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MAKING MOVES!!! Moonbug Expands Its Linear Offering To Europe While Genius Brands International Preps Their Global Expansion Killing Off A Certain Brand

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Moonbug Expands Its Linear Offering To Europe, Could Africa Follow?
London-based Moonbug Entertainment is expanding its footprint in the MENA region through a new partnership with Orbit Showtime Network (OSN).

On December 12, the pay-TV operator will launch a Moonbug Kids linear channel and streaming hub aimed at preschoolers. The new network is designed to give viewers 175 hours of content.

The series range from CoComelon, Blippi, Morphle, Little Baby Bum, Mia’s Magic Playground, Go Buster, Playtime with Twinkle, Arpo, Gecko’s Garage and Supa Strikas.

This isn’t Moonbug’s first foray into MENA. Earlier this year, it partnered with Etisalat to launch its brands on the telecom company’s e-Junior VOD service and a year ago MultiChoice's Showmax.

Kartoon Channel's Parent Company Is Taking Over
Genius Brands International has entered into an agreement to acquire a 28.6% stake in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment (YFE). The deal, which is still subject to YFE shareholder approval, will see the distributor/broadcaster rebranded as Genius Family Entertainment.

YFE’s kids networks will now also operate under the Kartoon Channel! Worldwide banner. Former Disney exec Paul Robinson has been appointed as managing director of Kartoon Channel! Worldwide, effective immediately. Reporting to Kartoon Channel! president Jon Olwerther, he’s based in London and charged with overseeing the brand’s global expansion.

YFE has more than 4,000 films and episodes of animated and live-action content from both European and US producers in its catalogue.

Moving forward, non-violent content and themes like sustainability will be a focus for its growth. The company will continue to be run by its current management board, which is comprised of CEO Stefan Piech and COO Bernd Wendeln. Genius Brands’ new EVP and GM of global franchise management Kerry Phelan will supervise the global rollout of consumer products based on channel content. Moving forward, Genius plans to invest as much as US$7.8 million to expand YFE’s digital and linear footprint globally.

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After 14 Years, FX Returns To South Africa + e.tv Fills The Decks With More Repeats + tvN Expands Their Offering With A Music Channel

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FX returns to Africa after 14 years

Disney has announced that FX is now being classed as its own global brand across Television, Hulu, Star+ and on Disney+ internationally.

Now all FX content — original to streaming or second window to cable — will be organized in an “FX” section on any Disney streaming platform inside and outside of the U.S.

The change has come into effect and will include new original scripted content, in addition to any library titles from FX., which currently contains more than 170 seasons and 1800 episodes of television.

In a statement, FX’s John Landgraf said:

“We realized a decade ago that FX would soon no longer be primarily a location, but a rather branded mark of quality that would travel across multiple distribution platforms. For 20 years, we have worked tirelessly to make the FX mark synonymous to the consumer with original programming that is distinctive and excellent as well as entertaining. This change furthers the natural evolution of FX and we are grateful to the company and our partners at DMED for their belief and investment in FX branded programming. We are confident that the FX brand, wherever the consumer finds it, will continue to deliver the highest quality programs any service has to offer.”

In the statement, Rebecca Campbell, chairman of Disney’s direct to consumer and international said:

“With more than a billion hours of FX programming viewed on Hulu since the launch of the FX hub, we’ve further cemented Hulu as the home for stories that impact culture, inspire conversation, and connect with viewers in meaningful ways and we’re excited to see the brand evolve to connect with international audiences on Disney+ and Star+. FX’s award-winning adult programming is vital to our services both domestically and internationally and we want to shine a brighter light on the brand within our excellent and rapidly growing portfolio of general entertainment programming for adult audiences.”

FX is going to continue to double down on creating new original programming, with a target of 30 shows (25 scripted and five unscripted) in 2022. Many of which will be exclusive to Hulu and internationally on Disney+.

Alert: e.tv makes a U-turn

As eMedia set of channels except eToonz for some reason gear up for the big day. It's become a tradition for them as well as several brands across the world to halt their primetime selection as several viewers are on holiday.

