Insidus

Friday, June 25, 2021

MultiChoice Is Working On A New Unbundled Package, DStv Flex

Channel24 has learnt that MultiChoice is testing the waters in regards to possibly unbundling its channels in the future.

After 25 years, the paid-TV service is conducting a test that entails breaking up its combined entertainment and sports channel offering and unbundling it.

The move aims to offer DStv subscribers a much cheaper, yet still premium, collection of entertainment channels in a so-called "skinny bundle", alongside an optional add-on package of sports channels.

Through a drafted plan below you can see how DStv Flex will be arranged. Everyone gets the entertainment pack and has an option to Add-Movies or Sports.

Media Brokerage Africa Selected To Lead Pan-African Distribution, Content Sales And Advertising For Dancestar Television

Dancestar Television has announced that an exclusive distribution, content sales and advertising partnership for Africa has been formed with Media Brokerage Africa.

Dancestar TV (DSTV) is the world’s first Over-the-Top (OTT) live stream channel that features Electronic Dance Music culture 24/7. It’s your ticket to the world’s best nightclubs, festivals, and new music from the best DJ’s, producers, and artists worldwide, capturing the true spirit of the EDM lifestyle.

Targeted at 12-54-year-old male and females, Dancestar TV is an exciting mix of News, Interviews, Festival Features, and Music Videos. The channel’s original programming includes: ‘THE DROP’, ‘ELECTROLITE’, ‘FESTIVITIES’, ‘ANTISOCIAL’, ‘PREVIOUS’, ‘TALKTRONIC’, ‘AQUAPARTY’ and ‘AURAL PLEASURES’. All complemented by recap videos from the world’s nightclub capitals, Miami, Las Vegas, New York, London and Ibiza. Fans also get to stream the top 10 reports from all the key EDM genres like House, Techno and Dub Step.

Andy Ruffell, CEO of Dancestar Ventures LLC, says: “As part of our 2021 expansion strategy, we are extending our reach to over 60+ OTT Platforms Worldwide, including Africa. Media Brokerage Africa provides unrivalled expertise in pan-African distribution, content sales, and advertising, so they are the obvious choice to help Dancestar TV penetrate the African market. Media Brokerage Africa will enable us to deliver a measurable platform for major brands to engage with the EDM Culture in Africa.”

Colman Murray, founder and Managing Director of Media Brokerage Africa, concludes: “The EDM genre is all-inclusive, pervading all areas of the globe and opening its arms to all walks of life. EDM is growing substantially across Africa, and helping Dancestar drive a range of commercial opportunities from partnerships through to broadcast and content distribution is an exciting prospect.”

Notes:

Dancestar Television’s original programming includes:

THE DROP – Music, Clubbing and event news

ELECTROLITE – The latest club recap videos featuring the world’s best DJ’s

FESTIVITIES – A 30-minute recap of the world’s biggest EDM festivals, including DJ set highlights and behind-the-scenes interviews and Fan input

ANTISOCIAL – A weekly hosted recap of everything EDM on social media

PREVIOUS – The best Clubbing and Music videos from the past 15 years

TALKTRONIC – In-depth interviews with superstar DJ’s including Tiesto, Avicii and Deadmau5

AQUAPARTY – Sexy Pool Party videos from Miami and Las Vegas

AURAL PLEASURES – The latest EDM music videos from around the world

SABC "Officially" Launches Its 24 Hour Sports Channel, Could More Platforms Add It Soon?

On Thursday night, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, hosted a live broadcast of the official launch of its Sports Channel, following the successful soft launch of its 24 Hour Sports Channel on the SABC DTT service, the Openview set-top-box and the TelkomONE mobile streaming platform in April 2021. This launch will also feature Team SAs announcement of the second team squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games on the Sports Channel.

The event was live yesterday on SABC Sport Channel on Openview 124, the SABC’s DTT service and TelkomONE’s mobile platform from 19:00. In addition, the public can view the launch live on Youtube on SABC Sport Channel.

