Development Alert: SPI International Expands With Digital Virgo in Key Regions (Including South Africa), FilmBox And Other Branded Channels Exit Turkey

SPI International, a CANAL+ company, has launched three dynamic channels — FilmBox Action, FilmBox Family, and FilmBox Middle East — in key regions, including South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, and Tunisia in partnership with Digital Virgo.

The FilmBox lineup will be accessible as part of the basic tier on platforms such as PLAYVOD, Veedz.TV, Unlimited Streaming, Moov TV, and MTTV.

“We’re thrilled to introduce FilmBox channels on Digital Virgo platforms in South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, and with Arabic subtitles in the Middle East. This expansion reflects our commitment to providing diverse, high-quality content that resonates with audiences globally. We believe these channels will further enhance the entertainment experience for viewers in these regions,” commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.

“Digital Virgo remains committed to enhancing its value proposition to Telecom Operators through the provision of TV and VOD platforms that are ever richer in functionality and content. The renewed partnership with SPI International is part of this overall strategy,” added Vincent Taradel, CMO at Digital Virgo.

SPI International departs Turkey

During the week, SPI International had phased out its linear offering in Turkey as parent company Canal+ exits the market. With various channels under such as FilmBox (now Filmscreen), DocuBox (now Docuscreen) and FightBox (now Fightscreen) owned by Cosmoblue.

Most details pertaining to the content and graphics from each brand remain the same. We presume they could work closely with SPI International in terms of content allocation or they're slowly phasing that out.

Development Alert: Canal+ Acquires Additional Shares In MultiChoice

French broadcaster Groupe Canal+ has disclosed that it has bought even more shares in South Africa’s MultiChoice Group in recent days, taking its shareholding closer to the 50% mark.

In a regulatory filing with the JSE on Thursday, Canal+ disclosed that it bought millions more of the JSE-listed MultiChoice’s shares between 12 and 17 April. It acquired 3.65 million shares in that period, and has said it could buy more in the open market as it pursues its plan to acquire control of the parent company of DStv, Showmax and SuperSport.

According to the filing, Canal+ acquired the following shares in recent days:

• Friday, 12 April 2024: About 1.82 million shares in on/off-market transactions for an average consideration of R117.50/share;

• Monday, 15 April 2024: Some 810 000 shares in on/off-market transactions for an average consideration of R115.99/share;

• Tuesday, 16 April 2024: About 1.01 million shares in on/off-market transactions for an average consideration of R115.95/share; and

• Wednesday, 17 April 2024: Some 5 100 shares in on/off-market transactions for an average consideration of R116/share.

Following these share purchases, Canal+ holds 40.83% of the MultiChoice shares in issue.

“Save as may be prohibited under the Companies Act and the takeover regulations, Canal+ may acquire further MultiChoice shares after the date of this announcement while the offer [to MultiChoice shareholders] remains open…,” the French company said.

News of the additional share purchases comes 10 days after the two companies informed investors that they had agreed to work together on a mandatory offer that Canal+ must make to the MultiChoice shareholders. This was after Canal+ triggered a mandatory offer under South African rules by acquiring more than 35% of MultiChoice’s equity earlier this year.

Canal+ plans to offer MultiChoice shareholders R125/share in cash in exchange for their shares

The “cooperation agreement” will see the two broadcasting giants using “reasonable endeavours to cooperate in relation to the offer, including in relation to the fulfilment of the offer conditions and the publication of a combined offer circular”.

Canal+ is offering MultiChoice shareholders R125/share in cash in exchange for their shares.

If the deal hasn’t been consummated by 8 April 2025 – including securing the necessary regulatory approvals, which could still prove to be the biggest stumbling block to a transaction – then it could be terminated. This “long-stop date” can, however, be extended, with the concurrence of South Africa’s Takeover Regulation Panel, a financial regulator that is overseeing the mandatory offer.

Delisting

If the deal goes ahead, MultiChoice could be delisted from the JSE. If Canal+’s offer is accepted by shareholders with at least 90% of eligible MultiChoice shares, then the French firm has reserved the right to delist MultiChoice from the JSE. At the same time, though, Canal+ has said there is an opportunity, potentially, for South African investors to participate in its own proposed listing in Europe.

Cartoonito: Grizzy And The Lemmings And Mr. Bean's Two Hour Run On Weeknights Explained

Cartoonito is a preschool channel operated by Warner Bros. Discovery that offers fun, engaging and imaginative content. It is home to preschool shows like Silly Sunday and Moley alongside family favorites such as Zig and Sharko and Mr. Bean.

