News Shorts: Zee World To Rollout This Is Fate And His Mistress's Child In Selected Territories, UTV Scoops Up Another Yet To Be Seen TLNovelas Drama And Kleva-Ish To Make A Landing On The eVOD And Amazon Prime Video Steaming Service

Cabo is expanding to Ghana

UTV is a Ghanaian based channel similar to how you'd describe Soweto TV in South Africa offers informative and engaging programming catered to a small audience. It is also known for supplying content from TLNovelas' parent company, TelevisaUnivision.

After debuting on Zap Novelas, it was learnt by sources not long ago that the Ghanaian channel will be allocating Cabo (another yet to be seen TLNovelas drama) in place of Overcoming The Past which is set to rollout on TLNovelas later this month.

Sofía and Alejandro get married in a dream wedding, but when Alejandro dies in a plane crash and Sofia travels to Cabo to meet his new family, she realizes that Alejandro is alive and that his real name is Eduardo.

Based on the 1985 Mexican telenovela Tú o nadie, the series starred Bárbara de Regil, Matías Novoa, Eva Cedeño, Diego Amozurrutia, Rebecca Jones and Rafael Inclán.

His Mistress's Child has been delayed

During the year, it was learnt by sources that Zee World had picked up rights to another family drama, His Mistress's Child. With the channel operating independently in Southern Africa, the drama was offered to consumers in neighbouring countries replacing Radha Mohan.

As for its release date in Southern Africa, initially it was slated to air on August 12 but Zee World for some reason thought of removing it from the schedule I presume they hadn't recieved the show yet so they opted for This Is Fate as if we don't get enough heartache from Pragya and Abhi.

Speaking of which, This Is Fate is speculated to be replacing If You Were Not There for the rest of Africa by August 23 but for all we know that could change as the channel is well known for giving out wrong dates and also that "coming soon" tag which would take 4 to 6 months before release.

Grown-ish based film to rollout on a platform near you

Following the rollout of Seconds, eMedia Investments together with Amazon Prime Video will be rolling out another local production from August 17th, Kleva-Ish meaning eVOD hasn't produced an original film that isn't distributed on a supposed rival platform.

Two misfits. One a Nerd the other a Spinner, Need each other to help them fit in. She needs his driving

school skills to get a drivers licence, He needs to transform into a roughneck to win back his ex who dumped him for being too soft.

It stars Phenius Bullets as MaLeather, Tshepiso Jeme as Pule, Galaletsang Koffman as Dimakatso and Ontshiametse Molekoa as Thulani. Thabang Masanabo and Ntshepe iFarah Nkosi serve as directors with Makanaka Mavenger assisting in writing.

Alongside Kleva-Ish, eMedia Investments is set to rollout 4 new telenovelas on their linear platforms: Ramo, Chrysalis, Winter Son and Annekan Die Swa Kry.

Disney Channel And Junior Africa's Schedule Dated August 6, 2023

With speculation of a possible closure within the EMEA region, we've monitored their lineup on a month to month basis and compared to previous years it almost looks as if The Disney Channels are prepping for the inevitable.

It's no secret that Disney has been prioritising their direct-to-consumer market or in this case, Disney+. As there's been a decline in households to have viewed their content so Disney+ is one way to keep these consumers onboard.

Of course, it has led to closure of Disney Channels in the UK, Italy, Australia and Asia as they're funneling content away from Disney+ and this has angered consumers so you see where they're getting at in removing these channels.

Below is a weekday schedule for Disney Channel and Disney Junior:

" bold means shows are ending soon or had been cancelled

00:00 The Owl House

00:25 The Owl House

00:50 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

01:15 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

01:40 Lab Rats: Elite Force

02:05 Walk The Prank

02:30 Walk The Prank

02:55 Vikingskool

03:20 Vikingskool

03:45 Sydney to the Max

04:10 Sydney to the Max

04:35 Walk The Prank

05:00 Lab Rats: Elite Force

05:25 Lab Rats: Elite Force

05:50 Descendants Wicked World

06:00 Vikingskool

06:25 Vikingskool

06:51 Hamster & Gretel

07:15 Hamster & Gretel

07:40 The Owl House

08:05 The Owl House

08:30 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

08:55 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

09:20 Lab Rats

09:45 Lab Rats

10:10 Sydney to the Max

10:35 Sydney to the Max

11:00 Descendants Wicked World

11:05 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

11:30 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

11:55 The Ghost and Molly McGee

12:20 The Ghost and Molly McGee

12:45 Big City Greens

13:10 Just Roll with It

13:35 Just Roll with It

14:00 The Ghost and Molly McGee

14:25 The Ghost and Molly McGee

14:50 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

15:15 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

15:40 The Ghost and Molly McGee

16:05 Lab Rats: Elite Force

16:30 Lab Rats: Elite Force

16:55 Descendants Wicked World

17:00 Big City Greens

17:25 Big City Greens

17:50 Just Roll with It

18:15 Just Roll with It

18:41 Lab Rats

19:06 Lab Rats 

19:30 Lab Rats

19:55 Sydney to the Max

20:20 Sydney to the Max

20:45 Bunk'd: Learning The Ropes

21:10 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

21:35 Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir

22:00 Lab Rats: Elite Force

22:25 Lab Rats: Elite Force

22:50 Just Roll with It

23:10 Just Roll with It

23:35 Bunk'd: Learning The Ropes 

The longest I've watched Disney Channel they've always been nostalgic repeating their shows from the early 2000s but when it came to newer originals those use to take up majority of the daytime if you count catch-up timeslots now it's only 36,7% and that small stake is used to air their most popular show, Miraculous alongside The Ghost And Molly McGee that there isn't much space to include more from their other shows.

Reruns which takes up 63,3% I mean almost 70% has in some stature very little content but it's amazing how such little can actually get this much airtime compared to Cartoon Network which may come with less variety but have shows like Teen Titans GO! and Power Rangers fill up the daytime which can make up that 63,3%.

00:00 Gigantosaurus

00:25 Gigantosaurus

00:50 Gigantosaurus

01:15 Henry Hugglemonster

01:40 Henry Hugglemonster

02:05 Henry Hugglemonster

02:30 Henry Hugglemonster

02:55 Henry Hugglemonster

03:20 Henry Hugglemonster

03:45 Gigantosaurus

04:10 Gigantosaurus

04:35 Henry Hugglemonster

05:00 Henry Hugglemonster

05:30 Henry Hugglemonster

06:00 Gigantosaurus

06:30 Gigantosaurus

07:00 Bluey

07:30 Bluey

08:00 Superkitties

08:30 Mickey Mouse Funhouse

09:00 Spidey and His Amazing Friends

09:30 Firebuds

10:00 Bluey

10:30 Bluey

11:00 Superkitties

11:30 Mickey Mouse Funhouse

12:00 Alice's Wonderland Bakery

12:30 Bluey

13:00 Bluey

13:30 Firebuds

14:00 Firebuds

14:30 Mickey Mouse Funhouse

15:00 Sofia The First

15:30 Superkitties

16:00 Superkitties

16:30 Alice's Wonderland Bakery

17:00 Bluey

17:30 Bluey

18:00 Spidey and His Amazing Friends

18:30 Spidey and His Amazing Friends

19:00 Mickey Mouse Funhouse

19:30 Bluey

20:00 Bluey

20:30 Firebuds

21:00 Superkitties

21:30 Sofia The First

22:00 Sofia The First

22:30 Mickey Mouse Funhouse

23:00 Gigantosaurus

23:30 Gigantosaurus 

Disney Junior's current format reacts to what's already been the norm of Cartoon Network which means having their most popular show take over the channel or in this case, Bluey. Similar to CN, you're mostly seeing their current shows which is very little take up the channel.

If it's any consolation, Disney Channel looks better in comparison as there's more variety despite the latter being bombarded with shows once offered by Disney XD.

Development Alert: Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur To Stream On Disney+, No Plans To Launch On The Disney Channel

Few years ago, Disney XD was ripped away from viewers across Africa and most parts of the world as further content is allocated on Disney+. MultiChoice was able to retain the remaining linear offering from Disney through 2024 or as stated in press statement "another two years".

Several shows announced for one of their brands particularly The Disney Channel included a new season of Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Catnoir alongside new series Magic Bake Off, Secrets Of Sulphur Springs, Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur and Ghost Force.

As seen already most of the content had already been viewed on Disney Channel everything except for Marvel Studios' female tailored action series, Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur. 

Based on the characters of Marvel Comics, it follows 13-year-old supergenius Lunella as she accidentally brings 10-ton Tyrannosaurus rex Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City via a time vortex, they work together to protect the city's Lower East Side from danger.

The series was slated to air by 2022 on Disney Channel but was pushed to the following year. Ahead of its debut, production had already begun on a potential second season with the show recieving acclaim for its writing, animation and soundtrack following its rollout.

With questions lingering regarding its fate of the show across Africa, Disney was asked whether the series was part of Disney Channel's launch calendar as seen in Scandinavia but similar to Chip 'n Dale: Park Life, the latter had been folded under on Disney+.

Meaning similar to the final seasons of Big Hero 6 and Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure. Disney kept yet another show away from linear platforms as there are currently no plans to rollout any of this content on the Disney Channel.

Interesting to note, Marvel's Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur accessible to the Disney Channel in Scandinavia with Chip 'n Dale: Park Life in Africa known internationally as EMEA. Following the merger of these feeds, the latter was silently removed from the lineup.

Could this be the end of the Disney Channel???

Similar to FOX, Disney Channel has also been bombarded with reruns (e.g. Lab Rats and Walk The Prank from Disney XD) and promoted various content currently streaming on Disney+ (e.g. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules and Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire).

Could eExtra Be Phasing Out The Bollywood Section Home To Naagin And The Heir?

eExtra is a general entertainment channel managed by eMedia Investments which had garnered popularity for its induction of Kuiertyd which has brought several international productions including Kruispad, Gebroke Harte, Doodsondes, Bittersoet and Impak.

The channel also featured programming from India such as Twist Of Fate, Naagin and The Heir and even Asian dramas such as Ice Adonis, High Society Scandal and Battle Through The Heavens.

For several years, eMedia had been shuffling the channel's line-up after having shows like Family Feud and Fear Factor on eReality and Chicago PD and The Goldbergs on eXposed. Even their current offering has seen a reduction or possible extinction over the years.

Before Kuiertyd, the channel was seen as a portal for international stories seen on Telemundo, Show TV and Globo most of which had been phased out for more Bollywood and Asian programming. Over the past year, even that appears to be the next thing eExtra is looking to limit.

By the end of 2022, eExtra had this section on repeat and now only the Asian part of the channel had resumed primetime while Naagin builds up the rest of the Bollywood offering seeing as Till The End Of Time and The Heir are basically repeats.

From August, this offering is moving to the 1PM timeslot basically the death slot of the channel with repeats at 11PM which too is known for viewership purge. Although there hasn't been much conformation as to the future of Guilty Pleasure.

It is believed by sources that Naagin and Dayan serve as the most viewed offering within this section could explain why it hasn't been filtered out yet with repeats and also it's kind of niche as Zee One and Star Life exempted themselves from such content.

eMedia Investments rolled out a pay-tv offering during the year catering to these consumers. Perhaps that played a big part in eExtra's offering I mean with Star Life and Zee One alongside Zee Family and Star Select consumers would have plenty of content to distract themselves and it would take the attention away from eExtra.

It's kind of uncertain on the plans eMedia have for their Asian offering on whether that could be a gonner as well. Considering that part of this helps eXposed and is sort of one way to alienate them from the rest of the offering it could stick around for a while longer.

In the end, it wouldn't be shocking if ePlesier and eExtra were sort of unified and eMedia just tried licencing content similar to Ouma Sarie and Die Kontrak.

Boomerang To Close Down In Thailand By The End Of August

Last month, it was learnt by sources that Warner Bros. Discovery would be phasing out several Boomerang channels across the world for Cartoonito. Of course, this news comes as a shocker and also raises confusion particularly in some parts of Asia.

In Thailand, it was confirmed on Boomerang's official Facebook page that the channel would go dark by the end of August with consumers having to flee to YouTube and other social platforms such as Facebook to continue interacting with the brand.

Not long ago, Boomerang was rebranded to Cartoonito in the rest of Asia offering original shows such as Batwheels and Bugs Bunny Builders alongside other shows like Grizzy & Lemmings, Alice & Lewis and Baby Looney Tunes.

Not much is known about the channel's sudden departure, Warner Bros. Discovery was said to be streamlining and keeping some of their in studio content. Similar to what The Walt Disney Company had been doing for years with Disney+ which has led to the cutback of channels.

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire To Be Broadcast Across Africa This August On Disney Channel

After its global premiere on Disney+ last month, The Walt Disney Company Africa today announced that the Disney+ Original anthology series “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” will be broadcast across Africa when it lands on Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) this August.

Featuring stories from the continent, a double bill of films will be broadcast at 17:00 CAT each weekday from 28 August – 1 September with 5-film marathons airing at 15:15 CAT on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September respectively.

“Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” is an action-packed animated sci-fi anthology that presents ten futuristic visions from Africa, inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures. Creators hailing from South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe present uniquely African perspectives to imagine brave new worlds of advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters.

Says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa: “We are excited to be bringing this innovative and celebrated series to viewers across the continent, giving those without access to Disney+ the chance to be part of an unforgettable ride into Africa’s future, presenting visions of the continent as never before seen.”

The ten creators include Ahmed Teilab (Egypt), Simangaliso ‘Panda’ Sibaya and Malcolm Wope (South Africa), Terence Maluleke and Isaac Mogajane (South Africa), Ng’endo Mukii (Kenya), Shofela Coker (Nigeria), Nthato Mokgata and Catherine Green (South Africa), Pious Nyenyewa and Tafadzwa Hove (Zimbabwe), Tshepo Moche (South Africa), Raymond Malinga (Uganda) and Lesego Vorster (South Africa).

The sci-fi series features an exciting cast from across the globe and includes the voices of Florence Kasumba (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), Kehinde Bankole (“Blood Sisters”), Pearl Thusi (“Queen Sono”), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (“Hotel Rwanda”, “Godzilla vs. Kong”), Sheila Munyiva (“Rafiki”), Stycie Waweru (“Supa Modo”, “Supa Sema”), Candice Modiselle (“Generations: The Legacy”), Lillian Dube (“Soul City”), Clementine Mosimane (“Poppie Nongena”), and Mandisa Nduna (“Blood Psalms”), as well as comedians Tumi Morake (“Serious Single”), Sne Dladla (“Black Tax”) and Tyson Ngubeni (“A Royal Surprise”) and rappers Nasty C (“Blood & Water”) and Gigi Lamayne (“Temptation Island: South Africa”).

Oscar®-winning director Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse”), Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston all serve as executive producers. Triggerfish is the lead studio for the anthology, working in collaboration with animation studios across the continent and globally.

“Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” will premiere on Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) with double bills each weekday from 28 August – 1 September at 17:00 (CAT), with special 5-film marathons on 2 and 3 September at 15:15 (CAT).

What To Expect On Via In October 2023?

Myne vir joune 

Season 9​

12 October 2023 – 25 January 2024 Thursdays 17:30​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Home makeover​

Two people who live under the same roof and are caught in a style dispute over a room in their home, are given the opportunity to broker peace at last. A coin toss determines which one of them will have the chance to makeover the problematic room (in the space of one day) with the help of interior decorator Isabel Barends and handyman Melt van der Spuy.​

Uit die slaapkamer 

Season 4​

18 October 2023 – 31 January 2024 Wednesdays 21:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Talk show​

The sexologist Doctor Elna Rudolph became a fan favourite of VIA viewers after a series of appearances on Minki van der Westhuizen’s talk show Minki. And now Doctor Elna has her own talk show in which she (with the help of an opinionated panel) answers and addresses everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sex but were too afraid to ask.​

Slimkoppe met Netwerk24 

Season 1​

23 October 2023 – 5 February 2024 Mondays 21:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Game show​

In each episode of this fun game show, a panel of hilarious trivia lovers duke it out through three rounds of general knowledge head-scratchers. Hosted by Susan Booyens. In partnership with Netwerk24.​

Sterkbek 

Season 1​

24 October 2023 – 6 February 2024 Tuesdays 20:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food / Talk show​

In each episode, Nic Mac – AKA The Godly Giemba – invites a local celebrity to join him in tasting the hottest, spiciest food in the Western Cape. They visit a cheap and cheerful eatery where they taste a few increasingly spicy dishes that have been lathered in hot sauce. With each dish, the questions for the celeb get more personal and prying. Will they be able to take the heat?​

​Konings van kitskos 

Season 10​

26 October 2023 – 8 February 2024 Thursdays 17:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food​

VIA’s popular food show is back! Besties Alvin Bruinders and Gerhard Steyn hit the road to sample the very best fast food South Africa has to offer.​

About Alvin​:

Alvin Bruinders is an entertainer known for his work in various fields, including acting, comedy, MCing, radio presenting, and singing. He is best known for his role in the sitcom Vetkoek Paleis.​

About Gerhard​:

Gerhard Steyn is a popular Afrikaans singer, guitarist, and songwriter.​

Waar’s my trourok?

Season 1​

27 October 2023 – 9 February 2024​

Fridays 17:00​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Style​

In each episode, two brides-to-be and her loved ones pop into our studio to try on a range of wedding dresses before picking the one she’ll wear on her big day.​

About Mienke​

Mienke Ehlers is an actress, stylist, presenter, and influencer. She is known to her fans for her tongue-in-cheek, one-minute monologues on Instagram and TikTok.​

Instagram following: 11.7K​

TikTok following: 25.8K​

Kom ons braai

Season 17​

28 October 2023  - 10 Ferbuary 2024 Saturdays 20:00​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Food / Competition​

Three couples braai against one another for points and prizes. Each couple has a chance to throw a braai party at their own home and the duos score one another efforts in terms of braai technique, taste and entertainment.​

Huisgenoot: Ware lewensdramas 

Season 11​

30 October 2023 – 12 February 2024​

Mondays 20:00​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: True crime / Docuseries​

VIA and Huisgenoot magazine’s popular true-crime series returns. Each week focuses on the story behind the high-profile stories that shock South Africans and grabbed headlines – from brutal murders to nefarious scams.​

What To Expect On Via In September 2023?

September Highlights VIA

Hier sit die manne 

Season 2​

20 September – 13 December 2023​

Wednesdays 17:30​

23 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Talk show / Magazine show​

A male-interest talk show hosted by a noteworthy former Springbok. In each episode our host, Frank Rautenbach, will interview a guest who relevant to the market. Additional inserts will focus on popular male interests such as cars, fishing, hunting, investing, travel, and rugby.

Hier sit die manne 

Season 2​

20 September – 22 November 2023​

Wednesdays 20:00​

46 minutes x 10 episodes​

Genre: Reality​

The search is on for the number-one trouvrou (the ideal wife) in South Africa! In this provocative reality show a group of eight women from across the country will check into a luxury farmhouse where they will compete to be crowned the trouvrou of the year and to answer the question: Which area in South Africa produces the best marriage material? Our panel of three, opinionated judges will determine the leader board and the eventual winner.​

Slim vang sy baas 

Season 8​

22 September 2023 – 12 January 2024​

Fridays 17:30​

46 minutes x 13 episodes​

Genre: Game show​

In each episode of this fun-filled game show, two teams go head-to-head and battle it out through a series of rounds that will put their general knowledge to the ultimate test. Hosted by Beer Adriaanse.

News Shorts: Nickelodeon Africa And International Enter The Splat Zone, East Coast Radio Has Been Allocated On The Openview Platform And eMedia Investments Scraps Cryptic Detail About Their 4 Channels On DStv

Nickelodeon braces for another rebrand

Nickelodeon today (Tuesday 1st August 2023) launched Nickelodeon's 2023 rebrand, which brings back the iconic Nickelodeon Splat, in Africa alongside Australia & New Zealand, Asia and the Central Eastern Europe. Still no word on Canada and Latin America but the UK and MENA had migrated earlier.

To create the new identity, Nickelodeon partnered with six U.S. and international agencies. The company asked the agencies to come back with a spot that used the new brand work and represents Nick’s energy and identity through the lens of its most notable IP—SpongeBob, Paw Patrol, Blue’s Clues, Baby Shark, Loud House and Monster High—making sure there is a moment of the iconic Nickelodeon slime.

East Coast Radio reaches more households

During their financial year presentation, eMedia Investments unveiled plans to rollout a few more channels before the end of the current financial year. Prior to that, eMedia Investments disconnected the services of LM Radio and TransAfrica Radio on the Openview platform.

7 months into 2023, eMedia Investments unveiled a new addition to the Openview platform, East Coast Radio.

Serving as one of the largest regional stations in South Africa, East Coast Radio (ECR) is a KwaZulu-Natal commercial radio station with an

audience of approximately 5 million. It is operated by Kalgiso Media who also manage brands like Jacaranda FM and JUTA Publishing.

Presenters featured on East Coast Radio include Daren Maule, Ker Miller, Sky Shabalala, Carol Ofori, Vick Naidoo, Stacey Norman, J Sbu, Tee Xaba, Sam Cele, Mike V, Buhle Hlatshwayo, Andy James and Nick Taithen.

e.tv's 4 channels are set to go dark on DStv...supposedly

After announcing that the channel's would go dark on DStv by the end of July, eMedia Investments has scrubbed further details about the cancellation across their platforms which brings to question the viability on DStv.

From what is known at the moment, these channels are currently on limbo on the pay-tv platform with eMedia Investments that had since then promoted several shows particularly on eExtra's Kuiertyd without any mention of them also residing on the DStv platform.

Could it be possible that eMedia Investments had got the dates wrong or perhaps announced their demise a tad early or could a new agreement might be put in place for some if not all the channels seen within the Openview platform.