BBC Studios shutters its BritBox video streamer in South Africa after 3 years.

by Thinus Ferreira

The BritBox video streaming service is shutting down in South Africa and exiting in August just three years after it launched in South Africa and forms part of the ongoing trend of global streamer operators closing the taps on their money-guzzling video-on-demand plans for the African continent.

BritBox SA, run by BritBox International as a joint venture between BBC Studios and ITV, launched in South Africa in August 2021 as the fifth territory and only African region it expanded to. 

Earlier this year BBC Studios bought out ITV's share and took over full ownership of BritBox, also shutting down BritBox as a standalone service in the United Kingdom. 

BBC Studios runs the existing portfolio of BBC branded linear TV channels like BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Earth and CBeebies on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

In a statement, BritBox SA says "Sadly BritBox will be closing. Subscribers can watch all their favourite shows until August". BritBox joins the list of failed streamer attempts in South Africa like Altech Node, PCCW's OnTAPTV, Cell C's Black, Telkom ONE and Vodacom's Video Play. 

BritBox SA's PR company in South Africa in response to a media query says "BritBox is refocusing on its more established markets and the areas of the business that will have the highest opportunities for growth".

"A large proportion of the content on BritBox has been exclusive to the service in South Africa; however, we expect some of this great British programming will find a new home on other platforms and channels in the territory in the future. There is also a suite of BBC Branded channels on DStv - BBC Earth, BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC UKTV, CBeebies and BBC World News".

It's unclear with how many subscribers BritBox exits South Africa and why BBC Studios felt that continuing with the investment into BritBox for the territory wouldn't bear fruit.

A year after BritBox launched in South Africa, Reemah Sakaan, BritBox International CEO, noted that the company was pleased with the performance of BritBox SA, that it had "a really fantastic start" in the country and had "thousands and thousands" of users. 

The shuttering of BritBox SA comes after the abrupt exit of AMC Networks' Acorn TV, another British streaming service, from South Africa in November 2022 after four years.

The shuttering of BritBox SA is part of a larger trend of the ongoing funnel of investment into streaming services in South Africa and across the African continent being markedly decreased.

It follows after a reset and decrease in budgets for content spending for streamers in the United States and with these decisions rippling outwards globally.  

Earlier this year Amazon MGM Studios shocked producers in South Africa and elsewhere on the African continent when all further projects and all TV and film projects already under development for its Amazon Prime Video service were abruptly cancelled. Amazon also retrenched its South African and Nigerian content commissioning teams.

Last year Netflix also said that it's decreasing its investment on content spending for African Originals, while Disney+ - which is only operational in South Africa in sub-Saharan Africa - also saw the culling of already-commissioned and filmed projects for the EMEA region.

MultiChoice's relaunched Showmax streamer as a joint venture with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky is the one African streaming service that has upped its capital expenditure and content investment over the past year to try and radically increase subscriber acquisition on the continent.

Paramount Global, which is struggling and under immense financial pressure in the United States, took too long to launch in South Africa and shelved plans to launch Paramount+ as a standalone service in the country. 

Instead, it recently opted to partner with MultiChoice and become just a branded studio tile destination within the relaunched Showmax service. Warner Bros. Discovery is yet to indicate when or whether it still plans to launch its streaming service Max in South Africa.

Showmax, Netflix SA, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV+ are the main video streaming services aggressively trying to scoop up subscribers in South Africa. While battling each other, they also contend with smaller services like SABC+, eMedia's eVOD, PCCW Media's VIU, Marquee TV, PrideTV and CineMagic all trying to make inroads into the space.

Video streaming service Acorn TV shutting down in South Africa after 4 years without explanation, asks users to cancel their subscriptions.

by Thinus Ferreira

Acorn TV is shutting down in South Africa four years after it became available in the country, as the next video streaming service going dark in South Africa's fiercely contested streaming wars.

Acorn TV, a global video streamer that launched in South Africa in December 2018 and 29 other countries after its launch in 2011 in America and Canada, is now shuttering without explanation, and offered a library carousel of British and international TV series, as well as some new original shows.

When it launched in South Africa, Acorn TV said that it was "excited for global fans of British and international drama and mystery to discover the wonders of Acorn TV with addictive series featuring stellar acting, beautiful settings, and gripping storylines" and that it would offer "a wide assortment of first-rate British and international television".

