Development Alert: TLC Africa Expands To Southern Africa On Channel 125 (Excluding South Africa)

During the day, DStv consumers had spotted the TLC Africa channel on 125 through the electronic programme guide. For those wondering, this isn't a channel MultiChoice is planning to add in South Africa as TLC already exists on channel 135 but like Nickelodeon Africa on 312.

The same channel with slight variations for different countries for starters Dr. Pimple Popper while the one situated in South Africa will air at 19:00, the one in neighboring countries will be telecast an hour early at 18:00 based on timezones and by that time we'd be watching My 600lb Life. 

Another variation may pertain to certain show I Am Jazz which would feature a transgender media mogul. In South Africa and Mozambique for starters, there is no restriction on sexual preferences as seen in Nigeria and Kenya making the series accessible to those countries. 

Unlike Nickelodeon and a few other channels on DStv, TLC's feed for neighboring countries is kind of depressing while several other channels are in tune with premieres some of TLC Africa's premieres can date back to the 2010s as seen with Discovery Family and Real Time.

The only sin the feed on channel 135 committed is promoting Me Or The Menu and Fixer Upper as premieres as those shows are already viewable on Food Network and HGTV. And also Discovery had already curated two channels specifically to leverage from these brands. 

Now consumers in more countries namely Southern African regions like Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi will now have to burden themselves with decade old repeats while consumers in Southern Africa get the fresher outtakes as seen in some parts of Europe. 

This would led to them losing out on channel 135.

Paramount Television Studios Is Closing Down As Part Of Cost Cutting Procedure With Content Set To Merge With CBS Studios

PTVS’ shutdown will result in the exit of 20-30 employees. All current PTVS series and development projects will be folded into CBS Studios.

“To be clear, this is not a decision based on how PTVS performed. This move is the result of significant changes in the TV and streaming marketplace and the need to streamline our company,” Cheeks said. “Under Nicole’s leadership, this studio consistently punched above its weight in attracting top storytellers and stars to create best-in-class series. I want to thank every PTVS employee for shepherding a slate of shows that helped usher Paramount into the streaming era.”

Headed into the current wave of layoffs that will impact 15% of Paramount Global’s U.S. workforce over the next few months for $500M in savings, there had been chatter about Paramount TV Studios as a potential casualty following a string of downsizing/consolidation moves since CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios were put together under Cheeks’ purview in the fall of 2022.

Both Cheeks and Clemens tried to assuage fears at the time by assuring PTVS staff that the division would remain independent from the larger CBS Studios as the two combined support operations by centralizing finance, law, production and casting. The same year, Paramount TV Studios absorbed Paramount+’s scripted originals team. (Word is more P+ layoffs may be coming after Labor Day.)

In the most recent round of layoffs in February, PTVS consolidated development and current under Head of Development Jana Helman, with a slew of senior programming executives leaving. It also dissolved/downsized communications, marketing and post-production which are now handled by CBS Studios. Prior to that, Clemens, a well-liked veteran executive, revealed that the studio was no longer going to produce limited series except for third-party buyers.

Also possibly factoring into the decision to shut down PTVS is Paramount Global’s pending merger with Skydance whose television division is very similar in scope and output to PTVS. The two companies have collaborated on such series as Reacher, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and the upcoming Cross.

Other notable series produced by PTVS over the years include 13 Reasons Why, The Alienist, Station Eleven, Time Bandits, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Speculation about CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios combining has actually been around since the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger was announced. Launched by Paramount Pictures’ Brad Grey in 2013, Paramount TV Studios has been the smaller of the two and its volume was impacted when Paramount+ pared down its scripted originals ramp-up plans to stem streaming losses. The studio continued to sell to outside platforms.

In her note to staff, Clemens, who joined PTVS in 2018, reflected on the label’s legacy.

“Over the past 11 years, PTVS has weathered seemingly insurmountable obstacles through a combination of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment,” she said. “We met these challenges with incredible resilience, creativity, and passion for what we do, and I could not be prouder of our team. We’ve also had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most brilliant creative talent in the industry to help tell incredible stories seen around the world, entertaining and shaping culture.”

Here are the two memos:

Note from Nicole Clemens: President, Paramount Television Studios

Dear PTVS Family,

As you’re all aware, Paramount Global has made the difficult decision to close Paramount Television Studios as part of the company’s broader restructuring plans. This has been a challenging and transformative time for the entire industry, and sadly, our studio is not immune.

