TStv CONTENT SCANDAL: TStv's list of lies over TV channels grows - it has no deals to carry channels from Discovery Networks, Viacom International or FOX Networks either.

TStv, Nigeria's new pay-TV operator, is engulfed in a growing content piracy scandal over false promises and lying about channels and content that it has no contracts for, with multiple more channel and content distributors who are coming forward to deny that they have any carriage deals with TStv.


UPDATE Friday 13 October 2017 19:00 - TStv has now taken down its "All Channels" list on its website, although it can still be seen and accessed on the internet cache of the TStv webpage.


Last week Turner Broadcasting System confirmed to TVwithThinus that TStv doesn't have and isn't allowed to advertise and market CNN International that TStv claims it has a right to.

Qatar's beIN Media Group, also confirmed to TVwithThinus that TStv has no rights to its 10 beIN Sports channels.

Now several more content and channel providers are confirming that TStv is making fake claims about a fast-growing string of TV channels on its pay-TV platform that it simply doesn't have and isn't allowed to broadcast.

After its 1 October launch the white TStv decoders are unavailable for sale with TStv CEO Bright Echefu that on Saturday at the company's green-painted head office in Abuja, Nigeria, suddenly moved the date for its "commercial availability" to 1 November and again repeated false claims that it has a right to CNN International and the beIN Sports channels.

TVwithThinus can reveal that TStv (Telcomm Satellite TV) that on its website displays its list of "all channels" to potential customers is lying not just over having CNN International and 10 beIN Sports channels but also has no right or contracts to carry TV channels like FOX, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Discovery Science, Investigation Discovery, MTV Base, EuroSport, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 or Nickelodeon.

These are the channels TVwithThinus has so far been able to confirm having no carriage agreements with TStv despite them being advertised by TStv, with several other channel operators who have not yet responded to media enquiries.

On its website TStv also lies and says it "will show the EPL matches and other soccer leagues live" - pay-TV sport content rights that MultiChoice and SuperSport secured exclusively for DStv in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

TStv hasn't responded to multiple media enquiries made since last week seeking comment and asking about the growing TStv content piracy scandal.

In late June the satellite operator ABS, headquartered in Bermuda, in a press statement from its CEO Tom Choi, announced that it has signed a multi-transponder satellite agreement with TStv to deliver its direct-to-home (DTH) service in Nigeria on the ABS-3A satellite.

ABS publicist Penny Hill didn't respond to media enquiries seeking comment from ABS over TStv claiming to carry TV channels it doesn't have authorisation to.

Global video content providers supplying news, entertainment and sports channels have warned TStv to stop using their content and to immediately stop the display and use of their brand logos, with Turner Broadcasting System and the beIN Media Group that have already sent TStv cease and desist letters.

TStv lied to Nigerian media in a press conference and in statements, as well as to consumers on social media, claiming that the cease and desist letter "are fake", although TVwithThinus confirmed with the content providers directly who emphasised that the letters are authentic.


No agreements with TStv to carry channels
Turner Broadcasting System that runs CNN International told TVwithThinus that "Turner does not have an agreement with TStv to carry CNN and did send a notification letter to the platform not to distribute the channel".

beIN in response to a media enquiry told TVwithThinus that "TStv does not have authorisation from beIN to carry our channels, or use our trademarks. We take this matter very seriously and will take the necessary action to ensure that our intellectual property rights are not violated."

Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) that runs MTV Base told TVwithThinus that TStv has no right to MTV Base or kids channel Nickelodeon.

"We are aware of the situation and that the TStv website is currently carrying certain Viacom trademarks: MTV Base and Nickelodeon."

"We are currently investigating the matter and confirm that we do not have any contracts with TStv - either through MTV Networks Africa or any other Viacom entity. We became aware of their claim to carry our channels a short while ago".

