Canal+ Afrique Ajoute Quatre Nouvelles Chaînes Aux Packs DStv English Plus Et Convertit E! En Bravo

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Suite à l'acquisition de MultiChoice fin 2025 par Canal+, le groupe français a imposé à l'entreprise diverses mesures d'économies. Cela a notamment inclus le non-renouvellement des droits des Jeux olympiques d'hiver par SuperSport, les décisions étant désormais prises en France.

Alors que de nouvelles coupes budgétaires sont en cours, Canal+ Afrique va offrir à ses abonnés l'accès à 4 chaînes DStv supplémentaires. Cela inclut Studio Universal et National Geographic, ainsi que SuperSport Action et WWE, avec E! qui devient Bravo.

SuperSport Action propose de l'UFC, de la NBA et du football international, tandis que WWE offre une couverture 24 heures sur 24 du catch.

L'ajout de SuperSport Action et WWE sur Canal+ Afrique porte le nombre de chaînes SuperSport disponibles sur la plateforme de 4 à 6. Cela fait suite à l'élargissement par MultiChoice de l'accès à WWE aux abonnés DStv Access en Afrique du Sud.

Bravo, la chaîne internationale emblématique de NBCUniversal dédiée à la télé-réalité et aux franchises iconiques du genre, a été lancée en Afrique en octobre 2025. Elle est prévue pour remplacer la version française diffusée sur Canal+ Afrique dès le 17 mars.

La chaîne rebaptisée diffusera encore plus d'émissions phares, notamment : The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Below Deck et ses déclinaisons (Méditerranée, Sailing Yacht, Australie), Southern Hospitality, Bravo’s Love Hotel, Next Gen.

Studio Universal est une chaîne de télévision spécialisée appartenant à Universal Networks International (division de NBCUniversal), axée principalement sur les films et les programmes liés au cinéma.

Elle se spécialise dans la diffusion de films – majoritairement issus du catalogue Universal Pictures – ainsi que du contenu associé comme des interviews, des making-of, des courts-métrages et des blocs thématiques (par exemple, des soirées ou saisons dédiées à un genre, un réalisateur ou un acteur spécifique).

National Geographic propose des documentaires et des émissions spéciales sur des thèmes comme la nature, la faune, la science, l'espace, l'histoire et l'aventure. Elle est célèbre pour ses contenus à haute valeur de production (par exemple, des séries avec David Attenborough ou Air Crash Investigation).

Elle fait partie d'une coentreprise entre la National Geographic Society et The Walt Disney Company.

Suite au retrait de BET Africa et à l'accord de dernière minute entre Warner Bros. Discovery et Canal+ qui a permis à MultiChoice de conserver ses chaînes, il semble que cet accord ait exclu Canal+ Afrique du packaging de Discovery Channel.

Cela a conduit à l'inclusion de National Geographic, avec Studio Universal servant d'ajout sur la plateforme.

Cette traduction conserve le ton informatif et journalistique du texte original. Note que ce contenu semble provenir d'une actualité récente (début 2026) liée à l'intégration post-acquisition Canal+/MultiChoice en Afrique, avec des ajouts de chaînes anglophones via les packs DStv English Plus sur Canal+ Afrique. Si tu veux une version plus courte (titre seul) ou des ajustements, dis-le-moi !

 

Encerramento De Canal: A TV Moçambique Internacional Deixará De Ser Transmitida Na DStv A Partir De 24 De Fevereiro

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Aqui está a tradução do artigo para o português (pt-PT/pt-BR adaptado para clareza e naturalidade, mantendo o tom jornalístico original):

No mês passado, a TLNovelas foi retirada da plataforma DStv como parte das medidas de corte de custos da Canal+ na MultiChoice. Isso também levou a SuperSport a perder os jogos dos Phillies e os Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno, com o conteúdo local a ser ainda mais reduzido na M-Net.

Com o mês ainda nem terminado, parece que a MultiChoice vai reclamar outra vítima na DStv e, desta vez, é a TV Moçambique Internacional.

A TV Moçambique é o canal internacional da emissora nacional de televisão de Moçambique, Televisão de Moçambique (TVM), que transmite 24 horas por dia. Exibia programação local com destaque para a cultura moçambicana, turismo e desporto.

Na altura, Marta Odallah, diretora da TVM Internacional, afirmou: "A adição da TVM Internacional na DStv está alinhada com o nosso objetivo de divulgar a realidade social, política, cultural e desportiva de Moçambique para além das nossas fronteiras".

"Esta colaboração representa um salto gigante tanto para a TVM como para a MultiChoice, e, de facto, um passo na direção certa da inclusão na radiodifusão para todos os moçambicanos".

Após 7 anos, o canal vai agora ficar no escuro na DStv a partir de 24 de fevereiro e parece que o encerramento está a ser abafado. Ao contrário do que aconteceu com a TLNovelas, a MultiChoice não enviou qualquer aviso aos subscritores da DStv sobre a TVM Internacional.

Este não é apenas o segundo canal a ficar no escuro durante o ano, mas, tal como a TLNovelas, era direcionado a países de língua portuguesa. Com a saída da TVM Moçambique, basicamente restam apenas a Kwenda e a Maningue Magic como alternativas.

O problema é que estas marcas são baseadas em Angola e Moçambique, enquanto a TVM Moçambique Internacional alargava o seu alcance a outras partes de África.

How Netflix's Potential Acquisition Of Warner Bros. Discovery Affects M-Net, DStv And Showmax?

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Not long ago, it was reported that Netflix won the bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery valuing the deal at $72 billion. This deal would DC Entertainment/Studios, Cartoon Network Studios, HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures/Television and New Line Cinema.

Below is a how this deal is bad news for MultiChoice

M-Net and Showmax

MultiChoice had been licensing Game Of Thrones and Penguins from HBO to M-Net and Showmax. In the event of an acquisition, Netflix had expressed interest to continue these partnerships with local broadcasters but it may not be easy.

