BBC Studios and Disney+ sets first Bluey movie for 2027 with creator Joe Brumm

by Thinus Ferreira

The year's most-watched show on Disney+ is becoming a film in 2027, with the animated kids series Bluey coming to the big screen in 2025 with its first theatrical release.

Disney and BBC Studios announced that 2024's number one series on streaming on Disney+ will become a film in 2027 under the Disney banner.

Following the global theatrical release, the Bluey movie will stream on Disney+.

The Bluey film, written and directed by Bluey creator Joe Brumm is a Ludo Studio production done with BBC Studios, and will bring the adventures of Bluey - a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her mum, dad and her little sister, Bingo - for the first time to cinemas.

The Bluey film will use the same vocal talent from the Australian series, including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey's mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, as well as music created by Bluey composer Joff Bush.

Joe Brumm, says "I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on the episode The Sign in season 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that".

"I've always thought Bluey deserved a theatrical movie. I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together."

In a statement, announcing the film, Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, said "Since its debut on Disney Junior (DStv 309) and Disney+, Bluey has become a global phenomenon, uniting families everywhere with its heartfelt stories of play, imagination and connection".

"We are so proud to expand upon our relationship with BBC Studios to bring the magic of Bluey to the big screen – for real life! – and we are deeply grateful to Joe Brumm for creating a world that continues to inspire and delight families everywhere."

In the statement, Tom Fussell, BBC Studios CEO, said "We are incredibly excited to take Bluey to cinemas given its extraordinary success on a global scale – it is some of the most popular IP in the world".

"BBC Studios has a long history of bringing the very best children's television to the world in new and exciting ways, so working with Joe and the team, we felt a feature-length film was the natural next step."

eMedia COO Antonio Lee is new Broadcast Research Council chairperson, Primedia's Jonathan Proctor and Kagiso's Nick Grubb added to board

by Thinus Ferreira

In leadership changes at the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC),  eMedia COO Antonio Lee is the new chairperson, with Kagiso Media's Nick Grubb and Primedia's Jonathan Procter who have joined the board.

Antonio Lee, eMedia Investments chief operating officer (COO) is now the new BRC chairperson and replaces Monde Twala, senior vice president & co-general manager for Paramount Africa & lead for BET International, who has been BRC chairperson since 2018.

Monde Twala will remain a BRC board member.

Nick Grubb, Kagiso Media chief executive for radio, and Jonathan Procter, Primedia group CEO, have joined the BRC board.

The BRC says that the outgoing board members Melissa McNally and Tracy Stafford will move to focus on technical oversight within the BRC's Radio Research Committee.

In 2025 the BRC plans to undertake "comprehensive research procurement and development processes that will further enhance audience measurement capabilities".

These include Radio Audience Measurement (RAMS) with a new Request for Proposal (RFP) which has been launched in the last quarter of this year and a supplier appointment which is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

In Television Audience Measurement (TAMS) a comprehensive RFP process is scheduled for the first two quarters of 2025 to improve South African television audience research methodologies further.

Ask Afrika has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive Establishment Survey that will provide universe updates for both television and radio sectors in 2025.

"These strategic moves are not just about changes or procuring new research," says Antonio Lee.

"They represent our commitment to delivering nuanced, accurate, and timely audience insights that will drive strategic decision-making across the media, marketing, and advertising landscapes."

Gary Whitaker, BRC CEO, says "Our ongoing mission remains the same which is to provide objective, transparent data that empowers our industry's understanding of audience dynamics."

Cast and crew of Paramount Africa's BET's Pound 4 Pound keeps up fight for payment from Bakwena Productions

by Thinus Ferreira

The crew and cast of Bakwena Productions and Paramount Africa's Pound 4 Pound series on BET (DStv 129) who are still unpaid after months are adamant that they must and will get the money owed to them and and won’t stop exposing the hidden plight of casts and crews who remain unpaid and are often forced to suffer financially in silence.

After multiple failed payment promises by Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe's Bakwena Productions the crew and cast refuse to let the non-payment issue go.

Since September crew and cast members have lost homes and been evicted, had to give up rentals in Johannesburg and move further away to where there's less potential work, had to sell camera equipment and even cars to try and survive financially.

Paramount Africa which commissioned the 13-episode Pound 4 Pound says it had paid its part of the production cost for the boxing series that was aired on its BET Africa (DStv 129) channel. 

Paramount Africa was asked last week but remains silent on whether it will work with Bakwena Productions again in future and whether it's changing the way it's dealing with South African productions in order to ensure that with upcoming shows an issue of non-payment of cast and crew does not occur.

