Investigation Discovery Continues To Uncover The Hidden Struggles, Scandals And Cost Of Fame In A Shocking Second Season Of Hollywood Demons Across Africa

Investigation Discovery (ID) brings South African viewers a gripping new season of Hollywood Demons, returning with explosive episodes that peel back the glossy façade of celebrity culture. South African audiences can catch the premiere on Friday, 22 May at 21:00 on ID (DStv 171), with a new two‑hour episode rolling out every Friday evening.

 

Across five new instalments, Hollywood Demons features rare, first‑hand accounts from former stars, insiders, and cultural commentators who unpack how fame can reshape identities, fracture relationships, and leave deep emotional scars. The series also includes expert insight from Dr Drew Pinsky and Emmy‑nominated journalist Simone Boyce, who contextualise the cultural and psychological forces behind these stories. This season explores notorious chapters in entertainment history, including The Jerry Springer Show, Saved by the Bell, 16 and Pregnant, and more.

 

Episode Highlights

Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Premieres Friday, 22 May at 21:00

Behind the chaos and confrontations that made The Jerry Springer Show a global phenomenon lie darker stories of alleged abuse, trauma, and tragedy. Featuring one of the final recorded interviews with Jerry Springer himself, this episode includes candid accounts from producers, creators, and former guests whose lives were forever changed by their on‑screen moments.

 

Child Stars Gone Wild Premieres Friday, 29 May at 21:00

Growing up in the spotlight comes at a cost. Former child actors, including Dan Benson (Wizards of Waverly Place), Maitland Ward (Boy Meets World), and Scott Schwartz (The Toy, A Christmas Story), reveal the pressures, exploitation, and identity crises that pushed some toward unexpected, and controversial, career paths.

 

After the Bell Premieres Friday, 5 June at 21:00

Saved by the Bell defined a generation, but behind the wholesome sitcom lay stories of stalking, lies, and scandal. Cast members Lark Voorhies, Ed Alonzo, Max Battimo, and others share the emotional toll of fame and the challenges they faced once the cameras stopped rolling.

 

Dr Feel Goods Premieres Friday, 12 June at 21:00

From Marilyn Monroe to Matthew Perry, celebrity overdoses often dominate headlines, but the doctors and systems behind these tragedies rarely face scrutiny. This episode exposes the world of unethical medical professionals, the pharmaceutical industry's influence, and the devastating consequences for those in their care.

 

Surviving 16 and Pregnant Premieres Friday, 19 June at 21:00

Sixteen years after the controversial MTV series first aired, former cast members reflect on the backlash that followed their teenage pregnancies. From homelessness and addiction to an FBI raid and even allegations of murder.

 

With unprecedented access, emotional honesty, and sharp cultural analysis, Hollywood Demons offers South African viewers a compelling look at the darker side of fame. This season reminds us that behind every headline and viral moment lies a human story often far more complex, painful, and revealing than the world ever sees.

‘Fast & Furious’ TV Series In Works At Peacock With Vin Diesel Executive Producing

NBCUniversal has confirmed that a live-action series based on Universal’s Fast & Furious action movie franchise is in development. And not just one but FOUR series, according to franchise star and producer Vin Diesel. He made the announcement on stage at the NBCUniversal upfront presentation Monday morning.

“Peacock is launching four shows in the Fast and the Furious universe,” Diesel said.

According to sources, one of F&F series is set up at Peacock, with more in various stages of development at Universal Television.

Diesel is executive producing the series adaptation. Its pilot will be written by Mike Daniels, who just got an NBC series order for his take on another high-profile title from the NBCUniversal library, The Rockford Files, and Wolfe Coleman. The two previously worked together on the NBC series Shades of Blue.

No details are being provided on the series, which comes from Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group. Diesel and Sam Vincent executive produce via One Race alongside Fast & Furious franchise producer Neal Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, as well as two other franchise producers, Chris Morgan, who also wrote several of the movies, and Jeff Kirschenbaum.

On stage, Diesel spoke about being protective of the F&F brand, which made him originally turn down doing a sequel to the original movie.

“As you all know, we are very precious about these movies but over the last decade, we’ve realized that the fans have wanted more, they wanted us to expand the legacy characters, their stories,” he said. “And for the last decade, the desire has been for us to enter the TV space.”

Diesel said he came around on the idea after Universal Studios chief Donna Langley also took oversight of NBCUniversal’s TV operation last year.

“That’s when I knew that the integrity of the characters, the international appeal, what makes us all feel like family will be protected in the TV space,” he said.

Diesel, Moritz and Morgan also executive produce an animated Fast & Furious series set at Netflix from DreamWorks Animation.

The Fast & Furious movie series marks its 25th anniversary this year with a special screening of the original film at the Cannes Film Festival, which Diesel and Moritz will be attending. Over the course of eleven films to date, the franchise has earned more than $7 billion at the worldwide box office. The final F&F chapter, Fast Forever, will be released March 17, 2028.

Canal+ Announces It Will Be Rebranding It's FilmBox Channels Globally With First Look

SPI International is to rebrand FilmBox across its linear channel portfolio and streaming service from June 10.

The refresh introduces new channel names, logos – with a nod to parent CANAL+ – audiovisual identities and a clearer content strategy across the FilmBox portfolio.

The new line-up will include FILMBOX+ One, FILMBOX+ Love & Crime, FILMBOX+ Hits, FILMBOX+ Emotion, FILMBOX+ Action, FILMBOX+ Comedy and FILMBOX+ Festival.

The FilmBox streaming service will be renamed FILMBOX+ Stream and will offer curated collections, a content library and live TV channels through the new domain filmboxplus.stream.

SPI said the rebrand is designed to give each channel and service a clearer identity, with distinct positioning based on audience preferences.

Patrycja Gałązka-Struzik, chief marketing and digital officer at SPI International, said FilmBox remains “a cornerstone” of the company’s international portfolio, particularly across Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

The channels will continue to be distributed through cable and satellite operators in more than 40 countries.