FOX Networks Group Africa responsible for the FOX entertainment channel, National Geographic, Nat GEO WILD and the FOX Sports channels told TVwithThinus that TStv isn't allowed to have its channels and has no carriage deals for any of these channels

"Despite advertised claims regarding the availability of FOX channels, FOX does not have an agreement with TStv regarding the distribution of the channels, but remains confident that TStv will normalise the situation prior to launch of the service to ensure the consistency between platform content claims and subscriber expectations," said FOX Networks Group Africa in response to a media enquiry.

Discovery Networks International (DNI) also confirmed to TVwithThinus that TStv isn't allowed to have any of its Discovery channels like Discovery Science, Investigation Discovery (IDx), TLC Entertainment or Eurosport.

Discovery Networks International confirms that they "have no agreement with TStv to broadcast their channels".

Meanwhile other pay-TV operators are aware of TStv's misleading claims to consumers and Africa's TV industry and they are concerned about infringement of secured content rights - some of which were acquired exclusively - as well as things like copyright and content piracy.

TVwithThinus understands that MultiChoice Africa is aware of, and monitoring, the situation although it declined to comment specifically on TStv.

In response to a media enquiry, MultiChoice Africa says that "MultiChoice can't comment on another provider as we are not privy to their channel agreements or business plans as they are an independent operator and thus this information would be confidential to them". 

The avalanche of TStv (bad) news continues as TStv abruptly moves its goalpost to 1 November; people can't buy decoders; TStv keeps lying over carriage deals and stealing content.

■ On Saturday TStv CEO Bright Echefu resurfaced to say that TStv will now suddenly only start its commercial service on 1 November after it launched a week ago on 1 October.
"Commercialization of our decoders will resume officially on 1 November". Meanwhile Bright Echefu again lies and says TStv has entered into agreements with Turner's CNN International and beIN Media Group's 10 beIN channels.

■ The ugly past of TStv CEO Bright Echefu.
now accused by Nigerians of "employing a con trick to snare potential TStv subscribers" with fake offerings.

■ A week after TStv's launch nobody can lay a hand on a TStv decoder with no date from TStv of when its decoders will be available.
While potential TStv customers are furious, TStv tells people that the unavailability of TStv decoders anywhere is "as a result of complaints of non-availability of dealer / retailer outlets in some areas and some dealers who are still in the process of accreditation" ... whatever that means.

■ Only dummies of TStv decoders were used for the "symbolic" unveiling at the first official 1 October launch that has now been postponed to 1 November.

- Is the white TStv decoder a set-top box or a freezer?
Nigerians mock the unavailable "Nitendo Game Cube" and are cautioned not to get high on TStv.

■ This green painted hub is TStv's head office in Abuja, Nigeria.

■ And TStv that doesn't respond to media enquiries has to douse the flames saying that no, those online adverts for TStv jobs are fake.

■ TStv has a (totally unrealistic!) target of 1 million TStv decoders in home in the first quarter.

■ An idiotic and uninformed Nigerian broadcast "expert" says TStv is "aiming to match" the content from MultiChoice and its amazing DStv offering.
Uhm. no. Not if you steal channels.

■ It's an uphill battle for pay-TV operators in Africa to make a dent against MultiChoice's DStv.
New Nigerian rival TStv is already lying to customers and stealing channels like CNN International and beIN Sports with content that it isn't authorised to have.

DAILY TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read from TVwithThinus - 6 October 2017.

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

■ It didn't take long for Nigerians to become skeptical over the new pay-TV bride, TStv.
Can new Nigerian pay-TV operator TStv be trusted over its brand promises? Can it provide the required high-quality content that Nigerians already get with DStv?
- In a rush to embrace TStv, Nigerians fail to ask the tough questions.
- TStv CEO Bright Echefu is apparently not the Bright Echefu embroiled in a court case for fraud.

