Press Release: Zee One Launches New Series Devoted Daughter + Movie Line-up For The Month Of February

Zee One launches premiere drama Devoted Daughter a compelling series that delves into the life and principles of the legendary king, Agrasen Maharaja.

The show revolves around Genda, a devoted girl from a humble background, navigating the challenges of her marriage into a business family. Devoted Daughter beautifully portrays the relationship between Agrasen Maharaja and Genda, highlighting her unwavering faith in him as her philosopher, guide, and friend. As Genda faces various obstacles, she triumphs over each one by adhering to Agrasen Maharaja's guiding principles.

The heartwarming narrative explores themes of faith, family, life, making it a must-watch for viewers of all ages. Devoted Daughter premieres on 24 February at 6 pm on Zee One, channel 111 on Openview.

 

Exciting Movie Festivals with Premieres on Zee One This February!

Zee One is all set to enthral this February with a series of blockbuster movie festivals featuring a star-studded cast that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.  The channel also offers premiere movies, Satyaprem Ki Katha and Kanoo’s Makkichoos.

 

Satyaprem Ki Katha - Premiers 4 February @ 3pm

In Satyaprem Ki Katha, join Sattu, an LLB fail dreamer, in his quest to win the heart of Katha, the IT girl of Ahmedabad. Fate takes a twist as they end up married, leading Sattu on a journey of self-discovery and proving himself as a worthy husband. Don't miss the laughs and love in this heartwarming tale.

Starring: Kiara Advani, Kartik Aaryan and Arjun Aneja

 

Kanjoos Makkichoos - Premiers 18 February @3pm

Experience the misadventures of Jamnaprasad, a notorious miser, in Kanjoos Makkichoos. His quest to fulfil his father's wish for the Char Dham Yatra takes an unexpected turn when his parents go missing during heavy floods. It's emotions and laughs all the way!

 

MOVIE FESTIVAL - THE KHAN EFFECT

RAAES - Premiers 2 February @ 10pm

Experience the rise and challenges of Raees, a street-smart bootlegging king in Gujarat during the 1980s. Raaes is a gripping tale of crime and redemption.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Leone and Mishra Khan

 

DANGAL - Premiers 3 February @ 3pm

Follow Mahavir Singh Phogat's journey as he trains his daughters for the Commonwealth Games, challenging societal norms and breaking barriers in "Dangal."

Starring: Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra

 

THE DRAMA WEEKEND FILM FESTIVAL

Immerse yourself in the intensity of human emotions with two powerful dramas.

Provoked - Premiers 9 February @ 10pm

Provoked tells the poignant story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who, after enduring years of abuse, takes a stand against domestic violence, leading to a riveting trial for murder.

Starring: Aishwariya Rai, Naveen Andrews and Nandita Das

 

GOLD - Premiers 10 February @10pm

Set in 1948, Gold narrates the historical journey of India's first Olympic medal post-independence, capturing the spirit of a nation.

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Mouni Roy and Kunal Kapoor

 

VALENTINES DAY 

Celebrate love with two heartwarming films.

DEAR ZINDAGI - Premiers 14 February @3pm

A young cinematographer learns the importance of balancing ambition with humanity in Dear Zindagi, a poignant exploration of life's complexities.

Starring: Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan and Ali Zafar

 

ZERO - Premiers 14 February @ 10pm

Zero explores the journey of a vertically challenged bachelor as he discovers his purpose through relationships with two extraordinary women.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif

 

 

ACTION WEEKEND

Gear up for high-octane action with two adrenaline-pumping films.

RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI - Premiers 17 February @3pm

Follow the fearless cop Radhe as he takes on the powerful drug lord Rana in a mission to clean up Mumbai's drug trade, showcasing unique and ruthless methods.

Starring: Salman Khan, Disha Patani and Sangay Tsheltrim

 

ANTIM: THE FINAL TRUTH - Premiers 17 February @ 10pm

Witness the transformation of a poor farmer's son into a fearless gangster, engaging in a riveting showdown with an upright policeman who doesn't back down easily.

Starring: Salman Khan, Aayush Sharma and Mahima Makwana

Catch this and so much on Zee One channel 111 on Openview.