For several months, Cartoonito has been airing some of these shows particularly from Boomerang in a 2 hour timeslot on weeknights. Cartoon Network on the other would resume regular viewing and air their shows under the duration of an hour.

In enquiry to Warner Bros. Discovery about Cartoonito's night time offering. It was stated that the viewership within these hours of 20:00 to 00:00 are rather low so primetime is phased out for repeats or catchup episodes toward primetime. 

As stated from their response

The decision to air these series for two hours during the night is part of Cartoonito Africa’s strategy to provide a convenient opportunity for viewers to catch up on their favourite shows. During the night, when the regular audience engagement is lower, we often feature series marathons. This approach allows us to cater to those who may have missed their preferred episodes during the day.

The intention is to create a seamless experience for our audience, ensuring they can enjoy a continuous stream of content, especially if they've missed specific episodes. This practice is not exclusive to "Grizzy And The Lemmings" and "Mr. Bean" but extends to other series as well, providing a variety of options for viewers throughout the night.

Taking this to account, is it possible that Cartoon Network has more the viewers than Cartoonito - yes. It is the most watched kids station in South Africa and overall one of the top 10 channels watched by kids and adults with Cartoonito leaning in the kids sector. 

Although, it still remains very much a mystery how many viewers are tuning to Cartoon Network and Cartoonito in these hours. If Cartoon Network has more variety in these hours with the roles switched over to Cartoonito on weekday mornings. 

Development Alert: Atlantic Based Studio Primal Screen Will Close Its Doors By The End Of May

Primal Screen is an Atlantic based animation and graphic studio that specialized in designing of animation and other illustrations. It is well-known for designing logos and graphics for brands like HBO, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. 

Not long ago, it was revealed through their LinkedIn account that they will close their doors after several of operation. Below is a statement:

Every great story comes to an end.

We started Primal Screen to do stunning work with people we love. In the past 30 years, we’ve collaborated with amazing clients who trusted us with their audience. Together we never lost sight of the power of playful storytelling. And we’ve told a lot of stories.

At the end of May, Primal Screen’s story comes to a close. We cannot even begin to express how grateful we are for all the opportunities, friendships, and beautiful work we’ve been part of. Although we are no longer accepting new projects, the remarkably talented artists and producers who made us great will continue to create smart, fun, extraordinary work. You’ll be so happy if you welcome one of them into your organization, guaranteed!

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s shared this adventure with us. Your support and creativity have been the heart of Primal Screen. 

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Kaznapped! (GBA)

Ami and Yumi had just got back from a world tour concert and decide to take a break. Kaz asks them why they aren't making new songs, and Ami and Yumi respond by telling him they were tired. Then Harmony came walking in asking Ami and Yumi to play another concert and they again claimed they were tired. So Harmony hypnotizes Kaz and kidnaps him while Ami and Yumi were stuck to the ground by a giant lollipop that Harmony threw. Their cats, Jang Keng and Tekirai, come and lick them free and Ami and Yumi start a new journey to rescue Kaz.

For GBA emulator click the banner above and find the Cartoon Extension 

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CNN Is Planning To Move Away From Linear TV And Put Its News Content On Streaming Platforms

CNN’s new boss said the network faces an “existential crisis” because of cord cutting — and that he plans to eventually pivot away from cable TV toward a subscription-based streaming model similar to YouTube and TikTok.

“There are plenty of things we have to fix at CNN,” Mark Thompson, the former New York Times and BBC executive who was hired by Warner Bros. Discovery to dig CNN out of its third-place slump in the cable news race, told Financial Times.

He also hinted that more cost-cutting measures are in the offing, saying that there are “likely to be significant opportunities for de-duplication of parallel organizations and structures and activities.”

“I think we can and should be looking for ways of doing what we do both better, but also doing it less expensively,” Thompson said.

The ex-BBC director general has a tall task — turning around CNN that has struggled to keep up in the ratings with Fox News and MSNBC.

Thompson said he was looking at distributing CNN content through smartphones and other devices in a shift to mostly digital — mimicking his tenure as head of The New York Times Company.

“The idea that there might be digital subscription is a serious possibility,” Thompson told FT when asked about his plans for CNN.

While no final decision has been made, “I think it’s quite likely that we’ll end up there,” he said.

Thompson did not specify what form the digital subscription service would take, though he ruled out it would be similar to CNN’s ill-fated CNN+ — the streaming news venture that was shut down less than a month after it launched.

CNN+, the brainchild of former CNN boss Jeff Zucker, was axed as part of a cost-cutting measure just weeks after the news channel was inherited by the newly merged entity Warner Bros. Discovery.