The live broadcast of Team SA’s announcement of the second team squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games will be carried on the public broadcaster’s free to air channel SABC 2 at 20h00.

Mr. Gary Rathbone – GM: SABC Sport stated that “SABC Sport has always been the ultimate sporting home to the nation and has brought to South Africa unforgettable sporting events over the years. We are excited that as SABC Sport we will be part of the historic moment of unveiling the athletes who will be proudly representing the nation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For the public broadcaster, we are aware of the role we also play in touching the hearts and minds of the public. Through the events we showcase on the SABC platforms, we want to inspire up-and-coming athletes in the various sporting disciplines to reach for their dreams”.

Mr. Rathbone further commented “Our newly launched Sports channel on the DTT, Openview and TelkomONE platforms, must also be commended. Since the Channel became operational in April this year, its audience figures have been positive, with latest TAMS figure showing a total reach of over 2 million, a 5% share of the National Television Market. On Openview alone, the channel has established itself amongst the top 10 on the bouquet, with a total reach of over 1.4 million, representing a 24% share of the Openview market. This is really positive start for an exciting new Sport Channel that South Africans will be able to access without needing to pay a subscription”.

The SABC Sport Channel is committed to providing compelling and exciting local and international sporting content for all sports loving South Africans.

SABC Sport is notably absent from MultiChoice's DStv and from StarTimes' StarSat satellite pay-TV services, with the SABC that wants to create and build its own televised sports channel brand similar to MultiChoice's long-running SuperSport brand.

Read Also:
- Could Openview be the reason for SABC Education's delay on both DStv and StarSat (updated 25 June)
- SABC and e.tv's ratings for May
- Is SABC reviving the encore channel for OpenView?
- Is e.tv becoming another SABC?
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- SABC to launch a streaming service
- House Of Zwide replaces Rhythm City
- eVOD launches in July, could this be the reason for the lineup changes?
- Analogue TV is going off air soon, be sure to get a decoder when purchasing a TV set
- Linear channels switch to 7 day viewing, Will SABC and e.tv viewers be able to cope
- Is an SABC 4 and SABC 5 channel on the way?
- Details on SABC's kids brand (not SABC Education)
- Current status of TV licence
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

July 2021 On Da Vinci Kids Africa | 2 New Series | 1 Returning Series | Olympic Games Special | Continuing Programmes

Kids Programmes – Premieres
A Week to Beat the World – BRAND-NEW
From July 19th
Monday to Friday 17:30
Six super sporty kids are on an adventure around the world to see if they can compete in some of the toughest, most unusual sports on the planet.

Family Programmes – Premieres
Xploration Awesome Planet – NEW SEASON
From July 19th
Monday to Friday 21:00
In Xploration Awesome Planet, Phillippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, explores the most spectacular places - on the earth, inside the earth, and above the earth. Why are pollinators so important and how do horseshoe crabs migrate?

Adult Programmes – Premieres
The Truth About Sugar – BRAND-NEW
Sunday, July 11th at 22:00
Fiona Phillips and four volunteers investigate what sugar does to our bodies and what the health benefits of cutting back actually are. Fascinating science and human drama combine as the truth about sugar turns out to be quite surprising!

The Truth About Carbs – BRAND-NEW
Sunday, July 18th at 22:00
Packed full of handy tips and enriched with cutting-edge science, self-professed carbohydrate-lover Dr. Xand Van Tulleken examines whether it’s still possible to eat carbs, but in a way that’s much healthier for us.

The Truth About Stress – BRAND-NEW
Sunday, July 25th at 22:00
In this hour long film, Fiona Phillips, no stranger to stress herself, and three stressed out volunteers, embark on a unique experiment to put stress to the test and understand it as never before.

