Last year, StarTimes and MultiChoice lost several premium international as more content heads over to streaming. It was also the first in many years both brands hit the dry spell on the basis of additions.
MultiChoice had been working around the clock to keep viewer's minds at ease with more local productions such as HONEY and Big Brother Mzansi. As good as all of this may sound, the content comes at a price as seen with April's prices:
StarTimes on the other hand remained silent from last year with garbage like C12 to keep viewers at ease and channels sourced by eMedia Investments and the SABC have since then been viewed as premium assets.
Pay-tv platforms exist to give consumers alternatives to them but StarTimes seem to be taking advantage of their offering. Is this StarTimes way of investing into the African market perhaps?
Not long ago, they picked up rights to CAF games and dubbed The Blood Sisters to Zulu.
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Disney has figured out an ingenious way to jump-start its streaming subscriber growth—give people less of a choice! Since late December, Disney has automatically included Disney+ and ESPN+ in one of its Hulu offerings, at a slightly higher price than it previously charged, we learned today. Ingenious! It’s a reminder that the customer-unfriendly DNA of the television industry still lurks in the genes of companies like Disney.
There’s only one reason you take this action, and it’s to juice subscriber numbers. The strategy is working so far. Disney executives said the bundling—which they called a “strategic decision,” whatever that means—accounted for half of the surprisingly strong North American subscriber additions for Disney+ in the quarter. And sure, it’s a good deal for consumers right now: Even after the price raise, the bundle implies a hefty discount on all three services. But it’s a slippery slope. Forcing people to take services they don’t necessarily want is how the cable TV became a cash-printing machine, before steady price rises eventually alienated so many customers it went into a decline that is still underway.
Still, TV executives across the industry will surely take heart from Disney’s move. There have been straws in the wind for a while that executives at companies like Discovery—which today said it got regulatory approval to buy HBO Max’s parent, WarnerMedia—would like to offer packages of different streaming services. The current arrangement, low-cost services with lots of programming, is a money-losing proposition. Done right, bundling could offer a solution to streaming’s poor economics. But if it is mishandled—and who would rule out that happening!—it may play into the hands of companies like Netflix and Amazon, which tend to follow a more consumer-friendly approach.
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Love is amongst the most treasured elements of the human experience. It fills us with joy and peace and can be as exhilarating as it is tranquil. Luckily, despite love sometimes being complicated, there are endless flavours through which we can express it. On this Valentine’s Day, we honour all forms of love. From the romance of first encounters accompanied by silky chocolate to the golden delight of love in our families and perhaps to the most valuable love of all is love for oneself.
For the award-winning TV chef, cookbook author, marvellous mom and wonderful wife - Grace Stevens - creating delicious treats to share on Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to play with how we express our love for those around us.
Here are her top scrumptious suggestions for this Valentine’s Day.
For the enamoured couples
After a challenging time, many who have managed to become a couple during the pandemic are understandably looking to explore the outside world through exhilarating new food experiences. If you are a couple of social butterflies, signing up for a cooking or cocktail class to take together is a wonderful way to make a new memory and learn a lot - about both the food and your lover.
For those of us who appreciate the intimacy of our homes, making a special dinner together, or even just dessert, reminds us how attractive it is to have so much focus and attention paid to us by the ones we love. My favourite recipe for couples is my Mocha Coffee French Crullers. They are just fancy enough to be special but foolproof enough to make sure you stay focused on each other and not on stressing about the food. Add to this recipe a playlist full of special songs to cook to and things will heat up in your kitchen.
For the fabulous families
My favourite thing about celebrating Valentine's day with my husband and kids is we have witnessed each other’s lives and shared the triumphs, joys and lessons that only years together can teach. As a family, we love to make a cup of tea or coffee for each other and often send encouragement via WhatsApp during the day. I also write encouraging messages on my kids' mirrors with a marker to make sure they are reminded of how loved they are.
I love how my family will conspire with one another to make me happy. One year, after I’d seen a beautiful handbag while out shopping, my eldest told my husband and he surprised me with it as a gift. It was so thoughtful and proves that even in our pandemic bound ‘new reality’ it’s still the small things we do for each other that matter the most.
My older kids knocked it out of the park last year by cooking and serving us a meal in a mock restaurant fit for any food critic. This followed by a quiet family walk around the neighbourhood holding hands, chatting about our day, then a movie night on the couch with my delicious golden homemade caramel popcorn. It was one of the best evenings we have ever spent as a family.
For all the single lovelies
Oscar Wilde once said, "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." I think wining and dining yourself should never be underestimated. Celebrate love by baking some sweet treats for your friends. Surprise your best friend with a delicious Chocolate Oreo muffin coffee delivered first thing in the morning to tell her that you care.
Celebrating your Bromance or Galentine's day with dinner and a movie where all involved are allowed to shamelessly indulge in all the dessert and champagne they desire is surprisingly refreshing.
No matter where you are, who you love or what stage of life you are at, food and flavour are some of the most powerful tools we have to express our love for one another. It is at once child’s play and adult joy. From the extravagant banquets of weddings to the simply toasted cheese sarmies at the end of a long day, food is love and love is food.
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Cartoon Network Africa’s favorite family is back for season 2 in the uproarious comedy, CN to the Rescue!
Just when you thought that this year couldn't get off to a better start, think again! Cartoon Network brings you a brand-new season of its original local production, CN to the Rescue. Premiering on 21 February on Cartoon Network Africa, the show is set to keep audiences laughing uncontrollably with pure African humour and fresh, imaginative content that combines the forces of live-action comedy with quality animation.
Following the massive success of season one, which ranked as the number one watched show in South Africa across all kids’ channels in January 2021*, CN to the Rescue 2 takes us deeper into the adventurous parallel world of Tapiwa's 'Imagination Room'. Here the lines between reality and animation become more blurred, the story becomes more real, and the adventure becomes even crazier than ever! Is the new mysterious family member, Uncle Ezekius from Cape Town, a good guy, or is he plotting evil? Haibo! - will Tapiwa and his no-nonsense glam, but caring Mama, intensely focused nerdy bra, and happy-go-lucky Gogo find a way out of the 'Imagination Room' in time?
Wacky 'slap-chic' African comedian André Lembwa portrays ALL five characters again, including the new long-lost uncle. He skillfully brings all the personalities in the show to life with his unexpected comedy and humour. Produced by the multi-talented Capetonian filmmaker Howard James Fyvie, season two expands on the colourful first season, highlighting everyday situations in the African household. The new instalment introduces more local flavour while featuring a lot more of Cape Town. The continuous storyline throughout the nine episodes gives season 2 a real 'series' feel, set to keep audiences coming back episode after episode!
“CN to the Rescue is just like the kind of show that used to inspire me when I was a kid - it’s all about family, adventure and imagination. The cool thing about this show, though, is it’s wrapped in a uniquely African aesthetic with a true local flavour,” says Fyvie. “Working on it was a joy, a challenge and a miracle all wrapped into one. Thanks to WarnerMedia for trusting us and supporting our passion!”
Ariane Suveg, Head of Kids channels Africa, France and Israel, explains, “Bringing CN to the Rescue back to our channel with nine 11-minute brand-new episodes is a perfect example of Cartoon Network’s dedication to creating local content that resonates with our African audience. This show is truly local: not only are the creators African, but the whole production team reigns from Africa - bringing innovative content aligned with Cartoon Network’s brief to showcase unexpected, random, humorous and energetic content!”
With Taps' crazy adventures and his quintessentially African family along for the ride, CN to the Rescue has the perfect ingredients for kids to enjoy and laugh out loud. And with amusing pop culture references included throughout, Cartoon Network's grown-up fans will also relish the new show: an incredible viewing experience for the whole family!