Pound 4 Pound is the third Paramount Africa production where cast and crews are struggling to get their money due after the same thing happened with Clive Morris Productions' Isono and then also Queendom this year which were both BET Africa shows as well.

Last month Monde Twala, Paramount Africa senior vice president and general manager and lead for BET International, in response to a media query last month said that Paramount Africa had communicated with Bakwena Productions "to ensure that any outstanding payments are processed accordingly" and that it wants ensure that "any outstanding payments are addressed as swiftly as possible." 

That didn't happen and many workers are struggling to survive. 

None of the payment promises were kept and at the end of December, there were again no payments.

In October when a Pound 4 Pound crew member told Rashaka Muofhe in a text message that he is desperate to get paid what he was promised, Muofhe responded with a disinterested: "I'm of the opinion that the home was not purchased on my name".

Around 60 crew, actors and call actors who worked on Pound 4 Pound are represented by Advocate Carol-Ann Myburgh who have taken Bakwena Productions and Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe to court to get their money owed.

Brandon Auret who portrayed the character of Frans on Pound 4 Pound, tells TVwithThinus "another production that hasn't paid their crew and cast have now joined on as well".

"It's incredible how many people have come out the woodwork now. I think what's really sad is how scared people are to come forward and to speak out because they are afraid of working for people again, that then won't pay them."

Last week Auret had to put his own car up for sale as well. "Luckily my wife's got a car but I'm owed thousands of rand. They owe someone else R120 000, someone else R80 000," he says.

Paramount Africa didn't respond to a media query made since earlier last week asking what has been done to resolve the situation with the BET show, what its stance is towards Bakwena Productions, and what it makes of industry workers saying they're wary of working on BET shows in future, fearing now that they will also meet a fate of not getting paid.

Kagiso Modupe's phone rang unanswered when called for comment since earlier last week he didn't respond to text messages.

ALSO READ: Legal action starts against producer Kagiso Modupe after he fails to pay crew and cast of BET Africa's Pound 4 Pound: 'Poor show of morals'

SABC2 adds 13-episode profile talk show 30 Winds of Change with Clement Manyathela on Sunday nights

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC is adding a profile talk series, 30 Winds of Change to SABC2 from Sunday 15 December in which various well-known South African personalities will reflect on their journeys and that of South Africa over the past three decades of South African democracy.

The 13-episode 30 Winds of Change on Sundays at 21:30 on SABC2 has Clement Manyathela as the presenter who will have conversations with people ranging from Mfundi Vundla, the Generations creator, to SABC2's Morning Live presenter Leanne Manas.

The other personalities who will appear in the episodes include sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, former People of the South talk show host Dali Tambo, the South African politician Helen Zille, the former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, former public protector advocate Thuli Madonsela, and the founder of Gift of the Givers, Imitiaz Sooliman.

The business leader Nonkululeko Gobodo, the Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala, former university vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the journalists Mzilikazi wa Afrika and Mandy Wiener, as well as businessman Christo Wiese will also feature in 30 Winds of Change.

"It is an honour to engage with such iconic voices, who have played pivotal roles in shaping South Africa’s past, present and future," says Clement Manyathela in a press release about the show.

"This series is not just about looking back - it is about understanding where we are today and envisioning the future as a country."

Yonwaba Pangeni, SABC2 channel head [Note: The SABC didn't previously communicate that Yonwaba Pangeni has been appointed as SABC2 channel head], in a prepared quote, says "SABC2 has always been committed to delivering content that reflects South Africa's journey of progress".

"As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our country's democracy, SABC2 is proud to present shows like 30 Winds of Change that offer insightful entertainment and thought-provoking conversations with key figures."

Yonwaba Pangeni is new SABC2 channel head

by Thinus Ferreira

Yonwaba Pangeni is the new SABC2 channel head. She replaced Gerhard Pretorius.

Yonwaba Pangeni is actually the SABC2 channel head since September 2024 but the SABC didn't bother to inform the industry through any press release or appointment advisory at the time.

Yonwaba Pangeni, a marketing and brand specialist, previously worked for MultiChoice as a brand manager and for eMedia Holdings as a brand specialist.

Warner Bros. Discovery restructures into Global Linear Networks and Streaming & Studios

by Thinus Ferreira

On Thursday afternoon Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it's restructuring again, bundling its linear TV channel networks into one group known as Global Linear Networks, while keeping Streaming & Studios separate, as WBD reorganises its corporate structure from three groups into two.

