Insidus

Thursday, September 30, 2021

New Channel Alert: WION Coming Soon To DStv In South Africa

The World is One News (WION) is an Indian multinational English language news channel headquartered in New Delhi. It is owned by the Essel Group and is part of the Zee Media network of channels which is set to merge with Sony Pictures Network India.

Zee Media operates other channels across Africa such as Zee TV, Zee World, Zee Alem, Zee Magic and Zee Cinema.

WION operates as a digital service and an app featuring their most watched show, WION Edge alongside other segments such as World Order, MELT, Pitstop, Tech It Out and many more.

The channel is scheduled to launch in South Africa later in October on DStv. The date and channel number hasn't been disclosed as of yet but a promo is available if you click here.

NHK World Japan is currently available on the DStv across Africa and seemingly on the DStv app in South Africa, is it possible will consider operating a linear channel?

MultiChoice is also holding a showcase in the coming months where they'll unveil upcoming developments for their customers.

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Friday, September 24, 2021

AYV Entertainment Launches On DStv In Liberia With Expansion Plans Underway As Well As Another African Adaptation Of The Dutch Reality Show, Big Brother

The King of the airwaves as well as the electronics media in the country, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire has once more score another milestone within the broadcasting landscape of this country as AYV has gone an extra-mile of its visibility presence continentally by now being on DStv Channel 399 (DSTV Africa).

As a result of the materialization of this remarkable feat AYV is live in thirty (30) countries across Africa for now and there are twenty four countries to be brought abroad. All the West African countries are now connected apart from Ghana and Nigeria of which plans are underway for them to come on later but it must be categorically stated that other African countries are now on.

This new development is indeed a big boost in the sense that it has now made it possible for the country to gain another presence within the international broadcasting landscape. Sierra Leoneans living abroad will be abreast of current events taking place in the country.

Besides, AYV presence on DSTV will serve as the gateway for the outside world to know the critical issues that emanate from the country. Such will somehow be an aid to international policy makers to discuss pertinent related issues in order to make informed decisions geared towards addressing certain concerns.

In as much as we have realized that tourism could be a vehicle for national development, marketing our touristic potentials is critical in order to lure foreigners to explore Sierra Leone. It is believed that through the presence of AYV on DSTV much will be done in the direction of positioning our country at the international arena in an attractive manner that will make many outsiders yearn to visit the country.

There is no need to emphasize the importance of having a booming tourism industry as it is an open secret that it brings with it many job opportunities, boosts the hospitality sector and above all brings in foreign exchange.

The official launching of the partnership with DSTV was done on the 17th September, 2021.

Brain behind this great leap in Sierra Leone’s broadcasting history is no least a person than the patriot, entrepreneur and a fanatic development striker in the person of Ambassador Anthony Navo Jrn who happens to be the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the African Young Voices Media Empire. Many have described him as the embodiment of inspiration.

His ambition to establish the AYV Media Empire started as a dream. He started with a newspaper and later used his private house as collateral to secure a loan of $1.2 million United States dollars from the Bank loan which provided the necessary funds for the purchasing of global standard equipment for setting up the television and radio stations and covering initial operations.

Over the years, Amb Navo Jr. invested single-handedly over $10 million United States dollars in AYV Media Empire with the recent construction of a multi-million dollar complex hosting the Housemates – Salone Season-2.

From a small project, which started with a newspaper and 19 staff, today AYV Media Empire is the largest private media investment in Sierra Leone comprising newspaper, printing press (machines), film production, television stations, radio station and employing over 700 Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.

It is the only Sierra Leonean owned television station with a broadcasting house in London. On March 22nd 2019, the AYV Media Empire announced a new partnership with the World Service Programme of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in London.

Empowering young people has always been the guiding motivation of Amb. Navo Jr. Over the years, he has worked with and supported many talented and celebrated Sierra Leonean artists during their early years of their music careers.

Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., passionately believes that if other African nationals can invest and make a difference in their countries, Sierra Leoneans can and must also invest to empower young people, which will in turn create jobs and promote talents.