Special Highlight
Olympic Games 2021 Special
Saturday, July 24th
From 16:45 to 21:00
16:45 Odd Squad – O Games
17:05 That’s Cool! - Why Does Your Heart Beat Faster When You Do Sports?
17:10 When I Grow Up - Sports Statistician
17:20 World Ahoy - The Olympic Games
17:25 Did I Mention Invention? - Ski Jump Slip n Slide
17:45 Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch - The US Sportsday
18:00 Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch - The Number One Sport
18:15 Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch - The Coolest Sport in LA
18:35 Horrible Histories – Outrageous Olympics
19:05 Horrible Histories - Strange Sports and Roman Emperors
19:35 Horrible Histories - The Horrible Histories Sports Special
20:05 Xploration Awesome Planet - Sports & The Environment
20:30 Did You Know? - The Incredible Impact of Sport

Continuing Programmes
Do You Know? – NEW EPISODES
Saturdays & Sundays 14:30
Xploration DIY SCI – NEW EPISODES
Fridays 16:00
Operation Ouch! - Do Try This at Home – NEW EPISODES
Saturdays & Sundays 14:00

Early Morning with Da Vinci
Every day from 06:00
06:00 Art with Mati and Dada
06:15 Mily Miss Questions
06:30 Siesta Z
06:45 The Treehouse Stories
07:00 PinCode
08:00 The Fixies
08:15 Darwin & Newts
08:45 Gastroblast

Da Vinci Kids is available on DStv, GOtv and StarTimes (Starsat)

Could Warner Bros. Discovery Form A New Kids Brand?

Warner Bros. Discovery is the name of Discovery Inc. and WarnerMedia's joint company which is set to take into effect mid 2022.

This new company will see the likes of Cartoon Network, Toonami, Cartoonito and Boomerang clash with Discovery Family (the international counterpart of Discovery Kids).

Discovery Inc. hosts a bunch of brands such as Discovery Channel, Food Network and Discovery Science. These brands provide shows such as Mythbusters, Chopped and Battlebots. Some of these shows even got spinoffs targeted towards children.

Now this merge could see the launch of another block or channel which carries the best in factual, lifestyle and educational programming known as Discovery Kids.

Discovery Kids would also offers shows such as How It's Made, Bear Grylls' Ultimate Survival School, Kids Do The Craziest Things, Mythbusters Jr and many more. Perhaps even conjure up series under Discovery's other brands like TLC and HGTV.

WarnerMedia talked about adding more variety in the kids area what better way to do it then with Discovery Kids. Some countries could supply it through Cartoon Network, Boing and Cartoonito while others could add the brand as a standalone channel perhaps in the place of Discovery Family.

The Final Season Of Deur Dik En Dun Airs On e.tv In July

After 4 month holiday, e.tv decided to air the final season of Dr. Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu’s TV adaptation with a different name, Deur Dik En Dun starring Özcan Deniz and Aslı Enver.

Deur Dik En Dun follows Süreyya, a young and beautiful singer, involves to the life of rooted Boran family of Bursa as a wife of the oldest son Faruk and all the family's secrets begins to uncover. Faruk is the owner of a bus company and the leader of a powerful family in Bursa which is a metro-pol in Turkey. In season 3, they are going to face Adem and takes back what's theirs.

Don't miss the third and final season of Deur Dik En Dun weekdays at 17:30 on e.tv and four hours later on eExtra from 12 July.

- Dizi might return to DStv
- MacGyver returns to e.tv
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- House Of Zwide replaces Rhythm City
- eVOD launches in July, could this be the reason for the lineup changes?
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv (updated)
- Analogue TV is going off air soon, be sure to get a decoder when purchasing a TV set
- Linear channels switch to 7 day viewing, Will SABC and e.tv viewers be able to cope
- Judge Judy seen on e.tv ending after 25 seasons
- Is an SABC 4 and SABC 5 channel on the way?
- Details on SABC's kids brand (not SABC Education)
- Other shows coming soon to eToonz?
- SABC to launch a streaming service
- Current status of TV licence
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

The Red Room Returns To SABC 3 Alongside The Second Season Of The Longest Date

SABC 3 will be launching the second season of the reality show, The Longest Date and relaunching the Turkish drama, The Red Room which was unexpectedly pulled from the channel after a few episodes.

