E! axed in Africa as it ends after 21 years, replaced by Bravo on MultiChoice's DStv from October 2025

Thinus Ferreira

NBCUniversal is dumping E! in Africa after 21 years, with the steadily dismantled channel that will be gone and replaced by the reality-saturated Bravo on 7 October.

It's an awful and tragic end for E! that MultiChoice added to DStv in December 2004.

As with all things corporate, dying and reaching the end of service as it disappears into obsolescence, there is absolutely no explanation from NBCUniversal on why it's axing E! but one, or a combination of these reasons is likely true.

E! as a pay-TV channel has been dying on the pay-TV vine for a very long time, with less and less content investment, a schedule littered with repeats, stale and old programming and repurposed Bravo content. 

E!'s only remaining "real" show - once its flagship programme and schedule staple - E! News also got cancelled, and once your sole remaining anchor programme is gone, there's nothing left of what was once signature E!.

E! is also one of the channels NBCUniversal decided to get rid of, spinning it off as one of the Versant-held channels. 

E! as part of the upcoming Versant collection may or may not be available to NBCUniversal International Networks to distribute. In fact, even if it is available, NBCUniversal International Networks might not want to distribute it because of its low relevance as a zombified pay-TV channel.

We don't know because NBCUniversal International Networks hasn't communicated to the media about changes, plans, or programming in a very long time.

What happens to the remaining E! content is unclear; NBCUniversal International Networks didn't explain, but was asked, and comment will be added here when received.

In a prepared corporate quote attributed to Hendrik McDermott, MD, Hayu, EMEA Networks & International Direct-To-Consumer, NBCUniversal, about pulling the plug on E!, he says "We are thrilled to be launching Bravo Africa, with our partners DStv, and to build on the success of the NBCUniversal channel portfolio in Africa by bringing audiences even more of the mega-hit global franchises that they already love – now as part of Bravo, the linear channel brand that is synonymous with top-quality reality content".

"This rebrand reflects the strong slate of Bravo programming that had already been added to E!, and now makes exclusive original programming and a wider selection of Bravo's immensely popular reality programmes available to DStv subscribers."

Byron du Plessis, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, in a prepared quote, says "DStv subscribers that are fans of great reality programming are going to love Bravo Africa, and we are delighted to be able to give these hugely popular shows a home on our platforms. The channel will be available down to DStv Access, as we continue to improve our customer value proposition across our packages".

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. As E! marks 15 years in South Africa as a TV channel on DStv, here are 15 things that E! brought into my life that I'm thankful for.

NBCUniversal cancels E! News - again

by Thinus Ferreira

NBCUniversal has cancelled E! News on E! (DStv 124) again with the last episode that will be shown on 25 September.

E! News was cancelled after 29 years in 2020 just 8 months after the show's production and studio was moved from Los Angeles to New York.

NBCUniversal then revived E! News in November 2022 and moved production back to Los Angeles and has now cancelled it again. 

E! News is currently co-hosted by Keltie Knight and Justin Sylvester.

There's been no statement about the E! News cancellation from NBCUniversal, which is getting rid of E! as well as other of its traditional pay-TV channels, into a new company that it initially named SpinCo and which is now Versant.

NBCUniversal International Networks distributes a version of E! to MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Very little original programming remains on E! as the channel has been steadily dismantled over the past years with E! now close to being another of the numerous pay-TV zombie channels filled with old repeats and repurposed shows from other channels.

Content like E! Live from the Red Carpet that used to be shown live on E! is now also stale with NBCUniversal International Networks that keeps using the name to give the fake appearance that it's "live" but instead shows it late as recorded content for DStv viewers in South Africa and across the continent.

With E! News gone from October there will be even less reason for DStv subscribers to watch E!.

According to American reports the E! News staff were told on Thursday that the show is over. Thursday's episode of E! News was also scrapped and replaced by a repeat. The first new E! News episode will be next week.

South African Below Deck crew cast member Gary King, NBCUniversal and Bravo sued over his alleged sexual assault and retaliation

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African Below Deck: Sailing Yacht crew cast member Gary King is being sued for sexual battery and harassment, with NBCUniversal, the Bravo channel and the production company 51Minds also being lumped in for alleged retaliation and a hostile work environment.

American media report that two Below Deck: Sailing Yacht production crew members are suing Gary King, NBCUniversal, Endemol Shine as well as the Bravo TV channel for sexual assault, retaliation, a hostile work environment and their failure to prevent discrmination.

The make-up artists Samantha Suarez and the cameraman Grey Duddleston are suing and alleging that they were fired from the 4th season of Below Deck: Sailing Yacht produced by the 51 Minds Entertainment production company and were also placed on a "don't hire" list.

Below Deck: Sailing Yacht is broadcast on NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service in South Africa and across the African continent.

Neither NBCUniversal nor Bravo or 51 Minds Entertainment had any comment on the legal action.

In their court filing in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Samantha Suarez and Grey Duddleston set out what happened during and after an alleged violent assault by a drunk Gary King that took place on 23 July 2022 in Sardinia, where Samantha Suarez feared that Gary King could rape her.

Samantha Suarez claims she was "held hostage in a hotel room by Gary King, a longtime cast member, known drunkard, and serial harasser".

After bringing snacks and water to his room on 3 July 2022 she says he locked her in and she feared that he was going to rape her.

"When she turned to leave, he lunged towards her, used his arms to grab her by her upper body, and restrained her with his tight grip around her body and arms."

"Samantha Suarez was terrified and instinctively screamed and fought to pry his grip loose so she could get away from him."

"Suarez managed to break free, ran towards the door and started to pull the door open when Gary King, who was chasing her, got both his hands on the door and slammed it shut keeping her trapped, menacingly laughing and staring at her with evil dilated eyes. Suarez was sure she would be raped."

Samantha Suarez says she reported the case to 51 Minds Entertainment, with Gary King who admitted what he had done when the production company spoke to him.

"Unsurprisingly, Gary King engaged in further misconduct," they note.

Grey Duddleston who at the time was Samantha Suarez's boyfriend, then witnessed Gary King untying the bikini tops of two Below Deck: Sailing Yacht female cast members without their consent.

"Gary King also made lewd remarks to a female audio technician and he also grabbed the genitals of two male camera operators."

After Grey Duddleston reported these incidents over the crew walkie-talkie system, rather than Gary King getting fired, Duddleston says 51 Minds Entertainment and NBCUniversal started an investigation into Duddleston "for inappropriate use of the walkie-talkie system".

Golden Globes at war behind-the-scenes together with red carpet controversy as Laverne Cox is abruptly gone from E! coverage

by Thinus Ferreira

War is reportedly raging behind the credibility-damaged Golden Globe Awards, while Laverne Cox also suddenly announced she's abruptly gone from NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124) red carpet coverage after just a few years.

MultiChoice's M-Net (DStv 101) which has shown the Golden Globe Awards for years has dumped the Hollywood award show and won't have it this year for DStv subscribers.

An investigation in 2021 damaged the credibility of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and exposed and revealed multiple issues ranging from a lack of diversity under the voting member corps, numerous ethical concerns and allegations of corruption like HFPA members being influenced by gifts, trips and other perks.

NBC decided not to broadcast the Golden Globes in 2022 following an industry-wide boycott which was held as a private event without any Hollywood stars and even with reforms the Golden Globes reputation remains in tatters. 

A small event took place in January 2023, and again in January 2024 – with this one as the first ceremony after Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Industries took full control over it from the HFPA.

The New York Post reports a bitter war is raging behind the scenes of this Sunday's 82nd Golden Globes between Eldridge Industries and the HFPA since a lot of them are this year not even allowed inside the hotel ballroom.

When Todd Boehley's Eldridge Industries took over the Golden Globes the deal was made to split the organisation into the awards ceremony that makes money, and the "non-profit" HFPA.

It was agreed that the so-called "legacy HFPA members" - 66 of them taken over into the new restructuring - would get paid a salary of R1.4 million ($75 000) per year, for 5 years, health insurance, as well as voting rights for the Golden Globes for life.

This apparently also included 4 tickets to the Golden Globes Awards.

Unfortunately for these HFPA members, nobody specified where exactly they would be seated and it seems it's no longer inside the actual ballroom with the Hollywood crowd the HFPA members were so determined to take selfies with in previous years as they raked in gifts, travel and other perks.

The newspaper reports about 50 of them were invited, only on Friday, to a "viewing party" which is a TV set in an adjacent room inside the Beverly Hilton Hotel where they can watch the Golden Globes like the rest of viewers.

Meanwhile, in a separate development further chipping away at what E! used to be, Laverne Cox is gone from NBCUniversal's E! red carpet coverage for the 2025 Golden Globes.

This is E! coverage that DStv subscribers in South Africa and the rest of Africa won't see live or before the actual award show but only almost a day later.

Laverne Cox is gone from E! after just three years since she joined E! in January 2022 to ostensibly take its awards show red carpet coverage forward after the departure of Giuliana Rancic.

In a statement on Instagram (with nothing from NBCUniversal or E! executives who were quoted when she started) Laverne Cox notes: "With an incredible amount of gratitude, I've decided not to return as host of  E! Live from the Red Carpet coverage".

"I'm so incredibly proud of the work we did over my three-year tenure. I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone at NBCUniversal, E! Entertainment and Den of Thieves for your incredible support."

Instead of Laverne Cox, E! is now using for its pre-but-coming-in-post red carpet coverage the E! News cohost Keltie Knight, as well as Zuri Hall and American comedian Heather McMahan.

E! didn't bother with any press release to the media about its Golden Globes coverage plans as it used to do in the past. 

In addition, NBCUniversal had no comment about Laverne Cox's exit from its E!'s red carpet coverage when asked and said it had no statement to make.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice drops credibility-damaged 2025 Golden Globe Awards from M-Net, E! to run a not-live, belated and recorded 'Live from the Red Carpet' only afterwards

ALSO READ: Laverne Cox takes over as E!'s red carpet coverage host for American award shows

MultiChoice drops credibility-damaged 2025 Golden Globe Awards from M-Net, E! to run a not-live, belated and recorded 'Live from the Red Carpet' only afterwards

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is done with America's recently revived but credibility-damaged Golden Globe Awards and won't show the 2025 Golden Globes on M-Net (DStv 101) or any other TV channel on DStv.

Meanwhile, NBCUniversal's atrophied E! (DStv 124) will only show a recorded Live from the Red Carpet pre-awards red carpet coverage - almost a day later that it will still call "Live".

M-Net wasn't interested in acquiring 2025's 82nd Golden Globe Awards taking place on Sunday 5 January in Los Angeles and which won't be shown live on Monday morning in South Africa or later during primetime on Monday night on M-Net (DStv 101) as was the case for many years.

An investigation in 2021 damaged the credibility of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and exposed and revealed multiple issues ranging from a lack of diversity under the voting member corps, numerous ethical concerns and allegations of corruption like HFPA members being influenced by gifts, trips and other perks.

NBC decided not to broadcast the Golden Globes in 2022 following an industry-wide boycott which was held as a private event without any Hollywood stars and even with reforms the Golden Globes reputation remains in tatters. 

A small event took place in January 2023, and again in January 2024 – with this one as the first ceremony after Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Industries took full control over it from the HFPA.

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards this year with host Nikki Glaser is produced by Dick Clark Productions in the Beverly Hilton Hotel and shown on CBS.

M-Net in response to a media query tells me "We will not be broadcasting the Golden Globes this year". 

NBCUniversal's E! will be doing a Live from the Red Carpet: The 2025 Golden Globe Awards but South African and African viewers won't be able to see the pre-coverage on DStv either live, or before, the actual award show. 

Instead, the pre-coverage will be shown as an afterthought on E! in Africa almost a day later.

Live from the Red Carpet: The 2025 Golden Globe Awards will be on E! (DStv 124) on Monday night, 6 January at 19:00. NBCUniversal calls it "Live" although it will be recorded and stale.

NBCUniversal and E! have given no explanation why the so-called Live from the Red Carpet coverage, similar as with other awards' pre-coverage the past year or so, is again not actually live - a worrying and ongoing trend for the regressing version of E! in Africa.

The presenters E! is using for its pre-but-coming-in-post red carpet coverage will include E! News cohost Keltie Knight, as well as Zuri Hall and American comedian Heather McMahan.

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will be on M-Net on Monday but NBCUniversal dumps its Live red carpet coverage on E! for DStv subscribers before it.

by Thinus Ferreira

America's 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday will be broadcast live in South Africa on M-Net although pre-coverage of the ceremony’s red carpet arrivals won't be shown live on E!.
 
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards is done from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles with the father-son duo and Shitt's Creek co-stars Eugene Levy and Dan Levy and will be broadcast live on Monday morning 16 September at 02:00 in South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101). 

M-Net is doing a primetime broadcast of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night at 21:00.
 
NBCUniversal will again not show its traditional E! live red carpet coverage of the Emmys in the run-up to the ceremony as a live broadcast in South Africa. 
 
In past years, NBCUniversal showed DStv subscribers both the Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys as a live broadcast block, followed by a live broadcast block of E! Live from the Red Carpet.
 
NBCUniversal is not showing Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys with Zuri Hall, Zanna Roberts-Rassi and Christian Siriano to DStv subscribers this year at all, while Live from E!: Emmy After Party as a wrap-up show is also not on the schedule for E!'s DStv subscribers in South Africa.
 
NBCUniversal gave no explanation for pulling back on both the broadcast volume of its pre-programming of Emmy coverage on E! shown in South Africa, and for no longer showing the part of pre-programming that it will actually have of the Emmys, as a live broadcast.
 
Instead, DStv subscribers will only see the 2-hour E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards pre-show as a recorded show and long after the Emmys ceremony.
 
South Africa's DStv subscribers will see E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards for the first time as a recorded broadcast on Monday late afternoon at 17:00 on E! (DStv 124). 

This will be followed by repeats on Tuesday morning at 02:40 and 08:10.
 
Laverne Cox, Heather McMahan and Keltie Knight will the presenters of E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards, which is produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan  Prager and Barb Bialkowski. 
 
Tuesday night's E! News at 22:00 on E! – the first original edition of this programme for the week – will then feature a wrap-up of Sunday's Emmy news and interviews.
 

NBCUniversal films Dating #NoFilter South Africa comedy reality series for E! in the Mall of Africa.

by Thinus Ferreira

NBCUniversal has started filming Dating #NoFilter South Africa in the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg with the local adaptation which will start broadcast on E! (DStv 124) later this year.

Dating #NoFilter has a panel of comedians who watch and make humorous commentary on the footage of various blind dates set up by the producers.

Dating #NoFilter South Africa is produced by Brainstorm Entertainment and will have 10 hourlong episodes.

The American version of Dating #NoFilter started on E! in January 2019, with a British version that was aired in 2021.

Dating #NoFilter South Africa follows after NBCUniversal localised formats like How Do I Look SA and Celebrity Game Night and did some other local programming like The Search: E! Host South Africa.

South African comedians who appear in the South African version of Dating #NoFilter to give commentary include Jason Goliath, Hope Mhbele, Lebogang Tlokana, Carpo More, Jo-Anne Reyneke, Lebogang Tlokana, Margo Fargo, Nina Hastie, Okay Wasabi, Robby Collins, Rosette Ncwana, Sentle Andile, Skits by Sphe, Skyf Your Loss, Tumi the Narrator, as well as Zille Wizzy.

Hendrik McDermott, NBCUniversal managing director for networks and international direct-to-consumer for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, in a statement says "Building on the success of E! Africa's local adaptation of Celebrity Game Night, this production underscores our focus on delivering content that resonates with African viewers – in this case, uniquely showcasing some of South Africa’s wittiest personalities".

Ana Langenberg, senior vice president for format sales and production at NBCUniversalFormats, in the statement says "Dating #NoFilter is a brilliant format with international appeal".

"Viewers love watching their favourite comedians offer side-splitting commentary while love seekers navigate the hilarious and unpredictable world of dating. I can't wait to see South African audiences be swept off their feet by what promises to be a sensational new series."

Below Deck's Kyle Viljoen shares rare disease emergency: 'Pain like none other'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Below Deck Mediterranean's Kyle Viljoen is recovering after a serious health scare and sharing that he just went through the "most painful and traumatic bodily experience" ever.

On Sunday on Instagram, the South African reality star - one of several South Africans who feature as interior and deck crew across various seasons in the Bravo series franchise seen on E! (DStv 124) - said that after he was initially misdiagnosed, he was eventually diagnosed with the rare Stevens-Johnson syndrome and ended up in hospital.

"Monday started with throat pain like none other," he says, which "spread to my mouth, lips, hands and feet. Having gone to the walk-in clinic and diagnosed with hand-foot-mouth disease they sent me on my way. Wednesday to Thursday I suffered from worsening blisters, inability to tolerate swallowing, tongue swelling and a change in vision."

"Friday there was still no relief." He says his fiance Zachary rushed him to New York University hospital's emergency room.

"Bypassing others in the ED waiting room, the medical staff rushed me in to be examined from head to toe by almost every service from ophthalmology to dermatology (over 20 doctors) and told me I had something called SJS. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes." 

Kyle says he has finally "eaten my first meal in seven days", saying people should advocate for their own health "and treat your body seriously. If something doesn't feel right, seek treatment".

Kyle Viljoen first appeared in the 7th season of Below Deck Mediterranean and is back in season 8 which just started in the United States. 

Tumi Mhlongo from South Africa who appeared in Below Deck Down Under's first season is also back for her second season in Below Deck Med's 8th season, working with Kyle.

What could go wrong? E! gathering reality TV's biggest villains for competition show.

by Thinus Ferreira

Oh my Omarosa! While the narcissists and manipulators usually take an episode or two to make their toxic personalities bubble to the surface in reality shows, E! (DStv 124) is taking the guesswork out of the watch-from-home psych test and is gathering 10 of American reality TV's biggest villains under one roof for a new show.

Joel McHale will be the host of a new E! reality show, House of Villains, which the channel says "will bring 10 of reality television's most iconic and infamous villains under one roof". 

Already proven to be evildoers who love to stoke and fan the flames as they scheme and plot and hype up others to help do their evil bidding as they sit back and watch, or are ready with biting one-liners in toxic fights, the 10 will have to "outsmart, out-manipulate and out-scheme each other through a series of challenges in order to win a cash prize," E! says.

The winner villain will get the title of "America's Ultimate Supervillain". House of Villains will be produced by Irwin Entertainment with executive producers John Irwin, Dave Kuba, Eli Frankel and Matt Odgers. 

While the 10 names have not been announced yet, what would House of Villains be without Omarosa Manigault Newman who became famous in The Apprentice on E!'s sister channel NBC all belonging to the NBCUniversal family! 

Besides House of Villains, E! and Bravo shows seen on E! across Africa which all got renewed for further seasons include Botched with Dr Terry Dubrow and Dr Paul Nassif, Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Married to Medicine, Below Deck, Below Deck Mediterranean, and Below Deck Down Under.

INTERVIEW. Andy Cohen on Below Deck, Real Housewives and giving good TV.

by Thinus Ferreira

If television were a circus - well, who are we kidding, TV is a circus! - then Andy Cohen with his devious smile is its ringleader. 

Since mid-October, the host and executive producer of Bravo's American talk show Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen can now be seen on weeknights in South Africa on E! (DStv 124).

TVwithThinus sat down with Andy from his home, to get him to spill some of the tea on The Real Housewives success, Below Deck's ocean of South Africans, and how he keeps control of his talk show guests.

What advice he has for people who want to go into the entertainment biz? Andy shares everything - including some secrets from his set. 

In the Bravo reality series Below Deck and the various spinoffs we now see on E! there are so many South Africans, I'm wondering what you make of that?

Andy Cohen: Well, you know in my experience with yachting there are for whatever reason there's good representation ... you're well-represented in boat crews for some reason. 

And I love it! Listen, you guys are cheerful and chipper and great at what you do, upbeat and fun and great looking. So, what can I say? You're perfect on Below Deck!

You're one of the executive producers on The Real Housewives. What on earth did you unleash on the world Andy? 

We have four South African versions in four different cities here on MultiChoice's DStv now. Nigeria has one. Dubai has one. There are all of the American ones. If you look back now, did you have any idea it would become this successful?

Andy Cohen: No, I mean, absolutely not.  I absolutely did not think I would still be talking about this show 16 years later. 

It's changed my life, and it's changed a lot of people's lives. It certainly changed the lives of everybody on it. There are so many international versions. 

I have nothing to do with any of the international versions except for Dubai. But I hear Durban is great! 

To me, I was always a great fan of soap operas growing up, so I think for a lot of people for a generation, has replaced soap operas. I'm proud of the show, I'm still a fan of the show, and I'm excited and surprised and gratified and grateful that Watch What Happens Live! is now broadcast for you all on E!. It's great!

'I have a sense of what we need to get,

 and what the viewers are looking for' 

Since you started Real Housewives, how has it changed and how has it changed from what you've set out to do?

Andy Cohen: I think that as it has gone on, I think certainly you can't overlook that this is now an institution, this show. 

In the early days it was more experimental, a lot of them didn't know what they were getting into, and what it would be, and I think some people join the show with an expectation of, you know, this is what I'm supposed to do. 

I think that's good and bad because the truth is we want people to be themselves, we don't want them to be who they think we want them to be. You know what I mean?

You mention the soap operas. In your very first biography, Most Talkative, you wrote that when you went to summer camp you asked your mom to record your soap operas and TV shows. 

I think so many people who end up in the industry entertainment can so relate. Television and those stories are all we had to show us other bigger worlds.  What advice might you have for young people who want to go into television or film?

Andy Cohen: Follow your dreams. Do whatever it takes to follow your passion. 

Follow the kernel that is the thing that you're interested in. It will then reveal itself further. If you think "Oh, I'm interested in this a little bit" follow that and see where it goes. 

With Watch What Happens Live!, what have you learnt in terms of - you're kind of like to me Twitter before Twitter started. Volatile guests sometimes, slightly unhinged, they're erratic and it's all unpredictable and you don't know who's going to say or do what. 

What did you learnt about enjoying it as host but also having to keep it from going off the rails?

Andy Cohen: Well, you know, it's my job and I think that being a producer of the show helps because I have a sense of what we need to get, and what the viewers are looking for and what's important and what's going to make good television.

I think I know my limits with the women and they know what they're there to do also. It's an interesting dynamic.

The backdrop of Watch What Happens Live!. So beautiful. How much of that stuff is real and from maybe your life or house?

Andy Cohen: Well, it's funny that you ask because I'm on my home office right now which you can see mimics the set of Watch What Happens Live! 

The answer is pretty much everything on Watch What Happens Live! are things I brought to the set when we launched 13 years ago or things that we've accumulated over the years. Some of them have historic significance to The Real Housewives, some of them have significance to me, and others are just things that look good. 

It's fun to look back there and figure out ... there are things audience members have given me. It's 13 years of history there.

And the beautiful rainbow spined books, what is that because I need to get that from Amazon.

Andy Cohen: Those are Childcraft encyclopaedia. They're vintage from my childhood. It's called Childcraft. The whole set of them. 

Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen is on E! (DStv 124) weeknights at 22:30

Atrophied E! keeps filling schedule with more Bravo content in ongoing stopgap measure, adds Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to African channel feed.

by Thinus Ferreira

As the content cupboard of NBCUniversal's linear E! channel runs bare with more and more cancellations in the continuing dismantling of E!'s original channel proposition, NBCUniversal International Networks is adding yet another show from sister channel Bravo, What What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in an ongoing E! (DStv 124) stopgap measure.

Since 3 October the American Bravo show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen is now also running on E! on weeknights at 20:00, similar to Bravo content repurposed for E! Africa like the Below Deck franchise, Shahs of Sunset and other content that originally would never have been shown on E!.

In the United States, Bravo and E! are different linear TV channels catering to different audience segments.

NBCUniversal is now using Bravo content to pad the E! Africa schedule that is losing more and more American content due to cancellations and reduced budgets. This is happening since NBCUniversal is funnelling money to produce streaming service content, which is now taking priority over making original content for linear pay-TV programming like E!.

Bravo content which previously was kept separate since E! had enough of its own shows, is now seen as good enough to fill gaps as E!-adjacent content.

Andy Cohen is an American radio and TV talk show host and is also an executive producer of America's The Real Housewives franchise.

In a press release for E! Africa, Andy Cohen says "I couldn’t be more excited to take Watch What Happens Live to brand-new audiences across the world!"

NBCUniversal renews South Africa's Celebrity Game Night for season 4 on E! Africa with Anele Mdoda, Ayanda Thabethe and Jason Goliath returning.

by Thinus Ferreira

NBCUniversal International Networks has renewed its South African version of celebrity game show Celebrity Game Night produced by Rapid Blue and shown on E! (DStv 124) for a 10-episode fourth season that will premiere in 2023 and with production set to start in September.

Multi-hyphenate producer-presenter Anele Mdoda returns, together with team captains Ayanda Thabethe and Jason Goliath.

In the fourth season which will once again be filmed in Johannesburg, an array of South African celebrities will once compete in a string of party games that will test their pop culture knowledge, physical skills and acting mettle.

Lee Raftery, managing director for the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region for NBCUniversal International Networks & direct-to-consumer, says "We're delighted to bring a brand-new season of our award-winning original production Celebrity Game Night, which has just been nominated for its second SAFTA, to E! Africa".

"Expect big celebrities, bigger games and most importantly the biggest laughs yet!"

The Hollywood Game Night format is distributed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The original NBC version of the series was created by actor-producer Sean Hayes and producer Todd Milliner and has since been adapted locally in Greece, French Canada, Spain, Iceland, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Twitter teams up with E! News for new live-stream show While You Were Streaming on the social network with Danielle Robay discussing television series.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Twitter social network and NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124) channel is partnering up, with E! that will be doing a new, "made-for-Twitter", live-stream series, While You Were Streaming from its E! News division.

While You Were Streaming will have Danielle Robay as presenter, who will be joined by rotating guests. 

While You Were Streaming will discuss various TV series, both on traditional television as well as those seen on video streaming services.

"The Twitter timeline is where highlights hit first. It's the place people come to watch, debate and participate in the biggest moments across sports, news, gaming and entertainment every day and we're so excited to announce an incredible line-up of new content opportunities," said TJ Adeshola, Twitter's head of global content partnerships.

As African governments try to cut off the internet don't count out the tenacity of Africa's rising social media stars.

by Thinus Ferreira

There's plentiful irony insta-baked into a social media star from Zimbabwe winning the continent's category as African Social Star 2021 at E!'s 2021 People's Choice Awards, as social media influencers continue to struggle as they try to carve out businesses and amass clout while African governments do the opposite with wholesale switch-offs of the internet as soon as they come under pressure.

From Zimbabwe to Ethiopia, from Zambia and Uganda, to Tunisia, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria and a string of other African nations like Togo, Benin, Gabon, Burundi, Chad, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Guinea, Eritrea, Liberia and Tanzania, dictatorial African leaders are becoming brazenly shameless in cutting off the internet in their countries when they're trying to block and mute what the public is saying.

Imitating countries like social media censorship rife China, African countries - trying to stifle public discourse and social media communication - are more and more prone to do wholesale cut-offs of the internet when the citizenry rise up online to say things they don't like and that threaten their power.

Cue NBCUniversal International Networks that again returned the African Social Star of the year category to the 2021 People's Choice Awards, with Africans - and indeed E! (DStv 124) viewers worldwide, who got to vote in 40 categories for their favourites.

For the third time in the history of the People's Choice Awards since it switched to E!, the competition specifically included an African Social Star, with Zimbabwe's Tyra Chikocho (known as Madam Boss) who won, and with Kenya's Azziad Nasenya second and the South African TikTokker Witney Ramabulana coming in third place.

The Harare-born Tyra Chikocho who began her entertainment career as a gospel singer before her comedy skits started going viral on social media became the first Zimbabwean comedian to pass 1-million followers on Facebook and is well on her way to the same milestone on Instagram.

What do these African social media trailblazers on the African continent make of African governments and countries simply switching off the internet willy-nilly, and in the process damaging public discourse but also businesses, livelihoods, and economies?  

TVwithThinus asked during a recent virtual media press conference that had to be submitted as a written question on Zoom for E!'s African Social Star 2021 in the People's Choice Awards and was promised an answer during the session, but none were ever forthcoming.

What is clear, although they don't really seem to yet quite fathom why, African governments switching off or restricting internet access won't end well - for them. 

While internet service providers (ISPs) dutifully cut access when ordered to millions of users in African countries that are struggling to uphold basic democratic values like freedom of expression and freedom of speech, it's clear that draconian African governments trying to stifle free speech will eventually find themselves on the wrong side of history.

It's futile to try and mute or control public comment and discussion, and as Africa rises, so does its social media users, internet consumers and social media stars who - if gagged - will find other ways to give expression to their voices.

As Africa gives rise to more social media stars across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok - conversations and online mass communication relationships grow exponentially. It's expanding, not contracting.

Even if African governments and despot rulers and ruling parties don't understand it, trying to dam up and stop a river doesn't stop its flow. 

The 2021 People’s Choice Awards will be broadcast on Tuesday 7 December 2021, starting with the 2021 People’s Choice Awards: Live From E! at 02:00 and the ceremony at 04:00 on E! (DStv 124). 

The ceremony will be repeated the following day on Wednesday 8 December at 20:00.

73rd PrimeTime Emmy Awards: Red carpet coverage on E! and awards ceremony coming to M-Net with Cedric the Entertainer as the host.

by Thinus Ferreira

America's 73rd annual PrimeTime Emmy Awards with Cedric the Entertainer as the host, will once again be broadcast live across Africa as a simulcast with the CBS network in the United States, with M-Net (DStv 101) that will show it from 02:00 on Monday morning 20 September, with a repeat in primetime on the same day from 21:30.

E! (DStv 124) is once again doing red carpet coverage, with E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards that will start at exactly midnight on Sunday and carry on until 02:00 on Monday morning when the Emmys ceremony starts.

There is a rebroadcast of E!'s red carpet coverage on Monday night at 21:00.

The 73rd primetime Emmy Awards is returning as a live-show ceremony, with a limited audience of nominees and their guests.

It's set to take place party indoors and party outdoors on the Event Deck at LA Live in Los Angeles - very close to the Emmys' usual home of the Microsoft Theatre and where it would have been this year as well if it wasn't for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in Hollywood.

The broadcast is executive produced by Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart.

Laverne Cox takes over as E!'s red carpet coverage host for American award shows.

by Thinus Ferreira

E! (DStv 124) has contracted Laverne Cox to take over interviewing and commentating duties as its new host for E! Live from the Red Carpet to cover American award shows from January 2022.

The appointment of Laverne Cox comes after Giuliana Rancic stepped down from her longtime role and is moving into a content development role as part of a new contract with NBCUniversal.

Laverne Cox is known for her role as Sophia Burset in Netflix's Orange is the New Black series in which she became the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a primetime Emmy award in award and that made her the first trans woman of colour to have a leading role in a mainstream scropted TV series.

Laverne Cox just finished filming a new upcoming Netflix series entitled Inventing Anna and will also be the presenter of a series of celebrity interview specials for E! during 2022 that will spotlight trendsetters, tastemakers and those making an impact in the Hollywood community.

"Laverne Cox is a risktaker, groundbreaking pioneer and a fashion tour de force," says Jen Neal, executive vice president, entertainment live events, specials and E! News at NBCUniversal Television & Streaming,in a statement announcing the appointment.

"As we continue to evolve the way we cover Hollywood's biggest nights, Laverne's passion for, and extensive knowledge of, the fashion community resonates with our audience and we look forward to seeing her shine on the other side of the velvet rope."

Laverne Cox in the statement says "I'm so excited and deeply humbled to be hosting E!'s iconic red carpet coverage".

"For many years I would wake up early on awards show days, get my snacks in place and watch E!'s coverage all day long."

"I dreamed of walking red carpets. Now, not only have I had several fun and amazing personal red carpet moments, I also get to be a red carpet guide for E!'s discerning audience and chat with my colleagues and folks I deeply admire for these very special events in their lives. I can't wait to get started while hopefully serving up fashion fantasies for the ages, honey."

ALSO READ: Giuliana Rancic exits as E! red carpet host after 18 years, will continue working on a content development deal with NBCUniversal.

Giuliana Rancic exits as E! red carpet host after 18 years, will continue working on a content development deal with NBCUniversal.

by Thinus Ferreira

Giuliana Rancic is done with doing red carpet coverage for E! (DStv 124) after 18 years, announcing her exit that comes threemonths after Ryan Seacrest announced his departure after 14 years and two months after Jason Kennedy said that he was leaving E! in March after 16 years.

It means that the recent 93rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles marked Giuliana Rancic's final Live From the Red Carpet coverage duty at an American awards show since she started in 2003.

Linear American pay-TV channels like E! are struggling to remain relevant as the corporate groups they belong to are repurposing and moving content to their respective new video streaming services and are refocusing their content investment on creating shows for streaming as opposed to linear broadcasting. 

Giuliana Rancic announced her exit as E!'s red carpet host in a statement that she also posted on her Instagram account, saying that "I have decided to step out of my red carpet heels into a new pair of shoes. To my E! family, thank you for allowing me to make my red carpet dreams come true for the past two decades. It has truly been a highlight of my career and life."

Giuliana Rancic will continue to work with NBCUniversal, the parent company of E!, with the "new pair of shoes" that is in reference to a new content development deal that she has signed.

E! in a statement says that "While we will all miss watching Giuliana bring her iconic interview style, infectious humor and keen sense of fashion to E!'s red carpet, we are excited to announce a development deal across NBCUniversal where she will bring her passion projects to life".

"We look forward to collaborating with Giuliana in the future and we will always be her biggest fans - on and off the carpet."

Giuliana Rancic was a correspondent for E! News that saw her elevated to managing editor and co-host since 2005 until 2015 when she left. Giuliana Rancic returned in September 2018 and finally left again when E! News moved from Los Angeles to New York in January 2020 that got cancelled in August last year.

Giuliana also did a 7 season reality show Giuliana and Bill for the Style Network and E! with her husband Bill Rancic and she also served as a panellist of Fashion Police on E! with host Joan Rivers from 2010 to 2017.

Jason Kennedy the next on-air talent to leave E! after 16 years, says he wants to 'explore new opportunities'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Jason Kennedy is the next E! (DStv 124) talent to exit NBCUniversal's increasingly-dimming entertainment channel saying he is pursuing new opportunities after 16 years.

E! cancelled its biggest draw, Keeping Up with the Kardashians with the Calabasas-based Kardashian-clan in California that will be doing a new reality TV series for Disney+; with E! News, In the Room and Pop in the Morning that all got cancelled, and red carpet host Ryan Seacrest who quit last month.

Jason Kennedy joined E! and E! News in 2005 and eventually became the co-anchor of E! News next to Giuliana Rancic.

In a statement, Jason Kennedy says "I've had the time of my life at E!. Most recently, I loved being the host of In the Room, but Covid made it impossible to capture interviews with celebrities in a more personal setting, so I have decided to explore new opportunities".

"I'm leaving with a grateful and full heart thinking about my experience, and the lifelong friendships I've made along the way at E!. I have a slate of exciting projects that I've been working on and I can't wait to share with you soon."

ALSO READ: After 14 years Ryan Seacrest exits as E!’s red carpet host, says he's decided to move on 'to new adventures'.

ALSO READ: Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! cancelled after 14 years.

ALSO READ: E! News on E! Entertainment cancelled after 29 years; Pop of the Morning and In the Room also axed as remaining E! studio shows move back to Los Angeles in cost-cutting move.