Thompson was hired last year to replace Zucker’s successor, Chris Licht, whose disastrous 13-month tenure as head of the network ended after an unflattering magazine profile portrayed him as thin-skinned and envious of his predecessor’s popularity.

Warner Bros. Discovery has $44 billion in debt that it needs to reduce — leading to speculation that CEO David Zaslav may look to sell CNN.

Thompson pushed back on the idea that he was abandoning TV altogether.

“Do we want to get more competitive in cable TV and by strengthening our schedules? Yes, we do,” he said.

“But the rate at which people have been and probably will continue to cut the cord and not look at cable TV at all is a far, far greater strategic threat than the finer points of competition between individual cable channels.”

During his eight-year tenure as president and CEO of the New York Times Company, Thompson expedited the publication’s transition to a digital, subscription-based news outlet that has been the main driver of revenue since.

Thompson, who left The New York Times Company in 2020, is credited with helping the Times attract millions of digital subscribers worldwide.

The lone bright spot for CNN is its website, which draws some 160 million unique users each month.

Thompson said that one possibility is to have CNN users register so that the network can then sell information about its audience to advertisers.

“We need an entirely new digital strategy,” he told FT.

“I don’t think any broadcaster has cracked the code on how to be yourself in terms of digital products.”

Credits: New York Post

News Shorts: Superbuns To Make Its Linear Debut On Universal Kids, Mpumalanga TV Goes Live On 1KZN TV With Sannah Mchunu And Umbrella Men: Escape From Robben Island To Stream On eVOD From April 25

Peacock original debuts on Universal Kids

Universal Kids which serves as the American counterpart of DreamWorks Channel and Sky is operated by NBCUniversal. Since it's launch, the channel has seen a decline in consumption and several content changes with its current lineup preschool tailored.

As seen in an programme guide, the Canadian based animated series Superbuns is slated to rollout on the channel from 28 April.

Based on the children's book of the same name, it follows a little bunny whose superpower is kindness does what she can to brighten everyone’s day. The series was made available to stream on Peacock sometime in 2023.

Mpumalanga gets a 1 hour block on 1KZN

Based in KwaZulu Natal, 1KZN TV is a proudly Zulu community television channel that produces its local content. Its aim is greater social inclusion of genders, castes, and ethnicities while encouraging greater education and improved health.

During the week, the channel debuted a 2 hour block with actress Sannah Mchunu gracing the red carpet. Although not much details had been shared about the content to be allocated on Mpumalanga TV beforehand to garner some exposure. 

It will air daily on 1KZN from 5pm to 6pm with repeats on weekends.

Umbrella Men is back for new adventures on eVOD 

After pulling off the ultimate heist in the original "The Umbrella Men," Jerome, Morty, Mila, Keisha, and Auntie Val thought they could finally enjoy the good life. But their celebrations are cut short when the villainous Tariek enters the scene with sinister plans.

Before they know it, Jerome and Morty find themselves locked up in the infamous Robben Island Prison, while Keisha, Mila, and Auntie Val are left to hatch an audacious plan to bust them out. However, their troubles are just beginning as Tariek's ambitions grow more diabolical by the minute, threatening world domination!

In this action-packed, music-filled sequel, our favorite crew of accidental criminals must band together once more, using all their wits and talents to take down Tariek, clear their names, and finally make it back home to the Bo Kaap as free men.

'The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island' is officially hitting eVOD on April 25th.

May 2024 On TNT Across Africa | Original Movie: Little Bone Lodge | End Of Days Stunt With Channel Premiere Independence Day | AEW Weekends | More

Premieres in bold

Surviving the Unknown

Stunt

Embark on a gripping journey through the uncharted territories of the human spirit with TNT's Saturday evening movie special, "Surviving the Unknown." Witness ordinary people facing 

extraordinary challenges, testing their courage and resilience in heart-pounding tales of survival against all odds.

Saturday, 4 May

18:00 Speed (1994)

20:00 Con Air (1997)

Saturday, 11 May

16:40 Titanic (1997)

20:00 Kong: Skull Island (2015)

Saturday, 18 May

18:10 Taken 3 (2014)

20:00 Face / Off (1997)

Saturday, 25 May

18:15 The Running Man (1987)

20:00 Apex (2021)

End of Days

Stunt

The ultimate, "End of Days" special airs on TNT every Sunday evening in May. Immerse yourself in dystopian futures and post-apocalyptic landscapes, witnessing humanity's indomitable spirit against extinction.

