Paramount Africa ramps up and expands its Nickelodeon 'Nick in your language' South African dubbing plan with more shows in isiZulu and Afrikaans

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa that has found success and has been able to bring new DStv subscribers and viewers into its fold, is ramping up and expanding its dubbing initiative of Nickelodeon shows in other South African languages and will roll out even more programming given Afrikaans and isiZulu soundtracks.

Paramount Africa's growing offering of language-localised Nickelodeon content follows after its tremendous success - now duplicated by BBC Studios Africa with CBeebies - of PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants in Afrikaans and isiZulu.

Nickelodeon is now expanding its "Nick in Your Language" initiative and will roll out further fan-favourite titles in local South African languages.

Since September some of Nickelodeon's most popular series are now available in both Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons (DStv 308), which Paramount Africa says allows "younger viewers to connect with their favourite heroes in their home language".

The upcoming line-up includes Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rubble and Crew, SpongeBob SquarePants, and others.

Dora the Explorer's first season is now in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons at 08:00 since 16 September, while the first season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons from 29 September at 17:00.

The first season of Rubble and Crew will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons from 4 November at 08:30, while season 13 of SpongeBob SquarePants will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on 4 November on NickToons at 8:30.

The second season of PAW Patrol will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons on 25 November at 08:00.

Dillon Khan, vice president of Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Studios & Creative Services for Africa), says "We're incredibly proud to bring some of Nickelodeon's biggest shows to South Africa in Afrikaans and isiZulu, furthering our commitment to making kids' entertainment more accessible and inclusive".

"This project is all about celebrating the diverse languages and cultures of our audience while giving kids the chance to engage with their favourite shows in a way that resonates with them."

Nickelodeon says as it continues to broaden its "Nick in Your Language" initiative, viewers can look forward to more titles and content "that reflects South Africa's rich cultural landscape and serves as a testament to our beloved rainbow nation".

Paramount's Nickelodeon splats back with latest on-air rebrand and flips to high-definition on DStv.

by Thinus Ferreira

It took several days and multiple media queries without any responses from any of Paramount Africa's PR companies trying to get something but on Friday afternoon Paramount finally sent a press release to confirm the on-air rebrand of its Nickelodeon (DStv 305) TV channel that also became a HD TV channel on 1 November on MultiChoice's DStv.

Days ago, before the November rebrand and HD flip came into effect, TVwithThinus made media queries to two of Paramount Africa's PR agencies used in South Africa, asking and asking again, without any help.

On Friday afternoon, Natalie Mdladla, senior director of communications at Paramount Africa, sent a press release about the Nickelodeon rebrand which happened a few days ago.

According to Paramount Africa, the updated brand identity is a throwback to the channel's "irreverent history".

"It includes a reimagined Splat logo, but with a modern feel for today's kids and families. The rebrand is live on Nickelodeon and will be launching on Nick Jnr from November and on NickToons in 2024," the company says in the statement.

According to Paramount Africa, "The new brand identity positions the brand Nickelodeon and its re-imagined splat as the ultimate portal to fun - a gateway to surprising experiences Nick kids of all ages will love. This new take on the brand's classic look and feel demonstrates for kids just what can happen when you enter the splat with Nickelodeon".

Nickelodeon also moved from a standard definition to a high definition (HD) channel on MultiChoice's TV channel line-up.

"For us at Nickelodeon, the reimagined splat logo brings our mission of making the world a more playful place come to life," says Dillon Khan, vice president for Nickelodeon in Africa, in a prepared quote in the press release.

"We hope that kids and their families across the continent will enter the portal of fun and enjoy the new and exciting content we have in store." 

Nickelodeon is known for its slime as well as iconic programming and characters ranging from SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and PAW Patrol to Blue's Clues, Baby Shark, Dora the Explorer, The Loud House and Monster High.

