Paramount Global Is Believed To Be Ending Their Partnership With AMC Networks International For CBS Reality And CBS Justice

Not long ago, it was reported that AMC Networks International will be axing one of the few CBS branded stations in Europe as part of a joint venture with Paramount Global, CBS Europa. Other channels part of this agreement include CBS Reality and CBS Justice. 

As we've mentioned sometime ago, we don't envision True Crime replacing the remaining feeds for CBS Reality but more likely the African feed for CBS Justice. Unlike the UK, CBS Reality was positioned as a factual channel so maybe something like Reality TV.

AMC Networks International had been phasing out the CBS trademark across their portfolio this started out in the UK by 2022 and will reach Poland in the coming months. Since then, it has been long speculated that Paramount Global is looking to exit this partnership.

This means channels like CBS Reality and CBS Justice will be phased out in these endeavors seeing as Paramount own the CBS trademark.  It also means AMC Networks International will have to find new names for these channels or close them altogether. 

Their other partner Paramount Global is going through financial constraints and had since auctioned themselves to several bidders. It attracted interest from Sony Pictures Television and Apollo with more advance talks reaching Skydance Media. 

However talks with Skydance Media fell through as Shari Redstone backed out of the deal at last minute. 

Shari Redstone who serves as majority shareholder has been trying to keep her family’s company together and under immense pressure. It will have to look at shedding costs either by getting out of all deals (including AMC) or selling BET and Showtime. 

Canal+ Increases Stake In Asian Streamer VIU To 36,8% With The Option To Get Majority Ownership

French media and telecom conglomerate Vivendi’s pay-TV unit Canal+ Group has increased its stake in Asian streamer Viu to 36.8 percent, the company said on Thursday.

“After satisfaction of key business milestones, Canal+ Group has released the last installment of its $300 million staggered investment,” it explained. “A further investment, at Canal+ election, could result in an increase of Canal+’s stake in Viu to 51 percent.”

The company didn’t immediately outline what would be needed for it to make such a decision to go for a majority stake in the Hong Kong-based video streamer. But it did highlight its interest in Asia. “This investment is a renewed testimony to Canal+’s commitment to develop Asia as one of the group’s growth engines and underlines Canal+’s confidence in Viu and its team.”

Canal+ first bought into Viu, led by CEO Janice Lee, in a June 2023 deal with Hong Kong telecom powerhouse PCCW Group, taking a 26.1 percent stake. As part of that deal, Canal+ secured the option of paying an additional sum to increase its stake to a 51 percent majority. 

Launched in 2015 with backing from PCCW, Viu’s video service offers both advertising and subscription-supported options in 16 territories in Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. When it unveiled the Canal+ deal last year, he company said it had more than 66 million monthly active users and 12 million paid subscribers, the bulk of which is believed to be based in Asia. Viu has specialized in licensing and producing original Korean content, but it also creates original content in Southeast Asian territories including Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.  

Canal+ has 26.4 million subscribers worldwide, including 17.1 million in Europe, 8.1 million in Africa and 1.2 million in the Asia-Pacific region. Beyond its investment in Viu, it is also the largest shareholder in African pay-TV giant MultiChoice and in Viaplay, the Scandinavian pay-TV and streaming company. Earlier this year, it also took a stake in leading Senegalese production company Marodi TV.

After 25 Years, AMC Networks International Will Be Changing CBS Europa In Poland To Film Cafe

In June 2022, the British arm of the AMC-Paramount partnership revised their channel line-up with nearly all CBS branding being dropped. CBS Reality remained on air in the region during that time before being phased out for True Crime the following year.

Since then, the remaining CBS channels seen in Europe and Africa were a subject for numerous speculations. One of which included the possible demise of CBS Justice in Africa and CBS Reality following their demises in some parts of Europe as reported. 

According to the Polish website satkurier.pl, CBS Europa will change its name to Film Cafe by August 21, 2024. From what we've discovered, this trademark was already in use by AMC Networks International for another TV channel in Scretonia.

The only difference here would be the logos while Film Café in Scretonia operates independently from the rest of Europe. Based on the style and font, the one set to replace CBS Europa in Poland is being aligned to the AMC channels viewed in the UK.

Despite the variation in logos, CBS Europa and Film Café offer similar premises as they are movie channels revolved on the female audience. From what we assume, AMC and Paramount might be looking to retire the CBS trademark across their portfolio. 

No word on what awaits the feed of CBS Justice but by my guess that will probably rebrand to True Crime while CBS Reality is shortened to Reality TV or becomes True Reality.

Sentech Launches Freevision Play, A Streaming Service With No Monthly Fees

State-owned broadcasting company Sentech has launched Freevision Play, a free streaming television platform that may compete with the likes of SABC+ and eMedia’s Openview.

Described by the company as a “ground-breaking over-the-top video streaming platform”, Freevision Play will offer free access to a “wide array of local and community TV and radio channels”.

“Freevision Play is available to everyone with an internet connection and can be accessed via smartphones, tablets and smart televisions,” Sentech said in a statement on Wednesday. The service is available through freevisionplay.co.za, the company said. A Freevision Play app is also available for major smartphone operating systems.

The platform empowers users with access to educational, informational and entertainment content.

None of the SABC channels was available, although it was offering a range of community channels, including Soweto TV and Cape Town TV as well as something called the Brics Africa Channel. There was also a limited number of radio stations available to stream, but again none of the SABC channels is offered. No major commercial channels are available either.

“The platform empowers users with access to educational, informational and entertainment content, thereby fostering learning and engagement across the nation,” Sentech said in its statement.

“For broadcasters, Freevision Play offers an innovative solution to reach a broader audience without the high costs associated with creating and maintaining their own OTT (streaming) platforms and the challenge of aggregating audiences,” it said.

“By joining Freevision Play, broadcasters can expand their viewership, engage with their audience more effectively, and generate additional revenue through advertising. Freevision Play takes care of the upfront investment costs. It creates a multi-tenant platform, giving viewers and listeners a diverse range of choices while providing broadcasters with new audiences and viewers.”

Sentech emphasises that Freevision Play is “completely free to access”. It said users can also get access to on-demand catch-up content without a subscription.

“This ensures that everyone, regardless of their economic status, can benefit from the wealth of content available on the platform,” it said.

Important Notice Dated 19 June

As some readers have already seen we're trying to make this website flexible to access so we've moved featured post to the homepage same with popular posts. On the other of ads, hoping to resolve that situation soon hopefully end of the week nothing guaranteed for now.

Recap To The Year: Zee World Formerly Exclusive To MultiChoice's DStv And GOtv Is Also Available On Canal+ (Africa), Freeview Play (UK) And Rakuten (UK)

Zee World is an Indian entertainment channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that distributes various films and series in English. Since its launch in 2015, the channel currently ranks as one of the top 10 watched channels on DStv.

It introduced audiences to the complicated love story of Pragya and Abhi in Twist Of Fate and Bani, Piya and Rano's sisterly bond in The Promise. It also made Africa enter center stage in Dance Africa Dance (now known as Dance Naija Dance).

MultiChoice reserved rights to Zee World for their DStv and GOtv platforms but since Canal+ continued investment toward the company also offers the channel. As reported, MultiChoice will soon be owned by Canal+ as they seek to get approval from legislation. 

Since 2024, Rakuten and Freeview Play both of which are online platforms residing in the UK also package Zee World. Making this the first market outside of Africa and beyond the capacity of MultiChoice/Canal+ to offer the channel.

Lastly, eMedia Investments and StarTimes spun off the brand into a separate channel, Zee One. Described as a lightweight version to Zee World offers content already viewed on the brand while also licensing content that hasn't been viewed on the channel.

Unlock The Magic Of Co-Viewing With Your Children And Care Bears On Cartoonito Africa

Join in on the bellywarming journeys of the Care Bears. They are back with an all-new six-episode special titled ‘’Care Bears: Unlock the Magic”, scheduled to debut on Cartoonito Africa on Monday 1-7 July at 8:30 CAT. It will feature prominent characters like Tenderheart Bear, Wish Bear, Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, and Funshine Bear, and introducing the new addition, Togetherness Bear in one of the episodes. In relation to previous animations this special will introduce new exciting adventures to viewers.

The special follows this group of lovable BFFs who go on adventures and live the sweet life. Each special reveals a unique storyline, pushing the Care Bears into unfamiliar territories where they must rely on more than just their signature belly badge magic and empathy. They lean on each other and learn more about themselves, embracing courage, determination, and friendship to keep spreading those good caring vibes to the world.

We encourage parents to tune in and reap the benefits of co-viewing with their little ones, giving them the gift to reminisce on the iconic generational Care Bear themes. They can enjoy peace of mind from child safe programming and the return to the nostalgic 2D animation style. This time

spent together is beneficial for parent/child relationships and emotional development, all done in a fun and fulfilling way. Care Bears is the perfect watch to ‘unlock this magic’ and create those memorable moments. 

 

As expressed by Amanda Rogaly, founder of Baby Yum Yum, "Co-viewing Care Bears: Unlock the Magic isn't just about watching a show; it's about creating magical moments together. As parents, we can have the opportunity to join our little ones on adventures filled with friendship, kindness, and the power of positivity. Care Bears has been a beloved franchise for generations, and now, through the animated series, we can share its timeless messages of love and compassion with our children, weaving a tapestry of joy and connection that transcends generations."

 

Care Bears Competition

Along with all that whimsical fun, be the one to win some Cartoonito and Care Bears merchandise worth over R2000! Head over to the Cartoonito Africa website and answer a very simple question to enter. The competition will run from 24 June – 7 July. The winner will be randomly selected.

Tune in to Care Bears and unlock the magic of co-viewing together.

 

Let's create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime! The special premieres on Cartoonito Dstv Channel 302, from 1 – 7 July, at 8:30 CAT. New episodes will air at the same time every weekday. If you missed out on the care, DStv Catch Up has got you covered until 8 August.

Totally Spies! Live-Action Series In The Works At Amazon

A live-action TV series based on the cult classic French cartoon “Totally Spies!” is in development at Amazon with Will Ferrell as executive producer.

Described as a YA adaptation of the long-running Banijay Kids animated show of the same name, the new “Totally Spies!” will follow iconic best friends Clover, Alex and Sam as they navigate saving the world as international spies, while trying to survive the ups and downs of first year college life.

No writer or talent is currently attached to the potential “Totally Spies!” series, which is a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios and Banijay Kids & Family, shepherded by Amazon’s head of Pan-English original series Rola Bauer.

Executive producing the project alongside Ferrell, under their Gloria Sanchez Productions banner, are Jessica Elbaum and Alix Taylor. Banijay Kids & Family CEO Benoît Di Sabatino is executive producer for the studio.

Created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel, the original “Totally Spies!” has aired nearly 200 episodes since debuting in 2001 and spawned a prequel film, “Totally Spies! The Movie,” and a spinoff series, “The Amazing Spiez!” The show recently premiered its seventh season in France and will air in the U.S. on Cartoon Network later this year. “Totally Spies!” is currently streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video.

“’Totally Spies!’ is a huge success for Banijay Kids & Family, having been translated in 60 languages and sold to more than 220 territories,” Di Sabatino said. “With a social media base of 3 million, the series continues to thrive in its animation form with the recently launched 7th season. Rola Bauer approached me for a live-action adaptation, and we were thrilled to partner with Amazon MGM Studios. With her, Ludovic Attal, and Punit Matoo’s support, we are honoured to join such a stronghold of female-focused producers in Gloria Sanchez Productions to produce for Prime Video.”

“Will, Alix and I are thrilled to be joining our partners at Amazon and Banijay to bring ‘Totally Spies!’ to life as a live-action show,” Gloria Sanchez president Elbaum said. “Gloria Sanchez was originally founded to tell stories about complicated characters and empower female voices and storytellers. As longtime fans of the animated show, we couldn’t think of a story more fitting to our ethos. The themes of girl-power, never sacrificing friendship, fun, or your true self to be successful resonated with us then, and feel ripe to revisit now.”

Sanlam To Buy 60% Of MultiChoice's Insurance Business

Sanlam will buy a 60% stake in MultiChoice's insurance business for R1.2bn in cash up front and a potential performance-based earn-out of up to R1.5bn, the groups said on Tuesday.

MultiChoice, Africa's biggest pay-TV company, said while its insurance business has demonstrated substantial growth in South Africa, its ambition to expand locally and in Africa “requires a step-up in resources, expertise and technology”.

“Sanlam's extensive presence and expertise in the African continent, coupled with its track record of success in insurance ventures with non-insurers, positions it strongly for a strategic venture with MultiChoice,” the companies said in a joint statement.

The potential cash earn-out payment is contingent upon the total gross written premium generated by the insurance business for the year ending December 31 2026, they added.

A pre-acquisition dividend of R59m will also be declared by MultiChoice's insurance business.

Shares in Sanlam were up nearly 5% up on Tuesday morning, while MultiChoice inched up 0.36%.

MultiChoice will retain a 40% interest in the insurance business and 40% in the broader commercial venture with Sanlam.

The deal gives Sanlam an opportunity to further expand its insurance and financial services business in Africa, the companies said. Opportunities outside South Africa will be facilitated through its SanlamAllianz business.

MultiChoice has a subscriber base of 21-million households in 50 African countries, while Sanlam operates in 31 countries, including eight of the top 10 largest African economies.