AYV Entertainment is currently hosting auditions for Big Brother Liberia making it the second African market to host this event with Nigeria being first no dates has been set for this version but it could come in 2022.

New Series Alert: Hero Elementary Coming Soon To PBS Kids Africa

PBS Kids is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based media, using new and traditional platforms to support children in their acquisition of knowledge and critical thinking skills while empowering their imagination and curiosity of the world.

The channel is set to introduce it's first superhero series created by Carol-Lynn Parente and Christine Ferraro (Sesame Street) onto the African shores, Hero Elementary.

Hero Elementary, centres on the students of "The Sparks' Crew"— Lucita Sky, AJ Gadgets, Sara Snap and Benny Bubbles — who are trained in superheroics by their quirky and enthusiastic teacher, Mr. Sparks. Together the students work as a team, using their own unique superpowers, as well as the "Superpowers of Science" to help people, solve problems, and try to make the world a better place.

The first season consists of 40 half-hour episodes, each of them containing two segments each.

On the first segment of Hero Elementary titled "Hatching a Plan", Sparks' Crew vow to reunite a baby bird with its parents with the second segment titled "The Invisible Force", the crew tries to find out why the decorations for a young girl's birthday party have vanished.

Double new episodes airs daily from 05:50 CAT with repeats at 09:10 CAT, 12:35 CAT, 16:00 CAT, 19:25 CAT and 22:50 CAT.

October 2021 On Disney Africa | Disney Channel Original Movie: Under Wraps | New Spider-Man Preschool Series On Disney Junior | New Episodes Of Ongoing Shows & More

Disney Channel:

SYDNEY TO THE MAX
Premiere episodes
Mondays to Thursdays, 4th October to 2nd November at 17:50

Sydney Reynolds has lots of fun while negotiating middle school with her single dad’s help. Join her for more of her adventures as season three of Sydney to the Max launches with premiere episodes on Mondays to Thursdays, from 4th October to 2nd November at 17:50.

Set in the present day, with flashbacks to the ‘90s, life revolves around outgoing middle schooler Sydney Reynolds, who lives with dad Max and progressive grandma Judy.

In season three Sydney and the amigas are back and ready to take on 8th grade! After returning from music camp, Syd feels she’s outgrown the vibe in her bedroom and asks her dad if she can remodel it. As part of a yearly school tradition, Syd and Olive get paired with two 6th graders to mentor. Between friends, family and finding herself as a musician, Syd is determined to make this the best year yet!

In the first of this month’s premiere episodes, He’s All That (Monday 4th October at 17:50), when Harry tells Sydney he is moving back to Portland permanently, she struggles with the idea of having a long distance relationship.

Season three of Sydney to the Max launches with premiere episodes on Mondays to Thursdays, from 4th October to 2nd November at 17:50, on Disney Channel.

BUNK’D
Premiere episodes
Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays 2nd October to 13th November at 19:05

Another summer is under way at Camp Kikiwaka, so get ready for more fun in the sun, as season five of Bunk’d continues on Disney Channel. Premiere episodes air at weekends from Saturday 2nd October to 13th November at 19:05.

In this fifth season Destiny, Matteo and Finn are back for more home-away-from-home adventures! Emma Ross shocks everyone when she drops in for a surprise visit. Noah volunteers to run Camp PeeWeeWaka, a new day camp that Lou is launching for younger kids. When Parker Preston shows up referring to himself as “co-owner,” Lou and Ava scramble to protect their beloved camp. Gather round the campfire as these Woodchucks take the Kikiwaka experience to the next level!

The first of this month’s premiere episodes, Everyone's Trap'D (Saturday 2nd October at 19:05), sees Lou stressed about camp duties. Parker completes Lou's assignment and drops it off at Matteo’s classroom, but Lou does not want Matteo to think she cheated.

Premiere episodes of Bunk’d season five air at weekends from Saturday 2nd October to 13th November at 19:05 on Disney Channel.