The move from Warner Bros. Discovery comes half a month after Comcast announced in mid-November that it's getting rid of its traditional NBCUniversal pay-TV channels, carried by international pay-TV operators like MultiChoice's DStv, which it is selling off as its own company.

Warner Bros. Discovery in a Thursday afternoon corporate press statement says the corporate reorganisation, expected to be completed by mid-2025, "is designed to enhance its strategic flexibility and create potential opportunities to unlock additional shareholder value".

David Zaslav, WBD CEO, says "Since the combination that created Warner Bros. Discovery, we have transformed our business and improved our financial position while providing world-class entertainment to global audiences".

"We continue to prioritise, ensuring our Global Linear Networks business is well positioned to continue to drive free cash flow, while our Streaming & Studios business focuses on driving growth by telling the world's most compelling stories."

"Our new corporate structure better aligns our organisation and enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities across an evolving media landscape, help us build on our momentum and create opportunities as we evaluate all avenues to deliver significant shareholder value."

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, "the new corporate structure to enhance clarity and focus, with each division positioned to deliver on its specific strategic and operational objectives while executing on initiatives to further key priorities for consolidated Warner Bros. Discovery."

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, Global Linear Networks will be its linear television business that runs pay-TV channels like Discovery Channel, CNN International, TNT, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery (ID), TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Cartoon Network.

Streaming & Studios will be "a globally scaled streaming platform and storied film and entertainment studios with with a portfolio of the world's most-beloved intellectual property" like Max, Warner Bros. Mition Picture Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, and New Line Cinema.

After eNCA's 5 year blackout the TV news channel will cover events of South Africa's EFF political party again

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel will do on-the-ground coverage again of the country's EFF political party after a 5-year blackout, starting with this weekend's national people's assembly gathering set to take place at Nasrec in Johannesburg.

eMedia's eNCA stopped giving any physical coverage of the Economic Freedom Fighters party 5 years ago after eNCA decided to pull out of the EFF's national people's assembly gathering in 2019, after EFF leader Julius Malema called an eNCA reporter "a stupid journalist" after asking a question.

eNCA also said it's exiting from EFF coverage since the political party banned news media like The Daily Maverick, amaBhungane and Scorpio from its conference in 2019.

Since then, for the past 5 years, eNCA has not tried to cover and report on EFF-related on-the-ground news. Although eNCA kept reporting on the EFF, it has not actively attended any EFF events or actively done coverage or interviews with the political party.

In a statement on Thursday the EFF says "Following the fallout when eNCA pulled out of the 2nd national people's assembly in 2019, eNCA and the EFF have started a new chapter".

"eNCA acknowledges that the decision to pull out was unfortunate. Furthermore, both parties acknowledge it took longer than it was necessary to resolve the impasse."

"eNCA and the EFF recognise the vital role the media and political entities play in deepening democracy."

THe EFF says "Moving forward, both parties have affirmed their shared commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. We will work together in a manner that prioritises transparency, accountability and the public interest."

eMedia and eNCA haven't issued any statement on Thursday or explained anything about the reconciliation with the EFF party from the TV news channel's side.

Mzansi Magic adds Cobrizi as spinoff series from The River for March 2025 as 'gritty, heart-wrenching tale of survival'

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net is adding Cobrizi with Presley Chweneyagae in the role of Cobra as a 13-episode spinoff drama series from The River from March 2025 to the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) schedule from March 2025.

Cobrizi, like The River, is produced by Tshedza Pictures and added several of The River cast, including Thapelo Sebogodi as Kabzela as Cobra's best friend, and Winnie Ntshaba.

Also part of the cast is Thembsie Matu as Ous Sheila, Sivenathi Mabuya as Bongiwe, Paul Maila as Rajah, Ishmauel Songo as Peanut, Chrispen Nyathi as Raisin, Thobani Mbhele as Bangkok, and Moliehi Didie Makobane as Teresia.

New talent include Siphiwe Radebe as Simphiwe, Kadia Banyini as Nkanyiso, Xolani Mfeka as Bab' Dladla, and Charmaine Mncwabe as Ama.

Mzansi Magic says Cobrizi will be a "gritty, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful tale of survival, love and redemption". In Cobrizi, Cobra "tries to do right by his youngest child and prove he is not a loser. He unexpectedly finds love after moving to inner-city Johannesburg".

Cobra's story will start off with the character as "the same troubled, angry man viewers knew from The River - a survivor whose only way out has been through theft and hustling".

