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Recap To 2022: AMC Networks, Paramount Global Push Through Major Layoffs Which Could Lead To Cutback Of Channels

It looks like The Walking Dead may not be the only thing that has come to an end at AMC Networks, which operates the AMC cable TV channel, IFC, We TV, and Sundance TV. According to The Wall Street Journal, a memo has been sent to staff warning them of major layoffs on the way.

“We of course realize that this will cause significant concern and anxiety for our employees and those who rely on AMC Networks for their livelihood,” AMC Chairman James Dolan wrote. “We do not take this lightly. We will take every step possible to minimize the impact of these actions on our community.”

All told, AMC Networks plans to lay off 20% of U.S. workers. Essentially, the reason is more people turning to streaming for their entertainment needs. AMC Networks also operates the AMC+ and Shudder streaming services, but as Dolan’s memo laid out, those services haven’t brought in enough to offset losses.

AMC International:
- Conspiracy Theory: The Real Reason CBS Reality remains in the market
- The twisted origin story of RealityXtra
- Acorn TV closed down in South Africa
- AMC+ rolling out across Europe later in the year

AMC operates streaming services, but they’re not successful enough to prevent layoffs

It’s tough to think that the network that has given us shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men and Breaking Bad has been taking such a major hit this year; their stock has dipped 40%. At least The Walking Dead series finale gave AMC+ its biggest day of viewership since it began; that’s something!

According to sources, AMC Network isn’t the only one undergoing major layoffs. Paramount Global is laying off around 30 people as the company aligns CBS Studios, Paramount TV Studios, and the Paramount+ scripted originals team.

What’s happening at Paramount Global doesn’t sound as bad as what’s going on at AMC Networks. It’s more about organization and figuring out how to make things work more efficiently for the studios. Although that doesn’t mean the layoffs don’t hurt.

Credits: Ariba Bhuvad

Paramount:
- Conspiracy Theory: The introduction to Nick Jr. Global
- The Smithsonian Channel is closing down in the UK
- VH1 is being redirected to BET
- MTV Hits no longer available in South Africa

Roundups #127: The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy & Raj Coming Soon To Nickelodeon International, kykNET Lekker Added To More DStv Customers Alongside A Rerun Of Kind Van Die Noodlot And Between You And Me Becomes The First Zee One Original To Rollout In 2023

New Bollywood series coming soon to Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon International teamed up with Nickelodeon India, a part of Viacom18 that is a joint venture between Paramount Global (formally ViacomCBS) and Network18, to co-produce The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj. The new series marks the first collaboration between the top kids’ entertainment brand and the leading Indian kids’ category brand from India’s fastest growing entertainment network.

The Twisted Timeline of Sammy & Raj was commissioned in September 2020, with animation and storyboards for the new 20 x 30-minute 2D animated series being developed in India, scripting in the U.S. and U.K., and casting being initiated in the U.S.

With a mysterious time-altering app at their fingertips, Twisted Timeline of Sammy and Raj follows the reality-bending adventures of a pair of cousin-brothers, as they pause, rewind, fast-forward and slow-motion their way into a whole host of rowdy laugh-out-loud exploits.

Regular Nick:
- Predictions: Nicktoons and Boomerang's untimely demise
- Avatar to return with new animated series on Nickelodeon
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang

DStv Access customers can now have access to the Turkish antics

Last month, MultiChoice gave several DStv customers above Access including Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium customers access to kykNET Lekker with no exact details as to why that is so as they were trying to block out repeats which includes this channel.

As some consumers on Access aren't aware, eExtra's Kuiertyd recieved its first rival last year as kykNET's sister channel kykNET & Kie welcomed In Die Ysterhand Se Greep with consumers having access to Kind Van Die Noodlot.

Consisting of 148 episodes, Kind Van Die Noodlot follows Defne and Kahraman Yorukman a wealthy and childless couple whose family rejects them and this drives Defne to find an alternative way to give her husband an heir: She decides to hire a surrogate mother to give birth to a child for them.

DStv Flex:
- What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
- What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
- What to expect this January on Qwest TV?

