Primedia+ adds JAN Voyage: Italy with chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen from Brainwave Productions as its first original series

by Thinus Ferreira  

Primedia+ has added the travelogue series JAN Voyage: Italy from brainwave Productions and fronted by the South African Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen as its first original production. 

The six half-hour episode series is available on Primedia+ on the website as well as on the Primedia+ app for free after registration.

In JAN Voyage: Italy, the South African Michelin star chef travels through various Italian regions by car and train with his four-year old dog, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named Elizabeth, that he calls "Lizzie".

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen showcases places ranging from Apricale and Florence to to Parma, Naples and Positano.

Primedia Studios commissioned JAN Voyage: Italy specifically for Primedia+. Brainwave Productions previously produced the series JAN as well as JAN RSVP for Media24's VIA (DStv 147) channel.

"In every encounter with the people behind the food, I find a story of passion, patience and devotion," says Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen.

"It reminds me that food is never just about what's on the plate - it's about the hands, the hearts, and the histories that bring it to life – from the butchers who still wrap their cuts in brown paper with pride to the corner shopkeepers who know every face in the village and the families who've run their cafés for generations, still stirring the same sauces their great-great-grandparents made."

"It reminds me that food is never just about what’s on the plate - it’s about the hands, the hearts, and the histories that bring it to life."

Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, says "We are incredibly honoured to have joined forces with the multiple Safta-winning Brainwave Productions to showcase this stunning show on Primedia+."

"Jan Hendrik brings the Midas touch to everything he does, and JAN Voyage: Italy is a sure-fire recipe for binge-worthy viewing."

Primedia brings more localised format shows to South African television with Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment

Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios that has proven success with bringing and placing localised and adapted global format shows on South African television will bring new seasons of Project Runway, The Voice, Idols and Dancing with the Stars to South African TV.

A misfired, extremely inept and badly done Project Runway SA was attempted by Khanyi Dhlomo's imploded Ndalo Pictures in 2018 for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and was never seen again, while M-Net (DStv 101) had more success with several seasons of The Voice SA, Idols and Dancing with the Stars.

Primedia Studios is teaming with the American Yellowstone-star Denim Richards and his Opulent Entertainment Group to localise these format reality shows for South African television.

While no platforms have been announced, it's unlikely that Project Runway SA, The Voice SA, Idols or Dancing with the Stars SA will be on any of M-Net's packaged TV channels on DStv, or the financially struggling South African public broadcaster's SABC channels, although it remains a faint possibility.

There is a much greater chance for these localised versions to be allocated airtime on streamers like MultiChoice's Showmax or Netflix SA, eMedia's e.tv, or a number of other third-party supplied DStv channels like NBCUniversal International Networks' Bravo!.

Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment Group which he co-founded with South African director Mandla Dube, has had success with producing the South African film Heart of the Hunter done for Netflix.

"We are honoured and incredibly excited to join forces with Denim and his Opulent Entertainment Group on a venture that will unearth new stars and infuse these four top-tier ‘shiny-floor’ shows with the spirit of Africa,” says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, in a statement.

"We share the same vision for the future of African storytelling, and Denim’s extensive experience oscillating between Hollywood and our home ground is part of what will take Primedia Studios’ content slate to the next level."

Denim Richards says "The key to the future and sustainability of entertainment in Africa lies in collaboration and opportunities".

"This collaboration with Primedia Studios is a multi-faceted, significant step forward. Shows like The Voice, Project Runway, Idols and Dancing with the Stars are a powerful platform for undiscovered talent from Africa – not only in front of the camera, but also behind the scenes."

Denim Richards says "Meeting Primedia Group CEO Jonathan Procter and his team has inspired us at Opulent Entertainment Group, since our dreams and vision are aligned."

Jonathan Procter says "Denim Richards is a force of nature. He will fundamentally change the future of creators and the industry in Africa and the way the world understands the creative soul of Africa."

Primedia Studios and Opulent Entertainment's collaboration follows after Primedia's work on revived localised formats for the South African market like Deal or No Deal SA, Deal or No Deal Celebrity, as well as MasterChef SA across various SABC channels of the South African public broadcaster.

Primedia Studios nabs formats of entrepreneurial reality shows Side Hustlers and Double the Money for South African TV versions

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Primedia Studios has secured the format rights and will be working with ITV Studios to bring two localised versions of the entrepreneurial reality shows Side Hustlers and Double the Money to South African TV screens.

Primedia Studios sees both shows with a strong entrepreneurial slant as productions that could aid in the education process around economic growth and small-business development in South Africa.

South Africa and Primedia Studios is the first territory to pick up the Side Hustlers format for a local adaptation.

Side Hustlers, initially developed by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine, follows determined female entrepreneurs who compete to transform their passion projects into fully-fledged investment-worthy businesses.

While juggling demanding day jobs in the hopes of pursuing their dream careers, they get guidance and mentorship from two powerhouse female businesswomen who then put them through a gruelling boot camp.

 

Side Hustlers first aired on the Roku channel in the United States, where it was commissioned for a second season.

In Double the Money, an original format from the United Kingdom, pairs of budding business hopefuls are pitted against the clock to double their starting funds – again and again – in a race to win a cash sum. 

If the out-of-the-box money-making schemes they devise during the show's challenges don't double their capital, they leave the competition with nothing.  

 

Double the Money had Denmark as its first international commission outside of the United Kingdom, with South Africa now second through Primedia Studios.

"We are incredibly excited to add these two refreshing, hugely entertaining and dream-catching formats to our current slate of licensed content," says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president.

"Side Hustlers and Double the Money perfectly fit Primedia Studios' mission to provide unmissable top-notch video entertainment to diverse African audiences while placing a high premium on socio-economic transformation".

"While these shows will empower contestants to follow their business dreams, South African audiences can also gather invaluable tips and tricks of the trade to boost their own business ideas."

Ruth Berry, president of global partnerships & Zoo 55, ITV Studios, says "We are thrilled to see these entrepreneurial formats going to South African shores in partnership with Primedia Studios. We hope these fresh concepts are just what viewers have been waiting for."

The Primedia Studios broadcasting partners and production timelines for Double The Money and Side Hustlers are still pending.

Bongumusa Makhathini appointed Primedia Studios CEO as it enters 'industrial phase'

by Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios has appointed Bongumusa Makhathini as CEO.

Jan du Plessis remains as Primedia Studios president. Both Jan du Plessis and Bongumusa Makhathini will report directly to Jonathan Procter, Primedia Group CEO.

Besides serving as Primedia Studios CEO Bongumusa Makhathini, who is a former SABC board chairperson, will retain his oversight of Primedia OOH. He was appointed as Primedia Outdoor CEO in January 2023.

As Primedia Studios CEO  Bongumusa Makhathini will oversee studio operations, distribution agreements, and sponsorship initiatives and position content for both the local and international markets.

"I am eager to work alongside Bongumusa, whose leadership and vision will be instrumental in bringing these stories to life. Together, we have a unique opportunity to share the creative richness of Africa with the world, and I am committed to ensuring that our content pipeline reflects that depth," says Jan du Plessis.

Bongumusa Makhathini says "The world is ready for stories from Africa, and it is our responsibility to tell them authentically and powerfully".

"This is a pivotal moment for Primedia Studios, and I am excited to lead our team in creating impactful content pathways that resonate across cultures." 

Jonathan Procter says "We are entering an industrial phase for Primedia Studios".

"The creative potential of Africa is vast, and with Jan and Bongumusa steering our efforts, we are well-equipped to enjoy the energy of the creative industry and we will present compelling stories to a global digital audience that is underserved with content from our continent".

"Their combined expertise will be instrumental in advancing our content offering in a fast-evolving digital world." 

"As Primedia Studios embarks on this iterative journey, our collaborators, creators, and audiences are invited to celebrate the rich tapestry of African narratives ready to be shared with the world. Together, we can elevate the voices of the continent and showcase the extraordinary talent that defines the creative industries of Africa."

Former M-Net and Amazon Studios exec Kaye Ann Williams jumps to Primedia Studios as content boss, rejoins Jan du Plessis to oversee SA coprods and series.

by Thinus Ferreira

The former M-Net content executive Kaye Ann Williams - who jumped to Amazon MGM Studios and was part of Amazon's brutal wholesale layoff of its entire South African and African development team - has reunited with her former M-Net boss Jan du Plessis at Primedia Studios.

Kaye Ann Williams has been appointed as vice president for content at Primedia Studios. 

At Primedia Studios the talented and respected Kaye Ann Williams will now develop and oversee its growing slate of South Africa co-productions and format series.

Primedia Studios has a burgeoning slate of co-productions and reality competition format shows like Deal or No Deal SA, Wheel of Fortune SA, MasterChef SA, The Masked Singer SA, SA's Got Talent, Raid the Cage SA and Ready, Steady, Cook SA it is currently producing for the South African public broadcaster's SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 TV channels, with more in the pipeline.

Kaye Ann Williams was the head of M-Net's local productions and independent films and was at M-Net in Randburg for seven years before she joined Amazon MGM Studios in October 2022 when Amazon went on a head-hunting and hiring spree to bulk up its local content development teams in South Africa and Nigeria.

The South African and Africa content team expansion formed part of Amazon's big aspirations and promises to ramp up its own local African Originals slate.

It's a plan that came crashing down after just two years when Amazon Studios in America decided to drastically cut spending which meant the downsizing and evisceration of its entire Africa content rollout and expansion plan and that saw dozens of people who were appointed for the task lose their jobs and producers with existing development contracts getting cancelled.

Now the highly experienced Kaye Ann Williams has reunited with her former M-Net boss Jan du Plessis at Primedia Studios.

With Primedia Studios already described as "the new M-Net", Jan du Plessis and Kaye Ann Williams - who have years of shorthand rapport between them, together with an extensive diary of contacts and deeply forged industry relationships - are setting about building out its slate of shows with both new and well-proven South African production companies and producers.

ALSO READ: Former M-Net exec Kaye Ann Williams now heading up Amazon Prime Video South Africa's scripted series and movies division.

ALSO READ: Amazon slashing content funding for Prime Video Africa, retrenching staff including Prime Video Africa director Gideon Khobane with no new South African series or films to be commissioned.

'Buy a vowel': Rorisang Thandekiso to host Wheel of Fortune SA on SABC3.

by Thinus Ferreira

From Monday, Rorisang Thandekiso will be the host of Wheel of Fortune SA and will help contestants spin the wheel and choose letters in the hope of guessing right to get a phrase and various prizes.

The South African version of Wheel of Fortune is filmed at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town and is produced by Homebrew Films and Primedia Studios for SABC3 according to the format licensed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

While the American version produced by Sony Pictures Television, in addition to a host, has Vanna White who turns the correct letters on the "hangman"-like screen when contestants guess a letter corrently, the South African version won't have an assistant, similar to the British version.

Across 260 half-hour episodes which will air on weekdays on SABC3 at 19:30, three contestants daily will spin the "wheel of fortune" as they get chance after chance to guess letters making up a phrase on a screen.

As with the American version a car is one of the possible prizes and in the South African version it's a Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid.

"I am incredibly honoured to follow in these giant footsteps and be the first Wheel of Fortune South Africa host and the lucky person introducing the show to Africa,” says Rorisang. 

"It’s like Hangman meets Roulette but on an ample dose of healthy television steroids. Like the rest of the world, South Africans will love it. This is the kind of game show that will keep the entire family glued to their screens – whether they’re trying to solve the word puzzles themselves or are routing for the contestants to rake in more money or fabulous prizes."

Lala Tuku, the SABC's acting head of video entertainment, says "Rorisang radiates all the attributes required to hold the reins of this world-famous word-quiz game show".

"She comes with gravitas and years of experience in front of the camera but also embodies a unique mix of sparkle, confidence, and calmness. Furthermore, we're thrilled to break the mould with a powerful female host. It fits in with SABC's mission to celebrate diversity and put the spotlight on women." 

Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, says "We are extremely excited and honoured to finally add the African continent to Wheel of Fortune's phenomenal legacy".

"Wheel of Fortune is arguably the most successful game-show format of all time in terms of its universal appeal and longevity."

"But best of all, South Africans will now have the opportunity to spin their lives around by playing this spectacular yet simple game on a state-of-the-art set. Add mind-blowing amounts of cash and unimaginable prizes – even cars – up for grabs, and Wheel of Fortune South Africa is in a league unseen on local television before."

Emma Stow, Paramount Global Content Distribution's director of format sales, says "Wheel of Fortune is one of our longest-running game shows and we look forward to working with Primedia Studios to bring this successful format to the audience in South Africa". 

Wheel of Fortune has three contestants per episode and starts with a "Toss-up" round in which the trio tries to unravel a word phrase by themselves to earn money and determine which one will spin the iconic wheel first.

There are different wedges on the wheel – anything between R100 and R800, as well as some dreaded ones like "Lose a turn" or "Bankrupt", which might ruin their game. In addition to the cash amounts the wheel includes other prizes which the contestant will pocket if they figure out the word phrase.

In solving the puzzle the amount of money indicated on the wheel multiplies with the number of letters they choose to put on the game's giant puzzle board - but only if the letters are indeed part of the phrase.

If they don't use a consonant, they can also buy a vowel but once they opt to put a wrong letter on the board, it's the next contestant's turn to spin the wheel.

Ultimately, the contestant who calls out the correct phrase bags the money they have accumulated in their own wallet. Thereafter, the contestant with the biggest winnings moves on to play the bonus round, where even more impressive prizes await.

Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films to plate 5th season of MasterChef SA for SABC3.

by Thinus Ferreira

MasterChef South Africa is jumping from M-Net to SABC3 for a 5th season starting in June where the foodie cook-off show will court a wider free-to-air audience after a run on pay-TV.

Besides second seasons for The Masked Singer SA and Deal or No Deal on SABC3 and SABC1 this year, a new season of MasterChef SA is the next TV title the nascent Primedia Studios is cooking up to revitalise the primetime schedule of the South African public broadcaster's linear TV channels.

Primedia Studios has snapped up a 5th season of MasterChef South Africa, represented internationally by media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, with the new season which will also be produced by the Cape Town based Homebrew Films which took over production since last year's fourth season. 

Likewise, Pick n Pay is also going to be back as the 5th season's headline sponsor. 

The winner of the 5th season in the amateur chef competition will get R1 million with entries that will likely open at the end of this month.

Filming of the 5th season of MasterChef SA will likely start sometime around February or March with the broadcast on SABC3 around June. The judging panel will be announced soon.

"It's an honour to collaborate with these formidable television content creators to extend MasterChef South Africa’s reach by inviting more Mzansi foodies and families to join us in the hottest kitchen on TV,” says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president.

"MasterChef has been a winning television recipe across the globe and a local media sensation. The new South African season will have all the ingredients this blue-chip show has become famous for, but the menu will also be spiced up to cater for a broader audience alongside existing fans."

Lala Tuku, SABC head of local content, says "We're thrilled to add MasterChef South Africa to SABC3's schedule".

"Deal or No Deal South Africa and The Masked Singer South Africa proved that SABC audiences have a huge appetite for high-quality, exhilarating local versions of top-notch international formats. Besides providing on-the-edge-of-your-seat entertainment, MasterChef South Africa will shine the spotlight on the country's rich, diverse culture and cuisine whilst transforming the lives of contestants with culinary dreams."

Primedia revives SA's Got Talent for 9th season on SABC in 2024.

by Thinus Ferreira

After seven years off the air, SA's Got Talent is getting revived and is jumping back to the SABC in 2024.

As TVwithThinus reported last month Primedia now confirms that SA's Got Talent is getting a TV berth back on the South African public broadcaster where it ran for two seasons on SABC2 since 2009 before the Rapid Blue-produced show jumped to e.tv for another six seasons, ending in 2017.

The revived 9th season of SA's Got Talent will air on a SABC channel and will now be produced by Anele Mdoda's Rose and Oaks Media production company.

In late September Primedia, at its second PrimeX event held at Montecasino in Johannesburg, announced that it is bringing several retired international formats back to South African television, like SA's Got Talent, as well as Strictly Come Dancing SA which was on SABC3 and moved to M-Net as Dancing with the Stars SA.

Primedia is also reviving The Voice SA which was also on M-Net for a free-to-air audience. 

Primedia also said it plans to take M-Net's Idols which has run out of ratings steam on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) currently in its 19th and final season there, to the SABC and a free-to-air audience.

The Masked Singer SA on SABC3, also produced by Rose and Oaks Media, has been renewed for a second and a third season, while the revived Deal or No Deal SA currently on SABC1 produced by Homebrew Films is also getting a second season.

It's not clear whether the new season of SA's Got Talent will be on SABC1 or SABC2 although it will very likely return to SABC2 as its former channel home, with the season that will have 14 episodes.

"In less than a year we've come further and achieved more than we ever dared hope - not least winning three major television format commissions from our country's largest broadcaster," says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, in a statement.

"All three shows have the power to bring joy and improve lives while showcasing African talent and culture with passion and authenticity".

ALSO READ: Idols, The Voice SA, SA's Got Talent and Strictly revived for SA's free-to-air viewers, Masked Singer SA renewed for 2 more seasons.

Jan du Plessis to lead Primedia Studios.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Primedia is creating Primedia Studios which will be headed up by the South African TV veteran Jan du Plessis as Primedia Studios president, who just retired from M-Net and MultiChoice after almost three decades.

Jan du Plessis will be responsible for oversight of Primedia Studios' strategy around the licensing, creation, development, localisation and distribution of entertainment shows and content like Primedia's content deal with the SABC for format shows like Deal or No Deal SA and The Masked Singer SA for SABC1 and SABC3.

Jan du Plessis joins Lindile Xoko, chief revenue officer and Primedia Broadcasting CEO, as well  as Victoria Ramabulana, showrunner and project manager, who will report directly to Jonathan Procter, Primedia Group CEO.

Jan du Plessis says "We're confident that international format rights-holders, studios and indies will share our excitement at the launch of Primedia Studios".

"Our clients and advertisers can expect the best local content, including new and revitalised formats and dedicated marketing support. Marvel discovered that Africa has superheroes, too, and Wakanda can be forever."

"We want the real character and stories of Africa to infuse everything we do, and we will invest all available resources in the intellectual property that brings these stories to life. By harnessing the power and reach of the Primedia Group, Primedia Studios will be the home of premium-quality Africa-inspired content that will resonate with audiences around the world."

Jonathan Proctor says "Jan is an exceptionally talented professional who will inspire our company's next generation of young people as well as our industry's next generation of leaders. His innovation has created countless opportunities for both audiences and advertisers. For Primedia and the rest of the African continent, this will be a pivotal moment in our industry's development".

11th kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival back at Cape Town's Bay Hotel in August 2023 as kykNET adds new origin story doc Agter die Silwerskerm for broadcast.

by Thinus Ferreira

The 11th kykNET Silwerskermfees Afrikaans film festival will take place between 23 and 26 August this year at its longtime azure berth of the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Cape Town where multiple new full feature films, including 15 short films will make their debut, along with a first-ever slate of mini-documentaries.

In August, the 11th kykNET Silwerskermfees, a well-attended staple on the calendar of the growing South African film festival circuit, will once again unspool a collection of various features films and short films, in various Afrikaans dialects and genres which have been produced over the past year.

A new addition this year will be the set of mini-documentaries commissioned by the festival which forms part of a festival development project to invest in opening up the factual content genre as the African satellite pay-TV service MultiChoice and M-Net continue to ramp up the output of localised content.

"The Silwerskerm Film Festival plays a seminal role in the sustainability of the local film and television industry as it’s the launch pad for high-quality films as well as the careers of bright and promising storytellers," says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of premium channels. 

"We look forward to hosting the festival in August again – the month festivalgoers have become accustomed to.”

On Sunday 12 February at 21:00, kykNET (DStv 144) is screening a new documentary TV special entitled Agter die Silwerskerm chronicling the history and significance of the kykNET Silwerskermfees.

The documentary, produced by Sentient Creative for kykNET, highlights how the South African film festival discovered, fostered and developed a new generation of local filmmakers.

Festival founders Karen Meiring and Jan du Plessis share how the festival was conceived and brought to life in 2012 when the South African film industry was waning due to the lack of funding.

Numerous producers, directors, writers and film crew appear in the documentary whose career trajectory within the industry changed and soared because of the festival's short film incubator project.

Local filmmakers who appear in the Agter die Silwerskerm documentary include Christiaan Olwagen who clinched several awards for movies such as Johnny is nie dood nie, Kanarie and Poppie Nongena, Amy Jeptha and Ephraim Gordon, the visionaries behind the groundbreaking Muslim movie in Afrikaaps Barakat, as well as the filmmaking couple Corné and René van Rooyen who produced Vaselinetjie and Toorbos.

The kykNET Silwerskermfees patron, Arnold Vosloo, also reminisces about his first Silwerskerm film festival experience.

MultiChoice combines two M-Net channels divisions under new premium content team led by Waldimar Pelser as Jan du Plessis is set to retire.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net is combining two of its three South African TV channel groupings, with the M-Net channels and Afrikaans kykNET channels getting consolidated under a new so-called "premium channels" division under oversight of Waldimar Pelser, coming as the director for M-Net channels, Jan du Plessis, is retiring at the end of March after 28 years at the Randburg-based company.

Waldimar Pelser, one year in the seat since February 2022 as new M-Net director for kykNET channels, will now oversee both his existing portfolio, as well as the M-Net channels which have been under Jan du Plessis purview.  Shirley Adonisi remains as M-Net director of local entertainment channels.

Waldimar Pelser's title will change to director of premium channels as the two sets of management teams are getting combined.

"The new leadership structure supports our vision to give the best premium offering to our subscribers on the M-Net channels," says Georginah Machiridza, the MultiChoice Group's executive head of general entertainment channels, in a statement announcing the management change and consolidation.

"We have seen a complimentary nature in viewership for the kykNET and M-Net channels, and this new structure offers us the opportunity to better curate and promote our strong bouquet of channels."

"It is with great admiration and heartfelt respect that we bid farewell to Jan du Plessis while we welcome and support Waldimar in his new role. Since his appointment as director of kykNET channels, his collaborative management approach has showcased a strong drive to take our premium proposition into the future."

"Jan is someone whose guidance and perspective many of us have had the pleasure of experiencing over the years."

"I have deep admiration and respect for him, and he has achieved much more than we could fit into a few words. His passion for local productions has played a key role in game-changing strategic decisions he has taken during his tenure."

"We wish Waldimar the best in his new role, and we will support him as he embarks on this new journey. We look forward to his direction at M-Net."

As a highly respected and extremely knowledgeable veteran executive who is also widely liked across the TV and film industry, Jan du Plessis joined M-Net in 1994 where he grew and evolved the M-Net brand and channels in various capacities over the past 28 years. 

This included the launch of the kykNET channels as director in 1999. He was also part of the teams that secured the rights to produced localised versions of international formats, leading to shows like Big Brother and Idols in South Africa.

Jan du Plessis was appointed director of M-Net channels in 2016, where he was responsible for channels including M-Net, M-Net City and the various M-Net Movies offerings.

"This has been an incredible and unforgettable ride," Jan du Plessis says in the statement. "As someone deeply passionate about film and television, being part of the M-Net family has allowed me to work closely with many film and television makers over the years – a dream career for a film lover such as myself."

"I am grateful for everything I have been part of. When I started at M-Net in 1994, it was to secure and expose our local viewers to the best international content and titles."

"As my roles changed, we at M-Net were able to hone and develop the local industry leading to our bold co-productions where we are exposing the international market to our world-class local talent and stories. I couldn't have asked for anything better than working on one of the best local brands in South Africa, M-Net."

M-Net schedules ITV's Prince Harry book tour interview for 9 January 2023 on DStv as he talks about his drug use and broken British royal relationships in 90-minute British TV special.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has acquired the British one out of two pre-recorded upcoming TV interviews that Prince Harry gave to promote his upcoming book, Spare, with the ITV one which will be shown on M-Net (DStv 101) on Monday 9 January at 19:00 a day after it's shown in the United Kingdom.

The Duke of Sussex did three interviews - one with America's Carte Blanche version of 60 Minutes which will be shown in the United States on Sunday night, the other with ITN Productions for ITV which will also be shown in Britain on Sunday night, and one with America's Good Morning America which will be shown on the ABC network on Monday morning.

Prince Harry did the three new sit-down TV interviews to promote his book, Spare.

Prince Harry's vengeful and malicious book which was supposed to go on sale next week already landed on shelves in Spain on Thursday this week and got read, translated and reported by the media already.

Published by Penguin Random House and ghostwritten by JR Moehringer, Spare includes Prince Harry's salacious revelations about everything from his drug use, to how he injured his penis during a visit to the North Pole and if he's circumcised or not, why he dressed in a Nazi costume, how he got into a nasty physical fight with Prince William in which he ended up on the floor, how he lost his virginity to an older woman when he had sex with her in a field behind a pub, and even how many people he had killed in Afghanistan.

In the past M-Net used to acquire selected 60 Minutes interviews and air it in Carte Blanche on Sunday nights as segments. This time, M-Net is taking the interview with ITV News at Ten presenter Tom Bradby, entitled "Harry: The Interview".

Recorded in California just like Prince Harry's sit-down with Oprah Winfrey which was also on M-Net, the 90-minute TV interview will see Prince Harry dish more dirt and gossip about his broken relationships with various members of Britain's royal family, as well as his drug use including cocaine and marijuana.

"This is going to be a historic broadcast. Being in step with global trends and conversations is built into the fabric of MultiChoice, and we are proud to always offer our subscribers monumental broadcasts – such as this one – as they happen," says Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment, in a statement.

