Canal+ Shuts Down It's Pay-TV Operations In Ethiopia

Last year, it was reported that Canal+ would be shutting down its pay-tv operations in Ethiopia after 3 years siting poor consumer growth. Another may have to do with its ongoing transaction to acquire MultiChoice with them also offering services in Ethiopia seek to revamp their operations and ease restrictions.

Canal+ Ethiopia comprised of several channels including Canal+ Gebeta, Canal+ Discover, FilmBox Africa and Love Nature with KIX, Real Time and Cartoon Network already distributed on DStv. With the platform already shuttered, part of this offering has since then been merged with Canal+ Afrique.

Should the takeover move ahead, Canal+ would gain access to M-Net, SuperSport, DStv and GOtv which are viewed as core brands for the broadcaster. Besides that, MultiChoice substitutes most of the local offering viewed by the defunct Canal+ Ethiopia with Abol TV (local content), Zee Alem (telenovelas) and SuperSport Liyu (sports).

Canal+ could restructure this services and perhaps integrate some content from their defunct linear offering. Of course, it is just speculation worst case scenario would be shuttering DStv's services in the region as South Africa remains a highly profitable market for MultiChoice.

It could be that similar to Canal+ Ethiopia, Canal+ looks to close or integrate some of DStv's services within Africa. Aside from MultiChoice, Canal+ is looking to acquire another African pay-tv provider MC Vision after increasing its hold of the company to 75%.

Is MultiChoice Still Planning To Remove eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra And eExtra From DStv?

As some of you may have already heard, eMedia Investments had settled things with MultiChoice regarding eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra by September of last year. There was very little buzz or press from both parties particularly eMedia Investments that made several attempts to retain these channels.

This led to them even going through a 2 and a half year carriage battle with MultiChoice but this didn't end because one party decided to retain these channels but rather eMedia Investments realised the money wasted on legal fees was putting a damper in their money bin so where does this leave DStv consumers if you may ask.

Well as it stood, eMedia Investments' channels were slated to go dark on DStv by August 2024 as ongoing legal action is what prompted these 4 channels to stay onboard. The year is drawing to a close and if these channels are still seen on DStv we can only assume one of several outcomes.

Firstly an extension had been reached between both parties and MultiChoice had a change of heart as seen with the relaunch of WildEarth which some are prompting to the takeover by Canal+. Of course, the duration to such agreement, settlement, obligation or however they want to put it is what's keeping eMedia Investments quiet.

Could it be that these channels aren't out of the woods yet?

MultiChoice made a similar deal with the SABC back in 2017/8 that SABC Encore would be axed on their platforms by May 2020 and this was something neither party addressed when renewing their agreement. Maybe MultiChoice just gave these channels an extended vacation and are planning to remove them later.

This whole process could take months into 2025 maybe March which is when the current financial year period ends or May which would date back to when these channels were officially removed. In general, all I'm saying here is this agreement doesn't sit well with me why the secrecy particularly with eMedia Investments.

Maybe I'm wrong or partially and MultiChoice just looks into retaining a few channels on their platforms alongside e.tv and eNCA. But then again, Disney and BBC Studios had announced extensions to their contracts yet eMedia Investments doesn't and retaining them on DStv was a priority.

2025 On Insidus | Channel Premieres: Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, Suits: LA And The Gelukbringers | Returning Shows Including Road To Destiny And Mr. Bean | More

Some of these titles are rumoured 

Regular Nick

• Cartoon Network/Cartoonito/Adult Swim: Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, Lana Longbeard, Dino Ranch: Island Explorers, Common Side Effects, Lazarus, Invincible Fight Girl, Dragonball: Daima (Rumour), Go Go Mystery Machine, The Karters, Mermicorno: Starfall, Baby Lemmings and Mr. Bean S4.

• Disney Channel/Disney Junior/Disney+: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, StuGo, Phineas And Ferb S5, Vampirina (Live-Action), Doomies, Hey AJ, Kindergarten: The Musical, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Reboot, Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends,  Robogobo, Messi And The Giants, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Win or Lose, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies and How We Became The Biggest Band In The World.

• Nickelodeon/Nick Jr./Nicktoons: Avatar: The Last Airbender Sequel Series, Super Duper Bunny League and The Thundermans Undercover.

Other premieres Motel Transylvania, Winx Club, Long Story Short, Devil May Cry, Leviathan, Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight, SpongeBob Squarepants (Play Room), Fireman Sam (Play Room), The Thundermans (Play Room), Archibald's Next Big Thing (DreamWorks) and The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (eToonz).

Everyday Novelas

• Telemundo: La Mujer De Mi Vida (The Woman Of My Life), The Count: Love And Honor (El Conde: Amor Y Honor), La Venganza De Analía (Ana's Revenge), Sed De Venganza (Thirst For Vengeance) and La Jefa (Woman Of Steel Remake).

