M-Net cancels Tshedza Pictures' low-rated Champions telenovela on Mzansi Magic that has ended production after a single season.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has cancelled the low-rated Tshedza-produced Champions telenovela on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) after a single season with the last episode which will be broadcast on 31 January.

Tshedza Pictures filmed the last episode in June and was told that M-Net doesn't want another season.

Champions, set inside a football club, had an extremely disappointing debut on MultiChoice's DStv on 5 February with underwhelming viewership.

The weekday telenovela in a 19:00 timeslot also suffered because of a lack of marketing, as well as barely any publicity to bring the show and its cast and crew under the attention of the media.

In June, Champions - starring Jo-anne Reynecke, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Tumisho Masha and Kgomotso Christopher - failed to make the list of even MultiChoice's Top 30 programmes on DStv for the month.

This is what the case has been for every month since Champions started on Mzansi Magic: It never once made DStv's Top 30 most-watched shows list since February and MultiChoice did nothing to try and boost the show's buzz and viewership with no media interaction like virtual press junkets, roundtables or interview blitzes.

Over the past six months, DStv subscribers have continued to complain, as they have since the start, that they don't like and don't relate to the story and setting, and struggle to understand and feel anything for the main characters.

M-Net's Mzansi Magic division is developing new show concepts as it looks at toning down the volume of telenovelas.

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director for local entertainment channels, says "First to our cast, Tshedza Pictures, sponsors and advertisers, thank you for your ongoing support for Champions, and your efforts in entertaining our Mzansi Magic viewers".

"Mzansi Magic plays a pivotal role in entertaining viewers during prime time, and we continue to keep up with the latest television trends."

"We are currently in the development of several new show concepts not limited to telenovelas and fine-tuning our key returning shows to ensure that Mzansi Magic's prime time 2025 slots are well received."

MultiChoice nabs another TV pirate for selling DStv logins with more raids coming.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has nabbed another TV pirate in Gauteng following a raid after he was caught for allegedly selling DStv login credentials and streaming devices that give illegal access to premium content.

The suspect will appear in the Lenasia Magistrate Court today.

MultiChoice says a successful raid was done in Gauteng with the South African police and police detectives from the Eldorado Park police station, as part of MultiChoice's broader efforts in Cape Town and Johannesburg to clamp down on piracy. The police also confiscated piracy equipment which will be analysed.

The suspect was arrested and charged with allegedly selling login credentials and internet streaming pirate devices, which enabled illegal access to premium content - actions in direct contravention of South Africa's Cybercrime Act.

"This raid highlights our continuous efforts to dismantle illegal operations that undermine the creative industry," says Frikkie Jonker, Irdeto director of broadcast cybersecurity and anti-piracy.

"More raids are imminent as we intensify our efforts to combat digital piracy. The professionalism displayed by the police before and during the raid was exemplary and contributed significantly to the operation's success."

Partners Against Piracy, an Africa-wide multi-stakeholder initiative, is working alongside local governments and prosecutors to fight against copyright infringement. Among these agencies are the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks, South African Police Services and the Cybercrime Units in various provinces.

VIA claims profanity title of its lowbrow reality show Moer 'n Boer already existed, as a Tshwane council case over the same utterance could end at SA's Human Rights Commission.

by Thinus Ferreira

Media24's Afrikaans female lifestyle TV channel VIA (DStv 147) has added a new lowbrow reality fighting show with a nasty and profanity-laced title Moer 'n Boer, while the same utterance this week in a Tshwane council meeting could lead to a case at the South Africa's Human Rights Commission.

Media24's VIA bills itself as a female and family lifestyle TV channel yet decided to add a crass and extremely awfully titled new show Moer 'n Boer to its programme line-up as a new South African television reality TV low.

In this reality series, 12 South African farmers (boers) are trained by Versus Promotions, a mixed martial arts promotions company, to train as MMA fighters. Eventually they will physically fight each other in the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.

Moer 'n Boer is produced by Versus Promotions president Janneman van den Berg with Cameron Saaiman as presenter.