A new season, new characters, and a new adventure - tune in from Monday, 21 February at 18:10 CAT on Cartoon Network Africa as Cartoon Network's biggest fan, Taps, comes to the Rescue!
Futurama is heading to streaming services
Hulu has ordered 20 new episodes of the adult animated sci-fi comedy series. The revival hails from David X. Cohen and Matt Groening. Cohen developed the original series with Groening, the series creator.
“Futurama” focuses on the life of Philip Fry (West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a new group of friends including Leela (Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed mutant, and Bender, a robot who is fond of drinking excessively, smoking cigars, and stealing anything not nailed down.
Aimed at preschoolers and available in 19 languages, the core Little Angel channel offers more than 400 original songs and 500-plus 3D-animated episodes. Its reimagined classic nursery rhymes and original stories are designed to teach things like letters, numbers, good manners and healthy habits. The network’s global viewership has doubled since 2019 and now generates 1.5 billion monthly views.
This is Moonbug’s first acquisition since it was purchased by indie startup Candle Media last November, and it plans to invest in new Little Angel content and broaden the brand’s global distribution footprint.
It's nearly twenty-one years since Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius hit theaters and the better part of 15 since The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, the animated series based on the movie on Nickelodeon aired its final episode. As you know by now, it's never too long for Hollywood to revive a property for a reboot and in the ever-expanding world of streaming video, revivals are now more possible than ever.
Despite 2010's Planet Sheen spin-off, Jimmy Neutron hasn't been seen for quite some time. However, one of the original voice actors has teased a possible comeback: Mark DeCarlo, who played Hugh Neutron, Jimmy's dad.
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Stephanie Baartman voices Sanem
Johan Joubert voices Can
Vinette Ebrahim voices Mervkibe
Luan Jacobs voices Emre
Mandi Baard voices Deren
Claudia Jones voices Layla
Lochner De Kock voices Rifat
Johnny Klein voices Ceycey
Jacques De Silva voices Osman
Mortimer Williams voices Zebercet
Kevin Smith voices Nihat
Zetske Van Pletzen voices Aylin
Marttin Venter voices Yamaç Koçovali
Ivan Zimmerman voices Selim
Noel Oostendorop voices Aliço
Susan Beyers voices Sultan
Elton Landrew voices Idris
Tinarie Van Wyk voices Hale
Great Pieterson voices Sena
Jacques Bessenger voices Nazim
Izaan Du Toit voices Ayse Yilmaz
Margit Meyer Rodenbeck voices Nedret
Richard September voices Pasa
Bianca Flanders voices Saadet
Graic Adriaanse voices Celasun
Eldon Van Der Merwe voices Vartolu
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CLASH OF THE COVER BANDS
Premieres on Sunday 13 March at 21:00
They’re the biggest arena rockers, showstoppers, kings of country and pop divas on the planet - or are they? Join E! this March as each episode of brand-new series Clash of the Cover Bands pits two of the best cover bands or artists of a similar musical genre against each other over two rounds to see which has the most entertaining performance. With judges Meghan Trainor, Adam Lambert and Ester Dean calling the shots alongside host tWitch, the stakes are high as the artists compete to win a cash prize and the right to call themselves the best of the best.
LIVE FROM E!
THE 2022 OSCARS
Airs live Sunday 27 March 23:00 Primetime repeat Monday 28 March 20:00
Join E! at the 2022 Academy Awards, the annual event that celebrates the crème de la crème of movie making. We’ll bring you the best possible coverage of who’s wearing what as the stars gather for Hollywood’s most glittering night of the year.
Red Carpet Rundown:
Oscars 2022
Airs live Sunday 27 March at 01:30
Prime time repeat Monday 28 March 22:30
Let E! be your guide this March as the 94th Academy Awards honours all that’s best in the movies. With Hollywood’s movers and shakers in attendance, primped, preened and at their glittering best, this promises to be another amazing night to remember!