DISNEY CHANNEL MARVELLOUS MOVIES
Programming event
Fridays throughout October at 17:00, repeated at 10:40 on Saturday

Disney Channel’s Friday feast for film fans continues throughout October. This month we have two special premieres for viewers – a great new Halloween-themed Disney Channel Original Movie, and a brand new music-filled special. There are also three other classic DCOMs, so there’s a marvellous movie or special every Friday at 17:00, repeated Saturday at 10:40.
The Friday film fun starts with Twitches on Friday 1st October, followed by Twitches Too (Friday 8th October). Then we premiere our special, Disney Princess Remixed: An Ultimate Princess Celebration (Friday 15th October). This celebrates the timeless music of Disney Princess and themes of courage and kindness as part of the Ultimate Princess Celebration: a once-in-a-lifetime, global extravaganza surprising and delighting fans.
The following Friday we are airing popular film Zapped (Friday 22nd October), before the highlight of October’s marvellous movies.
The last Friday of the month is a very special one for us: the premiere of our brand new Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps (Friday 29th October). At Halloween, friends Marshall, Gilbert, and Amy accidentally revive and release a mummy. At first terrified, they quickly learn the mummy, affectionately named Harold, is very sweet and needs help!
Viewers can see great Disney movies and specials on Fridays throughout October at 17:00, repeated on the following Saturday at 10:40, all Disney Channel.

Disney Junior:

THE CHICKEN SQUAD
Series premiere episodes
2nd to 10th October at 09:30; 16th and 17th October at 16:00; and Sunday 31st October at 10:30.

Say hello again to the Chicken Squad, the world’s greatest (and possibly only) backyard chicken police squad! Meet these unlikely law enforcers in our new series Chicken Squad, which launched last month, and continues this month with more premiere episodes from 2nd to 10th October at 09:30; 16th and 17th October at 16:00; and Sunday 31st October at 10:30.

Three chicken siblings and their mentor, a retired police dog, become an unlikely team of community helpers and problem solvers for all the animals in their neighbourhood. No trouble’s too big, no problem’s too small, the Chicken Squad’s ready to answer the call! In October’s first premiere episode, Roommate Rumble/ The Need for Speed (Saturday 2nd October at 09:30) the squad is enlisted to save Frazz and Riley's housewarming party. When the squad's car gets souped up to go extra fast, speedy Boo feels like he doesn't have a place on the team.
Premiere episodes of Chicken Squad air at weekends: from 2nd to 10th October at 09:30; 16th and 17th October at 16:00; and Sunday 31st October at 10:30.

ELENA OF AVALOR
Premiere episodes
Sundays, 3rd and 10th October at 12:00
Princess Elena’s adventures continue on Disney Junior this month, as premiere episodes of Elena of Avalor air back-to-back on Sundays 3rd and 10th October at 12:00.
Elena’s epic journey continues in season three as she strives to protect her kingdom from a family of wicked wizards while learning how to control her new powers. In this month’s first premiere Shooting Stars (Sunday 3rd October at 12:00) Elena and Isa learn what it takes to succeed at science when they must fix a telescope in time for grandfather to see a rare comet.
Premiere episodes of Elena of Avalor air back-to-back on 3rd and 10th October at 12:00.

P J MASKS
Season premiere episodes
Weekends: 16th and 17th October at 09:30; 23rd and 24th October at 08:30
Season five of the hugely popular series featuring our Parisian pyjama clad heroes the P J Masks launches on Disney Junior this month, with premiere episodes on weekends 16th and 17th October at 09:30; and 23rd and 24th October at 08:30.
The PJ Masks are back for more heroics, meeting new villains along the way. The team will battle some familiar foes too - Luna, Romeo, Night Ninja, Octobella and Pharaoh Boy. But most of all, they will discover more about their animal powers
In the first season premiere episode, Ninja Power Up (Saturday 16th October at 09:30) the PJ Masks easily defeat the Ninjas and become over-confident in their powers. But Night Ninja’s secretly plotting to acquire PJ powers for himself.
Season five premiere episodes of P J Masks air at weekends: on 16th and 17th October at 09:30; and on 23rd and 24th October at 08:30.

SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS
Series premiere episodes
Saturdays and Sundays, 16th to 24th October at 10:00 and Saturday 30th October at 09:00
Web-slinging superhero Spidey returns to Disney Junior this month in an exciting new series of adventures entitled Spidey and his Amazing Friends. Premiere episodes air on Saturdays and Sundays, 16th to 24th October at 10:00 and Saturday 30th October at 09:00.
Spidey is teaming up with Ghost-Spider (Gwen Stacey) and Miles Morales to make up The Spidey Team, with some assistance from Spidey’s comical but loyal Spider-bot, TRACE-E. If Spidey finds himself in a sticky situation that needs even more super-hero power, rest assured that an Avenger pal will race in to help out. Whether it’s just The Spidey Team or adding an Avenger for the assist, these superheroes will work together to save the day!
In the first of these fun-filled adventures, S.O.S Kitty (Saturday 16th October at 10:00) when Peter and Aunt May's kitty, Bootsie, goes missing, Spidey must come to the rescue!
Series premiere episodes of Spidey and his Amazing Friends premiere on Saturdays and Sundays, 16th to 24th October at 10:00 and Saturday 30th October at 09:00.

MINNIE’S BOW TOONS: PARTY PALACE PALS
Series premiere shorts
Weekends from Saturday 2nd to Saturday 16th October at 10:55
Minnie and her mates have such fun planning parties they’ve decided to start their own party planning business! See how they get on as their new series Minnie’s Bow Toons: Party Palace Pals launches with premiere episodes on weekends from Saturday 2nd to Saturday 16th October at 10:55.
Come join the celebration as Minnie and Daisy open their business, The Polka Dot Party Palace! But initially it doesn’t all go to plan. In the first premiere episode Moving Day (Saturday 2nd October at 10:55) Minnie, Daisy, and Cuckoo Loca are moving to the east-side of Hot Dog Hills. On moving day, they learn the elevator is broken!
Premiere episodes of Minnie’s Bow Toons: Party Palace Pals air at weekends from Saturday 2nd to Saturday 16th October at 10:55.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Premiere episodes
Sunday 31st October from 10:00
Halloween, the spookiest day of the year, is fast approaching, and Disney Junior is here to ensure our young viewers have fun-packed festivities. Halloween themed premiere episodes of many of Disney Junior’s top shows air on Sunday 31st October from 10:00.
The fun starts with Mickey’s Mixed-Up Adventures at 10:00. In the episode entitled The Spooky Spook House! Mickey decorates Mr. Doozy's bed and breakfast for a chance to win Alistair's Halloween contest.

The entertainment continues with two premiere Halloween themed stories from Chicken Squad. In T-Wrecks / Trick or Eek (10:30) Coop referees a contest when Sweetie and Little Boo both want to dress as a T-Rex for Halloween. Then the Squad must help their critter friends track down a mischievous ghost.

Canine chaos ensues as Puppy Dog Pals join in with 221B Barker Street (11:00). When treats go missing from the Halloween party, Bingo and Rolly set off to solve the mystery.

What better time for Vampirina to return to the channel than Halloween? The first premiere episode airs at 11:30. In Double Double Halloween Trouble / The Creepover the Hauntleys must decide whether to trick or treat or attend the Boneyard Banquet that only happens every 100 years. Frankie comes to town so Vee hosts a "creepover!"

Mickey joins the fun with a special, Mickey Mouse: The Tale of Two Witches (12:00). On Halloween, Mickey tells of two witches-in-training (Minnie and Daisy), who must pass four tests to graduate from the Witch Academy in Happy Haunt Hills. While Daisy isn’t confident about passing, the girls learn that working together makes their magic and their friendship stronger. After they defeat a mischievous ghost, they prove their witchy worth and graduate to become real witches!

This bumper bundle of Halloween shows is followed by further new episodes of Vampirina, as further premiere episodes air in blocks from 13:00 to 15:30 and 16:00 to 17:00.

Sunday 31st October is packed with treats, and no tricks! Happy Halloween from everyone at Disney Junior.

