Zee One To Premiere A Brand New Series "Deserted" In November

The story revolves around three sisters and their mom. Tubri is a courageous girl who isn’t afraid of raising her voice against wrongdoers. Tubi’s mom faces all sorts of hurdles to protect her daughters. Her dad left them alone and married another woman. Tubri and her mom run a roadside shop to make the ends meet. Being the eldest among the trio she (Tubri) vows to do everything for the well-being of her family.

In the upcoming Bengali show, actress Sohini Banerjee of ‘Aloukik Na Loukik’ fame is playing the titular role. Senior actress Laboni Sarkar will be seen playing her reel mom. Sukanya Basu and Soume Chatterjee will be seen portraying Tubri’s two younger sisters. The show also has actress Rii Sengupta in a negative role while director Abhijit Guha will also be seen in the show.

Based on the Hindi drama Radhamma Kuthuru, Deserted better known in India as Uron Tubri was a Bengali language series that was broadcast on Zee Bangla from 28 March to 16 December 2022. Since it's inception a number of adaptations have been conceived including in Telegu, Punjabi and Kannada.

It is scheduled to air on Zee One from 3 November 2024 replacing Broken Bloodline once it comes to an end.

Despite not residing within Africa, Zee Bangla had distributed a number of titles through the market some of which had already been viewed on Zee World including Gouri, Betrayal and Ringside Rebel. Deserted serves as one of the few primetime shows on the network alongside The Pain Of Loving You and 36 Reasons.

Reminder: Selena + Restaurant Premiering On Food Network Africa This Month

Global megastar Selena Gomez  takes the next step in her culinary adventure as she heads out of her home kitchen and into the professional kitchens of some of LA’s hottest restaurants in Selena + Restaurant, premiering Thursday, 31 October, at 17:00 on Food Network Africa. Gomez will be accompanied by best friend, Raquelle Stevens, as her cooking skills are put to the test by the best in the business.

 

Over six episodes, chefs Shirley Chung, Keith Corbin, Stephanie Izard, Andrew & Michelle Muñoz, Wolfgang Puck and Marcel Vigneron will teach and test Selena to see how quickly she can learn the ropes with the ultimate goal of creating a dish good enough to make each restaurant's menu. Each chef will also highlight a charity that is meaningful to them during each episode, with all of the featured non-profits receiving a donation to further their cause.  

 

“After cooking mostly virtually from my kitchen with some of the best chefs for the last four years, I was thrilled to step into their world,” said Gomez. “You’ll have to see if being in person helped my skills at all.” 

 

In the premiere episode, Selena and Raquelle head to Chef Wolfgang Puck's restaurant, CUT Steakhouse, in Beverly Hills. Thrown straight into the fire, Selena must pass an initial test and master one of Wolfgang’s classic dishes before creating her take on a spicy seafood dish in a bid to have it placed on the menu. Then, it’s off to the kitchen of Los Angeles Dumpling Queen Shirley Chung, who welcomes Selena into her restaurant, Ms Chi, where the two make a fusion version of a beloved dish from Selena's childhood. Selena, Raquelle and Shirley fold dumplings and dance around the kitchen as Selena attempts to deliver a dish good enough to make the menu. Additional excursions include Hollywood hotspot Lemon Grove with Chef Marcel Vigneron; Texas BBQ at Moo’s Craft Barbecue with Andrew and Michelle Muñoz; a visit with Chef Stephanie Izard at her restaurant Girl & the Goat, and a stop at California soul food restaurant, Alta, with Chef Keith Corbin. 

 

“Selena’s culinary journey has riveted viewers from day one as she has elevated her kitchen skills on her Emmy-nominated series, Selena + Chef,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Now, out of the comfort of her home kitchen, but with her best friend for support, Selena’s graduation to the big leagues offers a natural progression of her culinary education as this superstar shows what she can do in a restaurant environment.” 

 

Selena Gomez is one of the most globally and culturally celebrated artists, actors, producers, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists of her generation. As a GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, Gomez has sold more than 210 million singles worldwide and has over 45 billion global streams. As a producer, she has produced the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why; and the lauded Netflix docu-series Living Undocumented. Currently, Selena executive produces and stars in the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building opposite comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short. Gomez received a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series as well as a SAG Award nomination for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. In addition, last year she became only the second Latina to receive an Emmy nomination for executive producing a comedy series. In 2019, Gomez launched her beauty line Rare Beauty. As part of the partnership, Gomez announced the Rare Impact Fund, pledging to raise $100 million for mental health services for individuals in underserved communities. 

 

Selena + Restaurant is produced by Gomez for July Moon Productions, along with executive producers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman on behalf of Sony Pictures Television’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), showrunner Shauna Minoprio, and Melissa Stokes. 

SABC Fails To Launch Additional Channels To Openview, Could There Be More To The Story?

As some of you may remember, SABC and eMedia Investments held hands to announce a new partnership that would see SABC Sport alongside SABC's 19 radio stations on Openview. This would join the existing SABC 1-3 channels with more expansion plans said to be underway with the inclusion two new channels.

These channels were non-exclusive brands meaning it could as well be distributed on SABC's DTT or MultiChoice's DStv platform with plans to spread the existing lineup from SABC 1-3 on these channels. At the time, the SABC had stated that when these channels would get enough exposure that new content could be curated specifically for them.

Similar to what we've seen with SABC's DTT channels, this content will likely be allocated on SABC 1-3 cause with more exposure means more advertising income. Although Ouma Sarie was able to pull 1.8 million viewers on e.tv that's not the case with eExtra as it's estimated to be under 500000.

These new channels had been in development hell for 3 years which means they could have been working on some ideas and that's where it's stands. Often when something is in development hell it's likely to get the axe look what happened to BBC UKTV's launch on Openview that went to DStv and consumers are reliant on SABC 3 for their offering.

Let's remember, SABC had continued adding further channels SABC Lehae and SABC Variety maybe one or both of those could be something they were looking to include on Openview. Then something behind the scenes happened with either eMedia Investments or the SABC which led to its cancellation or delay.

They are technically insolvent and need funding in order for these channels to survive. At this stage, they wouldn't really launch channels without knowing they'd be compensated in some capacity. 

Another possible outcome would be structure of this deal, when SABC Encore was distributed on MultiChoice's DStv what happened there was that SABC had a deadline (missed it) but eventually launched with the money coming from MultiChoice. Could the same have been outlined with eMedia Investments agreement with SABC?

This is a non exclusive deal unlike that of SABC Encore so SABC could have benefitted from this as there was no given timeframe by eMedia Investments on when these channels would go live. Probably because the payments eMedia Investments had given to SABC Sport matched that of SABC 1-3.

This means that SABC would be the one covering most of the costs for these channels cause with the financial constraints of eMedia Investments there's no way they could fund all 19 radio stations. This is the reason you don't get SABC News much less eNCA on those platforms due to constraints in livelihood.

ID Presents Its Third Annual No Excuse for Abuse Campaign Featuring the Premiere of Chris Brown: A History of Violence

This November, Investigation Discovery (ID) proudly presents the third year of its impactful NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE campaign in partnership with NO MORE.

 

The NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE campaign underscores ID’s unwavering commitment to shedding light on the multifaceted and complex dynamics of intimate partner violence. This is achieved through resources, programming initiatives, and an in-depth exploration of the issue with the premiere of CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, premiering in Africa on Friday, 8 November 2024 @ 21h00 on ID on DStv channel 171.

 

Chris Brown has been praised for his innovation and immense talent since he burst onto the music scene. However, in 2009, the world was exposed to a much darker side of the pop star when he made headlines for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. This arrest put a spotlight on Brown and his adult life, which has involved multiple violent incidents, including intimate partner violence, assault charges, and even sexual assault allegations. CHRIS BROWN: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE charts Chris Brown’s past all the way back to his troubled childhood, explores the lasting impact of the cycle of abuse, and poses the question: how does a man with such a violent public record maintain his superstar status? With expert and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful reflections on each survivor’s experience and the psychological destruction left in the aftermath of their abuse.

 

Sunny Hostin, The View co-host and four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist will host a dedicated conversation immediately following the documentary about intimate partner violence. The special will expand on the discussion about domestic violence, providing guidance on recognising signs of abuse, information on where to find help, and insights on violence prevention from a roundtable of leading experts and advocates, including NO MORE’s co-founder Jane Randel.

 

“Throughout my career, I have always prioritised being a fierce defender of women and children,” said Sunny Hostin. “Domestic violence is a very close, personal issue to me as I reflect on my past as a prosecutor of these types of cases and in my role as a mother and public figure whose actions inform and help shape the next generation. This issue is a prevalent epidemic which knows no socio-economic boundaries, so I am dedicated to expanding and continuing this crucial conversation. The more we know, the better we can help advocate for change as a society.”

 

“ID is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through its programming and campaigns. Our annual No Excuse for Abuse campaign amplifies this message, providing resources to show survivors and their loved ones that they are not alone and that help is available,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID. “In our third year, we are creating impactful content and collaborating with champions like Sunny Hostin, who brings her expertise and passion to lead thoughtful and nuanced discussions on domestic violence.”

Should eExtra Stop Airing Kelders Van Geheime And Annekan Die Swa Kry Simultaneously With e.tv?

Earlier in the year, eMedia Investments decided to offer a simultaneous broadcast of e.tv's Annekan Die Swa Kry on eExtra and this was before Kelders Van Geheime was introduced as a rivalled offering to the now axed 7de Laan on SABC 2. The broadcaster hadn't been upfront with the media or even fans on this development.

But from what we've hypothesised from months back is that eExtra is undergoing a similar route as e.tv in 2021/2. Before rivalling with SABC 1 and Mzansi Magic, e.tv was more skewed toward audiences of M-Net and SABC 3 now all of this had been reverted to eReality and eSeries on Openview.

Local is lekker as the saying goes it draws in people and these efforts seen on Openview despite their successes overseas often draw a fraction of House Of Zwide or Muvhango's audience.

It's likely they're trying to do this with eExtra cause as we've seen more Afrikaans content in recent months with Sommerdahl Moorde and Die Fakuliteit. But what some have continued asking the network continuously is why Annekan and now Kelders Van Gehieme are on eExtra at the same time as e.tv.

If I had guess eMedia Investments wants people that tune into Kuiertyd or eExtra to watch these shows when they come on through e.tv and they don't want to create competition amongst their brands. This would even include viewers of Naagin or Forbidden Passions aka Pasión Prohibida.

To put it in better terms, eExtra turns off during this time to appease the masses of e.tv but I don't see the sense in having these shows air on two channels simultaneously. When MultiChoice does it with Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu that is because some of your audience can't view one of the two.

But in this case, a portion of eExtra's consumers are e.tv meaning there's no way anyone can be missing out on these shows. It would be understandable if you were looking at it from a DStv perspective, they have various packages and each would have its own set of content for certain consumers.

I think what eMedia Investments could have done execution wise was have Kelders Van Gehieme and Annekan Die Swa Kry broadcasts on eExtra and rather make e.tv second fiddle. Right now, there's a lot of collision between these channels and I do feel part of this needs to assessed to some capacity.

Kelders Van Gehieme would retain its 18:00 timeslot on e.tv but rather have this convert into a repeat timeslot with 17:00 also becoming a slope for eExtra's repeats. Perhaps try to increase consumers dependency on ePlesier by making them accomodate e.tv's daytime repeats as a means to drive sales of Openview.

Disney Jr. Announces New Animated Series Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends

Disney Jr. announced the greenlight for Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends, the first preschool Iron Man series which will feature a young Tony Stark (Iron Man) and his world-saving besties, Riri Williams (Ironheart) and Amadeus Cho (Iron Hulk). The young trio work together to make the world a better place, protecting their city and each other.

From Disney Branded Television, the series is currently in production and slated for a summer 2025 premiere on Disney Jr. and Disney+. The new series is part of Disney and Marvel’s expanded strategy to introduce these iconic Avengers characters and stories to a new generation of fans.

“Iron Man is the character that launched Marvel Studios and will always be especially beloved here as the hero that made the MCU possible,” said Brad Winderbaum, Head of Streaming, Television and Animation at Marvel Studios. “That’s why we’re so excited to partner with the incredible team at Disney Branded Television and bring Iron Man to a new audience. Together we are building a series that introduces the most brilliant scientists and inventors in the Marvel Universe as they share in fun armored adventures.”

Ayo Davis, President, Disney Branded Television, commented, “We’re thrilled to introduce Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends to preschoolers on Disney Jr. and Disney+, expanding their connection to the iconic Marvel universe. Partnering with Brad and the Marvel Studios team on this series allows us to bring the incredible legacy of Iron Man to a whole new generation, sparking young imaginations with characters that embody courage, teamwork, and creativity.”

Synopsis: Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends follows the adventures (and misadventures) of best friends and super geniuses Tony Stark, Riri Williams and Amadeus Cho as they work together to solve problems both big and small and protect their city. To help them in their Super Hero endeavors, they each have their own Iron Suits that allow them to fly and give them each enhanced super-strength. In addition, Iron Man has a Nano-Shield; Ironheart has a Heartbeat Bubble forcefield to protect people, and Iron Hulk has his strong Iron Boom clap and Iron Hulk Stomp. They work out of their beachfront base, Iron Quarters (IQ), under the supervision of their superpowered android, Vision, and their furry pup, Gamma, who has her very own Iron Pup suit and accompanies the Iron Friends on many of their adventures.