If MultiChoice continues to license content from Warner Bros. they could as well look to increase the rates. This is something MultiChoice's new owners Canal+ may not find amusing as they've begun cost cutting due to DStv's shrinking consumer base.

Besides that, the previous owners at MultiChoice had been anti-Netflix for sometime so the general audience had sort of painted a certain image of the company. While free-to-air broadcasters such as SABC and eMedia Investments had been licensing from the streamer.

MultiChoice put up a wall between them and Netflix again this was the previous owners regime as Canal+ does view them as partners. They do have an agreement to bundle their services in francophone markets alongside a content deal through K+.

The reality is while Warner Bros. continues to license content to M-Net and Showmax, Netflix will likely make further productions exclusive to their services. If they do continue licensing, I doubt MultiChoice would want their scraps.

Netflix is already available in the market which further complicates things as M-Net and Showmax are meant to go hand in hand with their content. But then again, MultiChoice is part of StudioCanal's parent company which gives them leverage.

Netflix may offer Stranger Things, Squid Games and Wednesday but with Canal+'s MultiChoice there's Paris Has Fallen, Spinners and iShaka iLembe.

DStv

For this part, I feel there's a lot of exaggeration as Netflix is not acquiring Discovery, TLC or the linear Cartoon Network as that is being spun off into a separate company. Of course, Netflix's bid to be frank sort of dilutes the value of Cartoon Network.

Cartoon Network under Discovery Global will be leaning more toward third party programming such as Lego Ninjago, Dragonball Super and Totally Spies!. While what made Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney "The Big 3" like Regular Show and Tiny Toons Looniversity goes to Netflix.

It's likely that they will be a licensing agreement for these shows but they'll most definitely be like DreamWorks Channel - reruns. Under a separate company, they're not going to prioritise on these Netflix originals.

If it is deemed expensive these shows could as well get phased out and again that just dilutes Cartoon Network who had been reliant on these IPs.

Turning over the torch to Discovery Global, this is the company that MultiChoice is involved in a carriage dispute with over the future of its 12 channels. These include Discovery Channel, HGTV, TLC and as mentioned the linear Cartoon Network.

Of course, the matter of concern here to me is that as mentioned with Cartoon Network while the Netflix deal makes the company more leaner. There's still another 20 billion worth of debt they need to clean out.

Expecting for content to be reduced, potential sales or closures to operations or channels and lastly massive layoffs particularly for international feeds.

All of this might as well unfold while these channels are no longer on DStv but then again it's likely that MultiChoice could opt to keep a few channels. My guess would be Discovery Channel, TLC, Cartoon Network, Real Time, Cartoonito, ID and CNN.

Why A Sports Only Package Seemed Speculative But Unlikely For DStv?

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As reported, MultiChoice is planning to restructure it's DStv packages giving consumers the option of paying for TLC and Mzansi Magic minus SuperSport. Also within the test run, is the possibility of unbundling SuperSport from the rest of the DStv offering.

This has been something Sky in the UK and their potential new owners Canal+ had in France. MultiChoice had acknowledged falling behind with other parts of the world and in its bid to attract DStv consumers will be the unbundling of its offering.

There's a reason various outlets have been highly skeptical about SuperSport becoming its own standalone platform. Take a page of Showmax PRO, some consumers would subscribe for certain matches then cancel making it hard for MultiChoice to accommodate these viewers.

Canal+ had also offered such service in the markets in which it operates and concluded to say everyone that has tried this failed.

So what MultiChoice proposed in earlier drafts was giving consumers the option of paying for local dramas, cartoons, music and movie channels. In an attempt to make rates affordable for its top tier consumers give them the option to get a football only package with other sports on a separate package.

Those choosing to pay for both packages would be offered a discounted rate. A formula Canal+ already incorporate and one MultiChoice will likely adapt when concluding their trial in the coming months.

Paramount Global Looking To Shutter Both BET And MTV Base Africa In Major Restructure

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Paramount Global‘s Africa offices may close, local channels may be shuttered, and staffers’ roles could be impacted, company executives told employees in the region on Tuesday.

The company has been prioritizing investments in its growing streaming business and core global content as it navigates shifts in audience behavior and the macro-economic environment. As part of that, it is reviewing its international pay TV strategy and considering adjustments to its linear channel portfolio in international markets, with a focus on cable brands. Management has also signaled a focus on businesses and regions with the most opportunity for revenue growth.

Tuesday’s news comes as Paramount continues to wait for FCC approval of Skydance Media’s deal to acquire it. THR understands that Paramount has fewer than 100 employees in Africa between its offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria.

“We are at a point in our journey where we are facing immense industry disruption,” Monde Twala and Craig Paterson, co-general managers of Paramount Africa, said in a staff memo obtained by THR. “Our team is not immune to potential changes as our organization evaluates its pay TV strategy and local channel footprint here in Africa.”

In June, Paramount unveiled further U.S. workforce cuts to the tune of 3.5 percent, following a 15 percent reduction last year. As of the end of 2024, Paramount Global had 18,600 employees worldwide. Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins said in a June memo that the focus was on U.S. headcount but the moves “may also result in some impacts to our workforce outside the U.S. over time.”

Twala and Paterson acknowledged in their staff memo: “Today was incredibly difficult. We want you to know your greatness is seen. We reach out with a heavy heart, but also with immense pride. Your dedication to excellence, creativity and passion for leveraging the power of our content have been the driving force behind our many accomplishments.”

They concluded: “We understand the coming weeks may be tough and feel unsettling. Through it all, please know your efforts are valued beyond measure.”

Former DStv Channel: What Happened To The Afrikaans Music Sensation MK?