October 2021 On Curiosity Channel Africa | Super Science Mondays | History Lover Tuesdays | Wildlife Wednesdays | Curious Thursdays | Travel & Adventure Fridays | Human Story Saturdays

SUPER SCIENCE MONDAYS

COSMIC ENCOUNTERS
Brand New Documentary Special - premieres 25 October 2021
CAT: 20:00

Episodes: 1x 60 mins
“Cosmic Encounters,” tells one of mankind’s oldest dreams: to explore what is beyond our planet. This documentary has been filmed in space by the astronauts of the International Space Station. It is a tribute to the many scientists who made the dream of conquering space come true.

HISTORY LOVER TUESDAYS

DOOMSDAY –WORLD WAR 1
Brand New Series – premieres 05 October 2021
CAT: 20:00
Episodes: 3 x 60 mins (stacked back-to-back premieres)
The First World War –carnage on a scale never-before seen.

THE INVASION: THE OUTBREAK OF WWII Brand New Series – premieres 12 October 2021
CAT: 20:00
Episodes: 2 x 60 mins (stacked back-to-back premieres)
On 1 September 1939, Hitler started the most fatal war in world history.

D-DAY: WINGS OF VICTORY
Brand New Documentary Special – premieres 12 October 2021
CAT: 22:00
Episodes: 1x 60 mins
Could the Allies have won the war without aviation? Discover what went on behind the scenes of the historic, ambitious aerial battle that raged over Normandy.

WILDLIFE WEDNESDAYS

THE BEASTS OF HALLOWEEN
Brand New Documentary Special - premieres 27 October 2021
CAT: 20:00
Episodes: 1x 60 mins
All over the world, the 31st of October has a special significance: Halloween. Thanks to superstition and tradition, many animal species have become symbolic of the scary and supernatural.

CURIOUS THURSDAYS

MURDER SHE SOLVED
Brand New Series – premieres 07 October 2021
CAT: 21:00
Episodes: 8x 60 mins – ends 25 November 2021
This documentary series follows female crime investigators as they take on some of Canada's highest-profile cases.

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE FRIDAYS

GORDON RAMSAY
Brand New Series – premieres 08 October 2021 CAT: 19:00
Episodes: 20 x 30mins (stacked back-to-back premieres) – ends 10 December 2021
Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Cookery Course is the ultimate cooking lesson from the ultimate chef.

TRAVEL MAN
Brand New Season – premieres 01 October 2021 CAT: 20:00
Episodes: 5x 30mins (stacked back-to-back premieres) – ends 15 Oct
Travel Man is Richard Ayoade’s chance to show us where we’re going wrong by having the most culturally efficient holiday possible.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, PARTS UNKNOWN
Brand New Episodes – premieres 01 October 2021
CAT: 21:00
Episodes: 4x 60mins – ends 22 October 2021
Anthony Bourdain travels the world uncovering lesser-known places and exploring their cultures and cuisine.

HUMAN STORY SATURDAYS

HOW TO ADVENTURE
Brand New Series - premieres 09 October 2021 CAT: 23:00
Episodes: 10 x 30 mins (stacked back-to-back premieres) – ends 06 November 2021
After circumnavigating Africa by bicycle and rowing from Africa to America, Riaan Manser is one of the most accomplished adventurers.

4TH and FOREVER ALCOA
Brand New Episode - premieres 02 October 2021
CAT: 23:00
Episodes: 1x 60
In the shadows of the Smoky Mountains lives a football dynasty. Alcoa High School is southern Appalachia's true football powerhouse.

October 2021 On Da Vinci Kids Africa | 3 New Animated Series Including Doki | Continuing Shows | Halloween Specials | Everyday With Da Vinci

Kids Programmes
Electricity with Smorph – DA VINCI KIDS ORIGINAL
10x5 mins
From October 3rd – Sundays 09:15
Join Smorph to discover and master new technology skills with each adventure he takes. Learn more about electricity and electronic components, and find out what helps Smorph to solve the kind of real world problems that people face everyday.

