as Wandi and Marang Neo (10) as Kabz. These besties go on grand adventures together, meeting popular African historical figures, thanks to Wandi’s special antique, time-travelling pocket watch. After a quick and playful interaction, the historical figures whisk Wandi and Kabz off to the past for a light-hearted glimpse into significant scenes from their lives. From the bustling streets of gold rush-era Johannesburg to the epic battles of the Zulu Kingdom, Season 2 of Wandi & Kabz brings history to life with trademark humour and wit. Viewers can expect to learn fascinating facts while laughing along with the show's infectious energy from figures that include Queen of Sheba, King Moshoeshoe and Albertina Sisulu.

Catch 3 episodes on each day in the morning from 06:50 CAT and two episodes later both days from 12:20 CAT on Disney Channel.

Disney Junior

Firebuds

Season 2 New Episodes

Monday - Friday from 14 October at 10:00 CAT 

Set in a fantastical world where talking vehicles live, work and play with the humans who drive them, Disney Branded Television’s “Firebuds” follows a boy and his firetruck as they team up with their first responder friends to help others in their community with problems, both big and small. Whether rescuing a young car that’s stuck in a tree, tracking down lost Dalmatian puppies or helping their neighbours stock up on emergency supplies during a blackout, the Firebuds highlight the importance of teamwork and helping your fellow citizens. Each episode is comprised of two 11-minute stories and features at least one new original song.

Catch Firebuds Monday - Friday from 14 October at 10:00 CAT on Disney Jr.

Halloween Fun with Mickey

Halloween Themed Episodes & Shows

Saturday & Sunday 26 & 27 October from 08:30 CAT

Find all the Halloween fun kicking off with Season 1 of Mickey Mouse Spooky Stories on Saturday, 26 October at 08:30 CAT and again on Sunday, 27 October at 10:30 CAT.

Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treats is a stop-motion Halloween special starring Mickey and Friends on Saturday, 26 October at 11:00 CAT (and again on Sunday, 27 October at 10:30 CAT). Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy are trick-or-treating when Donald spies the spookiest mansion he's ever seen and assumes it has the best treats. After he convinces his friends to risk a visit, the owner, Witch Hazel, casts a spell that turns them into their costumes.  

Catch Mickey's Monster Musical on Saturday, 26 October at 12:00 CAT - a Halloween special of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It is a parody of the 1970s cult classic musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

On Sunday, 27 October, catch Mickey's Tale of Two Witches at 12:00 CAT. On Halloween, Mickey tells Pluto a story about two witches-in-training, Minnie the Wonderful and Daisy Doozy, who must pass four tests to graduate from the Witch Academy in Happy Haunt Hills. While Daisy isn’t confident about passing, she and Minnie join forces, along with Count Mickula and the gang, to defeat a mischievous ghost. Minnie and Daisy learn that working together makes their magic and their friendship stronger.

Catch all the Halloween fun with Mickey and friends on Halloween weekend, 26 & 27 October from 08:30 CAT on Disney Jr.