Elif Rebroadcasts Move From 09:30 To 16:00 On e.tv And This Is Due To ePlesier's New Show Die Agentskap

 As reported a month ago, ePlesier will be airing it's first exclusive show this month titled Die Agentskap from 2nd December. This series was allocated on eVOD earlier in the year and had been M.I.A. as eExtra allocated more recent shows from the streamer such as Op Dun Ys and Pad Na Die Hart.

There had been questions from several viewers about how eMedia Investments is planning to accommodate Die Agentskap as ePlesier is a repeats channel so the viewership would be minimal. Plans are underway to make daytime repeats available on e.tv at 9:30 as Elif's rebroadcast move almost two hours before it's premiere at 4PM.

For those wondering why Die Agentskap is not airing on eExtra, it had been alleged that reception for the series was dismal after being allocated on eVOD. With eExtra already at it wits with Op Dun Ys can't afford to lose viewers therefore opted to dump the series on ePlesier where the viewership is minimal.

Honestly this is a trend in other countries where channels would often discard a program if it failed to garner traction at least in Die Agentskap's case it gets promotion. Others to have fallen either had received very little marketing with some ousted from viewer's grasp.

Die Agentskap's debut on ePlesier has only made e.tv's schedule more bloated with repeats there's eExtra's primetime shows in the daytime and lastly rebroadcasts of Z'Bondiwe and Nikiwe. Then you have Elif moving to 4PM and it's previous slot as mentioned is being phased out for another repeat.

This has left e.tv with more reruns aside from eExtra's catch-up slots, the channel is already airing Nikiwe and Z'Bondiwe

Comcast Spin-Off Looking To Buy More TV Channels And Expand The Streaming Market

The cable-TV networks business being spun off by Comcast Corp. will explore acquiring other cable channels and creating its own streaming services to grow after separating from its parent.

Channels specializing in documentaries or food-related shows are among the options for the new company, according to people familiar with the plans. Those are two programming areas the current portfolio lacks.

The spinoff, which hasn’t been named, could also create its own streaming business or packages of channels for online distributors like Amazon.com Inc., said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing nonpublic information. The spinoff will likely negotiate its own distribution deals with pay-TV distributors when its current contracts run out.

Philadelphia-based Comcast on Wednesday formally announced plans to divest most of its cable-TV networks, including MSNBC, CNBC and the USA Network, into a new publicly traded company. The networks generated about $7 billion in revenue over the past 12 months and reach about 70 million US households, the company said. 

Cable networks have been a drag on Comcast’s business as consumers continue to cancel pay-TV services in favor of streaming options like Netflix Inc. While the spinoff doesn’t need to acquire more channels, that could be an option as pay-TV distributors look to create more bespoke packages of channels with network owners. 

Comcast is keeping the NBC broadcast network and the Peacock streaming service. While Peacock is losing money, it is considered a growth business as consumers switch to online viewing. The most popular programming on both is sports, and Comcast has decade-long rights for the NFL and, starting next year, the NBA. Programs from the channels being spun off represent just 2% of the viewing on Peacock, the people said. 

Bravo, a channel specializing in reality TV, is also staying with Comcast because its programming is popular on streaming. Spanish-language network Telemundo will also remain part of Comcast because its audience is considered a growth market. 

In a potential bright spot in a media industry buffeted by layoffs in recent year, the spinoff could be opportunity for Comcast to avoid some job reductions: The new company will need to build its own corporate infrastructure. The company will negotiate intercompany agreements on issues like advertising sales, programming and other corporate services. 

Mark Lazarus, who’ll be chief executive officer of the new business, told employees Wednesday that a new name for the MSNBC news network could be among the changes, according to Variety.

Under the spinoff plan, shareholders of Comcast will receive stock in the new company, which will also include Oxygen, E!, SYFY and the Golf Channel. It will also own complementary digital assets including Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and Sports Engine.

Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts, who holds a one-third voting stake in his company, will have a similar holding in the new company. 

The spinoff is expected to take a year to be completed. 

What Happened To Former Barbie's Former Rival Bratz?

With the resurgence of Barbie dolls through Greta Gerwig's Barbie, the natural next pick would be a look into the world of the Bratz doll. After all, in many ways, Barbie and Bratz became opposing rivals in the toy world for years.

Girls on the playground would often debate the merits of their favorite dolls. Sometimes, though, they would mix the two together and use their imagination to bridge the gap. With a recent look into Barbie, it begs the question: What happened to Bratz?

What happened to Bratz dolls?

Bratz dolls were released long after Barbie, debuting in 2001. But, they were created by a former employee of Mattel, the company that owns Barbie, so the competition between the two was immediate. Over the years, they've faced public backlash and ridicule.

Bratz dolls are still somewhat available, although they've been discontinued a few times. Not shockingly, Mattel slammed them with a lawsuit due to some similarities and copyright issues. After Bratz's parent company, MGA Entertainment, won the case, they lifted a pause that had been put on the brand.

They even launched a 10 year anniversary line with some modifications. In 2014, the line of the time wasn't available in North America and, when the company came back in 2015, they only lasted for a year before being discontinued again.

Why do people hate Bratz dolls?

The issues in regards to Bratz dolls vary depending on the person. Staunch Barbie lovers weren't happy with the seemingly copy cat creation, but their anger was put to rest when the litigation settled.

A major issue that the Bratz dolls faced was red flags about unrealistic beauty standards. Bratz dolls were very glam in nature, often wearing full faces of makeup. Plus, many argued that the body proportions and facial features were pushing a certain type of standard on young girls.

In fact, the last line of Bratz dolls' main criticisms was that the dolls were marketed towards young girls rather than tween and teen markets which were believed to be better suited to the more 'sexy' look. The adult-like portrayal left parents uncertain about handing over the toy to their kids.

Of course, the body standard argument didn't only apply to Bratz dolls as Barbie has often received the same sort of feedback. However, Barbie supporters often argue that her design is typically more reserved in fashion and that her storyline includes aspirational jobs meant to inspire young women.

Issues with Bratz dolls stemmed beyond just the design. The manufacturer was slammed with allegations of paying its factory workers a very low rate, around $0.515 an hour, according to a report from China Labor Watch.

MGA denied the allegations. After that, the company became ensnared in a variety of legal issues. Lady Gaga even took the company to court at one point, alleging that the company purposefully delayed the release of a doll that was supposed to look like her.

Over all, Bratz dolls certainly had their moment in early 2000s culture, but they haven't stood the test of time as well as brands like Barbie. They're still an option for kids today, but not as widespread.

This was originally published by Distractify

Why Disney Channel's Move To Channel 315 Is Bad News For DStv Customers?

During the month, MultiChoice Africa announced that Disney Channel would be moving from channel 303 to 315 on DStv and these changes were applicable to consumers in Southern Africa. This is most likely due to a change in legislation in some countries if some remember Cameroon and Uganda instilled some very rules over LGBTQ.

This is what prompted Nurses to suddenly get yanked from Telemundo only for it to make a name a comeback with censorship. The laws in these countries were so severe that broadcasters like Telemundo would have lost their licenses to operate in these regions while some could be fined or detained.

MultiChoice may say that Disney Channel had moved to a new channel number and that consumer's viewing experience would remain unhinged. But that's not the case here at all, they took what you know as channel 303 and restricted it's access to consumers in South Africa where the restrictions are lighter.

They acquired Disney Channel's feed used in the East and Western parts of Africa and launched that on channel 315. For those who aren't aware, MultiChoice has two transponders one that covers Southern Africa and another the rest of Africa so they can basically make local variations with channels.

Considering South Africa shares their feeds with other countries residing within Southern Africa including Malawi and Zimbabwe they had to launch duplicate feed but block certain consumers from particular regions from seeing it. Similar to what you have with Moja 9.9. as consumers would have viewed the content on its premium counterpart.

Similar to TLC Africa, this feed viewed outside of South Africa is kind of depressing remember Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur the show that DStv had advertised across their platforms for viewers in Africa for November 25. This managed to debut on the channel in South Africa alongside various European markets.

This has not been made available to consumers outside of South Africa and I would like to believe that MultiChoice Africa and Disney will try to air it at a later stage but heck even Walk The Prank is not airing. Instead in the slots where these shows would appear would be reserved for more Big City Greens or Phineas And Ferb. 

Disney Channel's moves to channel 315 as MultiChoice Africa wants to put it or the expansion of Disney Channel Africa which is what I'd call it is bad news for DStv consumers. Imagine this scenario already happened with Nickelodeon and The Loud House after Nigeria put up a ban Paramount opted to censor the show.

But when further complaints came from other African countries they took out The Loud House completely yet they're willing to air it's live-action counterpart and The Casagrandes. To top it off, Paramount+'s original film The Loud House: No Time To Spy wasn't made available for these consumers.

The results to these restrictions is more zombie TV which is what's seen on Nickelodeon and TLC with Disney Channel joining the ranks.

Despite the tight restrictions, there are consumers in these markets that wouldn't mind watching Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur or The Loud House despite them featuring same sex couples. Disney Channel separating it's operations within in Africa means more content is likely to be divided away from Africa like Andi Mack and The Owl House.

Something New On The Horizon!!! Taxi And Driven By Deceit Are Coming In 2025 To Zee World

 Zee World is a pay-tv channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that distributes a variety of Bollywood films and series is slated to rollout two new shows in 2025. Driven By Deceit (known as Ammayigaru) comes from Zee Telegu while Taxi (known as Amader Ei Poth Jodi Na Sesh Hoy) comes from Zee Bangla.

Synopsis for Driven By Deceit 

Ammayigaru will primarily revolve around Roopa and Prathap Surya Dev, with Raju being a pivotal character. While Roopa is the rich daughter of education minister Prathap Surya Dev, viewers will see her as a unwatched girl who lacks parental care and affection. An incident in the past makes Prathap project his hatred for his wife onto his daughter, but Roopa wants to gain his love and respect.

On the other hand, Raju is Prathap’s right-hand man, who always makes it a point that he looks after Roopa’s best interest. An interesting relationship develops between them, but a shocking twist will take everyone on a rollercoaster ride of dramatic events. But will Roopa be able to gain her father’s love? That’s something that will keep the audience engaged.

Synopsis for Taxi

Urmi Rakshit is the granddaughter of a well known industrialist, Rajat Shubhra Rakshit. After losing her father at a very young age in a car accident which also made her mother sick for a long time, she was brought up by her paternal aunt and uncle (Gayatree Rakshit and Hirak Subhra Rakshit) who pamper her. But unbeknownst to her, their motives are sinister. It is revealed to the viewers that they orchestrated the car accident in which Urmi's father was killed, and their goal is to keep Urmi under their control so they can ultimately take over her share of the family inheritance. 

Satyaki Sarkar is a taxi driver hailing from a middle-class joint family. He was a good student but had to give up his dreams in order to take care of his family, but he dreams of having his own app-cab company someday.