The launch of Disney+ in South Africa in mid-2022 won't bedevil DStv, MultiChoice has sown up Disney channels rights until 2024.

by Thinus Ferreira

The launch of Disney+ in South Africa expected around June 2022 won't bedevil DStv, with subscribers who won't abruptly lose access in the middle of next year to the linear version of the Disney Channel (DStv 303) or Disney Junior (DStv 309).

The sought-after kids pay-TV channels will remain on DStv for another two years with MultiChoice that has sewn up the channel carriage agreement rights for Disney's channels to remain on DStv until 2024.

Hidden away in the small print of MultiChoice's 6-month financial results until the end of September 2021 is relief for DStv subscribers who have been fearing that they might very well lose the Disney Channel (DStv 303), Disney Junior (DStv 309) or National Geographic (DStv 181) when The Walt Disney Company launches its Disney+ video streaming service from around June 2022 in South Africa. 

Disney's linear pay-TV channels were culled almost everywhere else in the world where Disney+ launched, for instance the United Kingdom, as Disney focuses on bolstering its own streaming platform's offering to compete against Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

This has forced traditional pay-TV subscribers who want access to Disney's treasure chest of Marvel Studios, Star Wars and other content to switch away from traditional pay-TV to streaming and to subscribe to Disney+.

Luckily DStv Premium subscribers in South Africa won't abruptly lose access to Disney's channels next year - and not for a few years.

"On the international content front, channel agreements with Disney (including the kids and National Geographic channels) were secured to 2024," MultiChoice says.

While Disney ended Disney XD and recently also the FOX channel, it means that South Africans will be able to continue to access the Disney Channel, Disney Junior and National Geographic next year through both Disney+ as a streaming platform, as well as traditional satellite pay-TV.

It's also important to note MultiChoice's use of plural in its statement: "kids" and "channels". MultiChoice signals that it will keep the Disney Channel and Disney Junior as "kids" "channels". 

ALSO READ: Disney+ to launch in South Africa in winter 2022.

ALSO READ: What Disney+ could cost when it launches in South Africa from sometime after June 2022 and what South African Disney+ subscribers might pay.

Disney Junior adds new episodes of Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures on weekdays during its Mickey Mornings programming block.

by Thinus Ferreira

Disney Junior (DStv 309) is rolling out brand-new episodes of Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures this week at 08:30 during its "Mickey Mornings" programming block.

Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures is the new name of the series that was initially known as Mickey and the Roadster Racers.

In Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures Mickey Mouse, and his pals, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, as well as Chip and Dale, go on zany adventures all around Hot Dog Hills.

They visit fun places like Mickey’s new gadget-filled house, the Mixed-Up Motor Lab at Mickey’s Garage and Minnie, Daisy and Cuckoo Loca’s Happy Helpers office. 

Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures is designed to impart lessons about friendship, teamwork and community, with each episode that features a dance break-in which Mickey and the gang invite viewers to dance along to an updated version of the “Hot Dog!” song.

Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures is broadcast on weekdays from 1 March at 08:30 during the Mickey Mornings programming block between 07:00 and 10:00 on weekdays.

The Walt Disney Company Africa Media Networks shares some early-2021 programming highlights across Disney Channel, Disney Junior, FOX, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD and ESPN.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Walt Disney Company Africa Media Networks wasn't able to do a physical 2021 new year highlights showcase this year because of the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic but still issued programming highlights across its TV channels in the form of a press drop to journalists.

Here are some of them:

Disney Junior (DStv 309)

I literally just discovered Bluey at the end of last year as a new TV show about a month before The Walt Disney Company Africa Media Networks alerted me to it.

It's interesting as a children's show because you can watch it as an adult or as a parent and you will actually be quite entertained by it as well because it works on another level than just entertaining and educating a child.

It's actually quite insightful and revealing because a character like the dad would, for instance, be asked to come and play and he would say something like he doesn't want to, he's tired. You usually don't find that in children's shows.

Bluey is described as "a funny and honest look at modern family life". The Australian blue heeler puppy Bluey has a boundless imagination and loves to turn daily life into playful adventures. 

Bluey and little sister Bingo throw themselves into exploring their world, using gameplay to conquer their fears and to try out adult roles.

The second season of Bluey starts on 22 February.

Disney Channel (DStv 303)

The Disney Original Movie, Upside Down Magic, premiered on the channel in late-January and can still be seen in which the 13-year old Nory discovers that she can "flux" into animals and that her best friend Reina can manipulate flames.

Together they enter the Sage Academy for Magical Studies where Reina's expert ability to harness the power of fire lands her at the top of her class of "Flares", but Nory's wonky magic and proclivity for turning into a 'Dritten" (half-kitten, half-dragon) lands her in a class for those with Upside-Down Magic.

The second season of the animated series Amphibia has started in February on Disney Channel on weekdays at 15:15.

Amphibia is a frog-out-of-water animated comedy series that chronicles the adventures of 13-year old Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to the fantastical world of Amphibia, a rural marshland full of frog-people.

There she meets an excitable young frog named Sprig Plantar, his unpredictable sister Polly and over-protective grandpa Hop Pop. With Sprig's help, Anne will transform into a hero and discover the first true friendship of her life.

FOX (DStv 125 / StarSat 131)

The first episode of the so-called "extended" 10th season of the long-running zombie drama series The Walking Dead will premiere on the channel on Monday 1 March.

This 10th season that started in 2019 and got delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic that impacted production, got 6 additional episodes added, to take the season episode number to 22. These last 6 episodes are now starting with FOX Africa showing them both as a simulcast with the United States and again during primetime.

The 6 additional episodes of The Walking Dead's 10th season (starting from episode 1017) will air simulcast with America at 03:00 in the mornings, South African time, and again in primetime on Monday nights at 20:45. 

National Geographic (DStv 181 / StarSat 220)

The channel has some hard-hitting programming like North Korea: Inside the Mind of a Dictator scheduled for 2 March and 9 March at 21:00. The documentary will give viewers unprecedented access into one of the most secretive countries in the world.

Nat Geo WILD (DStv 182 / StarSat 221)

Snakes in the City filmed in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is back for a 7th season with the snake-catchers Simon and Sioux as they try to catch some of the deadliest snakes in the most bizarre situations and then release them back into the wild.

In 7 seasons this is probably the first time I think there's ever been publicity done for this specific show. Nat Geo says viewers can watch as the snake catchers solve snake problems like deadly forest cobras at wedding venues, enormous pythons guarding their eggs, and even lethal black mambas inside ceilings.

Of course, the 10th Big Cat Month is taking place during February on Nat Geo WILD as well, with all of the programming details that you can find in this article here.

ESPN (DStv 218 / StarSat 248)

There was the 55th Superbowl and ESPN also has NBA basketball coverage.

When it comes to football ESPN also shows the Scottish Premiership with the top division of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

Coronavirus: Disney delays second season final episodes of Big Hero 6 on Disney XD, new episodes of Fancy Nancy Clancy on Disney Junior delayed and pushed out.

by Thinus Ferreira

Disney has been forced to change the channel schedules of Disney XD (DStv 304) and Disney Junior (DStv 309) with the final set of episodes of the second season of the animation series Big Hero 6: The Series and new episodes of Fancy Nancy Clancy that have been delayed and pushed out.

The final set of episodes of the second season of Big Hero 6: The Series on Disney XD that was meant to premiere from 27 April 2020 to 1 May at 17:00 has been delayed, Disney says.

Instead Disney XD is scheduling a Toon Festival with Phineas and Ferb episodes as well as various other animation series on weekdays until 1 May from 09:00 to 17:00.

On Disney Junior new episodes of Fancy Nancy Clancy which would have premiered episodes on weekdays from Monday 20 April at 17:00 has been pushed out as well.

Instead Disney Junior will now do stacked repeat episodes on weekends of Fancy Nancy Clancy, PJ Masks, Vampirina, Sofia the First and T.O.T.S.

Disney rebrands and renames Mickey and the Roadster Racers on Disney Junior as Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures from the 3rd season.

Disney is rebranding and renaming its Mickey and the Roadster Racers show for toddlers on Disney Junior (DStv 309) to Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures from the upcoming third season onwards.

Mickey and the Roadster Races that started in 2017 on Disney Junior was renewed for a third season in March 2018 with the "Hot Dog!" song that will also be getting an updated version when the new season starts.