Warner Bros. Discovery Shareholders Approve Sale To Paramount

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved the company's proposed merger with Paramount Skydance in a preliminary vote on Thursday, bringing a buzzy sale process one step closer to the finish line.

Paramount has offered $31 per share for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery — its cable TV networks like TNT, CNN and Discovery Channel as well as its streaming service HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film studio. That proposal was the result of several offers since September and a bidding war with Netflix and Comcast.

In late February, Paramount's upped offer to $31 spurred Netflix to walk away from its own proposed deal for WBD's studio and streaming assets.

Paramount's offer includes a $7 billion breakup fee in the event the proposed merger doesn't win regulatory approval. The company also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion breakup fee that WBD owed Netflix for the termination of that agreement.

"Shareholder approval marks another important milestone towards completing our acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, building on our successful equity and debt syndications and progress across regulatory approvals," Paramount said in a statement Thursday. "We look forward to closing the transaction in the coming months and realizing the creation of a next-generation media and entertainment company that better serves both the creative community and consumers."

Paramount and WBD have said the deal is expected to close in the third quarter, pending regulators' sign off.

"Over the past four years, our teams have transformed Warner Bros. Discovery and returned the company to industry leadership," WBD CEO David Zaslav said in a news release on Thursday. "Today's stockholder approval is another key milestone toward completing this historic transaction that will deliver exceptional value to our stockholders. We will continue to work with Paramount to complete the remaining steps in this process that will create a leading, next-generation media and entertainment company."

Top proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services had recommended that shareholders accept the deal, which it said was "the result of a competitive sales process and public bidding war."

"Further, shareholders are receiving a meaningful premium to the unaffected share price, there is a potential downside risk of non-approval, and the cash consideration provides liquidity and certainty of value to shareholders," ISS wrote in its report. "Given these factors, support for the proposed transaction is warranted."

While WBD shareholders voted "overwhelmingly" in favor of the deal with Paramount, per WBD's release, they did not support the payouts to WBD's executives.

This didn't come as a surprise after ISS's earlier report had advised against approving the proposed golden parachute for Zaslav as part of the deal. Zaslav's exit package consists of hundreds of millions of dollars in severance and other stock awards tied to Paramount's acquisition.

Since it's a non-binding vote, however, the payments to Zaslav and other executives will still go through.

The payout — which totals more than $800 million — highlights an obscure tax rule originally designed to limit CEO pay, CNBC recently reported.

ISS called out the $500 million in proposed stock awards, as well as "a recently-added excise tax gross-up, valued at approximately $335 million," or what's known as the so-called golden parachute excise tax. Originally created by Congress in the 1980s, the tax was meant to limit what many considered to be massive payouts to CEOs upon a change of control or sale.

Brand‑New Documentary Event Marking 40 Years Since The World’s Worst Nuclear Disaster Premiering On Discovery Channel Africa On Sunday, 26 April At 21:00

Exactly forty years after the catastrophic explosion at Reactor No. 4, Discovery Channel presents Chornobyl: Days That Shocked the World, a powerful documentary airing on Sunday, 26 April at 21:00 on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv 121).

 

Revisiting one of the most defining disasters of the 20th century, the documentary reconstructs the events of 26 April 1986 through rare archive footage and first‑hand testimony from those who lived in Pripyat or worked at the nuclear plant. Their accounts reveal how the catastrophe was concealed from the world, even from local residents, as radiation silently spread across the region.

 

A chemical engineer recalls leaving the reactor the night before to celebrate her birthday, only to learn the next day that colleagues had died. A doctor describes the first victim brought in, whose skin had turned blue from radiation exposure. Others remember how life continued as normal: one resident went to school while the reactor was already burning, unaware of the danger despite helicopters circling overhead. Even as 50,000 people were evacuated from Pripyat, the outside world remained in the dark until alarming radiation levels were detected in Sweden, forcing Soviet leaders to acknowledge the truth.

 

As conflict returns to the region today, Chornobyl: Days That Shocked the World examines why the disaster’s legacy feels more urgent than ever. The film explores how Chornobyl reshaped global nuclear policy, accelerated advances in safety protocols, and continues to influence debates around energy, sustainability, and geopolitics — making Discovery’s factual, survivor‑driven perspective both timely and essential.

 

Chornobyl: Days That Shocked the World airs Sunday, 26 April at 21:00 on Discovery Channel Africa (DStv 121).

The Curse Of The Glee Cast

Naya Rivera (played Santana Lopez)

In July 2020, Rivera (33) went boating with her then-4-year-old son at Lake Piru, California. She drowned after apparently saving her son by boosting him back onto the boat (he was found alone wearing a life jacket and asleep). Her body was recovered days later. The Ventura County Medical Examiner ruled it an accidental drowning due to the boat drifting away while she was in the water. No drugs or alcohol were involved, and it was widely seen as a heroic act to protect her child. She had spoken openly about mental health and motherhood in the years prior.

Cory Monteith (played Finn Hudson)

In July 2013, Monteith (31) was found dead in his room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, Canada. The cause was a toxic combination of heroin and alcohol (accidental overdose). He had a long history of substance use disorder, had been to rehab multiple times (including shortly before his death), and had been open about his struggles. His death shocked fans and the cast, as he was a central figure on the show. Lea Michele (his real-life partner at the time) later spoke about the profound grief.

Mark Salling (played Noah "Puck" Puckerman)

In January 2018, Salling (35) died by suicide (hanged himself) near a Los Angeles river. This came after his 2015 arrest and 2017 guilty plea to possession of child pornography (he had thousands of explicit images of minors). He was awaiting sentencing (up to 7 years in prison) and had registered as a sex offender. His death was ruled a suicide, and it followed years of legal battles. Many cast members distanced themselves due to the nature of the crimes.