"Moer" is an Afrikaans swear word, with VIA that says it has no problem adding a show with profanity in its title for MultiChoice's DStv subscribers because that is apparently VIA's type of audience.

TVwithThinus asked VIA why it is fine with Moer 'n Boer as a show's title.

VIA says "The competition already existed as Moer 'n Boer when we found out about it."

"We think it captures the essence of the show's dynamic and unique blend of farming and MMA training. The title is bold and reflects the exciting and high-energy content of the show."

Strangely, Janneman van den Berg told Huisgenoot magazine something different, saying the show considered Klap 'n Boer , as well as a few other titles.

VIA was asked if VIA thinks a show like this and language like this will reflect negatively on VIA and turn off viewers and make them switch away from the channel and its content.

VIA says "The title and content sparks curiosity and engagement rather than offence and so far the majority of our viewers enjoy content that is slightly different or pushes the boundaries".

"The show aims to highlight the strength, and resilience of farmers, and we believe it will resonate with our audience. While the title is bold, VIA is confident that the show will attract and retain viewers who appreciate innovative and compelling content."

VIA was asked who is the specific audience that VIA wants to watch Moer 'n Boer on the channel.

"This show attracts quite a wide audience, for instance people who enjoy reality TV, and human interest stories, fans of mixed martial arts who will be drawn to the unique combination of farming and MMA training as well as viewers who are attracted to dynamic, high-energy shows and are looking for fresh, innovative programming," VIA says.

VIA channel head Azelia Morkel says "Along with the rest of the country, we cannot wait to see how the farmers prepare and harvest success not only in the fields but also in the ring."

Janneman van den Berg says Moer 'n Boer "was an opportunity to establish MMA as a sport in the Afrikaans community. At first Cameron thought it could never work but he soon changed his mind when there was a flood of support from the Afrikaans community".

"The farmers loved the idea, and we were quite surprised ourselves, especially by the farmers who are tougher than tough."

On Thursday the EFF political party council member Obakeng Ramabodu during a council meeting said he "wants to moer 'n boer" because he "wants the blood of an Afrikaner".

Cilliers Brink, mayor of the Tshwane metro and a DA member, said South Africa's Human Rights Commission (HRC) will be approached over the alleged hate speech.

Mncedi Ndzawanana, speaker of the council, asked Obakeng Ramabodu to take back his utterance and to apologise for his "moer 'n boer" remark.

SABC resets Muvhango amidst ratings and money woes, adds Leleti Khumalo.

by Thinus Ferreira

Like it did with Generations the SABC is giving Muvhango on SABC2 a reset after signing a new contract - with new faces including Leleti Khumalo as well as a younger cast, a new logo and intro theme and new storylines - saying it was forced to continue because of viewer reaction after news that the Venda soap was cancelled.

The long-running show that stopped filming new episodes on 15 June, is restarting amidst ratings and money woes for the SABC which realised that it had nothing else in development - and no money - to effectively serve as a placeholder for Muvhango.

After Muvhango's contract with Word of Mouth Pictures ended and filming stopped on 15 June, filming has now restarted for a 26th season, done cheaper, with new episodes that will again be broadcast from 5 August on SABC2.

"We had challenges. But we are here now and we are unveiling a new season," says Lala Tuku, acting group executive of SABC video entertainment, speaking at a hastily arranged media event in Fourways on Thursday night.

"We have no doubt that Muvhango will reach its targets for the slot, wink, wink. We've worked intensely with the team to bring you invigorated stories," she said.

She alluded that financial issues - the SABC is technically insolvent - and ratings - Muvhango has lost millions of viewers over the past decade - are the crux that caused "a tussle" in negotiations around signing Word of Mouth Pictures to bring Muvhango back for another season.

"The reality is that the SABC derives its revenue from advertising. We require audiences to choose to watch our content. The reality is we have brilliant content on our platform and we need our audiences to select it and come in."

Speaking about the decision to bring Muvhango back and to give it another contract after it was effectively cancelled, Tuku said "At the end of the day it was a tussle in the negotiating room around keeping a legacy property which we all believed in, including the SABC board".

