eToonz Now Caters To Teens With This Slate Of Live-Action Series

After almost 2 years, eMedia Investments gives eToonz some fresh content once seen as another Rewind in their portfolio burst out of that bubble with a dedicated live-action slot accompanying the already available Power Rangers.

The slate of programming that was recently added to the channel includes the preschool series In The Night Garden from CBeebies. Accompanied by some other kids programming mostly Canadian by the brands WildBrainTV and CBBC.

Here's some details on the new content for the channel:

Preschool

- In The Night Garden - the programme features a large cast of colourful characters with unusual names who live in a magical forest scattered with large daisies and brightly coloured pompom flowers. The characters mostly speak short and repetitive phrases and each one has their own special song and dance. The garden is a sunny and colourful environment and the music is jaunty and music box-like.

 

Kids

- Backstage - The trials and tribulations of the students at Keaton School of the Arts, which includes dancers, singers, musicians, and artists. The characters frequently break the fourth wall, talking to the viewers in so-called "confessionals.
- Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever - Hank Zipzer is a young boy who is dyslexic. He lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family, and attends P.S. 87 at Amsterdam Avenue and W 78th Street. His best friends are Frankie Townsend and Ashley Wong.
- Make It Savvy - A kids magazine series out of Canada hosted by Annie LeBlanc from the Bratayley YouTube channel and have segments on music, fashion, and DIY, as well as lifestyle elements, and celebrity profiles and interviews.
 

- Bajillionaires - Is a hilarious live-action kids’ comedy that follows the exploits of a group of fledgling entrepreneurs running a tech start-up out of one of their parents’ garages. Led by 12-year-old CEO Max Graham, the neighbourhood pals are constantly brainstorming ideas for the world’s next great invention, and while most of their creations are hilariously bad, totally weird and wildly impractical, the kids are always learning something new, becoming better friends and getting one step closer to their BIG idea.
- Make It Pop: Summer Splash - Follows Sun Hi, Jodi, and Corki around Mackendrick Prep, a boarding school, who form a high school K-pop-inspired band called XO-IQ, with the help of Caleb, and find music, mischief, love, and friendship.

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World War II Is Back On History Africa As The Channel Explores One Of The Most Political Crisis In History - May 2022 Highlights

WORLD WAR II
Sundays from 20:15
Every Sunday in May and June the HISTORY Channel Africa will deep dive into World War II. Involving most of the world’s countries, World War II was one of the great watersheds of 20th-century geopolitical history. From uncovering Secret Nazi Expeditions to the Story of the Spitfire and in-depth features on Dunkirk and the D-Day landings, the HISTORY Channel Africa investigates every angle of the biggest and deadliest war in history.

Brand New & Exclusive
SECRET NAZI EXPEDITION
1 May
Sundays 20h15
During their rise to power and throughout World War II, Adolf Hitler and SS leader Heinrich Himmler led a secret team of elite scholars and archaeologists known as the “Ahnenerbe”. It was their covert mission to rewrite history and establish the superiority of the Aryan race, a belief that dominated Nazi ideology.

 

Brand New & Exclusive
STRANGEST THINGS S1
20 May
Fridays 19h25
Strangest Things explores the stories surrounding some of the most unusual and interesting objects ever found or created. From the most distant man-made object in the universe to a 10,000-year-old shaman’s headdress, each show will feature three riveting objects and their stories. Using the latest scientific research, photographs, declassified files and expert test mony – combined with a unique visual style – we explore the strangest objects on Earth to reveal the true stories of what they really are.

Brand New & Exclusive
THE ENGINEERING THAT BUILT THE WORLD
24 May
Tuesdays 20h15
As the latest instillation of the HISTORY Channel’s popular “That Built” franchise, The Engineering that Built the World sheds light on the iconic structures and engineering feats that have shaped and defi ned our world. From the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Panama Canal, Transcontinental Railroad, Statue of Liberty and beyond, this series tells the stories of the brilliant visionaries behind the most epic builds of the past two centuries. Up against insurmountable challenges, these are the unknown tales of rivalries, egos, backdoor politics and the brilliant engineering innovations that made the future possible.