"His anger burns at the failed social system that's left him trapped in poverty, fueling his belief in radical change. He is still drawn to his beer, women and taverns but even a man like Cobra can evolve... if life gives him a fighting chance."

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, in a statement says "Cobra's story really resonated with our Mzansi Magic viewers because of the way it presented the glamorous lives of the Dlamini-Dikanas compared to the struggling Mokoenas. It's a story of hope, resilience, and community".

"Presley really brought tremendous depth and humour to the character and this is a way to explore this tortured man's world and see if his anger could be focused into tenacity to help him try to create a better life for himself."

TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Where are the 2024 interviews with SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli?

by Thinus Ferreira

Try to find a print interview with, or any available profile article on, SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli in 2024 in her first year as head of the South African public broadcaster.

I couldn't, and weirdly none seems to exist.

It's striking that the top executive of the South African public broadcaster didn't do any interviews this entire year that South Africa's film and TV industry could read to get a sense of who she is, or her plans and vision for the broadcaster.

Other SABC CEOs in the past have done interviews, and also done interviews when they were appointed - it also happens overseas, so there is precedent - as well as other SABC execs like when SABC News bosses have been appointed. They talk to the media in sit-down interviews for publications.

Nomsa, with a marketing background, hasn't.

Personally, I have myself as a journalist asked the SABC if it's possible to do an interview with Nomsa Chabeli since February this year, and constantly thereafter. 

Originally the SABC replied and said in February that they "haven't scheduled interviews for her as yet". This was odd since she was at that time already months' into the start of her job as SABC CEO.

Multiple people working in South Africa's TV biz - as well as people overseas - have already been wondering what Nomsa Chabeli might want to do at the SABC, how she sees her job and the position, what she sees as immediate challenges, what her vision is for the broadcaster and what she wants to achieve.

After February the SABC was asked numerous times, again, for months, if Nomsa Chabeli is able to do any interview. I kept follow up from my side, month after month, reaching out again, and asking for feedback on the possibility again.

Of course Nomsa Chabeli is busy and it's understandable. The SABC also said that Nomsa Chabeli is always busy. 

It's however quite striking that it didn't seem to be a priority for the South African public broadcaster to block time out of the SABC CEO's schedule to do sit-down interviews with the press.

Even when Nomsa Chabeli travelled to Mbombela in Mpumalanga to attend the Metro FM Awards in April, or to Cape Town to spend time in Primedia's MasterChef South Africa's kitchen at Atlantic Studios for a MasterChef SA dinner in October, there were no allowance for any interviews.

Compare this to how American and European CEOs of companies and other executives within the broadcasting, TV and film sphere quickly and often do print interviews. 

Somebody new in a position - especially that of CEO - wouldn't be appointed and not grant and do any print interviews at the start of their tenure. They even do exit interviews.

The industry and the myriad professionals working within the TV and film industry have a need to hear and read what CEOs - including the SABC's one - have to say, their stance on issues, and how they chart the part forward.

Believe me, I see and read the emails and messages, and have tried numerous times this year to do any type of interview with Nomsa Chabeli. It proved fruitless.

The last time I asked the SABC was last week (twice in December), and was then told, after being told during the year that she is constantly too busy, that Nomsa Chabeli "is not available for now".

If there are any print interviews with Nomsa Chabeli in future, reach out and I will add then with links, here, below for the benefit of all readers: 

We’ve Got Your Festive TV Line-up Ready with BBC Studios this December

Partner content

If a cosy festive celebration at home is right up your alley, then BBC Studios has an exciting lineup of Christmas specials this December to keep you and your loved ones entertained for hours on end.

As 2024 draws to a close, year-end becomes a time when we spend more time with friends and family, getting into the holiday spirit and celebrating the achievements of the year.

This holiday season, why not make the most of your time with your loved ones by settling in for an unforgettable line-up of festive entertainment with BBC Studios channels, available on DStv and DStv Catch Up? 

From laugh-out-loud comedies, suspicious mysteries, head-scratching game shows, and a lot of scrumptious food and banter, don’t miss the best entertainment for the whole family on BBC Brit (DStv 120), BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174), BBC UKTV (DStv 114), BBC Earth (DStv 184) and CBeebies (DStv 306).

What’s on this Christmas?

