News Shorts: Zee One Launches New Series The Unseen Yanking Off Ruzia Sultan, The Home Channel Is Flipping Homes With Hoarder House Flippers And Disney Channel HD Might Be In Development For DStv Consumers In South Africa

The Unseen can never be seen again

Zee One in a weird turn of events had decided to retract the historical drama Razia Sultan from the schedule and without prior notice slotted The Unseen. It's very strange how they can just pull off a show that was already accessible on Zee World for its entirety and a similar move had befallen Curse Of The Sands.

Synopsis for The Unseen

The Bengali series follows Vikram and his family who live in a house in Laalkuthi that is filled with paranormal inhabitants. The story revolves around how Anamika, after marrying Vikram, reveals the secret of Laalkuthi as she also felt something amiss in the house.

The lead actors are Rooqma Ray as Anamika Roy Chowdhury and Rahul Banerjee as Vikram Dastidar.

The Home Channel launches new show, Hoarder House Flippers

In a red-hot housing market, smart flippers know the lengths they have to go to in order to make the highest profit and, sometimes that means taking on a dingy ‘hoarder house’. Buried under years of clutter, trash and neglect, these neighbourhood eyesores are typically a homebuyer’s worst nightmare, but for three entrepreneurial teams of flippers, hoarder houses offer a unique opportunity.

In each episode, one renovation team digs deep, rolling up their sleeves to take on the full transformation of a dilapidated house. They work day and night to clear out the junk and breathe new life into these challenging properties, turning them into gorgeous, desirable homes, all in the hopes of turning a major profit.

Hoarder House Flippers will broadcast Monday, 24 March 2025 at 12:00. New episodes will also be allocated on Thursday at 20:00 & Friday at 19:00.

Disney Channel getting the HD spotlight

With MultiChoice in the middle of a potential restructuring should Canal+ get approval from regulators to acquire the South African based company has a couple of premium tailored channels that aren't HD. Yes, we're referring to you Disney Channel compared to the amount of reruns on DStv they pulled a good fight.

It's stunning how a secondary network like Cartoonito is able to be HD before Disney Channel but this is a DStv/MultiChoice thing. For sometime, we had teased that Disney Channel would be HD which turned out to be none other than localised feed for some Southern African countries.

But now we're more convinced that this could potentially be an HD feed for the channel as it's floating around with the same channel as channel 303. Disney Channel did rebrand in the United States and who knows maybe alongside a potential HD feed will be makeover and perhaps an unveiling of upcoming shows like StuGO for instance.

A Channel First: Plaas Van Passie, KykNet & Kie's First Ever Brazilian Telenovela Debuts In March 2025

Following the rollout of Sommerdahl Moorde and Viola on eExtra in 2024, it appears as if more outlets are going a similar route as eBranded channel and extending their offering outside of Istanbul. As KykNet & Kie has acquired rights to the Brazilian telenovela Plass Van Plassie (Terra e Paixão).

This will be the first time in over a decade that an M-Net channel had partnered with Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo known for Orphan Of A Nation and Empire. Unlike the previous partnerships, this will be the first series to have been dubbed in local languages (Afrikaans).

Synopsis for Plass Van Plassie 

When her husband is killed in a land grabbing attempt, Aline takes charge of cultivating his land and protecting his family. Facing the powerful Antonio La Selva, responsible for the death of her husband and the largest landowner in the region, Aline is determined to keep possession of her land and invest in its production. However, she didn't expect that she would fall in love with Daniel, son of her rival, who is at odds with his rebellious half-brother, Caio, who, in turn, also falls in love with the girl. In the interior of Brazil, Aline will have to fight two battles: the dispute for her lands and for her heart.

Plass Van Plassie aired on TV Globo from 8 May 2023 and concluded on 19 January 2024 with 221 hour long episodes. It starred Bárbara Reis, Cauã Reymond, Glória Pires, Tony Ramos, Paulo Lessa, Agatha Moreira and Johnny Massaro. 

Plaas Van Plassie will air Mondays to Thursdays at 20:00 CAT from 10 March on KykNet & Kie replacing My Naam Is Farah. Also launching in the month of March will be the sixth and final season of Doodsondes on eExtra and new series Happily Ever After on TLNovelas.

Muvhango Reportedly Cancelled Again On SABC 2 Following Relaunch In 2024

With the public broadcaster technically insolvent, they had some run ins with Danie Odendaal Productions over unpaid expenses for the now axed Afrikaans soap 7de Laan. SABC had to scrape the barrel and find some cash in order to film the last batch of episodes from 7de Laan.

Last year, Muvhango being the last remaining soap on SABC 2 was cut short without any notice from the public broadcaster. They thought rehashing the older seasons to the show would draw in audiences but this led to some backlash and public outcry which promoted SABC to resurrect Muvhango.