While other channels continue regular viewing e.tv on the other hand will make several adjustments:

• Deur Dik En Dun is set to conclude on the 23rd of December and on the final days. The show is set to start an hour early (16:45) replacing Days Of Our Lives.
• Movies are set to replace the Deur Dik En Dun as viewers gear up for the launch of Droom Velore on 10th of January.
• S.W.A.T. concludes 21st of December with Beat Shazam, The Big Bang Theory and movies taking up 20:30 - 23:00. Imbewu is not affected by the changes.
• Mzansi Magic's Our Perfect Wedding replaces Ultimate Braai Master at 18:00 everyday Saturday from 8th of January.

tvN becomes a music channel

tvN's parent company in Asia expanded their set of channels earlier this month with a dedicated Korean music channel, tvN Music while is likely home to acts such as BTS, Twice and BLACKPINK.

Earlier in the year, tvN made their debut on DStv as a pop-up channel and featured a selection of Korean content ranging from drama series to reality shows.

Despite only existing as a pop-up, the brand managed to attract an array of fans. Should it return one would hope to see more variety not that there was anything with wrong with this version.

More linear channels have extended their primetime offering to weekends. With that in mind perhaps they could slot in tvN Music alongside tvN Movies. Let's face it repeats are not a necessity on top of not getting high ratings so all this would benefit the channel in the long run.

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Secrets And Scandals Lead TBN To Pull The Rug Under Hillsong Channel + As Part Of Their Ongoing Review, Wild Earth Reduce Their Broadcast On The Following Platforms

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Hillsong Channel becomes TBN Inspire

On November 18, 2021, TBN sent notice to its carriage partners that the network's name would change to TBN Inspire on January 1, 2022. Hillsong will remain a partner in the channel and continue to program most of its broadcast day.

The network originally launched in 2002 as The Church Channel, which was devoted primarily to carrying church service programs from various Christian ministries and denominations, often under brokered arrangements.

Earlier this year, several media outlets reported a sexual assault case at the Hillsong Church by a female student named Anna Crenshaw who had been indecently assaulted by a Hillsong employee named Jason Mays who recieved probation and reinstated to the post. named Jason Mays.

A documentary called Hillsong Hell surfaced where it was speculated that the church cares more about their image that's why Mays kept his post and they saw themselves as "victims" in this situation.

This all proves that 2021 is just a continuation to last year. The founder of Emmanuel TV and DAYSTAR have both passed on and they too have stirred up some media attention.

Press statement: We takes a leap

WildEarth has been working hard on our mission of connecting more and more people with nature while keeping our promise that our broadcasts will remain free to watch. This is why we had to introduce advertising into our safaris and our channel as it has proven to be the only way to make our business sustainable and keep that promise.

We have learned over the past years that it is not possible to deliver advertising in a meaningful way on social media platforms like YouTube, Twitch or Facebook. As long as there are platforms where content can be watched without advertising, that is where many people will go to watch. The presence of our daily safaris on those platforms is drawing people away from other places where we can use advertising to generate the necessary revenue to become sustainable.

Therefore, as shared by Graham in a town hall session some months ago, we will need to move away from those platforms, while providing other places to watch for free, but with the advertising necessary for us to keep going. We have now reached that point in time.

We appreciate that moving to other places to watch, and chat, from what you might be used to is not a pleasant thing to do and we will work with you to make it as easy as possible, but it is necessary for the continuation of the live safaris.

On the positive side, on the new viewing platforms, the WildEarth channel is available 24/7, including Penguin Beach, the safari repeats, our Escape to Nature content, and soon reshowings of some of the greatest old safaris as part of ‘Best of safariLIVE’ programming.

From this coming Wednesday, December 8th, we will start this transition by reducing the safari broadcasts on YouTube, Facebook and Twitch to only the first hour of each safari. The full safaris, and the rest of the channel, can be viewed on many other platforms, including on wildearth.tv, already from today so you will have some time to check these out and see which option works best for you.

As part of this change, we will also make it possible to, from December 8th, watch recordings of safaris, and Penguin Beach, at a time that suits you on our various apps.

In short those viewing the channel on DStv or SafariLIVE on S3 aren't affected.

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SPI International Expands Its Offering To More Homes In Africa + Several Cancellations On The Cards For These Series On M-Net, SABC And BET + MultiChoice And Televisa Make TLNovelas A Permanent Channel

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"Still making money move", Cardi B

SPI/FilmBox and AXIAN Group are pleased to announce a brand-new distribution deal that makes four channels from SPI’s portfolio available in #Madagascar, #Comoros and #Togo through #TelmaTV and #TogocomTV. The viewers will be able to access FilmBox Africa, FilmBox Arthouse, DocuBox and FightBox in the Premium package.