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Musiek Kanaal (MK) was a youth oriented music channel with similar styling to the early 2000s MTV and Channel O. It was distributed by M-Net on DStv channel 324 when it launched by mid-2005 as MK89 with the 89 being its original frequency on the platform. 

As mentioned, MK had the MTV influence and prestige with reality shows like Jol24, Hoeneer and Petrolkop with music from Hoordoosis, Ondergrond and Kraakvars. Aside from catering to a much younger audience it was well known for infusing music genres. 

By 2013, it was announced that MK would be exiting the DStv platform after 8 years with audio version launched in place. M-Net and MultiChoice noticed its strong online presence so kept various social accounts on air in an attempt to build its streaming base.

Prior to its discontinuation, KykNET launched its third spinoff channel KykNET NOU (formerly KykNET Musiek) which is described as a variety channel incorporating music and other programming into the mix.

Although, MultiChoice had the intention of retaining MK through an international service with other content viewed on the audio bouquet. This proved to be unsuccessful as MK barely had much content in the pipeline that it wasn't long till it got discontinued to its entirety. 

To date, MK's content is still accessible on YouTube although owners Google were looking to deactivate millions of inactive accounts. With thousand hours of MK content on the platform one has to wonder how long the brand would continue to be accessible. 

Understanding the downfall of MK

According to MultiChoice, most of its consumers preferred using online platforms than watching outdated television which contributed to its low figures. But that couldn't be any further from reality as a various scenarios could have formed the exiting of MK.

KykNET NOU was introduced as the new kid in the block a year before MK was shut down. Unlike MK, KykNET NOU was grouped alongside KykNET's other linear channels despite offering similar content to MK which was grouped with MTV Base and Trace Urban.

MK was a premium channel while KykNET NOU was available all the way down to Family. KykNET NOU had the figures and combining that with MK put it at a disadvantage so if the problem was viewership they could have restructured the content as opposed to closing. 

Development Alert: YouTube Kids Currently Seen On DStv Explora Ultra Is Being Discontinued On Various Platforms

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Google integrated YouTube Kids directly inside the main YouTube app for TVs last year. However, the company has continued up until now to run the standalone YouTube Kids app on smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles.

In July, though, Google will pull the plug on the standalone YouTube Kids app on those devices. According to 9to5Google, the outlet confirmed with the company that the YouTube kids app will be pulled from smart TVs as well as streaming devices and game consoles.

YouTube Kids will continue to exist as a standalone app on iOS and Android devices. 

Google's move to remove the YouTube Kids app from those platforms comes shortly after other big changeups in kids-oriented platforms and apps. 

Earlier this year, Paramount completely killed off its standalone Nickelodeon app, where kids were able to watch clips and full episodes of their favorite Nick Jr. and Nicktoons shows. A pop-up message told users that they would need to go directly to the Nickelodeon website to continue to access their content. Following that move, Paramount also shut down the standalone subscription platform for Noggin, a Nickelodeon-affiliated brand that provided content for preschool-aged children, earlier this month.

Unlike those platforms, YouTube Kids is not going away entirely. Parents will be able to set YouTube Kids profiles in the main YouTube app and then select that profile in the "Who's watching" section in order to access the YouTube Kids platform. Parental control settings and other YouTube Kids features will still be available within those profiles.

What If The M-Net Series Trademark Were Revived Perhaps In Place Of M-Net 101?

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With MultiChoice and M-Net set to axe secondary networks M-Net Essentials (Me) and 1Magic in the coming weeks. It kind of leads one to wonder if the main M-Net channel which had been exclusive to premium consumers since it's inception will get purged.

Unlike Me and 1Magic, M-Net hadn't undergone any rebranding, name change or drastic reshuffling to programming if anything it has seen a decline in audiences. Similar to the United States were brands like HBO and NBC had lost at least 10% of their audience yearly.

M-Net has hit rough patch so much so that neither them or MultiChoice are ever public about the viewing numbers of their programs. When 1Magic debuted, their lowest rated show V-Entertainment had at least 10,000 viewers so M-Net would need to have something around that range.

Not that the channel has become irrelevant, but it's basically how SABC would view SABC 3 - niche. It's still dominant in the field it caters for or at least on linear platforms offering latest seasons to shows alongside films.

But with the downfall of the secondary networks and decline in viewership on M-Net, MultiChoice should consider unifying these brands under one name. I get that Me still had that M-Net trademark but by styling it's more like SABC 3 (S3) making it more alienated.

A brand that comes to mind would be M-Net Series, one of M-Net's most iconic trademarks was basically M-Net Movies but for drama series and reality shows. M-Net has been causing conflict with its premium movie channels airing select content before them.

M-Net Series would help reduce the rift between M-Net and M-Net Movies and if anything could help M-Net lure in viewers. M-Net (better yet M-Net Series 1) could add just add series like RuPaul's Drag Race and Power Book 4 Force in the timeslots allocated to movies.

The other two channels would serve as secondary brands rehashing content viewed on M-Net Series 1 and similar to 1Magic recieve first run programs. The second channel would tailor toward reality and lifestyle and the last would revive the M-Net City/Edge concept.

From my understanding, this concept was used several years back as M-Net Series Showcase, Reality and Zone. Only one out of the three garnered relevance but was partially due to the other two being folded under premium alongside the downsizing of content.

Again, I don't think the M-Net Series concept failed but how MultiChoice executed it was what led to its downfall. If anything, VUZU was more like how one would interpret M-Net Series Reality while Showcase was more like a rival brand to M-Net with content sharing between channels.

Development Alert: Crunchyroll To Get A Dedicated TV Channel In North America With Global Plans On The Cards, Could MultiChoice Or StarTimes Perhaps Get It?

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Since 2006, Crunchyroll has been known as the leading destination for anime fans featuring shows such as My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Attack On Titan and One Piece. Since it's inception in 2006, it garnered 120 million subscribers globally with 1% of the population under a paywall.

For a decade, the Sony based brand was available only as a streaming service with a freemium tier available to low income households with select shows licenced to broadcasters in Africa such as Toonami and SABC 2.

Through the greenhouse website, it was revealed that the company is looking for a director/manager in charge of managing the upcoming linear service to the current Crunchyroll streaming service alongside the programming and operations for the brands.

For now, the channel will rollout in North America (likely Latin America) and through a statement it was also mentioned that the Crunchyroll Channel will rollout "in key markets around the world" so we assume they'll be targeting regions which already bundle the streaming service.

South Africa is the most notable within the African region to bundle Crunchyroll alongside various other streaming services such as The Walt Disney Company's Disney+, BBC and ITV Studios' BritBox and Vuclip's VIU. As other territories have yet to see these in their markets.

With a majority of gaming and anime fans residing within South Africa and selected African territories, there's no doubt that Crunchyroll Channel would be a resounding success but questions amounts to whether or if StarTimes and/or MultiChoice will look into adding the channel.

Crunchyroll catering for the same audience as Adult Swim and not Cartoon Network isn't regarded as a kids channel so if anything these channel will likely set alongside brands like Universal, M-Net and BBC Brit on DStv or FilmBox Africa, FilmBox Action and St Zone on StarSat.

BBC Studios And MultiChoice Strengthen Long-Standing Partnership By Expanding Reach Of BBC Channels On DStv In South Africa

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• BBC UKTV expands its potential audience by a further 2.7 million homes by joining DStv Compact.

• BBC Lifestyle joins DStv family for the first time

• The DStv catch-up window for BBC owned content on BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, BBC UKTV and CBeebies will increase from 30 days to 60 days

BBC Studios’ multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV, will expand to DStv’s Compact package and Lifestyle channel, BBC Lifestyle, will join DStv Family from 1st September 2023. BBC Studios’ will also extend the DStv catch-up window on BBC owned content across channel portfolio from 30 days to 60 days from September, providing DStv audiences further access to the best of British content.

BBC Studios’ multi-genre channel, BBC UKTV (DStv channel 134), launched in December 2023 and has proven to be a channel of choice with subscribers to the DStv Family, Access and EasyView packages with its audience share increasing by 79% in its second quarter since launch. BBC UKTV will now also be available in DStv’s Compact package, providing around 8 million families in South Africa access to a variety of entertainment, natural history series, soaps, and children’s shows from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue. Shows coming to the channel in September include Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators, Father Brown Season 3 and Earth's Great Seasons Season 1.

Home to a variety of premium local and entertainment programming, including The Great South African Bake Off Season 4, Listing Jozi and Jamie Oliver Cooking for Less, BBC Lifestyle (channel 174) will be available on DStv Family subscribers for the first time since launch in 2015 in addition to its place in the DStv Compact package. DStv Family subscribers can look forward to Come Dine With Me South Africa Season 9 and Britain’s Most Expensive House Season 2.

BBC Studios’ suite of channels will continue to offer DStv audiences premium programming, now with an increased catch-up window for BBC owned content on DStv catch-up across BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth, BBC UKTV and CBeebies, from 30 days to 60 days. Shows include Death in Paradise, Green Planet, The Great British Bake-Off, Hey Duggee and many more.

Pierre Cloete, the Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa says “We have a long-standing relationship with Multichoice and are proud of our six incredible BBC channels on the DStv platform. Each channel offers something for everyone with broad genre, trusted quality and international and local talent. I’m so excited to showcase our commitment to going further, broadening the reach of BBC Lifestyle and BBC UKTV and increasing the catch-up window for BBC owned content across our portfolio. This will give even more people in South Africa access to the very best BBC content and I can’t wait for new audiences to find their new favourite shows.”

Arran Tindall, Chief Commercial Officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets says “We are proud to extend the reach of our portfolio. Adding BBC Lifestyle to Family and BBC UKTV to Compact enables us to reach wider audiences utilizing the richness of the BBC’s content, providing more DStv subscribers access to award-winning shows.”

“We continue to strengthen our content offering, therefore, we are excited about broadening the content scope for our customers,” says Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head of General Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice Group.

24Kitchen To Cease Transmission In Turkey By The End Of July, More Countries Likely To Follow

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24Kitchen is a lifestyle channel operated by The Walt Disney Company (Benelux) that broadcasts mainly food and cooking programs. Similar to the FOX channel in the affected region, 24Kitchen is known for a number of original productions alongside international content.

Some of the content seen on 24Kitchen include Amazing Weddingcakes, Jamie’s Family Christmas, The Taste of Life Basics and Rudolph's Bakery.

During the month, it was learnt by Bob Iger who serves as the current CEO of the blue brand that he's looking to sell several linear channels. Internationally, The Walt Disney Company is consolidating further programming from these brands to streaming services.

It's likely that the demise of 24Kitchen has to do with the company's pursuit to a streaming only module. The company had closed a further 18 channels last year in Asia and plan to close the remaining feeds by the end of the year.

Although consumers in South Africa and most parts of Africa aren't familiar with 24Kitchen, MultiChoice however distribute a Portuguese feed of the lifestyle channel in Angola and Mozambique while Turkey and some parts of the world had been receiving the Dutch feed.

Ginx eSports TV Reportedly Up For Sale, Could The Channel Go Dark On The DStv Platform?

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The Esports Advocate can exclusively report that London-based gaming and esports media company Ginx TV Ltd. is exploring an acquisition or further investment and is being represented by London-based venture capital and private equity firm Capital A. In a perfect scenario—according to what is being pitched to VCs—an investor would acquire the company, keep its full-time staff intact (it lists 21 full-time employees and 17+ people in outsourced roles)— and leave the day-to-day operations in the hands of the current CEO, Michiel Bakker.

According to a document obtained by TEA being shared by Capital A to potential VCs, the unnamed esports media group (which TEA has confirmed is Ginx) is based in London, specializes in “creating and monetizing cross-platform (TV & digital) esports and gaming content,” and is “available to acquire.” Metadata from the document describes it as “GinxTV – Teaser V2” and lists multiple Capital A employees as points of contact.

It also notes that the company’s “experienced hires” have “near full autonomy on a day-to-day basis,” and that the “CEO is looking to stay,” which is a selling point to attract investors who would have concerns that leadership and staff might leave after an acquisition.

Finally, the document notes that the company has its own production arm, which it uses to produce a variety of video and provide content creation services for clients such as “publishers, brands and esports organizations.”

Ginx TV Ltd. CEO Michiel Bakker issued the following statement to TEA on Friday morning via email: “Ginx is always working on its capital structure alongside growing the company. We have built a profitable gaming/esports business with diverse, predictable, and recurring revenue streams. As Ginx becomes increasingly global and digital, as opposed to being a pure-play TV company, we are currently looking to bring on board investors that are aligned with that trajectory and can help us accelerate our growth. We are involved in several discussions, but I am not at liberty to disclose detail.”

Ginx has raised capital from a number of sources over the years including £569.1K ($679K USD) in December of 2015 through an equity crowdfunding campaign with Crowdcube, and undisclosed investments in September of 2016 from UK-based terrestrial TV networks Sky and ITV, who both took “significant minority stakes in the company.”

While Bakker claims that Ginx is a profitable business, the company realized losses of £162.9K ($194.3K) in 2020 and £263.1K ($313.9K) in 2021, according to public filings—Ginx has yet to file its FY 2022 financial report as of this writing. All told, the company has spent approximately £9.99M ($11.86M) since 2010. It is important to note that, due to the British company reporting requirements, a balance sheet loss does not necessarily contradict Bakker’s profitability claim. It should also be noted that the materials obtained by TEA, estimate that the company generated revenue of £2.2M, or $2.5M for FY 2022.

Credits: James Fudge

Development Alert: Ginx eSports TV Ends It's Run As A Linear Channel In The United Kingdom, TV Channel To Remain Through On Demand Streaming Services With More Markets Rumoured To Follow

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Ginx eSports TV is a UK based gaming channel operated by ITV PLC that promotes all things gaming in the form of news, guidelines and even tournaments. Some of the content viewed on the channel include Top 10, Games Set To Music, Origins and The First Hour.

As reported by Sky this past week, Ginx eSports TV falls out of their offering by the end of June. Although, it would continue to broadcast on Sky Glass which is set to rollout as DStv Glass in South Africa within the next 24 months.

During the year, Sky alongside various pay-tv outlets across the world have been removing non-performing channels. Similar to MultiChoice, they're streamlining their offering and Ginx eSports TV happens to be one of those channels that fall under that criteria.

MultiChoice added the channel in South Africa by 2017 and haven't said much about its viewership or promote it as much as ESPN, WWE and SuperSport. So we only assume that the current scenario seen in the UK is a reflection of what's to come in South Africa at some point.

Ginx eSports TV is kind of niche and considering this is a mid tier channel the viewership has to be below average if not less than M-Net's 8K viewers. Not that the channel is bad but most gaming brands work better as generalists then lifestyle channels.

Prior to its demise in the UK, it's had been long speculated that MultiChoice was looking to scrap the esports channel at some point. But with SuperSportBET also catering to esports gearing up for a fall 2023 rollout we assume something e-sports will be on there.

Maybe this will be one way to retire Ginx eSports TV or give consumers other means to it's offering.

The Walt Disney Company To Close 11 Channels In Taiwan, Could Africa Follow Perhaps?

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In 2021, The Walt Disney Company unveiled plans to close 100 international channels so there was a lot of fear for the Disney Channels in Africa following the closure of Disney XD and FOX but MultiChoice managed to secure rights for these brands through 2024.

Fast forward to 2023, The Walt Disney Company had confirmed the closure of more channels with consumers in Taiwan set to lose out on a number of brands including National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Baby TV, Star Entertainment and Star World.

Disney+ launched in 2019 and has since then become a top priority for the blue brand. Not much investment is going onto Disney Channel or National Geographic as the brands being used to promote the bulk of content seen on the streaming service.

Following the demise of these channels in Taiwan, there's now a lot of fear for these channels in Africa and I know MultiChoice had managed to carry Disney Channel, Disney Junior, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild through 2024.

But for all we know these channels could go dark by the 31st December 2023 at 23:59 which rounds up to 2024 as seen in Taiwan. It had been speculated that most of The Walt Disney Company"s linear offering won't leave past 2025 in European territories.

Disney XD was terminated in Africa alongside the United Kingdom's Disney Channels in 2020 followed by FOX which saw the brand exit Germany, Asia and Africa by 2021. Now there's rumours swirling that the brand would be closing channels across Africa by early 2024.

10 DStv Channels That Need To Be Revived

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Since 1995, MultiChoice has provided a number of TV channels and some of these channels form part of our childhood memories. Now a look at 10 DStv channels that need to be revived. Take to account some of these brands are current while defunct are M-Net.

Presenting 10 DStv channels that need to be revived.

1. ActionX (M-Net Action/M-Net Edge/M-Net City)

Before the M-Net City and Action concept existed, there was ActionX which was viewed be as a b-grade to M-Net Action and M-Net City by 2004. Home to shows such as Battle Galactica, Supernatural, The 4400, Criminal Minds, Eureka, Brotherhood and The Lost Room.

By 2008, it was known as M-Net Action with most of the channel remaining intact until 2012 which is when it was folded under M-Net Movies. The concept was later revived in 2015 as M-Net City and year prior M-Net Edge but shuttered respectively in 2021 and 2017 with further content on M-Net and Me.

2. Animax (Sony Max)

Animax is adult animation channel distributed internationally through Sony Pictures Television as the premier anime channel home to shows such as Bleach, Black Cat, Ghost In The Shell, Chrono Crusade, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hellsing and Samurai 7.

Due to low viewership, the channel was replaced by Sony Max which offered solely live-action dedicated to a male audience including Baywatch, Impractical Jokers, 1000 Ways To Die and NCIS. By 2019, Sony Pictures Television halted distribution of further TV channels outside India.

3. The Sci-fi Channel (now Syfy)

Syfy owned by NBCUniversal formed part of the initial offering when MultiChoice rolled out their pay-tv service DStv in 1995. The channel featured science-fiction, drama, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming.

It was ripped away from consumers by 2004 with further content folded under ActionX as it was deemed too niche and a decade after its termination MultiChoice Africa was in talks to relaunch the channel by 2015 but never happened with sources deeming costs as a feature to the halt.

4. VH1 Classic (now MTV Classic)

VH1 Classic was the TCM of music basically operating a variety of international hits from the 80s and 90s from the likes of Michael Jackson, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child and The Beatles. It was basically the channel to relive nostalgic moments.

Over the years, Paramount had been moving most of VH1's offering to MTV and with the latter in Africa seeking to be more modern opted for the pop centric MTV Music24 (later on MTV Hits). The channel was later axed due to low viewership and replaced by Qwest TV.

5. tvN

tvN is a South Korean entertainment channel operated by CJ ENM that was added as a pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv in 2021. It offered short-form drama series such as Cheese In The Trap, Tails Of The Nine Tailed, Flowers Of Evil and Another Miss Oh.

Since it's termination, several broadcasters in the market including eMedia Investments eXposed and MultiChoice's Showmax had supplied selected content.

6. Eurochannel

Eurochannel is an award winning general entertainment channel formerly seen on the DStv app which promotes European culture and lifestyle through movies, series, documentaries and music. Some of the content included the Serbian drama The Black Sun and Dutch mystery drama Placeres Mortales.

7. ShortsTV

ShortsTV is the leading network in short forms including a number of Oscar nominated short films such as My Year Of Dicks, Flying Sailor and Ice Merchants. ShortsTV is operated by Shorts International in a joint venture with AMC International.

8. Timeless Dizi Channel

Timeless Dizi Channel is Turkish entertainment channel and also the leading brand operated by SPI International, a division of Canal+. It is home to a number of shows including Karadayi, Black Money Love, Kuzgun, The Red Scarf and Kurt And Shura and The End.

It was launched as a pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv by October 2020 and since is currently viewable on rival provider, StarTimes. A number of content seen on Timeless Dizi Channel can be viewed through various broadcasters in Africa.

9. ITV Choice

ITV Choice was a general entertainment channel owned by ITV and also a rival to BBC Studios' BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Earth offering a number of films and series including Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Poldark and the much loved soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

In line with the strategy to continuously review international and local content line-ups and optimise the suite of channels on offer on DStv. MultiChoice opted to discontinue carriage by June 2020 with further content folded by BBC and M-Net.

10. Disney XD

Disney XD is a children's channel owned by The Walt Disney Company targeting boys 7-14 years old offers a mix of animation and live-action including Star Vs. The Forces Of Evil, Kick Buttowski, Star Wars: Rebels, Wonder Over Yonder, Pair Of Kings and Mech X4.

By October 2020, the channel was axed with further content being integrated onto Disney Channel and Disney+ with The Walt Disney Company planning to integrate most of their content to streaming in the coming future as that remains a top priority.

What Happened To Trace Sport Stars?

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Trace Sports Stars is a lifestyle channel that celebrated the life of sports through factual entertainment, reality shows and gossip similar to E! operated by NBCUniversal. The channel supplies various originals such as Up Close, Bad Boys In Sports and Football Stars.

The channel was added in 2011/2 on Sky UK and MultiChoice's DStv across Africa as Trace Sports. Two years later, it went dark in the UK which coincides with the rebrand to Trace Sports Stars as they didn't offer live sports and the name didn't coincide with the offering.

When looking at a brand name like Trace Sports, one would assume they'd play actual sports like English Premier League, La Liga and WWE and although the content is focused solely on that topic. It just didn't really stick with some consumers.

In general, Trace Sports Stars was a wreck not because the channel couldn't get fresh content as it did possess potential but likely due to the fact that this type of content promoted by the channel isn't watched by vast majority as seen with the actual sporting events.

That in mind is what led to it's demise on MultiChoice's DStv with Trace Africa coming in place and at that time it was made available on rivals On Digital Media and StarTimes' StarSat and eMedia Investments' Openview platform.

This was Openview's first attempt at anything sports with StarSat offering a platform to reject channels or affordable entertainment. But of course, both brands ended scrapping the channel before 2018 for similar reasons as MultiChoice - viewership.

As of 2023, Trace Sports Stars is not viewable anywhere in Africa but that doesn't mean the channel is completely lost as it can be obtained on Binge Networks (USA), Sky (Mexico), Viaccess-Orca (France) and NTV Plus (Russia).

To be frank, Trace Sports Stars remains sustainable if anything it's not performing as well as it's musical family Trace Urban, Trace Gospel, Trace Toca, Trace Mziki and Trace Naija all of which are viewable on MultiChoice's DStv in selected territories.

Rumour: Paramount Global To Be Closing More MTV Feeds Internationally

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Paramount Global has been active across the market for almost a year. Prior to the time it was known as ViacomCBS, they have been various adjustments and now that we've managed to wrap up 2022 we can finally see the extent and the justification to all that.

For those who watch MTV and Nickelodeon (or in this case Nick Jr.) may have noticed some a number of changes. For starters, MTV became a music channel once more with a bit of Catfish and Ridiculousness while as the preschool hotspot Nick Jr. has learnt a number of new languages.

As mentioned sometime ago, Paramount is cutting back on costs for their linear offering and these two were a result of that. My guess has to do with Paramount+ I presume they want to get as much fresh content onboard to attract potential clients.

Although there has yet to be confirmation of a closure, I wouldn't be surprised if we got to that position already Nickelodeon has been scrapped in most of Asia and i have seen various MTV channels mostly irrelevant close in various parts of Europe.

According to sources, Paramount might be looking into closing down MTV in the coming future (2023/4). Not sure whether this would affect their music portion but I don't see why it should as it's more like what NBCUniversal got with Peacock and it's linear offerings - variations.

As mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if it were true especially with various local feeds merging which was the case for Disney XD before closing down. In the end, I do feel shows like Ridiculousness would make a perfect fit on Comedy Central and BET.

Compared to MTV, these two function in a way that doesn't collide with Paramount+ I mean one has The Nanny And Modern Family on repeat while the other offers All Of Us and plays second fiddle with The Neighborhood and Martin.

Presenting The 12 TV Channels On DStv To Offer DStv Repeats

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Last year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice got into a fist fight in regard to e.tv's 4 channels. According to MultiChoice, the channels don't fit their 5 year content plan and leverage of DStv content so we look at channels from the platform that air DStv content.

1. Televista

Not to be mistaken with Televisa, the channel is operated by Consolidated Media in Nigeria is home to brands like Trybe TV and SoundCity. Initially, the line-up featured the best of Mexico and Latin America with shows like Part Of Me and Without Breasts There's No Paradise. But over the years, the channel has gone as far as supplying Bollywood shows from Zee World.

2. TLNovelas

Despite being home to various original shows such as Head Over Heels, Secrets At The Hotel and Rubi. The TelevisaUnivision channel has been licensing content to various broadcasters across Africa so if there's a channel you want out then look no further than TLNovelas or likely the competition, Citizen TV.

3. Akilli Kids

Located in East Africa, Akilli Kids is a popular children's channel home to educational content in various languages including English aside from Akilli And Me. The channel supplies a stack of shows already viewed on DStv including various shows like Wild Kratts, Team Umizoomi, Splash And Bubbles and Elinor Wonders Why.

4. DreamWorks

International adaptation of eMedia Investments' eToonz so to speak as NBCUniversal had been licencing numerous content in a similar manner to TLNovelas to various broadcasters including the SABC. Basically, 90% of the channel consists of rehashed content for consumers in South Africa while eToonz gets with modern times.

5. Movie Room

Launched in 2022 as a replacement to eMovies and eMovies Extra, the channel is an M-Net Movies Zone or TCM tiered channel with Kagiso Media hoping to rollout original local films on the channel. The competitor to M-Net Movies has some type of uniqueness that can't be explored on other movie channels but when it comes to new movies there's only repeats of Step Up, Madea and Dragonball: Evolution.

6. TNT

Replaced TCM back in 2018, the channel currently ranks as the most popular movie channel in South Africa reaching 10 million households has something for action lovers with Venom, Poltergeist, Lethal Weapon, Suicide Squad and Justice League as if that hasn't been explored on M-Net Movies alongside TV's most talked about wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling.

7. Studio Universal

Basically an international version of eMovies or so what we almost believed at one point. The channel blew M-Net Movies out of the water after bringing out the latest films before any other channel on the Compact bouquet including Men In Black: International, Woody Woodpecker, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and Bad Boys For Life all of which had been seen on M-Net Movies 1 & 2.

8. Comedy Central

Being one of the few routes for international dramas (comedies) alongside BBC Brit and M-Net (or Me) the channel has garnered traction with the likes of South Park, The Daily Show, The Carbonaro Effect and Impractical Jokers. But what catches consumers attention is the endless reruns of M-Net's Two And A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family and Friends.

9. Universal

Serving as one of the few competitors to M-Net and BBC Brit, the channel garnered traction for the likes of Rosewood, Law And Order: SVU, Transplant and Fantasy Island. But just like most channels on the list play second fiddle to DStv/M-Net repeat with shows like Chicago P.D., NCIS: Los Angeles, S.W.A.T., Rizzoli And Isles and Bones.

10. Real Time and Discovery Family

After axing Discovery World and Animal Planet, MultiChoice thought of a swell to duplicate the content seen on Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network, HGTV and Investigation Discovery on two channels thus limiting the content seen on the successors for content selected consumers already have.

11. Nicktoons

Currently the only kids channel to play second fiddle to another DStv channel as Cartoonito graduated out of repeats prior to its rebrand but Nicktoons continues to build up their offering with a stack of content already viewed on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. including Dora The Explorer, Paw Patrol, The Casagrandes and Middlemost Post.

Conclusion:
This is Insidus giving you the 11 channels to offer DStv repeats but remain onboard while eMedia Investments 4 TV channels on DStv platform were being phased from existence for that exact same reason.

Roundups #135: Genius Brands Rolls Out A Music Division, A Rebroadcast Of Die Put Makes Way To e.tv's Line-up And Chaos Reigns At BBC News Ahead Of Merger With BBC World News

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Kartoon Channel becomes a music division

Genius Music, which launched this month, already has a library of more than 8,000 tracks stemming from its own original brands and also from IPs it has inherited through recent acquisitions of companies including WOW! Unlimited Media and Your Family Entertainment.

According to a release, Genius Music plans to distribute and license these assets on streaming channels and music platforms. One of its first projects will be to develop and monetize original music for animated series Shaq’s Garage (co-produced with Ireland’s Telegael), which is slated to premiere on GB’s Kartoon Channel!

Former Saban Brands music supervisor Juan Carlos Quintero will oversee the division and serve as an executive music producer, with an eye towards making new content that spans a variety of genres. Quintero brings more than 20 years of experience as a music producer/composer with him to Genius Music, having managed production music libraries for companies including Warner Chappell, Café Moondo, Megatrax and 5 Alarm Music. And during an eight-year stint at Saban Brands, he worked on kids brands such as Power Rangers, Digimon and Popples.

Regular Nick:
- Operation Ouch returns for a new season on Da Vinci Kids
- Several Cartoonito domains have been registered
- February on Disney Channel and Junior
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids

More drugs and violence is coming to e.tv

Directed by Sinan Öztürk, it is an acclaimed series with four seasons completed. Die Put is set in the dangerous Istanbul neighbourhood Çukur and revolves around a ruling mafia family and a prodigal son who needs to return home to save his family. Of course, there is also a beautiful girl and some romance in addition to the drama, danger and family secrets.

Viewers can expect a gripping first season of Die Put, with the Koçova family (a family that is often closely related to crime) that rules the neighbourhood of Çukur. The Koçovas have their own set of rules and one of these is that drugs cannot be produced, used or sold in Çukur.

In the series, the newcomer, Vartolu is determined to break the ban and after his initial attempts to negotiate with the Koçova family is rejected, he attacks the family and the neighbourhood. But, just as he thinks he has broken the Koçova family and brought them to their knees, something unexpected happens.

Openview Plus:
- eExtra scrapped the launch of 4 telenovelas
- Verdeelde Liefde to return with a second season on eExtra
- Imbewu has been cancelled on e.tv after 5 seasons
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions

More cuts awaiting the new version of BBC World News

In three months’ time, BBC World News and BBC News Channel are due to complete their merger to create a single service for audiences in the UK and around the world. But, according to BBC sources speaking to The Sunday Times, the service could end up with “the softest launch, so as to be indiscernible”.

Under the BBC’s proposals, the new TV news service would offer opt-outs for viewers in the UK, carrying simulcasts of news programmes on BBC One and BBC Two. Outside of these simulcasts, the BBC is due to retain a back-up facility allowing the channel to breakout of the international schedule to show UK-specific breaking news.

The report cites sources within the BBC who say bosses are not able to say how this break-out stream will work. Staff fear the service will be under-resourced. On the new service, presenters will be expected to manually work the autocue.

BBC To Close Linear Channels And Move Into An Internet-Only Digital Future

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The BBC is to have “fewer linear broadcast services” in the next decade as it “consolidates activity under one simple, single brand,” Director General Tim Davie has revealed, as he unveiled a blueprint for a digitally-led Public Service Broadcaster.

Davie didn’t elaborate during an RTS talk this morning but Deadline understands it could be several years until the move is enacted. The speech signalled the start of a shift to taking linear-channels online only that will start over the next decade, as Davie prepares for a digital future.

“The BBC will focus its effort on the digital world and over time this will mean fewer linear broadcast services and a more tailored joined up online offer,” said the DG. He stressed “live linear is here for the long term.”

Some of this has already started happening, added Davie, who pointed to the controversial move to combine the BBC News Channel with BBC World News. BBC Four, meanwhile, still exists but has stopped commissioning original programing. To many people’s surprise, youth-skewing BBC Three went in the opposite direction, relaunching as a linear channel earlier this year.

BBC:
- eAfrica Vs. BBC UKTV: Another Attempt To Auction Off Second Hand Goods
- BBC UKTV Vs. ITV Choice: Another Attempt At Boosting The BBC On DStv
- Acorn TV Closing Down By The End Of The Year In South Africa, Still No Clue If AMC+ Will Launch In The Market
- MultiChoice: "Why Premium Customers Might Lose Out On A Certain New Channel?"

Another way in which the BBC could “unite under a single brand” would be through combining iPlayer with Sport and podcast apps, for example, with more information on this activity due in the new year.

Davie, who has been in post two years now, stressed the need for more investment to lead the BBC into an internet-only digital future.

“Inevitably all this requires another choice and that is to actively, dare I say happily, invest in the BBC,” he added, in the speech to grandees, journalists and commentators in Central London. “Moving to digital is not the challenge in of itself, moving to digital while not losing most of your audience and burning millions of pounds unnecessarily is the challenge.”

His talk came a day after UK Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said it is “impossible” for the license fee to remain the BBC’s funding model after 2027 and a review is currently taking place into the corporation’s future funding.

Beyond the increase of commercial outfit BBC Studios’ debt limit, more partnerships and loosened regulation, Davie struggled to put his finger on how the BBC will be able to attract the necessary capital for the transformation.

He said the BBC’s current £5.3B ($6.4B) annual income can just about keep the corporation afloat with prices soaring and the license fee frozen for the next two years.

“The bigger conversation here is whether we are OK to get into the 2030s to protect PSB,” he added. “If you look across the world, [media companies] are struggling to raise revenue. There will be a massive strain but we believe we can maintain universality and scale in UK.”

His blueprint for a thriving digitally-led PSB is four-pronged: “owning a move to an internet-only future with greater urgency,” “transforming the BBC faster,” “proactively investing in the BBC brand” and “moving faster to regulate for future success.”

By this method, Davie said the pubcaster will avoid “simply drifting to the point where the emergence of vast U.S. and Chinese players marginalize us while we put on a very British brave face as they do so.”

Part of the push involves owning more IP, an area that Davie stressed is far more important than having studio space.

“We need to own IP and find the writers who own them,” he declared. “This is a bigger question than who is operating the most effective shed [studio space]. Those sheds are brilliant at skills and apprenticeships but they are not going to underpin the future – that’s about IP and ownership.”

DStv:
- kykNET Lekker Opened To More DStv Customers For A Limited Time
- What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?
- Press Release: DStv Welcomes The Launch Of Quincy Jones’ QWEST TV Onto Screens This Month
- New Channel Alert: WildEarth To Launch In The UK Later In The Year