Over the past 11 years, PTVS has weathered seemingly insurmountable obstacles through a combination of strength, determination, and unwavering commitment. We met these challenges with incredible resilience, creativity, and passion for what we do, and I could not be prouder of our team. We’ve also had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most brilliant creative talent in the industry to help tell incredible stories seen around the world, entertaining and shaping culture.

Although Paramount Television Studios is ending, our ethos will live on in shows that will continue to be enjoyed by global audiences for years to come. We’ve cemented our legacy by shepherding some of the most influential, award-winning, and critically acclaimed shows in the streaming era with series like “13 Reasons Why,” “The Offer,” “Defending Jacob,” “The Alienist,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Station Eleven,” “Time Bandits,” and many more. We have broken streaming platform records with “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “Reacher,” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” Our upcoming shows, “Cross,” “Before,” and “Murderbot,” are sure to join the ranks of those hits.

This has been the most formative chapter in my career, and that is mainly due to the remarkable colleagues I have had the honor to lead and learn from on a daily basis. Thank you for supporting me, inspiring me, and laughing with me for the last six years — I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the trenches with anyone else.

I want to thank George Cheeks for his leadership and support through it all. There will undoubtedly be some tears as we move on, but this business is a marathon, and I am certain that we will cross paths, if not work together, again.

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” – Fred Rogers

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nicole

Note from George Cheeks: Co-CEO, Paramount Global and President & CEO, CBS

CBS Team,

As you saw from the email Brian, Chris and I sent earlier, this is a very difficult day at Paramount Global. I’m reaching out to share that today’s news unfortunately impacts CBS, including one of our studios.

A short time ago, we informed the team at Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) that the studio will cease operations at the end of the week. To be clear, this is not a decision based on how PTVS performed. This move is the result of significant changes in the TV and streaming marketplace and the need to streamline our company.

I want to thank PTVS President Nicole Clemens and the talented team she built for the many signature hits they produced. Under Nicole’s leadership, this studio consistently punched above its weight in attracting top storytellers and stars to create best-in-class series. I want to thank every PTVS employee for shepherding a slate of shows that helped usher Paramount into the streaming era.

Going forward, all current PTVS series and development projects will transition to CBS Studios.

In addition to PTVS, there are members of CBS teams who will be leaving the company. These are valued colleagues we admire and respect, whose talents contributed to the leadership position we enjoy today. I want to express my deepest gratitude for their contributions, hard work and dedication.

As we move forward, please keep these co-workers in your thoughts as our HR teams and their teammates help support them through this process.

There is a lot of news to unpack today. I know it’s unsettling. I continue to be impressed and grateful for our teams’ ability to stay focused and stick together during this transitional time.

George

Development Alert: Blink Kant Bo Make Its Linear Debut On eExtra This September Replacing Chrysalis Season 2

During the week, eExtra debuted another TV show which was previously available on eVOD, Pad Na Die Hart. With Net 20 Minute also looking to air on the channel this leaves eExtra to load up on eVOD leftovers with Blink Kant Bo slated to air on the channel from 25 September.

Sometime ago, I did a story on Annekan Die Swa Kry and its future on e.tv with the second season set to reach its climax in the coming months. eMedia Investments is likely to distance the channel from the family drama and allocate another TV show in its timeslot e.g. Die Agentskap.

Ever since Doodsondes premiered in South Africa, eMedia Investments had often changed the broadcaster for the FOX drama. Lacking consistency, the first two seasons were made available on eExtra with third and fourth on e.tv with the final two season on eVOD.

Now Chrysalis is looking to exit the channel after its second season when Blink Kant Bo premieres and similar to Doodsondes the final season will premiere in 2025 with Elif also slated to conclude by then.

Synopsis for Blink Kant Bo 

Halis Ağa is the owner of a large jewellery empire and the head of the Korhan family. Even though his son Orhan and oldest grandson Fuat run most of the business, he still makes the most important decisions in the company. His younger grandson Ferit, who is the total opposite of his brother Fuat, is a very irresponsible young bachelor who just returned from abroad where he went to study. Halis can’t take anymore of Ferit’s recklessness and he charges his widowed daughter-in- law Ifakat with finding him a nice girl to marry. 

The news that Halis Ağa is looking for a bride for his grandson, comes like a bolt from the blue into Kazım’s mansion in Gaziantep. Kazım’s only hope to get rich are his beautiful daughters, Suna and Seyran. After Ifakat sees Suna and decides she is the right girl for Ferit, the family goes to Gaziantep to ask for Suna’s hand in marriage. But before the ceremony, Ferit and Seyran meet each other without realizing that they are supposed to become brother and sister-in-law, and Ferit is enamored by her. 