Jan du Plessis, M-Net channels channel director, says "This is a colossal media event that's bound to have many talking. We're pleased for our viewers to be among the first in the world to see it, and look forward to the conversations they will have around it."

Michael Jermey, ITV director of news and current affairs, says "It is extremely rare for a member of the royal family to speak so openly about their experience at the heart of the institution. Tom Bradby's interview with Prince Harry will be a programme that everyone with an informed opinion on the monarchy should want to watch".

Ian Rumsey, ITN Productions managing director and executive producer, says "Harry's version of events contains many elements we've never heard before, as viewers will see. It is a raw and intimate perspective on his relationships with the people closest to him and the moments that have shaped him".

MultiChoice and M-Net adding Magic Showcase and CineMagic as lower-tier channels but will try to prevent more complaints about DStv repeats by locking the channels away to filtered-down bouquets, Novela Magic taken away in South Africa.

by Thinus Ferreira

In MultiChoice's plan as it shifts focus to acquiring and retaining more mid and lower-tiered DStv subscribers, the satellite pay-TV service and M-Net are adding Magic Showcase and Cine Magic as two new lower-tiered channels although MultiChoice will try to prevent more complaints about DStv repeats by locking the channels of these new repeat-filled channels away to just these filtered-down cheaper bouquets.

MultiChoice is also taking away the Novela Magic channel on 27 November from DStv subscribers in South Africa, although Novela Magic will remain available to DStv subscribers in the rest of Africa.

MultiChoice is adding the Magic Showcase and CineMagic TV channels, packaged by M-Net, specifically for DStv EasyView subscribers who pay R29 per month, although MultiChoice is also locking out higher-tiered DStv subscribers from accessing CineMagic as a film channel and Magic Showcase as a general entertainment channel, in order to minimise the ongoing barrage of complaints about DStv repeats.

MultiChoice doesn't want DStv subscribers above DStv EasyView to stumble onto the repackaged content of Magic Showcase or CineMagic and be confronted with content they've already seen, which leads to DStv subscriber complaints about rebroadcasts and repeats.

Like traditional pay-TV services elsewhere in the world, MultiChoice windows content, with series filtering down from more expensive DStv packages, over time, through to lower-tiered packages, although pay-TV subscribers who pay less, have to wait much longer before they also eventually see the bulk of the content.

To prop up its lower-tiered bouquets since it's becoming more important for MultiChoice to focus on and retain mid- and lower-tiered subscribers, MultiChoice is expanding downward access to both more third-party channels - for instance BET and Comedy Central - as well as M-Net packaged channels, to broaden the appeal of lower-tiered packages.

Magic Showcase will start on DStv on Monday 31 October and is an 18-hour TV channel repeating MultiChoice and M-Net's locally-produced content for lower-tiered DStv subscribers who haven't seen it before or had access to it before.

Content will be in various languages with hardcoded subtitles for content not in English, with old shows funnelled from across various higher-tiered M-Net channels like M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) to build the Magic Showcase schedule like Being Bonang, Our Perfect Wedding and Legacy.

CineMagic is a 12-hour movie channel that is starting on DStv on Monday 14 November and will be inaccessible to higher-tiered DStv subscribers above DStv EasyView bouquets.

CineMagic will show "the best in locally-made African films as well as international independent titles. CineMagic is a celebration of storytelling and the common narrative threads that bind us from all parts of the world," according to M-Net. 

CineMagic will be in various languages with hardcoded subtitles for films not in English. Of course all of the films will be "new" to DStv EasyView subscribers but old to DStv subscribers who have been paying more for higher-tiered packages.

Magic Showcase and CineMagic will be just for DStv EasyView subscribers in South Africa, and will reside on the DStv Access and DStv Lite bouquets in Southern Africa.

"As MultiChoice we are committed to giving our subscribers on varying packages the best content there is to offer," says Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment.

"We are proud to grow the EasyView content slate, allowing our subscribers on this package to enjoy award-winning and top-tier local shows and movies from across the continent. It's all about giving our audience the best value for their money, and we are committed to continuously increasing what each DStv package has on show."

Jan du Plessis, director of M-Net channels, says "The addition of two new M-Net channels to the EasyView package only further enhances the subscriber viewing experience".

"We've used the M-Net model in conceptualising and branding the channels – the look and feel are inspired by the 'mother brand', Novela Magic. We trust that viewers will be pleased with the channels and their offerings once they go live."