ViacomCBS Media Networks Africa Discreet Deal With MultiChoice: Could MultiChoice Be Looking Into Adding Paramount Network In Place Of Another Channel On DStv?

In December of last year, MultiChoice renewed the distribution deal between Viacom International Media Networks which is now known as ViacomCBS Media Networks which will see continuation of all their channels carried on the platform including Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, MTV Base and Comedy Central.

The thing both parties left out in this extended agreement was the duration of the deal. Which led me to believe that MultiChoice or ViacomCBS is more likely looking into canning some of the channels later this year or early in 2021. The likely candidates could be MTV and Comedy Central.

Since Viacom and CBS merged early last year a lot of reconstructing has been underway which included having two managers handle seperate parts of these brands alongside aligning the channels such as CBS Reality and Justice from CBS side with MTV, BET, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon from Viacom.

CBS Reality and Justice are crafted through a partnership and listed under ViacomCBS Media Networks and AMC International so those candidates are unlikely to suffer the chop on DStv while MTV and Comedy Central both channels currently listed under one brand which is ViacomCBS Media Networks.

MTV is the name doesn't suggest is a reality channel catered to young adults aged 18 to 35 at launch it also carried music overtime it shifted to just reality and left it's sister channels MTV Base and Music24 to handle the music while Comedy Central is a comedy-based channel carry movies, series, reality shows and cartoons.

The reason I picked these two besides being ViacomCBS channels they carry a lot of repeats and old programming part of them can be seen through a single channel which isn't accessible in the market yet. Comedy Central has one local production that appears once a year other than that it's mostly repeats while most of MTV's content can be transmitted through BET and MTV Base since both channels are struggling to boost their lineup with MTV Base struggling that was struggling to gain traction in South Africa alone.

Back in 2018, ViacomCBS launched Paramount Network as a premium, general entertainment channel that carried "bold original scripted and non-scripted series" with Viacom that's moving its best shows to this channel and rolling out several brand-new scripted series and drama series on this channel which in turn led to the discontinuation of dramas folded onto MTV.

At the time ViacomCBS Africa said they will explore opportunities to build the brand in the market. After a year through an interview the former CEO he stated they are looking at ways to build the brand and how to get it into the market.

Paramount Network is available in the UK, Spain, Latin America, Sweden, Denmark and Italy and Canada. Some of these markets once carried it as a movie channel. For those living without the brand had to wait a little longer for the channel.

Paramount carries sitcoms (some from Comedy Central), reality shows, drama series, documents (some from MTV) and movies. In the UK, the channel is mostly filled with scripted series and a bit of crime based reality shows.

If Paramount Network had to launch in Africa through MultiChoice's DStv it definitely coming as a placeholder and NOT a new channel since most of the programming would be familiar with the market. If you basically do research in each territory that sources out this channel you'd find that it takes up Comedy Central's space in a few of these markets and offers a small lineup of reality shows seen on MTV particularly the talk and game shows.

Here's my theory, Paramount Network launches in South Africa to replace both MTV and Comedy Central on DStv with selected programming from these defunct channels moved to BET and MTV Base not only does it reduce the repetition on DStv but boosts these channels offering now that ViacomCBS will have less channels to all their focus and efforts on.

WarnerMedia Partners With StarTimes To Launch TOONAMI, The Home Of Superheroes Channel, In Sub-Saharan Africa

In the first-ever deal with StarTimes in English speaking Africa, WarnerMedia’s TOONAMI is now available across sub-Saharan African countries. Subscribers in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique will be able to enjoy a tidal wave of non-stop, uninterrupted, 24-hour programming, jam-packed with top-rated superhero action.

WarnerMedia’s TOONAMI has been in existence across Africa for the past three years and targets all superhero fans, offering top-rated series’ such as DC Comics’ Batman, Superman, The Green Lantern, Young Justice and The Justice League as well as popular animated series Teen Titans among others.

Plenty of pulse-raising, action-packed films have also been packaged for StarTimes subscribers, making TOONAMI the go-to destination for action and animation movie enthusiasts of all ages. The branded TOONAMI movie block will screen a host of animated feature films during prime-time Mondays to Sundays as well as Saturday mornings. Weekends will be jam-packed with the Super Hero Universe stunt, showcasing popular superheroes’ heroic acts and deeds in movies like Green Lantern Emerald Knights, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, Batman: Monster Mayhem and All-star Superman.