Becca Tobin's boyfriend (Matt Bendik, partner of Becca Tobin who played Kitty Wilde)

In July 2014, Bendik (35, a nightclub owner) was found dead in a hotel room in Philadelphia (face down in bed, discovered by hotel staff). Tobin was on tour with Glee at the time. An initial autopsy showed no obvious trauma or foul play, but the exact cause remained undetermined publicly after toxicology/autopsy (some reports noted it was sudden/natural, possibly cardiac or similar, though details were limited). It happened almost exactly one year after Monteith's death, which fueled speculation at the time. Tobin later spoke about the profound loss and grief.

Nancy Motes (Glee production assistant; half-sister of Julia Roberts)

In February 2014 (age 37), Motes was found dead in her Los Angeles home (on the bathroom floor with prescription drugs nearby). It was ruled a suicide by apparent drug overdose (some reports specify mixed prescription drugs). A suicide note reportedly expressed deep resentment toward her family (including Roberts and other siblings), blaming them for contributing to her depression and struggles. She had worked as a production assistant on Glee and had a strained family history. Roberts later spoke publicly about the tragedy, expressing sorrow.

Jim Fuller (assistant director on Glee)

In September 2013 (age 41), Fuller died in his sleep from a heart attack (natural causes/heart failure). He had a long career in TV (worked on shows like Monk, Weeds, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Glee). His obituary noted he passed peacefully at home, survived by family. This was one of several crew health-related deaths mentioned in The Price of Glee, where some crew referenced a pattern of sudden losses (though attributed to stress, age, or coincidence rather than a curse).

Blake Jenner (played Ryder Lynn)

In 2020, his ex-wife (and former co-star) Melissa Benoist publicly detailed experiencing domestic abuse during their marriage (2015–2019), including physical incidents. Jenner later issued a statement acknowledging responsibility, expressing regret, and committing to personal growth (he said he had sought therapy). No criminal charges were filed publicly, but it became a major point in discussions of toxicity behind the scenes. Benoist has since spoken about healing from the experience.

Overall, while the tragedies are real and devastating (especially the cluster of deaths in 2013–2014 and later), most experts, cast members, and journalists attribute them to individual circumstances—like addiction, mental health struggles, health issues, or unrelated crimes—rather than a literal "curse." Fame's pressures, long work hours, and personal demons played roles for many. The 2023 docuseries amplified the "curse" talk but drew backlash for potentially exploiting grief. It's a sad legacy for such a joyful show.

BBC First To Rebrand As BBC Belgium In May

BBC Studios is to rebrand its premium drama channel BBC First as BBC Belgium, marking a localisation push in the Flemish market.

The change will take effect from May 5, 2026, with the channel continuing to target audiences in Flanders with a curated slate of British drama and light crime programming, fully localised with Dutch subtitles.

BBC Studios said the rebrand is designed to strengthen the channel’s connection with Belgian viewers while maintaining its established programming strategy.

Bram Husken, SVP and general manager Benelux and Nordics at BBC Studios, said the move would better reflect the channel’s audience and reinforce its commitment to bringing British storytelling to the region.

The rebranded channel will launch with a refreshed identity and a line-up of returning and new titles, including Wild Cherry, The Marlow Murder Club S3, Call the Midwife S15, Lynley, Foyle’s War S6 and Miss Scarlet S6.

BBC First has operated in Belgium for more than a decade as a premium drama service, distributed via local pay-TV platforms. The transition to BBC Belgium follows a broader trend by BBC Studios to localise its international channel brands, as seen with the launch of BBC NL in the Netherlands.

The company said BBC Belgium will continue to offer a mix of high-end drama and crime series tailored to Flemish audiences, with the rebrand intended to deepen engagement in the market.

Reminder: Mysteries Unearthed Returns For Season 2 On History Channel Across Africa, The Lost Secrets Of Jesus Also Added To The Lineup

Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo season 2

18 April

Saturdays 19:25

Mysteries UnEarthed with Danny Trejo season 2 examines the fascinating stories surrounding buried arti facts and lost civilizations, offering new insight and information, on various mysteries of the past and present. Anchored by Danny Trejo’s affinity for history and his natural curiosity into exploring the unknown, the show also includes captivating archival material, expert interviews, and compelling recreations. The series seeks to unearth what the human eye cannot easily detect.

 

The Lost Secrets of Jesus

19 April

Sunday 20:15

The Lost Secrets of Jesus peels back the layers of centuries old tradition and artistic interpretation to reveal the real historical and archaeological evidence behind the life of Jesus. Taking viewers on a captivating journey from the ruins of Bethlehem to the heart of Roman politics, this special uncovers the lost cities, astonishing discoveries, and hidden truths that shaped the world of Jesus. This documentary is a deep dive into the historical context and tangible evidence of Jesus’ time. Through expert insights and new findings, The Lost Secrets of Jesus challenges what we think we know, offering a fresh perspective on the man who changed the course of history. By exploring the past, we gain a richer understanding of Jesus and the world he lived in, making this special an unforgettable exploration of one of history’s most influential figures.

 

11 Actors That Were Only Cast In The Friends TV Show

As Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones would say, you like Friends just the way it is. Despite some of the inconsistencies, plot holes and storylines that keep you up at night, it’s perfect just as it is – and you’d be horrified to see anything change.

But it wasn’t always meant to be the way it turned out: actually, at the very beginning, Friends creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman wanted to cast different actors as Ross Geller, Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Chandler Bing, Phoebe Buffay and Joey Tribbiani. Here’s the most famous 11.

1. Eric McCormack – Ross Geller

Before he hit the big time in Will & Grace, Eric McCormack auditioned to play Ross Geller – but later revealed he thought the part was written with David Schwimmer in mind.

“I needed to start pulling at this other sort of funnier, lighter side. So I auditioned for everything,” he told Huff Post. “I auditioned for Friends even. I auditioned for Schwimmer’s part.

“Years later, I told Jimmy Burrows, who directed all of Will & Grace and Friends too [that] I was up for Schwimmer’s part. He said, ‘Oh, honey, you’re wasting your time. They wrote the part for him.’”

2. Nancy McKeon – Monica Geller

“Nancy McKeon also read for Courteney’s part. She gave a terrific performance,” Lori Openden, head of casting for NBC at the time, said. “Warren [Littlefield, the then NBC president] let Marta [Kauffman] and David [Crane] make the call. They went off for a walk and came back and said Courteney.”

3. Jane Krakowski – Rachel Green

Before starring in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jane auditioned for the role of Rachel – and joked in an interview with Giuliana Rancic on the 2015 Emmys red carpet that her “business manager is very sad” she didn’t get a call back.

She revealed, “Well, I, like almost every actor in the world, auditioned for Friends. I wish I had gotten that one. I actually auditioned for Rachel, and I didn’t go very far.”

4. Jon Cryer – Chandler Bing

Two and a Half Men‘s Jon Cryer explained on The Late Late Show With James Corden, ‘I was working in the UK and got a call from [Friends executive producer] Marta Kauffman, and she had a script called ‘Six of One’.

“She said, ‘the part I want you for is named Chandler Bing. I had to audition the next morning with the casting director who was in the UK. So I went in, I did my best… she packaged up the tape of me doing my best Chandler Bing, sent it to LA, and it got stuck at customs.”

5. Vince Vaughn – Joey Tribbiani

Friends casting director Ellie Kanner told Huffington Post that when Vince Vaughn auditioned to play Joey, though he was “handsome and tall” and a “good actor”, he just didn’t fit the part as well as Matt Le Blanc did.

“It’s just a matter of putting the pieces of the puzzle together”, she added. “That would have been a little different”.

6. Hank Azaria – Joey Tribbiani

Er, so this one isn’t so much as a nearly played him, but rather really wanted to.

“That’s the only job I ever auditioned for twice,” Azaria told HuffPost Live in 2014. “I thought it was so good — they had rejected me once — I said, ‘I’m going back, I’m gonna do it again, I’m gonna try it again’.”

Still, he got a cameo as Phoebe’s Science Guy, so all’s well that end’s well. Sort of.

7. Janeane Garofalo – Monica Geller

You might not believe it, but Friends creator David Crane revealed he initially wrote the role of Monica with Reality Bites‘ Janeane Garofalo in mind – it was only when Courtney Cox nailed the audition that they changed the character a bit.

“When we originally wrote the role, we had Janeane Garofalo’s voice in our head”, he told Vanity Fair. “Darker and edgier and snarkier, and Courteney brought a whole bunch of other colours to it. We decided that, week after week, that would be a lovelier place to go to.”

8. Craig Bierko – Chandler Bing

In the same Vanity Fair interview, Warren Littlefield, the former president of NBC Entertainment, explained that because Matthew Perry was initially tied into a pilot for Fox, he couldn’t commit to the role of Chandler – so he trained actor Craig Bierko up for the role instead.

“There was something Snidely Whiplash about Craig Bierko. He seemed to have a lot of anger underneath, more of a guy you love to hate. The attractive leading man who you love and can do comedy is very rare.”

9. Courtney Cox – Rachel Green

Yep, the casting directors actually wanted Courtney to play Rachel, not Monica – but it was only when she auditioned as Monica and “brought a whole bunch of other colours to the role”, that she got it.

“We originally offered Rachel to Courteney Cox,” says creator Kauffman, “but she said she wanted to do Monica, not Rachel”.

10. Leah Remini – Monica

The King Of Queens actress made it through the studio audition and to the network, where it was narrowed down to her and one other actress (side note – maybe Nancy McKeon?! See point one). But instead of picking, the casing directors asked them both to leave because they had someone else to see. 

“We walked out of the building and into the completely empty parking lot,” she wrote in her biography. “We chatted on the way to our cars, wishing each other the best, and then we saw Courteney Cox walking toward us, then past us and right into the building. Motherf*cker! We both knew it right away: she had the part of Monica.”

She does feature in ‘The One With the Birth’, though.

11. Kathy Griffin – Phoebe

Kathy Griffin revealed during a chat with Huff Post Live that both she and Jane Lynch (who went on to play Sue Sylvester in Glee) auditioned to be Phoebe.

Speaking about their friendship, she commented, “I’ve known Jane since we were both auditioning — I think we were auditioning for Phoebe on Friends like all my other girlfriends did…”

Article originally published by Cosmopolitan 

WBD Acquisition Is Near Completion As Paramount Secures Funds From Gulf State

David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has secured funding commitments from three Gulf nation sovereign wealth funds to back its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Deadline has confirmed.

A Wall Street Journal report on Sunday said the financing agreements were near to being finalized.

It was not a surprise as the proposed mega-deal had always included a big chunk of Middle East funding from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Now it’s been nailed down. In response to pressure from WBD, the merger agreement calls for billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison to backstop any equity shortfall to assure the deal would close.

The signed equity commitments of close to $24 billion include $10 million from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund flanked by the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding.

Paramount Skydance declined to comment.

The move comes after Democratic lawmakers expressed national security concerns related to foreign ownership and backing of the merger. Last month, a group of senators called on FCC chairman Brendan Carr to conduct a “full and independent” review of Paramount‘s proposed deal, with an equity value of $81 billion, due to Arab state investment. At the same time, Carr has said the agency would have minimal oversight over the transaction, as it does not involve the transfer of ownership of broadcast stations.

In its open letter, Democratic leadership cited a provision of the Communications Act, which dictates that foreign entities may not hold more than 25% of the equity or voting interest in a U.S. company that holds a license without the commission’s approval. Meanwhile, Paramount has maintained that the transaction does not require oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment as the Gulf bodies will not have governance over the corporation.An earlier version of Paramount’s hostile bid included financial backing from Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner’s private equity firm Affinity Partners. Both are no longer involved, and the former had earlier withdrawn from the transaction amid concerns that its interest would trigger Foreign Investment review.

Gulf investors’ seemingly imminent backing will supplement costs faced by Paramount Skydance chair and CEO David Ellison and his billionaire father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. Additional backers are RedBird Capital Partners, Bank of America, Citigroup and asset management firm Apollo Global Management.

News of the near-to-closing talks also comes as the region faces continuing turmoil and instability with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Meanwhile, WBD has set an April 23 special meeting of shareholders to vote on the media giant’s sale to freshly merged entity Paramount Skydance, constituting a key step forward in the process. The deal is also pending regulatory review in Europe, and WSJ reports Paramount execs have told employees to prepare for potential close by the end of July.

Malcolm & Eddie | Pilot | Season 1 Episode 1 | UPN

An aspiring radio sports announcer, Malcolm, and his talkative, would-be tow truck driver roommate, Eddie, attend a get-rich-quick seminar in hopes of winning a much-needed TV.

The Equalizer Is Back With Season 5 On Universal TV Across Africa

The Equalizer is set to return for its fifth and final season on Universal TV (DSTV 117) on 3 April at 8 PM with new episodes every Friday until the series finale on 31 July 2026. 

The Equalizer is a reimagining of the classic series starring Academy Award® nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, an enigmatic woman with a mysterious background who uses her extensive skills as a former CIA operative to help those with nowhere else to turn. McCall presents to most as an average single mom who is quietly raising her teenage daughter. But to a trusted few, she is The Equalizer – an anonymous guardian angel and defender of the downtrodden, who’s also dogged in her pursuit of personal redemption.

Robyn’s clandestine work and her personal life often collide when her smart and observant daughter, Delilah, and her aunt Vi, who lives with Robyn to help her balance life as a working mother, struggle to conceal her vigilante career. While Robyn worries about the mental and emotional toll her work exacts on her family, she is joined in her pursuit of justice by Melody “Mel” Bayani, an edgy bar owner and sniper from Robyn’s past who recently quit the Equalizer team to recover from post-traumatic stress disorder; and Harry Keshegian, a paranoid and brilliant white hat hacker married to Mel. As Robyn aids the oppressed and exploited, she sometimes works with Marcus Dante, an NYPD detective and trusted friend who respects the need for Robyn’s type of justice even as he often questions her methods. 

Queen Latifah (Chicago, Hairspray) returns alongside Tory Kittles (Colony, True Detective), Adam Goldberg (A Beautiful Mind, Saving Private Ryan), Liza Lapira (Fast & Furious, Crazy, Stupid, Love), Laya DeLeon Hayes (God of War Ragnarök, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster) and Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black, Selma).

The Equalizer is produced by Universal Television in association with CBS Studios. Executive producers include Joseph C. Wilson, Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), Debra Martin Chase, Shakim Compere, John Davis, John Fox, Loretha Jones and Rob Hanning.

The Equalizer Season 5 premieres on Universal TV on 3 April at 8PM, with new episodes airing every Friday until 31 July 2026.

Blue Ridge Returns For Season 2 On Universal TV Across Africa

The wait is finally over as Blue Ridge returns to Universal TV (DStv 117) with Season 2 on 2 April at 8PM with new episodes every Thursday until the season finale on 21 May.

Based on the 2020 film of the same name, Blue Ridge follows Sheriff Justin Wise and his two deputies as they work to protect their small Appalachian town from the forces trying to rip it apart. Every case tests their grit, loyalty, and the limits of small-town peace. Longstanding feuds, disgruntled criminals, unruly travellers, and cold-blooded murderers wreak havoc - threatening the safety of the citizens Justin has promised to protect. 

Season 2 explores the shifting dynamics within the community and the growing pressures that come with wearing the badge in a place where everyone knows your name – and your history.

In Blue Ridge, justice is personal and earned one fight, one mystery, and one truth at a time.

Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!, Houdini) returns alongside Sarah Lancaster (Chuck, The Judge) as Elli Wise, Taegen Burns (Imaginary, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers) as Maddie Wise, and A. Martinez (Longmire, Avatar: The Last Airbender) as Connor McGrath.

The series will also feature surprise guest stars including Bruce Boxleitner (Babylon 5, Tron), Eric Close (Suits, Without a Trace), and Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints, Nefarious).

Blue Ridge premieres on Universal TV on 2 April at 8PM, with new episodes airing every Thursday until 21 May.

 

Universal TV is available on DStv Channel 117 across Africa.

Tia Mowry: My Next Act: Offering An Unfiltered Look At Tia’s Next Chapter, The Docuseries Arrives On Bravo Africa On 29 March

Tia Mowry pulls back the curtain in her unscripted series Tia Mowry: My Next Act, landing on Bravo Africa (DStv 124) on Sunday, 29 March at 7 PM, with new episodes every Sunday until 17 May 2026.  

 

Tia Mowry is a multi-hyphenate actress, producer, author and entrepreneur, with a career spanning over three decades and more than 25 million social media followers. She has acted in and produced numerous TV shows and films, most recently starring in the hit series Family Reunion, and has published several books, including her second cookbook, The Quick Fix Kitchen.

 

Having spent most of her life as part of a duo after working with her twin sister, Tamera and then spending 20 years with her now ex-husband, she is for the first time, truly experiencing what life is like on her own both personally and professionally.

 

In each episode, the series delivers unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes ongoings of Tia’s multifaceted life. Join her as she navigates her newly single status, motherhood, building businesses and juggling her super busy and ever-evolving career. Tia is ready to date, take her multiple businesses to the next level, and discover what makes her happy.

 

Tia’s story is set to resonate with audiences seeking authenticity, reinvention and joy. From parenthood to entrepreneurship to rediscovering herself, she opens up in a way she never has before. This chapter brings profound changes and adjustments to the roles she plays in her everyday life – and marks the beginning of her next act.

                                            

Tia Mowry: My Next Act is executive produced by Tia Mowry, Adam Griffin and Erin Richards. Executive Producers from Jesse Collins Entertainment include Dionne Harmon, Madison Merritt, Elaine Metaxas and Jesse Collins, with Tahira Francis serving as co-executive producer. Rodney Holland also serves as co-executive producer. Angela Molloy and Lisa Marie Angelo executive produce for WEtv.

 

Tia Mowry: My Next Act premieres on Bravo Africa (DStv 124) on 29 March at 7 PM, with new episodes every Sunday until the season finale on 17 May 2026.