■ TStv is engulfed in a content theft scandal just days after launch as Turner Broadcasting System warns TStv not to broadcast CNN International that is on MultiChoice DStv.
-Meanwhile beIN also warned TStv and sent a cease and desist letter - none of the advertised beIN channels are allowed on TStv. TStv says the letters are fake.
BUT Turner Broadcasting System Africa tells TVwithThinus TStv is definitely using CNN's brand illegally and has been warned in a letter to stop.

■ Meanwhile, hilariously, rumours are flying that it is MultiChoice Nigeria that is causing TStv's bad news. Could DStv possibly be "behind all the negative media TStv is getting to mar the good reception it's been getting from Nigerians?"

■ Shonda Rhimes discusses her move away from ABC to Netflix.

■ Namibian police are clueless as to how they're supposed to check for TV licences in Namibia.
Namibia now wants its police service to "compel" Namibian citizens to pay their TV licence fees. The police says they know nothing and got no "directives" from the government.

■ Zimbabwe's broadcasting regulator wants to ban Kwesé TV again.
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is at it again, again approaching Zimbabwe's High Court after its loss last month to try and bar Kwesé TV from operating.

■ I've never thought of this!: Why are there so many Kevins on TV?
On American TV, one name for characters reign supreme.

■ TV news reporter worked herself to death.
Poor Miwa Sado of Japan's NKH in Tokyo died from "karoshi" - death from overwork.

■ Now Ghana is going to force TV stations to broadcast 70% local content during prime time.
Where will already struggling TV channels already offering trash content find the money to produce and show so much local content that cost more to make?

Nigeria's newly launched pay-TV operator TStv engulfed in content piracy scandal for stealing CNN, beIN channels; ordered to 'cease and desist'.

TStv, Nigeria's newly launched pay-TV operator, is engulfed in scandal just days after it's launch on 1 October for illegally stealing and pirating content and TV channels that it is not allowed to carry on its platform and with channel providers who have sent the company "cease and desist" letters.

TStv (Telcomm Satellite TV) that launched a week ago in Nigeria with CEO Bright Echefu is mired in scandal and trouble for tacking TV channels onto its offering for which it doesn't have clearance and carriage contracts.

TStv is selling decoders and a service to Nigerians, promoting it with content that it is not allowed to have.

By marketing its service with content it's not allowed to have, TStv has become embroiled in massive copyright infringement. TStv didn't respond to media enquiries made the past week.

Meanwhile global video content providers supplying news, entertainment and sports channels have warned TStv to stop using their content and to immediately stop the display and use of their brand logos.

Turner Broadcasting System send TStv a letter saying it's not allowed to carry CNN International and that "the distribution and broadcast of this channel without authorisation will infringe our intellectual property rights and constitute acts of piracy".

By Friday TStv still carried CNN and displayed its channel logo under its list of channels available on its bouquet.

Another channel provider, Qatar's beIN Media Group, also told TStv in a similar cease and desist letter to stop re-airing its string of beIN channels also carried illegally on TStv. "Other parties are not permitted to copy and rebroadcast beIN without express authorisation".

"Other parties are not permitted to use beIN trademarks without express authorisation". It's also been sent to Nigeria's Copyright Commission (NCC).

By Friday TStv still carried and promoted 10 beIN channels on its website as being part of its offering.

TStv on social media and Facebook slammed the letters as frivolous and fake, saying "We wish to inform Nigerians that the letters are fake and were prepared basically to bias Nigerians. Kindly disregard the said frivolous letters".

In response to a media enquiry a spokesperson for Turner Broadcasting System for Africa confirmed to TVwithThinus that TStv is breaking the law and carrying CNN illegally.

Turner Broadcasting told TVwithThinus that "Turner does not have an agreement with TStv to carry CNN and did send a notification letter to the platform not to distribute the channel".

beIN in response to a media enquiry told TVwithThinus on Friday that beIN recently became aware that TStv intends to launch in Nigeria and is carrying beIN channels without authorisation.

beIN confirms that a "a cease and desist letter was sent to TStv by our legal director last week".