Acorn TV, owned by AMC Networks' RJL Entertainment, was competition for BritBox SA, jointly run by the BBC and ITV, that launched in South Africa in August 2021 also offering British on-demand television content, as well as for the linear British pay-TV channels available in South Africa like BBC Brit, BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC World News supplied by BBC Studios Africa to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

Acorn TV that billed South African subscribers in rand and has a subscription price of R79 per month and an annual plan of R799 per rand, is now warning South African subscribers in a message on its website that "Acorn TV will no longer be available in South Africa" and that users should cancel their subscriptions.

"We regret to inform you that Acorn TV will shut down in South Africa by the end of 2022. If you signed up online, please cancel your subscription by going to My Acorn TV and then Manage Account", the streamer says.

Executives of AMC Networks didn't respond with answers to a media query made earlier this week seeking comment about why Acorn TV is shutting down in South Africa, its subscriber count over the past four years and what the experience of operating in the country has been like.

The shuttering of Acorn TV comes a week after Telkom got out of the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) business by handing its TelkomONE streamer over to the South African public broadcaster which was rebranded and repurposed as SABC+.

Acorn TV's demise in South Africa leaves TV viewers with video streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, eMedia's eVOD, MultiChoice's Showmax, BritBox SA, VIU, SABC+, TruthTV, WOW Presents Plus, MarqueeTV and Jou Afrikaans (JA).

 

ALSO READ: Video streaming service Acorn TV launches in South Africa and another 29 countries with the best of British telly.

Filming starts on 10-episode South African drama series Recipes for Love and Murder as another M-Net international co-production with AMC Networks' Acorn TV starring Maria Doyle Kennedy and Tony Kgoroge.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net is doing another international co-production for a drama series, this time Recipes for Love and Murder that is a 10-episode South African murder mystery series done with the global streaming service Acorn TV from AMC Networks with principal photography that is starting today.

Recipes for Love and Murder will premiere on M-Net (DStv 101) in March 2022 and throughout 2022 on Acorn TV.

The series is based on Sally Andrew's acclaimed novel Recipes for Love and Murder: A Tannie Maria Mystery that Oprah's Book Club raved about for its "mouth-watering food and landscapes" and was translated in 16 languages.

The novel was adapted for television by South African writer Karen Jeynes who is also an executive producer, with the Scotland-based director/writer Annie Griffin as story consultant and co-executive producer.

Recipes for Love and Murder stars Maria Doyle Kennedy as an empathetic, accomplished and complicated recipe advice columnist for a small-town gazette who investigates the murder of one of her correspondents, as well as Tony Kgoroge who plays Khaya Meyer, the local chief detective.

Recipes for Love and Murder also stars Elton Landrew as Constable Piet and Arno Greeff as Warrant Officer Regardt Snyman, Jennifer Steyn as the editor of the local paper, and Lee Duru as Grace, a domestic worker whose story shakes up the town.

Recipes for Love and Murder is being filmed in Cape Town, in the semi-arid region of the Karoo and in Scotland.

Recipes for Love and Murder is produced by the Cape Town-based Both Worlds Pictures, in collaboration with Pirate Production in Scotland), and is helmed by the South African directors Christiaan Olwagen and David Isaacs.

Maria Purvis (nicknamed “Tannie Maria,” meaning “Auntie Maria” in Afrikaans), is a middle-aged advice columnist who moved to Scotland as a child along with her parents and returned 10 years ago to South Africa after her husband died.

She now dishes out help and recipes via the local gazette in the imaginary South African town of Eden, in the beautiful region of the Karoo.

Mostly keeping to herself, focusing on food, gardening, and showing kindness to others, she is often thought of as an old lady before her time.

When Martine, a woman who writes to Maria about her abusive husband, is found dead, Maria joins forces with a local, risk-taking, rookie journalist, Jessie September (newcomer Kylie Fisher), to solve the small-town murder and catch the killer - before the local police finds more victims.

Recipes for Love and Murder is produced by Both Worlds Pictures' founder Thierry Cassuto in collaboration with Pirate Production's Jenny Williams, with development support provided by Screen Scotland.

Executive producers for Recipes for Love and Murder include Catherine Mackin and Lesley Pemberton from Acorn Media Enterprises, Yolisa Phahle, Allan Sperling and Jan du Plessis for M-Net, Thierry Cassuto and Karen Jeynes for Both Worlds Pictures.

M-Net will hold the exclusive rights to the series in Africa, Acorn TV will hold the exclusive rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, while Global Screen will handle distribution for the rest of the world.

