SABC Looking To Launch Openview Competitor

With the government set to turnoff (and delay) the analogue signals by 31 March 2025, SABC, e.tv and several provincial stations are set to lose under 5 million consumers. In the past year, SABC and eMedia's top shows experienced a ratings dip and with these turnoffs it will be hard for these stations to generate enough ad revenue.

So the public broadcaster is looking for an investor who will help kickstart their this DTT venture as seen with eMedia Investments whose Openview services have amassed 3 million households. They are hoping to fill up those households who are set to lose their signals and also attract potential Openview and DStv consumers.

They are looking to perform a trial run with about 10,000/100,000 and depending on the demand could seek to increase the supply.

This DTT venture that will come with a once-off fee will comprise of SABC 1-3 alongside additional channels SABC Sport, SABC Education, SABC Variety and SABC Lehae and their 19 radio stations. The public broadcaster was also said to be rolling out a service tailored for SABC+ on this platform.

If anything, there's a lot of mystery with the distribution of funds from what is known this investor will fork out cash for a million decoders. With the public broadcaster technically insolvent they could be more to this deal maybe even a partnership of some sorts.

MultiChoice has several shareholders in various African markets including Zambia's ZBC that holds a 49% stake in the company. Although, there's not much details over the roles and so forth usually whoever is managing the finances is in charge so they could as well commission more content perhaps through the SABC.

This is platform which puts SABC in the top position so there's no reason why it wouldn't be an unlikely scenario. If anything, with the analogue termination set to commence at some point I don't think this new venture can grow their audience if anything perhaps create some division.

When DStv launched, there were consumers saying "I don't use the SABC" as M-Net and SuperSport existed although SABC remained dominant, there was a dip in viewers. If anything, I'm kind of curious to see if this new venture of theirs will succeed in a market where DStv, Openview and streaming take a large chunk of their potential clients.

The Tom And Jerry Show Might Be Eyeing A Potential Rollout On Cartoon Network In Some Countries

The Cartoonito channel was launched in most parts of the world by 2023 after debuting on Boomerang years prior offering shows like Cocomelon, Thomas And Friends and Dino Ranch. At the time, Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA had stated that remaining shows from Boomerang would form part of Cartoonito 

But that was never the case as Mr. Magoo was picked by Cartoon Network in Africa with the network possibly eyeing The Tom And Jerry Show. It had already been confirmed that the show will be airing in parts of Europe and if I had to guess this may not a complete integration of the franchise.

Prior to this, Cartoon Network (Italy and MENA) had been uploading several content to The Tom And Jerry Show on YouTube and it's too soon to tell when or if the same fate will await Africa. So far Cartoon Network Africa has only uploaded the classic Tom And Jerry (alongside Looney Tunes) so maybe they'll be eyeing those shows.

If I'm being honest, I don't think Cartoon Network Africa will license those shows for the foreseeable future if they hadn't prioritised their older collection of shows for a decade, why start now. Most people that watched the classic iterations aren't watching the channel especially in the era of streaming so again pointless.

Unless this was a reference to The Tom And Jerry Show and Looney Tunes Cartoons then that would make a lot more sense. As for Europe, Warner Bros. Discovery is probably cross promoting/marketing shows we've got plenty of that with Discovery's boutique of channels.

And now even the Warner part is looking to integrate as Harry Potter: Wizards Of Baking is eyeing a debut on Cartoon Network in Africa. This cross promotion is probably Warner's way of giving these shows more exposure some people are like Cartoonito is for toddlers but there's Tom And Jerry so slotting that on Cartoon Network will make them reconsider.

SuperSport Schools Teasing Something Regarding The SABC

SuperSport Schools is a youth based sports brand operated by SuperSport, a division of MultiChoice following the acquisition of School Sports Live. Since it's inception, the brand had garnered a lot of traction offering a variety of sporting content ranging from football, netball, swimming and rugby.

Not long ago, the broadcaster had teased "Something Big Is Coming" and we can only guess by the font and letters incased in the picture that it relates to SABC. I mean a partnership with the SABC shouldn't come as a surprise as the broadcaster had been having on/off relationship regarding sporting rights.

With MultiChoice and SABC that have settled their disputes regarding sporting rights although remain silent on the conditions one has to wonder if SuperSport Schools was likely attached to this deal.

KykNet recently launched a news segment known as SuperSkole Sport and we can only assume that SABC forged a similar deal. SuperSport Schools could as well be launching a news segment under the SABC or better yet a block of some sort similar to BBC Primetime either on SABC 1-3 and Sport.

If there's one thing I find depressing about this deal is that Easyview consumers have to depend on public stations for weekly football matches and now SuperSport Schools. A similar thing with WildEarth as People's Weather (now People's Planet) distributed SafariLIVE only for that to get yanked and WildEarth offered as consolation.

Update: The announcement had been delayed until further notice 

Zee World To Debut New Series "Secrets" For Consumers In The Rest Of Africa By February 2025

Zee World an English dubbed television channel offering a variety of Bollywood movies and series is set to rollout new drama titled Secrets from 9 February 2025. Known as Prema Entha Madhuram in India, the series is set to replace My Journey To You for consumers in the rest of Africa.

Synopsis for Secrets

Based on the Marathi drama Tula Pahate Re (known as Umfihlo on Zee Zonke), the show centers around the love story between a middle-aged businessman, Arya Vardhan, and a young woman named Anu, who is just starting her career in his company.

Despite the significant age difference, they find themselves drawn to each other as they work together, eventually falling in love. However, their relationship is complicated by societal scrutiny and personal secrets, particularly Arya's mysterious past, which adds layers of drama and intrigue to the narrative.

Secrets explores themes of love transcending age differences, the challenges of intergenerational romance, and the complexities of personal and professional relationships. It has been well-received, becoming one of the longest-running shows on Zee Telugu, appreciated for its engaging plot and emotional depth.

It was broadcast on Zee Telegu since February 2020 and had since surpassed over 1000 half hour episodes while it's Marathi counterpart wrapped production. This is the second of six adaptations to have been produced by Zee TV and is currently the only ongoing series.

February 2025 On National Geographic And National Geographic Wild Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Mutant Weather | Returning Shows Including Critter Fixers | More

National Geographic

MURDER IN THE SKIES: WHO DOWNED MH17? (3 x 60)

Sundays at 21:00, from 2 February (ends 16 February)

July 2014. When Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crashes in Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, the circumstances are shrouded in mystery. With a regional war beginning to rage around the crash site, disinformation is everywhere. Western governments are left scrabbling for detail while one civilian is leading the hunt for answers – Dad of two and amateur blogger Eliot Higgins. And with an unlikely team of online detectives by his side, he’s ready to fight all the way to the truth.

MUTANT WEATHER S1 (10 x 60)

Tuesdays at 19:40, from 11 February (ends 15 April)

“Mutant Weather” explores how weather patterns are changing and threatening life on our planet. The series explains why weather-related phenomena have dramatically transformed in the last few decades. Today’s weather events are growing in size, speed and intensity, producing very unusual and often catastrophic anomalies.

NO TASTE LIKE HOME WITH ANTONI POROWSKI S1 (6 x 60)

Wednesdays at 20:30, from 26 February (ends 2 April)

Antoni Porowski takes his adventurous spirit and culinary expertise on an international journey with a celebrity guest to rediscover part of their history and inject and authenticity into their modern recipes.

Returning shows include UFOS: INVESTIGATING THE UNKNOWN S2 on Fridays at 18:50 from 7 February and AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION S24 on Thursdays at 19:40 from 20 February. Continuing shows include ICE ROAD RESCUE S9 on Tuesdays at 19:40 from 17 December, COLOSSAL MACHINES S2 on Tuesdays at 18:50 from 21 January, MYSTERIOUS ISLANDS S1 on Thursdays at 20:30, from 23 January.

National Geographic Wild 

PRIMATES STUNT

Saturdays from 18:00, 1 February (ends 22 February)

The new special is focused on primates, which will include documentaries and educational shows about monkeys, apes, lemurs, and even humans. The programming explore topics such as the behavior, social structures, intelligence, and habitats of primates, as well as their evolutionary connection to humans. They may also address conservation efforts, highlighting endangered species and the importance of protecting primate habitats.

Programming includes: 

Nicobar Islands: A Monkey's Long Tale - Saturday 1 February at 18:00

A captivating exploration of nature's ability to adapt to millennia of gradual changes and a sudden natural disaster in a world few people get to see.

Kingdom of The Apes – Saturday 8 February at 18:00

The story of Titus, greatest of all silverback kings, known to science, as he battles to retain his crown. At 35 years-old, Titus may be reaching the end of his reign.

Madagascar's Legendary Lemurs – Saturday 15 February at 18:00

The island paradise of Madagascar from its towering limestone forests to its lush bamboo grooves provided the almost perfect competition free environment.

Freaks & Creeps – Saturday 22 February at 18:00

Lucy Cooke is on a one-woman mission to show why the ugly, weird and overlooked animals of the world can be cute, cuddly and deserving of attention.

BIG CAT MONTH 2025

Sundays from 18:00, from 2 February (ends 23 February)

National Georaphic Wild presents Big Cat Month 2025, a stunt dedicated to nature’s fiercest felines—big cats—creatures of magnificent strength, ferocity and beauty that are increasingly facing extinction. With visually stunning and powerful stories from around the world, get closer than ever before to lions, tigers, cheetahs, panthers and more, as you share in their triumphs, defeats, and epic struggles to survive. 

Programming includes: 

Jaguar Beach - Sunday 2 February at 18:00

On a remote stretch of beach, the sea turtle and jaguar form an unwitting alliance in each other’s survival, turning predator into protector.

Rare Cat Skills – Sunday 9 February at 18:00

Rare wild cats, like the Pallas’s cat, black panther and snow leopard, use unique skills and adaptations to thrive in challenging habitats.

Desert Lions: Surviving At Skeleton Coast – Sunday 16 February at 18:00

Dr. Philip Stander follows three lion cubs as they navigate Namibia’s deadly Skeleton Coast.

Tree Climbing Lions – Sunday 23 February at 18:00

Big cat biologist Alexander Braczkowski is on a mission. He's got 90 days to count lions in Uganda and learn how the population is doing.

CRITTER FIXERS 3

Mondays at 18:00, from 10 February (ends 28 April) 

100 miles south of Atlanta, Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson are two longtime friends who own and operate the Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital. Together with their loving staff, Drs. Hodges and Ferguson have treated and cared for over 20,000 patients. Between emergency visits to the office, and farm calls throughout rural Georgia - the Critter Fixers are constantly bombarded with unique cases you only see in the country.