Explore BBC Studios’ hand-picked schedule of brand-new and classic shows to make DStv or DStv Catch Up your ultimate Christmas destination: 

Sunday, 15 December 2024

20:00 – Kirstie's Handmade Christmas: Special: 2023

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

British presenter, Kirstie Allsopp provides a flurry of jovial festive fun - with enough competitions, makes, decorations, gifts, food and drink to inspire every kind of crafter.

Monday, 16 December 2024

20:00 - The Great Pottery Throw Down Special: Christmas 2023

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

Four celebs roll up their sleeves and take on two yuletide challenges set by judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller.

Tuesday, 17 December 2024 

 

19:00 – Nigella's Amsterdam Christmas

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

With family ties to Amsterdam, celebrity cook Nigella Lawson returns for a special Christmas treat when she travels to the Venice of the North to enjoy the festive season. Nigella visits her favourite places, picks up special ingredients for her festive feasting and makes traditional Dutch dishes.

 

Saturday, 21 December 2024

19:00 – The Great British Bake Off: Christmas Specials 2022 

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

Famous faces from The Great British Bake Off history compete for the Christmas Star Baker title.

21:00 – Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza 

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

An access-all-areas look at how Christmas comes to life at one of the most famous hotels in the world, the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York, at their busiest time of the year where the guests expect a five-star service like no other.

 

Christmas Eve (Tuesday, 24 December 2024)

19:00 – Would I Lie to You? Season 11 Christmas Special

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

Enjoy a hilarious evening of outrageous truths and unbelievable lies with this classic quiz show, hosted by Welsh actor and comedian, Rob Brydon.

19:00 – The Great British Bake Off: Christmas Special: 2023

BBC Lifestyle, DStv Channel 174

Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith celebrate Christmas with the 'Baker Ghosts of Christmas Past', in a festive fete. 

Christmas Day (Wednesday, 25 December 2024)

18:00 – Weakest Link Christmas Special

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

British Comedian, Romesh Ranganathan brings his festive cheer to a star-studded Christmas special of The Weakest Link. Find out who will rise to the challenge and who will hear the dreaded words: "You are the weakest link."

19:00 – Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

Experience the sparkle, sequins, and sensational performances as Strictly adds a festive twist! 

Boxing Day (Thursday, 26 December 2024)

19:00 – The Masked Singer Christmas Special

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

Can you guess which celebrity is hiding behind the mask? Join the fun and festive suspense on the big entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. 

Friday, 27 December 2024

20:35 – QI Christmas Special

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

Sandi Toksvig hosts the ultimate quiz show full of witty banter and fascinating facts. 

Monday, 30 December 2024

20:00 – Death in Paradise Christmas Special

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as we return to the sun-drenched Saint Marie, joining the police team and a new Detective Inspector for a festive feature-length Death In Paradise Christmas special. 

New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, 31 December 2024)

21:00 – Mrs Brown’s Boys: New Year 2024: New Year, New Mammy

BBC Brit, DStv Channel 120

Kickstart your New Year with outrageous humour and heartfelt family moments with Mrs Brown and her three boys.

Keep the festive times rolling with BBC Studios, the home of exceptional British entertainment that offers an eclectic mix of shows for the whole family, full of food, game shows, shiny floor, lifestyle, drama and so much more.

Catch all the fun on DStv or DStv Catch Up, in case you missed some of your favourites. Let BBC Studios bring the joy of Christmas to your home this festive season.

For more information, visit BBC Studios Africa.

Or follow these social media pages:

IG: @bbcstudiosafrica

Facebook: BBC Lifestyle and BBC Brit Africa

X (Twitter): @BBCS_Africa

TikTok: @bbc.africa.channel

BBC Studios achieves standout growth in Africa for its linear channel business, reach on DStv up by 14%, on SABC3 up 24% in 2024

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios says it has achieved record-breaking performance for its linear channel business, with standout growth in Africa, alongside remarkable results across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.

In Africa, BBC Studios' linear portfolio on MultiChoice's DStv - including the BBC Lifestyle, BBC Brit, BBC UKTV, BBC Earth, and BBC News TV channels - expanded its reach by +14% in 2024.

According to BBC Studios, this growth marks the highest-ever performance for CBeebies and BBC UKTV, while BBC Lifestyle achieved its best results since 2017. 

Additionally, BBC Primetime, a bespoke two-hour content block on SABC3, has increased its reach by 24% compared to the same period last year.

According to BBC Studios, in the Netherlands, BBC First - BBC Studios' premium drama channel in the Netherlands - saw 2024 topping 2023 as its biggest year since launching in 2015. The channel has delivered a 2.3% 4+ market share to date in 2024, up +16% from last year.