MTV Cancels Jersey Shore After 15 Years

MTV has pulled the plug on its long-running reality series Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, a revival of the original Jersey Shore.

The network, which is currently undergoing a massive overhaul, announced the news Wednesday in a press release, calling the forthcoming season its last.

“This farewell season marks the culmination of a franchise that entertained millions with major life milestones, laugh-out-loud chaos, and the unfiltered chemistry that defined an era of reality television,” the press release read. “The ‘Shore’ family is going bigger than ever, celebrating the moments that made this franchise a cultural phenomenon.”

Premiering Thursday, May 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, the 18-episode season will be “packed with fist-pump-worthy milestones and unforgettable moments, from pregnancies and baby showers to bachelorette parties, gender reveals, ab reveals, births, birthdays, weddings, and more.”

However, within hours of Wednesday’s announcement, Jersey Shore star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino insisted the series is simply changing networks. “Legends don’t retire — they reroute,” he wrote on X. “The network changed. The legacy didn’t. Jersey Shore is forever. Just wait until you see what’s next.”

'Jersey Shore Family Vacation' is set to conclude with its farewell season this year on MTV (MTV)

Nicole ‘Snooki,’ the breakout star of the reality series, revealed last month that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Nicole ‘Snooki,’ the breakout star of the reality series, revealed last month that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer (Snooki)

The Independent has contacted Paramount for comment.

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation debuted in 2018, bringing back a majority of the core cast of the six-season series Jersey Shore, including breakout star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Mike Sorrentino, Paul DelVecchio, Jenni Farley, Vinny Guadagnino, Deena Nicole Cortese and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro.

The original series ran from 2009 to 2012, and followed the lives of a group of housemates as they spent their summers partying, working, and living together in Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

Just last month, Snooki told fans she had been diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer and would likely undergo a hysterectomy.

MTV has canceled another beloved show

“Obviously not the news that I was hoping for,” she said in a TikTok video in between medical appointments, “but also not the worst news, just because they caught it so early, thank freaking God.”

The show’s cancelation comes months after the cable network, a subdivision of the Paramount Media Networks under Paramount Skydance, shuttered its 24/7 music networks worldwide after 44 years. Paramount has undergone massive changes in recent months, following its $8 billion merger with Skydance Media last August. Months later, the company reportedly laid off 2,000 staffers —10 percent of its total workforce.

That same month, MTV axed its mainstay series, Ridiculousness, after reports revealed that creator and host Rob Dyrdek was being paid $32 million per year for his work on the show.

At the time, Deadline reported that the company planned to refresh its programming and give MTV a facelift going forward amid the merger.

Paramount Expected To Easily Secure EU Nod For Warner Bros Deal, Sources Say

Paramount Skydance, is expected to easily gain European Union antitrust approval to buy Warner Bros Discovery, opens new tab while divestments, if required to address regulatory concerns, will likely be minor, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

Unlike Netflix's aborted bid, Paramount's offer faces fewer regulatory hurdles because a combined Paramount and Warner Bros has a market share of below 20% in all markets across Europe, the people said. They spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the matter.

European Commission antitrust regulators usually take a tough line when market share is 30% or more. Paramount has yet to formally seek EU approval, but is providing information on its businesses.

The deal would also require approval under the EU's foreign subsidies regulation because Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding Company and the Qatar Investment Authority are also bankrolling the bid. The FSR targets unfair foreign state aid.

Paramount declined to comment. The Commission said the deal has not been formally notified to the watchdog and declined further comment.

PARAMOUNT OPEN TO DIVESTING MINOR CHANNELS

While Paramount hopes to secure unconditional EU approval, the company is willing to divest minor channels such as its children's brands if required, the people said. Overlapping businesses include the combination of two studios and several TV channels.

Paramount has Nickelodeon while Warner Bros owns the Cartoon Network.

Paramount will likely seek formal EU approval in the coming months, the people said, which will then kick off a 25-working-day preliminary review, which can be extended by 10 working days if remedies are offered at the end of the 25 days.

California may be the biggest obstacle to the deal. Regulatory approvals from the U.S. and UK are also key deal requirements.

Paramount has been on the charm offensive in Europe since January, with CEO David Ellison meeting French President Emmanuel Macron that month while Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim met the European Commission's top merger official Guillaume Loriot that same week, the people said.

Delrahim is well-acquainted with Loriot from his previous stint as assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division.

European Parliament lawmaker Andreas Schwab, who has criticised Netflix's bid and led the negotiations in several pieces of tech legislation in recent years and also met Delrahim last month, said a Paramount bid poses fewer issues.

"I think Paramount is something we could accept. It is a concentration in the production of films. There is no risk of a digital champion taking over the video streaming market," he said.

Warner Bros. Discovery Declares New Paramount Bid A ‘Superior Proposal’; Netflix Has Four Business Days To Match

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery said Thursday it has determined that the latest offer from Paramount Skydance is a “superior proposal” to its existing merger pact with Netflix. The move sets off a four-day clock for Netflix to make a counteroffer to the nearly $83 billion deal that it reached with WBD in early December.

Netflix has four business days, or Wednesday, March 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET, to come up with a new proposal to salvage the deal.

In a statement Thursday, WBD said, “Following the conclusion of this period, if the Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors, that, after considering any revisions to the terms of the Netflix merger agreement proposed by Netflix, the PSKY proposal continues to constitute a ‘company superior proposal,’ WBD would be entitled to terminate the Netflix merger agreement.”

As it stands, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Netflix agreement remains in effect, and the WBD board says it is continuing to recommend in favor of that deal, which is up for a vote on March 20. 

Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison issued a statement Thursday in response to WBD’s announcement, saying: “We are pleased WBD’s Board has unanimously affirmed the superior value of our offer, which delivers to WBD shareholders superior value, certainty and speed to closing.”

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is believed to be in Washington, D.C. today in an effort to lobby Trump administration officials on the deal. Amid the fractious national political environment, the Netflix-WBD deal has become a lightning rod for critics. The Justice Department has embarked on a regulatory review that promises to probe all aspects of Netflix’s business, exposing the streaming giant to more scrutiny in D.C. that it has ever faced before.