Someone was very late, some jokes removed from the script but no off-limit topics: The insider secrets of Comedy Central's Roast of Khanyi Mbau.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Monday night DStv subscribers will be able to tune into the latest Comedy Central Roast, this time with Khanyi Mbau as the first black African woman to be roasted, with TVwithThinus that can reveal that behind-the-scenes one of the panellists arrived "horrendously" late and that nobody asked for any topics or parts of their personal lives to be off-limits - although the writing team did remove some jokes from the script themselves that went a bit too far. 

The Comedy Central Roast of Khani Mbau, recorded last month inside the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways in northern Johannesburg, will air on Comedy Central (DStv 122) on Monday night 8 August at 21:00, with the uncensored and uncut version which will be released on MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service on 15 August.

The panellists giving Khanyi Mbau and each other a roasting are the controversial podcaster Sol Phenduka, actor Sello Make Ka Ncube, hip-hop artists Nada Nakai, comedian John Vlismas, actress Celeste Ntuli, radio presenter SelBeyonce Mkhize, broadcaster Tbo Touch, rapper YoungstaCPT and investigate journalist Devi Sankaree Govender, with Mpho Popps as the Roastmaster.

As to why Paramount Africa decided to bring back the Comedy Central Roast Africa for another edition in 2022, Dillon Khan, video president of Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VIS and Creative Service Africa at Paramount Africa, tells TVwithThinus that after the Covid 19-pandemic "Mzansi needed to laugh".

"We know that the Roast is such a popular format and it was great timing to do the Roast to make everybody laugh again."

With some of the jokes and ribbing between the roasters that would definitely not make it to television today in the United States if done there with where audiences in that country are currently, TVwithThinus asked Dillon Khan about how Paramount Africa sees so-called "cancel culture".

"I think that what the Roast is, is an acceptable format in so far as being able to poke fun; being able to make jokes," he says.

"I think the format and context is so, so important. I think people understand the context of the Roast is really about roasting ones you love. It's never done from a mean place. It's never done with vitriol. It's always done with a view of celebrating people but in a fun and jovial way".

"There will always be a respect element that's attached to it. There are some jokes that were written into the scripts that were taken out because we felt that it went beyond a line," he reveals.

"So, I think that we want to push boundaries with the Roast."

"That's what the format is and that's why people take part in it and they put themselves forward - they go in fully eyes-open as to what the Roast is. It's not a brand-new format. People know what it is and they put themselves forward to do it in the spirit of knowing that it's about celebrating rather than coming from a mean place of pulling someone down."

"This year was one of our most diverse and inclusive panel make-ups. We have a wide group of people in the writing room, we had a lot of people giving input in the script to ensure that it was fit for purpose."

About what he's learnt from African audiences and their response to something like a Comedy Central Roast and how the African version has changed over the past couple of years, Dillon Khan says "it's about evolving the teams who work on it".

"The teams working on it behind-the-scenes - your writing team, the agency and creatives that we used to put the creative together, the tagline of 'Triggered? Good' came from the agency that we work with. The lead creator was female, the head strategist was female, so it's really good to try to have as many different voices and different people to work on a project because they will always safeguard any blindspots that you may have."

"If you just go with  - for argument's sake - only a handful of men, or just a handful of men and women, do you have LGBTQ+ representation? D you have diversity in race baked into teams? You can try and safeguard yourself and ensure that you are true to as wide an audience as possible."

"Somewhere along the line there will be mistakes, and when you're pushing boundaries and you try and entertain especially in the comedy space, there will be mistakes," says Dillon Khan.

"I think being able to look at those and where you've misstepped and being able to put your hand up and say 'Mea culpa' and this was a mistake and we are rectifying it - nobody in this world has not made a mistake. If you take the approach of doing the groundwork beforehand, you minimise any blind spots."

Dillon Khan says what surprised him about the live event held and recorded at the Teatro was "that we were sold out a week in advance".