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Rumoured: eMedia Investments Reportedly Entered Talks With StarSat

eMedia Investments is taking MultiChoice to the Competition Tribunal in regard to their agreement for the 4 channels currently seen on DStv. The brand demands for more money and obviously MultiChoice refused which led to the axing of their channels from the brand by June.

In an interview, eMedia Investments was asked about their future on pay-tv or whether their channels will remain exclusive on the Openview platform and they had this to say:

Our strategy is that our channels are free-to-air channels and should be available wherever people access channels.

Not long ago, several consumers approached StarSat on the possibility of adding more e.tv channels to the platform and responded with a cryptic message:

We are working on it.

 

Although that doesn't say much, it does bring joy to the dismissal portfolio.

In 2014, the pay-tv platform negotiated with eMedia Investments of the once available eAfrica+ alongside eMovies+ (now eMovies) and eKasi+ (now eExtra) before plans fell through and a year later they were only fortunate to get eKasi+ onboard.

Fast forward to 2022, the pay-tv platform lost a lot of premium channels such as FOX, Fine Living, The Smithsonian Channel, Discovery Family, SA Music, St Eyethu and several other channels with failure to source out alternative channels.

eMedia Investments bundle of channels could fill up the gap for some of these areas.

 

eToonz could make up for the loss of DreamWorks which is now on DStv, although no movie channels were harmed on the platform eMovies could bolster the movie offering either way I don't see the sense in having that on StarSat unlike eReality which could make up for the portion of Discovery channels removed on the platform.

In other regions, it appears that the brand is just sourcing some regional stations to make up for the losses and the idea of StarSat bundling more channels from the platform doesn't seem far fetched at this point.

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What To Expect On Openview's Brand New Turkish Channel, ePlesier?

In 2018, eMedia Investments launched the 2 hour Afrikaans block on eExtra and since then the brand has been available on multiple outlets including e.tv, eMovies and eVOD.

After almost 4 years, the brand will be getting a dedicated channel that won't serve as a competitor but compliment the existing offering seen on other brands such as the 3 mentioned above.

Although not much details have been shared regarding the format or rollout of the channel. ePlesier has enough content to be a 24 hour channel but again that's entirely up to eMedia Investments.

 

The last 24 hour channel was eMovies Extra which came out in 2016 on Openview. Thereafter further channels on eMedia complimented eToonz with its open time being 6AM.

I have no doubt in my mind that the channel will be a success for Openview customers but some would expect local content from an Afrikaans channel but hey this format of dubbing shows is not new to anyone.

If you visit Germany, you'll find several international content dubbed in local languages. Even in Africa regions like Ethiopia all house channels like ePlesier. Back when the content was still in English, the volume was on silent until they were folded under Kuiertyd that's where the figures started skyrocketing so hats off to ePlesier.

Through some ads online, a list of shows were mentioned for the channel of course there's chances some will only be added later and they go as follows:

 

From e.tv
- Deur Dik En Dun - Based on Dr. Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu’s book "Hayata Dön" (Return to Life), the dei follows Faruk the owner of a bus company and the leader of a powerful family in Bursa which is a metro-pol in Turkey. Faruk meets a violinist girl and falls in love with her. But the dominant mother of Faruk isn't happy with her son's relationship. The series starred Özcan Denizz, Aslı Enver and İpek Bilgin.

From eExtra
- Gebroke Harte - Follows the lives of two women from different social backgrounds intertwine after their newborn babies are accidentally switched at the hospital. The series starred Erkan Petekkaya, Nurgül Yeșilçay and Ebru Özkan Saban.
- Bittersoet - Two separate worlds, both close and distant to each other, lie in a seaside neighbourhood of Istanbul. Two young people from these separate worlds fall in love. The series starred Burak Özçivit, Neslihan Atagül and Kaan Urgancıoğlu.
- Die Wiel Draai - Follows the adventure of a mother who has to deal with her husband who betrayed her, after having another identity and face. The series starred Dilsad Çelebi, Ipek Erdem Cansel Elcin, Tardu Flordun and several others.
 