According to a since deleted source, Timeless Dizi Channel will soon be made available to Zuku TV. The channel was scheduled to launch this month.

Another one bites the dust

South African television primetime could likely claim two more TV victims with the cancellation of the telenovela Legacy on M-Net at 19:00 after two seasons that might very well be followed by the axing of two other local weekday telenovelas, The Estate on SABC3 at 19:00 and Isono on BET (DStv 129) at 21:30.

Both The Estate on SABC3 getting a months-old rebroadcast on SABC1 to try and lure more viewers, as well as Isono on BET, have co-incidentally been produced by the same production company, Clive Morris Productions, and neither have yet been renewed for a second season.

The SABC didn't respond to multiple media queries made over the past week about The Estate and why it hasn't been renewed yet.

Ratings kept falling for The Estate in the tough timeslot reaching only a measley 286 902 viewers during primetime at most on SABC3 during October in the 19:00 timeslot. On SABC1 older episodes of The Estate as part of a repurposed rerun averaged 2.3 million viewers in October.

The Estate that was never a viewership success for SABC3 plunged further in the ratings race and suffered further damage after e.tv launched its House of Zwide earlier this year in the same competitive timeslot.

At a recent red carpet wrap party for Isono neither Clive Morris Productions nor ViacomCBS Networks Africa wanted to say a word about a second season that had also finished production on the first season.

Asked if Isono is cancelled as BET's first locally-produced telenovela, Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa didn't give a specific answer but said "BET Africa remains committed to make significant investment into the local production industry, the launch of our first star-studded daily drama format Isono has been popular with viewers across the continent".

"Africans are among the most devoted and enthusiastic viewers of daily novelas and we are honoured to be a part of this long tradition of true local storytelling."

"We continue to focus on providing audiences with jam-packed locally-brewed content, celebrating black culture and authentic storytelling."

"There will be a number of game-changing announcements for the channel as we get into the new year and we encourage our viewers to keep tuned in for the latest in upcoming local content."

TLNovelas reaches new heights

Tlnovelas, the home of thrilling Mexican telenovelas which launched as a pop-up channel on DStv last year, is now a permanent channel on DStv.

The channel, which remains available on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family, has also been revamped to include bigger, better, premium content and a Portuguese audio option.

Fooled Into Love
Watch Fooled Into Love Mondays to Fridays at 21:30 on tlnovelas (DStv channel 133).

Crown of Tears
Watch Crown of Tears Mondays to Fridays at 20:40 on tlnovelas (DStv channel 133).

I Dare You To Leave
Watch I Dare You To Leave Mondays to Fridays at 22:20 on tlnovelas (DStv channel 133).

Road to Destiny
Watch Road to Destiny Mondays to Fridays at 19:50 on tlnovelas (DStv channel 133).
Tlnovelas (DStv channel 133) is available on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family. To upgrade your existing package, click here. Or if you'd like to Get DStv, find a service that suites your needs here.

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COVID-19: Marcus Lamb, Founder Of Daystar TV That Opposed COVID-19 Vaccines Has Passed Away + BVN Has Been Restored In Africa, Could It Return To DStv?

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The founder of a global evangelical Christian television network who publicly opposed Covid-19 vaccines has died weeks after he contracted the virus.

The death of 64-year-old Marcus Lamb, the founder and president of the Texas-based Daystar Television Network, was announced Tuesday in a tweet by the conservative network.

"It's with a heavy heart we announce that Marcus Lamb, president and founder of Daystar Television Network, went home to be with the Lord this morning. The family asks that their privacy be respected as they grieve this difficult loss. Please continue to lift them up in prayer."

— Daystar Television (@Daystar) November 30, 2021

Lamb has publicly opposed the available coronavirus vaccines and has instead promoted unproven Covid-19 treatments, Media Matters reported.

"There's no doubt in my mind that this is a spiritual attack from the enemy," Lamb's son Jonathan said about his father's battle with Covid-19 during a broadcast on November 23, Religion News Service reported.

The son added, "As much as my parents have gone on here to kind of inform everyone about everything going on to the pandemic and some of the ways to treat Covid — there's no doubt that the enemy is not happy about that. And he's doing everything he can to take down my Dad.

Marcus Lamb joins a growing list of conservative, anti-vaccine media personalities to have died as a result of COVID-19.

