Channel Closure: Paramount Plans To Shut Down MTV, Nickelodeon And Four Other Pay-TV Channels In Brazil, Following The Skydance Merger

Paramount, which was acquired by Skydance Media in August of this year in a billion-dollar deal, will cease distributing its six linear channels in Brazil on pay TV or streaming. These are: MTV, MTV Live, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, and Paramount. 

According to sources from the report, the reason behind this decision involves a drop in advertising revenue, combined with a decrease in the number of pay TV subscribers. The sports broadcasting rights of the entertainment giant, which include events like the Libertadores, remain valid.

Additionally, the high costs associated with SeAC (Conditional Access Service) also played a role. Paramount's goal is to transform into a Big Tech company, hence the strategy of selling its content directly to the end consumer, without the need for an intermediary.

Paramount was acquired by Skydance

The restructuring of Paramount, which includes this and other significant changes, was promised as early as August 2025, when the company was acquired by Skydance Media in a $8 billion deal. 

The group is led by David Ellison, who sent a message to the entertainment giant’s employees, signaling the start of a new management and announcing guidelines aimed at transforming the industry’s operations in the coming years. 

At the time, one of the main changes announced was the unification of the Paramount+ and Pluto TV streaming platforms, which is expected to occur by 2026. With this, the company aims to make its experience more competitive to face rivals, such as Netflix.

ICYMI: Universal TV And Bravo Replaced M-Net's Me And 1Magic On Canal+'s DStv English Plus Package

Last year, MultiChoice and M-Net made the decision to yank both Me and 1Magic from DStv with the offering that formed part of a revamped Showmax streaming service in line with NBCUniversal. For a limited time, 1Max served as a trial run to Showmax that was available to premium consumers.

It shuttered on the DStv platform during the year with shows like Tracking Thabo Bester and Adulting folded under Mzansi Magic. Since then various DStv consumers have been under the perception that Canal+ following its buyout of MultiChoice has plans to replace these channels.

And there's several reason why MultiChoice and M-Net decided to do away with both Me and 1Magic. Firstly as mentioned was with the rollout of Showmax, M-Net and MultiChoice are doing what Disney did with FOX and Disney XD - prioritizing on core brands.

Aside from Me and 1Magic, they had closed several brands in the last year mainly secondary networks like Africa Magic Urban, Maisha Magic POA and Akwaaba Magic.

Since Me and 1Magic's departure, Universal TV has continued bolstering it's international portfolio with FBI, The Equalizer and Chicago Med with Married To Medicine and The Real Housewives on Bravo. Aside from DStv, Canal+ Afrique had been distributing these brands in place of Me and 1Magic.

Killing off any possibility of a follow-up I mean M-Net has reshuffled these channels multiple times in the last decade while NBCUniversal was able to sustain their brands. Canal+ had emphasized continuing it's partnership with global media companies.

A Year Ago, M-Net Ripped Away International Formats Of The Real Housewives From DStv, NBCUniversal Scoops Them Up For Bravo

Last year, MultiChoice and M-Net made the decision to yank both Me and 1Magic from DStv with the offering that formed part of a revamped Showmax streaming service in line with NBCUniversal. For a limited time, 1Max served as a trial run to Showmax was available to premium consumers.

It offered original productions like Tracking Thabo Bester and Youngins alongside international series like Knuckles and Basketball Wives. Of course, what was absent from this lineup was the international formats of The Real Housewives.

Before Bravo, 1Magic was South Africa's iteration of the channel with an extended lineup of content very much like how M-Net is compared to HBO. When that was taken away and suddenly repackaged on Bravo (formerly E!), 1Max lost any potential value.

Now Bravo which is not only a replacement to E! but also The Real Housewives on 1Magic will be expanding the franchise with the rollout of The Real Housewives Of London.

Summary of The Real Housewives Of London 

The Real Housewives of London introduces six glamorous, stylish and bold women who are making their mark across the capital’s most prestigious postcodes. From Belgravia to Chelsea, these women balance ambition, family and fierce friendships – all while living life at full volume. Whether hosting lavish dinners, escaping to a Scottish castle, or rebuilding bonds over bottles of champagne, they’re navigating life, legacy and loyalty in a city where wealth whispers and grudges roar. With big personalities, deep histories, and no shortage of designer drama, the path to connection is never simple – but it’s always captivating. London’s calling... and this group always answers.

Coming up this season:

• Chicago native and now a resident of West London, Juliet Angus is a wife and mom of two. She has been making serious waves east of the Atlantic, initially capturing the hearts of reality TV fans as a cast member on Ladies of London. A social media influencer, global brand partner, stylist, and former fashion publicist, Juliet has carved out a reputation as a tastemaker on both sides of the pond.

• A former model turned entrepreneur and mother to 27-year-old artist daughter, Amanda Cronin is the founder of the Amanda Caroline Beauty skincare brand and runs The Secret Door, an aesthetics and wellness clinic in Belgravia. A fixture on London’s elite social scene with a jet-set lifestyle, she has close ties to Meredith Marks (The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City) and Dorinda Medley (The Real Housewives New York City).