They promised a new logo, title and so forth none of which came to fruition and deployed Imbewu star Leleti Khumalo in the hopes that she'll elevate the ratings. But Muvhango hasn't recovered since then, after its short cancellation they show had 1 million viewers from September of last year and that dropped to 900,000 by November.

According to South African entertainer Phil Mphela, Muvhango will not be renewed beyond its current season on SABC 2 meaning it will end by mid 2025 presumably by July to September. At this point, I wouldn't be completely shocked if it weren't replaced with another (Venda) soap I mean look at 7de Laan.

Because of SABC's redundancy, consumers have fled to KykNet and e.tv which by the way launched its first Afrikaans soap in 2024, Kelders Van Gehieme. SABC 3 had launched a rival offering to eExtra's Kuiertyd or alternative to 7de Laan which recieves very little notice from the media and other audiences.

SABC in a response to Phil's announcements doesn't deny or confirm the allegations about Muvhango but stated that the contract for the show will end in July 2025 and at this stage there is no update on a renewal. But if I'm being honest I believe this is the end as the viewership continues to plummet for Muvhango while SABC 1's offering sees stability.

SABC 2 becoming another S3???

This is something that has been floating around platforms for sometime as SABC 3 was hovering around 1.5 million viewers by 2013-5 and now they're sitting with under 300,000-600,000. Then there's Muvhango which only had 900,000 and possibly much lower figures into 2025.

It's not only SABC 2 that is seeing a dip in viewership but even SABC 1, e.tv and Mzansi Magic had seen a drop. If there's anything that these drops are indicating is that broadcasters need to rethink their strategies try to figure out drawing people away from these networks and onto Netflix.

My guess originality, most shows tend to recycle themes or storylines and Netflix has plenty of diversity with their offering. This one is targeted at the elephant in the room (SABC), I feel they shouldn't be overspending on local content even knowing that a fraction of households actually pay TV license.

I think S3 has to go now especially if SABC won't be able to accommodate the big 3 or maybe turn it into an overflow of some sorts for SABC+ and their offering on DTT. Things aren't looking good for the SABC I know they envision that they'll be debt free at some point in the future but cable or at least in South Africa is far from recovery.

Reminder: National Geographic Dishes Up No Taste Like Home With Antoni Porowski This February Across Africa

Every dish tells a story. National Geographic has announced a mouthwatering new series NO TASTE LIKE HOME WITH ANTONI POROWSKI, set to premiere on Wednesdays at 20:30, from 26 February (ends 2 April) on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220) across Africa. This tantalizing six-part docuseries invites viewers to join culinary expert and Emmy® Award-winning star of “Queer Eye” Antoni Porowski as he guides celebrity guests on epic journeys to explore their ancestral gastronomic roots.

 

From the bustling streets of Italy to the lush jungles of Borneo, each episode promises an exploration of the rich heritage tied to beloved family recipes. With a star lineup that includes Emmy-winning actress Awkwafina (“A Real Bug’s Life,” “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens”), SAG-nominated actor Henry Golding (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”), Emmy-nominated actor James Marsden (“Paradise,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”), Academy Award®-nominated actress Florence Pugh (“We Live in Time,” “Dune: Part Two”), Emmy-nominated actress Issa Rae (“Insecure,” “American Fiction”), and Emmy-winning actor Justin Theroux (“The Leftovers,” “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice”), the series serves up a delectable blend of food, culture and personal discovery.

 

“It’s a beautiful adventure to discover our past through the great connector that is food,” said Porowski. “I’m honored to go on this journey of self-discovery with new and old friends alongside National Geographic as we learn together about the ways different cultures celebrate food and experience their traditions.”

In each episode, Antoni and his guests uncover the unique stories behind cherished family dishes, such as the delicious origins of Theroux’s family pasta in Italy or the delectable flavors of Awkwafina’s Korean heritage. Along the way, they meet local travelers who share their own family stories and culinary traditions, culminating in a family meal that includes a classic dish from the region that will illuminate the beauty of each culture. From dining with royalty to off-roading 4x4s, each culinary adventure is filled with heartwarming moments, vibrant flavors, and surprising revelations that dive deep into the stories behind each guest’s ancestry.

Episodes include:

● “FLORENCE PUGH’S ENGLISH ODYSSEY”

Antoni helps Florence explore the origins of her family’s passion for food as they travel through Oxford, the Yorkshire coast and London. Together, they encounter delicious dishes and discover stories of ancestors whose livelihoods set in motion this embrace of food that has transcended generations.

● “AWKWAFINA’S KOREAN HOMECOMING”

Awkwafina lost her mother at a young age. Eager to help her reconnect with her South Korean culinary and ancestral heritage, Antoni curates a voyage of discovery filled with new experiences, family revelations, and evocative flavors, which combine to give Awkwafina a new perspective on her own identity.

