BBC Brit Brings South African Talent And Wilderness Adventures To Screens This October

BBC Brit (DStv Channel 120) is turning up the excitement this month with two must-watch additions to its lineup: Tempting Fortune and Strictly Come Dancing. These family-fun entertainment shows are set to captivate audiences across the country, and the best part? They come with a unique Mzansi twist, showcasing the best of South African talent and landscapes.

 

Tempting Fortune, which premieres on 02 October 2024 at 21:00, takes viewers on a thrilling adventure deep into the heart of the South African Wilderness. Twelve strangers must resist lavish temptations and endure a gruelling 18-day trek for a shot at winning an epic cash prize.

 

With Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness as the host of this social experience, viewers will get to see stunning local landscapes across the Eastern Cape – showing off South Africa’s breathtaking beauty.

 

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC Brit for its glittering 20th anniversary, airing every Sunday at 19:00 on DStv Channel 120. Hosted by the dynamic duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, celebrity contestants take to the Strictly dancefloor with their professional partners, aiming to deliver show-stopping performances that will impress the judges and keep them in the competition until the very end.

 

The show’s glittering new season promises even more spectacular performances, featuring South Africa’s very own Motsi Mabuse and Johannes Radebe returning to their roles as judge and professional dancer, respectively. Their presence on the stage brings international recognition to South African talent while also adding to the legacy of one of the world’s most beloved entertainment formats.

When asked about how she feels about the new season’s contestants, Mabuse said, “The class of 2024 is shaping up to be something extraordinary! Each year brings new personalities and new dynamics, and I’m excited to see how they’ll all evolve throughout the season. There’s so much potential, and I can’t wait to see the stories unfold on the dance floor. It’s going to be a phenomenal year!”

Catch all the wild adventures of Tempting Fortune and the sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing only on BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120, this October.

 

As well as South African personalities and locations, BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle (DStv Channel 174) and BBC UKTV (DStv Channel 134) offer a feast of local programming.

 

Joining BBC Lifestyle’s local line-up in October is the brand-new show Listing Mauritius. This follows the success of Listing Cape Town and Listing Jozi, showcasing the island’s breathtaking properties with familiar South African agents. The 10-part property reality show starts on Wednesday, 16 October at 20:00 and is produced by South African production company PD Production.

Get Ready For Matshai Sisters, Mzansi Magic’s Bold New Reality Show Coming In November

Mzansi Magic is about to shake up your reality TV experience with Matshai Sisters, a trailblazing new show that dives deep into the lives of five unforgettable sisters.

 

“While Mzansi Magic has explored many family themes, Matshai Sisters is a game-changer with its focus on an all-female household,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels. “This show offers a unique perspective on how women navigate family dynamics without male figures and is sure to strike a chord with our viewers.”

 

This groundbreaking reality show takes you inside a whirlwind of family drama, fierce battles, and a chilling curse that threatens to tear them apart. These bold sisters are anything but shy! Their candidness and clashes promise to deliver a viewing experience that’s as riveting as it is relatable.

 

Meet the Matshai Family:

Thoko (43): The fiery eldest who’s convinced their family is cursed and is on a mission to heal their fractured bonds.

Phumzile (41): She feels like she sacrificed for the family and raised herself. It’s her time now!

Twins Zanele & Zandile (35): The spirited duo whose close-knit bond creates both unity and chaos.

Busi (25): The youngest sister, whose arrival has only fueled the family’s explosive conflicts.

 

And at the center of it all is their mother, Ntombi Matshai (68), forever caught in the storm of her daughters' relentless disputes.

 

The series kicks off with Thoko’s firm belief that their constant bickering stems from a family curse. Determined to find resolution, she calls a long-overdue family meeting, hoping to bring them together for the first time in years. Deep-seated resentment towards their late father also lingers, as they believe his failure to honor traditional customs, like ‘ukuhlawula’ for four of the five daughters, may be contributing to the misfortunes that plague their lives.

 

Will the Matshai sisters manage to break the curse and rebuild their bonds? Tune in to Matshai Sisters and follow their journey towards healing and self-discovery, premiering in November.

Various Changes Made By MultiChoice And Canal+ Ahead Of The Merger

Below is some of the developments that occurred during the takeover bid between MultiChoice and Canal+

Sanlam acquiring 60% stake in NMS Insurance Services 

A registered South African composite micro-insurer and authorised financial services provider, licensed to underwrite non-life and life insurance products. It has been writing insurance for the past 20 years under the DStv brand of MultiChoice, focusing on device, installation, funeral, subscription waiver, and debt waiver insurance products.

It had been outlined on several occasions that Canal+ is only focusing on core assets being DStv, GOtv, M-Net and SuperSport so it's no surprise that Sanlam would have acquired interest in NMS Insurance Services. With MultiChoice being financially constraint, they need funding in order to sustain their operations and the French doesn't want a hand in this.

Canal+ closing off its branch in Ethiopia 

After partnering up with Bruh Entertainment to launch a rivalled offering to MultiChoice's DStv in Ethiopia, the French broadcaster had announced its exit from the market by 31 December 2024. Since it's launch, the platform has built a local offering with Canal+ Gebeta, Canal+ Novelas and Canal+ Discover with international brands like FilmBox and NBA TV.

Canal+ serves as a dominant player in the French market while MultiChoice caters to the English speaking parts of Africa and these came with various clashes with Ethiopia being one of them. If anything, the question now focuses what fate awaits other rivalled offering in the stable such as ROK Studios and Africa Magic.

DStv losing channels

Within a year, MultiChoice has managed to have lost 12 channels which is the most the pay-tv platform has lost within a decade and only 1Magic was substituted by another TV channel, 1Max. Emmanuel TV, WildEarth, DW and likely PBS Kids had exited their platforms voluntarily meaning MultiChoice cut 8 channels like 1Magic, Me, People's Weather, B4U Movies, One Freestate Televisual, NWTV, Africa Magic Urban and Ginx TV.

MultiChoice hadn't been concrete with consumers on what led to the dismantling of these brands but from what WildEarth suggests it could have been a money problem. Earlier in the year, they were ranting on about how MultiChoice refused to pay for WildEarth despite promises to implement funding.

Let's remember throughout the year, they haven't added any new channels aside from 1Max and prior to takeovers companies tend to cutback.

The end of DStv Premiership 

A few months ago, it was reported that DStv would be cancelling their sponsorship for the PSL a year before it's expiration due to MultiChoice's financial problems which sent shockwaves. It had been alleged that a board member's exit from the company had led to them losing those rights as Betway replaces DStv as the official sponsor with SuperSport holding TV rights. 

Canal+ consolidates it's operations within three segments 

• Canal+ Europe – encompassing the Group’s subscription-TV (including OTT) and advertising-supported free-to-air (FTA) TV businesses across France, the French Overseas and adjacent territories, Poland, Central Europe and Benelux (through its wholly-owned subsidiary M7) as well as telecommunication services in the French Overseas territories;

• Canal+ Africa & Asia – encompassing the Group’s subscription-TV and advertising-supported FTA TV businesses, GVA and CanalOlympia venues across French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa as well as subscription-TV business in Vietnam, Myanmar and Pacific territories, this is where MultiChoice would reside if given the greenlight;

• Content Production, Distribution and Other – encompassing Studiocanal, Dailymotion, Thema1 as well as L’Olympia and the L’Œuvre theater.

For more info: click here 

Canal+ And MultiChoice Have Filed A Merger Control Request With South African Legislation

The merger between CANAL+ and Multichoice continues. The two entities have just filed a joint application for merger control with legislation.

CANAL+ wants to absorb Multichoice in order to become the first pay broadcaster in Africa. The two entities have just informed investors of a new step in the process. 

One more step in the process 

On 30 September, CANAL+ and Multichoice filed a joint merger control application with the European Commission regarding the takeover bid. The South African authority has also been notified, as well as the other regulatory authorities. 

The project is seen as a "major merger" and in this case it requires the approval of the competition authority. The commission will have to examine the file and it will transmit its recommendations. 

Both companies will also continue to provide shareholders with updates on this matter. The terms and conditions previously discussed in the joint circular issued last June remain in effect and have not changed. 

The project is still moving forward and must therefore receive several more approvals in order to continue. It should therefore take several weeks before the merger is effective and CANAL+ takes full control of Multichoice. 

At the end of the transaction, the CANAL+ Group will gain more than 20 million additional subscribers, which will bring it closer to 50 million customers worldwide.

Beyblade X Will Be Making A Dash To e.tv This October

Following the conclusion of Pokémon The Series: Journeys, eMedia Investments had acquired rights to the Japanese anime series Beyblade X following its release in the United States (Disney XD), Canada (Cartoon Network) and Australia (9Go). This would be the broadcasters first attempt at anime within the decade with the series set to aired in October.

Amateur Blader Robin Kazami finds himself out of a team when he is ditched by his friends after a crushing defeat. Lucky for him, a chance encounter with former champ Jaxon Cross leads these two unlikely teammates to join forces. Jaxon intends to climb back to the top of The X under the alias "Blader X" and challenge his old teammate and current champ, Khrome Ryugu. When they find a third team member in mega-popular influencer Multi Nana-iro, the newly-formed Team Persona set their sights on going pro and claiming their spot at the top.

Beyblade series veteran Katsuhito Akiyama is credited as chief director for the anime, while Sotsu Terada (Beyblade Burst Turbo, Beyblade Burst GT episode director) is directing the anime at OLM. Hikaru Muno (High Card) is credited for original series concept and scenario assistance, while Kazuho Hyodo (ReLIFE, Kiratto Pri☆Chan, TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You) is in charge of the series scripts.

The anime series has released 39 episodes so far as of this article's publication in Japan. The animation is being helmed by studio OLM. Studio OLM is one of the oldest anime studios in Japan, and some of its popular works include The Apothecary Diaries (alongside TOHO animation studio), Don't Tease Me Nagatoro, and Komi Can't Communicate.

Beyblade X airs every Friday at 15:45 on e.tv replacing the live-action series Bajillionaires while as eToonz will be adding two new preschool shows to its offering, Dylan's Playtime Adventure and Let's Go Luna.

eToonz To Broadcast Let's Go Luna And Dylan's Playtime Adventures In October

Last month, PBS KIDS ended its run in Africa after 5 years on MultiChoice's DStv scrapping it's last international operation following the channel's closure in Australia by 2023. This meant DStv consumers will be losing access to Arthur, Cyberchase and WordWorld as these shows are not accessible in Africa.

eMedia Investments which serves as a rival broadcaster to MultiChoice had licensed rights to Let's Go Luna. These are one of the various shows PBS Kids hadn't licensed for viewers on DStv so those residing in South Africa will get it to see it for the for the first time when it airs on eToonz in October.

Let’s Go Luna! follows the adventures of three friends – Australian wombat Leo, Mexican butterfly Carmen and American frog Andy – as they traverse the globe with their parents’ traveling performance troupe, Circo Fabuloso. At each of the Circo’s stops, Luna the Moon guides the trio as they get to know the local region and its people.

Each episode of the series created by animator-writer-artist Joe Murray (Rocko’s Modern Life, Camp Lazlo) is made up of two 11-minute stories aimed at preschoolers. It’s produced by 9 Story Media Group’s animation studio Brown Bag Films.

9 Story Media Group's animation studio Brown Bag Films is also responsible for another upcoming show on eToonz in which CBeebies is also set to air, Dylan's Playtime Adventures.

Dylan’s Playtime Adventures features both 2D and CG animation and follows a highly imaginative, multi-colored striped dog who is eager to role-play every career, from a train conductor to a nurse to an astronaut. With just some basic props and some great friends, Dylan transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, jumping feet first into every adventure that comes his way.

Both shows will be made available on eToonz every Thursday at 14:30 from 10 October with repeats on Friday at 06:45. Also within that month, e.tv will broadcast the Japanese anime series Beyblade X.