The series stars Mason Blomberg (Shameless), Kapri Ladd (Danger Force) and Aidyn Ahn (Kids Say the Darndest Things) as the voices of Tony Stark/Iron Man, Riri Williams/Ironheart and Amadeus Cho/Iron Hulk, respectively. David Kaye (Transformers) voices the role of Vision, and Fred Tatasciore (Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur) voices Gamma. Additional characters and casting will be announced at a later date.

From Disney Branded Television, Marvel’s Iron Man and His Awesome Friends is executive produced by Sean Coyle (Puppy Dog Pals) and Harrison Wilcox (Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends). James Eason-Garcia (Pupstruction) is co-executive producer and story editor, Alex Cichon (LEGO Marvel: Spider-Man: Vexed by Venom) is supervising producer; Ashley Rideout (Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends) is producer, and Michael Dowding (Hello Ninja) is supervising director.

The series is produced by Disney Jr. and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons.

Development Alert: Blink Kant Bo And Op Dun Ys Swap Timeslots On eExtra

During the day, eMedia Investments had took to Kuiertyd's social pages to announce that eExtra's newest addition Op Dun Ys alongside Blink Kant Bo would be exchanging timeslots from 21 October. This means Op Dun Ys will broadcast at 20:30 while Blink Kant Bo will be airing an hour early at 19:30.

eMedia Investments have evaded from several questions on why the sudden change in slots for these shows but most of the blame is suggested to be pinned on newcomer Op Dun Ys. As some have been made aware, Op Dun Ys is the first show from the channel to not offer any subtitles which had caused division amongst consumers.

Insiders are saying the move to 20:30 was sort of a way to ease the tension as Blink Kant Bo airs an hour early at 19:30. Various consumers are upset about the move as some would watch Scandal or Uzalo around these times now find themselves at a crossroads while others were able to tune into these shows in their respective slots.

Not everyone can catch-up with last nights episodes of Blink Kant Bo on eVOD or e.tv which is where it's primetime slot stood at on eExtra. Same goes for Op Dun Ys which follows the route of Star Life's controversial Evil Affairs with primetime now at 20:30 and repeats daily at 2am and weekends at 7am.

Funny thing about this is that Net 20 Minute has more airtime on the channel than Op Dun Ys which goes to show you how much they're trying to restrict its broadcasts. The edgier show now has a daytime slot at 13:45 yet Voëlvry and Die Put weren't deemed appropriate for a much earlier timeslot when broadcast.

How DStv Easyview Tries To Compete With Openview When It Comes To Sports?

Despite MultiChoice attempts to lure consumers to their most cheapest package this has proven to challenging as Openview has over 20 channels which incorporate telenovelas, movies, reality shows and drama series. Easyview is still reliant on provincial and news brands despite the inclusion of TNT and Real Time.

One of the main factors that drive people away from Easyview would be sports as eMedia Investments distribute SABC Sport on Openview and all Easyview has got is Blitz their news channel. One could as well establish that Blitz is superior for its news coverage for which SABC Sport lacks but from a consumers perspective live sports is a necessity.

Openview draws over 3 million households of course when it comes to viewership particularly sports it is estimated to reach 50000-100000 viewers and although MultiChoice hasn't mentioned Easyview consumer numbers their lower mass market which include Access and Family amount to 4 million.

When it comes to sports, MultiChoice injects a lot of funding there which is the main factor to the inflation rates on the Premium to Access packages. If or when MultiChoice decides to offer sports on the Easyview package full-time they'd be various challenges awaiting them one would be keeping the rates intact.

DStv Easyview was R39 per month before it dropped to R29 as MultiChoice was struggling to retain consumers and part of the blame went to Openview. As mentioned, despite the package seeing an increase in content is under threat and although being the most affordable it isn't the most attractive of packages.

One way Easyview is able to give a channel like SABC Sport a run for their money would be provincial stations. Despite being the reliant on when it comes to premium entertainment has seen a number of events under their wing including DStv Diski Challenge, World Wrestling Professionals RPT and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

During certain sporting events, SuperSport either launches a dedicated TV channel or temporarily opens up an existing channel to their consumers.

Heck even the movie channel TNT had opted to offer sports with the inclusion of wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling. If anything, I think the only other way MultiChoice can help Easyview compete even further with SABC Sport is by licensing some of its content from SuperSport to Magic Showcase. 

Magic Showcase broadcasts 16-18 hours a day and one way they could help extend those hours would be the inclusion of sporting event like Betway Premiership and compliment this with Jambo WWE. The content would broadcast on Magic Showcase weekly and could as well help them minimize costs.