In its statement, Warner Bros. listed the elements of the revised Paramount Skydance bid that turned the tables:

• Increased the purchase price to $31 a share in cash; 

• Accelerated timing of the daily “ticking fee” of $0.25 per quarter to begin after September 30, 2026, until the consummation of the Paramount transaction, rather than starting in January.

• Increased the regulatory breakup fee to $7 billion in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters;

• Reaffirmed it will pay the $2.8 billion termination fee which WBD would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate its existing Netflix merger agreement,

• Reaffirmed it will eliminate WBD’s potential $1.5 billion financing cost associated with its debt exchange offer,

• Agreed to an obligation to contribute additional equity funding to the extent needed to support the solvency certificate required by PSKY’s lending banks, and 

• Agreed to a “Company Material Adverse Effect” definition that means the price won’t be dropped if WBD’s linear networks decline faster than expected before the deal closes.

The Netflix deal, which includes buying Warner Bros. and HBO Max, is valued at nearly $83 billion. Paramount’s latest bid was a $108 billion all-cash offer for the entirety of WBD, including its linear cable channels. With the addition of $1 to the per-share price to reach $31 per share, the Paramount proposal submitted Feb. 24 amounts to approximately a $111 billion bid, including the $33 billion in debt that WBD is currently shouldering on its books.

Warner Bros. Discovery Warming Up To Paramount Deal

Paramount has upped its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery to $31 a share, above its previous offer of $30 per share.

Warner Bros. Discovery said the board has not yet made a determination as to whether the offer is superior to Netflix’s but says it could “reasonably be expected” to lead to a “company superior proposal.” Netflix has offered $27.75 per share for the company’s streaming and film assets alone, in a deal valued at $82.7 billion.

The revised proposal from Paramount not only includes the increased purchase price of $31.00 per WBD share in cash, but also a daily ticking fee payable to shareholders equal to $0.25 per quarter beginning after Sept. 30, 2026, as well as a $7 billion regulatory termination in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters. Paramount has also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion termination fee that Warner Bros. would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate the existing merger agreement.

The ticking fee schedule was originally slated to start Dec. 31, and the $7 billion fee is also being raised from the $5.8 billion fee that the company proposed. The new timing for the ticking fee and the higher termination fee is meant to underscore Paramount’s confidence that it can get the deal through the regulatory process, and to put pressure on Netflix.

The companies, however, are still talking, which suggests that Paramount’s latest offer may not be its “best and final.” WBD had said that it wants to get to that point in order to remove any doubt over Paramount’s willingness to raise, and Netflix’s ability to match.

If the Warner Bros. board determines that Paramount’s offer is a “Company Superior Proposal,” Netflix will have four business days to negotiate with WBD and to propose any revisions to its bid.

Paramount has been launching hostile takeover bid directly with shareholders in its effort to undo the previously agreed $82.7 billion Netflix deal. That deal was first unveiled in December and amended into an all-cash bid in late January. Warner Bros. board members had given Paramount a deadline of early this week for a revised best and final bid. Paramount’s offer encompasses all of Warner Bros., which means it would also be taking on linear cable networks such as CNN, TBS, HGTV and TNT.

WBD has set a March 20 date for shareholders to vote on the Netflix deal, meaning that the clock is ticking to come to a conclusion one way or another.

Earlier this morning, Warner Bros. had said its board, along with financial and legal advisors were reviewing Paramount’s latest new offer, but did not reveal exact details of the bid. Paramount had also confirmed the bid but was mum on details.

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Press Release: Warner Bros. Discovery Sets Special Meeting Date of March 20, 2026, And Unanimously Recommends Shareholders Vote FOR Netflix Merger; As Talks With Paramount Are Underway

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("WBD") (NASDAQ: WBD) today announced that it will hold the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Special Meeting") to vote on the merger with Netflix, Inc. ("Netflix") (NASDAQ: NFLX) on March 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time and the commencement of mailing of the definitive proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the Special Meeting. WBD also announced today that Netflix has provided WBD a limited waiver under the terms of WBD's merger agreement with Netflix, permitting WBD to engage in discussions with Paramount Skydance ("PSKY") (NASDAQ: PSKY) for a seven-day period ending on February 23, 2026 to seek clarity for WBD stockholders and provide PSKY the ability to make its best and final offer. During this period, WBD will engage with PSKY to discuss the deficiencies that remain unresolved and clarify certain terms of PSKY's proposed merger agreement. Netflix retains its matching rights as defined by the merger agreement.

The WBD Board of Directors (the "WBD Board") continues to unanimously recommend in favor of the Netflix merger. The WBD Board also unanimously recommends that shareholders reject the PSKY offer, for the reasons set forth in the amendment to our Schedule 14D-9 filed today with the SEC.

Following receipt of PSKY's latest amended offer, a senior representative for PSKY informed a WBD Board member that, if the WBD Board authorized discussions, PSKY would agree to pay $31 per share and that the offer was not PSKY's "best and final" proposal. This price, along with several other matters that PSKY stated it would address in its February 10 letter, are not reflected in the latest merger agreement that PSKY proposed. To provide specific clarity in this regard, WBD has today sent PSKY a letter, included below, setting out the key issues yet to be addressed by PSKY, along with drafts of full transaction agreements for PSKY to confirm the terms of its offer.

"Throughout the entire process, our sole focus has been on maximizing value and certainty for WBD shareholders," said David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery. "Every step of the way, we have provided PSKY with clear direction on the deficiencies in their offers and opportunities to address them. We are engaging with PSKY now to determine whether they can deliver an actionable, binding proposal that provides superior value and certainty for WBD shareholders through their best and final offer."

Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr., Chair of the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors added, "As announced today, we continue to believe the Netflix merger is in the best interests of WBD shareholders due to the tremendous value it provides, our clear path to achieve regulatory approval and the transaction's protections for shareholders against downside risk. With Netflix, we will create a brighter future for the entertainment industry – providing consumers with more choice, creating and protecting jobs and expanding U.S. production capacity while increasing investments to drive the long-term growth of our industry."