"Since then we have become further aware of media reports, in which TStv has claimed this letter is fake and that it has an agreement with beIN."

"Please be aware that the letter is certainly genuine, and TStv does not have authorisation from beIN to carry our channels, or use our trademarks. We take this matter very seriously and will take the necessary action to ensure that our intellectual property rights are not violated," says beIN.

It means that TStv is blatantly lying to Nigerian customers.

Nigerian customers who sign up and pay money to the pirate operator TStv now risk losing their money - and content TStv "sells" as fake marketing - should TStv be shut down due to its illegal activities.

Avalanche of animation for the holidays as M-Net Movies Family goes with animation movies; DStv adds Turner's Hoolee as continent's first kids pop-up channel.

An avalanche of animation fun is coming to DStv subscribers with pay-TV broadcaster M-Net turning its M-Net Movies Family channel on DStv into an animation family movie channel from 4 December while the Hoolee channel kids channel starts on 1 December.

M-Net is turning the M-Net Movies Family (DStv 105) channel into an Animania channel from Friday, 4 December in a special animation movie festival that will continue until Friday 15 January 2016.

M-Net Movies Family will show animation movies all day long from Friday, including box office hits like Frozen, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, the Ice Age movies and Disney hits like Cars.

Although the M-Net Movies Family channel is only available to DStv Premium subscribers, some of the movies will be made available on MultiChoice's DStv Catch Up video-on-demand service which means that lower-tiered subscribers of the pay-TV service will also get access to it.

The Toy Story and Shrek films together with Despicable Me and James and the Giant Peach as well as many others will compete with Turner Broadcasting System's Hoolee channel starting on 1 December and running on DStv across Africa until the end of January 2016.

Hoolee (DStv 197) will be for DStv Premium, DStv Extra and DStv Compact subscribers and MultiChoice Africa and Turner Broadcasting call it "the continent's very first pop-up children's channel".

MultiChoice and Turner Africa didn't release any programming schedule or programming line-up to the press ahead of the channel's launch on Tuesday but Turner Africa said Hoolee's programming will be "truly amazing".

Hoolee will show animation movies and animation shows, ranging from shows like Sonic the Hedgehog, Zig & Sharko and The Adventures of Puss in Boots, to the third season of Dragons set before the events of the How to Train your Dragon movies.

Films include Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, Lego: The Adventures of Clutch Power, Babe: Pig in the City, The Borrowers and Balto II: Wolf Quest!

Hoolee content will include shows from Turner and Warner Brothers productions as well as exclusive acquisitions.

Turner Broadcasting's Cartoon Network to launch its first-ever animated mini-series, Over the Garden Wall on Halloween on DStv.

Cartoon Network (DStv 301) from Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) will launch the kids channel's first-ever animated mini-series, Over the Garden Wall, on Halloween on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

Turner Broadcasting Africa didn't release the Cartoon Network information to South Africa's media when it was handed out at the MultiChoice Content Showcase in Mauritius earlier this month and that South African press and TV critics were not invited to.

However the information is just as relevant and applicable for Cartoon Network as seen on DStv in South Africa - in fact is punts only its viewership in South Africa.

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) says the Cartoon Network (DStv 301) "is ranked number one in South Africa with 2.4 million monthly views".

"With this staggering result, this unique channel  has managed to dominate the age groups of 4-14, 4-9 and 10-14 as well as its core target market, boys aged 4-14".

Over the Garden Wall will launch on Hallows eve as Cartoon Network's first-ever animated mini-series, with a cast which consists of Elijah Wood, John Cleese and Tim Curry.

Over the Garden Wall follows the story of two brothers - Wirt and Greg - as they find themselves lost in a strange forest, where they encounter numerous surprises and obstacles on their journey through the woods.

"It's got a nostalgic storybook feeling, inspired by folk art and classical illustrations, not to mention the Americana influenced soundtrack," says TBS.

We Bare Bears will start on the Cartoon Network in December.

The Powerpuff Girls which was first broadcast in 1996, is set for a global relaunch in 2016.

The new Ben 10 will start in Africa in autumn 2016 and in North America in 2017. Cartoon Network also has two brand-new seasons of The Amazing World of Gumball.

"It is another extraordinary year for Turner's kids' channels in 2015 and viewers can expect it to continue in 2016," says Pierre Branco, the vice president for Southern Europe and Africa for Turner Broadcasting System.

"With a mixture of new original productions and old favourites, our offer has never been stronger. We look for unique shows that have great characters, authentic to kids and this is more apparent than ever with our upcoming programming slate," says Pierre Branco.

Turner Broadcasting and Warner Bros. signs multi-series deal for 450 half-hours of new original content for the Boomerang channel on DStv.

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and Warner Bros. - the two Time Warner companies - have strengthened their ongoing partnership with a global agreement to create more original content for the Boomerang channel seen in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform on channel 302.

Turner Broadcasting Africa didn't release the Boomerang channel information and press release to South Africa's media when it was handed out at the MultiChoice Content Showcase in Mauritius earlier this month and that South African press and TV critics were not invited to.

However the information is highly relevant and applicable for Boomerang as seen on DStv in South Africa - in fact is punts only its viewership in South Africa - and I now finally got it and can now share it.

Turner Broadcasting in a press release says the channel now reaches 2.4 million kids in South Africa monthly.

According to TBS, Boomerang is now the number 2 kids channel for kids aged 4-14, 4-9 and boy 4-14, just behind Cartoon Network which ranks number one in South Africa.

The agreement between Turner Broadcasting and Warner Bros. Animation - which represents the first-ever original content being developed exclusively for Boomerang - includes nearly 450 half-hours of programming from Warner Bros. Animation that will premiere on Boomerang across the African continent.

"Turner Broadcasting has a very strong kids and family business around the world and our exciting new partnership with Warner Bros. presents a number of new opportunities that will help strategically grow the Boomerang brand," says Christina Miller, president and general manager of the Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels.

"Through this expanded relationship with our corporate partners, we will create new content that will engage fans across a variety of screens and platforms and further grow these timeless franchises that we'll leverage not only across Boomerang, but also our global kids and family portfolio businesses," says Christina Miller.

"With the television landscape becoming more and more crowded, we are extremely fortunate to have one of the largest animation libraries, with some of the world's most iconic and revered characters," says Sam Register, the president of Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series.

"This deal presents an exciting creative opportunity to explore this vast collection, to develop new and compelling programming based on these beloved characters, and to introduce them to new generations of families".

Premiering on Boomerang will be the first of Boomerang's new original series from Warner Bros. Animation, Bunnicula - a new animated comedy series based on the bestselling children's book of the same name.

Bunnicula follows the paranormal comedy adventures of Bunnicula, the vampire rabbit who instead of drinking blood, drains the juice of carrots and other vegetables to boost his abilities.

Be Cool Scooby Doo! is a new 22-minute animated comedy series with the Scooby gang, back with a modern twist. This time the gang is trying to solve their own personal problems as they solve further mind-bending mysteries.

In Wabbit is a Looney Tunes Production. Boomerang viewers will see Bugs Bunny in new shorts that find the rabbit matching wits against classic characters like Yosemite Sam and Wile E. Coyote, along with brand-new foes.

TCM channel's viewership on MultiChoice's DStv up by 85% since its on-screen refresh; has exclusive Star Wars documentary for December.

TCM's (DStv 137) viewership is up by 85% in South Africa between April and June this year compared to the period between January and March, horror movies will be screened on Saturdays in October on TCM, and an exclusive Star Wars documentary about George Lucas is on the schedule for December for the channel.

Turner Broadcasting Africa didn't release the TCM channel information and press release to South Africa's media when it was handed out at the MultiChoice Content Showcase in Mauritius earlier this month and that South African press and TV critics were not invited to.

However the information is highly relevant and applicable for the TCM channel as seen on DStv in South Africa as well, and I now finally got it and can now share it.

Since introducing its new on-screen look earlier this year, TCM at the MultiChoice Content Showcase touted its South African viewership on DStv: up 85% according to AGB Nielsen's South African ratings data for April to June 2015, compared to January to March this year.

According to AGB Nielsen's ratings data, TCM now has a total monthly viewership of 2.3 million viewers in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv.

The channel from Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) also climbed 4 places in the movie channels ranking on DStv in June compared to January 2015.

TBS says TCM is now "poised to be the go-to channel for entertaining American cinema" following Turner Broadcasting's overhauled TCM offering with a refreshed look and feel as well as an updated programming slate.

"By introducing this major change in the channel's tone, brand image and programming strategy, the TCM experience has initiated a whole new level of quality entertainment," says Guillermo Farre, the head of general entertainment channels for Africa at Turner Broadcasting.

"We are delighted with the growing success of the TCM brand as it delivers new and exciting programming to existing and new viewers."

"Prime time and weekend specials have also been rejuvenated to include explosive action-blocks, chilling thriller specials and frontier-pushing sci-fi events."

Turner Broadcasting in Africa will do more on social media in 2016 to try and further create awareness for the refreshed TCM brand.

In October DStv subscribers can look forward to the seasonal event of Halloween being celebrated on TCM when the channel will screen "some of the most terrifying movies of all time".

Horror will be served every Saturday at 21:00 and on the last Saturday, 31 October, viewers will  be able to enjoy a whole day horror marathon," says Guillermo Farre.

In December TCM will also be scheduling an exclusive in-house documentary about George Lucas to celebrate the release of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens at cinemas.

MultiChoice will be doing pop-up channels in DStv in 2016; M-Net's Star Wars pop-up channel is 'an experiment', says the pay-TV operator.

MultiChoice will be doing 4 limited-period pop-up channels on DStv in 2016 similar to M-Net's current Star Wars pop-up channel on channel 109 which is an experiment, the satellite pay-TV operator has revealed.

At the end of the year, MultiChoice will be adding another new kids pop-up channel for the December holidays, a kids channel from Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) that already provides Cartoon Network (DStv 301) and Boomerang (DStv 302) as kids channels to DStv.

David Booth, chief content officer for MultiChoice Africa, revealed at the MultiChoice Content Showcase that MultiChoice sees the current Star Wars pop-up channel from M-Net and The Walt Disney Company in Africa as "an experiment" and will be doing more of them in the future - at least 4 pop-up channels in 2016.

In 2014 MultiChoice and DStv had great success with the Oscar Pistorius Trial channel from Combined Artistis Productions in South Africa.

It was also a pop-up channel of which the ratings and viewership at certain times outperformed premium channels like M-Net (DStv 101) and made it the 4th most watched TV channel on pay-TV in South Africa.

"We want to be more fluid and offer more pop-up and events channels – it's very much part of our strategy," said David Booth at a panel discussion on Wednesday at the Main Beach Marquee where MultiChoice held a MultiChoice Africa Media Roundtable press conference.

"We have big plans over the holiday period to bring in a kids' channel from Turner Broadcasting, for example."

"Going forward, I see events channels offering fantastic opportunities. The Star Wars channel is an experiment, and it's also something we've done in the past with Big Brother Africa. It's our ambition to do four more pop-up and events channels in the next year," said David Booth.

MultiChoice's 5 day DStv Content Showcase in Mauritius started on Tuesday with the satellite pay-TV service doing a programming and content upfront where several TV channels - from Sony Television and BBC Worldwide to SuperSport, M-Net, Viacom's BET, MTV Base, A+E Networks UK's History, Lifetime and others - are presenting their latest and upcoming programming and content over the coming months.

MultiChoice excluded South Africa's press and TV critics from attending the MultiChoice Content Showcase that media from other Africa countries are attending, and MultiChoice didn't inform South African journalists covering the TV industry beforehand that the event would be taking place.

American movie channel TCM on DStv rebranding with new on-screen look, more recent movies; changing to 'fast-paced' channel for movie lovers.

Like everything Hollywood, TCM (DStv 137) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform is youngerating with a facelift and a programming update to start changing the brand and brand perception of the classic movie channel and to make it more attractive for viewers with more modern movies.

Long the face of Gone with the Wind and Casablanca, as part of the makeover TCM is now starting to position itself as a "fast-paced" channel for movie lovers, filled with "modern programming" - words not associated with the channel from Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) since it first became available on DStv.

As part of the rebranded TCM, the stodgy channel will stick with American movies but is introducing a major change in the channel's tone, brand image and programming strategy for African viewers.

The TCM changes range from a new on-screen look, documentaries about movies, and frankly my dear, the most pivotal change about which DStv subscribers give a damn: more original and recent movies spanning romantic comedies and dramas to action thrillers, blockbusters and science fiction films not starring Robbie the Robot.

TCM says the channel is changing to "a strong focus on contemporary productions". While Scarlett O'Hara might still pop up from time to time, the evolving TCM programming schedule is starting to look unrecognisable with titles like The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and The Big Lebowski.

TCM says it remains a channel "committed to American movie fans in Africa".

TCM isn't saying why the channel is changing its channel proposition, but with the rapid growth in the number of TV channels on DStv's platform all vying for the eyes and attention of the same DStv subscribers, TCM has come under increased pressure to justify its existence.

With a flurry of competitors ranging from Universal Networks International's Studio Universal (DStv 112) to MGM which changed to AMC (DStv 140 / StarSat 115) and M-Net's set of expansive M-Net Movies channels, TCM has to adapt or go the way of the wind.

"We are thrilled about the TCM relaunch as we're confident that viewers will benefit from the changes and the new and exciting programming that we will have on offer for them," says Guillermo Farre, the head of general entertainment channels for Africa at Turner Broadcasting.

"This new look and feel builds on our success to date with new titles to keep our audience entertained and improve their viewing experience," says Guillermo Farre.

TCM now wants to bring DStv subscribers "up-to-date qualitative American blockbusters that trigger viewers' emotions" and will include celebrity interviews in additional new programming.

"Change is a crucial part of any breakthrough," says TCM. "Turner Broadcasting is on the case and investing in its brand with powerful new films and a fresh new look and feel".

BREAKING. Boomerang on DStv relaunching globally as an animation TV channel for families and kids; will change in South Africa early 2015.

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) is relaunching Boomerang (DStv 302) , ione of its animation TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv, with a new logo and a bigger focus on family viewing.

Boomerang is Turner's animation kids channel which didn't experience an embarrassing black out this past Saturday on MultiChoice's DStv like its other kids channel, Cartoon Network which both Turner Broadcasting and MultiChoice has so far been completely silent about.

It's not yet clear when Boomerang will be changing for South African and African viewers on DStv but it will be sometime early in 2015 says Turner.

The new-look Boomerang launched in September in Latin America and will change in Australia in early November.

Turner says the new Boomerang will include content that include "iconic, beloved cartoons" as well as "acquired regional and local animated favourites".

Turner wants to position Boomerang as a stronger and better brand, as its "second flagship kids brand" after Cartoon Network, and as a "global, all-animation, youth-targeted network, repositioned with a line-up of timeless and contemporary cartoons programmed for family co-viewing".

Turner Broadcasting System International president Gerhard Zeiler says Boomerang will draw on the vast resources of "the world's largest animation library" consisting of Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network and MGM studios television and theatrical shorts, series and specials, so that Boomerang's schedule will be filled with timeless favourites like Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, The Powerpuff Girls and Scooby-Doo.

As part of the relaunch Boomerang will have a new on-air look and logo and offer "original content on the network across its 13 international feeds".