• TLNovelas: Un Refugio Para El Amor (A Shelter For Love), Un Camino Hacia El Destino (Road To Destiny), Perdona Nuestros Pecados (Family Sins),

Nadie Como Tú (One Of A Kind), El Amor Invencible (The Invincible Love), Eternamente Amándonos (Happily Ever After), Tierra De Esperanza (Land Of Hope) and Vencer La Ausencia (Overcoming Loss).

• Zee TV channels: One More Try (Zee World SA, January 3rd), Taxi (Zee World), Driven By Deceit (Zee World SA, January 8th), Ruzia Sultan (Zee One, January 13th, Married Again (Zee One, January 13th), Curse Of The Sands (Rebroadcast on Zee One, January 13rd), Fire & Ice (Zee One, January 13th),  Age Is Just A Number (Zee One, January 13th) and My Daughter's Keeper (Zee One, January 26th)

• eMedia channels: Gelukbringers, Chrysalis S3, Doodsondes S6, Bloedspoor, Eet Wit Leuen, Stout, Housewives, uMbali, Mother Of All, Nyama Battle and Splintered Pieces.

Rumoured shows include Ventino: El Precio De La Gloria (The Price of Glory, Ventino), Rojo Carmesí (Crimson Red), Escupiré Sobre Sus Tumbas (Until You Burn), Hercai (Inconstant Love) and Sefirin Kizi (The Ambassador's Daughter) and Gülcemal (Rose Faced).

DStv Flex:

• M-Net/Showmax/Universal TV: Paris Has Fallen (Rumour), Shifting Gears, Doc, Watson, The Pitt, The Hunting Party, Extracted, The Americas, Suits L.A., Grosse Pointe Garden Society, FBI, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Dexter: Resurrection, Sheriff County, The Burbs, Lanterns, Murder In A Small Town, Celtic City, It: Welcome To Derry, Happy Face, Snowflakes and Revival.

• Canal+ pending takeover to acquire MultiChoice set to conclude by April 2025

• Skydance pending takeover of Paramount Global which might conclude by mid 2025

• Comcast's upcoming spinoff which comprise of SYFY, E!, MSNBC and CNBC set to rollout by fall 2025.

• Warner Bros. Discovery folding its linear operations like Cartoon Network and Discovery under Global Linear Networks with Max and Warner Bros. Pictures under Streaming & Studios which is also set to rollout by mid 2025.

For more developments you can visit the upcoming section on this link: click here

Play Room To Debut DC's Longest Running Animated Series "Teen Titans GO!" In January 2025

Play Room, a South African based children's channel operated by Ngwato Nkosi Group that offers a mix of animated and live-action content has acquired rights to the first season of Teen Titans GO!. This comes after the broadcaster had acquired Batwheels and various films from the DC Superhero Girls franchise.

Synopsis on Teen Titans GO!

The character-driven comedy series focuses on the funny that happens in between saving the world and living together as teenagers without adult supervision. The comedic mayhem of the animated series is punctuated by pranks and the occasional need to fight crime, but it will also deal with the everyday issues of adolescence. With epic staring contests to decide who does the laundry, a series of quests and battles to construct the perfect sandwich or fighting crime in Jump City , one thing is for sure, these Titans will always be ready for an adventure inside the house and out.

The principal voice cast from the original Teen Titans series, based on DC Comics characters, will reprise their roles in Teen Titans Go!, with Scott Menville as the voice of Robin, the slightly power-mad perfectionist and leader of the Teen Titans. Hynden Walch voices Starfire, an alien struggling to fit in; Tara Strong voices Raven, the sardonic, deadpan demon girl; Greg Cipes returns as the slightly dim but always loveable loafer, Beast Boy; and Khary Payton provides the voice of Cyborg, a laidback kid who is half teen, half robot.

Since it's rollout on Cartoon Network, it serves as one of the longest running animated series in DC history with its 400th episode broadcast by the channel globally. This was accompanied with an all day marathon and a new short form series, Beast Boy: Lone Wolf.

The first season of Teen Titans GO! will broadcast daily on Play Room at 15:00 from 2nd January with the series also viewable on Cartoon Network.

January 2025 On The Home Channel | Returning Shows Including Open Homes S6 | Popular Demands Including Cook With Luke S1 | More

 Primetime 

Angela Scallon presents this property makeover series where homeowners are given the opportunity to see what their homes could be with the help of virtual reality. This experience enhances creativity and personalisation while helping to identify potential design flaws and spatial issues. Two architects look over the homes and completely redesign them to better suit the tastes and requirements of the homeowners. They present compelling ideas and the homeowners choose the one which they feel would best suit their needs. These technologies immerse potential homeowners in a fully interactive 3D environment, allowing them to explore every detail of their designs—from room layouts to finishes and furnishings. This is an opportunity for people to see how their homes could be transformed before they start building or decorating.

Your Home, Made Perfect

Season 2

Monday, 30 December 2024

09:00

Sunday, 09 February 2025

PRIME: Fri 21:00

Mon 09:00 | Tue 13:00 & 23:00 | Wed 08:00 & 17:00 | Thu 12:00 | Fri 21:00 | Sat 14:00 | Sun 11:30 & 22:00

.

Take a tour through some of the most awe-inspiring properties you’ll ever see. Join our expert designer hosts as they peek through homes with endless water views, restored historic mansions, life-changing gardens and cuttingedge modern homes that need to be seen... so you can talk about them with your friends the next day. If you’re renovating, building, or just addicted to looking through stunning houses you’re going to love ‘Open Homes’.

Open Homes

Season 6

Monday, 20 January 2025

16:00

Sunday, 30 March 2025

PRIME: Wed 20:30

Mon 16:30 | Tue 22:00 | Wed 20:30 | Thu 15:30 | Fri 12:30 | Sat 17:30 & 00:30 | Sun 13:00 & 21:30

Whether you're a design fanatic or simply seeking ideas for your next renovation, we're here to ignite your creativity as we uncover the wonders of interior design. Join us as we sit down with design experts to discuss the latest trends and popular styles. We'll also travel to meet talented artisans who craft stunning furnishings and accessories to enhance your space. Plus, we'll explore exquisitely designed homes and converse with top interior designers about their unique styles, inspirations, and the challenges they encounter along the way. Get ready for a fresh season of Design for You with Sam Alexander, exclusively on The Home Channel

Design for You

Season 9

Monday, 20 January 2025

16:00

Sunday, 20 April 2025

PRIME: Tue 19:00 & Wed 20:00

Mon 16:00 | Tue 19:00 | Wed 20:00 & 22:30 | Thu 11:00 | Fri 12:00 & 15:00 | Sat 15:00 & 22:00 | Sun 10:30 & 19:00

Other Programming

Looking and feeling your best has never been easier with Luke Hines in your kitchen. Learn how to celebrate fresh, seasonal produce that tastes as good as it looks. Food so deliciously easy the whole family can get involved, and the best part is, you’d never know it was so good for you! Australia has fallen in love with healthy cooking and Luke will cover the latest trends and cook it - gluten-free, vegan, vego, paleo and low-carb keto. From guilt-free snacks to food for the whole family, there is something for everyone and you 'll know how to cook it in no time.

Cook with Luke

Season 1

Monday,13 January 2025

11:00

Sunday, 09 March 2025

PRIME: Tue 18:00 

Mon 11:00 & 22:00 | Tue 18:00 | Wed 23:00 | Thu 10:00 | Fri 14:00 | Sat 07:30 & 20:30 | Sun 14:00 

Britain’s favourite property expert, Sarah Beeny, her husband Graham Swift and their four boys Billy (15), Charlie (13), Raffey (11) and Laurie (10) have all quit their lives in London to start anew in the country. They’ve bought a semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset where, surrounded by 220 acres of farmland, they’re going to immerse themselves in everything rural life has to offer. They’re also planning on building the house of their dreams; a modern stately home in one of their fields. That is if they can ever get planning permission from the local council.

Sarah Beenys New Life in the Country

Season 2

Monday, 20 January 2025

12:00

Sunday, 23 March 2025

PRIME: Thu 20:00 & Fri 19:00 

Mon 12:00 | Tue 10:00 & 16:00 | Thu 20:00 | Fri 08:00 & 19:00 | Sat 12:30 | Sun 16:30 & 23:30

Brother and sister duo Jake and Jazz Smollett team up to transform the living, work, and play spaces of millennial families in Living by Design with Jake and Jazz. They know how to hold it down in fashion, food and design! In this series, Jake and Jazz create simple solutions to everyday design dilemmas for aspiring millennial families. Whether it’s a new mom redecorating a nursery on a tight budget, a fierce young woman who’s landed her dream job and now has to spruce up her home office or a young couple moving into their first home, LIVING BY DESIGN will help transition their houses into homes.

Living by Design

Season 2

Monday, 27 January 2025

10:30

Sunday, 18 May 2025

PRIME: Mon 19:30 & Thu 18:30

Mon 10:30 & 19:30 | Tue 14:30 & 22:30 | Wed 11:30 | Thu 18:30 | Fri 23:30 | Sat 10:30 | Sun 09:00

The Healthful Life will make sure you have the tools you need to create nom-worthy food filled with nothing but glow-gaining goodness. Comedian and aspiring healthy person Jahannah James will ask experts to show her how to live cleaner, and together they sort the gluten-free wheat from the chaff. And while the foods in the oven, they’ll discuss other ways to tackle her wellness issues too, from going vegan without wasting away, to reducing stress, to getting clearer skin.

The Healthful Life

Season 1

Monday, 27 January 2025

14:00

Sunday, 23 February 2025

PRIME: Wed 18:00 & Thu 19:00

Mon 14:00 | Tue 15:00 | Wed 18:00 | Thu 19:00 & 23:00 | Fri 10:00 & 22:30 | Sat 08:00 & 15:30 | Sun 14:30