WBD today sent the following letter to PSKY, together with revised versions of the merger agreement and other transaction documentation:

Dear Members of the PSKY Board:

The Board of Directors of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is fully committed to delivering a superior transaction to our shareholders. Since our decision last year to separate our Streaming & Studios businesses from our Global Linear Networks business, we have actively explored a wide range of alternatives, including through a publicly-announced strategic review process in which Paramount Skydance (PSKY) participated, having initially approached WBD in September 2025. Our agreed transaction with Netflix offers superior value for our shareholders, allows us to achieve our strategic goal to separate WBD's businesses, offers a high degree of certainty with minimal risk to the businesses in the interim and has essentially no financing risk. The WBD Board continues to unanimously recommend that our shareholders approve the Netflix transaction, as reflected in the definitive proxy statement we have filed with the SEC today.

On February 10, PSKY amended its tender offer for WBD common stock. While this amendment addresses some of the concerns that WBD had identified several months ago, it still contains many of the unfavorable terms and conditions that were in the draft agreements submitted by PSKY on December 4, 2025 and December 22, 2025 and twice unanimously rejected by our Board. PSKY indicated in its February 10 letter to the WBD Board a willingness to address some of those concerns, but does not do so in its proposed merger agreement, leaving WBD with vague assurances of intention. Other important issues raised several times with PSKY are unchanged from your prior submissions. On February 11th, a senior representative of your financial advisor communicated orally to a member of our Board that PSKY would agree to pay $31 per WBD share if we engage with you, and that $31 is not PSKY's best and final proposal.

We are writing to inform you that Netflix has agreed to provide WBD a waiver of certain terms of the Netflix merger agreement to permit us, through February 23, to engage with PSKY to clarify your proposal, which we understand will include a WBD per share price higher than $31. We seek your best and final proposal. To be clear, our Board has not determined that your proposal is reasonably likely to result in a transaction that is superior to the Netflix merger. We continue to recommend and remain fully committed to our transaction with Netflix and have scheduled a special meeting of our shareholders on March 20, 2026 to vote on the Netflix merger agreement.

As you know, it is typical and expected for a would-be overbidder to accept the substantive terms of the merger agreement that the target company has already agreed with its existing merger party. To provide you with specific clarity in this regard, we have prepared, and our legal counsel will deliver to you today, copies of transaction agreements that conform to this approach, address key issues for the WBD Board in prior PSKY offers and incorporate the terms and assurances reflected in your February 10 letter, as well as certain other changes to reflect matters unique to your proposal. Attached at the end of this letter is a business summary of these changes. As part of your binding proposal, the WBD Board needs confirmation that you are prepared to sign our proposed agreements. We encourage you to be direct and transparent with your best and final value and other terms in that binding proposal.

During this seven-day period – as we consistently did during the strategic review process last year – we welcome the opportunity to engage with you and expeditiously determine whether PSKY can deliver an actionable, binding proposal that provides superior value, transaction certainty and interim protection for WBD's businesses to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.

On behalf of the WBD Board of Directors,

Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr.                                                       

Board Chair

David Zaslav

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Summary of Changes to Transaction Agreements

Below is a summary of the principal business changes reflected in the transaction agreements provided by WBD today, as compared to the draft agreements provided by PSKY in its tender offer. Many of these reflect terms proposed by PSKY in its public statements but not reflected in its merger agreement; others align the draft agreement with the terms of the Netflix merger agreement.

Refinancing and Junior Lien Notes: PSKY to bear expenses in connection with any junior notes liability management exercise when incurred, or pay the $1.5 billion financing fee to WBD at the time it would be due (December 30, 2026). The Netflix merger agreement does not require WBD to bear any cost in this regard.

Bridge Refinancing: PSKY's consent will not be required for WBD's bridge refinancing, which will consist of dollar and euro term loan debt and bonds on market terms available at the time of the refinancing. The bond component will have a tenor of no more than 7 years, and will be non-callable for no more than 3 years, and the loan component will be non-callable for no more than 1 year. This provision is substantially more favorable to PSKY than the terms of the Netflix Merger Agreement, which permit WBD full refinancing flexibility.

Material Adverse Effect: Consistent with the statement in PSKY's Feb. 10 letter that it is "prepared to address any concerns WBD has regarding the impact of Discovery Global's performance on closing certainty," the "Company Material Adverse Effect" definition excludes effects attributable to the performance of WBD's Global Linear Networks business (consistent with the Netflix Merger Agreement).

Equity Cure to Support Debt: The significant debt financing and resulting pro forma leverage in the PSKY offer create material closing uncertainty, particularly when compared to Netflix's investment grade credit rating and large positive free cash flow. PSKY has repeatedly stated that these concerns are not serious, noting the personal wealth of your lead equity sponsor and the credibility of your lending banks. To reflect your assurances, the draft agreements provide that in the event the transaction would not close due to the debt financing being unavailable, additional equity will be funded to enable closing to occur

Interim Operating Covenants: The interim operating covenants should not require consent from PSKY in order for WBD to operate its business in the ordinary course between signing and closing. The additional covenants you have proposed are not part of our agreement with Netflix, and are not accepted, as they further risk the certainty of closing.

Equity Financing Certainty: Our changes to the PSKY equity documents reflect the need for absolute clarity as to funding obligations and certainty of funding at closing, or to pay damages if due.

Equity Syndication: WBD will receive notice and full information regarding any equity syndication, and its consent will be required for any direct or indirect syndication that would require regulatory approvals or delay closing.

The WBD Board has not determined that PSKY's proposal is reasonably likely to result in a transaction that is superior to the Netflix merger. There can be no assurance that a definitive transaction will result from WBD's discussions with PSKY. The WBD Board and management team remain resolute in their commitment to maximizing value for shareholders and continue to recommend shareholders vote FOR the merger with Netflix.