In the third season of what will now be Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures, Mickey and his friends along with Chip and Dale, will experience further new adventures all around Hot Dog Hills in places ranging from Mickey's new gadget-filled house, the Mixed-Up Motor Lab at Mickey's Garage and Minnie, Daisy and Cuckoo Loca's Happy Helpers office.

Each episode of Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures has two 11-minute stories revolving around lessons based on the importance of friendship, teamwork and community along with a mid-episode dance break.

The Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures guest stars of the third season include Maulik Pancholy as pet store clerk Jasper; Ana Gasteyer as royal courtier Wilhelmina; Madison Pettis as Olivia, a young beagle tour guide; and Nazneen Contractor as Bollywood film director Davaan Dutt.

Jay Leno as Billy Beagle, Camilla Belle as Almanda, Patton Oswalt as Mr McSnorter, Kate Micucci as Emmy Lou and McKenna Grace as Bitsy Beagleberg will all return as guest voice actors.

Rob LaDuca is executive producer of Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures with Mark Seidenberg as co-executive producer and supervising story editor, and Thomas Hart as story editor. Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures is a production of Disney Television Animation.

Disney Worldwide promotes Joe D'Ambrosia to general manager of Disney Junior.

Disney Worldwide has promoted Joe D'Ambrosia to the position general manager for Disney Junior (DStv 309) in the United States and he will now oversee all extensions of the Disney Junior experience, on- and off-screen.

In his new role, Joe D'Ambrosia will continue to be responsible for all development and production of Disney's original programming content for kids between the ages of 2 and 7, as well as acquisitions for the preschooler demographic.

Joe D'Ambrosia will continue to report to Nancy Kanter, executive vice president, content and creative strategy at Disney Channels Worldwide. Joe D'Ambrosia joined Disney in 2011.

Besides Joe D'Ambrosia's promotion, Disney has reorganized key roles on its animated content development team for Disney Channel, Disney Junior and the upcoming Disney+ platform streaming platform it plans to launch in late-2019.

Emily Hart, vice president of original programming, will now lead development on Disney animated content for kids 6 to 11; and Alyssa Sapire, vice president of original programming will spearhead Disney animated content for kids 2 to 5.

Shane Prigmore, vice president of creative and artistic development will lead creative development across animated programming for both kids' age groups. Vicki Ariyasu has been appointed vice president of the educational resource group, and diversity and inclusion for Disney Channels.

"It's more important than ever that the people we have leading our creative and strategic content development are the best in the business and that they are empowered to seek out the most exciting talent and innovative storytelling," says Nancy Kanter in a statement.

"Joe has been integral in growing the Disney Junior brand and establishing our position as the number one preschool network."

"His impeccable instincts for story and character along with a genuine interest in impacting the lives of young children make him the perfect person for me to hand over the reins and lead us into the next stage for Disney Junior."

"With these leaders and their teams in place, I am excited to move into the next phase of our business and content development."

Disney Junior renews Muppet Babies, Vampirina and Puppy Dog Pals.

Disney Junior (DStv 309) has renewed three of its pre-school series.

Muppet Babies is getting a second season, while Vampirina and Puppy Dog Pals will both get third seasons on Disney Junior.

Muppet Babies is produced by OddBot in association with Disney Junior and The Muppets Studio and follows the antics of young versions of characters Kermit the Frog, Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal and Summer Penguin.

Vampirina is inspired by Disney Publishing children’s book series Vampirina Ballerina and is produced by Brown Bag Films in association with Disney Junior. Chris Nee, who executive produced the first two seasons, will serve as consulting producer for season three, with Chelsea Beyl and Norton Virgien as co-executive producers. Chelsea Beyl is also story editor.

Vampirina features the voices of Lauren Graham, James Van Der Beek and Isabella Crovetti as the Hauntley family, friendly vampires who relocated from Transylvania to Pennsylvania.

Puppy Dog Pals, created by comedian and actor Harland Williams also has him as consulting producer with Sean Coyle as executive producer. The series is a produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.

It follows two fun-loving pug puppies, Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on daily adventures around their neighbourhood and beyond.

Disney's Sofia the First animation series seen on Disney Junior on DStv, cancelled after 4 seasons.

Disney has cancelled Sofia the First with the animation series, broadcast on Disney Junior (DStv 309), that will end with a series finale in the United States on 8 September.

Sofia the First ran for 4 seasons and 108 episodes and followed the adventures of Sofia, voiced by Ariel Winter, who became a princess in the kingdom of Enchancia when her mom married King Roland II.

Sofia the First will end with an episode entitled "Forever Royal", will be a special extended-length finale episode.

In the finale episode, as Sofia, and siblings Amber and James, prepare for their graduation from Royal Prep Academy, Sofia is called back to the Mystic Isles to face an evil witch named Vor, who is trying to take over the kingdom of Enchancia.

Presented with her biggest challenge yet, Sofia must figure out a way to defeat Vor and save her family and the people of Enchancia.

Disney says in a statement that Sofia the First, executive produced by Jamie Mitchell and Craig Gerber, "featuring over 100 episodes and two record-breaking primetime specials, will continue to air on Disney Junior and Disney Channel platforms around the world" in reruns.

Disney commissions new animation series, T.O.T.S., for Disney Junior in 2019 about a penguin and flamingo delivering baby animals.

Disney has commissioned a new animation series for preschool viewers, T.O.T.S., to start on Disney Junior (DStv 309) in 2019.

TOTS aimed at kids between 2 and 7, was created by Travis Braun who is also the executive producer of the series, and follows the adventures of best friends Pip and Freddy - a tenacious penguin and a kind-hearted flamingo.

These two are the only non-stork delivery birds in-training at Tiny Ones Transfer Service (T.O.T.S.).

These junior flyers have to take care of transferring all kinds of baby animals – from kittens, cubs, calves and bunnies to puppies and joeys – from the nursery to their families around the world.

Together they learn how to care for the babies and use creative thinking to solve all kinds of problems.

"Travis has created an imaginative and funny series that features all of the heart and relatable stories that Disney Junior is known for, while also encouraging young viewers to follow their high-flying dreams and recognize that, through teamwork and persistence, anything is possible," says Joe D’Ambrosia, the senior vice president for original programming for Disney Junior in a statement.

Disney Junior renews Mickey and the Roadster Racers for a 3rd season.

Disney Junior (DStv 309) has renewed its animated series Mickey and the Roadster Racers for a 3rd season.

In Mickey and the Roadster Racers Mickey Mouse and his friends, along with their unique transforming vehicles, go on humorous high-spirited races around the globe, as well as hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills.

Off the racetrack, Minnie and Daisy also run their own successful business as Happy Helpers, solving problems for anyone in need of a helping hand. The stories are designed to impart social and emotional lessons about friendship, teamwork, optimism, and good sportsmanship. 

Since its January 2017 premiere, Mickey and the Roadster Racers has reached over 157 million viewers worldwide and is seen in 158 countries in 32 languages.

Disney expands its DStv footprint as Disney Channel is tiered down; 3 Disney channels are added to DStv Now streaming service.

Disney is expanding its DStv footprint as the Disney Channel has been tiered down to be made available to two more cheaper DStv subscription offerings and with the three Disney channels on DStv now being made available MultiChoice's DStv Now streaming service as well.

MultiChoice and The Walt Disney Company Africa have decided to reduce the exclusivity of The Disney Channel (DStv 303) and has made the premium kids entertainment channel available to more than just top-tier DStv subscribers from 1 December.

With the streaming rights secured, MultiChoice also added all three of the current Disney channels - Disney Channel (DStv 303), Disney XD (DStv 304) and Disney Junior (DStv 309) to its DStv Now streaming service from 1 December.

Whereas The Disney Channel was previously only available to DStv Premium subscribers, the channel's exclusivity to top-tier pay-TV viewers has now been dropped and made available to DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers as well - similar to brother channel Disney XD that has been available to all three subscription tiers already.

"We're delighted to offer our DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact customers more entertainment for the kids, especially in the form of the ever-popular Disney Channel," said Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice general manager for content in a statement.

"Now families have got so much more to look forward to these December holidays - and the entertainment won't stop as Disney Channel is now part of our Compact Plus and Compact packages."

With the Disney channels being added to its DStv Now streaming facility, MultiChoice continues to build out and get closer to creating a parallel streaming service through the internet mirroring its existing satellite direct-to-home (DTH) service.

"We've been focusing in expanding our DStv Now service to mirror the service our customers get when they are at home - adding the Disney family of channels to DStv Now brings us closer to that goal," says Graeme Cumming, DStv Digital Media general manager.

"We're delighted to offer this to our customers over the holiday period,so they can keep the kids entertained on long road trips, and when they visit family and friends."

Mickey and the Roadster Racers added to Disney Junior on DStv; new show aimed at teaching pre-schoolers social and emotional lessons.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers has been added to Disney Junior (DStv 309) on Saturdays at 09:30 as a new animation show on the pre-school channel.

In Mickey and the Roadster Racers the five beloved Mickey Mouse characters - Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy - race around the world in their customised roadster cars, visiting different countries.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers is aimed at kids between 2 and 7 years old with the main characters involved in problem solving and presenting lessons in terms of social and emotional challenges, like good sportmanship, friendship, the value of teamwork and optimism.

The show from Disney Television Animation is executive produced by Rob LaDuca and will feature several guest appearances like American racing icons Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick and Jeff Gordon, as well as entertainment stars like Jay Leno, Tim Gunn, Gordon Ramsay, Jane Leeves, Tia Carrere and others.

Nickelodeon on DStv: 'We have very, very strict guidelines for advertising' to kids; Viacom's children channel also starting to show content sooner.

Nickelodeon (DStv 305) in South Africa, carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, says the Viacom supplied TV channel targeting kids has very strict guidelines when it comes to the type of TV commercials it allows on the air, especially around food.

Due to pressure from parents and kids, the Viacom packaged and provided channel has also started the process of narrowing the broadcast windows of certain programming between when its shown in America and in Africa, showing newer content quicker and following the lead of broadcasters like M-Net and FOX International Channels Africa.

In the latter part of 2014, Nickelodeon rival The Walt Disney Company in South Africa shocked the TV biz when it announced that it would start targeting kids aged 4 and younger with TV commercials on the preschool channel Disney Junior (DStv 309) from November 2014 - with the consent and blessing of MultiChoice and its advertising sales arm DStv Media Sales.

Disney Junior has formerly been advertising free and TV commercials specifically targeting children - especially very young children - remains a sensitive topic for broadcasters.

"We have some very, very strict guidelines for advertising. When it comes to our parents and our kids, we are very, very careful about what goes on the channel, Tasania Parsadh, the senior channel manager of Nickelodeon in Africa at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) told Jeremy Maggs in Maggs on Media on eNCA (DStv 403).

"Any ad that goes on, I will look at it and out legal council will look at it. We'll also decide if its suitable for particular age groups. If not, we'll politely decline, and we'll also advise a brand on why we can't air any particular ads," said Tasania Parsadh.

"Lately what we've been doing with them is working with them even in the creation stage of an age saying, 'This is what's acceptable, and this is what's not - and especially around food."

"There's certain things around food that raises a red flag, in the sense that if any food promotion encourages to eat something every day - which isn't true and it isn't healthy for you."

"It's also the messages that's important with food. So if there's a particular toy with a particular meal, we advise that it's promoted as a treat," said Tasania Parsadh. "And a lot of the brands we've been working with have become very, very fair with that, so it makes our lives a lot easier because brands have become more responsible."

Tasania Parsadh says Nickelodeon has also started bringing Africa's kids new content much sooner than in the past because viewers demand it.

"What we're also seeing is a great interest in new, fresh content. When we launched season 9 of SpongeBob in the United States, immediately on social media there were lots of kids and their parents asking when is season 9 going to be shown on the channel on DStv."

"And then we motivated to have it shown early. So what we've done in terms of our [broadcast] window is we are a few weeks behind the United States," says Tasania Parsadh.

Disney renews both Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior on DStv for 4th seasons.

Disney has renewed both Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior (DStv 309) for their respective 4th seasons.

Both shows targeting toddlers and their respective voice artists will be back for 4th seasons which helps Disney's lines of tie-in consumer merchandise.