The series will premiere on M-Net 101 in March 2022 and throughout 2022 on Acorn TV.

"Recipes for Love and Murder has just the perfect ingredients for a rich, appetizing mystery drama, and the beloved Maria Doyle Kennedy will make a wonderful fit as the empathetic recipe advice columnist with a mysterious past," says Catherine Mackin, managing director of Acorn Media Enterprises, in a prepared statement.

"We look forward to bringing this first-ever TV dramatisation of Sally Andrew’s renowned novels to life. This series is a prime example of the kind of fascinating, masterfully-written stories set around the globe which we're proud to offer on Acorn TV."

Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment and connected video, says "MultiChoice is delighted to partner with Acorn TV and Global Screen on this brilliant murder mystery series".

"We are proud to be working with South Africa's talented writer Karen Jeynes and award-winning directors Christiaan Olwagen and David Isaacs. This partnership will continue to put MultiChoice on the forefront of high-quality African television that promotes our ongoing commitment of being Africa’s most-loved storyteller."

Thierry Cassuto of Both Worlds Pictures says "We are thrilled to partner with M-Net, Acorn and Global Screen to produce this ambitious series brilliantly adapted by Karen Jeynes from the delicious Sally Andrew novels".

"Viewers can look forward to a dazzling cast and a very intriguing story with a unique tone, which brings together small-town life, murder, love and mouth-watering food, which our extraordinarily talented director Christiaan Olwagen likes to present as The Killing meets Chocolat."

A black Friday as Cell C shuts down its loss-making Cell C black video streaming service after just 2 years.

by Thinus Ferreira

It's a black Friday on Black Friday in South Africa for the struggling Cell C which is shutting down its loss-making Cell C black video streaming service two years after it launched in November 2017.

The mobile operator poured over R1 billion into the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service that is the next victim in the vicious streaming wars where it tried to compete in the small but growing market against rivals ranging from Netflix South Africa and Amazon Prime Video to MultiChoice's Showmax and DStv Now, PCCW Media's VIU, DEOD, Vodacom Video Play, Acorn TV and others.

Now Cell C black that failed to generate revenue, will shut down on 31 December 2019, joining a list of previous streamers who shuttered ranging from VIDI and the Altech Node to OnTapTV, Kwesé Play and Kwesé TV, and others.

In an SMS to Cell C black subscribers, the company says it's giving customers a Showmax voucher that will give them access to Showmax for free for 3 months and that the service will shutter on 31 December 2019.

"To fill your entertainment gap, we're giving you 3 months' free Showmax on us," says Cell C black in the SMS. 

Cell C launched Cell C black, accessed through its own set-top box (STB) called the blackBOX, as well as through web browsers in November 2017 but in late-August 2019 abruptly shut down the streaming of all of its linear TV channels, leaving only on-demand programming.

The 40 linear TV channels on Cell C black ranged from FOX and National Geographic, to TNT, Trace and Al Jazeera.

At the time Cell C black told its customers and subscribers that it was "experiencing difficulties which are affecting our live TV channels" that the IT-division is trying to solve - a notice still being displayed on the service's website.

"Our decision to reconfigure our product and services is part of putting the business on the right track," Douglas Craigie Stevenson, Cell C CEO, said in a supplied statement three months ago about the radical reduction in the services offered by and investment in Cell C black.

Candice Jones, Cell C spokesperson, told TVwithThinus on Thursday night in response to a media enquiry that Cell C black is shutting down, saying that "Following a review of the company’s product portfolio and decision to redirect expenditure to revenue generating initiatives, Cell C can confirm that it will decommission its streaming content service, black on 31 December 2019."

"Content remains part of Cell C’s broader strategy, however, we have had to carefully look at how we approach this to ensure we provide a sustainable service that customers want while at the same time offer a service that makes commercial sense to the business."

"The company suspended all linear live TV channels on the platform in September. Cell C will not be accepting any new registrations on the black service, and will be refunding customers for outright movie purchases. Existing customers will be able to use the service until 31 December 2019."

"Cell C is in the process of notifying existing customers on black of its decision to end this service."

Cell C poured R523.9 million into Cell C black during its 2017 financial year and another R523.9 million in content acquisition to buy licensing rights to TV shows, films and the streaming rights to TV channels.

In August 2018 Cell C in a statement said that 2.5 million people had "browsed" through the content on the Cell C black catalogue and sampled some of the offering with 60 000 transactions that had been completed and 260 000 customers who had made use of the free trial option.