"That gave us an indication that people were very desperate for the format to come back - for a night out to enjoy themselves without how it was during Covid with wearing masks and one-and-a-half metres of distance. This was like the 'good old days' of being in the Teatro, people mingling, coming with their friends, dressing up and coming for a night out and being entertained with a premium level of comedy".

"I think this will be the most successful Comedy Central Roast that we've had on Comedy Central and Showmax - just seeing everybody so excited and staying until late."

"We started slightly late due to some technical issues, but when we did get going everyone stayed committed to the show all the way through to the end which was around one o'clock in the morning. The panellists kept the energy in the room all night long".

Dillon Khan reveals to TVwithThinus that neither Khanyi Mbau nor any of the panellists requested "outs" or any subjects about them or their personal lives being made off limits.

"Everybody was very open to the idea of being true to the Roast. Nobody came with 'can't talk about this, can't talk about that and you can't joke about this'. Everybody was super open to the Roast, there wasn't anyone holding back and that's good because you don't want anyone coming and saying here are 10 topics which are off limits."

"Then it's not a Roast, then it's something different. Nothing held the writing team back or was not true to the format."

"One person turned up horrendously late. Didn't get a chance to rehearse on the stage - but did an amazing job when we went live."

Comedy Central adds the award-winning Canadian comedy Schitt’s Creek from 29 March, promises fresh new content in its ‘New at Nine’ timeslot.

by Thinus Ferreira

Comedy Central (DStv 122) is adding the award-winning Canadian comedy Schitt's Creek to the channel's schedule on weekdays from Monday 29 March at 21:00 as part of a "New at Nine" timeslot with the channel from ViacomCBS Africa that promises "nightly entertainment at 21:00 with fresh, new and hilarious content".

Schitt's Creek, created and executive produced by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy who also star in it, finished its 6-season run across 80 episodes in April last year and won multiple Emmy awards.

At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards that took place in September the series, produced by Not a Real Company Productions and with ITV Studios handling international distribution, set a new record for most Emmy wins by a comedy series in a single season after it swept all 7 major comedy awards.

The comedy series follows the riches-to-rags drama of the Rose family, who after suddenly finding themselves broke, are forced to move to the small and depressing town of Schitt’s Creek - a place that they once bought as a joke when they had money.

Now Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Moira (Catherine O’Hara) and their adult children, David (Daniel Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy), with their pampered lives abandoned, must confront their new-found poverty and discover what it means to be a family, all within the rural city limits of Schitt's Creek.

The Schitt's Creek scheduling is part of what Comedy Central says is a new "commitment to its viewers to bring nightly entertainment at 21:00 with fresh, new and hilarious content that has never aired on the channel before".

Comedy Central says Schitt's Creek will be supplemented by "a number of titles coming to DStv for the very first time and shows that have never aired on the African continent before. New at Nine’s line-up will include Schitt’s Creek and a slew of shows which will be announced in the coming months".

Dillon Khan, vice president for Comedy Central Africa, says "Our aim is to constantly make life funnier for our viewers and we're delighted to have the Schitt's Creek Golden Globe-winning Rose family join our stable of Dunphy's, Butler's, Bing's, Harper's and Cooper's on Comedy Central. They bring another unique family dynamic that viewers will relate to, laugh at or both."

Thabisa Mkhwanazi, MultiChoice South Africa's head of marketing, in a statement says "As DStv we have made a commitment to bring the best of international content home through the movies and series streaming and playing on our platforms".

"Having a multi-award winning show such as Schitt's Creek on Comedy Central is further testament to our collaboration with our partners to ensure the latest content is available for our customers."

Pearl Thusi to be the roast master of AKA’s Africa Comedy Central Roast in February.

Pearl Thusi will be the roastmaster of the Comedy Central Roast of AKA that will be broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv 122) and Showmax.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA (real name Kiernan Forbes) will be recorded on 21 February at The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg and broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv 122) with the uncensored version going to MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will be taking place and be recorded at The Theatro at Montecasino on 21 February 2019 where the musician will be roasted by a panel of people that will still be announced.

Pearl Thusi is the first woman in Africa to host the localised African version of Comedy Central Roast.

"I'm very excited to be the Roast Master and to work with Comedy Central for the first time," says Pearl Thusi.

"To be the first female Roast Master in Africa and first black woman globally is a great achievement. To AKA - we've talked a lot of mess on Twitter and in private, but now we're going to settle this in front of the world, with no one to protect you."

"This is deeper than rap beef. It will be on stage and to your face. I honestly can't wait. Oh, and I won't be alone as I've got a team of Roasters with me. So poetic. Just remember: Composure, composure".

Dillon Khan, vice-president for Comedy Central and creative services at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), says "Our phones have been inundated with celebrities who want to be on the Comedy Central Roast especially with AKA in the firing line".

"Having someone as fierce as Pearl at the helm means AKA is guaranteed to be hit close to home. The revelations will be televised."

Candice Fangueiro, Showmax's head of content, says "Showmaxers love to laugh but we still had to take our brave pills to put the last Roast on Showmax fully uncensored. This fresh Roast led by Pearl is set to take things even further - viciously funny and downright rude, just the way our viewers like it. I can't wait."

South African hip hop star, AKA, agrees to be the subject of Viacom Africa's next Comedy Central Roast.

The hip hop star AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, has agreed to be the subject of Comedy Central Africa's next Comedy Central Roast that will be recorded in February 2019 and broadcast on Comedy Central (DStv 122) with the uncensored version going to MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA will be taking place and be recorded at The Theatro at Montecasino on 21 February 2019 where the musician will be roasted by a panel of people that will be announced early in 2019.

For the first time the panel of the South African version of the show is likely to include panelists from outside of South Africa.

The Comedy Central Roast of AKA follows after Viacom Africa revived the localised Roast version earlier this year with the Comedy Central Roast of Somizi.

"Every roast before this was practice. Take a seat, Bon Appetite," says AKA in a prepared statement released Thursday morning.

Dillon Khan, vice-president for Comedy Central and creative services at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) says "The Comedy Central Roast is a super occasion that gives the audience a mega opportunity to see their favaourite celebrity being placed in a hot seat, confronted by some of South Africa's big names. So who better to roast than the one and only Supermega?"

Candice Fangueiro, Showmax head of content, says "The Comedy Central Roast of Somizi was one of the most popular shows on Showmax this year so we can't wait for AKA."

Viacom Africa to wave-and-tell at first Comic Con Africa 2018 as the broadcast partner, will some panel discussion highlights and announcements.

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) will show (wave!) and tell at the first Comic Con Africa 2018 and as the broadcast partner show some panel discussion highlights and announcements.

Comic Con Africa 2018 is taking place from this Friday to Sunday in Johannesburg at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit & International Convention Centre with content, creative talent, executives and stars from its Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and BET channels that will be in attendance and be shown.

Reed Exhibitions Africa, ReedPOP and VS Gaming partnered with VIMN Africa to be the broadcast partner for Comic Con Africa 2018, with the media network that will showcase announcements, screenings and parts of the panel discussions.

"We at VIMN Africa are thrilled to be associated with the continent’s first Comic Con Africa," says Dillon Khan, VIMN Africa vice president for creative services and Comedy Central.

"No stranger to this unique convention, Viacom has over the years launched, showcased and created immersive audience experiences and we are poised to enthrall consumers at this first Comic Con in market."

Carol Weaving, Reed Exhibitions Africa managing director says "we are so excited to partner with such great platforms – MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central".

"With this partnership we have tried to ensure that we cover all our basis with the type of content that we can co-create with our partners. More importantly, we are able to bring the magic of Comic Con Africa 2018 to the African continent through the partnership with Viacom."

Viacom Africa will at Comic Con Africa 2018 will specifically be showcasing content across the following of its channel brands:

Comedy Central (DStv 122):

An immersive South Park experience and introduce a local short form series produced by local content house Diprente.

MTV (DStv 130)

MTV will screen new footage of Fear Factor Celebrity edition and feature an interactive ‘Face your Fear’ series of challenges from the Fear Master.

MTV will also do a panel discussion on "Unraveling social media perils and the influencer equation".

Nickelodeon (DStv 305)

Nickelodeon will reveal the new look Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a space created to submerge attendees into the characters, announce a new series and host panels featuring Tasania Parsadh, Nickelodeon channel director, discussing local animation.

Nickelodeon will also do a "Women in Animation"panel, moderated by VIMN Africa on-air manager, Pippa Tshabalala. Panelist will include Vanessa Ann Sinden from Triggerfish Animation Studios and Jenna Gien from Minds Eye Creative.

Nickelodeon also plans a Moosebox press conference for its new animation series, as well as an animation panel discussion about it. 

BET (DStv 129)

BET will have a panel discussion, "Afrofuturism before and after Wakanda", featuring the channel’s executive Monde Twala, as well as the American artists Woody McClain and Gabrielle Dennis who are in Johannesburg to launch the channel’s The Bobby Brown Story series and includes fellow Nigerian panelist Yetide Badaki from American Gods.

Somizi Mhlongo in the hot seat in Comedy Central’s third South African Roast.

Comedy Central (DStv 122) is doing a 3rd in its localised South African series of The Comedy Central Roast of ... with socialite and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo who will be taking the hot seat in The Comedy Central Roast of Somizi set for broadcast on the channel on 7 May.

An uncensored version of the Somizi roast will be made available on MultiChoice's subscription video-on-demand service (SVOD) Showmax from 8 May.

The Comedy Central Roast of Somizi follows a roast of Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr in September 2012, and one with Kenny Kunene in early 2014 who replaced Leon Schuster at short notice.

Somizi Mhlongo continues as one of the trio of judges for the upcoming 14th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that is currently filming the nationwide auditions and just competed the shooting of the grueling Theatre Week this past weekend at the Wild Coast Sun in Port Edward. He is also one of the presenters of the magazine gossip show V Entertainment on 1Magic (DStv 103).

"We're definitely looking forward to seeing both Somizi and the panel feel the burn," says Dillon Khan, the vice president for Comedy Central and creative services for Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), in a statement. "South Africans throw shade on a daily basis with no filter and that’s how we like our roasts."

Somizi Mhlongo in the statement says "I am really excited to be the Roastee. The moment Comedy Central approached me I grabbed the opportunity. I have always wanted to be part of this project. I have what it takes to handle the heat because I am thick skinned. Despite my trials I am here standing and ready for the next bout. I’m definitely up for this, especially when I get to have the last laugh at the panelists.”

Candice Fangueiro, the head of content for Africa at Showmax says "Creating great entertainment means taking risks and Comedy Central’s Roasts are legendary for taking no prisoners. This is exactly the fresh, edgy content we love bringing to Showmax and something we’d like to do much more of in the future".

The filming of the Comedy Central Roast of Somizi is open for public attendance and will take place on Thursday 26 April at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. 

South African comedian Loyiso Madinga joins The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to do replacement segments for the Africa broadcast of episodes of The Daily Show.

The South African comedian Loyiso Madinga is joining The Daily Show with Trevor Noah to do replacement segments for the Africa broadcast of episodes on Comedy Central (DStv 122).

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) says the replacement inserts instead of the full American episode of The Daily Show will be broadcast intermittently on Comedy Central.

The first replacement piece, a field report from the African National Congress's (ANC) recent elective conference will be broadcast in The Daily Show episode of Thursday night on Comedy Central at 21:30.

The locally produced Africa segment done by Diprente was directed by Kagiso Lediga with Tamsin Andersson as producer.

The writers are Kagiso Lediga, Karabo Lediga, Christopher Steenkamp, Muzi Dlamini, Mpheng Morobe, Camilo Saloojee, Lazola Gola and Simi Mngomeni.

The relatively unknown stand-up comedian Loyiso Madinga has shared the comedy stage with Tom Segura and David Kau and has appeared in satirical TV shows like eNCA's cancelled Late Night News with Loyiso Gola and The Bantu Hour on SABC2.

Trevor Noah says "as wild as Donald Trump is for America, many countries around the world have Trumps of their own and since The Daily Show is in many countries, we thought 'why not give each country a chance to show off their stable geniuses?"

Loyiso Madinga says he's "excited to create a voice for local satire. What is really great is this places an authentic spotlight on local comedy and presents a reality that combats the stereotypical perception of Africa".

Dillon Khan, vice president for Comedy Central and creative services for VIMN Africa says "Loyiso's comic timing and fast-thinking humour make him the ideal choice as a Daily Show correspondent. He is indicative of the diverse and deep pool of talent that shines on our continent and beyond its shores."

Alex Okosi, executive vice president and managing director for VIMN Africa says "one of our key objectives as VIMN Africa is to provide a platform through our brands for great African talent and content".

"We are excited that through this localised segment on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Loyiso has an opportunity to continue showcasing his great comedic talent to audiences across Africa and around the world."

Trevor Noah and M-Net (DStv 101) will soon start production on his new Trevor Noah Presents... show for M-Net, a local stand-up comedy talent series in 13 episodes that will give rising South African comedians a platform to showcase their skills.

Comedy Central on DStv adds The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon from 5 June as Viacom Africa gives the American late night talker a second try.

Comedy Central (DStv 122) is continuing its content investment spend to improve the channel's offering and is adding The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon from 5 June in a second try-out from Viacom Africa.

From Monday 5 June at 22:00 South African and African viewers will be able to watch The Tonight Show again but this time on the Comedy Central channel that's supplied to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform by Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa).

After CNBC Africa (DStv 410) dumped The Tonight Show in April 2014 following the exit of Jay Leno, VIMN Africa quickly picked up the new The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in September 2014 for its MTV channel in Africa.

The show's broadcast however was short-lived as VIMN Africa didn't keep the show on MTV for very long before it quietly disappeared.

Now VIMN Africa is trying again as it's busy boosting the content spend and programming line-up of Comedy Central with Viacom Africa that will be giving The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon a second try, this time placing the show, from NBCUniversal International Distribution, on a channel where the late night American talk show naturally fits better.

Paired with The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on Comedy Central, VIMN Africa is also closing the broadcasting gap of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Where it previously was 36 hours when it was on MTV, episodes of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon will now be shown on Comedy Central on weekdays 24 hours after broadcast in America.

"We are delighted that Jimmy will be joining our stellar line-up as star of The Tonight Show, and thrilled to bring the show to our audiences within 24 hours of the US premier to make life funnier," says Dillon Khan, Comedy Central Africa vice president.

New local MTV documentary, The People vs the Rainbow Nation, looks at whether South Africa's 'Rainbow Nation' has become a myth for disenfranchised youth.

MTV in South Africa commissioned a youth race documentary entitled The People vs the Rainbow Nation that will be broadcast on Thursday night looking at whether the Rainbow Nation that Archbishop Desmond Tutu described in 1994 has become a myth.

The 50-minute documentary from Lebogang Rasethaba and produced by Allison Swank of Arcade Content will be broadcast on Thursday 21 April on MTV (DStv 130) at 21:15 and on MTV Base (DStv 322) on 27 April at 12:00.

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) commissioned The People vs the Rainbow Nation in response to the American documentary White People that the youth channel felt would be more relevant and timeous for its local audience.

While race discussions dominates, the documentary also includes views on education, economic Apartheid, white privilege, colonialism, sexism, governance, patriarchy and classism in South African society.

