TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 15 September 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:  

■ Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says marriage counceling revealed that he was a "systemic liar".

- Netflix vice president told him that he was unempathetic and don't encourage criticism.

- Netflix's secret to corporate success?: The "Keeper Test" to ensure a star in every position.
- "We want to be better than Disney at family animation."
- Wants to add someone from Africa to the Netflix board which Netflix doesn't have currently.
- Says Netflix subscribers "don't really care" whether its content is original.

- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix projects could top the viewership charts, says Reed Hastings.


■ How the cancellation of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) hints at the demise of traditional pay-TV.
- Family looking for a lucrative video streaming deal.

■ Netflix launches its first global marketing campaign, known as "One Story Away".
Wants to make Netflix more than just the place where a viewer goes to binge-watch.

■ An appearance on Rachel Maddow on MSNBC (StarSat 263) is very good for American book sales.
MSNBC and Rachel Maddow refused to talk to Associated Press, but literary agent says she helps make books "number one".

■ Snack with caution: A new study finds that watching TV while eating makes you become unaware that you're actually full.

■ Why "Cancel Netflix" is trending.
- Netflix won't cancel Cuties in the United States but might have to internationally.


■ Netflix doesn't have TV commercials but that doesn't mean that it won't have ads in future.
- Netflix takes the crown for spending on film and television.
- Netflix argues for free speech in court fight with Indian businessmen.


■ After she's been let go from Primedia's EWN at 702, Gia Nicolaides joins eNCA (DStv 403).

■ M-Net West Africa is filming Enakhe as a new series in Nigeria for DStv's Africa Magic Showcase channel.

■ The bloated SABC has spent almost R3 million on catering as the struggling and overstaffed South African public broadcaster forges ahead with getting rid of hundreds of workers.

■ M-Net (DStv 101) picks up Race for the Cure documentary.

■ Coronavirus corruption: South African government offers Leanne Manas of SABC2's Morning Live tenders for personal protection equipment.

■ America's pornography industry headed for a major Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 10 September 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:  

■ E! cancelled Keeping Up with the Kardashians after family's pay increase demands although ratings kept going down.
Wanted at least $40 million per season but E! couldn't keep paying the Kardashians the same or even more money for half as many viewers.
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) couldn't keep up with itself - why the reality show got cancelled.
- Kardashians: The reality TV family who reinvented fame.
- How Keeping Up with the Kardashians changed everything from beauty to celebrity.


■ Ellen DeGeneres was a terrible person in her mansion to household staff: Allegedly took pleasure in firing staffers, ran it military-style boot camp, tormented workers over misplaced salt shakers, would leave passive aggressive notes about what's wrong, would lay traps, says ex-staffer.


■ South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) calls for investigation after EFF political party harassed reporter Nobesuthu Hejana TWICE.

■ Netflix subscribers upset over its 4K streaming quality.

■ Netflix CEO Reed Hastings: "Netflix isn't a media company or a technology company. It is an ..."
- Says Netflix bundling isn't an option (subscription required).
- Why Netflix will never have commercials.

■ Pearlena Igbokwe the new boss of NBCUniversal's global TV studio operations.

■ Netflix shocker: Bela Bajaria taking over to lead it's global TV operations with Cindy Holland exiting.

■ How MultiChoice's Showmax decides if and when a series will be acquired and placed on the video streaming platform.

■ Fox News style TV channel planned for the United Kingdom will only broadcasting during prime time, will have a comedy show.

■ Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death grips Indian with frenzied TV coverage.
- India's TV news serves up celebrity death coverage to distract from the country's Covid-19 disaster.

■ Disney will move allof the content of its linear Disney channels to its Disney+ video streaming service in the United Kingdom when it ends its linear channels there.

■ Will The Walking Dead seen on FOX (DStv 125 / StarSat 131) end like the comics did?

■ The hunt for new TV in 2020 brings a last gasp of new shows - and perhaps a shift in old habits.

■ Ukonwa Ojo the new chief marketing officer for Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios.

■ Streaming television can eventually replace pay-TV.

■ Black Mirror predicted what reality TV audiences would look like during the Covid-19 pandemic.

■ After 18 years off-air, the godfather of reality TV has revived his passion project.

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 9 September 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:  

■ "Is this the best you can do for R900?"
DStv Premium subscribers continue to complain about the lack of value and quality content as BBC Studios' BBC First channel is also ripped away and subscribers say they have had enough of "junk viewing".