"Sofia The First and Doc McStuffins have resonated with viewers on many levels, but what's especially gratifying is to hear a parent talking about how their child did something nice for someone or tried something new because that's what Sofia or Doc would have done," says Nancy Kanter, Disney Junior Worldwide's executive vice president for original programming and general manager in a statement announcing the renewal of both shows.

"We are looking forward to bringing more stories with those types of aspirational messages to kids and families with these new season orders".

In Sofia The First, Sofia, although she lives in an enchanted fairytale world of castles, wizards and flying horses, experiences many of the same social situations as young viewers at home including fitting in at school, navigating sibling relationships and learning the importance of telling the truth.

Doc McStuffins, revolves around a girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and broken toys out of her backyard playhouse clinic.

Today's interesting TV stories to read from TV with Thinus - 28 March 2015.

The new The Walking Dead spin-off will be called Fear The Walking Dead.
Fear The Walking Dead will be seen in South Africa and Africa on MultiChoice's DStv and on On Digital  Media's (ODM) StarSat on the AMC channel who will have the spin-off zombie drama.

Top Gear producer will not press charges against Jeremy Clarkson.
Oisin Tymon will not make a case against the fired presenter of Top Gear on BBC Entertainment (DStv 120) after the violent attack which saw the BBC sack Jeremy Clarkson.

Does the SABC fall under the Companies Act?
The SABC as a public broadcaster falls under the Broadcasting Act. Yet the minister of communications Faith Muthambi says the SABC falls under the Companies Act which is used as the excuse for her and the SABC board to purge and get rid of SABC board members at will.

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to intervene over DStv price hikes.
As anger continues over MultiChoice's increase from April for DStv subscriptions, the NBC says it had received several complaints DStv subscribers in Nigeria.

David Duchovny is nervous about the return of The X-Files.
Says "I'm amazed that there's still an appetite for it and I'm touched".


Fired SABC board member Rachel Kalidass says its unlawful.
After Rachel Kalidass and Ronnie Lubisi were both dumped from the SABC board on Thursday, Rachel Kalidass says "the removals are motivated by malice and it is a purge" and that the Companies Act is wrongly used to get rid of SABC board members.
The unstable SABC board has now lost 6 members since the middle of 2014.


Disney Junior (DStv 30X) is making Fancy Nancy a TV show.
The children's book seeries about a girl who always dresses up is becoming a TV series.

Masi Oka will be back for Heroes: Reborn.
The Hawaii Five-0 star will be back in the miniseries reboot of Heroes.

Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes talks The Gilded Age.
After the announcement that Downton Abbey is done after 6 seasons, the creator and writer says the new period drama for American television is "looming large in my future".

New season of Sherlock "frightening".
The 4th season of the British Sherlock on BBC Entertainment (DStv 120) is "frightening, tough" and filled "with emotional upheaval".

The upcoming Killing Jesus on National Geographic Channel is shallow.
The Boston Globe says Killing Jesus which will be shown in South Africa on National Geographic Channel (DStv 181) on Sunday 5 April at 19:10 is "lackluster" and is "terribly overbaked".

Empire is the first black TV drama that isn't being "ghettoized".
The hit drama on FOX's (DStv 125 / StarSat 131) idea's about race "operate at a higher idea of difficulty".

Disney Junior on DStv adds a treasure trove of terrific 80's TV shows; showing Gummi Bears, DuckTales now daily from the beginning.

Dashing and daring, courageous and caring  ... Disney Junior (DStv 309) is adding the top kids TV hits The Adventures of the Gummi Bears and DuckTales - high-quality and terrific 80's children's shows - to its daily schedule which is sure to delight a brand-new audience of younger viewers and have their parents watching with nostalgic joy.

Disney opened its TV vault to broadcast a television treasure trove of high-quality and terrific 80's childrens shows from October on weekdays on Disney Junior which DStv subscribers will want to record on their PVR's and keep.

DStv subscribers can now tune in to Disney Junior to watch incredible animation shows hailing from a TV time three decades ago when Disney's cartoon theme songs were as catchy and iconic as the incredible characters and animation stories.

The high-quality New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh just started with a rebroadcast at 12:05 on weekdays on Disney Junior right from the first episode following the loveable honey obsessed bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, with a theme song as whimsically beautiful as the stories.

Then there's The Adventures of the Gummi Bears with new episodes on weekdays at 15:40 on Disney Junior which just started from the beginning of its six season run and which was Disney's first major serialized animated television series, and considered one of the best, if not the best, of Disney's 80's TV animation shows.

With a rich mythology, endearing characters and extremely memorable and sing-along-able theme tune, viewers follow the adventures of a group of legendary bears who drink Gummiberry juice, bounce around and save their home Gummi Glen and the kingdom of Dunwin from the bad Duke Igthorn.

Disney Junior also added DuckTales on weekdays at 16:35 also starting from the very first episode of the 100 produced, following (complete with catchy "Life is like a hurricane" theme song) Scrooge McDuck's great-nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie experiencing "Indiana Jones"-type inspired adventures.

The Adventures of the Gummi Bears is repeated weekdays at 19:45, DuckTales is repeated on weekdays at 20:35 on Disney Junior.

Disney explains why its now targeting little kids on DStv as young as 4 with TV commercials, says MultiChoice is supportive of the change.

The Walt Disney Company in South Africa is explaining why the Mouse House is now going to be targeting small children as young as 4 watching Disney's TV channels on DStv with commercial advertising, and says MultiChoice is supportive of the change.

It comes after news that Disney will now do commercial advertising to children on its previously ad free channels Disney Channel (DStv 303) and Disney Junior (DStv 309) in conjunction with DStv Media Sales and Disney's Disneymedia+ which will be specifically targeting the audience of very small, pre-school children.

DStv Media Sales, MultiChoice and Disney are now ready to put commercial TV adverts in front of little eyes on channels which DStv subscribers have come to trust not to carry the crass commercial considerations found on other kids channels with a reputation less sterling than the Disney brand.

The two Disney channels - one aimed at young kids and teens and the other at toddlers and pre-school kids - will start running commercials from November.

"Disney XD has carried commercial advertising since its launch in South Africa in 2011 and now Disney Channel and Disney Junior will follow," Disney tells TV with Thinus.

"Disney Channels carry advertising in many other markets worldwide," says Disney.

Disney says the Disney Channel and Disney Junior will now also start to carry TV commercials because "DStv airs other children's channels that have carried commercial advertising for some time so the platform's audience is used to seeing advertising on children's TV".

Disney says DStv and MultiChoice "are supportive of this change".

How will DStv choose what advertising will be run? "The Walt Disney Company Africa decides which advertising runs on its channels and we have strict internal guidelines on the type of advertising we carry. In all instances, advertising must comply with relevant local and international legislation," says Disney.

Asked if there's advertising that DStv won't run, Disney says "advertising which is not appropriate for Disney's children and family audience will not appear on the channel".

"In addition, as part of Disney's commitment to support families' desires to lead healthier lifestyles, Disney will not accept advertising from brands which do not comply with its healthy living guidelines. This is a policy that is already in place for Disney XD".

TV with Thinus asked why DStv and Disney are now allowing advertising on Disney Junior to be shown to very small children.

"Disney takes its commitment to its viewers extremely seriously and we will be especially careful as we do not want to betray the trust that so many families have in us".

"All advertising appearing on Disney Channels including Disney Junior, will be vetted to ensure it is age and family-appropriate and conforms to both local guidelines and relevant international guidelines such as BCAP and CAPCODE, as well as our own internal guidelines".

In June this year MultiChoice and Disney were fined R5 000 by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for showing a horror promo to young children without the proper age restriction.

The BCCSA in its judgment said that "the rights of parents and caregivers of smaller children have been violated" by Disney and MultiChoice and that parents and caregivers have the right to be informed about the nature of material to which their children are exposed to on television.

SHOCKER. MultiChoice's DStv and Disney now targeting very young children with TV commercials on Disney Junior and Disney Channel.

The big scary isn't the troll under the bridge: MultiChoice's DStv and The Walt Disney Company is ready to start targeting very young children specifically and little young viewers by adding TV commercials to Disney Junior (DStv 309) and Disney Channel (DStv 303) in a crass commercialisation of kids TV channels parents used to trust for not selling to kids.