- Stiletto Vendetta - As teenagers, Arzu, Merve and Pelin played a cruel prank on their over-achieving best friend Oya, leaving her shamed, devastated and suicidal. Over the years the three remained close but didn’t hear again from Oya, never daring to make contact, fearing the worst - that they had driven her to take her own life. When fate brings the foursome back together, Oya is determined to get close to the women who threatened to ruin her life, and seek her final revenge. The series starred Gökçe Bahadır, Aslı Gürbüz, Bade İşçil, Tülin Özen, Mert Fırat and many others.
- As Die Skoen Pas - Defne, a poor girl living with her grand mother, brother and sister is tangled in a deal to make the famous business man, Omer fall in love with her and marry her before it's too late. The series starred Barış Arduç, Elçin Sangu, Salih Bademci, Sinem Öztürk , Nergis Kumbasar , and Levent Ülgen.

From eVOD
- Voëlvry - Rifat Bilgin and Yusuf Cebeci are police officers and partners whose families are inseparable. Their children Kuzgun Cebeci and Dila Bilgin are childhood sweethearts who also grew up together because of the close-knit nature of both families. Unfortunately, Sultan, Dila's mother is sick with cancer, and Rifat is unable to get the necessary drugs. During a sting operation, Yusuf and Rifat uncover a cartel's drug consignment. They offer bribes. Yusuf refuses but Rifat succumbs to temptation, selling Yusuf out and aiding in setting him up by planting drugs in his home which the police find and arrest him. The series starred Barış Arduç and Burcu Biricik

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Roundups #37: 7 Colours Renewed For Season 2 + Premiere Date On HONEY, MultiChoice Launching Woordfees Pop-Up Channel For A Second Time And Adds Kwibuka 28 For Only 7 Days

7 Colours continues on HONEY

HONEY, Africa's first and only reality lifestyle channel home to locally produced content has just renewed the cooking show 7 Colours for a second season currently scheduled for May 19th at 16:30 CAT.

7 Colours is a loved South African meal. Most families pride themselves in being able to prepare the best version of this meal. In this show, the to put that theory to the test. Three teams will go head-to-head to cook the perfect 7 colours plate, they will also host each other in their homes. The teams judge each other and the ones with the most points take the prize.

Other continuing shows include Battle of the Ankara Season 1, Sangoma, Khanyisa! Season 1, My Horror Love Story Season 1, My Big Bozza Cook-off Season 1, Hair to the Throne Season 1, My Kenyan Plate Season 1, Will He Say Yes? Zambia Season 1, The Ten Season 4, Ehe! It’s A Match: Nigeria Season 1 and Wawu, That’s My Dress: Kenya Season 3.

 

Woordfees is back by popular demand

MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch Woordfees will once again run the Woordfees TV arts festival pop-up channel on DStv in July 2022 for a second time, after starting it in 2021.

In October 2021, MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch-based Woordfees festival decided to work together to run South Africa's first-ever arts festival channel, Woordfees TV on DStv channel 150, with the pop-up channel's run that was extended for a further 3 days due to feedback from the public and DStv subscribers.

For South Africa's winter school holiday, MultiChoice and the Stellenbosch Woordfees are planning to run the Woordfees TV pop-up channel again from 1 July, again on DStv channel 150. DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and Family subscribers will have access to the Woordfees TV pop channel on DStv from July 2022.

Kwibuka 28 is now available on DStv

DStv Premium, Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family and DStv Access customers are in for a treat this April, as DStv Launches a brand-new pop-up channel Kwibuka 28. This inspirational and informative channel is set to launch on Thursday, 7 April to Wednesday, 13 April 2022.

 

Kwibuka 28 is a special commemoration Pop-Up Channel that highlights the impact of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and the subsequent process of reconciliation and healing. During this 28th Commemoration, the channel will broadcast a series of exclusive LIVE events and talks-shows, with a daily Kids block, inspiring testimonials, as well as curated youth programming and special reports.

The channel will spotlight Rwanda’s resolute spirit to Remember-Unite-Renew. With programming running for 24 hours a day, the channel will be available on DStv and customers can look forward to programming such as:
• Kids: Junior React – a show where the younger generation share their perspective of the impact of the Genocide and give a view of their aspirations for a united, renewed Rwanda
• The Then and Now (LIVE) Talkshow – hosted by Eric Utuje, this is a platform for guests to discuss a variety of informative social, economic and political topics related to the Genocide
• Features: Testimonies – a show where survivors share their inspirational stories of healing, reconciliation, courage and hope
• The LinkUp 28: Blend of talk, music, and interactive segments with Rwanda superstars as special guests who will share their views and perspectives on Genocide curated daily topics.

DStv is always looking for ways to better customer viewing experience, giving them great value, choice and some of the best local and international shows. It is with this in mind that the platform offers great new channels, Pop-Ups and Studio stunts sure to keep viewers glued to their TV screen.

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MultiChoice Delays The Launch Of KIX And PBS Kids On Lower Bouquets

MultiChoice was scheduled to launch the martial arts movie channel KIX on DStv Access bouquets while the educational brand PBS Kids would be added to Easyview. At the same time, e.tv's 4 channels were scheduled for termination and new prices take into effect.

From April 1st, viewers were overjoyed to see the 4 e.tv channels haven't been removed as planned as the channels were extended for another 2 months delaying the launches of PBS Kids and KIX.

eMedia Investments is taking MultiChoice to the Competition Tribunal in regard to their agreement for the 4 channels currently seen on DStv. The brand demands for more money and obviously MultiChoice refused which led to the axing of their channels from the brand by June.

 

eMedia Investments was asked in a recent interview about the possibility of MultiChoice returning the soon-to-be axed channels eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra and here's their statement:

It will be up to them. Our strategy is that our channels are free-to-air channels and should be available wherever people access channels. So that's their decision, there's no regulation that they need to carry the channels. Our view is that they should.

 

The worst part to all of this consumers will have to wait likely until the current agreement ends in May to know the outcome with both parties.

Just by analysing this situation, MultiChoice seems affirmed with their decision of scrapping the 4 channels as they already launched DreamWorks and plan to add another movie channel in the near future.

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New Series Alert For Zee World, Zee One And eExtra (Pending): Mehek + Begusarai + Kindred Hearts + Bridal Material + Fragmented Family + The Diligent Daughter + The Jinxed

If there's anything these 3 stations have in common is their dedication for Zee TV while StarPlus has only 1 channel for their English audience Zee TV has 3 but things get complicated depending on the platform you're viewing them.

Take for instance DStv, eExtra is creating competition for Zee World as most of their offering end up on their station such as Piyaa Albela, These Streets (Yeh Teri Galiyan) and I Do (Qubooi Hai) and vice versa with Dare To Love and The Heir.

Although Zee World may not be accessible on Openview, the duplicate channel Zee One is regarded as a TCM while eExtra is a modern. So it's only a matter of time till consumers refer to the channel as eExtra+.

 

Speaking of eExtra, their Afrikaans block gets a standalone channel known as ePlesier in the coming weeks. Would it surprise anyone if the same was done with their Bollywood offering especially on a platform where Zee One exists.

Getting back to Zee TV, 8 of their shows have been picked up for which 1 (Mehek) goes to Zee One, 2 (Kindred Hearts and Begusarai) for eExtra and the rest (Bridal Material, Fragmented Family, The Diligent Daughter and The Jinxed) obviously for Zee World.

Description
- Mehek (Zindagi Mehek) - Tells the story of a young and positive girl, Mehek who has a special gift for cooking. The show takes on her journey and life with the talent she possesses. The series starred Samiksha Jaiswal and Karan Vohra.
- Kindred Hearts (Woh Apna Sa) - Revolves around the lives of 3 people, Aditya, Nisha and Jhanvi will redefine the status of Woh, and make people think whether she is the one who breaks the relationships or gives a new hope to relationships. The series starred Sudeep Sahir, Disha Parmar, Ridhi Dogra, Manasi Salvi and Kunal Karan Kapoor.
 

- Bullets And Blood (Begusarai) - Set in the land of Bihar, the series focuses on the Takur family where bullets speak louder than words. The series starred Vishal Aditya Singh, Shweta Tiwari, Shivangi Joshi, and Sartaj Gill in lead roles.
- Bridal Material (Keleerein) - Follows the lives of Meera Dhingra is a free-spirited, independent woman who does not want to be well-groomed for her future husband and Vivaan is a rich business man from London in search for his mother. Both having different perspectives on marriage they colllide bringing out the worst in each other. The series starred Arjit Taneja and Aditi Sharma.
- Fragmented Family (Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti) - The show will depict the world of 2 children who try to bring their parents together and rekindle their happy family. The series starred Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi and Neha Marda.
- The Diligent Daughter (Apna Time Bhi Aayega) - Revolves around a young and aspirational middle class girl who after father dies has to take up her father's position at his workplace where he works for a rich family. The series starred Fahman Khan, Megha Ray and Vivana Singh in the lead roles.
- The Jinxed (Kaala Teeka) - Tells the story of Gauri and her father who was on a quest to keep his only daughter safe and protected. He discovers an abandoned baby girl can save his daughter from a familial curse, and he adopts her, naming her Kaali and making her Gauri's "Kaala Teeka". The series starred Simran Pareenja, Sukirti Kandpal, Karan Sharma and Fenil Umrigar.

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Embark On Magical Adventures With Cartoon Network’s Original New Series, We Baby Bears, Premiering On 17 April

Get ready to fall in love with We Baby Bears, a spin-off of Cartoon Network Studios’ all-time favourite animated series, We Bare Bears. The enchanted journey follows three bear siblings, Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear – as their younger baby selves – travelling up, up and far away in a magical box to fantastic new worlds in search of a place to call home. Along the way, they meet new friends, learn a few lessons, and discover that ‘home’ can be wherever they are, as long as they’re together.

From Grizz, the leader and life of the party, to Panda, whose heart is as big as his love for his phone, and Ice Bear, the mega-talented and youngest of the bunch, each of the bear bros has a funny and bold personality. And, they are always there for one another when things get … a little crazy!

 

We Bare Bears director, Manny Hernandez, returns as executive producer to bring his creative vision to life in the newest iteration of the sibling cubs’ arrival. “Manny’s admiration for anime and music comes to life in this fresh, new expansion of a beloved franchise,” said Tom Ascheim, President, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics (GKYAC). “The spectacular landscapes and musical inspirations transform this new series into an unforgettable journey for all We Bare Bears’ fans and beyond”.

The new series will roll out across Cartoon Network Africa with an Easter Weekend special featuring your favourite bear bros, big and small. Starting on Friday the 15th at 10:10 CAT, we follow the story of the brother bears in We Bare Bears: The Movie. Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th bring special We Bare Bears episodes featuring the baby bears. To conclude this exciting weekend, the first two episodes of We Baby Bears will premiere on Sunday at 11:00 CAT. Fans can then tune in every weekday from Monday, 18 April at 16:35 CAT for more We Baby Bears fantasy, fun and adventure.

So, join the baby bears on their colourful and exciting escapades every weekday from Monday, 18 April @ 16:35 CAT as they party with piñatas, sail the seas with pirates and teleport back to the medieval age to live like kings.

NOTES:

Easter Weekend Stunt

We Bare Bears: The Movie (2020): Friday 15/04 @ 10:10 CAT

We Bare Bears special episodes featuring the baby bears: Saturday 16/04 and Sunday 17/04 @ 10:10 CAT

We Baby Bears tune in details

We Baby Bears premiere: Sunday 17/04 @ 11:00 CAT

Tune in: Mondays to Fridays @ 16:35 CAT starting 18/04

 

Meet the Characters
GRIZZ is the eldest brother. He's a puppy-like go-getter with a heart of gold and a brain of impulsive choices. He's a natural-born leader who is totally ready to face any problem head-on, even if it gets him and his brothers into trouble. Grizz is not shy or quiet; he's a big-time extrovert. Grizz is open, warm, and positive. The only thing he loves more than adventure are his brothers.

PANDA may look cute and soft on the outside, but he's even MORE cute and soft on the inside, and he knows it! Panda is the middle child, making him a bit of an attention-seeking diva. He loves all things shiny, sparkly, and hip, especially his cell phone. Although he can be a bit melodramatic, he's always ready to step up and help his brothers when things get rough.

ICE BEAR is the youngest and certifiably the coolest. He can kick butt, speak ten different languages, and cook a gourmet dinner for three. Ice Bear remains modest despite his many skills and doesn't like to be the centre of attention. He loves his brothers, and he's always there to get them out of a tricky situation, even if he has to break the rules of animation to do so.

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