BREAKING. Discovery's Animal Planet axed from DStv after 14 years at the end of December; MultiChoice says other 4 Discovery channels will remain in new carriage deal.

Animal Planet (DStv 183) is the next channel getting culled from MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service, with the channel from Discovery Networks International that will go dark in two weeks' time at the end of December after 14 years.

TLC Entertainment on DStv is also dropping the "Entertainment" and reverting back to just being known as TLC from January 2018.

These changes are very likely big parts of the reason why Discovery Networks didn't hold any year-end upfront presentation for South African advertisers and media this year, marking the first time in at least 7 years that Discovery in South Africa broke with its own annual upfront modus operandi.

Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region didn't respond when asked on Monday through its FleishmanHillard SA PR agency if Animal Planet is being removed off DStv, but on Thursday morning MultiChoice confirmed that Animal Planet is getting axed.

DStv added Animal Planet in 2003 but started cutting it back two years ago when the channel from Discovery was scaled back in December 2015 and removed from DStv Compact, making it only available to DStv Premium and DStv  Compact Plus subscribers only.

Recently DStv subscribers watching Animal Planet noticed a warning advisory on the Animal Planet DStv electronic episode guide (EPG) saying the channel will be discontinued on 30 December.

Interestingly, Discovery Networks CEEMEA didn't have any end-of-year upfront for advertisers and the press in South Africa for the first time in years.

Discovery's conspicuously absence at the annual upfront show-and-tell circuit was noticeable since Discovery in South Africa's upfront is widely regarded by the TV, advertising and media industry as the best annual upfront presentation year after year for over the last half a decade since at least 2010.

MultiChoice says despite Animal Planet being removed from DStv, "customers will not miss out, as some of the much-loved shows will be available on the other Discovery channels, including shows such as Treehouse Masters, which will move to Discovery Channel, while shows such as Tanked and Insane Pools: Off The Deep End will move to Discovery Family."

MultiChoice says it will be launching a new channel from Discovery in mid-2018 with some of Discovery's other animal and wildlife content that will be made available on this unnamed channel as well.

Animal Planet has been left out of a new MultiChoice carriage deal with Discovery Networks International that will see the Discovery Channel, TLC Entertainment, Discovery Family and Investigation Discovery (ID) continue on the DStv platform.

MultiChoice says the new carriage agreement includes "extended video-on-demand and Catch Up hours for Discovery’s entire portfolio" and for the first time TLC Entertainment, ID and Discovery Family shows".

"All four of Discovery’s channels will be available to launch on DStv Now from early 2018, meaning DStv customers will be able to enjoy the best of Discovery, anywhere, any time".

MultiChoice will also upgrade ID, Discovery Family and TLC Entertainment to high definition (HD) channels on DStv soon.

"Our customers love the Discovery family of channels and we're pleased that we could renew this agreement, including offering this world-class content to our customers wherever they are, to watch whenever they are ready," says Yolisa Phahle, CEO: General Entertainment at MultiChoice.

Discovery has included a statement in the MultiChoice statement, but isn't saying anything about the axing of Animal Planet.

"Our channels and content have been providing hours of enjoyment for DStv customers for many years and we’re thrilled to continue this legacy, with an unbeatable slate of programming across our portfolio which, thanks to this renewed agreement, DStv customers will now be able to access whenever and however it suits them," says Dilek Doyran, the vice president and country manager for Africa at Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

Discovery has been asked again for a comment on Thursday on Animal Planet's axing after confirmation that the channel will be removed from DStv.

When or if Discovery CEEMEA responds about its channel leaving the airwaves in South Africa after 14 years, that response will be added here.

Discovery's TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) channel will also from January 2018 revert back to just being called TLC and will be dropping the "Entertainment" add-on from its name, TVwithThinus has confirmed.

Discovery changed TLC to TLC Entertainment in October 2013 when it added programming from Oprah Winfrey's OWN but after 4 years it is now changing back to just TLC.

According to Discovery the move of TLC Entertainment back to just TLC is part of a wider global brand alignment. "The channel itself and its content will remain the same," says Discovery.

INTERVIEW. 'Show courage'. Riaan Manser talks about his new series, How to Adventure on Discovery Channel, fatherhood and shares his 3 golden rules for stepping out and tackling life.

"Show courage. Take the first step." So says the South African adventurer, Riaan Manser, who is taking everyday people on big adventures in his brand-new locally produced series How to Adventure starting on Discovery Channel (DStv 121) on Tuesday 14 November at 21:00.

Produced by Oxyg3n Media, in How to Adventure Riaan Manser takes South Africans out of their comfort zone, travelling across the country on interesting and nail-biting adventures.

From snorkeling with seals while keeping an eye out for sharks, to jumping off cliffs and bridges, deep sea fishing and mountain hiking, Riaan Manser will show viewers in 12 episodes that anyone can have an adventure, an in-between offers tips and tricks for rookie adventurers everywhere, drawing on his years of experience travelling the world.

"Riaan's travel tales have captured the imaginations of viewers worldwide and we are thrilled to present this 12-part series where he showcases even more of South Africa's magnificent scenery and the thrilling adventures the country has to offer," says Dilek Doyran, the Discovery Network International's vice president of commercial development and country manager for Africa

Speaking during a presentation session at the recent DStv Media Showcase for the press held at MultiChoice City in Randburg, Johannesburg, Riaan Manser said the show came about because "I always knew I wanted to do something where I could share adventure with other people".

"All of us like adventure. And we want to share it with other people, so very simply How to Adventure came about just with my idea thinking, 'How can I get other people to do adventurous things?"

"We've been growing in this How to Adventure journey in that we realised in having the person as the guest doing adventure, we actually learn more about them than when we interview them."

"We hope the first season is going to be incredible. We hope we're going to get even better. It's exciting and a new take on adventuring in television and we're proud that it gets showcased on Discovery," said Riaan Manser.

TVwithThinus asked Riaan Manser for his thoughts on the lack of local and quality local adventure programming, and as local TV is starting to master doing good cooking shows, what his advice is for TV makers to properly approach and do the adventure genre well.

"The mentality of South African production companies: We need to be challenged, we need to look at what other production companies are doing and that's the only way we criticise ourselves on what we producing and putting on."

"When a broadcaster takes it, it doesn't mean that it is the greatest ever, ever, ever put on TV. And if we're honest with ourselves - we're going to create local but we're producing international. And I buy into that idea."

"I'm not partnering with Rebecca Fuller-Campbell, Oxyg3n Media CEO, and with Discovery Channel because I'm hoping it's just going to be on TV over here in South Africa. We've got to make it big globally," said Riaan Manser.

"The advice I think is to just be yourself. People who want to do adventure shows have to be authentic. A lot of people are trying to be a Bear Grylls, or trying to be this or that. South Africans are better than that."

Riaan Manser says anything that you have in your life that you want to take on - a task or an idea, three things will dictate if that can happen.

"The first thing is courage. If you're not going to be brave enough to take on the task you're talking about, it's just not going to happen. We can stand around a fire and we can chat about things. I can tell you from experience if I didn't take the courage to take the first step, nothing will happen in my life."

"I'm not the bravest person out there, but I am the person that will act. That's the difference between me and other people. Show courage - whether in your life or relationship or anything you do.Take that first step. Courage. Be brave."

"The second thing is perseverance. Perseverance will decide whether something will happen or not. Not just your enthusiasm through the first stage, second stage and third stage. It's about seeing something through, persevering."

"And the last thing is having the wrong attitude. Something I've been so guilty of. It's cliched, but it dictates whether you're going to be successful or not."

"Next time you're sitting in an environment where you're not doing candyfloss and lollipop stuff, look around the room. And ask yourself what attitude you're going to have," says Riaan Manser.

TVwithThinus also asked Riaan Manser how he thinks fatherhood is going to change him and if he's going to become more cautious, careful and more risk averse in life. He's becoming a first-time dad with his wife Vasti of their son James.

"Ooh, tough question. I'm as naive as I was when I sat on a bicycle [in 2005 he became the first person to have circumnavigate the coast of Africa by bicycle]."

"People look at me now and I stand in front of audiences. You should have seen me at the V&A Waterfront in 2003 for that bicycle trip of mine, climbing on that bicycle - 5 people and a dog saying goodbye to me."

"There was no razzmatazz for me. I stood there and I said 'I'm going to absolutely make this."

"I think the naivety I took on that trip - hey, that son of mine, his name is James. And we're going to give him the same enthusiasm that I think I'm known for. And if I put on the nappies the wrong way, that's okay for the first few times, I think I'm going to get the hang of it."

Riaan Manser says he and the family plans to just stay home as he gets used to fatherhood.

(But just for a little while.)

After quitting SABC1's Generations, Thando Thabete's risque TV talk show on TLC Entertainment on DStv will be entitled Thando Bares All.

Thando Thabethe as the latest on-air face to quit the South African public broadcaster will be starting her upcoming TV talk show on TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) in early 2018 that will be entitled Thando Bares All.

The "slightly risque" 8-episode Thando Bares All is produced by Oxyg3n Media and will see Thando Thabethe talking with people about "body positivity" and "things that society might be afraid or embarrassed to speak about".

Thando Thabethe recently quit her role on the SABC's Generations weekday soap on SABC1 for the chance to appeal to a pay-TV audience in a localised African TV talk show for Discovery Networks International's female-focused African channel feed of TLC Entertainment.