■ Another reader angry about the axing of ITV Choice and now BBC First, says DStv hasn't bothered to reply while having to pay R1000 monthly to watch repeats.
"What led MultiChoice to the belief thatno-one watched BBC First on channel 119?" asks the reader that wants to move from DStv to Netflix.


■ The disturbing photos from Ghana's trash-bad imitation TV version of M-Net and MultiChoice's Big Brother Naija.
Horrific production values as the so-called Biggy 237 trash show is marred by technical problems; contestant housemates sleeping in dirty, unkept room on student matrasses on the floor; organisers lied about the show being part of MultiChoice Ghana.


■ New BBC director-general Tim Davie against a switch to subscription.

■ New BBC boss Tim Davie to crack down on BBC staff posting their personal views on social media.
- Won't hesitate to shut down BBC TV channels if they no longer offer enough value.
- Says BBC has reached end of linear TV expansion.
- "There is still too much bureaucracy."

■ Star Wars actor John Boyega slams Disney and says he was pushed to the side.

■ How Netflix reinvented entertainment as well as corporate culture.

■ Covid-19 has wiped out 2020's new TV schedule in the United States.

■ Hollywood is filled with fear and loathing over the new stranglehold over cinema of video streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

■ Andrew Lloyd Webber warns that the arts is "at the point of no return".

■ Away on Netflix is another mission-to-Mars TV drama that doesn't achieve liftoff.

■ Reporters from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Financial Review flee China after media crackdown.


■ "Shame on you Unilever! Shame on you TRESemmé!"
eNCA (DStv 403) continues its slide into activism and blended in-news commentary, blurring the line between just reporting the facts in TV news bulletins and giving personal opinion.
- EFF political party harasses eNCA reporter Nobusuthu Hejana.
- EFF political party harasses eNCA reporter AGAIN.


■ South Africa's auditor-general (AG) questions the SABC's R63 million contract with 5 international news agencies - BBC, Reuters, Feature Stories, Associated Press (AP), and AFP awarded in 2017.

■ Ellen DeGeneres will address the behind-the-scenes scandal at her talk show on the air when the new 18th season starts.

■ Global pirate viewing will start on 30 October when the second season of Star Wars' The Mandalorian is released on Disney+ that hasn't yet launched or announced any launch date for Disney's video streaming service in South Africa or Africa.


■ What the end of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) says about the changing TV industry in America.
- The internet today would not be what it is without the Kardashian influence.
- The influencer/creator culture we have today would not exist without Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Hills and The Simple Life.


■ "Very bad form": Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pull out of a fundraiser linked to a video streaming rival to Netlifx after they had already said yes but are now producers for Netflix (subscription required).

- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's "money panic" played amajor role in their decision to sign a production deal with Netflix.
- Netflix viewers cancel their subscriptions after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their Netflix production deal.

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

by Thinus Ferreira

After 14 years and 20 seasons Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) has been cancelled with the famous Kardashian clan of Calabasas in California who has decided to end their reality show in 2021.

"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and several spin-off shows, we've decided as a family to end this very special journey," says Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Scott Disick in a statement.

"We are beyond grateful to all of you who've watched us for all of these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we've met along the way."

Keeping Up with the Kardashians, produced by Bunim-Murray Productions and executive produced by Ryan Seacrest, started in 2007 with its 19th season that will start later this month on E!, followed by a final 20th season in 2021.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians became the channel's flagship reality TV show, leading to spin-offs like Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Khloé & Lamar, Kourtney and Khloé Take the Hamptons, Dash Dolls, Rob & Chyna, I am Cait, Life of Kylie, Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian and Flip It Like Disick.

On her Instagram account on social media Kim Kardashian wrote: "To our amazing fans, It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians".

"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years – through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.

"Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience and, most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who’ve spent countless hours documenting our lives."

"Our last season will air early next year in 2021."

"Without Keeping Up with The Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years. This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever."

"With Love and Gratitude, Kim"

E! in its own statement says "E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family".

"Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives. While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras."

"It is not our final goodbye yet, we are excited to have the new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians launching on September 17 with the final season airing in 2021."

"We thank the entire extended family and our production partners, Bunim Murray and Ryan Seacrest Productions for embarking on this global phenomenon together."