• Born in Jamaica, Karen Loderick-Peace moved to the UK in her twenties, where she later met her husband Jeremy, former chairman and owner of West Bromwich Albion F.C. The couple share three children and own five luxurious properties across London, Jersey and Barbados. She is currently preparing to launch her own fashion label, reflecting her passion for style and design. A former cast member of The Real Housewives of Jersey, Karen is well-acquainted with the glamorous world of The Real Housewives franchise.

• Australian native and former Miss Galaxy Universe, Juliet Mayhew moved to the UK at the age of 12. Now living in one of Chelsea’s most desirable neighbourhoods, Juliet is married to ‘Tiggy’, with whom she has two teenage children. A former actress turned creative producer, she is a committed philanthropist and also specialises in hosting immersive events through her successful event planning company – catering to some of the world’s most elite clients. She shares a close friendship with Caroline Stanbury (The Real Housewives of Dubai).

• Born in Iran, Panthea Parker moved to England at the age of four. She lives in North London with her husband Ed and their three children; she also has an adult son from her first marriage. Known for her high-society lifestyle and formidable social circle, Panthea has embraced a life of glamour having been on the Mayfair scene since the ‘90s where she was a fixture at Annabel’s partying with A-listers.

• Born and raised in London, Nessie Welschinger shares her Chelsea family home – and a 500-year-old estate, nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds – with her husband Remy and their three children. A former Global Head of Equity at Schroders, she now runs the renowned Chelsea Cake Company, boasting high-profile clientele including Queen Elizabeth II, having made one of her 90th birthday cakes. Nessie also showcased her skills on Bake Off: The Professionals, further cementing her reputation in the world of patisserie.

The Real Housewives of London is the 30th instalment in the immensely popular franchise. The series is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio UK Productions (UTAS UK productions), a division of the Universal Studio Group.

The Real Housewives of London premieres on Bravo Africa (DStv 124) on 12 October at 7 PM, with new episodes airing every Sunday.

New Series Alert: Izithembiso Coming Soon To Zee Zonke

Zee Zonke, a Zulu dubbed Bollywood channel operated by Zee TV Africa will be adding the Marathi family drama Lakhat Ek Amcha Dada. With the series to air daily at 18:00 as Izithembiso from Monday 20 October.

Synopsis for Izithembiso 

Izithembiso follows Surya, affectionately called "Dada" (elder brother), who takes on the responsibility of ensuring his four younger sisters find suitable, loving, and prosperous marriages. Coming from a modest background, Surya sacrifices his personal dreams and ambitions to support his family, facing various hurdles like financial struggles, societal expectations, and interpersonal conflicts. 

As the story unfolds, it explores the sisters' individual journeys, romantic developments, family dynamics, and Dada's unwavering commitment, blending drama, humor, and emotional highs. The narrative highlights how Dada's "one-in-a-million" spirit inspires those around him.

Based on the Tamil series Anna, it emphasizes themes of sibling devotion, arranged marriages, and overcoming societal challenges in a traditional Indian family setup. It has gained popularity for its emotional storytelling and relatable characters, airing daily episodes that resonate with Marathi audiences.

Izithembiso premiered on Zee Marathi from July 8, 2024 and concluded on October 4, 2025 after 428 half hour episodes. It starred Nitish Chavan as Suryakant Shankar Jagtap and Disha Pardeshi/Mrunmayee Gondhalekar as Tulja Jalindar Nimbalkar.

Former ICASA CEO To Lead MultiChoice Pty. Ltd (LicenceCo)

Former CEO of communications regulator Icasa Willington Ngwepe has been appointed as CEO of MultiChoice LicenceCo, the company that houses DStv’s subscription broadcast licences in South Africa.

“Ngwepe brings extensive executive leadership and regulatory experience to the role. His most recent role was executive head of regulatory affairs at MultiChoice Group, where he played a central role in guiding the company’s engagement with regulatory authorities, including the approvals process for the Canal+ transaction across Africa,” MultiChoice said in a statement on Monday.

LicenceCo was created ahead of the acquisition by French broadcasting giant Groupe Canal+ of MultiChoice Group with the aim of isolating the former’s South African broadcast licensee and excluding it from the assets being acquired at group level.

This sought to avoid violating the Electronic Communications Act, which restricts foreign entities from owning and having voting rights higher than 20% in a South African broadcast licensee. LicenceCo is also the entity that South African subscribers will contract with regarding their DStv subscriptions.

AfriFund Investments, a shareholder alongside Identity Partners and MultiChoice black empowerment scheme Phuthuma Nathi in LicenceCo, is led by former Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko. Maseko has been appointed as “board observer” at LicenceCo.

“These developments constitute a significant milestone in strengthening the governance of MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. The appointment of an experienced and independent board, together with the leadership of Willington as CEO, ensures continuity, compliance and stability for the operations in South Africa,” said MultiChoice.

Other nominations

News of the appointments at LicenceCo follow the consummation last month of Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice, which has seen the appointment of David Mignot as MultiChoice Group CEO. He replaced Calvo Mawela, who has shifted to the role of chairman of Canal+ Africa.

Mawela and Mignot also have nominated by MultiChoice Group to also serve on the LicenceCo board. Lerato Pule was nominated by Phuthuma Nathi to serve as its interim representative. Other nominations to the board include Sonja de Bruyn of Identity Partners and Sizeka Magwentshu-Rustenburg. Magwentshu-Rustenburg will serve as board chair.