Between You And Me coming soon to Zee One

Zee One a Bollywood entertainment channel which is meant to serve as the more freemium tier to the pay-tv brand Zee World is set to introduce another exclusive series titled Between You And Me (Meri Hanikarak Biwi).

This show revolves around the life of two completely different individuals, Akilesh Pandey and Iravati aka Ira Desai. Aksilesh is a village simpleton and an ardent follower of Bajrang Bali. He is illiterate, but a great wrestler, while Ira is an aspiring medical student. Destiny had meant these two individuals to meet and unite.

The Hindi drama series aired between 2017 to 2019 on &TV starring Karan Suchak and Jiya Shankar and is expected to air on Zee One from 3 January at 7pm.

Evil: Curse Of The Sands was abruptly scrapped although they had 30 episodes remaining.

Everyday Novelas:
- Eternal Love coming soon to Star Life
- Nurses S3 coming soon to Telemundo
- Fearless Heart coming soon to Telemundo
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?

Roundups #126: House Of Dragons Becomes Most Pirated Series Of 2022, Phoebe And Her Unicorn No Longer Moving Forward On Nickelodeon And Viral Scandal Coming Soon On St Novelas E Plus

Game Of Thrones spinoff hits more bumps on the road

After setting multiple records for HBO and HBO Max, House of the Dragon season 1 has topped 2022's most-pirated TV shows list. The fantasy drama acts as a prequel to Game of Thrones, adapting George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood novel, and chronicling the downfall of House Targaryen, namely with the death of Paddy Considine's King Viserys and plotting from the Hightower family to overthrow the Targaryens, all culminating in the war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Developed by Martin and showrunner Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon season 1 scored largely favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike, and its success is being seen in even the more unsavory corners of the Internet.

As the year comes to a close, TorrentFreak reports that House of the Dragon has topped 2022's most-pirated TV shows list. Coming in at the top of the list, the HBO series has officially surpassed its predecessor, Game of Thrones, which was dominating the piracy charts even three years after coming to an end. In addition to overtaking the original show, House of the Dragon season 1 also came ahead of fellow fantasy drama, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and The Boys season 3, Disney+ releases Moon Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Andor, Netflix's Stranger Things season 4, and Paramount+'s Halo.

DStv Flex:
- What to expect this January on Curiosity Channel?
- What to expect this January on The Home Channel?
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
- What to expect this January on Qwest TV?

The disrespect of Nickelodeon

In June 2020, it was revealed that Nickelodeon had won the rights to Dana Simpson’s comic strip Phoebe and Her Unicorn, a property that the studio was eyeing as a multi-platform franchise across an TV animated series, movies and more. Fast forward to 2022, Nickelodeon axed the project due to it not catering well to boys.

Phoebe and her Unicorn follows 9-year-old Phoebe Howell, a girl in the fourth grade, who deals with childhood challenges alongside her unicorn Marigold, friend Max and enemy Dakota. Phoebe meets Marigold after skipping a rock across a pond, accidentally hitting the unicorn in the face. Freed from her own reflection, the unicorn—named Marigold Heavenly Nostrils—gives Phoebe one wish, which she decides to use by making the unicorn her best friend. Marigold has magical powers, i.e. she can divert or redirect rain and send text messages and broadcast a Wi-Fi hotspot through her horn. Her most highly coveted power though is her “Shield of Boringness” spell, which causes humans to view her as nothing out of the ordinary and allows her to interact with them on a daily basis.

Basically, a network that offers shows such as Monster High, Mysticons, Regal Academy, Winx Club, Legend Of Korra and Miraculous in which they got into legal issues with Disney opted not to move forward with this project because it doesn't cater well to boys.

For those who want to see the post:

New Phillipine series coming soon to St Novelas Plus

Novelas E Plus, a general entertainment channel on StarSat that is home to telenovelas from the Phillipines, Mexico and Turkey is set to rollout a brand new drama series titled Viral Scandal.

