Insidus: Entertainment Inside Us

Update On The 3 Pop-Up Channels On DStv

MultiChoice currently has 3 pop-up channels operating on the platform with the 4th which is on StarTimes being disqualified earlier in the year. These remaining channels could be permanent additions at the same time it could be the end.

ZooMoo is calling it quits on DStv as the channel is scheduled to close by the end of June after its 3 month extension. MultiChoice has sent a channel termination notice onto viewer's screens. If they reconsider its best to place it on a much cheaper package so that it can gain more awareness.

tvN is the now the second pop-up channel to recieve an extension on DStv unlike ZooMoo it's staying for only a month. They've unveiled a bunch of shows coming to the channel the one I'd look out for next month is Memorist, Tomorrow With You, Mr. Queen and The Sixth Sense.

TLNovelas is currently the longest pop-up channel on DStv launching in September of last year with its demise scheduled for August. There's a bunch of titles to look forward to on the channel including Secrets At The Hotel and Single Dad's Club. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if they kept it. There hasn't been a lot of new channels this year.

Dizi is safely tucked on StarTimes after its dramatic removal from DStv. The feed currently seen on StarTimes somehow got the DStv feed meaning all shows are repeats until the end of August or September giving MultiChoice enough time to pick it up. (Note that I updated the info on the link about Dizi's termination on DStv)

WarnerMedia Is Rebranding The TNT Channels In Germany Into Warner TV, TNT Africa Might Follow Soon

WarnerMedia is giving its pay-TV channels in German-speaking countries new names. TNT Serie will become Warner TV Serie, TNT Film will become Warner TV Film and TNT Comedy will become Warner TV Comedy.

With the name change, which will take place on September 25, 2021, the channels will be clearly visible under the umbrella of the well-known US media brand Warner Bros. and should thus be perceived more strongly by subscribers, partners and advertisers as premium offerings, according to WarnerMedia.

The rebranding brings us closer to the hundred-year legacy of the Warner Bros. brand, which unmistakably stands for creative and authentic storytelling like no other in the world. Overall, it leads to a significant increase in brand awareness beyond the pay-TV sector, which in turn helps with marketing, “says Heyelmann in an interview. The Warner TV brand is already established in France, "and the TNT channels will gradually also be renamed in other European countries."

The current rebranding in Warner is a consequence of the realignment of WarnerMedia in the USA and possibly the merge of Discovery Inc. and WarnerMedia. They recently divested Great American Country to GAC Media some of its content can be seen on Real Time.

Besides that, they were rumours around the time Turner Broadcasting System rebranded into WarnerMedia that the company had plans to do away with the Turner name so far TNT, TCM and TBS all have that name through an interview TCM was considered a valuable property.

So TCM will likely join Boomerang as a brand for nostalgia while other brands like Cartoonito and Warner TV take over. There's no details on whether this will affect the United States.

Could Discovery Science Replace Discovery Family On DStv?

Earlier in the year, Discovery Family was abruptly removed after two years on StarTimes (Starsat) alongside another Discovery Channel known as Fine Living.

According to StarSat, when a content provider decides to make changes in the production of content they cannot prevent it. Since then the channel remained exclusive to DStv.

Before Discovery Family came to Starsat, there was another channel before it known as Discovery Science that featured programming focusing on the fields of wilderness survival, ufology, manufacturing, construction, technology, space, prehistory and animal science.

Basically, most of Discovery Family's current programming is available under there such as Battlebots, Food Factory, Mythbusters, Mega Machines, The Unexplained Files and Strange Evidence.

In 2018, StarTimes decided to trade a useful channel such as Discovery Science with a mass produced Discovery Family for no apparent reason now they're both gone platform is still sourcing out a possible replacement channel.

Discovery Science is currently available on TelkomOne in South Africa with Zuku TV (Kenya).

Starsat's story over the removals kind of checked out. Zuku TV also had Fine Living and it was swapped for another Discovery brand known as Real Time. So the question remains how long will Discovery Family last on DStv.

This change could have something to do with Discovery+ perhaps they're following Disney in realigning their channels so instead of having Discovery Family serving as a family friendly channel internationally and kids channel in the U.S. it will be the oldest relative that keeps the house which is the U.S. counterpart. Perhaps even Travel Channel will join it soon.

If Discovery Family got canned, Discovery Science would make a worthy replacement perhaps Real Time could reposition itself to include programs in the motor and science area and Discovery Channel opens it doors to more homes on DStv.

What If A Modernized SABC Encore Launched As The Two Channels On OpenView?

SABC and eMedia Investments reached an agreement back in March that would grant OpenView customers access to SABC's 19 radio stations alongside 3 additional channels one of which being a sports channel.

It was stated at the time that SABC Sport alongside the 19 radio stations would roll out in the month of April with the other two being carrying content from SABC archives alongside new programming being unveiled within the next 3 months being April to June likely to crossover onto July.

SABC Education was suspected to be the first one but it was stated the two would be entertainment channels besides that OpenView already has 2 other educational channels that often air the same programs.

The second rumored channel was the Encore channel formerly available on DStv but the idea from SABC was to also give these new channels some fresh content so I derived it into SABC 4 and SABC 5 channels the broadcaster initially plotted to launch before downsizing to just three channels.

Perhaps, SABC Encore a channel SABC hoped to continue on another platform could be the mysterious brand for OpenView except it won't actually return but split into two parts.

The name SABC 4 and 5 could be a better way to "label' these Encore channels.

SABC 4 would be home to all the local dramas and soapies currently seen on SABC 1-3 such as Yizo Yizo, Soul Buddy, Velaphi and Intersections while as SABC 5 will bring in factual, religious and lifestyle entertainment such as Motswako, 50/50, Voetspore and Psalted.

SABC is currently in a TV licence brawl with MultiChoice and is scheduled to also launch a streaming service later in the year with eMedia Investments launching theirs in the month of July.

Read Also:
- SABC Education's status on both DStv and StarSat
- House Of Zwide coming soon to e.tv
- e.tv to become another SABC
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv
- Analogue TV is going off air soon, be sure to get a decoder when purchasing a TV set
- BritBox to launch in South Africa
- Is an SABC 4 and SABC 5 channel on the way?
- Details on SABC's kids brand (not SABC Education)
- Current status of TV licence
- Linear channels switch to 7 day viewing, Will SABC and e.tv viewers be able to cope

New Season Alert: MacGyver Is Back In The Third Season On e.tv

MacGyver returns on e.tv following its 2 year hiatus on the channel with the season finale of Magnum Pi scheduled to air on Friday, 25 June.

In the third season premiere of MacGyver, the character is happily taken on a new life helping a village in Nigeria, he is met by his father, who tells him Jack is in trouble. Video has surfaced of Jack working with the former leader of Belarus, whom he helped to depose and who is now trying to assemble an army to reclaim his position.

The third season debuted back in 2018 with a total number of 22 episodes on M-Net and M-Net City. Now e.tv viewers will be able to catch it weekdays at 20:30 from Monday, 28 June.

Read Also:
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- eVOD launches in July, could this be the reason for the lineup changes?
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv (updated)
- Analogue TV is going off air soon, be sure to get a decoder when purchasing a TV set
- Linear channels switch to 7 day viewing, Will SABC and e.tv viewers be able to cope
- Judge Judy seen on e.tv ending after 25 seasons
- Is an SABC 4 and SABC 5 channel on the way?
- Details on SABC's kids brand (not SABC Education)
- Other shows coming soon to eToonz?
- SABC to launch a streaming service
- Current status of TV licence
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

July 2021 On Curiosity Channel Africa | Super Science Mondays | Wildlife Wednesdays | Travel & Adventure Fridays | Human Story Saturdays | Best Of Curiosity Sundays

SUPER SCIENCE MONDAYS

METEORITE MEN
Brand New Episodes - premieres 05 July 2021 at 22:00 CAT
Episodes: 10 x 60 mins – ends 06 September 2021
For thousands of years, meteorites have slammed into the Earth's surface carrying an invaluable record of the origins of our solar system. But finding meteorites on Earth, some buried over centuries by thick layers of dirt and sediment, is no easy task.
Meteorite hunters Steve Arnold and Geoff Notkintravel to some of the most remote locations around the world to explore the scientific and financial value of meteorites. Featuring treks in Chile, Sweden, Australia, the US, Mexico, and more, these meteorite men meet with top scientists, geologists, astronomers, and meteorite experts to reveal a deeper understanding of how meteorites have helped to build our solar system and shape our planet.

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAYS

NATURE THROUGH HER EYES
Brand New Documentary Special - premieres 07 July 2021 at 20:00 CAT
Episodes: 1x 60 mins
Perspective is everything, and through the eyes and words of some of the greatest female cinematographers and photographers, we see a dazzling vision of the natural world. How did these remarkable women discover their passion for wildlife? Do women tell stories differently than men? What obstacles did our principals have to overcome, and what partnerships have they formed to bring their enduring vision to us? This CuriosityStream original series features exclusive interviews with the women behind the images combined with spectacular wildlife footage to illuminate our relationship with the natural world as never before. From Anne Innis Dagg, 86 years old and the 'Jane Goodall' of Giraffes and to the young filmmaker EshikaFyzee, who is just starting out with a film about Himalayan bears, these remarkable artists come from a diverse range of backgrounds and visual experiences. They speak candidly about their work, the different ways they photograph, write and film, and the hurdles they have had to overcome.

MY WILD BACKYARD
Brand New Episode - premieres 14 July 2021 at 20:00 CAT
Episodes: 1x 60 mins
Journey around the globe as some of the best up-and-coming wildlife filmmakers take you on a locals-only tour of their home countries.

DOUG TO THE RESCUE
Brand New Series - premieres 21 July 2021 at 20:00 CAT
Episodes: 6 x 30 mins –ends 25 August 2021
A team of animal rescuers, led by aerial cinematographer Doug Thron, travel into the devastation left by natural disasters to rescue lost animals and reunite them with their owners. From hurricanes to wildfires, they go into the hardest hit areas - relying on nothing but each other and the supplies they carry on their backs –to conduct a search-and-rescue mission to find animals that are lost or left behind. The team’s secret weapon is a specialized drone carrying a sophisticated array of cameras equipped with infrared technology that detects the heat signatures of warm-blooded animals. Once safely retrieved, Doug and team use social media to help find the pet’s grateful owners.

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE FRIDAYS

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, PARTS UNKNOWN
Brand New Series – premieres 09 July 2021 at 21:00 CAT
Episodes: 8x 60mins – ends 27 August 2021
Anthony Bourdain travels the world uncovering lesser-known places and exploring their cultures and cuisine.

TRAVEL MAN
Brand New Series – premieres 23 July 2021 at 19:00 CAT
Episodes: 26x 30mins – ends 01 October 2021
Travel Man is Richard Ayoade's chance to show us where we're going wrong by having the most culturally efficient holiday possible.

HUMAN STORY SATURDAYS

HIGHWAY TO THE ARCTIC: CANADA’S ICE ROADS
Brand New Documentary Special - premieres 24 July 2021 at 19:00 CAT
Episodes: 1x 60 mins
Every winter, ice roads are built across hundreds of miles in Canada's far north, connecting frozen rivers and lakes, and stretching up to the very northern tip of the country by the Arctic Ocean. For the people living in secluded villages these “ice highways” are vital for the transport of goods.

BEST OF CURIOSITY SUNDAYS

HEAVY LIFT
Brand New Series - premieres 11 July 2021 at 19:00 CAT
Episodes: 3x 60 mins (stacked back-to-back premieres)
The story of the engineers and mechanics behind some of the largest lifting and moving equipment in the world.

- Upcoming developments for FOX, Disney, National Geographic and ESPN

Disney Channel, Disney Junior And Disney+ Greenlight Three African Productions + Other Developments

Disney EMEA Animation Studio this morning unveiled a group of new and returning animated kids projects out of Europe and Africa. Among the new titles is Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, a 10-part sci-fi anthology executive produced by Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse co-director Peter Ramsey.