Thando Thabethe couldn't continue to be seen on the South African public broadcaster as a SABC face and as one of Discovery's new faces on TLC Entertainment and opted to take a chance on appealing and reaching out to a new audience after she appeared on TLC Entertainment in 2016 as a judge in a presenter search competition.

Topics in the 8 episodes of Thando Bares All will discuss polygamy, "naked attraction", outrageous style and body issues with themes borrowed and synchronising with other well-known TLC Entertainment programming.

Casissa Cupido, winnter of TLC Entertainment's Next Great Presenter Search 2016 and now the official TLC Entertainment voice-over artist, will film vox pop inserts with the public for Thando Bares All.

'When TLC approached me to present this show, I was ecstatic," says Thando Thabethe in a prepared statement.

"I'm a huge fan of the channel and thoroughly enjoyed with the brand as a judge for its Next Great Presenter competition in 2016."

"This for me is a step in the right direction for my career in the entertainment industry. I can't wait to start filming Thando Bares All and finding out what South Africans think about the topics that really matter," says Thando Thabethe.

"TLC Entertainment proudly celebrates inspirational, larger-than-life characters and we are incredibly excited to welcome Thando to the family," says Dilek Doyran, vice president of commercial development and country manager of Africa at Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA).

"Thando Bares All is about bringing people together and tackling topics we know our viewers will have strong opinions on."

"With her charismatic personality and unique presenting style, Thando was the perfect fit to front the series and we look forward to bringing even more 'OMG' moments to our viewers when Thando Bares All comes to TLC early next year," says Dilek Doyran.

"Oxyg3n Media are delighted to be working with TLC Entertainment on this new and exciting talk show," says Rebecca Fuller-Campbell, Oxyg3n Media CEO.

"We can't think of anyone better than Thando and Carissa to talk TLC topics with the heart that represents the channel."

"It has been a very interesting journey for us to decide what topics to discuss, but I have no doubt that the TLC audience will be captivated by this unique, colourful, heartfelt and slightly risque talk show."

HEIN? In its latest mistake, StarSat's Discovery Science channel from Discovery Networks International has switched to French.

The Discovery Science channel on StarSat in South Africa has switched to French for over a month now and counting - with no word from On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes South Africa running StarSat to the media as to why this is, if the mistake is going to be corrected, or what is going on.

The Discovery Science (StarSat 222) channel that suddenly switched from English to French over amonth ago without any warning or explanation to StarSat subscribers or the press, is the latest ongoing on-air mistake on StarSat's struggling pay-TV platform that has StarSat subscribers - pardon the French - fuming.

StarSat is constantly plagued by erratic interruptions of channels and StarSat subscribers complaining about the video and audio quality of channels, the ongoing abrupt removal of TV channels, channels "freezing" up, "going black" and the inaccurate, wrong and sometimes empty electronic programme guide (EPG).

Besides the odd language switch without warning, Discovery Science's StarSat electronic programme guide (EPG) has also been way out of sync and completely incorrect for weeks now, making it impossible for StarSat subscribers to know what is actually being shown and coming up on the channel.

Discovery Science's language switch to French is just the latest in a long list of StarSat channels abruptly changing languages the past two years - although it is definitely the longest period, touching on almost two months now, for a single channel.

It's been happening with several StarSat channels, from kids channels to movie and general entertainment channels, but usually would last a few hours to a few days.

There's been no notification or explanation so far from StarSat to the media.

Discovery Networks International that supplies Discovery Science to StarSat, also supplies several Channels from Discovery Channel and Discovery Family, Animal Planet, TLC Entertainment and others to rival MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform,but none of these channels on DStv in South Africa have ever switched from English to other languages.

On Friday, 3 February, StarSat that also again removed more TV channels recently - this time AMC, Odisseia, Trace Sport Stars, Kerrang and the Extreme Sports Channel - told irate StarSat subscribers that its "aware of all issues and matters affecting your viewing".

"Our technicians are working tirelessly to ensure that all issues are resolved so that you receive the best viewing entertainment pay-TV can offer".

"We also aware of the dissatisfaction of matters concerning channels and content displayed. Please rest assured that all your comments and queries are taken very seriously and are taken up with the relevant departments for review and assessment to ensure that you receive the best customer service and the best entertainment in pay-TV".

TVwithThinus reached out to both StarSat and Discovery Networks International on Wednesday. So far there's been no response from StarSat.

Dilek Doyran, the vice president of commercial development and country manager of Africa and the Mediterranean for Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) told TVwithThinus on Wednesday that "we provide StarTimes with Discovery Science in both English and French language."

"StarTimes is currently working on a solution to fix the issue for its English-speaking subscribers".