Sunday, 5 May

17:50 Pacific Rim (2013)

20:00 Independence Day (1996)

Sunday, 12 May

18:00 War of the Worlds (2005)

20:00 A Quiet Place (2018)

Sunday, 19 May

17:55 Star Trek (2009)

20:00 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Sunday, 26 May

17:55 Terminator Genesys (2015)

20:00 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Everyday Heroes

Stunt

Celebrate International Workers' Day with TNT's "Everyday Heroes" special marathon on 1 May. Witness the awe-inspiring tales of resilience and courage as individuals rise above challenges to

become beacons of hope.

Wednesday, 1 May

14:00 Air Force One (1997)

16:00 True Lies (1994)

18:30 Collateral (2004)

20:30 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

23:15 Die Hard (1988)

Little Bone Lodge

TNT Original Movie

TNT’s exclusive premiere of "Little Bone Lodge" weaves expert storytelling with compelling performances. Amidst a raging storm, two fugitive brothers find shelter in an eerie farmhouse, unveiling sinister secrets.

Prepare for breathtaking visuals and relentless suspense, promising an unforgettable cinematic journey till the final credits.

Synopsis: Set during a vicious storm, two criminal brothers on the run seek refuge in a desolate farmhouse. Taking the resident family captive, they find the house holds dark secrets of its own.

Thursday, 23 May

20:30 Little Bone Lodge (2023)

AEW

#WrestlingWeekendsonTNT

In May, TNT debuts fresh episodes every Saturday and Sunday morning at around 10 am, complemented by weekly reruns on Wednesday afternoons and Friday late nights.

AEW RAMPAGE

Ep. 17 - Saturday 4th at 10:00

Ep. 18 - Saturday 11th at 10:00

Ep. 19 - Saturday 18th at 10:00

Ep. 20 - Saturday 25th at 10:00

AEW COLLISION

S4. Ep. 15 - Saturday 4th at 10:50

S4. Ep. 16 - Saturday 18th at 10:50

S4. Ep. 17 - Saturday 25th at 10:50

AEW DYNAMITE

Ep. 18 Sunday 5th at 10:00

Ep. 19 - Sunday 12th at 10:00

Ep. 20 - Sunday 19th at 10:00

Ep. 21 - Sunday 26th at 13:45

May 2024 On Travel Channel And Real Time Across Africa | New Series Alert: Alaskan Killer: Big Foot | Returning Shows Including The Aquarium And The Kitchen | More

Travel Channel 

Alaskan Killer: Big Foot S1

Brand New

Seventy years ago, a murderous Bigfoot like creature sent residents fleeing from Portlock, Alaska. Now, an expedition returns to the abandoned fishing village to reclaim the land and its resources from the terrifying beast locals call Nantinaq. The team's 40-day sojourn in the icy 

Alaskan wilderness tests their mettle, their 

faith and their ability to survive.

First TX: 2 May

TX Day: Thursday

TX Time: 22:10

Last TX: 6 June

Eli Roth presents: The Legion of Exorcists

Brand New

Evil is on the rise, inching us ever closer to

the end of days. Standing on the frontlines

of this spiritual war is the Legion of Exorcists, who use their faith to keep the devil's minions at bay. These are the true stories of their battle to save humanity's soul, one exorcism at a time.

First TX: 12 May

TX Day: Sunday

TX Time: 21:10

Last TX: 30 June

Real Time 

The Aquarium S2

New To Channel 

Viewers are taken behind the scenes of Atlanta's

Georgia Aquarium. The show follows the stories of an escape-artist moray eel, a giant sea turtle named Tank who needs to learn healthier eating habits, and the adventures of baby fantail rays Bacon and Tomato, as they adjust to life in the massive Ocean Voyager exhibit. Viewers also catch up with baby sea otter Gibson, as he learns to become a more independent pup.

First TX: 21 May

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 10:30

Last TX: 31 May

The Kitchen S6

New To Channel 

Spend a fun and food-filled morning in The Kitchen with hosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian. These five talented food experts will bring fun conversation and delicious recipes into your kitchen every week. From simple supper ideas to the latest food trends, to the "Cookbook Club," we'll cover all things fun in food. Pull up a stool at the counter and join us in The Kitchen. Everybody knows every great party ends up in The Kitchen!

First TX: 2 May

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 13:45

Last TX: 20 May

Chopped S21

New To Channel 

Competitors race to turn mystery ingredients into

extraordinary three-course meals. This competition is all about skill, speed and ingenuity and only one chef will impress the judges enough to survive the chopping block.

First TX: 14 May

TX Day: Weekdays

TX Time: 11:15

Last TX: 30 May