The short films, to be made by talent hailing from such places as Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, will seek to answer the question “What does Africa’s future look like from an African perspective?” and tap into the Afrofuturism that was turbocharged by Marvel’s Black Panther, said Orion Ross, VP Animation for Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa. Triggerfish is the lead production house for a late 2022 global launch on Disney Plus.

Disney Junior and Disney Plus have also picked up Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes , a pre-school series created by South African duo Kelly Dillon and Marc Dey and produced by eOne and Frog Box. It centers on a 7-year-old African girl who loves ballet and martial arts and when she and her two best friends put on their magical crystal headbands they become superheroes ready to defend their community. The series will incorporate the philosophy of Ubuntu, the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. A global launch is set for 2023.

Disney Channel has also ordered Kiff, an animated series about an optimistic squirrel and her best friend bunny, Barry. South African creators and executive producers are Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal. Kent Osborne serves as co-producer and story editor.

The announcements were made as part of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival where the first episode of Xilam’s Chip ’N’ Dale: Park Life is premiering. The update on the classic series bows July 23 on Disney Plus.

In other news, Disney Channel has ordered more Miraculous, Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir as well as Ghost Force which are both due this year. Coming in 2022 are Viking Skool and The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti. Disney Junior is further adding more PJ Masks and Gigantosaurus.

July 2021 On Nickelodeon, Nick Jr And Nicktoons Africa | 2 New Series Alert For Preschoolers | 5 Returning Shows Including Blaze And The Monster Machines | Stunts Across All The Channels | More

Nickelodeon:

HAPPINESS LAB - STUNT
WEEKDAYS 05 JULY TO 30 AUG
FROM 08:30 WAT / 09:30 CAT / 10:30 EAT
Join Nickelodeon’s factory of fun this July when we bring you the very best in animation from some familiar favourites! From the tallest skyscraper in Lego City to the depths of Bikini Bottom, July promises to bring the smiles!

GOLDIE'S OLDIES SEASON 1
NEW EPISODES | #111-120
14 year old Goldie’s life is turned upside down when her family moves in with her Grandpa Maury and his three 70 something, totally bonkers housemates. Goldie’s landed herself the ultimate insta-family!... If she can keep everyone together.
WEEKDAYS FROM 05 –16 JULY AT 17:30 WAT / 18:30 CAT / 19:30 EAT

SIDE HUSTLE SEASON 1
NEW EPISODES | 107 -113
Side Hustle follows best friends, smart and sarcastic Lex and confident and tough Presley, as they devise a plan to make money when fireworks accidentally destroy a boat belonging to the dad of their quirky friend and neighbour, Munchy.
SUNDAYS 18 JULY TO 29 AUG AT 17:30 WAT / 18:30 CAT / 19:30 EAT

44 CATS SEASON 2
NEW EPISODES | #240 -252
44 Cats is about how cats see our world and how they live when we’re not around. Cats look at the adult human world like kids do, with a unique, innocent, and comically honest view.
WEEKDAYS FROM 26 JULY –11 AUG AT 11:00 WAT / 12:00 CAT / 13:00 EAT

Nick Jr:

SPORTS WEEKEND
MARATHON PREMIERE EP: #723 Moto Pups: Pups Save a Moto Mayor
EPS: #720, 722, 723, 724, 996
MotoPups:PupsSaveaMotoMayor:
Paw Patrol Ultimate Rescue: Pups Save the Opening Ceremonies / Ultimate Rescue:PupsSavetheAdventureBayGames:Marshall leads the pups when an underground fire threatens the Opening Ceremonies in this Ultimate Fire Rescue. // Chase and his police-pups must find the missing medals to save the Adventure BayGames in this Ultimate PoliceRescue.
Paw Patrol Mighty Pups, Charged Up: Pups Stop a Big Bad Bot / Mighty Pups, Charged Up: Every week a different character stunt to support the season 5 launch.
SATURDAY 5 & SUNDAY 6 JUNE
FROM 10:00 WAT / 11:00 CAT / 12:00 EAT