The two sisters’ lives change forever when Ferit decides to marry Seyran instead of Suna. While Kazım is glad that he has secured his access to a great fortune, Seyran will be the new bride in a family full of betrayals, lies and secrets. While Suna will start making revenge plans to get back her stolen future, life at the mansion will be even more challenging with the two brothers’ power conflicts.

Should SABC Look Into Renaming The SABC Education Channel Perhaps To SABC Variety 2?

Since 1996, SABC Education had been a trademark the public broadcaster would incorporate on local content geared mainly at the youth aged 2-14 and overtime aged 18-49. It is home to shows like Geleza Nathi, Uzalo, Matric Reloaded, Skeem Saam, Takalani Sesame and TOMZ.

It currently operates as a 24 hour channel on SABC's DTT alongside SABC 1-3, SABC Lehae, SABC Variety, SABC Sport and their 19 radio stations. Other means of accessing the channel or its content is through SABC+ and for those without these option can view its content on SABC 1-3.

This channel was launched amidst covid as a Mindset oriented brand offering various lessons from the Department Of Education on top of the already existing Geleza Nathi and Matric Reloaded. That left little variety for SABC's other shows like Words And Numbers and Hectic Nine-9.

Since then a lot of restructuring was done to incorporate a lot more of the SABC with the inclusion of Skeem Saam and non-educational shows like Restyle My Style and Challenge SOS but then again I get why these are on.

SABC Education is youth oriented and the SABC hadn't really produced much content in this area but the inclusion of Afro Cafe and Speak Out falls out of that spectrum. This was a channel that should be pivoting toward what it is positioned for education yet there's music shows on there.

Often the public broadcaster would rebrand the channel to SABC Festival as if there weren't consumers actually watching the channel and leaving the space occupied by SABC Variety unhinged. Considering there's already content under SABC Education not viewable on the channel like Uzalo.

Yet there's space for current affairs, the public broadcaster should consider restructuring or revamping the channel perhaps into SABC Variety 2. The first channel may as well occupy shows like Uzalo and Giyani: Land Of Blood while the other offers Skeem Saam and Noot Vir Noot.

News Shorts: e.tv Adds New Variety Show Friends Of Amstel: The Challenge, Xolani Khumalo Debuts New TV Show On StarSat And Queen Of The South Season 3 Makes Its Highly Anticipated Debut On Telemundo Africa

Black Tax changes timeslots ahead of new show

Friends of Amstel The Challenge is a fun and thrilling competition that brings together friends and celebrities for a series of exciting challenges. Whether it’s testing your physical abilities, mental acuity, or teamwork skills, this challenge has something for everyone. With Abuti Fill Up, President Ya Straata, and iNkabi uSjava leading their respective crews, you can bet that the competition will be fierce and exciting. Do you have what it takes to come out on top?

The ultimate prize for Friends of Amstel The Challenge is a 5-star, all-inclusive experience to Friends of Amstel. This exclusive event is a must-attend for any music and entertainment lover, so winning this prize is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From enjoying top-notch performances to rubbing elbows with celebrities, this experience is sure to be unforgettable. So, gather your friends, sign up for the challenge, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

The game show airs every Saturday at 18:00 on e.tv starting August 17th. To coincide with the launch season 2 of Black Tax will be moving to a much earlier timeslot 17:30.

St Rise adds new series Slyza Tsotsi

Xolani Khumalo, the former host of the controversial drug-busting show Sizokuthola, is making a return to television with his new show, Slyza Tsotsi. The show, which promises to be another hard-hitting expose on the illicit drug trade, will air on the Rise StarSat DStv channel 120 starting September 7th.

Khumalo also faces charges of malicious damage to property and robbery with aggravating circumstances, raising serious questions about his methods and the legitimacy of his crusade against drug dealers. Despite these controversies, Khumalo’s new show, Slyza Tsotsi, is set to continue his mission to expose and take down drug dealers.

Teresa is back for her final mission to take down the cartel 

The third season of Queen Of The South 3 (La Reina Del Sur 3) will premiere on September 9th on Telemundo Africa replacing The People's Doctor at 22:00 CAT. The final season has premiered in the United States a year ago so its kind of depressing that the channel took this long to acquire it.

After four years in prison in the United States for the deaths of three DEA agents, Teresa Mendoza escapes but will have to face a world full of conspiracy, risking her life in order to clear her name and reunite with her daughter Sofía. The cast includes Kate Del Castllo, Pêpê Rapazote, Antonio Gil, Isabella Sierra.

Canal+ Looking To Buy Another Pay-TV Platform Ahead Of Its Acquisition In MultiChoice

Vivendi’s Canal+ plans to double its stake in MC Vision to become the majority shareholder of the Mauritian-based digital pay-TV company, as the French firm seeks to boost its presence on the continent.

Canal+ will increase its stake to 75% from 37% for an undisclosed amount, pending regulatory approvals, according to a joint statement published in Le Dimanche/L’Hebdo newspaper.

Currimjee Jeewanjee and Co, a family-owned business that started MC Vision with Canal+ more than two decades ago, will cut its stake to 25% from 53% and state-owned Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation will sell its 10% holding.

Canal+ is seeking to expand its presence on the youngest and fastest growing continent

The new structure “will enable MC Vision to continue to meet the expectations of Mauritian households in terms of audiovisual content and services, while benefiting from the support of the Canal+ group”, the companies said.

Canal+ is seeking to expand its presence on the youngest and fastest growing continent to compete with US entertainment giants. In April it made an all-cash formal offer for MultiChoice Group, valuing the South African broadcaster’s shares at R55-billion and said the combined entity will be listed in Europe and Johannesburg.

Evolved

From pioneering digital satellite television in the Indian Ocean island nation in 1999, MC Vision has evolved into a provider of premium and exclusive content.

In the year to December 2022, it recorded revenue of Rs1.25-billion (R490-million) and a Rs1.6-million loss. The shortfall was due to low consumer confidence, a significantly weaker rupee, a rise in piracy and the unprecedented cost of content rights, for live sports in particular, according to Currimjee Jeewanjee’s annual report.  

How Warner Bros. Discovery May Look Into Rolling Out TNT Sports In Africa And Global?

TNT Sports is a brand name Warner Bros. Discovery which serves as the parent company had trademarked for its sports channels and prior a division within America. It currently maintains an active presence in Latin America, United Kingdom, Argentina and Chile with more international territories to be added.

After obtaining rights to select content from wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling, Warner Bros. Discovery is planning/exploring to get this brand trademarked within Africa. The current structure of the brand has yet to disclosed but if we had to guess they'll be time sharing with the current TNT channel. 

Another would be obtaining a structure similar to that of ESPN channels on DStv which is basically a SuperSport Blitz infused channel with NFL and NBA. Or rivaling with SuperSport's WWE and making TNT Sports an AEW oriented channel with doccies, films and highlights. 

Warner Bros. Discovery already operates the Eurosport channel in parts of Europe and with its division branded TNT Sports International. That is likely to all fold under one branding and the only other means Warner Bros. Discovery has in the establishment of such brand.

On top of licensing agreements, Warner Bros. Discovery is also producing original content so similar to Cartoonito's rollout globally. The likely scenario is that content from TNT Sports will just pop-up on Eurosport in an attempt to get consumers accustomed to a new brand name. 

Eurosport is basically SuperSport so there's not really much it has to offer for consumers in Africa that consumers aren't getting. There's a bidding war various sporting events and Warner Bros. Discovery wouldn't be able to outbid a broadcaster like SuperSport for something like PSL.

The question arises as to how Warner Bros. Discovery would balance a wider collection of sports content onto TNT's existing offering. For decades even dating back to TCM, it garnered prestige for its movies lineup and AEW's inclusion has caused conflict which led to numerous timeslot changes.

eExtra, eToonz, eMovies And eMovies Extra Continues On MultiChoice's DStv As eMedia Investments Looks To Take Legal Action Over Their Pending Demise

Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have been embroiled a carriage dispute regarding eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz. These channels are also allocated on the Openview platform with eExtra that is available on StarSat in a separate agreement. 

A hearing was scheduled for this August but according to a report it has been delayed once again with a date that has to be finalized. 

eMedia Investments is looking to take legal action against MultiChoice over the impending demise of these money grabbers. These channels ranked first, fourth, seventh and tenth serve as additional revenue stream to aid in the distribution and licensing of content. 

Other disputes these two parties engaged in revolved on the 2023 Rugby World Cup where SABC and MultiChoice reached an agreement worth R57 million. Of course, this agreement restricted these matches from being allocated on Openview and StarSat as they failed to obtain free-to-air rights.

In a court ruling, MultiChoice wasn't allowed to make such restrictions forcing the SABC to have their current agreement set in place scrapped. Following SABC’s absence from these events, sports minister warned a warning to these broadcasters for their failure to come into terms with a new agreement.