● “JUSTIN THEROUX’S ITALIAN QUEST”

Seeking the origins of a family pasta dish, Antoni takes Justin on an Italian road trip full of delicious discoveries and surprising revelations. From chasing chickens to harvesting clams, they sample the region’s finest food and uncover how Justin’s Italian ancestry relates to a family dish that made its way across the Atlantic.

 

● “JAMES MARSDEN’S GERMAN DISH UP”

On the hunt for the origins of the Marsden family’s beloved chicken fried steak, Antoni takes James from the Texas plains to Germany. Together, they discover just how much the experiences of his German forebears have shaped James’ family history. While dining with royalty and scaling the Bavarian Alps, they unearth dramatic secrets behind James’ ancestors’ decision to emigrate.

● “ISSA RAE’S SENEGALESE ROYAL ROOTS”

Antoni takes Issa to her father’s homeland of Senegal, where they uncover ancestral stories of powerful women and royal connections. Through this culinary journey, Issa learns more about her family’s epic history and how it all relates to her own identity.

● “HENRY GOLDING’S MALAYSIAN ADVENTURE”

Antoni takes Henry to Borneo, where they unearth family stories and taste their way to a deeper connection with Henry’s mother’s Iban heritage. As they cook with long-lost family and newfound friends, Henry learns that genealogy in this oral tradition is about far more than storytelling.

Get ready for heartwarming stories, unforgettable flavors, and the joyous exploration of what it means to be connected to our past through food.

NO TASTE LIKE HOME WITH ANTONI POROWSKI is produced by Studio Ramsay Global, building on the prolific food programming relationship between Gordon Ramsay’s production outfit and National Geographic, a partnership rooted in creating four seasons of the award-winning food travelogue GORDON RAMSAY: UNCHARTED. As well as presenting, Porowski will executive produce the series alongside Ramsay and Lisa Edwards. The showrunner is Robin O’Sullivan, and the executive in charge of production is Jill Greenwood. The series is directed by Leo McRea, Jenny Dames and Graeme Hart. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan is executive producer, Charlie Parsons is senior vice president of Development, Bengt Anderson is senior vice president of Unscripted Production, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of Global Factual and Unscripted Content.

Play Room (Live) Vs. Teen Africa TV: Is Anyone Safe In This Game Of Cat And Mouse?

Play Room launched in November 2023 offering a mixture of live-action and animated content part of which were dubbed in local languages to consumers in South Africa. Prior to this, Africa's first channel for teenagers Teen Africa TV was introduced offering locally produced content ranging from reality shows, educational content and movies.

This was MultiChoice's second and third attempt at tapping into the local kids space following the demise of K-TV. With companies such as Disney pivoting toward streaming, MultiChoice was hoping to use Teen Africa TV and Play Room as channels to fill that gap.

Play Room had proved to be a popular addition to DStv following the launch of Play Room Live alongside diverse slate of local content with Bino And Fino (Nigeria), Jabu's Jungle (South Africa) and Akili And Me (Kenya). Teen Africa TV had a Nigerian adaptation of the musical La Voz Kids (The Voice Kids Nigeria) with Teen Street Live.

Fast forward to the present, you could say there have been some bizarre developments regarding Africa's Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.

Play Room has been rehashing if not piling up on content with Teen Titans GO!, Batwheels, Rainbow Rangers and Superhero Kindergarten. Not that it's a bad thing (entirely), most channels nowadays are zombified but viewers need consistency for which the channel lacks.

To make matters worse, Play Room Live appears to be in the danger zone with the channel dubbing it Play Room Live 2.0 following the holiday slumber. Not only has Play Room Live Reloaded been axed but now the youth show runs for half an hour.

At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if it got the boot I mean most kids don't rely on DStv nowadays to watch Cocomelon as everything can be streamed. I mean you don't often Hectic Nine-9 on SABC 2 and even K-TV had a youth show that too got the axe.

As for Teen Africa TV, I'd say it's in a much worser state than Play Room (Live) because now it's like Magic Showcase and broadcasts in certain parts of the day. From what I read, there was even some drama with the crew members for not getting paid for their work on the channel.

This is a channel that MultiChoice picked up in 40+ countries and viewers were perplexed by some of the content in hand particularly the dramas and movies. Disney Channel and Nickelodeon would often exempt themselves from any adult themes and this didn't extend to Teen Africa TV.

With very little marketing or much of a social presence, I wouldn't be shocked if Teen Africa TV were to end up like Media24's HONEY that was meant to be Africa's BBC Lifestyle. There's already a reduction in content and for whatever is commissioned barely gets press.

I wouldn't say the Teen Africa TV concept was a bad idea but it doesn't appear to be feasible which is where HONEY resided. This is a youth channel which is being distributed on a platform that caters for adults and this is the only kids channel with this much local content.

Play Room is more like Akili Kids with a reduced slate it's probably the most safest structure for any kids channel in this climate but if I'm being honest it appears Teen Africa TV is walking on eggshells.