BREAKING. Discovery's TLC Entertainment on DStv dropping the 'Entertainment' from January 2018 as it goes back to its abbreviated name after 4 years.

Discovery's TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform will be reverting back to being known as just TLC and will be dropping the "Entertainment" add-on from its name from January 2018.

Discovery changed TLC to TLC Entertainment in October 2013 when it added programming from Oprah Winfrey's OWN but after 4 years it is now changing back to just TLC.

According to Discovery and in response to a media enquiry, Discovery tells TVwithThinus that the move of TLC Entertainment back to just TLC is part of a wider global brand alignment. "The channel itself and its content will remain the same," says Discovery.

In other changes to Discovery Networks' African TV pride, the Animal Planet (DStv 183) channel is abruptly getting culled from DStv at the end of December 2017 in just two weeks' time. Animal Planet was carried on DStv for 14 years since October 2003.

These changes are very likely big parts of the reason why Discovery Networks didn't hold any year-end upfront presentation for South African advertisers and media this year, marking the first time in at least 7 years that Discovery in South Africa broke with its own annual upfront modus operandi.

New shows on TLC will include Dr Miami, Judge Jenkins and The Healer while new wedding shows Diva Brides and Curvy Brides Boutique will join returning seasons of 90 days to Wed and Surrounded by Daughters.

Discovery Networks in South Africa's big local push on the back-to-abbreviated TLC in early 2018 will be around its new local show with Thando Thabethe. 

Her upcoming TV talk show on TLC (DStv 135) in early 2018 that will be entitled Thando Bares All.

BREAKING. Discovery's Animal Planet axed from DStv after 14 years at the end of December; MultiChoice says other 4 Discovery channels will remain in new carriage deal.

Animal Planet (DStv 183) is the next channel getting culled from MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service, with the channel from Discovery Networks International that will go dark in two weeks' time at the end of December after 14 years.

TLC Entertainment on DStv is also dropping the "Entertainment" and reverting back to just being known as TLC from January 2018.

These changes are very likely big parts of the reason why Discovery Networks didn't hold any year-end upfront presentation for South African advertisers and media this year, marking the first time in at least 7 years that Discovery in South Africa broke with its own annual upfront modus operandi.

Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region didn't respond when asked on Monday through its FleishmanHillard SA PR agency if Animal Planet is being removed off DStv, but on Thursday morning MultiChoice confirmed that Animal Planet is getting axed.

DStv added Animal Planet in 2003 but started cutting it back two years ago when the channel from Discovery was scaled back in December 2015 and removed from DStv Compact, making it only available to DStv Premium and DStv  Compact Plus subscribers only.

Recently DStv subscribers watching Animal Planet noticed a warning advisory on the Animal Planet DStv electronic episode guide (EPG) saying the channel will be discontinued on 30 December.

Interestingly, Discovery Networks CEEMEA didn't have any end-of-year upfront for advertisers and the press in South Africa for the first time in years.

Discovery's conspicuously absence at the annual upfront show-and-tell circuit was noticeable since Discovery in South Africa's upfront is widely regarded by the TV, advertising and media industry as the best annual upfront presentation year after year for over the last half a decade since at least 2010.

MultiChoice says despite Animal Planet being removed from DStv, "customers will not miss out, as some of the much-loved shows will be available on the other Discovery channels, including shows such as Treehouse Masters, which will move to Discovery Channel, while shows such as Tanked and Insane Pools: Off The Deep End will move to Discovery Family."

MultiChoice says it will be launching a new channel from Discovery in mid-2018 with some of Discovery's other animal and wildlife content that will be made available on this unnamed channel as well.

Animal Planet has been left out of a new MultiChoice carriage deal with Discovery Networks International that will see the Discovery Channel, TLC Entertainment, Discovery Family and Investigation Discovery (ID) continue on the DStv platform.

MultiChoice says the new carriage agreement includes "extended video-on-demand and Catch Up hours for Discovery’s entire portfolio" and for the first time TLC Entertainment, ID and Discovery Family shows".

"All four of Discovery’s channels will be available to launch on DStv Now from early 2018, meaning DStv customers will be able to enjoy the best of Discovery, anywhere, any time".

MultiChoice will also upgrade ID, Discovery Family and TLC Entertainment to high definition (HD) channels on DStv soon.

"Our customers love the Discovery family of channels and we're pleased that we could renew this agreement, including offering this world-class content to our customers wherever they are, to watch whenever they are ready," says Yolisa Phahle, CEO: General Entertainment at MultiChoice.

Discovery has included a statement in the MultiChoice statement, but isn't saying anything about the axing of Animal Planet.

"Our channels and content have been providing hours of enjoyment for DStv customers for many years and we’re thrilled to continue this legacy, with an unbeatable slate of programming across our portfolio which, thanks to this renewed agreement, DStv customers will now be able to access whenever and however it suits them," says Dilek Doyran, the vice president and country manager for Africa at Discovery Networks CEEMEA.

Discovery has been asked again for a comment on Thursday on Animal Planet's axing after confirmation that the channel will be removed from DStv.

When or if Discovery CEEMEA responds about its channel leaving the airwaves in South Africa after 14 years, that response will be added here.

Discovery's TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) channel will also from January 2018 revert back to just being called TLC and will be dropping the "Entertainment" add-on from its name, TVwithThinus has confirmed.

Discovery changed TLC to TLC Entertainment in October 2013 when it added programming from Oprah Winfrey's OWN but after 4 years it is now changing back to just TLC.

According to Discovery the move of TLC Entertainment back to just TLC is part of a wider global brand alignment. "The channel itself and its content will remain the same," says Discovery.

After quitting SABC1's Generations, Thando Thabete's risque TV talk show on TLC Entertainment on DStv will be entitled Thando Bares All.

Thando Thabethe as the latest on-air face to quit the South African public broadcaster will be starting her upcoming TV talk show on TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) in early 2018 that will be entitled Thando Bares All.

The "slightly risque" 8-episode Thando Bares All is produced by Oxyg3n Media and will see Thando Thabethe talking with people about "body positivity" and "things that society might be afraid or embarrassed to speak about".

Thando Thabethe recently quit her role on the SABC's Generations weekday soap on SABC1 for the chance to appeal to a pay-TV audience in a localised African TV talk show for Discovery Networks International's female-focused African channel feed of TLC Entertainment.

Thando Thabethe couldn't continue to be seen on the South African public broadcaster as a SABC face and as one of Discovery's new faces on TLC Entertainment and opted to take a chance on appealing and reaching out to a new audience after she appeared on TLC Entertainment in 2016 as a judge in a presenter search competition.

Topics in the 8 episodes of Thando Bares All will discuss polygamy, "naked attraction", outrageous style and body issues with themes borrowed and synchronising with other well-known TLC Entertainment programming.

Casissa Cupido, winnter of TLC Entertainment's Next Great Presenter Search 2016 and now the official TLC Entertainment voice-over artist, will film vox pop inserts with the public for Thando Bares All.

'When TLC approached me to present this show, I was ecstatic," says Thando Thabethe in a prepared statement.

"I'm a huge fan of the channel and thoroughly enjoyed with the brand as a judge for its Next Great Presenter competition in 2016."

"This for me is a step in the right direction for my career in the entertainment industry. I can't wait to start filming Thando Bares All and finding out what South Africans think about the topics that really matter," says Thando Thabethe.

"TLC Entertainment proudly celebrates inspirational, larger-than-life characters and we are incredibly excited to welcome Thando to the family," says Dilek Doyran, vice president of commercial development and country manager of Africa at Discovery Networks Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA).

"Thando Bares All is about bringing people together and tackling topics we know our viewers will have strong opinions on."

"With her charismatic personality and unique presenting style, Thando was the perfect fit to front the series and we look forward to bringing even more 'OMG' moments to our viewers when Thando Bares All comes to TLC early next year," says Dilek Doyran.

"Oxyg3n Media are delighted to be working with TLC Entertainment on this new and exciting talk show," says Rebecca Fuller-Campbell, Oxyg3n Media CEO.

"We can't think of anyone better than Thando and Carissa to talk TLC topics with the heart that represents the channel."

"It has been a very interesting journey for us to decide what topics to discuss, but I have no doubt that the TLC audience will be captivated by this unique, colourful, heartfelt and slightly risque talk show."

SMILEY FACE. TLC Entertainment on DStv updates its logo, adds emojis as the channel looks to engage viewers beyond just the TV viewing experience.

The TLC Entertainment (DStv 135) channel has refreshed its look with a slightly updated channel logo and by incorporating social media "emojis" on-air to enhance the appeal and "playfulness" of the channel skewed towards a female target audience.

With the emojis introduction, TLC Entertainment - a channel from Discovery Networks International supplied to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and Africa - wants to get viewers to take their in-viewing and off-viewing conversation further and beyond the confines of just the actual viewing experience.

TLC Entertainment also added a custom Meme Generator on its new African website at www.TLCAfrica.tv

"Now in its 5th year, TLC has truly captured the hearts of South African audiences, through its unique mix of eye-opening stories and larger-than-life characters that will never fail to get our viewers talking," says Lee Hobbs, the vice president of channels for emerging business at Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"Building on two of TLC's core values - surprise and emotion - this new campaign celebrates the channel's brand-defining programming with the introduction of emojis which, with their universal appeal, are the perfect tools to express, embrace and elevate our TLC stories and encourage a new level of viewer engagement," says Lee Hobbs.

Programming TLC Entertainment include the 8th season of Buddy Valastro's Cake Boss, weight-loss show Fat Chance following 8 people on a quest to lose the fat and find love, My Extreme Excess Skin in which people cut kilo's of skin away and Two in a Million uniting people who suffer from the same rare medical conditions.

TOLDJA! Discovery Networks' Discovery World channel on DStv abruptly yanked off, replaced by DStv Family on another channel number.

A day after TVwithThinus reported that Discovery Networks' Discovery World (DStv 187) channel looks like a gonner on DStv, the channel is indeed abruptly going to go dark and being taken away within days at the end of March, replaced with Discovery Family on another DStv channel number.

Neither MultiChoice nor Discovery Networks International (DNI) bothered to give DStv subscribers and Discovery World viewers any reasons or explanation in a statement as to why the Discovery World channel is being removed, 6 years after it was added in February 2010.

Asked why Discovery World is being removed, DNI tells TVwithThinus that "at Discovery Networks we are constantly looking at market trends and viewer preferences, with the goal of best catering to the needs of our audiences. In Africa we have identified a high demand for family edutainment programming and are therefore adding Discovery Family to our DStv portfolio".

Instead of however growing the Discovery channel offering on MultiChoice, the Discovery World channel is being replaced by Discovery Family on a new channel number of 136 from 31 March.

Discovery's TLC Entertainment is also being moved from channel 172 to channel 135 on DStv to sit alongside the DStv Family channel.

DStv Family is a meshing of content already largely available on the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, making it strange that Discovery didn't rather add the premium HD channel Velocity aimed at male viewers, or Discovery Life - channels that's more different from the already existing content offering from Discovery.

The sudden channel swop leaves Discovery with still 6 channels in South Africa: Discovery Channel (DStv 121), TLC Entertainment, Animal Planet (DStv 183) Discovery Science (StarSat 320), ID Xtra (DStv 171 / StarSat 223) and now Discovery Family replacing Discovery World.

Earlier this year MultiChoice told the media that the satellite pay-TV platform will still add new TV channels, but not at the same roll-out pace as before, and has moved to now rather focus on working with channel and content providers to strengthen their existing content and channel offerings already available on the DStv service like Discovery, BBC Worldwide, M-Net and others.

Discovery World as a channel was noticeably missing from Discovery Networks CEEMEA's upfront for 2016 in November last year.

When TVwithThinus specifically then asked whether Discovery World is being cancelled and removed from DStv in 2015, Discovery refused to give a straight answer and said "we wanted to concentrate the story on less channels this year to increase the impact on the audience".

It's now clear that Discovery World's termination on DStv was indeed already then in the works.

Earlier this week Discovery Networks CEEMEA was asked again directly whether Discovery World is being removed, and again Discovery Networks International wasn't willing to be truthful in its response.

MultiChoice, asked on Tuesday whether Discovery World is being dumped on DStv, said it will make the necessary announcements if any changes are made to channels.

Asked on Thursday why Discovery World is being taken away from DStv subscribers, MultiChoice didn't immediately respond to a media enquiry.

In a statement however announcing the Discovery World with Discovery Family channel replacement, Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice South Africa's head of content says "Discovery Family and TLC will provide the perfect complement that'll strengthen our DStv entertainment selection".

"Discovery Family is designed for family viewing, bringing great programming that entertains and educates."

Discovery Family will be available to DStv Premium, DStv Extra, DStv Compact and DStv Family subscribers in South Africa - the same as the discontinued Discovery World.

David Mbeha from Namibia wins TLC Entertainment's Next Great Presenter search; says 'I made a promise to my mother that I will really pursue this dream'.

A beaming David Mbeha from Namibia has won the TLC Next Great Presenter search competition, with the Namibian from a small town saying in a moving speech that he made a promise to his mother to pursue his dream of becoming a TV presenter.

David Mbeha will now become the on-air presenter of the 4-part show TLC Top 10 starting on TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) on Thursday, 3 December.

TLC Top 10 as a new programming strand on TLC Entertainment will broadcast over the course of 4 episodes some of the most popular programming on the channel since 2011 with David Mbeha introducing and talking about it.

David Mbeha who won the lion's share of the vote beating Mpiwa Bagwasi from Botswana and Star Khulu from South Africa in the top 3.

He was announced the winner on Wednesday night at a swanky programming upfront presentation at Level Three in Johannesburg where Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region held the factual entertainment brand's annual content preview for 2016.

As part of his presenting prize David Mbeha wins a holiday for two to the island of Bali, as well as a feature article in the January 2016 issue of South Africa's Cosmopolitan.

"I grew up with this huge dream of one day wanting to be a TV host. Coming from a very small town in Namibia where nothing much really happens, I really want to go on to work with a brand that strives to find and celebrate everyday differences," said David Mheba.

"TLC Entertainment is a brand that is passionate, and tells riveting stories, and has such unique content - content that you would never find on any other channel."

"Last year in June I made a promise to my mother that I will really pursue this dream, and chase it no matter what, to become a TV presenter. And that is what I have really done from day one. And tonight I've fulfilled that dream," said David Mbeha.

Top 3 candidates in TLC Entertainment's Next Great Presenter search are Mpiwa Bagwasi, David Mbeha and Star Khulu who viewers will now vote for.

The top three candidates have been announced in TLC Entertainment's (DStv 172) Next Great Presenter search and are Mpiwa Bagwasi from Gaborone in Botswana, David Mbeha from Windhoek in Namibia and Star Khulu from Johannesburg in South Africa.

Viewers will now have to vote from 28 October for who they want to present the show TLC Top 10 starting in December on TLC Entertainment for 4 episodes running favourite pieces of programming shown on TLC Entertainment before.

"For me it started with a dream and I was fortunate enough to find this opportunity which validated that dream," says Mpiwa Bagwasi.

"I look forward to the next stage," says David Mbeha. "I feel so privileged to have been selected as one of the three finalists," says Star Khulu.

"We chose our top 3 finalists based on their passion for TLC and how they came alive on camera," says Lee Hobbs, the vice president of channels for emerging business at Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"The 12 semi-finalists were extremely talented and proved that they are all capable of having a successful career in the entertainment industry."

Lee Hobbs says the final decision over which one of the 3 finalists is the winner will be left to TLC Entertainment viewers.

Four judges of TLC Entertainment's Next Great Presenter search looking beyond 'fake smiles, fake laughs and fake accents' to find new African TV star.

The judges for the TLC (DStv 172) channel's Next Great Presenter search are Lee Hobbs, Carol Tshabalala, Aletta Alberts and Cosmo South Africa's editor, Cathy Lund.

The winner will become the presenter of TLC Top 10 – a new programming strand on TLC Entertainment which will start on Thursday 3 December at 20:55 and rebroadcast some the most popular programming on the channel since 2011.

The top 12 finalists from across Africa will be narrowed down to a top 3 after a bootcamp of two days next week where they will get mentoring from various industry experts to help them prepare for the next round and to possibly avoid elimination.

The TLC's Next Great Presenter search follows roughly the same pattern as Top Billing and SABC3's successful Presenter Search on 3 and Disney Africa's recent I Love Violetta Presenter Search which bypass the traditional agent, casting and auditioning system and which allow surprising new on-air TV talent to emerge with new telegenic stars that otherwise would not have been discovered.

Viewers will get to choose the presenter out of the three shortlisted finalists.

The judges for TLC's Next Great Presenter search are Lee Hobbs (the vice president of channels for emerging business for Discovery Networks' Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region), Carol Tshabalala (SuperSport presenter), Aletta Alberts (general manager of content at MultiChoice) and Cathy Lund (editor of Cosmopolitan South Africa).

"We're extremely excited to get going with the next phase of this competition especially because we have some absolutely fantastic minds with proven track records helping us decide who Africa's new face of TLC Entertainment will be," says Lee Hobbs.

"I will be looking for someone who's confident, vibrant, enthusiastic and engaging with a real passion for the channel. TLC is known for its diverse array of entertaining presenting talent – from Oprah and Iyanla, to Buddy and Randy – so in order to stand alongside these famous faces and become TLC's Next Great Presenter, my advice for our 12 semi-finalists is to be yourself, be bold and most importantly be TLC!"

Carol Tshabalala says "the TLC Next Great Presenter has to be someone who is unique, engaging but not forced; someone natural with an oozing zest for life."

Aletta Alberts says she will be looking for someone who represents the future of the media and television industry, who is well-spoken, who can think on their feet and someone that the camera loves.

Cathy Lund says she's looking "for a presenter who's charismatic, positive, emotive, articulate and polished. But most of all they need to reflect their authentic selves. Gone are the days of fake smiles, fake laughs and fake accents."

"I think the TLC Next Great Presenter needs to represent a continent of talented and genuine young people whose feet are firmly planted in African soil but whose sights are looking to the stars".

Video auditions for anyone to become a TV presenter open on 9 August for TLC Entertainment's TLC Next Great Presenter search.

People who want to audition can start sending in their audition videos for TLC's Next Great Presenter search from 9 August.

The lifestyle channel TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) is looking for its first South African star – someone who thinks they can be the next Oprah, Buddy Valastro or Randy Fenoli.

The winner will become the presenter of TLC Top 10 - a new programming strand on TLC Entertainment which will debut later this year and rebroadcast some the most popular programming on the channel since 2011.

People have to record a two minute video and can upload it from this coming Sunday, 9 August until 3 September, at the new website tlcnextgreatpresenter.dstv.com to show their presenting skills.

On the video people have to "showcase" themselves" and explain why they are the perfect presenter. On the website there will be a pre-written script which people have to use to make their video after which they must upload it for TLC executives.

"We want candidates with a passion for and knowledge about TLC Entertainment," says Lee Hobbs, the vice president of channels for the emerging business division of Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"Big characters with even bigger personalities are exactly what we'll be looking for in the TLC Next Great Presenter winner."

Lee Hobbs says people who enter "must feel like a genuine, enthusiastic fan and a fit for the channel in terms of their attitude and vibrancy. In the video submissions, we'll be looking for potential presenters who come across as confident, entertaining and engaging".

Each video audition will be reviewed by a panel of experts and the best candidates will be shortlisted. It will however be left up to viewers to choose the ultimate winner who will get to present TLC Top 10 from November.

"This is an amazing opportunity for a TLC Entertainment super-fan or budding TV presenter to present a show on the number one lifestyle channel in South Africa. We're looking forward to brilliant entries from across the African continent - so be yourself, be bold and most importantly be TLC," says Lee Hobbs.

Discovery Networks International looking for the a TV presenter for TLC Entertainment in Next Great Presenter Search which will start in August.

The lifestyle channel TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) is looking for its first South African star – someone who thinks they can be the next Oprah, Buddy Valastro or Randy Fenoli.

Discovery Networks International (DNI) is looking to uncover the first South African presenter to appear on TLC Entertainment, with the competition, TLC Next Great Presenter, which will kick off on Sunday 9 August – Women's Day.

People who consider themselves "super-fans" from across Africa, will be able to enter from 9 August.

DNI hasn't released any more specific details yet, but Lee Hobbs, the vice president of channels for the emerging business division of Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region, is hoping for a big response.

"South Africa's Women's Day is the perfect opportunity for us to give back to our TLC fans and launch this fantastic campaign which will see one lucky winner get the chance to present a brand-new show on TLC," says Lee Hobbs.

"We know how vocal our TLC fans are and I'm certain we'll get a tremendous response when the competition officially opens on 9 August and look forward to receiving all the brilliant entries".


Will have to make a presenter’s video
Viewers will have to make and submit a video clip of their TV presenting skills. In the short video for TLC Next Great Presenter, contestants will have to explain why they should be chosen and why they will make a great TLC presenter.

Something people should keep in mind is that TLC Entertainment is the number one lifestyle TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for adults older than 15, as well as women aged between 20 and 49.

Wannabe presenters have to appeal therefore to this market demographic – these viewers must feel as if the person they're looking at is relatable and is speaking to them and their lives.

A panel of experts will create a shortlist out of all of the entries received, after which it will be up to TLC viewers to choose the lucky winner who will get the chance to present TLC Top 10 – a brand-new series coming to TLC Entertainment later this year.

TLC Top 10 will celebrate the biggest and most popular shows that viewers have seen on the channel in South Africa in 2011.

DNI rebranded its Discovery Travel & Living channel in September 2011 to TLC on On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat which was then still known as TopTV.

A month later, in October 2011, MultiChoice added TLC as well. In October 2013 DNI changed the schedule and rebranded the MultiChoice channel to TLC Entertainment to create a separate and differentiated channel feed on DStv from the TLC channel running on StarSat.

Oprah: 'The crazy stays in this room!' in an episode of Oprah Behind the Scenes on TLC Entertainment on DStv you HAVE to see.

An utterly shocked Oprah Winfrey's eyes go wide as she tells her panicked Harpo staff: "The crazy stays in this room!"

Whatever you do, you don't want to miss tonight's episode of Oprah Behind the Scenes at 19:05 on TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) when the talk show host and her staff deals with something which has never happened before in the history of the Oprah Winfrey Show in this fascinating fly-on-the-wall reality show which was filmed during the 25th and final season of the talk show.

It's February 2011 and viewers will see Oprah Winfrey and bahind-the-scenes chaos at Harpo never seen before when the fat-now-thin Jennifer Hudson creates massive tension when she secretly slips out and can't get back in time for the episode.

With a massive blizzard heading to Chicago, the producers decide to fly in all of the guests in advance to the city and prepare to do three shows per day over two days.

How it usually works is that a guest flies in, a rehearsal is done if there is going to be a musical performance the evening before the next day's show, they go back to their hotel room, they rest up, they come back for a sound check in the morning, and then the show happens.

Jennifer Hudson jets into Chicago just before the blizzard, goes to Harpo Studios and does a rehearsal. Then she turns around and says "see ya all in the morning" because she has to go do "my homework", meaning practising for the show.

On Friday morning at 06:00, three hours before the Oprah episode is suppose to happen, a senior production assistant discovers that Jennifer Hudson is in Dallas. She then calls the episode's producer Leslie Grisanti.

"Jennifer is going to be a little late," Jennifer Hudson's publicist suddenly informs them - who didn't tell the Oprah producers anything about it earlier.

"J Hud flew to Texas last night. There's no way that Jennifer Hudson is going to make the 9am taping. There's no way."

Meanwhile 375 audience members are showing up, its 06:35 and executive producer Sheri Selata doesn't know and hasn't told Oprah yet.

Producers start scrambling, with Leslie Grisanti going to tell Oprah and others to try and put an emergency plan into action for the massive people set to arrive since three shows are set to be recorded at 09:00, 13:00 and 16:00 which will all be late.

Harpo Studios will unable to handle all the people and the whole production machine is threatening to seize up.

"J Hud flew to Texas last night," Sheri Selata tells Oprah when the producers huddle in an office.

"Excuse me. Excuse me. What the hell is going on?" asks a shocked Oprah.

"She jumped on a private plane and flew to a private event for Jamie Foxx in Dallas. They had a show on last night that is why they didn't tell anybody. She was supposed to fly back last night right after the event. The flight got cancelled because of weather. We worked on this date since January. We've done exactly what they've asked," says Sheri Selata.

Then Oprah's team gets word that J Hud is on a private plane, her hair and make-up team is with her and doing it on the plane.

"We already had an unusual day on our hands because of the blizzard. And now we have another huge problem," said Sheri Selata.

That's when Oprah's leadership qualities start to shine through.

"God this is bad. This is the thing. Lets keep this frenetic crazy-ass energy in this room and not spread it to others".

Then they discover Jennifer Hudson is flying "commercial" and not on a private jet.

Oprah decides to be honest and do her own crisis communication.

She goes to tell the waiting audience in the holding room that Jennifer Hudson is not there and what she did and that this hasn't happened in 25 years.

She apologises profusely. She is honest and tells them the show will be delayed for hours. She asks the if they will be okay. The studio audience loves her. Oprah says Harpo is going to give them food. Oprah says "thank you". Everybody cheers.

J Hud arrives hours late. "I wanted to be able to look Jennifer Hudson in the eye and say: ' What happened here?' So I went backstage without cameras because I didn't want to be about me trying to scold her or have a TV moment. I just wanted to hear from her lips  to my ears what had happened. She was very apologetic and said she won't do this again," says Oprah.

Oprah then goes out and tells the audience: "We had a lot of drama. Everybody said should we cancel this show? I said I never cancel because I think about you guys [the studio audience]."

"Jennifer being late backed up the whole day and put a lot of pressure unnecessarily on a lot of people," says Oprah.

Watch tonight's dramatic episode and what happens when J Hud's "people" tells Oprah "people" that Oprah is not allowed to ask Jennifer about her weight and how much weight she's lost with Weight-Watchers.

And then there's issues when Susan Lucci doesn't want to fly in for an All My Children reunion episode because she's scared of the weather.

BREAKING. Exclusive interview with June Steenkamp, Reeva Steenkamp's mom, coming to Discovery Channel on Sunday 27 April at 21:00.

You're reading it here first.

Discovery Channel (DStv 121) will be broadcasting the exclusive, very recent interview with the parents of the dead Reeva Steenkamp, June and Barry Steenkamp, set for Sunday 27 April at 21:00.

The Trial of Oscar Pistorius is the renamed documentary of Pistorius On Trial: Nowhere to Run which was shown earlier this month on the Investigation Discovery TV channel in America.

The Trial of Oscar Pistorius - besides the Discovery Channel broadcasting date - will also be broadcast on TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) on Thursday 1 May at 21:50.

"The world has been riveted by the Oscar Pistorius trial over the last few weeks," says Lee Hobbs, the channel director for emerging business, for Discovery Networks' Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"In this special documentary, the Steenkamps share some of their memories of Reeva, the young woman she was and what they feel may have led to her tragic death."

Oscar Pistorius is currently on trial, accused of premeditated murder after he shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day last year. 

In The Trial of Oscar Pistorius, June Steenkamp opens up about the first time she ever laid eyes on Oscar Pistorius, the loss of her daughter and being inside the courtroom in Pretoria in a sensational murder trial which has gripped the world's attention.

"I think he [Oscar] has to see me, the mother, the person who gave birth to her, that he's taken that away," says June Steenkamp in the exclusive TV interview.

"That's what I want to see, that's why I want to look in his face and he must look in mine. He must see now that I am there for justice for Reeva, no matter what happened, and the truth, obviously, which we don't know we'll ever get. But I hope for that."

Barry Steenkamp, Reeva's father, suffered a minor stroke prior to the start of the trial and has been unable to attend court. 

Speaking for the first time to Peacock Productions that produced the documentary, Barry says, "I've got my own feelings inside as to what happened, but what I do want to do, is to just to talk to him. I would like to have a chat to him, man to man. Guilty or not guilty, whatever it is. I would like to have a talk; that would help me a lot".

Oprah Winfrey sells Harpo Studios, the longtime home of The Oprah Winfrey Show, for $32 million.

Oprah Winfrey is selling Harpo Studios in Chicago, the longtime home of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Harpo is Oprah spelled backwards.  "We have entered into a purchasing agreement with Sterling Bay for the four-building Harpo Studios campus in Chicago's West Loop," says Harpo in a statement.

"We expect the transaction to be closed in 30 days. The property will be leased back to Harpo for two years and the studio will continue to produce programming for OWN".

OWN is Oprah Winfrey's Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), the programming of which can be seen in South Africa on Discovery Networks International's TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) channel.

BREAKING. StarSat loses the TLC channel from Discovery Networks International; StarSat hit by channels black-out during migration problem.

StarSat is losing the TLC channel permamently amidst a technical transmission switch-over drama which saw all the TV channels on StarSat go black on Thursday afternoon leaving StarSat subscribers stunned, shocked and bewildered.

Only a handful of channels came back later, but StarSat is losing the TLC channel permanently which was supplied by Discovery Networks International.

After brand name damage the past two years, On Digital Media (OMD) and China’s StarTimes just relaunched the struggling TopTV under the new StarSat name with a controversial, add-on porn bouquet. 

Now the "new" satellite pay-TV operator is however losing its first channel under the rebranded service.On Thursday afternoon StarSat channels simply went dead leaving subscribers baffled. A handful of channels returned eventually but technical problems persist with a lot of subscribers unsure of what is happening on why they’re not getting certain channel's they've paid for.

According to StarSat insiders the switch-over of the uplinking of channels from Germany to elsewhere didn't go smoothly yesterday when the process was started as StarSat switched its broadcasting system from 12:00 on Thursday to a new service provider. 

StarSat expected "short interruptions" in transmission, but didn’t anticipate the unexpected black-out of the channel line-up which came as a surprise to even the Woodmead based operation.

"Yesterday a technical migration exercise where channels were being moved from one uplink site in Europe to another affected programming and created various blackouts," StarSat tells TV with Thinus.

"The TLC channel link was lost during this process. ODM will take every measure to ensure that such technical errors are not repeated in future."

TLC droppedStarSat is however losing TLC permanently and which was supplied by Discovery Networks International (DNI). 

StarSat told TV with Thinus on Friday that the South African pay-TV operator was informed some time ago by DNI that it will no longer make TLC available to the company due to exclusivity agreements with MultiChoice.

MultiChoice now runs the enhanced version of the channel, TLC Entertainment – a different channel feed from TLC on DStv. TLC Entertainment with programming blocks of Oprah Winfrey and her Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) was launched in October, exclusively for MultiChoice's DStv.

The dropping of TLC raised questions about the future of, and whether, Investigation Discovery (ID) which is also available on MultiChoice's DStv, as well as the Discovery Science channel which is only available so far on StarSat, will remain on the platform.

"The TLC lifestyle and entertainment channel will be discontinued on Tuesday 31 December," says StarSat. "This is a result of a decision by the channel’s owners to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with the competitor," said StarSat.

"TLC will no longer be available on StarSat from 31 December, however StarSat subscribers will continue to receive Investigation Discovery and Discovery Science, featuring the best in suspense, entertaining and informative programming to satisfy curiosity," said Lee Hobbs, the channel director for emerging business for Discovery Networks CEEMEA in answer to a media enquiry.

Oprah on OWN on DStv: 'It's to bring something positive. Our goal is to evolve. What you see at launch isn't what it will be in a year.'

Oprah Winfrey says the aim and goal of the brand-new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) programming block which South African and African viewers can now see on Thursdays and Sundays on the refreshed TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) on MultiChoice's DStv is "to bring something positive" to viewers.

The media mogul and talk show host who jetted in to South Africa spoke at VIP reception and official launch function of TLC Entertainment and OWN in South Africa said "our goal is to constantly evolve".

"What you see at our launch isn't what it will be in a year and isn't what it will be in two or three years because we're constantly evolving and moving and responding to what the viewers tell us they want to see and believe is the heart of the brand of OWN. I really look forward to this next step of this fantastic journey together," said Oprah Winfrey.

"I created this network because I thought that for the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show - and it was a wonderful and one of the most fabulous life experiences anyone can ask for to be part of that platform and that era - but I wanted to be able to have other forms of expressions and to connect to audiences in a different way."

"Specifically what we do every week on Super Soul Sunday is that we talk to the world's thought-leaders on that show about what really matters and why we're here and what it means to be human and our humanity towards each other."

"The brand is about hope and the brand is about opening your heart space, people - men if they want to - but mostly women - although I'm happy to have any men come along who want their heart space opened," said Oprah Winfrey.

"What is amazing is that the very same thing that I tried to say for the 25 years of The Oprah Winfrey Show is the very same thing that we say in O The Oprah Magazine every month, which is the very same thing that we will be saying on OWN."

"Even when I'm talking with celebrities who you may not feel is the world's best spiritual teachers, I'm always looking for the insight which allows the viewer to see themselves; allows them to see that 'Oh, you made that mistake, maybe I was on the wrong path too'. It's all to let people know that we're more alike than different."

"That's really what OWN for me is about - clearing the space so that I can see other people's stories in a way that reflects my own," said Oprah Winfrey.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of South Africa because I feel a connection to the people here. I feel a connection to the land, I feel a connection to the spirit of the country. And I'm really so proud of the journey we've gone through in starting OWN in the United States while I was till doing the last year of The Oprah Show."

"I recognise that I didn't have the proper people. I couldn't be in two places at the same time - not even I can do that - and finding the correct leadership in the people who have been leading The Oprah Show all those years - that and moving those people over to OWN, really began to turn the tide for us and also change the narrative."

"What really changed the narrative was I stopped looking and listening to the press and what the press was saying of 'It's a struggling, it's struggling'. I started to think for myself."

"What an amazing thing it is to be born when I was born and to have worked in this business for as long as I have, and to end up with a TV network with my name on it, and to be able to create every day with my team the kind of programming that speaks to the hearts of people and which really connects to viewers in a way where they feel like they're a part of your family; that they feel like they know you," said Oprah Winfrey.

"When we do our shows, particularly the Super Soul Sundays, the response that I've gotten to that show are rewarding enough to last you a lifetime. Someone wrote to me just last week and said: 'I wish this could be Super Soul Network. But I realise the planet isn't ready, so I will just take the Sundays."

"I'm really so proud of the journey we've had. The thing I always ask my team as we continue this journey is of building more shows and meaningful programming which we know out viewers will respond to, is what is your intention?"

"Our intention behind every interview and every series is to bring something positive to our viewers - a new way of looking at something. Oprah's Master Class is about world famous legends speaking about their own struggles and using their life as a class and information to help us be enlightened about our own," said Oprah Winfrey.

"Our millions of viewers feel passionately about this channel the same way that they feel passionate about O, The Oprah Magazine, and they feel passionately about the shows."

"Those of us who are working behind the scenes, I believe that our programming is really resonating with our viewers because they see that we are encouraging them to do more than just sit in front of a television and watch. We encourage them to be interactive," she said.


ALSO READ: Oprah, MultiChoice and Discovery executives, and the press toast the start of OWN on TLC Entertainment on DStv in South Africa.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice CEO Collins Khumalo: "Welcome back to South Africa and Africa, Oprah!"
ALSO READ: Discovery on the new, upgraded TLC Entertainment on DStv with an Oprah Winfrey programming block: "We wanted to create a channel that our African audiences would love."
ALSO READ: Oprah: "The school has been one of the greatest rewards of my existence and in my life."
ALSO READ: Oprah awes South Africa at the O Magazine O You event; OWN programming block launches on TLC Entertainment.

MultiChoice CEO Collins Khumalo: 'Welcome back to South Africa and Africa, Oprah!'

"Over 4,5 million DStv subscribers in South Africa and over 2 million DStv subscribers across the continent will be able to tune in to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) programming block on Thursdays as well as on Sundays on TLC Entertainment," said Collins Khumalo (below), CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.

"To Oprah, welcome back to South Africa and to Africa," said Collins Khumalo who spoke at the exclusive VIP reception and the official launch event of TLC Entertainment and OWN on DStv held Monday afternoon in Johannesburg.

"TLC has been a real success for us internationally, including here in South Africa," said Kasia Kieli (above), the managing director and president of Discovery Networks for the Central& Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region at the launch event.

"We're looking forward to the new TLC Entertainment with an Oprah Winfrey OWN programming block on it. Some of Oprah Winfrey's shows were seen on TLC already, such as the interview with Lance Armstrong, an incredible documentary about Oprah's school here, and there's more of that going to be shown on a regular basis," said Kasia Kieli.

"I also want to thank our partners at DStv to make it possible for us. It's really wonderful for us to take this partnership to a next level."

"Im really excited," said Oprah Winfrey. "I have a deep love for your country and from the very beginning of our launch in the United States of the Oprah Winfrey Network I was saying to my partner David Zaslav: 'I think people really like me in South Africa."

"Everywhere I go I still run into people who say: 'We miss your show, we miss your show.' And now I say that now on Thursdays and on Sundays you can see me again," said Oprah Winfrey.

"I'm really thrilled. This is the way we should have done it in the United States. OWN should have started with a few shows that we really, really, really powerfully believed in and then have built from there," said Oprah Winfrey.

"So we are learning from all the challenges that we've had, that the way to build the audience and to grow the audience is to start small, but strong, with programming that you believe in. So Oprah's Next Chapter and the documentary about my girls' school in South Africa really represents the heart of OWN."

Oprah, MultiChoice and Discovery executives, and the press, toast the start of TLC Entertainment and OWN on DStv in South Africa.

On Monday afternoon I attended the VIP reception for Oprah Winfrey at Summer Place in Hyde Park where MultiChoice, Discovery Networks International and Oprah Winfrey officially launched the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) programming block on the new TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) channel on DStv.

In attendance were Oprah Winfrey, as well as the top-tier executives from both MultiChoice and Discovery Network International for the region, a small group of selected journalists and editors from across South Africa, as well as a few selected ad sales clients, all buzzing about meeting the media mogul.

Eben Greyling, CEO of pay-TV platforms at Naspers; Imtiaz Patel, group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa; Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa; Aletta Alberts, general manager of content at MultiChoice South Africa, and several other content and marketing executives from MultiChoice were on hand to personally meet and listen to Oprah Winfrey.

From Discovery Networks International (DNI) in Europe jetted in a phalanx of executives to the exclusive TLC and OWN launch event such as Kasia Kieli, the president and managing director for Discovery Networks International's Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEEMEA) region.

I also spoke to Lee Hobbs, the channel director for emerging business for Discovery Networks CEEMEA and James Gibbons, the senior vice president and country manager for emerging business for Discovery Networks CEEMEA, who stayed until late with MultiChoice executives and clearly had a great time at the event.

I also had some time to catch up with the doyenne of South African women's magazines, Jane Raphaely, the editor-in-chief of O The Oprah Magazine SA and the chairperson of Associated Media Publishing; and I chatted to the always awesome Samantha Page, the editor of O The Oprah Magazine SA.

Discovery asked journalists not to take any photos during the event. The food and drink throughout was top class and guests were welcomed with champagne.

Oprah Winfrey made the rounds after the official speeches when everyone went outside during the wonderful Johannesburg sunny afternoon and she talked with Discovery and MultiChoice executives.

Last year in June I bought the large and beautiful $50 high gloss coffee table book, The Oprah Winfrey Show - Reflections on an American Legacy, since books about television and TV shows is what I absolutely love to collect.

I was there before as a journalist several years ago when Oprah Winfrey was in South Africa previously to give her first O Magazine inspirational talk in Johannesburg.

I also saw her again when she was in Somerset West, and again at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens event, but when I got the TLC Entertainment OWN DStv invitation - and since I bought the book last year - I thought I would take it with me and ask if she would please maybe sign it.

"Ooh, good one!" said Oprah Winfrey when I took it out of my bag and handed her the pen. She wrote this on one of the book's golden inside pages:

Discovery on the upgraded new TLC Entertainment with Oprah: 'We wanted to create a channel that our African audiences would love.'

TLC on MultiChoice's DStv is now TLC Entertainment (DStv 172) with a premium Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) programming block for viewers on Thursdays and Sundays.

I asked James Gibbons, the senior vice president and country manager for emerging business for Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region, about the channel change for TLC Entertainment and what it all means for the improved channel proposition.

Why the word "entertainment" for TLC Entertainment and why the differentiation in the name of the channel, and why now?

James Gibbons: TLC Entertainment will be more than a lifestyle channel, offering a wider selection of engaging and inspirational TLC content that our viewers know and love, bolstered by the new and exclusive OWN programming block.  The word "Entertainment" reflects this and the new and entertaining programming line-up that will be featured on the channel.

 How long did the deal take to get the OWN programming block for TLC Entertainment for Africa?

James Gibbons: We don’t discuss commercial negotiations.

How were the specific programming and shows chosen to start TLC Entertainment with, for instance what went into the consideration for these specific shows?

James Gibbons: The TLC Entertainment schedule, including the new OWN content, has been tailored to suit and reflect our South African TLC viewers' tastes and interests. 

We wanted to create a channel that our African audiences would love to watch and based our programming strategy around this, choosing OWN programmes such as Oprah's Next Chapter to entertain and Super Soul Sunday to inspire.

These will sit alongside our existing TLC ratings-winners, including Cake Boss and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, offering TLC Entertainment viewers the best in entertaining and uplifting programming content.

 With Oprah's Next Chapter, where would episodes start? Right at the beginning of where the show debuted in the United States, or with current episodes?

James Gibbons: We will not be airing the Oprah's Next Chapter episodes chronologically as such but will instead air them in a fashion that complements our overall schedule and also reflects any current local/global tie-ins. 

For instance, on Thursday 24 October we have paired the Beyoncé Next Chapter special with the Jay-Z Master Class episode, and will be airing the Rihanna Next Chapter episode on launch night of 17 October as she's in South Africa. This is a conscious programming strategy, providing our viewers with a more enjoyable watching experience.

What is Discovery’s expectation for the OWN programming, for instance does Discovery expect it to lift the viewership for the channel as a direct real programming strategy to bulk up the programming of the channel, is it more an experiment, or what is the motivation behind the move and the programming blocks?

James Gibbons: Our strategy in bringing the OWN programming to TLC Entertainment was to provide our South African viewers with even more of the content we know they love to watch. 

We saw from the huge success of the Lance Armstrong and Justin Bieber Next Chapter specials, as well as the one-off documentary Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls, that our audiences have a real affinity with Oprah and her unique programming. 

By offering two weekly OWN blocks - My OWN Thursday and Super Soul Sunday - we hope our viewers will see this as appointment-to-view TV, giving them the entertaining and uplifting viewing experience only Oprah's content can provide.

 With the blocks placed on Thursdays and Sundays, would you describe it or Oprah Winfrey or OWN as now being TLC Entertainment's signature brand, or how would you say or describe what OWN and Oprah programming represent for Discovery/TLC Entertainment?

James Gibbons: The OWN content will complement and sit alongside our current flagship programmes such as Cake Boss, Breaking Amish and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, all of which will be back for new series over the next few months. We also have several new series coming to the channel for this year and 2014 which we will be announcing soon.