Not to be mistaken with the Korean drama High Society Scandal, Viral Scandal follows the lives of a simple family become disrupted when a scandalous video involving their eldest daughter goes viral. It stars Charlie Dizon, Jake Cuenca, Dimples Romana, and Joshua Garcia.

The series premiered on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block, A2Z and TV5, and worldwide via The Filipino Channel on November 15, 2021. It is expected to be premiere on Novelas E Plus by January 13, 2023.

Everyday Novelas:
- Nurses S3 coming soon to Telemundo
- Fearless Heart coming soon to Telemundo
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?

Roundups #122: CBeebies Picks Up Second Season To Tish And Tash, Soete Wraak Eyeing An Early 2023 Debut On eExtra And AIT Acquired Broadcasting Rights To Televisa's Falling Into Temptations

CBeebies renews this preschool series for another season

London-based distributor CAKE brokered the presale deal for co-producers Studio Gale (South Korea), August Media Holdings (Singapore) and Karrot Entertainment (UK). CBeebies is in for an additional 52 x five minutes of the series, bringing its total episode count up to 104.

Aimed at three-to five-year-olds, Tish Tash revolves around the adventures of a young bear, her imaginary friend and her family as they turn everyday experiences—like boring car rides and cheering up a baby—into fun problem-solving moments.

Tish Tash premiered on South Korean pubcaster EBS in 2020. CAKE picked up worldwide distribution rights in fall 2020 and sold season one to both CBeebies and ABC Australia.

Regular Nick:
- Best & Bester coming soon to Nicktoons
- We Baby Bears currently the only original program on Cartoon Network
- January on Cartoon Network and Boomerang
- January on Disney Channel
- January on Disney Junior
- January on Da Vinci Kids

A brand new romcom is making its way to eExtra's Kuiertyd

eVOD is streaming services operated by eMedia Investments which is home to various current and upcoming local alongside international productions. As seen through various, Soete Wraak (Tatlı İntikam) will be making to eExtra by early 2023 possibly to replace Verdeelde Liefde.

Soete Wraak follows the story of two people who were together in college. Sinan has fallen in love with Pelin but he rejected his feelings and insulted her in front of all. They two meet each other again after many years and Pelin asks Sinan for help to change her fate and the situation brings them together. Pelin and Sinan both are in love, but faces many consequences.

Leyla Lydia Tuğutlu and Furkan Andıç take on the leading roles with the assistances of other actors such as İlker Kızmaz, Zeyno Günenç, Kerem Atabeyoğlu, Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu and Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu.

eExtra Updates:
- Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
- Charlize Theron faces backlash over the Afrikaans language
- eExtra alongside the 3 other channels to go dark on the DStv platform
- Vierspel Vuurspel getting a Romanian adaptation
- kykNET Vs. eExtra: MultiChoice purposed attempt at replacing Kuiertyd

TLNovelas is still lagging behind

TLNovelas launched in the African market by mid 2020 and since then the channel has been far behind with Las Estrellas and TLNovelas in Mexico alongside various African broadcasters in uploading fresh content so Nigerian broadcaster scoops up rights to Falling Into Temptation (Caer En Tentación).

Raquel and Damián are happily married with two children. Destiny leads Damián to meet Carolina and feels an undeniable attraction towards her. Until a fatal accident leads one to disappear on the scene. During the investigation by the police, their spouses learn that their spouses are lovers.

Silvia Navarro stars as Raquel, Carlos Ferro stars as Santiago, José Manuel Rincón stars as Nicholas, Gabriel Soto stars as Damián and Adriana Louvier stars as Adriana Louvier.

Everyday Novelas:
- Prediction: What to expect on Telemundo by next year?
- Prediction: eBolly to rollout on the Openview platform
- Prediction: What to expect on TLNovelas by next year?
- Carmen And Razia Sultan coming soon to Zee One and Zee World
- Laxmi and more content awaiting launch on Star Life
- Daai Crazy Somer coming soon to e.tv

Roundups #121: More Amazing World Of Gumball Coming Soon To Cartoon Network, Meet In Love Returning For A Second Season On Zee World And Also Returning For A Second Season Is The eVOD Original Production uMbali

The Amazing World might have been renewed for a season 7???