Continuing shows include Celebrity Game Night
Season 3 Sundays at 20:00, Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules Sundays at 19:05, E! News: Daily Pop Tuesdays to Saturdays at 14:30 and Nightly Pop Tuesdays to Fridays at 22:00.
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Starting from 14th February, 15 new commissioned Ugandan movies will debut on Maisha Magic Movies channel in a move to showcase locally produced content across East Africa.
“The announcing of this commissioned content on Maisha Magic Movies channel is a bold step towards uplifting local content, supporting Ugandan talent, and telling the stories that inspire us, lift the mood, and provide educational benefits to the viewers.” - Joan Semanda Kizza
The channel is set to premiere movies that the audiences will resonate with through their authenticity and relevance to what it means to be Ugandan. DStv Channel 141 was launched as a unique offering inspired by and targeted primarily at the Ugandan, Kenyan & Tanzanian market.
“As we enter into the Uganda Film Festival season, I believe this rebrand to showcase more local content will create interest of the viewers towards the Uganda Film Industry... and as we embark on training the younger generation in this industry, we need to have deliberate efforts that will push viewership so that the industry can grow,” said Colin Asiimwe, Head of Marketing at MultiChoice Uganda.
Ugandan Movies to watch out for on the channel include; Namuddu, Pieces of Me, Dead Respect, Rakai, Chwezi Dynasty, The Virgin, My Sister’s Keeper, 24 Hours, Influensa, Blood Ransom, The Guest Wife, Atonement, The First Eleven, Contention, Mukisa, amongst others.
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A week ago, Nelvana and Discovery greenlight season 3 of Agent Binky: Pets Of The Universe formerly seen on Cartoon Network and Boomerang across Europe back in 2019.
The series follows the adventures of Binky, a space cat who is on a mission to protect his human family (Big Human and Small Human) from any interstellar threats, with assistance from four pets in the P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) agency.
Season 2 is scheduled to released in 2022 and seeing that Cartoonito is rolling out in more regions. What are the chances that WarnerMedia won't just pick it up for Cartoonito this time around?
The two television networks are once again coming together for another remarkable production, after Cafe con Aroma de Mujer (Coffee with a Woman's Scent) with a new version of the 2006 Colombian telenovela, Hasta Que La Plata Nos Separe (Until The Money Do Us Apart).
Rafael Méndez and Alejandra Maldonado are salesmen from opposite sides of life. While Méndez depends on informal sales, and that without any higher education. Alejandra carries her duty as the commercial manager of a car dealership with an MBA and a hard attitude up her sleeve. An unfortunate car accident will bring them together and they will have to get the best of each other in order to survive their respective realities.
According to sources, several cast members from The Way To Paradise are set to join the remake including Fabian Rios, Gregorio Pernia and Stephania Duque with Carmen Villalobos and Sebastián Martínez as the lead characters.
The Disney+ Original movie Cheaper by the Dozen, which is a fresh take on the 2003 hit family comedy starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff, will premiere March 18, 2022, exclusively on Disney+.
In this modern take, Disney+ is mixing up the concept behind 2003's 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' which was a remake of the 1950 film of the same name, which in turn was adapted from a book of the same name from 1948.
The CAF Champions League kicks off on 11 February 2022 – 29 May 2022 and viewers can look forward to seeing South African teams Mamelodi Sundowns and Amazulu in key fixtures broadcasted on SABC Sport. The giants of African football including Al Ahly (10-times champions), Zamalek (5-times champions), TP Mazembe (5-times champions) and Raja Blanca (3-times champions) will also be kitted and ready for battle. While the CAF Confederations Cup kicks off on 13 February 2022 – 3 April 2022 which also includes South African giants, Orlando Pirates.
With these key CAF acquisitions by SABC Sport, it is evident to see the levelling of the playing field by giving South African viewers access to world-class content without subscription fees. SABC Sport is set to include all matches for the above stated CAF tournaments and include the CAF Super Cup, CAF Women’s AFCON and CAF Women’s Champions League to its content schedule.
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