The People vs the Rainbow Nation interviews youth activists and students at various campuses including Tuks, Wits, Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town to get their opinions about the new youth struggle in South Africa which recently gave rise to upheaval and violence on tertiary campuses along with social media "hashtags" ranging from #RhodesMustFall to #FeesMustFall.

"The People vs the Rainbow Nation follows the contrasting lives of students of different ethnicities from four different South African universities in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch and Pretoria, asking if equal rights have meant equality, and whether the promise of the Rainbow Nation is still alive and kicking, or if the dream is tarnished beyond repair," says Dillon Khan, the head of MTV Africa.

"We wanted to make a film that we wished someone had made when we were young to help us make sense of the construct of society, how to engage the systems of power at play and where we as individuals fit in in all of this," says Lebogang Rasethaba.

Pearl Thusi dumps the SABC's Live AMP on SABC1 with immediate effect; joins MTV's Lip Sync Battle Africa as co-presenter with D'Banj.

Pearl Thusi is dumping the SABC's Live AMP on SABC1 with immediate effect to become the co-presenter together with D'Banj of the Viacom International's new African version of Lip Sync Battle that will be produced for MTV Base and e.tv.

Pearl Thusi's final appearance on SABC1's Live AMP which she co-hosted for the past 3 years will be tomorrow evening, 4 March, after which she will be focusing on the African and South African version of the show in which well-known personalities lip sing on other artists' well-known hits.

"We're pleased to have played a significant role in her growth within the SABC family," says Zandile Nkonyeni, SABC publicist, "and we wish her well in all her future projects".

"Working with Pearl has been an absolute pleasure, losing her on the show is sad but also we're extremely proud to have played a role in her growth within the entertainment industry," says Sjula Dlamini, Live AMP producer.

Lip Sync Battle will start on 14 April on MTV (DStv 130) at 20:30, on MTV Base (DStv 322)  from Saturday 16 April at 11:30, and e.tv (DStv 194 / OVHD 104) in high definition from Saturday 23 April at 18:30.

Pearl Thusi will join Afrobeat singer D'Banj on Lip Sync Battle Africa and says she's "so excited to be a part of bringing it to African audiences".

D'Banj says he is "excited, willing and ready to entertain the continent" and that he's "looking forward to seeing how well my fellow celebrities battle each other and entertain the world".

TVwithThinus asked Lip Sync Battle Africa but executives declined to reveal any names of personalities who've agreed so far to appear on the show.

"We are thrilled to translate this global franchise to Africa for the first time," says Alex Okosi, the senior vice president and managing director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa).

"Lip Sync Battle Africa cannot fail to emulate the success of the franchise in the United States and spin-offs in territories such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Chile".

"Lip Sync Battle Africa is guaranteed to capture the attention and affection of our audience in Africa," says Dillon Khan, head of MTV and VH1 in Africa.

"The high-energy format of the show will be complimented by the two hosts who are massive stars of the entertainment industry on the African continent," says Keshni Rajoo, the head of local productions at e.tv. The free-to-air commercial broadcaster is doing Lip Sync Battle in conjunction with VIMN Africa.

"Our homegrown talent will be given the opportunity to show off their lip sync skills alongside some of the biggest names in Africa. e.tv is proud to be a partner of Lip Sync Battle Africa."

Lip Sync Battle Africa will be mainly South African and Nigerian artists, Dillon Khan tells TVwithThinus, "but we will have a sprinkling from East Africa too".

"Once the show is established, we'd look at involving more countries and artists in the second season".

Asked if songs will all be performed in English, or also include songs in other African languages, Dillon Khan says "our only stipulation is that one of the songs must be an African hit and one an international hit - there's no restriction in terms of language".

