Tech Report returning to eNCA for limited number of 13 episodes after the Homebrew Films produced gadget and technology show managed to get FNB as a sponsor.

Tech Report is returning to eNCA (DStv 403) for a limited number of episodes after the long running local weekly gadget and technology show which was abruptly cancelled in June managed to find a sponsor.

Tech Report which used to run continuously since November 2011 suddenly got the chop in June this year as part of eNCA's dramatic cut back on current affairs programming forming part of the bigger budget scaledown which saw the shuttering of eNCA's Africa division and the closure of its news bureaux across the continent and in Beijing, the exit of several anchors and correspondents and the end of several other shows like Africa 360.

When Tech Report ended in June, eNCA in response to a media enquiry denied that the episode order of its other local current affairs show Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola has been cut and said that it will return shortly with the same amount of episodes as previous seasons. Instead, that show got cancelled last month as well before a new season started.

Together with SABC3's Top Billing, Tech Report was the only other locally made TV show included on South African Airways' Airscape in-flight entertainment system, watched by millions of passengers the past few years.

Tech Report will now return for 13 half hour episodes from Wednesday 7 October at 21:30 as an advertiser-funded production (AFP) after First National Bank came aboard as sponsor, essentially saving the show and making the new short season possible.

Homebrew Films will continue to produce the highly regarded Tech Report and managed to retain most of the previous presenters.

Tapfuma Makina will host Tech Report again but there will be a slight tweak to the on-screen graphics and the show will now be done from the new e.tv and eNCA Cape Town studios in Roeland Street and broadcast from there.

"We're proud to be working with the Tech Report team again and of the support we have received from FNB," says Patrick Conroy, eNCA managing director.

Praising FNB he says "they understand that technology has increasingly become part of our daily existence and that consumers are constantly seeking new ways to improve their lives through technology. We believe this enhanced offering of Tech Report will engage and entertain our viewers."

The other previous presenters who are back include Seth Rotherham with his quirky, off-the-wall type inserts, Juliet McGuire and Grant Hinds doing game reviews and who also appeared on SABC3's Expresso.

In the first new episode of Tech Report Seth Rotherham will review the Apple Watch and Grant Hinds tries to make sense of the new Film and Publication Board regulations and how it will affect all South Africans.

eNCA cancels Tech Report; the news channel's long-running weekly consumer technology magazine show will broadcast last episode Thursday.

The long-running and high-quality weekly technology and gadget magazine show Tech Report on eNCA (DStv 403) has been cancelled.

As part of the ongoing downsizing of the South African 24-hour TV news channel's on-air programming and talent, Tech Report, produced by the Cape Town based Homebrew Films, will suddenly broadcast its last episode on eNCA on Thursday night after close to 200 episodes.

According to insiders, the staff, production crew and on-air talent like Tapfuma Makina, Seth Rotherham, Jason Greer and Juliet McGuire who've been working on the well-produced South African go-to show for consumer technology and gadgets are "heartbroken".

"Why would you cut a show about which the topic is the most important aspect of our modern South African society: technological advancements?" said an insider closely connected to but not working on the show.

The shuttering of Tech Report as part of eNCA's current affairs television offering follows the cancellation of Africa 360 this year, the shutting down of eNCA's Africa division and the closure of its news bureaux across the continent and in Beijing, the exit of anchors and correspondents ranging from Bhavna Singh and Pat Pillai to Lindy Mtongana, Kwangu Liwewe and Robyn Kriel, and the shortening of flagship nightly news show NewsNight by half an hour and renaming a part of it NewsNight Express.

eNCA denied rumours that the episode order of the upcoming new season of its satirical late-night faux news show Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola has been cut and said it will return shortly with the same amount of episodes as previous seasons.

The well-produced weekly Tech Report, which became a leader in technology and gadget news, interviews and reviews and told South African success stories within the local IT industry and consumer technology sector, was one of only two locally produced South African programmes really seen globally.

Together with SABC3's Top Billing, Tech Report was the only other locally made TV show included on South African Airways' Airscape in-flight entertainment system, watched by millions of passengers the past few years.

Tech Report which started on eNCA in November 2011 and got very short notice that eNCA no longer wants more episodes, could possibly jump to Business Day TV (DStv 412), CNBC Africa (DStv 410), SABC3 or e.tv.

eNCA confirms that Tech Report "will air its last programme on Thursday".

Asked why Tech Report has been cancelled, Patrick Conroy, managing director of eNCA says that eNCA is "always looking at international and local viewer trends. This means that adjustments to the line-up will be made from time to time. Some shows will come to an end, some will take a seasonal break and new ones will be added to the line-up".

Another insider connected to the show calls the Tech Report cancellation "a big shock". "The show has been on for several years, has built up a loyal fan base and is an incredibly great product".

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK. Tech Report on eNCA celebrates 150 episodes with a brand-new on-air look and colour scheme.

You're seeing it here first.

Tech Report is celebrating the show's 150th episode tonight at 21:30 on eNCA (DStv 403) as the well-produced South African go-to show for consumer technology and gadgets gets a red, black and white makeover and a whole new look.

Tapfuma Makina remains the anchor, with the funny and quirky set of presenters Seth Rotherham, Jason Greer, Juliet McGuire, Grant Hinds, Clive Maistry and Thenjiwe Stemela.

From tonight eNCA viewers will see a new set, title sequence and some new presenters for Tech Report as the blue-on-white on-air look is being replaced with a new and edgy red-on-black treatment.

Tech Report, produced by Homebrew Films, will continue to bring viewers the latest technology news and gadget reviews, game reviews, phones, tablets and apps testing as well as insight on tech trends shaping South Africa and the world.

Tech Report which has become a leader in tech and innovation news in South Africa says the weekly magazine show has garnered a significant following the past three years on eNCA and is looking forward to many more.

Tapfuma Makina upped to anchor on eNCA's Tech Report from tonight after Ndoni Khanyile leaves for travel show for Al Jazeera.

Presenter Tapfuma Makina has been upped to anchor of Tech Report as viewers will see from tonight at 21:30 on eNCA's weekly and well-produced Tech Report, following the departure of Ndoni Khanyile who've anchored the Homebrew Films produced show the past two years since November 2011.

Sources told TV with Thinus that the sprightly Ndoni Khanyile - who left without any explanation "got an opportunity she couldn't refuse" - a travel show with Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / StarSat 401) which is where she might pop up later in 2014.

"We warmly wish Ndoni Khanyile the best on her endeavours," says Ben Heyns, producer and director at Tech Report in a statement issued by eNCA today.

"Her presence will not only be missed on our screens but among the Tech Report team as well. Though it is hard to say goodbye to her indulgent presence, we are also happy to announce that Tapfuma Makina will be taking over the reigns as the Tech Report anchor".

Tapfuma Makina has been one of the regular weekly presenters of Tech Report.

"We are confident that Tapfuma Makina will be strategic in leading Tech Report to further heights as he cements himself as anchor," says Ben Heyns.

"I speak for the entire Tech Report family when I say we will really miss Ndoni Khanyile, her amazing energy, and brilliant work ethic," says Tapfuma Makina.

"I'm really looking forward to continuing where she left off and making the switch to working behind the lights in our Tech Report studio and delivering the best that technology has to offer," says Tapfuma Makina.

Ndoni Khanyile suddenly out as anchor of Tech Report on eNCA; leaving the show with no word on why or a possible replacement.

You're reading it here first.

There's been no word from eNCA (DStv 403) or the production, but Ndoni Khanyile is out at Tech Report, the South African 24-hour TV news channel's weekly consumer technology magazine show.

Ndoni Khanyile anchored Tech Report for just over two years after she started in November 2011 with the rebooted second season on Thursdays at 21:30.

It's not clear why Ndoni Khanyile left the Homebrew Films produced show, or who would replace her behind the white desk - if anyone.

"It's time for me to leave the show," Ndoni Khanyile abruptly informed viewers at the end of Thursday's episode of Tech Report, not specifying why or giving any reasons or explanations. "The last two years have been an incredible journey, so thank you for coming with me".

Jason Greer joins Tech Report on eNCA on Thursdays at 21:30 as the consumer technology magazine show's new field reporter.

The experienced TV presenter Jason Greer is joining the weekly consumer technology news magazine show Tech Report on eNCA (DStv 403) on Thursdays at 21:30 as the latest field presenter to be added to show.

Jason Greer will make his first on-screen appearance on Tech Report this Thursday, 17 October in the magazine show produced by Homebrew Films which also used Jason Greer for previous seasons of All Access and All Access Mzansi.

It is Jason Greer's first return to magazine show presenting after M-Net summarily cancelled The M-Net Movie Show on the M-Net Movies Showcase channel earlier this year. Jason Greer then got a role on e.tv's soap Rhythm City which he continues to do.

"Coming from an entertainment background, I'm looking forward to adding a fresh spin to the show," says Jason Greer. "My love for gadgets will become quite clear as I beat, bend and break them in my quest to test."

On Thursday night in Tech Report on eNCA the show looks at a start-up competition for young software developers, get tips on managing and exploiting a digital presence and waddle with penguins.

Tech Report on eNCA marks a milestone, with 100 episodes of the weekly technology magazine show.

Tech Report on eNCA (DStv 403) reaches a milestone on Thursday night on South African television when the weekly technology magazine show will broadcast its 100th episode since production switched from Greenwall Productions to Homebrew Films in Cape Town.

The well produced and sprightly weekly half hour show has grown to become one of the big assets for the 24-hour TV news channel, delivering unique, informative and newsworthy coverage of the gadget, computer and consumer technology market inside South Africa, fused with global trends and product roll-outs.

The 100th episode of Tech Report interviews the South African YouTube video star Anne Hirsch, reviews Alcatel's new smartphone, look at online advertising and reviews the video game Grand Theft Auto 5.

Mabale Moloi joins Tech Report on the eNCA on Thursdays as a new technology correspondent.

Mabale Moloi has joined Tech Report, the well-produced weekly magazine show on the eNCA (DStv 403) on Thursdays at 21:30.

As a correspondent Mabale Moloi will appear on screen this Thursday in South Africa's best weekly magazine show devoted to technology, consumer electronics and cyber coverage.

In this week's Tech Report the programme does a review on the forthcoming iOS7 with Seth, Mabale Moloi is dispatched on "a mission of love", Juliet goes green on an electric bicycle, Retti helps viewers to remember passwords and Grant meets up with the local South African game development company, Sea Monster.

Tech Report on the eNCA on Thursday at 21:30 predicting when you'll die - but also app'ing to add a few years to your life.

Tech Report Thursday 23 May at 21:30 on eNCA (DStv 403) looks the Sony Xperia Z headset, as well as a brand-new app which claims to accurate "predict" when someone might die.

Seth Roterham takes a look at Ignite - an iPhone app which might help you add a few years to your life. The weekly magazine show will also look at the digital music revolution.

And finally, take all the superheroes you can imagine, add the fighting mechanics of Mortal Kombat, bundle it up into a story of epic proportions and you might just get an inkling of what you're in for with DC Comic's Injustice game.

Tech Report on the eNCA refreshes its on-air look with an updated mosaic of tiled red and blue triangles and squares in the background.

Tech Report, the well-produced weekly local South South African technology show on Thursdays at 21:30 on eNCA (DStv 403), is changing its on-air appearance from this week although there's been no official announcement or word from either the production company or the news channel.

From this week the turquoise matt background of Tech Report is gone and in its place viewers will now see a refreshed backdrop with an updated mosaic with tiled red and blue squares and triangles.

The new Tech Report background has of course been added to echo the new eNCA channel logo and elements - blue squares and triangles and red triangles. The new overall scheme of course ties the weekly half hour show more closely as belonging to the channel.

Tech Report on the eNCA turns 1 year old as an ongoing local TV production; will celebrate by lighting a single candle Thursday night.

Tech Report on eNCA (DStv 403), the weekly magazine show devoted to gadgets and consumer technology, is a quality local TV production on South African television and a feather in the cap of the 24-hour news channel - and now this well-done TV show from Homebrew Films turns one year old this week as an ongoing local production.

Tech Report on Thursdays on eNCA (DStv 403) at 21:30 will this week be celebrating the show's first birthday as an uninterrupted, ongoing weekly show with a single candle.

Also in Thursday's episode, Tech Report will celebrate Halloween with some spooky apps, will investigate online security with internet security tips and will be checking out the long-awaited sequel to the game Angry Birds.

Programming note: Tech Report doing broadband tests on Thursday; Nicky Greenwall interviews Joelle Kayembe and ProVerb on Saturday.

Tech Report on Thursday on eNCA (DStv 403) at 21:30 will be doing broadband speed tests and will show viewers where to move to for a faster internet connection. The weekly tech magazine show on the news channel will be getting up close with the new Wii U, ditch bulky keys in favour of a slick card and will look at some pimped out gamers.

The show will also be looking at some corporate perks which might make some people want to switch jobs.

ScreenTime with Nicky Greenwall Saturday on e.tv at 19:30 will have the fashion model Joelle Kayembe and the musician and TV presenter ProVerb as the in-studio guests of Nicky Greenwall.

Programming note: Tech Report on eNCA tonight looks at shopping apps, explores Linkedin and how a 'Twitter celebrity' is made.

Tech Report tonight on eNCA (DStv 403) at 21:30 this week looks at the terms of use which consumers of electronic services simply agree to without reading the actual fine print.

Tech Report will also be exploring ways of making Linkedin work for you, and finds out what it takes to become a true "Twitter celebrity". The show also test drive a few shopping apps.

TERRIFIC. Tech Report on the eNews Channel turns out its 50th episode tonight at 21:30.

Although e.tv publicity does flat-out nothing for this extremely well-produced weekly show and which is actually a feather in the cap for the eNews Channel (DStv 403), the second season of Tech Report (Thursdays, 21:30) is turning out its 50th episode of the series tonight - a quite remarkable achievement.

Tech Report - which in my view should become a permanent year-round show on the eNews Channel (with Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola which is another well-produced local production getting renewed for limited seasons) - are made by people who clearly know the field of expertise, in this case technology and gadgets, and translate it to television very well.

Tech Report (as is Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola) is quality television and fills a distinct niche with distinction. Because the production values are so high, it adds and enhances the weekly TV programming value proposition of this 24 hour South African news channel - it gives and provides the South African TV viewer something which you can't find anywhere else.

It's clever, it's smart, it's funny, it's well researched, it's spot-on with current news and developments and it's out front with consumer breaking news on the tech and gadget front wonderfully customised with South African context.

With Tech Report marking the milestone of 50 episodes tonight, hopefully the extended episode running order of this weekly half hour show, produced by Homebrew Films in Cape Town, indicates that Debbie Meyer, the eNews Channel's executive producer for current affairs and the eNews Channel powers-that-be have realized the value, quality and smarts that this programme brings to the eNews Channel stable.

I can't say for sure whether Tech Report has indeed become a year round show, or how many episodes there will still be, or how long its current extended season will continue, since e.tv is doing nothing to promote or publicize the show - not with weekly episode synopsis, not with any regular updates, or any talk about the show's ongoing future.

According to an on-air promo Thursday night's episode of Tech Report on the eNews Channel - it's 50th - will have "a kaleidoscope of tech with something for everyone. We'll take you behind the scenes of the Square Kilometre Array project with a visit to the engineering hub. Then we're off to a green building in the heart of the winelands and we go shopping with news on the latest 3D tech."

Tech Report, the weekly tech-news show which has given the South African 24 hour news channel an added edge when it comes to news about technology was originally conceived by André-Pierre du Plessis, who pitched the show to Greenwall Productions back in July 2009. Nicky Greenwall changed the original working title Web Report to The Tech Report to form part of her collection of current affairs programmes produced for e.Sat such as The Showbiz Report and The Style Report. It took the team 6 months to put the show's pilot together, but after a successful pitch they only had another 6 months to produce the show's first 10 episodes.

Celia Ncalane, who was the presenter of the original pilot (which was never aired), was only seen presenting the first episode after which Bongo Mbutuma became the presenter for the first season.

After Nicky Greenwall fell pregnant, Greenwall Productions declined to produce another season and various production companies pitched to take the show further. The current second season is the result, with the The dropped from Tech Report.

Since 10 November 2011, when Homebrew Films' Tech Report premiered, Ndoni Khanyile has been presenting the show which has been renewed for further episodes continuously. Tonight will be the new team's 40th episode bringing its total to a small TV milestone of 50 episodes.

Correspondents who have been part of show since its inception are Jonathan Allan-Barrett, who's based in Johannesburg and is assisted by producer JP Pienaar. Juliet McGuire and Seth Rotherham, both based in Cape Town, have also been with the show since the start. Simon Hartley assists Seth Rotherham on his often hilarious scripts while Liebe Calitz produce their inserts and acts as the show's very competent production manager. Rusty du Preez, also a full-time Homebrew Films employee, shoots these inserts as well as the studio links at their Gardens offices, with Ben Heyns assisting as co-producer.

Contributions since the current second season of Tech Report include presenter Jason Maneveld and radio DJ Tapfuma Makina.

With the eNews Channel that will soon be available on the Sky satellite TV platform in Europe, it will be interesting to see how European audiences respond to Tech Report which will now be seen beyond Africa.

The eNews Channel would make a wise decision to keep this show as an all-rounder weekly programme on the schedule. Despite limited and no publicity, Tech Report is a consistent, well done addition to the news channel's TV programming brand.