Marianne, eExtra's Brand New French Crime Drama Launches In March

eExtra, a general entertainment channel that offers telenovelas and drama series from Turkey, India and Asia launches a new series, Marianne. It is a french crime drama that is scheduled to launch on the channel from 1st March at 7PM.

Synopsis for Marianne 

Known as Marianne, One of a Kind! or Judge Marianne) follows Marianne Vauban, a highly unconventional and outspoken investigating judge based in Toulon. Marianne solves complex, often bizarre crimes alongside Captain Raphaël Pastor and her loyal court clerk, Yves Marguet.

A decade-old cold case involving the murder of a prostitute is central to the plot. Marianne promised the victim's son, Zacharie, that she would find the killer. In Season 1, she takes the gifted teenager under her wing while working to re-open the officially closed investigation.

The series first aired in Switzerland in August 2022, followed by Belgium and on France 2 in September 2022. It stars Marilou Berry as Marianne Vauban, Alexandre Steiger as Raphaël Pastor, Stéphane Pezerat as Yves and Alka Balbir as Selma.

The first season consists of 6 episodes each with a 52 minute duration. A second season was also produced with filming shifting to Marseille.

In other developments, eMedia Investments had announced that they'll be cancelling Kelders Van Geheime after 2 seasons with it to conclude in August 2026. Other shows also ending soon include House Of Zwide, Smoke & Mirrors and Scandal!.

Canal+ Confirms That Major Changes Are Coming Soon For Showmax, No Word On DStv Stream

Since Canal+'s acquisition of MultiChoice in late 2025, the French broadcaster has been slashing costs aiming for R7.5 billion in 2030. Most of these cuts will be coming out of M-Net, SuperSport, Showmax and DStv. 

David Mignot who served as the CEO for the merged group has admitted that it is a commercial failure. Despite MultiChoice attempts at revamping the service, trading losses for Showmax almost doubled in the last two years to R4.9 billion.

Talks were underway with Comcast in regards to the future of Showmax with the company that confirmed major changes are rolling out soon. From the looks of things, it appears as if they plan to either replace or close Showmax.

In an interview, Canal+ had stated that the company “can’t continue” operating the streaming platform as it is today. They're also exploring launching the self titled OTT service to the market but delays have occured due to Showmax.

Although the company has remained hush on what those changes for Showmax could as well be for consumers. One of which occured last month when The Gilded Age and Peacemaker exited the streamer as MultiChoice opted to scrap its HBO deal.

They had mentioned that further reductions are coming to Showmax and you can only assume this would have to do originals like Die Kantoor, Youngins and Outlaws.

It's possible that Canal+ decided to no longer produce original content for the platform and are letting these shows run its course. Let's remember, Canal+ has delayed contractual agreement for local content on M-Net's channels.

Prior to the delays, Canal+ had been widening the windows for these shows between Showmax and DStv. Post the takeover, DStv consumers had to wait several months for these shows and under Canal+ it only takes a couple of days.

Then there's the Premier League package which I can assume is also going away with further efforts being redirected to whatever comes of DStv Stream.

One thing that hasn't quite as yet been addressed by Canal+ is how DStv Stream would come into affect once it's streaming service enters the market. This yet to be launched service is just DStv Stream with additional enhancements.

For all we know, Canal+ could close DStv Stream and redirect viewers to its own streaming service and the same outcome could await Showmax.

Again maybe it's not all over for Showmax and Comcast opts to unburden MultiChoice of its duties. But the reality is this won't save "Showmax Originals" and Comcast could opt for a licensing agreement which is mainly for archived content.

March 2026 On History Across Africa | Channel Premiere: Lost Grail With Alice Roberts | Returning Shows Including Ancient Aliens: Origins | More

Brand New & Exclusive 

ANCIENT ALIENS: ORIGINS S2

01 February

Sundays 12:55

Ancient Aliens: Origins takes viewers back to where it all began, revisiting the most compelling mysteries explored over the past 15 years of Ancient Aliens. Season two explores extraterrestrial teachers, extraterrestrial rituals, otherworldly rulers and other mysteries. Across the world, sacred sites have long been viewed as gateways to the stars. Could there be more to the legends? This season also delves into the crypti d mystery and whether accounts of monstrous creatures in various cultures could be part of a deeper patt ern of contact with something not of this world.

Brand New 

LOST GRAIL WITH ALICE ROBERTS 

15 February

Sundays 20:15

Alice Roberts investigates Britain’s Holy Grail legend, beginning on the Isle of Wight with the story of Joseph of Arimathea before heading to Glastonbury to explore claims that he buried the Grail beneath the Tor. Experts assess the tale’s historical credibility, while research in Oxford reveals that the Grail link emerged later in literature and became tied to King Arthur. In Wales, Alice uncovers related myths of sacred vessels, then follows the trail through London and the Knights Templar to Scotland’s Rosslyn Chapel, where a mysterious wooden bowl was found. Ultimately Alice finds peace among Templar ruins, revealing that the Grail’s true power may lie in personal discovery…not physical proof. Repeat: Saturday 21:05

THE PROOF IS OUT THERE S5

21 February

Saturdays 19:25

Host and veteran journalist Tony Harris is once again on a quest for answers, calling out the hoaxes, and highlighting the most credible evidence. Did ocean scientists discover an unknown life form? Was a UFO tracking an American fighter plane? Do the chemicals found on two fishermen’s clothes prove they were abducted by aliens? These are just a taste of the compelling questions this season seeks to answer through expert analysis of archival visuals. Repeat: Sunday 18:40

THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND S13 

27 February

Fridays 20:15

The #1 US Hit returns. Is it pirate treasure, a Viking hoard, or a lost biblical relic? No one knows, and anyone who has tried to find out has been met with dangerous setbacks, including booby traps! The Lagina brothers deploy technology like never before in this season, but there’s an even bigger obstacle: A prophecy predicts seven people will die before the treasure is found. The death toll so far is six. Tune in for a 3-hour special on 27 February. The normal duration show will resume from 6 March. Repeat: Monday 12:35

Lost Women Of Alaska: SA‑Born Killer’s Case Becomes The Focus Of A Powerful New Documentary Premiering On ID Africa In March

Leading true crime network Investigation Discovery brings the Emmy‑nominated LOST WOMEN franchise back with a gripping new instalment. LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA unpacks the chilling crimes of a South African‑born killer whose actions shook a remote community and exposed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect vulnerable women. This three‑part event invites African viewers into a gripping investigation that uncovers how two Indigenous women were targeted, overlooked, and ultimately connected through a trail of evidence that stunned authorities.

 

Over three gripping hours, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA premieres on Sunday, 8 March at 21:00 on ID Africa (DStv channel 171).

 

“Expanding the LOST WOMEN franchise allows us to shine a light on cases involving underrepresented women, and LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA confronts the devastating intersection of race and systemic failures that perpetuate violence against Indigenous women. I’m honoured to continue this partnership with ID to amplify these crucial stories and create bold, meaningful work,” said Executive Producer Octavia Spencer.

 

As the LOST WOMEN franchise continues to provoke important conversations around society’s treatment of women, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA offers an unsettling look into the murders of Veronica Abouchuk and Kathleen Jo Henry, killed in 2018 and 2019. They join a cacophony of Indigenous voices seemingly lost without a trace in the remote Alaskan landscape, but through the courage of some unlikely heroes, the twisted crimes of a potential serial killer come to light. Over three episodes packed with surprising turns, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA delivers intimate and unflinching access to the disturbing impact of a predator who turns a community into a personal hunting ground. But his arrest is only the beginning of a far deeper horror.

 

“Octavia brings a level of care to every story she touches,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID. “LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA helps expose a crisis impacting Indigenous women with sensitivity and cinematic power. We’re proud to continue building prestige true‑crime storytelling together.”

 

As South Africa continues its fight against gender‑based violence, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA arrives as a timely and haunting reminder of the cost of silence. With its unexpected South African connection and its commitment to restoring dignity to the victims, the series is set to spark important conversations across the continent.

e.tv Axes ‘House Of Zwide’ And ‘Kelders Van Geheime’ As Channel Refreshes Slate

e.tv has announced that two of its flagship dramas, House of Zwide and Kelders van Geheime, will come to an end as the channel prepares to introduce new programming.

House of Zwide will air its final episode on 26 June 2026, concluding a five-season run that centred on the rise and tensions within a powerful fashion dynasty. The series became one of the channel’s most recognisable brands, building a loyal following and placing the local fashion industry at the heart of prime-time storytelling.

The show, produced by Bomb Productions, helped launch and elevate several acting careers while exploring themes of ambition, legacy and resilience against a backdrop of glamour and rivalry.

The Afrikaans telenovela Kelders van Geheime will conclude two months later, with its final episode scheduled for 28 August 2026. Produced by K Films and Videovision Entertainment, the series drew viewers into a world of family secrets, betrayal and redemption.

The drama recently earned eight nominations at the 19th SA Film and Television Awards, underscoring its critical recognition within the industry.

In a statement on Thursday, the broadcaster said both series were conceived with clear narrative arcs and that concluding them at their creative peaks reflects its commitment to quality storytelling.

“Concluding them at their creative peaks, rather than stretching beyond their intended arcs, reflects e.tv’s commitment to quality storytelling and respect for its audiences,” the channel said.

e.tv thanked the casts, crews, writers and production partners for bringing the shows to life, as well as the viewers who supported them over the years.

The broadcaster said the endings mark the close of two popular television worlds and the beginning of a new chapter in its drama slate.

The Loud House Has Not Been Cancelled Nor Is Out Of The Woods Just Yet

During the past week, Kevin Sullivan who served as the show runner on The Loud House announced he was exiting Nickelodeon with the show set to conclude. According to him, there was not much work left on the network prompting his exit.

Since then, he retracted his statement and posted a new one which states The Loud House hasn't been picked up for further seasons nor has it been cancelled. And that he remains an active staff member at Nickelodeon.

Here's the thing, it had been alleged that Nickelodeon had fired a majority of its staff and kept the ones who manage shows like SpongeBob Squarepants and The Patrick Star Show.

Even after Kevin Sullivan's statement, there's still been news of staff members being let go at the brand. It's kind of hard for some to be convinced that The Loud House isn't over as yet.

They were reports that The Loud House got an 12th and 13th season renewal which was formerly going to be the 10th season. This was going to serve as the final seasons to the show.

The only way anyone can be convinced that The Loud House isn't ending would be if it got a 14th season. Let's be honest, neither Disney Channel or Nickelodeon acknowledge cancellations.

Prior to The Loud House, there was StuGO, Hailey's On It and Middlemost Post neither brand acknowledged these shows had ended. They let other sites announce it then rebuff those claims only for it to be confirmed at a later stage.

Kevin Sullivan was probably forced to retract his statement I can only be convinced that it's not getting cancelled if it were to be renewed for a 14th season.

It's likely that The Loud House is going through similar hoops as We Baby Bears where the network is just prolonging it's demise. As for The Loud House, the alleged 12th and 13th season isn't expected until 2027/8.