Could Paramount Network Be Shutting Down Soon?

As of Jan. 8, 2024, Paramount Global will rebrand the linear Showtime cable network as Paramount+ With Showtime — the same name as the company’s top-tier streaming package. With the name change, the premium cable network will add select Paramount+ original series.

According to Paramount, “The move aligns the brand with the Paramount+ With Showtime plan, a cornerstone integration for the streaming service, making this the first of its kind multiplatform brand that integrates streaming and linear content.” The company introduced Paramount+ With Showtime as the name of its ad-free streaming package this summer and said it would phase out the standalone Showtime streaming app around the end of 2023 and rebrand the cable network.

As part of the rebrand, Showtime subscribers as of Jan. 8 will have access to new Paramount+ original series “Sexy Beast,” the upcoming second season of video game adaptation “Halo” and additional programming from Paramount+, including “Halo” Season 1, Taylor Sheridan’s “Mayor of Kingstown” Seasons 1-2, “Star Trek: Discovery” Seasons 1-4 and “Wolf Pack” Season 1.

Of course something that hasn't been discussed here in general was the future of the current Paramount Network. After replacing Spike, the channel was meant to serve as alternative offering to the Showtime brand with its own range of reality shows, films and dramas.

As of 2022, the channel is basically another TCM and Sundance TV featuring reruns to classic dramas and sitcoms. Similar to Universal Kids, one would say that the channel was struggling to garner traction when it launched as it didn't have much longevity as the studios behind the production of to various content.

With the current Showtime channel set to rebrand to Paramount+ With Showtime it would raise a lot of confusion amongst consumers. Paramount Network would seem more like what Paramount Global is perceiving with Paramount+ With Showtime which isn't the case here.

If one would have to guess what future awaits Paramount Network it would more likely be consolidation or as seen with BET and the rest of Showtime Group - a possible sale. Unlike the latter, Paramount Network has become redundant so they'll likely have to just bundle the channel with the current offering.

January 2024 On TNT Across Africa | New Year, New Movies Stunt | Kicks & Laughs Stunt | TNT Hit: Terminator Genesys | New Series Alert: AEW Collision

New Year, New Movies

Stunt

Experience weekly cinematic thrills on TNT Africa every Saturday night in January for exclusive premieres, including Sin City, Pain & Gain, Crawl, and The Perfect Weapon. It's more than a special; it's a weekly adventure into compelling stories.

Saturday, 6 January

20:00 Sin City (2005)

Saturday, 13 January

20:00 Pain & Gain (2013)

Saturday, 20 January

20:00 Crawl (2019)

Saturday, 27 January

20:00 The Perfect Weapon (1990)

Kicks & Laughs

Stunt

Get ready to ignite your Sundays with an adrenaline-packed kick-back session on TNT! Featuring a trio of channel premieres, including the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the exhilarating Shaolin Soccer. But that's not all – buckle up for a rollercoaster of laughter with timeless classics like The Legend of Drunken Master. Your calendars won't know what hit them!

Sunday, 7 January

18:15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

20:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)

Sunday, 14 January

18:15 The Legend of Drunken Master (1994)

20:00 Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Sunday, 21 January

18:25 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998)

20:00 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Sunday, 28 January

18:30 Surf Ninja (1993) 

20:00 The Tuxedo (2002)

TNT Hit: Terminator Genisys (2015)

In a futuristic battle against AI, a soldier is sent back in time to alter the past. However, a twisted timeline unfolds as he faces unexpected allies and enemies, unraveling a new chapter in the battle for humanity's survival.

Monday, 1 January

20:30 Terminator Genisys (2015)

AEW: NEW Show Expands Wrestling Offer

Gear up for an extended #WrestlingWeekendsonTNT! AEW Rampage and Dynamite are fan favourites, delivering thrilling matches and captivating storylines. Exciting news: AEW Collision, a new show airing Saturdays after Rampage, brings surprises, jaw-dropping moments, and a fresh take on AEW. TNT is the go-to for non stop wrestling fun, ensuring an unforgettable weekend for enthusiasts!

SATURDAYS

10:00 CAT | New Episode: AEW Rampage (Airs 8 days after US)

10:50 CAT | New Episode (Starting 13 Jan): AEW Collision (Airs 1 week after US)

SUNDAYS

10:00 CAT | New Episode: AEW Dynamite (Airs 4 days after US)

QUARTERLY SPECIALS

Dates & Times TBD | Battle of the Belts

Recap To The Month: SABC Education Silently Rebranded Into SABC Festive For The Holidays

SABC Education is a youth oriented brand in which the public broadcaster enlists to distribute a variety of TV based dramas and reality shows. Since 2020, it got a dedicated DTT channel which is basically "another SABC Encore" for the SABC's existing offering.

During the month, SABC launched their festive pop-up channel for a second time in a row. It is basically a youth oriented version to the current Qwest TV seen on DStv with locally produced shows like Afro Cafe and Gospel Classics alongside international favourites like The Comedy Roast.

As seen on the Go Digital and SABC+ platforms, the public broadcaster opted for SABC Education to promote the festivities as opposed to just spinning them off as seperate channels. With SABC Education which would most probably return earlier in the new year.

Taking to account, the mess regarding the potential rollout of the public broadcaster's spinoff/competitor to SABC News, SABC Lehae. Then there's also a possible revival to the SABC Encore format currently viewable on DTT,

SABC Variety.

The SABC even failed to notify consumers that SABC+ will be restructuring their domain (with a dash inserted to the link) as the current structure of the platform looks similar to MultiChoice's DStv Stream app but watershed as only the linear and radio stations are viewable.

Development Alert: Nickelodeon Spain Adds Glitch Techs And Pinky Malinky, Might Launch On Feeds Internationally

Nickelodeon is an international children's brand operated by Paramount Global that offers various TV based films, series and linear channels. Similar to DreamWorks Animation, they had been producing various streaming based content like Invader Zim: Enter The Flopus and Glitch Techs.

During the month, it was revealed by news outlets that Glitch Techs and Pinky Malinky shows that were initially set to debut on linear Nickelodeon channels before getting shelved and revived exclusively for Netflix is currently on the feeds internationally particularly in Spain.

Synopsis for Pinky Malinky:

Pinky Malinky is a fly-on-the-wall reality show that follows the everyday life of Pinky, an infectiously positive hot dog living in a human world. With his best friends Babs and JJ by his side, Pinky reaches for the stars in the small town of Sackenhack. Through his good spirits and sausage sensibilities, Pinky proves that a "wiener" is only one small letter away from being a "WINNER!"

Synopsis for Glitch Techs:

Who knows what really happens when a video game starts to glitch? In Glitch Techs , two teens work at a game store as a front for their actual job: Hunting video game monsters who've broken out into the real world for a super secret task force, The Monster Hunters! Nickelodeon's animated adventure-comedy series follows two newly recruited kids as they battle video game monsters that come to life in the real world.

It is believed by various sources that these two shows might be added on more Nickelodeon channels across the world. The channel doesn't have much noteworthy/original(ity) content following the cancellations of Transformers: Earthspark and Star Trek: Prodigy.

These two shows could help fill up the void and who knows maybe more content that was added exclusively on Netflix but were produced by Nickelodeon could resurface on the linear channels across the world as a number of content is set to exit the streamer soon.

Another Disney Franchise Also Reimagined For The Gameboy Universe, Club Penguin

Club Penguin was a massively multiplayer online game (MMO), involving a virtual world that contained a range of online games and activities. It was created by New Horizon Interactive (now known as Disney Canada Inc.). Players used cartoon penguin-avatars and played in an Antarctic-themed open world.

This game is a recreation of the beloved Club Penguin island into the Game Boy console. Have in mind this release is only a demonstration and not all rooms are available.

Also no music yet.

Download Now

Recap To The Month: eMedia Investments Produced A Short Film On Smoke & Mirrors Titled KwaNgonyama: The Movie Slated To Air On eMovies And eMovies Extra

During the week, it was learnt by news outlets that e.tv would be axing Nikiwe after its current season. After debuting earlier in the year in place of Durban Gen, the series was struggling to garner any traction as it lost 500,000 viewers just a month after its debut.

e.tv failed to properly publicise the series which played a part in its downfall and in recent years this has become a norm for most local broadcasters as the channel appears to downsizing it's efforts towards their content.

Smoke & Mirrors was also unveiled earlier in the year as a replacement for Imbewu and unlike Nikiwe had become a ratings success with consumers. As it served as the 4th most watched show on e.tv while Nikiwe struggled to maintain its position within the top 20 viewership.

They produced a short film titled KwaNgonyama: The Movie that is slated to air on eMovies and eMovies Extra and also stream on eVOD. But eMedia Investments doesn't seem to care that much about marketing the content which is watched by millions of households.

Press statement on the film

A close-up look into the life of Caesar Ngonyama

This December Smoke & Mirrors takes us to the Eastern Cape in the region of Kwa Bhaca. Caesar heads back to confront a threatening situation, his home is under attack. There, we get to meet the character of Bhele, the man responsible for his father’s death.

As a personal war erupts in the Eastern Cape, bullets start flying and bodies drop. With the assistance of Ngcuka, Caesar affirms his position as the alpha of his world. But why did he become the man that he is? To give us valuable insight into the complex life of Caesar, a short film was produced to air on

eMovies and eMovies Extra, while Caesar’s storyline unfolds on e.tv.

Smoke & Mirrors airs weeknights at 9PM

Development Alert: Tish Tash Is The Latest Entry To Play Room's Line-up, Ella Bella Bingo Set To Follow In The Coming Weeks

In less than a month, Play Room has managed to add at least two series to their line-up Rastamouse and Total Dramarama. Now the channel will continue to be building up its preschool line-up with the addition of two shows, Tish Tash and Ella Bella Bingo.

Tish Tash follows the adventures of a young bear called Tish, her bear family and her larger-than-life imaginary friend Tash, as they learn about the world around them. It is currently every weekday at 6:30 in place of Cocoland.

It consists of 48-52 episodes each with a duration of 11 minutes. It was also viewed on CBeebies in the UK, ABC Kids in Australia and lastly EBS1 in Korea.

Ella Bella Bingo follows the adventures of happy-go-lucky Ella and her friends. Each 7-minute episode is about how Ella uses her boundless creativity, infectious enthusiasm, and a never-give-up attitude to solve everyday problems in innovative ways.

The Singapore based animated series will be replacing one of the few locally produced shows on the channel, Bino And Fino. It airs weekdays at 08:45 from Monday 18 December.

Battle Of The Oldies: SABC 2 Revisits The 90s With The Afrikaans Sitcom Vetkoekpaleis (Replacing 7de Laan) And eExtra's Kuiertyd Is Travelling To A Much Distant Time With Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling

7de Laan is being replaced by a rerun

During the day, it was learnt by news outlets that SABC had an outstanding debt with Danie Odendaal Productions for the last remaining episodes of 7de Laan so unless they try to try to pay the remaining amount. Danie Odendaal Productions will hold the remaining episodes.

SABC 2 will be forced to end it by yesterday and not 26 December as planned. My hunch if the money isn't allocated soon they could air a past episode(s) temporarily another would be by the grace of an intellectual being pay the outstanding amount on their behalf.

What is set to replace 7de Laan once it comes to an end?

It's simple, SABC will be digging up their archives further bolstering the amount of repeats on their channels with Vetkoek Paleis. A classic 90s sitcom follows Frikkadel Delport who starts a take-away business when he is retrenched. In the process of finding his feet in his new venture, he appoints two staff members without really meaning to.

The implications: 7de Laan had a huge following and due to the cancellation a majority of consumers are likely to flee the channel and divert their attention to rival broadcasters. Not saying that Vetkoekpaleis isn't better alternative but SABC 2 barely did reruns to the sitcom. 

The only other platform to had offered it on one occasion was the defunct brand, SABC Encore. Majority of households can't afford to pay a majority of monthly expenses and that includes DStv and this is where most of SABC 2's viewers were situated at the moment.

Kuiertyd is entering the golden era 

eExtra, a general entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments that is home to telenovelas from India, Asia and Turkey might be undergoing some schedule adjustments in the coming year. This has to pertain to their only weekend primetime offering, Soete Wraak.

In an updated EPG, Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling is listed in the timeslot currently reserved by Soete Wraak on the 14th January 2024. From the programme guide implies this could be the 1980s drama another would be the 2015 film that was made accessible on eExtra.

Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling airs from 20:00 to 22:30 and the idea of eExtra airing another local drama particularly for Kuiertyd audiences wouldn't seem far fetched. They had acquired rights to the comedy drama Ouma Sarie which is also viewable on e.tv.

Synopsis for Ballade Vir'n Enkeling: 

When well-known writer Jacques Rynhardt disappears, it is up to a journalist to unravel the mystery. To do that, she needs to go back to his childhood and get to know Jacques for who he was.

Regular Nick Shorts: Netflix To Premiere 'The Casagrandes Movie' In 2024, Spider-Man’s Restarting High School In This Upcoming Disney+ Cartoon And Marvel Studios Unveils Black Panther Prequel Eyes Of Wakanda

The Casagrandes is being revived

The news was announced by WrapPRO, which profiled Netflix Animation and their current and future efforts in the space. Midway through their piece, they reveal a first look (pictured above) and confirmation that The Casagrandes Movie will be released sometime in 2024.

Nickelodeon revealed that The Casagrandes Movie, a brand new film based on The Casagrandes, was in the works earlier this year. Although not much else about the movie has been said since the original announcement, Miguel Puga, a co-executive and director on Nickelodeon's hit animated series, hinted in November that production on The Casagrandes Movie had wrapped!

According to WrapPRO, The Casagrandes Movie is directed by Miguel Puga and written by Tony Gama-Lobo and Rebecca May, Lalo Alcaraz and Rosemary Contreras. The movie was produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc.

Spider-Man stars in a new series

Spider-Man is one of the hallmarks of Marvel. Of course, he’s had multiple cartoon iterations over the years, from the 90s rendition to the Spectacular series. And now, he’s going back to Freshman year.

Announced in 2021, Spider-Man: Freshman Year – or as it is now called, Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man – is one Marvel Studios animated project that fans don’t know a lot about, despite getting some details at 2022’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Sadly there isn’t a concrete release date, but Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has been confirmed to premiere on Disney+ sometime in 2024. It will also run for at least one additional season after its first.

Black Panther prequel makes a landing

In March 2023, rumors began to swirl that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media production company had begun developing an animated series for Marvel Studios. As Marvel Studios revamped their streaming slate and skipped out on SDCC ’23, the series, said at the time to be referred to as The Golden City, remained nothing but a rumor until now. During a press event for Season 2 of What If…? held at the Walt Disney Studios Lot, head of streaming, television and animation for Marvel Studios, Brad Winderbaum, revealed that the new series will hit Disney Plus in 2024.

Titled Eyes of Wakanda, the animated series will tell the story of “brave warriors” who “throughout Wakandan history have been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifacts.“