In September 2021, we learnt that Gumball was getting a movie and a series. Jump to present day and no details about these projects have been revealed. In fact, the movie's fate got worse as it was revealed to not be moving forward on HBO Max unless another streaming service picks it up.

Nothing had been stated about the series but there's now we have confirmation that new content is coming soon and it comes from an employee that works on Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Here's what they say in a post on LinkedIn:

I'm excited and very proud to be series producing The Amazing World Of Gumball for a season 7 for Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. Watch out for job opportunities in 2023.

But it just leads to further questions is this season 7 related to the new series or is it just a continuation of the original series.

Meet In Love 2 coming in 2023 to Zee World

During the month, we've unveiled a demo-sized version of what to expect on Zee World in the coming future and as advised we'd share more content soon with others only when the channel is willing to announce them beforehand. Now we turn to the B-sides of 2023 with Meet In Love 2.

Meet Hooda, a spirited young tomboyish girl from Haryana who is the sole breadwinner of her family but also breaks societal rule books of gender roles by serving as a delivery agent. Her father was a police officer who sacrificed his life while in service, due to which Meet takes up all the responsibilities of her house.

In the upcoming season which hails one year later Meet (now Manjari Desai) hails from Vadodara to find her baby. She is all set to take seek revenge from Manushi, Kunal and Masoom for taking away her family, husband and child.

uMbali is making a comeback on eVOD

Season 1 of the eVOD local production launched later in the year and appears to be well recieved by the fans of eVOD. Although, no air date had been shared for e.tv ahead of its linear debut is the rollout the second season.

Starring Diana Maseko, Phumzile Kubeka and Sthandile Nkosi.

In the season 2 debut, Mbali's sugar daddy Robert in jail and facing financial ruin, is kicked out of the plush mansion and plunged back into desperate poverty, where she must move back home and live with her mother and conceited sister.

Openview Plus:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- The Game Of My Destiny a brand new Turkish drama unveiled by Global Agency
- The Rebel Princess coming soon to eExtra
- A look at former NBC soap, Passions
- Die Vertroueling coming soon to eExtra
- Barbie: It Takes Two and Thomas And Friends: All Engines Go! coming soon to eToonz

Reminder: Ash's Journey On e.tv To End In 2023 With A 13 Episode Story Arc Ahead Of New Series

After 25 long years, Ash Ketchum’s journey to become the Pokémon world champion is complete, and his story is drawing to a close. Following the conclusion of the show’s 25th season in March 2023, The Pokémon Company will premiere the next chapter in its 2D-animated franchise’s story worldwide without its iconic trainer or his loyal companion, Pikachu.

The upcoming Pokémon saga (which doesn’t have a title yet) will follow the adventures of a new pair of lead characters—named Liko and Roy in the Japanese broadcast—who travel across the region of Paldea to discover new Pokémon and battle skilled trainers. The anime series will feature new creatures from the 2022 Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, including grass cat Sprigatito, fire croc Fuecoco and duckling Quaxly.

Before the new series debuts, the final 11-episode chapter of Ash and Pikachu’s journey will roll out weekly in Japan starting on January 13. These episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series will feature a cast of returning monsters and characters, including Ash’s friends Misty and Brock, and it’s also meant to hint at what’s in store for the long-running show’s protagonist after the curtain falls.

The first season of the Pokémon anime series debuted in the US in 1998, and the brand’s content canon now features more than 1,200 main series episodes and 23 feature films. The show currently airs exclusively in the US on Netflix, which has been hungry for more Pokémon content. In August, the streamer purchased global rights to the 2D-animated special Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles, and it picked up CG-animated movie Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution in 2020.

Beyond animation, The Pokémon Company International is also developing an unscripted live-action series based on the property’s long-running trading card game.

Insidus Games:
- Johnny Bravo: Big Babe Adventure
- Lego Star Wars
- Trace On
- The Lion King
- Garfield 2: Royal Adventure
- Legend Of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse