“Moonbug Kids” Linear Channel Rebrands And Changes Name To “Moonbug” As It Aims To Expand Global Access To Popular Kids’ Content

Moonbug Entertainment, a subsidiary of Candle Media, today announced a new refreshed look of the company's 24/7 linear channel, “Moonbug KIDS”, and a new name, “Moonbug”, in line with its wider corporate rebrand. The new “Moonbug” channel identity aims to convey the same energy and fun as its colourful shows and characters.

While streaming and content on demand continue to gain popularity, linear channels are still relevant and, in 2022, Moonbug saw a big expansion of its linear channel, reaching 75+ countries across the globe. Moonbug has provided dedicated feeds to leading partners across EMEA and APAC including O2, Multichoice/DStv, OSN, Turktelekom/Tivibu, Cignal, Astro, Turkcell/TV+, Telekom Malaysia/Unify TV, Telekom Indonesia/Indihome and more.

“We want to give every family the opportunity to enjoy our shows on their preferred and go-to platforms, whether it is on the go or at home on an ad-free linear channel,” said Moonbug’s Managing Director EMEA and APAC, Nicolas Eglau. “Especially with a preschool audience, linear channels can be a huge help for young families trying to establish healthy routines. Whether it is bedtime, mealtimes or brush your teeth moments, our programming finds the suitable content to mirror families' daily life.”

“Linear TV remains extremely relevant across many territories, where viewers favour ad-free content and a curated experience. It is also particularly relevant in markets where streaming penetration is not as extended and there is a big demand for linear services,” adds Dilek Doyran, Moonbug Director, Distribution & Content Partnerships in EMEA.

Moonbug is known for being a trusted brand for families around the world, and for delivering great entertainment for young kids. By listening to its audience and incorporating feedback from parents, Moonbug’s linear channels are designed to support families and their routines.

This rebrand further contributes towards moving everything under a cohesive Moonbug umbrella, elevating its brand positioning and encouraging industry and consumer recognition as the company behind some of the most beloved shows in kids’ entertainment.

Rumour: Paramount Global To Be Closing More MTV Feeds Internationally

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.

Recap To The Year: Moonbug Kids To Fold Under The Moonbug Brand, Dumps Kids From The Name

Moonbug Kids (DStv 314) is a preschool channel owned by Moonbug Entertainment (a subsidiary of Candle Media). It supplies shows such as CoComelon (also seen on Cartoonito), Oddbods, Blippi, Little Baby Bum and Supa Strikas (also seen on Cartoon Network).

During the year, Moonbug Entertainment had unveiled their first ever refresh of the brand in 5 years following the increased popularity of their content which they've managed to licence to various broadcasters (as mentioned) alongside the Moonbug Kids channels.

As stated by Moonbug prior to the rebrand:

Moonbug was created on the basis of acquiring IPs and growing them into fully established franchises. This rebrand marks a shift that will see everything move under a cohesive Moonbug umbrella, elevating its brand positioning and encouraging industry recognition as the company behind the most beloved shows in kids’ entertainment.

DixonBaxi created a new strategy and creative platform which is says are inspired by Moonbug’s bold attitude.

At the heart of the new identity sits a bespoke animated logotype that ‘fizzes and pops with a playful personality’, hinting at the entertainment that makes Moonbug content unmissable. A flexible brand system with a fresh colour palette, super-sized art direction and activity-focused icons fill every space with the same bright, playful personality.

“It has been a unique challenge to create a new brand that captures the magic of the shows that billions of kids tune in to over and over again, but still feeling distinctly Moonbug,” said Harry Ead, creative director, DixonBaxi. “We feel that we have created a brand that will match Moonbug’s ambitious plans without losing what makes them so special.”

MultiChoice on top of providing various material acknowledging the rebrand they recently updated their EPG to commemorate the long-awaited rebrand of the Moonbug channel.

Moonbug Channel joins other existing brands Da Vinci, History, eNCA, Nickelodeon, Cartoonito (formerly Boomerang), Max and PBS Kids that have or are expected to rollout on air look later in the year.