In Poland, BBC Studios' channel portfolio of BBC Earth, BBC Brit, BBC First, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies is also on track to deliver its highest share in 2024 (0.82%, 4+) since the portfolio launched in 2015.

Here BBC Earth and BBC First delivered the highest annual share ever in 2024.

In the Nordics, BBC Nordic - BBC Studios' multi-genre linear channel available in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland - has ranked as the biggest international channel in its competitive set in Norway in October and November. 

In November, the channel delivered the highest share since launch (1.2%, 4+), and the channel has seen a +53% increase in share in 2024 compared to 2023, when it launched.

Arran Tindall, chief commercial officer, EVP, EMEA Key Markets, in a statement, says "2024 has been a record year for our channels business in EMEA".

"We have seen incredible numbers across our whole channel portfolio in the Netherlands, Poland, Africa and the Nordics, and I am extremely proud of the growth we have seen this year."

"This success is a testament to BBC Studios' extensive breadth of high-quality content and the careful curation by our teams to deliver engaging schedules that resonate with local tastes and audiences in each of our markets."

TV REVIEW. Food Network's Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is a magnificent magical delight

by Thinus Ferreira

9¾ TVs

Is there still something like television for everyone? Something that any combination of people, any combination of ages, any family members and any person can plop down for, switch on, watch, and instantly will love and watch to the end? Yes. And Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking on the Food Network is it. 

And it's perfect.

The very idea and conceptualisation of Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking on the Food Network (DStv 175) is genius. So is its television production. How did nobody think of this years ago?

In a muggle world so divided, so hurried, so angst-filled, so full of stress and in-fighting and people scattering to their own screens, the cake-make show is a delightful, utterly magical, extremely unifying TV watching experience perfect for any combination of family members to watch together, or just a magical treat for yourself. 

Within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts (the "real" one at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios that was never struck after the films were completed and is a studio tour experience by day), Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is Netflix's Is It Cake? on a flour and icing sugar high.

With the beloved Carla Hall and Jozef Youssef as judges, keep the remote control close: You will want to press pause and also press the rewind-and-play buttons as you stare, and stare again, at what's possible when muggles are able to create magic.

In Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking that transports you to another world - literally - nothing is ugly, as a piece of television that truly transfigurates the viewing experience. Watch just an episode - any episode - and you cannot but go away and be left inspired.

Extremely talented cake makers and pastry artists (of course one will even have an architecture background!) craft the stuff of dreams. 

Here, for an hour, the only challenge is really just themselves to conjure up cakes that truly defy belief but really exist, as if by magic, within a real world bound by things like time, gravity and the stickiness (or not!) of chocolate viscosity. Will it hold?

The Food Network's latest series is a spellbinding culinary TV adventure for any age and any person who just needs that moment of escapism, that moment of getting filled up again, and to literally see that there are still many people aspiring to achieve, be better, and to make beautiful things in a fractured world.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking will obviously captivate fans of the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling, but baking enthusiasts alike, as well as ordinary viewers who might care not for cake baking or the Potterverse.

While this enchanting competition series brings together the magical realm of Harry Potter and the art of baking, resulting in a truly unique and captivating viewing experience, its viewing impact and ability to surprise, stretches much wider than Potter or cake dough.

The attention to detail from both a production design perspective to the detail the creators bring to their cakes are superlatively impressive. 

If you dream of making things - anything - this show and the people in it will inspire you to dream bigger and be better at what you can or want to do.

As an immersive experience, colourful and well edited, the 6-episode Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking crafts and presents an enchanting environment that perfectly captures the whimsical spirit of the Harry Potter world.

The contestants, all skilled bakers and Harry Potter fans, bring their A+ game to the competition.

Throughout the episodes they face challenges that test their baking skills, creativity, and knowledge of the wizarding world. They don't bake - they overwhelm you with head-shaking, jaw-dropping, visually stunning impossibilities.

Of course Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is an owl-delivered love letter to the Harry Potter franchise, with clever references and nods to the beloved books and films. 

At the same time, it's a celebration of the art of baking, with creative challenges and mouth-watering creations that will inspire viewers to get baking. 

It's also a love letter to the better part of what television is capable of and the better part of humanity: Of upliftment, of inspiration, of TV that brings joy. 

Watch Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking and be inspired by seeing people who don't just have big dreams but practically work to turn their magical aspirations into reality.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is on The Food Network (DStv 175) on Wednesdays at 17:00, from 4 December 2024