It's not immediately clear why MultiChoice, DStv Media Sales and Disney are damaging the DStv and Disney brands - names which DStv subscribers and Disney-loving parents have come to trust to be better kids channels - by starting targeted commercials aimed at small children.

Disney Channel and Disney Junior had a safer reputation, making parents feel safe and good to allow their tots and teens to watch, knowing that their children are not specifically targeted by advertisers through crass commercials and sponsors.

Well, not any more.

From November Disney's Disneymedia+ will be shamelessly selling to kids as young as 4 watching television with the permission of MultiChoice's DStv when what the TV and ad industry calls "spot advertising" is added for the first time to Disney Channel and Disney Junior which has the youngest viewers.

The Disney Channel which is 8 years old on MultiChoice's DStv this month, reaches 287 000 kids between the ages of 4 and 14.

Now DStv, Disney and Disneymedia+ are swinging open the doors to commercial advertisers to target these very young viewers with commercial considerations while the little eyes are watching their kiddie shows in front of the telly.

Disney Junior which reaches 1.3 million little ones from the age of 4 and up and which launched in 2011, will now bombard some of the youngest viewers on television with commercials and advertising in a disgusting change from November.

It's not clear why the monthly subscription fee parents pay to have these Disney channels as part of their DStv package, and which was fine until now without commercials, seems to no longer be enough money and why Disney and DStv want to make even more money from commercials on these kids channels which didn't have it before.

Disney XD which has been boy focused with older somewhat older viewers and more action-oriented shows launched in 2011 and has been carrying advertising.

MultiChoice South Africa and Disney didn't immediately respond to media enquiries regarding why advertising needs to be introduced on kids channels which were fine without it, whether there is advertising that Disney won't run, and why Disney and DStv is doing and allowing advertising to very small children when it didn't do so before.

UPDATE: Disney is responding, and is explaining why Disney is set to start showing TV commercials on The Disney Channel and Disney Junior to young viewers on DStv.

Disney starts production on a Lion King TV series spin-off, The Lion Guard, set to start in 2016 on Disney Junior.

Disney has started production on a new animated TV movie and a new animated TV series entitled The Lion Guard as a spin-off of The Lion King and which will be broadcast on Disney Junior (DStv 309).

The Lion Guard movie will be shown on television in 2015 and the animated TV series will start in 2016 on Disney Junior. It will continue telling the story first introduced 20 years ago in the beloved Disney film.

The Lion Guard will incorporate themes of conservation, family and community while also highlighting problem-solving, creative thinking and diversity. The author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor.

"The story of The Lion King has deeply touched families around the world since its original theatrical release 20 years ago. We look forward to introducing a whole new generation of kids to both the Disney legacy characters and to new friends and heroes," says Nancy Kanter, the executive vice president for original programming and the general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide in a statement.

The Lion Guard will revolve around Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala who becomes the leader of the Lion Guard, a group of the bravest and brightest tasked with preserving the Pride Lands.

Instead of assembling a team of young lions to serve with him, Kion challenges tradition by calling upon friends he believes are the best choices – Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a happy-go-lucky hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret.

Stories in The Lion Guard will include special appearances by Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu and Kion's older sister, Kiara, the future Queen of the Pride Lands.

The Lion Guard movie and series were developed by Ford Riley who is also the executive producer.

Unathi Msengana lending her voice to Rita the Cheetah in an episode of Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior on 16 June.

Unathi Msengana is lending her voice for an episode of the pre-school edutainment series Doc McStuffins on Disney Junior (DStv 309).

The Idols judge on M-Net will voice Rita the Cheetah in an episode of the second season of Doc McStuffins which will be broadcast on 16 June at 08:20 with a repeat at 13:20.

In the episode entitled "No Sweetah Cheetah", Rita is initially worried that she might be ill when she discovers that she's covered in spots. Then she's told that her spots are part of what makes her special and that they're a gift.

"I can't wait to sit down on the couch with my children and watch their faces as they hear my voice in Doc McStuffins," says Unathi Msengana in a press release.

"To be able to bring a local voice to Doc McStuffins is an absolute thrill for us," says Christine Service, the senior vice president and country manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa in the press release.

"The series exemplifies Disney's brand values of celebrating one's family and appreciating diversity and difference," says Christine Service.