"At the end of the day, it is the rands and the cents. The authenticity of the show, the boldness of the storytelling - we just could not do away with it."

Duma Ndlovu, Muvhango creator and executive producer, said "Muvhango has a new logo, we have a new title sequence, we've listened to the young people. We've come back with what we think is a stunning show."

"We decided to bring back some characters who were with Muvhango before and remake them."

Jacqui Hlongwane, acting SABC2 channel head, said "We respond to what viewers say" and noted that viewer response to Muvhango no longer being on the air pushed the SABC to decide to bring it back. "We are really changing things up in this new season."

Veteran actress Leleti Khumalo joins as a new character, playing Dr Nonhlanhla Ximba whose "enigmatic presence as a construction mogul set to disrupt the familiar landscape". 

Lebo Tisane and Wiseman Zitha are two former Muvhango actors who are rejoining the production. Other actors who have made appearances on Muvhango in the past, will return playing new characters.

While it lost several millions of viewers over the past years, Muvhango remained the most-watched show on SABC and the channel's only programme with more than a million viewers nightly. 

In June it drew 1.16 million viewers with the SABC that is adamant that the reset Muvhango should increase both its ratings and audience share.  

The hard reset of Muvhango, whilst keeping "the original DNA" of the show, is similar to what the SABC did in late 2014 when Generations creator Mfundi Vundla got rid of the main cast and did a reset of the show as Generations - The Legacy with a new cast, some older faces who returned, a new intro and logo and cheaper cast contracts.

The SABC told the media interviews would be done with the broadcaster's executives, the show's producers and selected cast members on Thursday night but publicist Caroline Phalakatshela failed to keep to the arrangements.

Thanduxolo Jindela of Kwathole Conexion, Muvhango's PR firm who is paid to communicate with media about the show, didn't respond to any of multiple calls and messages about the show.

ALSO READ: The SABC effectively cancelled SABC2's Muvhango that has run out of episodes with no further contract for Word of Mouth Pictures.

ALSO READ: SABC revives Muvhango for 26th season as cheaper show with new faces.

Paramount Africa silent over unpaid Queendom crew and cast and why BET signed off for filming to start on Clive Morris Production show that didn't have production money fully in the bank.

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa and BET Africa boss Monde Twala are remaining silent on the unpaid crew and cast production scandal of Clive Morris Productions' Queendom without any answer on why Paramount Africa and BET for a second time signed off on filming to start on a South African series before all the funding was 100% secured.

A high-ranking crew member who worked on Queendom says it is unheard of and extremely unusual for a show to start filming, noting that "Prior to any minute of any footage being filmed all the money should have been in the bank".

Clive Morris Productions (CMP) entered into a deal where the production company had to come up with a very large part of the overall production cost to make Queendom - money it didn't have from the outset. 

This derailed and collapsed production of Queendom when Clive Morris Productions, after filming had already started, failed to get the money required when an investor no longer wanted to pay.

Neither Natalie Mdladla, Paramount senior director of communications, nor Kgaogelo Mohlala at the Total Exposure PR company responded to or acknowledged multiple emails, phone calls and messages after TVwithThinus made a media query on Queendom a week ago with questions for Paramount Africa and BET.  

The Queendom cast and crew are owed months of salaries after Clive Morris Productions abruptly stopped filming of the local telenovela at the beginning of June because it failed to pay the workers.

In mid-April, Paramount Africa and BET threw a splashy media launch bash at Kings Kraal in Bryanston for some media, while the cast and crew were already rumbling and angry behind-the-scenes among themselves about the challenging production conditions, delayed payments and Clive Morris Productions' ongoing promises that they would get paid.

On 26 April, just a week after Paramount Africa's Queendom media launch event, the show's crew and cast got paid the last time after they had already complained bitterly about not getting paid and delayed payments by Clive Morris Productions, with Paramount Africa that was aware of the issue.

The show's production crew and cast continued to work during May but when they were again not paid at the end of May, they decided in unison not to return for any further work from 3 June.

People within South Africa's TV and film industry now want to know why Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager of Paramount Africa and BET International lead, signed off on Clive Morris Productions to start filming for Queendom when the production didn't have all of the money secured upfront.

Paramount Africa was asked on what date the last episode of Queendom will be shown on BET (DStv 129) and how many episodes there were supposed to be, but there's been no answer.

Paramount Africa and BET were also asked why Paramount Africa apparently allowed filming to start on a production before the money to make it, was 100% secured, and who at Paramount Africa and BET authorised pre-production and principal photography to start even though Clive Morris later admitted, after Queendom's shut down, that CMP didn't have their side of the money in the bank. 

So far this has also gone unanswered. 

This is the second time a production of Paramount Africa and BET suddenly shuttered - from the same production company - since Clive Morris Productions was also forced to suddenly shut down ISONO that it produced for BET, over exactly the same reasons when it didn't have the funding in place for it's side of the budget contract.

This also raises the question of why did Paramount Africa and BET for a second time enter into a similar type of contract with Clive Morris Productions after it saw what happened with ISONO. 

It's another one of the questions that were put to Paramount Africa last Thursday a week ago and not being answered.

"Typically shows like telenovelas and soaps are commissioned by TV channels and financed 100% by the channel. Queendom wasn't," the insider who worked on the show, explained.

"Clive Morris Productions entered into a deal where an onus was on them to raise a significant portion of the production costs, which are far too onerous for most producers."

"The fact that we haven't been paid is a testament to exactly how overly onerous those conditions were. Very few production companies, if any, would be able to raise that capital for a show of this size like Queendom."

"I had never heard of such an arrangement in the context of a telenovela. They exist for films or a very short miniseries. Prior to any minute of any footage being filmed all the money should have been in the bank. That wasn't the case, hence we find ourselves in the position we're in."

ALSO READ: Paramount Africa's Queendom on BET shut down with cast and crew unpaid by Clive Morris Productions as MultiChoice's Showmax also gives Empini to another producer.

Tanzanian artist Lameck Ditto loses song copyright infringement case against MultiChoice Tanzania - report.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Tanzanian artist Lameck Ditto has lost his copyright infringement case against MultiChoice Tanzania.

The singer claimed Sh6 billion (R41,2 million) in damages over the alleged use of his song "Nchi Yangu" in SuperSport commercials on DStv as part of the pay-TV operator's 2019 African Cup of Nationa (AFCON) marketing campaign.

Tanzania's The Citizen reports that Tanzania's High Court dismissed the case brought by Lameck Ditto whose real name is Dotto Bwakeya, who filed a case in 2020 alleging copyright infringement.

In a 10-page ruling, Judge Salma Maghimbi said the song used by MultiChoice during its 2019 AFCON commercials was not the original track owned by Lameck Ditto.

MultiChoice silent over ending PSL Premiership sponsorship contract over a year early as BetWay takes over, now says it only paid for sponsorship to help football during Covid-19 pandemic as stopgap support.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is silent and refuses to say why it abruptly withdrew as title sponsor of the Premier Soccer League's Premiership tournament more than a year before the existing contract was to end, with MultiChoice now saying it only took over the sponsorship as an effort to help South African football during the Covid-19 pandemic as stopgap support.

On Wednesday the desperate PSL announced that gambling company Betway has come to the cash-strapped PSL's rescue as title sponsor after the financially struggling MultiChoice which is now technically insolvent, abruptly pulled out just four years into its 5-year deal.

MultiChoice and the PSL's DStv Premiership deal was only supposed to end in September 2025 after the two signed a multi-million rand 5-year deal in September 2020 after ABSA Bank abruptly terminated its sponsorship after 13 years.

The PSL said it would never make deals with gambling companies and is so desperate for any money that it has now signed a R900 million sponsorship deal with the online sports and gambling company Betway out of sheer desperation for cash.

The gambling company will sponsor the PSL's Premiership for three years and R900 million, with the option to renew it for longer period.

"We now have Betway Premiership as the sponsor of the league," Irvin Khoza, PSL chairman said on Wednesday at a media conference, confirming what media reported last week that Betway would be taking over the sponsorship from MultiChoice.

Both Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO and Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO attended Wednesday's media conference where MultiChoice's drop as title sponsor and Betway taking over was officially confirmed.

After Wednesday's announcement, TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice again why it withdrew more than a year from a signed contract.

MultiChoice in response to the media query said it "acknowledges and congratulates the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Betway on their new partnership".

"Having taken over the sponsorship at the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic as part of our efforts to support and nurture South African football, we are incredibly proud of our role in bringing the beautiful game to millions of fans across the country."

"As the home of entertainment, we remain committed to showcasing South African sport content on our platforms and will continue to be passionate supporters of football in the country. We wish the PSL and all the teams the very best for the upcoming season and beyond."

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and SuperSport abruptly end sponsorship of PSL's DStv Premiership a year before contract runs out, plunges PSL into financial crisis - report.

Without warning Netflix does second 2024 price hike in Nigeria, this time by up to 83%.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has just hiked prices in Nigeria for a second time in 2024 and without warning - this time by up to 83% and hitting its lowest-paying subscribers on its mobile-only plan the hardest.

The global streaming service unexpectedly hiked its monthly subscription fees in the West African country in April this year, and has now once again increased fees after just three months.

According to Netflix's website, the streamer's premium plan now suddenly cost N7000 - an increase of 40% from N5000.

Netflix's standard plan has increased 37.5% from N4000 to N5500, while the basic plan got hiked 21% from N2900 to N3500. 

Netflix's cheapest - its mobile plan - was shockingly increased by a whopping 83% from N1200 to N2200.

Netflix hasn't given any explanation for the price hike although Nigeria struggles with rampant inflation and a worsening economy. Netflix gave existing subscribers no warning that another pending price hike would be implemented.

Inside Out 2 lifts the South African box office as the Pixar picture becomes the top animated film of all time globally.

by Thinus Ferreira

A rising animation film will always lift all cinema attendance, with Pixar's Inside Out 2 which has now become the top animated film of all time at the global box office and also helped propel South African cinema somewhat out of its box office slump.

Inside Out 2 from Disney's Pixar has officially surpassed Frozen 2 at the global box office with an estimated earning of $1.46 billion. Frozen 2 during its theatrical release made $1.45 billion worldwide.

Another record? Inside Out 2 is the highest-grossing film of 2024 so far. It's now also Pixar's highest-grossing film of all time worldwide.

It all makes it highly likely that there will be an Inside Out 3 with more mixed emotions.

Ster-Kinekor says that films like Inside Out 2, along with releases like Despicable Me 4 and Bad Boys: Ride or Die as the top three performing titles, have caused average weekly cinema attendance to more than double over the last four weeks.

These three films earned a cumulative R60 million at South Africa's box office, with Ster-Kinekor saying that the cinema theatre chain is confident that the uptick in local cinema attendance will continue for the rest of the year.

"It is satisfying to see a big shift in audience numbers, thanks to a selection of great content that’s appealing to different audience profiles," says Eric Blignaut, Ster-Kinekor's national sales manager.

"For our advertisers, it is further validation of their investment in the channel. What is exciting is the wide variety of films in different genres set for release on the circuit, ensuring there is something to appeal to everyone across our diverse audience profile."

Opening in South African cinemas over the next few weeks are Twisters, Long Legs, Fly Me to the Moon, It Ends with Us and the much-anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine.

"It's all about Beetlejuice in September, with the sequel to Joker, Joker: Folie À Deux, which sees Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker, and Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest, releasing in October."

"As we head towards the year-end and holidays, audiences will be spoilt for choice with titles including Gladiator 2, Wicked Part 1, and Disney's Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King, both of which will make for great family viewing," Eric Blignaut says.

"What is also encouraging is that we are attracting new advertisers and first-time brands onto our screens, which we believe is reaffirming cinema's trajectory to recovery."