Radio hosts and coronavirus vaccine critics Bob Enyart, Dick Farrel, Phil Valentine, and Marc Bernier all died this year after their battles with the Covid-19.

Other high-profile anti-vaccine advocates to have died this year from the coronavirus include: former CIA officer and conspiracy theorist Robert David Steele, anti-mask rally organiser Caleb Wallace, and South Carolina GOP conservative leader Pressley Stutts.

BVN RETURNS TO ASTRA 4A SATELLITES

BVN returned from 25 October 2021 via the
Astra 4A satellites (for the middle and South Africa) found an alternative to the SES-5 (stopped on May 1, 2021). "This technology on the Astra 4a was possible as less bandwidth was used for broadcast without a loss of quality."

Unfortunately, the owners had to distribute BVN on few satellites and affected markets had to resort to streaming in order to find these shows.

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Read Also:
- National Geographic Kids expands to Africa
- Boomerang is available on GOtv
- More international content coming to M-Net, Discovery Channel, BBC Earth and many more
- Cartoonito returning as a linear channel likely for DStv
- Maningue Magic and Kwenda Magic coming soon to DStv
- More local content coming to DStv including Survivor SA season 9 and Big Brother Mzansi
- SuperSport unveil their offering for 2022
- A+ possibly coming to DStv
- Showmax unveil their content slate
- More Africa Magic channels on DStv???
- Star Life rebranding to Life OK???
- Travel Channel going off air on DStv???
- Could The Kelly Clarkson Show move to Me?
- Could SABC Encore and Children make their way to DStv?
- Warner TV might be replacing TNT
- tvN working on becoming permanent in Africa

International Educational And Entertainment Programme National Geographic Kids Coming To Africa In 2022

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Geographic Kids Africa, which focuses on developing local content surrounding the environment, conservation, and associated topics important to children and their communities. The project aims to inspire and promote behaviour change in its audiences. To protect the world in which they live through engendering a deeper understanding of the natural environment.

The undertaking includes a 26-part television series to be shot primarily in East Africa but with additional filming in West and Southern Africa. The series will be produced by The Walt Disney Company, in association with Kenya-based WildlifeDirect. WildlifeDirect will collaborate on research and creative approaches. National Geographic Kids Africa will air across the continent on National Geographic Wild. It will extend into engaging digital platforms that further explore biodiversity, wildlife and the natural world, and the threats and challenges experienced.

Extending the reach of the National Geographic Kids Africa initiative further, a community outreach project will be launched by implementation partner WildlifeDirect across East Africa, aiming to encourage learners from 200 schools to make a lasting impact on the conservation of species-rich landscapes. By investing in knowledge and skills, through tools such as conservation hubs, educational resources, bespoke educator training and more, the outreach program aims to develop a passionate community of young explorers with the fascination and desire to protect their continent and their world.

National Geographic Kids Africa will be produced entirely in Africa by African storytellers. The stories, leadership and expertise of African conservationists and communities will be prominently featured.

The US Department of State, US Embassies, and local partners in Africa will enhance this initiative through multiple academic, cultural, and professional exchanges. The Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ people-to-people exchange programs will support professional development and skills sharing across sectors, including conservation, the creative industries, tourism and sustainable practices. Exchange programs create lasting connections and harness attention on conservation and the importance of protecting the natural world. The Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs will continue to lead diplomatic efforts to expand and strengthen policy and programs to conserve and protect nature.

Christine Service, General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, adds:

“For over 133 years, the core mission of National Geographic has been to ignite the explorer in everyone through thought-provoking, fact-based storytelling from scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers. This initiative will bring children from across the continent into the conversation and, in doing so, energize the next generation of environmental advocates through this innovative and engaging programme.”

Says Dr Paula Kahumbu, CEO of WildlifeDirect:

“We are deeply humbled and proud to be working with some of the world’s greatest institutions, the US Department of State, USAID, Disney and National Geographic, to transform conservation outcomes in Africa by inspiring people in Africa and around the world through the authentic voices of Africa's young heroes. This series is a first in so many ways, not least the unique partnership but also because of outreach efforts which will deliver a positive impact on nature across the region.”

In addition to amplifying local voices around conservation, the National Geographic Kids Africa initiative supports vital policy goals in addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. US climate and conservation diplomacy aspires to realize economic growth, energy security, and a healthy planet. The loss of nature and her gifts affect all people, and bold action to tackle these twin crises is more urgent than ever.
By engaging the next generation, National Geographic Kids Africa is a critical part of this effort. The series will tell the story of forward-thinking climate and conservation action in inspiring ways. It will highlight the work of African children across the continent and encourage others in Africa to make a difference in their way.

Says Matthew Lussenhop, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State:

“A key element of our charge is to address the environmental, social, political, and economic challenges we all face. We look forward to enhancing this important initiative with people-to-people exchanges to inspire and connect the next generation of conservationists, filmmakers and leaders in Africa who will create lasting change to protect their natural environment. This partnership represents an innovative way forward to address some of the most pressing issues of our time.”

USAID’s conservation programming plays a critical role in ensuring the world’s most vulnerable people can secure their health and well-being while managing and conserving their natural wealth. Through partnerships with governments, communities, and the private sector in 60 countries, USAID works to protect biological systems and improve the lives of people who depend on them. These conservation activities also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage. USAID’s nature-based solutions are building people’s resilience, priority ecosystems, and economies to climate change.

Says Karl Fickenscher, Acting Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), USAID:

“National Geographic Kids Africa embodies USAID's new vision for global development that combines working together with our US State Department colleagues, our private sector partner, The Walt Disney Company, and our local Kenyan partner WildlifeDirect. We could not be prouder to stand alongside them, and perhaps most importantly, alongside the students, young environmentalists, and kids from communities across Africa, who will work to protect and conserve the world around them— today and in the future.”

The goal is partnering with African filmmakers to tell African stories around conservation and environmental themes to reach African and global audiences. In addition, National Geographic Kids Africa will further advance The Walt Disney Company’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, which goes back to its founding more than 90 years ago. Walt Disney himself said that: “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” National Geographic Kids Africa is another way The Walt Disney Company focuses on helping to protect the planet.
Currently, in pre-production, the National Geographic Kids Africa programme is set for a mid-to-late 2022 rollout across Africa.

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[PRESS RELEASE ON MULTICHOICE SHOWCASE]: There’s Something For Everyone With The Best International Content On DStv

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(As indicated in the sneak peeks)
GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT
While telling African stories is at the heart of what MultiChoice does, our channels and services also pride themselves on delivering the hottest international shows – and that’s set to continue in 2022.

DStv Premium subscribers will be among the first to get in on all the drama as Sex & The City’s Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda make their return on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) in the highly anticipated ten-episode spin-off series, And Just Like That..., from 13 December.

And Just Like That… stars Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Sarah Jessica Parker (who reprises her role as the fashion icon and columnist, Carrie Bradshaw); the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Kristin Davis (the naïve but tough Charlotte York); and the Emmy Award- winning Cynthia Nixon (the irrepressible Miranda Hobbes).

The sizzling new series follows the characters as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

The series also includes cast members Nicole Ari Parker, Sara Ramírez, Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and the late Willie Garson.

Where to watch:
• M-Net (DStv Channel 101) with a double-bill premiere on Monday, 13 December at 20:30.
• DStv catch up, express from the U.S every Friday from 10 December, exclusive to subscribers with a connected DStv Explora and the DStv App

House of the Dragon will broadcast exclusively on M-Net, DStv Channel 101 and episodes of one of next year’s most highly anticipated series will also be available on DStv Catch Up. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series is set 200 years before the events of the record-breaking and multi-award-winning Game of Thrones series and tells the story of House Targaryen. The 10-episode series will come to M-Net early in 2022 and stars, amongst others, BAFTA-nominated Paddy Considine, Emmy Award-nominated Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans.

DStv is the Home of Survivor, on the back of the success and buzz generated by recent seasons of Survivor South Africa. Survivor USA comes home to M-Net in January 2022, taking place among the sand and surf of Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands – a favourite location. But, in the words of Jeff Probst: “Don’t expect the same old, same old”. The latest season has been changed up in more ways than one.
Season 41 will usher in a new era, which will be marked by a lack of a theme, harkening back to the early days of the series. The show will simply be known as Survivor 41. “Those ideas served us very well for 20 years, but now it’s time for something new,” explained Probst. “The new players and the gameplay will define each season, much like a Super Bowl or any other regular sporting event.”
Survivor South Africa has been a huge hit in Australia, where it’s streamed on 10play – so we’re bringing Survivor Australia, here. The eighth season of Australian Survivor – ‘Brains V Brawn’ - features contestants divided into two tribes with obvious delineations and starts on M-Net in December, straight after the end of the current, seventh season.

On the M-Net Channels, The Thing About Pam will span six episodes with Renee Zellweger making her broadcast television debut in an NBC true-crime series based on a wild saga initially chronicled on one of the most popular “Dateline NBC” storylines of recent years.

The series is based on the 2011 murder of Missouri woman Betsy Faria. Her husband, Russ Faria, spent four years behind bars for her murder before being acquitted in 2015 – with his wife's death still unsolved. Zellweger plays Pam Hupp who is serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger. Authorities believe Hupp killed Gumpenberger to frame Russ Faria for the murder of his wife. Hupp testified against Faria in the initial trial where he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison after his wife was found stabbed 55 times in their Missouri home. The Thing About Pam is currently scheduled for April 2022.

Award Shows remain popular with DStv viewers, and with the American Music Awards taking place just a few days ago, there’s plenty to look forward to with the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (1 February on 1Magic), 94th Annual Academy Awards (28 March 2022 on M-Net), Billboard Awards (28 April on 1Magic) and Miss Universe.

Our partner channels continue to diversify our offering with shows that spark inspiration, defy the rules, entertain, enthrall and amaze.

In TLC’s Too Large, morbidly obese individuals fight for their lives with the help of bariatric surgeon Dr. Procter. Friendships are put to the test. A previously homeless man gets back on his feet. A teacher loses weight to regain lost love. A desperate mother attempts to transform her body to be a better parent for her son. Only some will make the changes necessary to earn the bariatric surgery and change their lives.

From the producers of 90 Day Fiancé comes sexy new docu-soap Love in Paradise – The Caribbean, following people who found love in the Caribbean. The tropics will provide the backdrop for relationships in various phases from holiday flings that turned serious to a rekindled love after 10 years apart and a vacation romance that turned into a pregnancy. Will meeting in paradise work out once the suntan fades?

On Universal, Tell Me Your Secrets is a brand-new American thriller drama series. Emma Hall (Lily Rabe), the former girlfriend of a serial killer named Parker, is released from jail after covering for him and placed into witness protection in Louisiana. Mary Barlow’s (Amy Brenneman) daughter was believed to have been kidnapped and murdered by Parker, but her body was never found, leaving Mary to believe she is still alive. Having lost her only source to find Theresa, she remembers his girlfriend, Emma, and tasks John, a convicted rapist who is looking for redemption, to find her.
Action-Drama Leverage Redemption stars, Christian Kane and Noah Wyle and sees the Leverage team taking down those who think they can take what they want.
On E!, Clash of the Cover Bands is a new music competition series hosted by Stephen “Twitch” Boss with global powerhouse Meghan Trainor, Grammy-nominated powerhouse singer- songwriter Adam Lambert and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ester Dean serving as celebrity judges with the end-game of a $25 000 prize and the chance to appear in studio for a musical performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Swim and Pushing the Line are headliners on Discovery Channel (promo mistaken it for Discovery World). Pushing the Line (January 2022) follows some of the top highliners and the up-and-comers of sport, who live together and push one another to take on the craziest places to set lines and break records.
In The Swim, Ben Lecomte endeavors to fulfill his childhood dream of swimming the Pacific Ocean. He, along with NASA and nine other partners, create a living laboratory to uncover secrets of the ocean and clues about the state of life on Earth.
January sees the arrival of Design Star: Next Gen on HGTV, while Investigation Discovery’s Relentless is a six-part series which follows filmmaker Christina Fontana's search for a missing woman in Hannibal, Missouri. The sixth season of Twist of Fate comes to ZEE World, featuring the most-loved couple affectionately known as AbhiGya, with old villains returning to disrupt their happy love life.

DOCUMENTARIES & WILDLIFE
BBC Earth delivers Sir David Attenborough’s The Green Planet, which will see the legendary environmentalist travel to the USA, Costa Rica, Croatia and northern Europe, from deserts to mountains and from rainforests to the frozen north to try to understand more about how plants live their lives.
All Creatures Great and Small S2 (2 January, 19:00), Midsomer Murders S22 (3 January, 20:00 – territory premiere) and Miss Scarlet and The Duke S2 (14 February, 20:00) all return to BBC Brit next year, too.

On National Geographic, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller sees van Zeller tap into her underworld contacts to embed in the world's most illicit smuggling pipelines. Season 2 of Green Eyed Killers returns to Lifetime to tell the stories of ordinary people, who come to extraordinary ends all because of jealousy.

LOCAL
Mzansi Greed debuts on Moja Love on 2 December at 21:30. The true -life program lets viewers explore the world of crime and greed. What lengths will a person go to for money and power? The series focuses on cases of Ponzi schemes, embezzlement and other crimes, featuring Interviews with family members, police investigators business associates, fraud victims and, in some cases, the fraudsters themselves.
Season 2 of Mina Nawe House starts on Moja Love on 4 December at 21:00. The five couples move into a house to undergo a “relationship restart”. All the couples will be together in one house for 11 days in order to save their marital bonds. The couples do a number of exercises to see if their relationships are worth saving. The couples will need to decide if they should breakup or make up. Tune in for all the drama and revelations!

KIDS
For the kids, Cartoon Network presents Coach Me If You Can and Big Blue. In the former, Daniel Sissou has a secret: his favorite soccer ball is none other than Erico Platana, the world’s greatest soccer player who a mad sorcerer has turned into a ball. In order to go back to being human, Erico has to seriously deflate his ego and help clumsy Daniel become a champ. They may both be bumblers but together, things can only get better!

Aimed at kids 4-8, Big Blue follows sibling underwater adventurers Lettie and Lemo and their quirky submarine crew as they explore and protect a vast, ocean-covered planet from ship- stealing crabs, know-it-all jellyfish, and a health inspector shark!
On NickToons, Big Nate follows 11-year-old prankster Nate and his best friends as they navigate sixth grade with humor and style. Coming to Nickelodeon in February is Overlord and The Underwoods, an original half-hour, live-action, single camera family comedy which follows the titular North American family, whose life is turned upside down when their distant cousin, Overlord - the second most-wanted villain in the universe - seeks refuge in their home after being forced into intergalactic witness protection.

Disney Channel and HONEY is cooking in 2022 with Disney’s Magic Bake-Off and Kids Kitchen Relay. Disney's Magic Bake-Off is a baking competition series about complicated challenges and fun games as contestants shape and bake extravagant Disney-inspired cakes. In Kids Kitchen Relay, two teams of three kids each go head-to-head in a relay cooking competition. The teams are given a theme and must cook one dish as a team in three rounds without any communication between team members.

Also on Disney is Ghost Force (December 2021). Liv, Andy and Michael are three junior high school students who, unbeknownst to their friends and family, form the Ghost Force - a superhero team who have one main objective keeping the City of New York safe from feral and mischievous ghosts who wish to take over the city.

“We aim to have something for everyone, all the time, across our channels,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO General Entertainment and Connected Video at Multichoice Group. “Our international content slate has grown larger than ever, delivering unprecedented value for our subscribers across hundreds of channels, with thousands of hours of fresh, world-leading content, every year.”

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Read Also:
- Cartoonito returning as a linear channel likely for DStv
- SuperSport unveil their offering for 2022
- Reorganising coming to National Geographic
- Star Life rebranding to Life OK???
- Showmax unveil their content slate
- A+ possibly coming to DStv
- More Africa Magic channels on DStv???
- Could G4 launch in Africa perhaps to replace Ginx TV?
- The Search For Frida coming in 2022 to Telemundo
- Could The Kelly Clarkson Show move to Me?
- December on CBS Reality and CBS Justice
- December on The Home Channel
- Female wrestling promotion launching in 2022, could SuperSport pick it up?
- Travel Channel going off air on DStv???
- Could SABC Encore and Children be in development?
- Warner TV might be replacing TNT
- tvN working on becoming permanent in Africa
- African Animation Network launching an experimental animation block
- Toei Animaton teaming up with tvN parent company on anime
- Big Brother Africa has been greenlit in 3 markets

Women Of Wrestling (W.O.W.) An All New Female Wrestling Series Owned By Impact Wrestling's Parent Company AXS Entertainment Relaunches Next Year In 160 U.S. Territories, Could e.tv Or SuperSport Perhaps Get It?

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It's a very interesting and prosperous time across the wrestling industry right now. At no time before were there more wrestling promotions on major TV networks, giving more wrestlers the chance at a big stage in front of millions. And at no time have more non-traditional or even underseen wrestlers been given a shot at the main event scene.

Of course, no group of wrestlers has seen a bigger rise up the ranks like the women of the industry, who have shattered through the glass ceiling of Bra & Panty matches and silent valets to main eventing WrestleMania.

This renaissance of women's wrestling has now reached the apex, as there will now be an entire show featuring solely women's wrestling on major TV networks with the announcement that the recently shuttered promotion WOW – Women of Wrestling will be returning in 2022 and on major television networks in 160 U.S. markets in a new deal with ViacomCBS.

WOW Superhero Tessa Blanchard in the teaser trailer for the WOW reboot in 2022, courtesy of WOW.

While WOW had a brief run on the specialty TV network AXS TV from 2019-2020, this will be a huge step up in visibility for the promotion. New episodes of WOW will air in weekend syndication on 160 ViacomCBS networks across the U.S., which accounts for 70 percent of the country. And if you're looking for older seasons of WOW, those are anticipated to be available to stream on the CW Seed and Pluto TV platforms starting in December of 2021.

Jeanie Buss , the owner of WOW (along with WOW creator David McLane) and the Los Angeles Lakers said the following about the promotion and its big relaunch :
"Wrestling's presentation of women has long been very important to me, and we now are presenting the epitome in sports entertainment that will highlight the athleticism of these superstars as we reintroduce WOW.

Our partnership with the entire ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group family allows us to continue our mission of providing wrestling fans and WOW Superheroes what they have all deserved: a global platform for a dedicated women's wrestling league."
Dan Cohen , President of ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group also included the following statement about WOW:

"We are thrilled to partner with Jeanie Buss and David McLane to create a significant global footprint for WOW and expand our diverse, world-class content portfolio.

This series offers audiences unique, compelling and creative entertainment that features female 'superheroes' in the ring, behind the cameras and in all aspects of the business. Both in the U.S and abroad, we believe this is an event program that will make some noise in the marketplace."

Also included in the big WOW reboot news today is what should serve as a big confidence-boost to fans that AJ Mendez (formerly AJ Lee in WWE) will follow her husband CM Punk in a return to the wrestling industry by becoming both an Executive Producer and color commentator on the rebooted WOW.

There's no word on an official launch date yet for 2022, but WOW did release the following teaser video featuring returning former WOW Champion Tessa Blanchard.

e.tv used to air WOW every Wednesday at 8pm now they house it's former sister brand Impact Wrestling which was once available through SuperSport.

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can also follow Doodsondes for Kuiertyd updates.

Updated: Utsav Next Target Could Be The Star Channels Currently On DStv, StarSat, Zuku TV And Openview + Disney Channel And Disney Junior Could Go Off Air Sooner Than Expected As Disney Shifts Its Focus Towards Streaming

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Later this week, Disney and Star in India announced that they would exit from the English general entertainment industry which resulted in the termination of most of their channels with Hindi channels taking their spot.

The Walt Disney Company revealed plans to close 100 international Disney channels before the FY22 with more Disney Channels expected to close in Europe as streaming looks to be the brands top priority.

The likely reason for Star's demise is due to Disney+ since The Walt Disney Company took the Star branding for their streaming service so Star India keeping it for English viewers would only cause confusion.

Earlier this year, the UK & Europe rebranded their Star channels to Utsav with the changes applicable to viewers of those regions. Of course, there's several signs that the branding will be duplicated in more countries.

Vijay TV is the only channel internationally to use that adapt to that branding and Star India is seemingly testing out the Utsav branding through the StarPlus and Star Gold channel in Africa.

Star Life being the only English channel in Africa will have to create some distance from Star India or join the party seeing that they're exiting the audience it's catered for.

The European counterpart manages the Star channels in Africa so it seems logical for the Utsav branding to enter the region the question would have to be why delay the switch, could Star Life have some involvement perhaps?

The Disney Africa Facebook page stopped promoting content from Disney Channel and moved it to the Disney Africa Channels page (formerly Disney Junior Africa) with the main page likely to be used as a portal to promote Disney+.

The UK, Asia, Italy and Australia already lost Disney Channel and Disney Junior so it doesn't seem far fetched to think the same fate awaits the Disney Channels in Africa.

The Walt Disney Company is set out to be another Netflix. Even if that means cutting the cord of several channels in markets where cable is dominating the circuit.

In November, Disney Channel and Disney Junior have seemingly hit the reruns button with the main channel airing reruns of Gigantosaurus.

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