Recap To The Past Decade: True African Was Ripped Away From Openview Consumers, Could eMedia Investments Finally Source Out A Replacement?

True African was a general entertainment channel that came in place of the defunct eNolly+ channel on the Openview platform. The channel served a purpose of promoting content from West Africa particularly Ghana and Nigeria through the form of movies and series.

As mentioned, the channel was ripped away from Openview consumers in an attempt to offer fresher entertainment for which channel didn't reflect even when it was operating as eAfrica+ before the switch to eNolly+ it still had a repetitive nature.

But unlike e.tv's News And Sport channel much less OpenNews, the channel was revived on PremiumFree TV which serves as freemium platform's first ever competitor offering a range of movies, drama series, reality shows, music and kiddies entertainment.

Fact of the matter is eMedia Investments hasn't replaced True African sure we have channels like Zee One, Star Life, The Home Channel+ and People's Weather but none of this can make up for the closure of the brand's last attempt in Nollywood entertainment.

As of 2023, eMedia Investments launched their pay-tv venture on the Openview platform which comes with 4 channels and plans to grow the lineup. But what was also outlined about this new pay-tv service was the focus on diversity and inclusion resulting in OUTtv.

The idea of eMedia Investments exploring something similar to True African TV possibly for Openview Ultra wouldn't be far fetched. It's not like consumers were familiar with the offering seen on OUTtv and yet there's plenty of households willingly to pay monthly.

The current offering (excluding OUTtv) kind of resembles the existing lineup seen on StarSat and DStv as well as the pricing for those wishing to view the offering.

Afrikaans Voice Actors For Om Elke Draai And Daai Crazy Somer Season 2

Om Elke Draai

Jaundre Kim Andersen as Selin Sever
Adriaan Havenga as Demir Erendil
Celeste Loots as Ayda Akman
Geon Nel as Burak Yangel
Emma Kotze as Eylül Gündüzeli
Anja Taljaard as Merve Mutlu
Rinaldo Felaar as Bora Durul
Chris Van Rensburg as Ferruh Özerdim
Morne Visser as Muharrem
Anoecha Kruger as Azmiye Bosgeçmez
Chine Van Aarde as Esen

Daai Crazy Somer Season 2

Staain Bruwer as Ahmet Tunali
Elzabe Zietsman as Emel Yaman
Adrian Steyn as Sancaktar
Kevin Smith as Selcuk Taskin
Markus Haywood as Akgun Gokalp Taskin
Steven Sterling as Arda Ates
Caidan Bouwer as Altay Kara
Rowlen Ethelbert Von Gericke as Kaan Gok
Jacques Gombault as Selim Kara
Francois Coertze as Metin Yaman
Natasja Jacobs as Serap Gok
Zetske Van Pietsen as Canan Kara
Izel Bezuidenhout as Yagmur Jasmine Kara
Rikus Strauss as Burak Sancaktar
Zack Hendriks as Eray
Maude Sandham as Naz
Mandle Baard as Cemre
Saanli Jooste as Sare
Lizelle Pike as Şevval
Richard Van Die Westhuizen as Yigit

Microids Announces Totally Spies! Game For Consoles, PC

Microids has announced a partnership with Banijay Kids and Family for a new video game based on the animated series Totally Spies! It will launch for consoles and PC in 2024.

Here is an overview of the game, via Microids:

The Totally Spies! video game will offer players the opportunity to step into the shoes of the three legendary secret agents, Sam, Clover and Alex. Together they must try and save the world from a new enemy, with a host of thrilling missions, offering innovative game mechanics.

“Microids is committed to faithfully and innovatively adapting well-known IP and it is a real honor for us to work on the Totally Spies! license,” said Microids CEO Stephane Longeard in a press release. “Thanks to the skills of our studios and in-house teams, we will do everything we can to offer the community a game that meets its expectations.”

Banijay Kids and Family new business and strategic alliances director Annick Bizet added, “We are seeing great momentum building for the Totally Spies! brand ahead of the much-anticipated return of the series next year. Microids’ expertise and passion for the world of video games, make it the perfect partner to recreate the universe for an authentic and captivating game for our fans.”