Mily Miss Question – NEW SEASON
52x10 mins
From October 16th – Every day 08:45
Growing up with her little sister Lola and her big brother Luc, nine-year-old Mily is trying to make sense of the world. Why does she feel so jealous of her sister? What does it mean to be happy? In this show we watch Mily explore the answers to her life questions.

Doki – NEW
52x15 mins
From October 16th – Saturdays 09:00
Seven-year-old Doki and his best friends are ‘Team Doki’ and they’ll travel the globe and beyond, to find answers to their questions about science, nature and the world we live in. Wherever they go, it’s sure to be a funny and fascinating learning expedition!

Jolly Jesters – NEW
26x3 mins
From October 1st
This mischevious theatre troop will take you on a fun and adventurous journey through the daily life of the Middle Ages. Science, arts, culture, and of course chivalry too: they will leave no stone unturned.

Continuing Kids Programmes
Xploration DIY SCI – NEW EPISODES
Fridays 16:00
Walking on eggs, building your own ping pong ball launcher, and turning soda bottles into rockets: DIY SCI teaches you how. The fun and educational series is hosted by YouTube star Steve Spangler and features jaw-dropping science experiments viewers can do at home.

Addison – NEW EPISODES
Every day 08:15
Funny, adventurous and playful, in each episode, seven-year-old Addison and her friends are trying to figure out what’s behind the latest neighbourhood mystery. They never give up, always stick together and are not afraid of anything.

Monthly Special
Spooky Sunday
Sunday, October 31st from 12:50 to 18:00
Consists of Halloween themed episodes for the following shows:
Siesta Z
Electricity with Smorph
Addison
Totally Rubbish
Xploration DIY SCI
Science Max
Did I Mention Invention?
Marvellous Makes
Odd Squad
Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch
Horrible Histories

Early Morning with Da Vinci
Every day from 06:00
06:00 Do You Know?
06:30 Siesta Z
06:45 The Treehouse Stories
06:50 Marvellous Makes Lab
07:00 PinCode
07:30 The Fixies
07:45 Darwin & Newts
08:15 Addison
08:30 Kosmix
08:45 Mily Miss Questions

Canal+ Acquired Majority Stake In SPI International And Also Increased Their Stake In MultiChoice

CANAL+ ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN SPI INTERNATIONAL

Canal+ will acquire a 70 per cent majority stake in SPI International while keeping the current management team and operational structure in place.

SPI International, a global media company operating 42 TV channels and multiple digital products across six continents, and a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide, is now joining forces with Canal+ Group.

Canal+ Group is a global pay-TV operator and major player in free-to-air television in France. Canal+ has a wide international footprint with a presence in 40 countries in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

In a joint statement, Loni Farhi & Berk Uziyel, said: “It is very exciting news and the start of a new era for SPI International. Canal+ and SPI share a common vision for continuous growth and a strong international presence. We have been strategic partners for years, where we have built a great tradition of collaborations and achieving mutual goals. Now we will have the chance to join forces under one roof. SPI will further accelerate its growth with Canal+ while leveraging natural synergies. SPI International has an amazingly talented team that has produced incredible growth in the last decade. Now, with this great team and with much enthusiasm, we are delighted to become part of the Canal+ family. Our joined forces will strengthen the existing entertainment products and expand the distribution of our compelling content to far larger audiences.”

For Maxime Saada, CEO of CANAL+ Group, added:
“The acquisition of SPI International is part of the strategy we have been implementing for several years. Canal+ currently has 22 million subscribers in over 40 countries, including 15 in Europe. We have set ourselves the goal of reaching a minimum of 30 million subscribers by 2025, and SPI INTERNATIONAL will certainly be a key asset in achieving this ambition.”

Jacques du Puy, CEO of Canal+ International said:
“We are very pleased to welcome SPI to our group.
This acquisition marks a new strategic step for the development of our European contents. It will be a great opportunity to develop new synergies and businesses for our activities, especially in the Polish market and in the Central and Eastern European countries where Canal+ operates through M7 brands.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities in the territories concerned (including in particular the authorities responsible for antitrust and merger control).

MultiChoice now 15% owned by Canal+

French broadcaster Canal+ Group has increased its stake in MultiChoice from 12% to over 15%, Reuters reports.

Vivendi-owned Canal+ significantly raised its holding in Africa’s largest pay-TV last year, causing speculation that it could be looking to take over MultiChoice.

MultiChoice reportedly said it was keeping an open mind about its relationship with the company.

“The group’s policy is not to comment on its individual shareholders nor on its interactions with them,” MultiChoice said in an earlier statement.

“The company remains committed to acting in the best interests of all shareholders and to create sustainable long-term shareholder value.”

Groupe Canal+ SA is a French film and TV studio and distributor which owns the Canal+ French TV channels.

These channels span movies, sports, series, and news and have produced popular films such as The Straight Story, Mulholland Dr, and Inland Empire. Groupe Canal+ has been expanding into Africa, including the acquisition of Nigerian production company ROK Studios.

Vivendi previously tried to acquire MultiChoice Africa, but the multi-million-dollar offer was rejected.

The company is now stocking up on MultiChoice shares, which industry players speculate may indicate that Canal+ is planning to acquire MultiChoice.

MultiChoice is Africa’s leading entertainment company and operates four platforms – DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and DStv Now.

It has approximately 14 million subscribers across 50 countries, with a particularly dominant position in South Africa.

MultiChoice serves Canal+ SA’s African ambitions perfectly and explains why it is investing in the company.

MultiChoice said that it had filed the required notice with the Takeover Regulation Panel in South Africa.

The Takeover Regulation Panel, which reports to the Minister of Trade and Industry, oversees the country’s takeover regulations.

Its mandate is to regulate mergers and acquisitions and protect minority shareholders by ensuring that such shareholders will have access to important information during transactions.

Sony Pictures Networks India And Zee Entertainment Enterprises Are Set To Merge

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) announced that they have entered into an exclusive, non-binding Term Sheet to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The non-binding Term Sheet provides an exclusive negotiation period of 90 days during which ZEEL and SPNI will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive, binding agreements. The combined company would be a publicly listed company in India and be better positioned to lead the consumer transition from traditional pay TV into the digital future.

The merger of ZEEL and SPNI would bring together two leading Indian media network businesses, benefitting consumers throughout India across content genres, from film to sports. The combined company is expected to benefit all stakeholders given strong synergies between ZEEL and SPNI.

Under the terms of the non-binding Term Sheet, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of SPNI, would invest growth capital so that SPNI has a cash balance of approximately USD $1.575 billion at closing for use to enhance the combined company’s digital platforms across technology and content, ability to bid for broadcasting rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities. Sony Pictures Entertainment would hold a majority stake in the combined company. Current ZEEL Managing Director & CEO Punit Goenka is to lead the combined company.

About Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI):
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. SPNI has several channels in Africa including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel, the digital entertainment.
SPNI reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.

About ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.:
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. is a media & entertainment powerhouse offering entertainment content to diverse audiences. With a presence in over 173 countries and a reach of more than 1.3 billion people around the globe, ZEEL is among the largest global content companies across genres, languages, and platforms. The company operates brands such as Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee World.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Reminder: New Amsterdam Coming Soon To e.tv

3 years after its debut in the United States, e.tv which is currently South Africa's most watched English channel acquired broadcasting rights to the first season of the popular medical drama, New Amsterdam.

New Amsterdam follows Dr. Max Goodwin as he becomes the medical director of one of the United States' oldest public hospitals, aiming to reform the neglected facility by tearing up its bureaucracy to provide exceptional care to patients. The series stars Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist).

As mentioned earlier, e.tv is 3 years behind the United States and also on M-Net which is available on DStv in South Africa.

Season 1 airs weekdays at 20:30 from 4 October.

New Amsterdam isn't the only program said to air on the channel. Other programs for the channel include FBI, The Neighborhood, S.W.A.T. and Blue Bloods.