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."

The Syfy Kids programming block filled with new shows, set to start on 22 July on KidsCo on DStv and TopTV in South Africa.

The Syfy Kids programming block which I've reported in February is coming to KidsCo (DStv 308 / TopTV 255) will now start during July in South Africa on the kids' channel.

Syfy Kids, a partnership between KidsCo and NBCUniversal's Syfy channel, will start with a line-up featuring original programming from Matchbox Pictures and newly acquired titles from Platinum Films and KidsCo's joint-venture partners NBCUniversal and Corus Entertainment.

The Syfy Kids programming block, aimed at kids between the ages of 6 and 10, will be broadcast exclusively on KidsCo from 22 July during peak viewing times.

"We are delighted to announce the launch of Syfy Kids in South Africa exclusively on KidsCo," says Hendrik McDermott, the managing director of KidsCo in a statement. "KidsCo has invested in a strong range of imagination-based content, including the acclaimed Matt Hatter Chronicles, which, coupled with our new on-air graphics package, will bring Syfy Kids to life for our younger viewers,"

Syfy Kids will also launch a first-run exclusive KidsCo original production ZuZu & the Supernuffs from Matchbox Pictures, following five furry intergalactic Nuffs who crashland on Earth in a rusty old bathtub where they meet a new friend ZuZu.

The SyFy Kids programming block will also have Matt Hatter Chronicles from Platinum Films. This animation show follows the dimension-hopping adventures of the schoolboy hero Matt who has to protect the Multiverse, a parallel universe which can only be accessed through the Coronet Movie Theatre.

 KidsCo also acquired the rights to Z-Squad for Syfy Kids from the Corus-owned Nelvana Enterprises and Enemes. Z-Squad follows three superhero girls who must reclaim power crystals to save a planet.

The animated Back to the Future series from NBCUniversal International Television Distribution follows the time-travelling adventures of Professor brown and his friend Marty McFly in their DeLorean.

SyFy Kids plans to show soon The Future is Wild (from Future is Wild Ltd.), Evolution: The Animated Series (from DHX Media) and Dino Squad (DHX Media) which has been on KidsCo before.

BREAKING. Syfy coming to South Africa on DStv and TopTV - but not quite in the way you think.

Syfy, the science fiction TV channel MultiChoice dumped from its DStv pay-TV service when it was still known as The Sci-Fi Channel, is returning to South Africa on both DStv and TopTV - but not as a TV channel.

KidsCo (DStv 308 / TopTV 255), the international children's channel available on both DStv and TopTV will be starting a dedicated science fiction programming block on KidsCo which will be known as Syfy Kids.

The Syfy channel belongs to NBCUniversal, and KidsCo is a joint venture owned by NBCUniversal and Corus Entertainment, which makes the start of Syfy Kids a synergistic brand extension.

MultiChoice dumped The Sci-Fi Channel in 2004 (which has since rebranded to simply Syfy) and never brought it back; TopTV never added it the past two years it has been in operation as South Africa's second satellite pay-TV service.

The Syfy Kids block which will be a unique programming block and the first of its kind from Syfy - will be geared towards children aged 6 to 10 and will launch in the second quarter of 2013 on KidsCo.

Programming on Syfy Kids will include "imagination-based content" from both NBCUniversal and Corus Entertainment, as well as original programming and third-party acquisitions, says KidsCo.

"We're thrilled to see a Syfy Kids block launching on KidsCo," says Dave Howe, the president of Syfy in a just released press statement. "This venture extends the Syfy brands to a whole new generation of younger viewers and establishes a strong global partner as we seek to develop an outlet for Syfy Kids content."

"Following KidsCo's refresh earlier this year, we are now able to innovate to harness the power of our partners and shareholders," says Hendrik McDermott, the managing director of KidsCo in the statement.

"Collaborating with NBCUniversal and Corus Entertainment to bring imagination-based content via the well-known and respected Syfy brand, really demonstrate our dedication to delivering the strongest channel to our affiliates, whilst differentiating ourselves from our competitors," says Hendrik McDermott.

BREAKING. KidsCo on DStv and TopTV changing its look from beginning 2013 with new content to deliver a much stronger channel.

You're reading it here first. 

KidsCo (TopTV 255 / DStv 308), the children's TV channel available in South Africa on both MultiChoice's DStv as well as On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV pay-TV platforms will be changing its look from the beginning of 2013 and roll out new content globally.

The refreshed KidsCo will feature a redesigned on-air look the kids channel is announcing, and will also have new content as the channel transition to Corus Entertainment's fascilities at their Toronto-based headquarters, Corus Quay.

Under the new shows KidsCo plans to introduce from 2013 is the new original production, Zuzu and the Supernuffs currently being produced by Matchbox Pictures from NBCUniversal with whom KidsCo announced a content deal earlier this year.

Zuzu and the Supernuffs follows five furry intergalactic Nuffs who crashland on Earth in a rusty old bathtub and meet a new friend, Zuzu.

"2013 is set to be an exciting year for KidsCo," says Hendrik McDermott, the managing director of KidsCo. "We will leverage the global capacity and expertise of both our shareholders, NBCUniversal and Corus Entertainment, to deliver a refreshed and much stronger channel, which will allow us to compete on the global stage."

"We will continue to drive our international growth plans through investments in safe, responsible and localised content," he says.

KidsCo now reaches 15 million subscribers worldwide after further affiliate deals across Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific.

KidsCo (DStv 308 / TopTV 255) now reaches 15 million subscribers worldwide. says the kids TV channel.

In a statement KidsCo says the international channel has signed new affiliate deals across Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific which means that KidsCo becomes available in more than 15 million households.

"It has been a positive first quarter for KidsCo, with further penetration into key territories. Our affiliates know that in KidsCo they have a partner that can meet their unique requirements in an efficient and cost-effective way with a quality product that is enjoyed by kids and trusted by parents," he says.

ALSO READ: NBCUniversal International takes over control of KidsCo with 51% share.