DORA THE EXPLORER
WEEKEND MARATHON
EPS: #327,423-426, 518, 519, 622,721, 821
Enjoy all the 44min special episodes of Dora in our 4 hour weekend marathon!
SATURDAY 10 & SUNDAY 11 JULY
FROM 10:00 WAT / 11:00 CAT/ 12:00 EAT

ABBY HATCHER
BRAND NEW EPISODES!
SEASON 1: #221-226
Abby Hatcher is an animated preschool series that follows Abby and her friends the Fuzzlies, amazing and quirky creatures that live in her family's hotel!
MON -SAT FROM 12 -17 JULY
AT 08:00 WAT/ 09:00 CAT / 10:00 EAT

KID-E-CATS
BRAND NEW SHOW!
PREMIERE: #153-204
Cookie, Pudding and their kid sister Candy are forever ready to jump into action with endless enthusiasm and energy. Their imagination also knows no bounds, and these kitties are capable of the most absurdly funny problem- solving suggestions.
MON -SUN FROM 27 JUN -20 AUG 08:10 WAT / 09:10 CAT / 10:10 EAT

BLAZE AND THE MONSTER MACHINES
BRAND NEW EPISODES!
EPS:#601-602, 604-605
Blaze and the Monster Machines is a CG interactive preschool series about Blaze, the world's greatest monster truck, and his best buddy and driver, a boy named AJ.
WEEKENDS 31 JULY -14 AUGUST 2021
AT 14:15 WAT / 15:15 CAT / 16:15 EAT

Nicktoons:

RICKY ZOOM
SEASON 1
NEW TO NICKTOONS!
#101-110, 112, 114-117, 119-126
SEASON 1
WEEKDAYS 12 JUL TO 11 AUG AT 10:00 WAT / 11:00 CAT / 12:00 EAT
Meet Ricky! Built for speed, he's a little red rescue bike who shares his experiences with his loyal Bike Buddies Loop, Scootio and DJ. Together they race around the sports track, try new stunts at the park, and zoom into every adventure!

HORRID HENRY
NEW EPISODES | #209-250
SEASON 5
WEEKDAYS 19 JUL TO 18 AUG AT 13:45 WAT / 14:45 CAT / 15:45 EAT
Meet Henry. They don't call him Horrid Henry for nothing. He really is quite horrid. Because when someone gets tricked, when rules are being broken, when trouble's around... it's usually Henry.

SPECIAL DAYS IN JULY
Line-up consists of several shows
Sunday 18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day
Times: 16:20 WAT/17:20 CAT/18:20 EAT
Tuesday 20 and Sunday 21 July: ID El Kabir
Times: 09:15 WAT / 10:15 CAT / 11:15 EAT
Friday 30 July: International Day Of Friendship
Times: 08:45 WAT / 09:45 CAT / 10:45 EAT

TECHNO CHARGE
Technology, you either embrace it or run from it. it can make life so much easier or wreak total havoc. Either way, enjoy this fully techno charged Nicktoons stunt!
WEEKDAYS 5 TO 16 JUL AT 13:25 WAT / 14:25CAT / 15:25 EAT

PARTY BLOWOUT
Get jolly this june with our favourite Nicktoons characters, who will bring all the laughs, non-stop fun and complete absurdity needed to make it a Nicktoons celebration! let’s go have some fun!
WEEKENDS 17 JUL TO 01 AUG AT 06:00 WAT / 07:00 CAT / 08:00 EAT

SUNDAY MARATHONS
EVERY SUNDAY
AT 15:00 WAT / 16:00 CAT / 17:00 EAT
We’ve packaged your Sunday laughs into neat mini-marathons! Enjoy the very best in comedy animation handpicked just for you, right here on NickToons!
4 July - Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered: S1
11 July - Ollie’s Pack: S1
18 July - Ricky Zoom: S1
25 July - Horrid Henry: S2
1 August - Nickelodeon’s Unfiltered: S1