Last month E! cancelled its longrunning E! News, with NBCUniversal that signalled that it's moving its focus away from producing expensive programming for most of its traditional linear pay-TV channels and strongly pivoting towards a video streaming content strategy along with the other major Hollywood players.

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 24 July 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:


■ eNCA (DStv 403) again damages its credibility, goes National Enquirer tabloid with reality TV star Gareth Cliff: Lizard people and freedom of expression.

■ How Covid-19 hastened the decline of TV. 

■ After Kanye went Krazy, Kim Kardashian returns to the filming of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DSt124).
Kim only put on a happy face when the cameras were on her to be professional, but when cameras were off of her, she clearly had a lot on her mind.

■ Another dull go-around with The Kissing Booth 2 on Netflix.
- An overwrought, overstuffed and overlong teen romcom sequel.

■ Illegal pirate viewing of pay-TV content and sport surge in Zimbabwe where consumers can no longer afford MultiChoice's DStv and SuperSport but still want to watch the English Premier League.


■ The former boss of ZBC is out on bail.
Wisdom Hombarume is up on corruption, fraud and smuggling charges. The former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation CEO allegedly lied about taking a business trip to go attend a SADC TV channel and post-DTT migration workshop in Botswana as part of the  Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA). He never went and kept the travel allowance.
Then he went to South Africa to workshop with MultiChoice and China's StarTimes and smuggled back a microphone kit and a luggage bag.


■ Meanwhile the Zimbabwe government plans to license 6 new TV stations.

■ Is it time for Netflix subscribers to go on strike?
University researchers planning an "academic troll" to get Netflix users to delete their data to thwart the video streaming service's recommendation algorithm.

■ Big Brother Naija's 5th season in 2020 produced during Covid-19 will bring N2 billion (R86 million) to the Nigerian economy.

■ Australian TV ratings delayed due to suspected cyber attack.

■ It would take 4 years of watching non-stop to sit and watch through Netflix's entire content library.

■ BBC News reaches highest-ever global audience.
BBC doing very well in especially Kenya and Nigeria as two of its biggest markets. The syndicated shows Africa Eye and Africa Sport are doing very well in attracting viewers.

■ American TV reporter thanks viewer who spotted her cancer.

■ The sale of TV sets has suffered because of Covid-19 while the sale of video streaming devices has soared.

■ Britain's government urged to start an Emergency film and TV Insurance Fund or the restart of that country's biz is doomed for failure.

■ Reuters launches its own video news channel.

IN IMAGES. 62 photos of NBCUniversal International's sumptuous Keeping Up with the Kardashians 17th season premiere party for E! in South Africa.

Like, totally.

On Sunday 15 September 2019, E! (DStv 124) held a sumptuous Sunday afternoon VIP screening of the 17th season premiere episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, before its broadcast later that evening at 20:00.

The channel, supplied by NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service in South Africa, rolled out the black carpet on Sunday at 28 Tugela Road in Riverclub, Johannesburg as the well-heeled high-society in media were chauffeured by golf carts up to the green-lawned mansion to sip champagne and tuck into a delectable smorgasbord of food.

Put together by the unrivalled Cape Town-based events solution company Show Works, the #KUWTK17-themed, mansion-set party decked out in black-and-white was absolute perfection with wonderful spring weather.

Guests watched the season 17 first episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians on E! in a brilliantly executed, fully immersive experience, relaxing on luxury couches, eating salads (out of round plastic containers Kardashian-style), and ordering drinks from a customised cocktail bar, and a champagne lawn bar.

Inside the mansion celebrity chef Lorna Maseko was doing the food, while guests could go into the Glam Room for makeup touch-ups and mini-makeovers, while GLAMOUR magazine had a Kardashian "cover shoot" photo both/cover page mock-up box in another garden corner while a DJ and sax player provided leisurely afternoon vibes.

In front of the multi-garage units outside gleamed black fast-rides all polished to perfection next to the black carpet, with a pink balloon cloud welcoming guests outside at the front door Roman pillars.

Almost everything at the E! event seemed as if it was conceived to be Instagram-able - so much more than at other TV programming media launches.

Of course it's not really how the Kardashian clan lives.

But on Sunday 15 September 2019 in Riverside, it really completely looked and felt like Calabasas - and as if a Kim, a Khloe, a Kourtney or even a Kris could, in any moment, be coming around the Korner.