For those who've forgotten, The Red Room revolve around a psychological clinic, and the stories and attitudes of a group of psychiatric patients who frequent it, and who lived different events between pain and joy, narrated by one of the psychiatrists who own the clinic, supervising their follow-up and trying to treat them while the second season of The Longest Date, 16 contestants compete to find love and win 100 000.

The Red Room replaces The Bay weekdays at 19:30 after The Estate from 2nd July while the second season of The Longest Date airs at 21:00 from 26th July.

- Dizi might return to DStv
- MacGyver returns to e.tv
- Is e.tv becoming another SABC?
- e.tv is filming a new boxing drama
- SABC to launch a streaming service
- House Of Zwide replaces Rhythm City
- eVOD launches in July, could this be the reason for the lineup changes?
- Nickelodeon returns to e.tv (updated)
- Analogue TV is going off air soon, be sure to get a decoder when purchasing a TV set
- Linear channels switch to 7 day viewing, Will SABC and e.tv viewers be able to cope
- Is an SABC 4 and SABC 5 channel on the way?
- Details on SABC's kids brand (not SABC Education)
- Other shows coming soon to eToonz?
- Current status of TV licence
- SABC planning to reduce Muvhango

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Update On The 3 Pop-Up Channels On DStv

MultiChoice currently has 3 pop-up channels operating on the platform with the 4th which is on StarTimes being disqualified earlier in the year. These remaining channels could be permanent additions at the same time it could be the end.

ZooMoo is calling it quits on DStv as the channel is scheduled to close by the end of June after its 3 month extension. MultiChoice has sent a channel termination notice onto viewer's screens. If they reconsider its best to place it on a much cheaper package so that it can gain more awareness.

tvN is the now the second pop-up channel to recieve an extension on DStv unlike ZooMoo it's staying for only a month. They've unveiled a bunch of shows coming to the channel the one I'd look out for next month is Memorist, Tomorrow With You, Mr. Queen and The Sixth Sense.

TLNovelas is currently the longest pop-up channel on DStv launching in September of last year with its demise scheduled for August. There's a bunch of titles to look forward to on the channel including Secrets At The Hotel and Single Dad's Club. To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if they kept it. There hasn't been a lot of new channels this year.

Dizi is safely tucked on StarTimes after its dramatic removal from DStv. The feed currently seen on StarTimes somehow got the DStv feed meaning all shows are repeats until the end of August or September giving MultiChoice enough time to pick it up. (Note that I updated the info on the link about Dizi's termination on DStv)

Friday, June 18, 2021

WarnerMedia Is Rebranding The TNT Channels In Germany Into Warner TV, TNT Africa Might Follow Soon

WarnerMedia is giving its pay-TV channels in German-speaking countries new names. TNT Serie will become Warner TV Serie, TNT Film will become Warner TV Film and TNT Comedy will become Warner TV Comedy.

With the name change, which will take place on September 25, 2021, the channels will be clearly visible under the umbrella of the well-known US media brand Warner Bros. and should thus be perceived more strongly by subscribers, partners and advertisers as premium offerings, according to WarnerMedia.

The rebranding brings us closer to the hundred-year legacy of the Warner Bros. brand, which unmistakably stands for creative and authentic storytelling like no other in the world. Overall, it leads to a significant increase in brand awareness beyond the pay-TV sector, which in turn helps with marketing, “says Heyelmann in an interview. The Warner TV brand is already established in France, "and the TNT channels will gradually also be renamed in other European countries."

The current rebranding in Warner is a consequence of the realignment of WarnerMedia in the USA and possibly the merge of Discovery Inc. and WarnerMedia. They recently divested Great American Country to GAC Media some of its content can be seen on Real Time.

Besides that, they were rumours around the time Turner Broadcasting System rebranded into WarnerMedia that the company had plans to do away with the Turner name so far TNT, TCM and TBS all have that name through an interview TCM was considered a valuable property.

So TCM will likely join Boomerang as a brand for nostalgia while other brands like Cartoonito and Warner TV take over. There's no details on whether this will affect the United States.