I asked what about the Lip Sync Battle format would be different for the localised version of Lip Sync Battle Africa, and Dillon Khan says its a "tried and trusted" format "and if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

"Much of what you'll see will look a little familiar, albeit with a touch of African flavour. The set is inspired by the United States one. We will have 2 hosts, and 2 contestants singing 2 songs each. Our key differences are the use of African hosts and African contestants and the stipulation about one song being from Africa," says Dillon Khan.

Viacom Africa and its MTV channel, as well as e.tv, 'reveal' that the local version of Lip Sync Battle Africa will start in April 2015. As in last year.

Back in October last year I reported that e.tv will be doing a local version of Lip Sync Battle in 2016, and then in November that Viacom International Media Networks Africa's MTV will be doing Lip Sync Battle Africa  - they finally issued an official press release about it today.

VIMN Africa says actor LL Cool J "revealed today on MTV's social media platforms" that there will be a local version of Lip Sync Battle Africa done in partnership with e.tv.

Actually VIMN Africa "revealed" it to the press last year in November, and e.tv "revealed" it a month before that.

VIMN Africa will first show Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV (DStv 130) and MTV Base (DStv 322) before e.tv will get the right to show the episodes.

e.tv and VIMN Africa have worked together for the past two years in content agreements for the MTV Africa Music Awards and is expanding its partnership.

The first season of Lip Sync Africa in which contestants lip sing to popular music tracks will have 13 half hour episodes starting on 14 April at 20:50 on MTV, and from 16 April on MTV Base at 11:30.

VIMN Africa and MTV says "the weekly show will go live in April 2015" - obviously meaning 2016 - and obviously meaning that a lot of the copy-and-paste Journalists Covering Television simply used and ran the press release as a story without changing or questioning anything.

"We are thrilled to partner with e.tv on localising Lip Sync Battle for an African audience, with its amazing energy and authentic charm that has celebrities lining up to take part and viewers clamouring for more," says Dillon Khan, MTV Africa head.

"We are extremely excited about this groundbreaking partnership," says Monde Twala, the managing director of e.tv channels division in the statement.

"Lip Sync Battle Africa is a fresh and entertaining format, it's an extension of e.tv's goal to bring viewers fresh home-grown content with a special twist".

In 2016. In 2016.

MultiChoice moving MTV from premium status to lower DStv bouquets; VIMN Africa simplifying the MTV schedule.

MultiChoice is lowering the premium status of the MTV brand and selling through the MTV (DStv 130) channel from Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) to the lower-tiered DStv bouquets of DStv Exta and DStv Compact.

MTV which used to be a premium TV channel will now become a part of DStv Compact and DStv Extra from 25 August at 21:00.

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) will be able to reach more DStv subscribers and viewers, and therefore more advertisers, although MTV also loses some of its sought-after status as MultiChoice signals that MTV no longer carries enough premium-level TV content.

MTV is also simplifying its programming schedule, with the TV channel dividing its line-up into three timeslots. Between 15:00 and 20:00 daily the schedule will be dedicated to music programming including themed music hours and music specials while the channel will show entertainment shows between 20:00 and 22:00. Reality shows will be broadcast from after 22:00.

"We want our customers to have access to a wide variety of the best entertainment," says Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's general manager for content in a statement, saying that the move to lower MTV for a wider distribution means that "now more DStv customers can become part of the MTV generation".

Alex Okosi, the senior vice president and managing director of VIMN Africa, which already runs MTV Base as a TV channel on DStv as well, says that VIMN Africa wants to bring MTV "to a wider audience base in South Africa" through the DStv Extra and DStv Compact bouquets.

"This provides us with a great opportunity to introduce more content and initiatives that deliver even greater value for our viewers and partners," says Alex Okosi.

"Whether it's breaking new music acts or showcasing the world's biggest stars at headline-making award shows,or creating globally relevant entertainment shows that take risks and break new ground, MTV provides a truly eclectic mix of programming you won't find anywhere else on TV," says Dillon Khan, the channel director for MTV and VH1 Classic in South Africa.