“WarnerMedia has an existing relationship with StarTimes in French-speaking African regions, which has allowed us to distribute Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing, WarnerTV and CNN, among other franchises. We look forward to creating more platforms within this partnership to widen our footprint on the continent,” says Guillaume Coffin, VP Head of Commercial and Business Development Turner France, Africa & Israel.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with WarnerMedia toward Anglophone Africa. StarTimes is committed to provide access to high-quality content to all family members, and especially to kids who in many countries have to stay home right now. TOONAMI comes at the right time to strengthen our kid’s channel portfolio,” says Lily Meng, Head of StarTimes Media Division. 

TOONAMI, Home of Superheroes Channel, is available on StarTimes’ Basic Bouquet DTT (channel 355 and 275 in Uganda), and Smart Bouquet on DTH (channel 306) for all the energising superhero action African families need!

ENDS

Highlights:
Justice League
Forces of evil, chaos, and destruction await. Not even protectors like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern or the Flash have a chance alone. But together as the Justice League, they are a metahuman force (and a hope) to be reckoned with.

Justice League Unlimited
A continuation of the Justice League animated series finds the original members of the team joined in their battle against crime and evil by dozens of other heroes from the DC comics universe.

Batman: The Animated Series
Vowing to avenge the senseless murder of his wealthy parents, the millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne secretly assumes his crime-fighting alter-ego: ’Batman’, and devotes his life to wiping out lawlessness in Gotham City.

Superman: The Animated Series
Follow the adventures of Superman the legendary superhero as he battles the forces of villainy and continues his quest for truth justice and the American way.

Teen Titans
Robin the Boy Wonder leads his own team of superheroes, The Teen Titans. Together they battle the forces of evil wherever they appear like the enigmatic Slade, the diabolical Brother Blood or the malevolently cosmic Trigon.

Young Justice: Invasion
In Young Justice: Invasion being a teenager means proving yourself over and over - to peers, mentors … and to yourself.

Justice League Action
Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman return to lead the DC Superheroes against an array of their most infamous foes, as well as new enemies such as space invaders, magical forces and supervillains intent on destroying the planet.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Hal Jordan, a test pilot from planet Earth, is the first human being to join Green Lantern Corps, an extra galactic police force in order to keep peace and justice through the entire universe.

Batman The Brave and The Bold
The Caped Crusader teams up with heroes from across the DC Universe, delivering nonstop action and adventure with a touch of comic relief. Blue Beetle, Green Arrow, Aquaman and others fight alongside Batman, with formidable foes around every corner.

Superman: The Animated Series
Follow the adventures of Superman the legendary superhero as he battles the forces of villainy and continues his quest for truth justice and the American way.

New Channel Alert: SABC Education Coming Soon To DStv And StarSat

As you all know SABC Encore is getting canned on DStv and SABC told a user through a media enquiry that MultiChoice had already planned to can the channel in 2018 and knew of its demise long before the public. Now another SABC channel is expected to be added on DStv really soon which will also be available on StarSat.

SABC Education, as most already know launched earlier this month. At the time viewers could only recieve the channel through DTT and online platforms and through an interview at Expresso on SABC 3 with the general manager at SABC he mentioned that they were in negotiations with pay platforms so that they can hopefully carry the channel.

Now it looks like DStv will be one of those pay platforms to carry the channel alongside StarSat. So far no release date has been issued yet on both sides but StarSat will add it on channel 313 my guess would be from 1st June around the time SABC Encore gets terminated and channel 316 could be it's channel number for DStv since some parts of Africa allocated a channel in that section.

StarSat hasn't responded to the media regarding the channel while MultiChoice is oblivious about it with regards to SABC Encore as SABC stated through an enquiry they are exploring the possibility of carrying the channel through another platform and StarSat has become that platform that usually sources reject or scrapped channels from DStv like AMC, Toonami, Glow TV just to name a few so they might add it.

SABC Education carries repeats from SABC 1-3 as well as archived content. As bad as it may sound the channel is beneficial for children's education. The good thing about these repeats, they don't have a lot of timeslots on the main SABC channels.

June 2020 On Boomerang Africa | The Tom And Jerry Show | Moka's Fabulous Adventure | Movies

New Episodes
The Tom and Jerry Show
Premiere Date
Monday 08/06/2020
Tune-In
Monday to Friday @ 08:05 CAT
Even after 80 years of cat and mouse madness, Tom and Jerry aren’t anywhere close to getting tired! Produced by Warner Brothers Animation, the new series from 2015 has the classic look of the original shorts, but a modern look and all-new storylines. Based on the original William Hanna and Joseph Barbera characters, watch Tom, Jerry, Spike, Tyke, Tufy, Butch and other friends in new adventures around the house, and beyond! Back with brand new episodes, a wild chase leads Jerry into the arms of a little girl, and now Tom has to help Jerry escape her clutches. Will our favourite frenemies be able to pull this of? Find out why Tom and Jerry have been voted one of the top ‘Coolest Cartoon Shows’ for the past five years in a row in the Generation Next Youth Brand Survey, only on Boomerang!

New Episodes
Moka’s Fabulous Adventures
Premiere Date
Monday 01/06/2020
Tune-In
Monday to Friday @ 17:10 CAT
Life in the wilderness is a ball for Moka. Not so much for Cherry, the brave rhinoceros who must make sure the King of the Savannah’s son doesn’t get himself into trouble. Whatever the case, there’s always an adventure around every corner of the desert. This June, Moka is challenged to deal with secrets. It’s clear that nobody can trust Moka to keep a secret, but through the secret technique of the Tamarok, he proves that you’re stronger if you’re fghting with your heart! Join the reckless crocodile and his sidekick as they set of on new adventures on Boomerang this June!

New Episodes

A Holiday Special
Tom and Jerry Films
Premiere Date
Monday 26/06/2020
Tune-In
Monday to Friday @ 09:15 CAT
We have got a full week of exciting Tom and Jerry movie adventures where there’s something for every Tom and Jerry fan. The chase continues in Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and his Merry Mouse (Mon 22nd), Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz (Tues 23rd), Tom and Jerry: The Fast and The Furry (Wed 24th), Tom and Jerry: Blast of to Mars (Thurs 25th) and Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring (Fri 26th). You won’t want to miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of your favourite cat and mouse!

June 2020 On Cartoon Network Africa | Mao Mao: Heroes Of Pure Heart | Dragonball Super | Power Rangers: Beast Morphers

NEW EPISODES
MAO MAO: HEROES OF PURE HEART
PREMIERE DATE: MONDAY 15/06/2020 @ 08:40 CAT
TUNE-IN: MONDAY TO FRIDAY @ 15:55 CAT
LEARNING TO BECOME A LEGEND!
Cartoon Network’s original animated series, Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, is back with more intriguing twists and turns this June. In season 2, Samurai cat and sherif Mao Mao — described as both an ‘explosive loner’ and a ‘famous hero’ — continues working with his sidekicks, Badgerclops and Adorabat, to bring justice and peace to the people of Pure Heart Valley from monsters, villains, Sky Pirates and all kinds of bad stuff!
After five years in the making, Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart premiered on Cartoon Network Africa in January 2020. Kids couldn’t get enough of the Parker Simmons series following Mao Mao’s quest to become a legend and Adorabat’s journey to becoming a hero. Make sure to catch season 2 of Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart where you can be sure of an action-packed and LEGENDARY time!

NEW EPISODES
DRAGON BALL SUPER!
PREMIERE DATE
MONDAY 01/06/2020
TUNE-IN
MONDAY TO FRIDAY @ 16:45 CAT
THE TOURNAMENT OF POWER HAS BEGUN!
Cartoon Network is bringing you The Tournament of Power. Catch the warriors from all corners of the universe as they gather to fght for their lives – and the lives of everyone in their worlds! Twelve teams, including the core Dragon Ball Universe – designated as Universe 7 – are thrown into a massive battle-ring, with eliminations determined by fghters being knocked of the foating terrain. Every battle is an impressively coordinated display of power, and Universe 7’s team has to be as smart as they are strong to survive and avoid being erased from existence.

NEW EPISODES
POWER RANGERS BEAST MORPHERS TUNE-IN: TUESDAY 16/06/2020 @ 20:30 CAT
END OF THE ROAD!
The Power Rangers Beast Morphers team is back in a special Youth Day marathon this June! Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called ‘Morph-X’ with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fght of an evil sentient computer virus bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphin Grid itself. Can they stop the ruthless computer virus and its minions from stealing the unlimited clean energy source that created them?

June 2020 On TNT Africa | Youth Day | Adam Sandler

YOUTH DAY
The commemoration of Youth Day this year marks the 44th anniversary of the 16 June Soweto uprising. TNT joins in on this historical event in the country’s history by ofering a movie marathon dedicated to young people, featuring movies full of action, adventure and fun. Throughout the day, TNT fans will be able to enjoy some whimsical flms such as the America comedy-drama, Race the Sun, starring Halle Berry and James Belushi; White Squall based on a true incident of the tragic sinking of the Albatross in 1960; Hardball, a story of a compulsive gambler whose life is turned around by a season of coaching an inner-city baseball team; and the uplifting story about a teen breaking stereotypes and fnding himself through writing in the American drama, Finding Forrester.
Tuesday 16th of June
13:05 – Race the Sun (1996)
14:45 – White Squall (1996)
16:50 – Hardball (2001)
21:45 – Finding Forrester (2000)

ADAM SANDLER FAN MONTH
The man that needs no introduction is coming to your screens this June. Adam Sandler quickly made a place for himself in the Hollywood industry and has now become one of the most well-known comical role models of the last decades. For these reasons, TNT pays tribute to his talent, every Friday evening of June, during our regular Fan Month stunt. Some of the most hilarious titles from his career will be part of the special such as Little Nicky, The Wedding Singer and Grown Ups 2.
Friday 5th of June
20:00 – The Wedding Singer (1998)
Friday 12th of June
20:00 – Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Friday 19th of June
20:00 – Little Nicky (2000)
Friday 26th of June
15:10 – Grown Ups 2 (2013)
16:50 – Little Nicky (2000)
18:25 – The Wedding Singer (1998)

Sundance TV Stops Airing On DStv From June

MultiChoice doesn't stop with the surprises not only is SABC Encore and ITV Choice getting discontinued but also Sundance TV from AMC International.

Sundance TV launched in 2017 on DStv as a replacement channel for AMC. The only reason the channel existed was due to Fear The Walking Dead other than that there's pretty much nothing interesting on that channel it's basically another saturated TCM.

There's no details as yet on why these channels are getting scrapped it could have something to do with the pandemic as rumored for sometime that DStv is cutting back on costs. These channels were probably the first batch of channels set to go dark on the platform.

No replacements will be issued for these channels by the looks of it for those who watched Sundance they're being redirected to other movie channels, those with Encore will probably have to go back to SABC 1-3 and ITV Choice being BBC, M-Net and Universal. More channels will be added just not as placeholders for these channels.

Grown-Ish Coming Soon To e.tv

Created by Black-ish's Kenya Barris, the series is produced by Khalabo Ink Society, Wilmore Films, Cinema Gypsy Productions and Principalo-Young Entertainment, with Anthony Anderson, Brian Dobbins, and Helen Sugland acting as executive producers comes a series based on the eldest child of the Johnsons.

The Johnson family's firstborn daughter Zoey (Yara Shahidi) leaves the family to go to college. As she attends college while befriending some people, she discovers that her journey to adulthood and her departure from the family does not go the way she hoped. She will also be the narrator.

The series has spawned 3 seasons with a total of 42 episodes with a fourth season in the works.

Grownish airs Saturdays at 19:30 on e.tv from 31 May

SABC Encore Stops Airing On DStv After 5 Years

Yes, you heard correctly SABC Encore stops airing on DStv from June. The channel joins ITV Choice which is also set on DStv later in June.

SABC Encore was conceived through a 5 year agreement back in 2013 between SABC and MultiChoice. In this deal, SABC had to supply a news and entertainment channel. Both channels severed delays in their launch before they eventually launched on DStv.

SABC Encore was originally suppose to launch back in 2014 as SABC Entertainment. The channel along with SABC News were also part of DTT which is long overdue.

SABC originally plotted to launch 18 channels before downsizing their plans to 9 channels back in 2018 and Encore wasn't listed in those plans only SABC 1-3, Education and News were mentioned meaning it's possible that the SABC was planning to scrap the brand at the time another sign of its turmoil was it's Facebook account as it stopped being active early last year.

SABC went from 6 channels to just 5 again, for those who aren't aware SABC launched an educational channel through DTT platforms and online with plans to launch it on pay-tv platforms.

There's no reason yet as to why the channel is being scrapped maybe SABC and MultiChoice are cutting back on costs or MultiChoice no longer sees it viable to have it on the platform.

SABC also had another entertainment channel which outlived Encore called SABC Africa was also on DStv for at least 10 years before getting scrapped due to poor performance maybe that's the reason.