"The relaunch of Boomerang as a second flagship channel is a testament to its global appeal," says Gerhard Zeiler.

"We are extremely proud to see this channel move into its next incarnation - with a look and feel that conveys its quality and contemporary position. This represents a further step in our strategy to build on the success of our international kids' network," says Gerhard Zeiler.

BREAKING. Cartoon Network on DStv has gone down; no Saturday morning cartoons for the kids on the Turner Broadcasting channel.

You're reading it here first. 

No Saturday morning cartoons for you if your kids (or if you are a kid) wanted to watch Cartoon Network (DStv 301) on MultiChoice's DStv.

Turner Broadcasting System's Cartoon Network abruptly went down, only showing the Cartoon Network's logo on a white background.

With no sound, no on-air scroll or advisory, there's no communication on why Cartoon Network on DStv went blank, or when the channel would be restored. Turner Broadcasting didn't issue an advisory, nor did MultiChoice issue an alert as to what is wrong with the DStv channel.

Instead of The Amazing World of Gumball on the Cartoon Network there was the amazing world of nothing.

Turner's other cartoon channel on DStv, Boomerang (DStv 302) was unaffected and continued broadcasting.

I'm waiting for a response from Turner and, or MultiChoice on a media enquiry - if there is any, or when Cartoon Network starts broadcasting again, this story will update.

10:57 - The Cartoon Network has now suddenly switched to a black screen with the Cartoon Network logo, saying "BACK SO". The blown up screen is too large, cutting off the last letters of the word "SOON".

10:58 - The Cartoon Network flickers back to life on DStv, but in the boxy 4:3 format and only showing a loop of 3D animated cityscape images of "Townsville". No actual Cartoon Network show is being broadcast.

11:08 - The Cartoon Network on DStv again freeze up while the sound remains - on a traffic light showing yellow. Seconds later the sound also disappears. Sound comes back and go silent intermittently.

11:39 - MultiChoice interrupts the Cartoon Network for the first time since the channel went down with a DStv promo.

11:40 - Cartoon Network is back on the air on DStv, starting with Total Drama All Stars.

Gulliermo Farré the new head of general entertainment channels for Africa at Turner Broadcasting in newly-created position.

Gulliermo Farré has been appointed as the new head of general entertainment channels for Africa at Turner Broadcasting System (TBS).

This newly-created post signals Turner's increased focused on Africa as a growth market for its pay-TV business.

In this position Gulliermo Farré will be responsible for the editorial content of Turner Broadcasting System's channels across the African region.

Gulliermo Farré will be taking charge of the general strategy, programming, acquisitions, operations, creative and marketing initiatives for Turner's general entertainment TV channels.

He will also remain the director of content for the TCM and TNT channels in Spain which he has been doing since 2012.

Gulliermo Farré will be reporting directly to Jaime Ondarza, the vice-president for Southern Europe and Africa for Turner Broadcasting.

"With this appointment we're looking to utilise his experience in order to give our brands a big boost in Africa," says Jaime Ondarza.

"This new responsibility is a big challenge and one that I am really looking forward to," says Gulliermo Farré in a statement.

Marco Rosi joining Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) as new head of kids channels for Africa.

Marco Rosi is joining Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) as the new head of channels of TBS Italy as well as head of kids channels for Africa.

Marco Rosi joined FOX International Channels in 2007. In his new position as head of channels at TBS, he will report directly to Jaime Ondarza, the senior vice president and general manager of Turner Broadcasting System for Italy, Europe and South Africa.

Marco Rosi will be responsible for all editorial and marketing decisions for Turner's kids channels in Africa like Cartoon Network (DStv 301) and Boomerang (DStv 302) available on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa and across Africa.

"We are delighted that Marco Rosi is joining us and I am sure he will contribute with his experience and expertise to the consolidation and growth of the channels in Turner Broadcasting System Italy and Africa," says Jaime Ondarza in a press statement announcing the appointment.