In January 2019 Cell C black dramatically cut down its free trial period from 30 days to just 7.

In late-September Cell C in its financial report said that it's cutting back spending on Cell C black by at least R120 million and that it is "reviewing the channel options for the black video streaming service – which will ensure a saving of R120 million annually with additional savings expected as Cell C continues to right-size this business unit".

Douglas Craigie Stevenson said that its investment in the creation of Cell C black was a big mistake, noting that "Cell C black was not the right play for Cell C. We didn't have the resources to compete in that environment."

Acorn TV streaming service appoints Kerensa Samanidis to new role of international general manager.

The Acorn TV video streaming service from AMC Networks specialising in an offering of British TV content has appointed Kerensa Samanidis in the newly-created role of general manager of international.

In the new position Kerensa Samanidis will be responsible for the overall development, management and operation of the TV streaming service for all markets outside of the Americas.

Based in London in the United Kingdom, Kerensa Samanidis will oversee strategy, programming, product, marketing and distribution, and will report to Matthew Graham, general manager of Acorn TV.

In December 2018 Acorn TV expanded into dozen more territories worldwide, including South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Scandinavia, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Kerensa Samanidis has been a consultant for Acorn TV and brings expertise in over-the-top (OTT) strategy and management to her new role.

Rakhee Birdi has also joined the company as marketing director for Acorn TV's international team.

Matthew Graham says "We're thrilled to have Kerensa join the Acorn TV family and grow our international subscribership. Since launching in dozens of territories last year, we've seen extraordinary worldwide interest in the service and its first-rate catalogue of exclusive international dramas, mysteries, and comedies".

"With Kerensa’s past success with streaming services, we expect her to play a vital role in our continued international growth."

Kerensa Samanidis says "Acorn TV has achieved monumental success in the United States and Canada and I'm delighted to be joining the talented team to continue this success story in new markets".

"The demand for quality British TV has never been higher so it’s exciting to be working on a service with such strong potential at such a pivotal time within the OTT industry."

Video streaming service Acorn TV launches in South Africa and another 29 countries with the best of British telly.

Yet another global video streaming service, Acorn TV, has launched in South Africa offering users British and international television series.

Acorn TV, priced in dollar at $4.99 (R71.51) per month, is done from North America and has now expanded to become available in South Africa.

Acorn TV also expanded into a further 29 countries including Australia, New Zealand, India, as well as the Caribbean (Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, Dominica, Antigua, Barbuda, Belize), Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland) and South American countries (Venezuela, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Guyana).

The subscription video-on-demand service (SVOD) at www.acorn.tv joins the crowded field of existing video streamers available in South Africa, including Netflix South Africa, Naspers' Showmax run by MultiChoice, Amazon Prime Video, TV2GO and Cell C black.

They're all going after the very small, but growing, video consumer segment in South Africa with digital access and who are willing to spend money on data besides a monthly subscription fee - a market set for rapid expansion as broadband penetration increases and data costs hopefully decrease in future.

Acorn TV that launched in 2011 in America and Canada, will also be competition for linear British TV channels available in South Africa like BBC First and BBC Brit from BBC Studios Africa supplied to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, as well as ITV's ITV Choice channel also running on DStv.

Acorn TV is run by RLJ Entertainment, owned by AMC Networks. Besides the website, Acorn TV is available as an Acorn TV app on Apple TV, Android, iPhone, iPads and Roku streaming players.

"Acorn TV is doing phenomenally well in North America, so we're thrilled to continue to take the Acorn TV experience globally with 30 new countries," says Matthew Graham, the senior vice-president and general manager for RLJ Entertainment.

"We are excited for global fans of British and international drama and mystery to discover the wonders of Acorn TV with addictive series featuring stellar acting, beautiful settings, and gripping storylines."

Acorn TV says it's adding new programmes weekly and has "a wide assortment of first-rate British and international television".

This includes the first 7 seasons of the British dramedy Doc Martin with season eight added on 17 December, the Irish detective drama Jack Taylor with Iain Glen, Benedict Cumberbatch in the British drama The Last Enemy, Daniel Craig in the wartime drama Sword of Honour and the complete series of the original Poldark.

Also on the Acorn TV carousel are the Australian cop drama East West 101, the British period drama The Bletchley Circle, Lynda La Plante's The Commander and Above Suspicion, the miniseries The Secret Agent, the drama Traffik, and documentaries like Britain's Bloodiest Crown and Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty.