How Google Is Becoming Another DStv?

Not long ago, I reported that Google blacklisted thousands of independent and small sites prioritising big brands, affiliate links and forums such as Quora and Reddit. Insidus forms part of those sites that were affected by Google's core updates but alas they don't owe us anything in the end.

Remember when eMedia Investments was fighting to retain their 4 Openview channels on DStv. Think of it like this we were eMedia we made several changes to try and enhance reader's experience but in the end MultiChoice who is Google haven't acknowledged these updates.

MultiChoice has stated in court that eMedia has Openview for those looking to watch Elif and Teletubbies but the reality revenue wise would lead a company to scale back on content. This is what happened in Insidus, although all keywords I ranked on were axed the only search queries are those linking back to our website.

Simple terms: User A would type "eExtra" or "SABC" then several pages from my website would come on now that's been reduced to the website name and link which BTW made up a fraction. While some users would discover a brand by name a majority rely on content which is what Google killed off.

When a user types "Bloedspoor eVOD" in the search engine the first thing to pop-up will be videos of Isitha: The Enemy and Kelders Van Gehieme. Although all three are distributed by the same company it has nothing to do with Bloedspoor.

Now the next results are very accurate with the search term but the problem this comes from social accounts two of which are mine but the reality how many Googlers will even click those links. There has been a talk amongst publishers about zero click results.

In recent months, Google has filled it's pages with ads, affiliate links and sponsored content that there has barely been much visibility for actual content outside Quora and Reddit. This is what consumers have felt about DStv's entertainment offering as MultiChoice cuts channels and continues inflating costs.

Similar to how various outlets had stated DStv is losing its prestige as Netflix banks on NFL and WWE with DAZN that acquired FIFA. Google is facing competition from ChatGPT and TikTok as these platforms have found simpler ways to distribute information and aren't clustered with ads.

Even X (Formerly Twitter) could be branded as off as a Google competitor as it's the top platform for micro blogging a sector which Google is destroying and following Musk's takeover offers monetisation features and Grok that would rival with AdSense and Gemini.

January 2025 On Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Real Time And Discovery | Channel Premiere: How (Not) To Get Rid Of A Body | Returning Shows Including House Hunters International | More

Investigation Discovery 

How (Not) to Get Rid of a Body S1
Explore the outlandish lengths diabolical killers take to get away with murder. These twisted criminal
masterminds make ingenious efforts to dispose of their victims, but the country's top detectives are hellbent on solving these heinous crimes.

First TX: 29 January
TX Day: Wednesday
TX Time: 21:00
Last TX: 5 March

Teen Torture, Inc.
The latest craze sweeping TikTok is not a new dance or cat video. It's first-hand accounts of child abuse at the hands of America's Troubled Teen Industry. Survivors, lawyers, lawmakers and whistleblowers join forces to take down this business.

First TX: 5 January
TX Day: Sunday
TX Time: 21:00
Last TX: 5 January

Discovery Family

Ant Anstead Master Mechanic S1
Ant Anstead uses donor cars, spare parts, handmade components and whatever raw materials he can to build his tribute to the legendary Formula One car, the Alfa Romeo 158. He works with master craftsmen, automotive personalities and friends.

First TX: 17 January
TX Day: Weekdays
TX Time: 20:10
Last TX: 24 January

Dirty Mudder Truckers S1
A crew of top racers in Central Florida, the Dirty 7, battles crews from around the country. The teams go head-to-head in The Pit -- a 750-foot stretch of mud with a 10-foot table top jump -- and the winner takes home cold, hard cash and bragging rights.

First TX: 13 January
TX Day: Weekdays
TX Time: 20:10
Last TX: 16 January

Travel Channel

House Hunters International S113
This spin-off of the wildly popular HGTV House Hunters goes around the globe. Home hunters and their realtors check out all sorts of architectural styles and work through the quirks of buying real estate in other countries.

First TX: 7 January
TX Day: Weekdays
TX Time: 06:00
Last TX: 22 January

Trending Terror S1
Adam Ellis became a viral sensation when he documented his haunting on social media under the hashtag Dear David. Now he helps others escape their own paranormal nightmares as he investigates haunted locations across America.

First TX: 7 January
TX Day: Tuesday
TX Time: 21:10
Last TX: 11 February

Help! My House is Haunted S5
Help! My House Is Haunted is back for a fifth series of chilling cases of paranormal phenomena from across the UK & Ireland. From past life regressions to demonic exorcisms, our specialist team stop at nothing to bring peace to the living…and the dead.

First TX: 1 January
TX Day: Wednesday
TX Time: 21:10
Last TX: 2 April

Real Time

Battle of the Brothers S1
Renowned chefs, restaurateurs and sibling rivals
Bryan and Michael Voltaggio mentor America's next
great chefs in an intense team competition.

First TX: 2 January
TX Day: Weekdays
TX Time: 11:15
Last TX: 9 January

Evil Kin S4
It's amazing what you inherit from your family gene
pool. But what about less-desirable traits? Can you
actually inherit evil from your family tree? Evil Kin
follows true-crime mysteries surrounding cases that
prove blood is always thicker than water.

First TX: 22 January
TX Day: Everyday
TX Time: 22:30
Last TX: 31 January

Houses with History S1
Mike Lemieux, Rich Soares and Jen MacDonald are
three passionate preservationists looking to restore
historic homes around Plymouth, Massachusetts.

First TX: 8 January
TX Day: Weekdays
TX Time: 14:35
Last TX: 15 January

January 2025 On TNT Across Africa | New Year With 5 New Movies | Mark Wahlberg Fan Month | More

*channel premiere in bold

New Year, New Movies
Stunt

We’re turning up the heat with blockbuster premieres every Wednesday! From the intense action of Parallel to the suspense of Confidential 
Informant, each week delivers a new cinematic thrill. Make your New Year’s resolution to never miss midweek movie night on TNT!
*Channel premieres are in yellow text*
Wednesday, 1 January
20:30 Parallel (2024)
Wednesday, 8 January
20:30 Confidential Informant (2023)
Wednesday, 15 January
20:30 Clover (2020)
Wednesday, 22 January
20:30 Haywire (2011) 
Wednesday, 29 January
20:30 Sudden Death (1995)

Mark Wahlberg Fan Month
Stunt

We’re going all out for Mark Wahlberg every Sunday in January by showcasing some of his best films, from Planet of the Apes to Pain & Gain. And for the ultimate fan experience, catch a marathon of his hits on the final Sunday.

Sunday, 5 January
20:00 The Italian Job (2003)
Sunday, 12 January
20:00 Planet of the Apes (2001)
Sunday, 19 January
20:00 Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Sunday, 26 January
13:25 Planet of the Apes (2001) 
15:25 The Italian Job (2003)
17:15 Transformers: Age of Extinction 
(2014)
20:00 Pain & Gain (2013)

Chaos & Chuckles
Stunt

Get ready to chuckle as chaos is taking over TNT this January! Every Saturday night, we have double features of hilarious chaos with movies like Kick-Ass 2, Tropic Thunder, and Shaun of the Dead. It’s the perfect mix of action and absurdity.

Saturday, 4 January
18:10 Tropic Thunder (2008)
20:00 Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
Saturday, 11 January
18:30 Johnny English (2003)
20:00 Johnny English Reborn (2011)
Saturday, 18 January
18:00 Spy (2015)
20:00 Me, Myself & Irene (1999)
Saturday, 25 January
18:00 Coming to America (1988)
20:00 Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Lionel Messi Inspired Animated Series Is Coming To Disney Channel And Disney+

A Lionel Messi-inspired animated series will soon premiere on Disney Channel after Disney Branded Television acquired Messi and the Giants from Sony Music Vision and Sony Pictures Television – Kids, Billboard has learned. 

The sci-fi animated show follows a 12-year-old boy named Leo, who is transported from his home in Argentina into an alternate universe. The series will demonstrate how the character faces adversity, builds a team, and discovers how to become a hero. 

“I always dreamed of being involved in a project that would share the values of sports, the very same values that have been so important to my career, with younger generations,” Messi expressed in a press release. “Nothing truly is impossible with teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and hard work. I look forward to sharing this series with kids around the world, and I hope I will inspire them and motivate them to achieve their own dreams. Ever since I was a kid, I always loved animated series, and I look forward to watching this series with my own kids.” 

Each episode of Messi and the Giants is 22-minutes long and will premiere on Disney Channel, followed by Disney Channel On Demand and globally on DIsney+, and will be available in English, Spanish and other languages.  

“Football — or soccer as we call it in the United States — is the world’s most beloved sport, uniting and captivating millions of fans of all ages,” noted Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “We are proud to work with Lionel Messi and Sony Pictures Television to bring ‘Messi and the Giants’ to our passionate, global kids’ audience. We know that its themes of family, friendship, and teamwork will resonate with not only football enthusiasts but everyone everywhere who loves a great story.” 

“It’s been a privilege to team with Leo and our colleagues at Sony Music on this first-time collaboration,” Joe D’Ambrosia, EVP and general manager, Sony Pictures Television – Kids added. “We’re thrilled that Disney is giving a global platform to this fun take on a classic tale and look forward to launching a global consumer products and branded partnerships program alongside the show’s debut.” 

“There is an incredible team all working together on this project, with Leo’s magic as the inspiration behind it all,” said Afo Verde, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Latin Iberia. “We are thrilled that Disney has now joined our roster to help bring this imaginative series to audiences and inspire fans all around the world.” 

Heads Up! Disney Junior And National Geographic Wild Go Dark In France By January 2025 As Orange Secures Rights To The Disney Channel

The Disney Channel and National Geographic channels will survive in France through Orange boxes. Disney films will also be available 4 months after their theatrical release on Orange's VOD service. The historic operator unveils a reassuring distribution agreement with the American giant.

Following the divorce between Canal+ and Disney, Orange took advantage of the situation and announced, against all expectations, on December 20, a distribution agreement with The Walt Disney Company which strengthens access to Disney content in France and enriches the entertainment offering for Orange TV subscribers.

This partnership allows Livebox subscribers to fully access Disney content through three offers:

Included access for all TV customers to Disney's iconic channels : Disney Channel, the reference channel for young people, and National Geographic will be included from January 2, 2025 for all Orange TV customers, from their decoder and the Orange TV application on smartphones and a wide selection of connected TVs.

The possibility of subscribing to the Disney + streaming service under special conditions. Customers of the Orange Livebox Max offer benefit from a €5 discount for life by subscribing to Disney +, this offer has already been in place since last October. Other TV customers will benefit from a promotion with the first month free to discover the Disney + service. Orange subscribers will continue to be able to watch the platform's programs on their decoder.

Access to Disney films 4 months after their theatrical release on the Orange VOD service  : Orange will offer, through its transactional VOD offer, the latest cinema releases from the Disney group studios (Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures) via the Orange VOD service.

Hélène Etzi, President of The Walt Disney Company France, said, “  We are very pleased to partner with Orange to make our iconic content and stories accessible to as many households as possible,” or 12.4 million French people. It remains to be seen whether other operators such as Free, SFR and Bouygues Telecom will try to reach an agreement with Disney.

The article was originally published by Univers Freebox