Recap To The Decade: Disney Channel Remains As The Only Disney Branded Channel In Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Brazil And Nordic Regions

Since Disney+ inception, Disney has been moving away from their linear business to prioritise their streaming endeavours. There's been a decline in linear consumption and the idea for Disney+ was to sort of retain these consumers and to monetize on new content.

As mentioned this has led to a restructure of their global business with Asia streaming further content from FOX and National Geographic on Disney+ while most parts of Europe offer a reduced linear portfolio.

Disney Channel serves as one of the last remaining survivors across Europe. The channel is home to series like Hannah Montana, Raven's Home and Amphibia and following closures of Disney XD and some Disney Junior: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, PJ Masks and Big City Greens.

They've also curated (Disney+) original films from High School Musical, Camp Rock, Descendants, Lemonade Mouth, Home Alone, Phineas And Ferb: Candice Against The Universe and Teen Beach. 

In other developments, Disney Nordic had announced the closure of Disney Junior in the region with content migrating to Disney Channel. This closure might affect consumers in the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden before hitting the rest of EMEA.

Development Alert: Monsters At Work To Rollout On Disney Channels Across Europe, Middle East And Africa (EMEA) In March Alongside Disney+ Original Movie Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Disney Channel, an international children's channel operated by The Walt Disney Company that distributes a variety of content for consumers between 6-15 years is set to add more content from Disney+ with Monsters At Work and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.

Synopsis for Monsters At Work

Monsters at Work begins the day after Henry J. Waternoose III's arrest, with the Monsters, Incorporated factory making the transition to laugh power. Tylor Tuskmon, a recent Scare Major graduate from Monsters University, having previously received a letter of acceptance from Waternoose to be a scarer at the factory, is excited to work at the same company as his idol Sulley. However, Tylor is devastated to learn that the company is no longer in need of scarers, and he is reassigned to work as a mechanic on the Monsters Inc. Facilities Team (MIFT). Meanwhile, Mike and Sulley encounter the trials and tribulations of running the company.

Serving as a direct continuation of the original 2001 film, it features the voices of Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprising their roles as Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan from the original film and the 2013 prequel Monsters University; several other voice actors from the films reprise their roles as guests. 

Synopsis for Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

In a world co-populated by humans and fictional characters, two chipmunks named Chip and Dale meet in elementary school and become best friends. They later relocate to Hollywood and, after casting as extras in commercials and shows, go on to star in the successful television series Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers in the early 1990s. However, when Dale gets his own show, Double-O-Dale, the two have a falling out that leads to both shows' cancellation. Thirty years later, a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and save their friend.

The film stars John Mulaney and Andy Samberg as the voices of the titular pair, respectively, with KiKi Layne, Will Arnett, Eric Bana, Flula Borg, Dennis Haysbert, Keegan-Michael Key, Tress MacNeille, Tim Robinson, Seth Rogen and J.K. Simmons.

The first season of Monsters At Work will air from 25 March on Disney Channel with a second season expected to launch on Disney+ sometime in 2024. Following the rollout of Chip 'n Dale: Park Life in 2023, the Disney+ original film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers will air on 29 March.

Byron Allen Looking To Make MTV, Nickelodeon And Comedy Central "Cost Efficient", How Does This Impact Paramount Global's Linear Channels?

Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global were reportedly in talks for a potential merger. Fast forward to the present, Shari Redstone is looking to sell her shares at Amusement Park with Skydance that has collaborated with the company on various films making their bid with Byron Allen topping them.

As reported sometime ago, Allen Media Group made a proposal to acquire Paramount Global for $30 billion (R562 billion) part of which helps them cover up pending debts. Should this deal move forward, they would keep TV channels and the Paramount+ streaming service intact while selling off film studios and other intellectual properties.

The impact on TV channels in the United States

Byron Allen, the founder of Allen Media Group is looking to make these brands cost effective. Selling off "film studios and other intellectual properties" is another way to minimise expenses. It's not really known whether Allen will look to retaining various content from Nickelodeon and MTV.

Similar to CW, it's likely that we'll be seeing Nickelodeon and MTV relying more on third party content and possibly distributing even lesser originals. As mentioned, he was looking to run them on a more "cost-efficient basis". Nickelodeon has garnered popularity for shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and The Loud House, MTV on the other features shows like Teen Mom and Ridiculousness.

The impact on TV channels on a wider spectrum

With Nickelodeon and MTV getting less content, Paramount will likely look into closing channels across the country. This was likely implied when they mentioned selling off "film studios and other intellectual properties" I mean the company in question doesn't have much international presence.

There's always chances that they could retain a portion of channels such as Comedy Central and BET while secondary networks like Nicktoons and MTV Base cease to exist as they won't be much content to supplement the existing line-up of channels.

But then again Sony once offered linear services across the country before closing down most feeds while a few such as the UK were put under different management. Disney had been reducing the carbon footprint for Disney Channel while it continues to operate in the United States.

The future of SpongeBob SquarePants and Ridiculousness

As mentioned, Allen is looking to sell their film studios and it's possible that they could retain the more relevant brands such as Nickelodeon Animation Studios and sell majority of Paramount Pictures. There's been various companies that had their eye on their studios such as Netflix, Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney perhaps one of them could look into acquiring.

As for the content in general, Paramount's remaining offering could be licenced to various local broadcasters I mean should these channels not have much of a presence globally.

News Shorts: MultiChoice Silently Adds SuperSport La Liga To DStv Access Consumers, Eureka! Cancelled After One Season On Disney Junior And Telenovela Channel Phillipines To Close By The End Of February

SuperSport La Liga on Access

Home of the Spanish La Liga & UEFA Europa League while also showcasing overflow matches from the UEFA Champions League. Several DStv consumers had spotted the channel on their package alongside Zee World, Star Life, and various others.

In an enquiry to MultiChoice, they mention that SuperSport La Liga will be opened until further notice (likely permanent) while all other channels will remain temporarily. Taking to account that NWTV and One Freestate Televisual had closed these channels are probably a distraction.

MultiChoice will be announcing their new annual prices which will come into affect from April. With these recent closures of channels, one has to wonder if MultiChoice has more developments up their sleeves aside from cost adjustments.

Another bites the dust

Eureka! is an American-Irish animated children's television series produced by Brown Bag Films. It premiered on Disney Junior in the United States on June 22, 2022. Set in the Stone Age within the location of Rocky Falls, it followed the eponymous girl Eureka who enjoys going on adventures and building gadgets.

According to Disney TVA News, Eureka! had been quietly cancelled after one season at Disney Junior, many members of the crew moved to Robogobo and non-Disney shows at Brown Bag Films. It would join The Ghost And Molly McGee, Secret Of Sulphur Springs and Bunk'd as shows to have been axed by the network.

Disney is focusing on building out its multicam strategy and that includes prioritising shows that are based on Disney-owned IP, and creating global tentpole programming.

Telenovela Channel Phillipines to go dark

Telenovela Channel served as the first and only telenovela channel in the Phillipines in 2011. Owned by Beginnings at Twenty Plus, Inc. with the partnership of Grupo Televisa would broadcast various Mexican dramas viewed on TLNovelas including Sortilego, La Rosa De Guadalupe and Las Amazonas.

After 12 years, it was reported the channel's website that Telenovela Channel Phillipines will end transmission after 12 years by the end of February which would coincide with the closure of Disney Junior in the Nordic market as further content integrates with Disney Channel.

New Series Alert: Devoted Daughter Coming Soon To Zee One

Zee One, a Bollywood channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that distributes various English dubbed series and films from India is reported to be rolling out for the second new series for the year, Devoted Daughter (Ghar Ek Mandir - Kripa Agrasen Maharaj Ki).

It revolves around Genda, who is an ardent devotee of Agrasen Maharaj and belongs to a low-income family. She is married into a business family and faces a huge loss in their business after marriage. Meanwhile, Genda’s husband also suffers from epilepsy.

Produced under the banner Zee Studio, it premiered through &TV on 10 August 2021 and 139 episodes are reported to have been filmed soon so far. It starred Shrenu Parikh as Genda Agarwal, Akshay Mhatre as Varun Agarwal and Sameer Dharmadhikari as Agrasen Maharaj.

As reported through various media outlets, Devoted Wife will be making its freemium debut on Zee One after launching on Zee Family sometime in 2023.

Aside from Devoted Daughter, & TV had produced a number of productions to have been aired in Africa. That includes Begusarai, The Heir, Perfect Pati, Razia Sultan and Gangaa all of which are made available to Zee World and Zee One with Dayan, Destructive Beauty on eExtra.

New Series Alert: Get Ready For A Rollercoaster Of Laughter With CN Challengers Go!

Straight from the heart of South Africa, Cartoon Network Africa's newest YouTube series, CN Challengers Go!, is bound to keep you entertained at any time of the day! Hosted by the laugh-out-loud dynamic duo of Ryan and Wilsy, each episode unfolds with the spin of the challenge wheel unveiling their next crazy mission. From unexpected and fun activities like bagpipe-playing antics and rocket launches to testing fans' Cartoon Network knowledge and the suspenseful 'doughnut lottery,' where mustard may replace custard for one lucky (or unlucky) participant – expect nothing less than a whirlwind of weird, wacky, and wild moments. 

 

Ana González, Editorial Lead Southern Europe and Africa, Warner Bros. Discovery, shares her excitement, "CN Challengers Go! is a fresh take for our brand, and we're confident it'll be a smash hit with kids across the continent. We're thrilled to bring a South African-produced show with new local talent and fun  challenges to our audience." 

 

Crafted by South African filmmaker and content creator Howard James Fyvie, CN Challengers Go! is led by two dynamic local hosts. They will take turns spinning the crazy CN Challengers Go! Wheel and tackle three to four challenges every episode. Ryan Dube, a 15-year-old student from Brooklyn, Cape Town, brings his academic prowess and passion for acting, filming, and presenting to his breakout role. Wilsy Kituku, also known as 'Where's Wilsy,' is a 20-year-old creative and social media performer who effortlessly combines his love for comedy with the rhythmic beats of hip-hop music, injects his optimistic outlook and love for film, animation, and comedy into the mix.  

 

“Wilsy and Ryan had briefly met before and hit it off immediately during the auditions, becoming friends during the casting. You can see this great older brother and younger brother synergy between them on screen. They're hilarious,” reveals Howard.  

The first episode of this exciting new series is set to premiere on the @CartoonNetworkAfrica YouTube channel on Friday, 9 February, with a new instalment released every other week after that. González emphasises, "This series is all about bringing the fun directly to your screens – it's local, it's big, it's bold, and it perfectly embodies the spirit of our channel: laughter, adventure, energy, and a touch of wackiness!" 

Channel Termination: One Freestate Televisual And NWTV No Longer Available On DStv

One Freestate Televisual was a community channel based in Bloemfontein embracing the culture of the Free State while NWTV catered for the North West and Southern Africa. Both channels featured a variety of programs ranging from news, reality shows and drama series.

As seen this past week, MultiChoice has opted to discontinue carriage of One Freestate Televisual (channel 264) and NWTV (channel 266) after residing on the platform for less than 3 months. Both channels had shared different statements regarding their removal.

Statement from NWTV

Good day, NWTV viewers and supporters.

It is with sadness that we announce that DStv/Multichoice has opted to switch NWTV off. We thank you for your support, and we're honoured to have served you for this short time.

Basically, producers and other crew members will be left unemployed and MultiChoice doesn't mention what will happen to existing local content viewed on NWTV. If we had to guess, the latter might surface on existing community channels particularly Soweto TV as seen with Faith Cooking.

Statement from One Freestate Televisual

According to One Freestate Televisual, they're currently having a carriage dispute with MultiChoice. They hope to resolve the matter and return to the platform soon but as of right now the channel can only be found on StarSat.

One Freestate Televisual and NWTV closures comes a few days after B4U Movies had left the platform following its troubleshooting issues last year. This would be the third and fourth TV channel to have exited the platform in under a month with Emmanuel TV being the first.

MultiChoice doesn't outline a reason for the sudden closures of NWTV or One Freestate Televisual. Prior to this, MultiChoice had planned to axe two other channels from their platforms, 1Magic and Me.