StarTimes' StarSat loses the Smithsonian Channel from ViacomCBS Networks after just a year and a half.

by Thinus Ferreira

StarTimes operating as StarSat in South Africa has abruptly lost the Smithsonian Channel after a year and a half.

The Smithsonian Channel (StarSat 226) replaced Disney's National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD in December 2019 on StarSat at the time.

The Smithsonian Channel is an American pay-TV channel, run as a joint venture between and distributed by ViacomCBS Networks International and the Smithsonian Institution.

The channel offered a range of non-fiction programming that covers a wide range of historical, scientific and cultural subjects with several series as well as once-off TV specials.

There's been no prior statement or press release ahead of time from ViacomCBS Networks Africa to the media that it would be taking the Smithsonian Channel away from StarTimes, or even on the day.

TVwithThinus asked StarSat on Friday in a media query about the loss of the Smithsonian Channel and why the channel was removed.

A StarSat spokesperson said "the channels has been discontinued and we did communicate this to our customers prior to disconnection". StarSat gave no reason why the Smithsonian Channel was removed.

ALSO READ: StarSat adds Love Nature and the Smithsonian Channel as documentary channels from 10 December.

ViacomCBS Networks International adopts a 'no diversity, no commission' production policy.

by Thinus Ferreira

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) on Tuesday announced that it is adopting a new "no diversity, no commission" policy, demanding that "all new international productions be made by a diverse team" in order for a production company to be commissioned.

Through the new policy that will be applicable across 5 continents and more than 180 countries where VCNI operates, including South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, ViacomCBS Networks International wants to "promote diversity, equity and inclusion".

Several of ViacomCBS' pay-TV channels are carried and seen throughout the African continent on the platforms of pay-TV services like MultiChoice's DStv.

According to the policy change, production companies who want to do business with ViacomCBS Networks International will have to "adhere to diversity guidelines before budgets are signed off and productions are approved to begin".

"When budgets are agreed, the commissioner or project lead will check for appropriate diversity and recommend improvements, as needed." Besides on-screen talent diversity, diversity behind-the-scenes will also be very important "to ensure that a variety of balanced, diverse voices are involved in all areas of production"

David Lynn, CEO and president of VCNI, in a statement, says that "Expanding 'no diversity, no commission' to our entire international organisation is an important strategic move for ViacomCBS Networks International".

"ViacomCBS Networks International creates and distributes content to audiences all over the world. This approach will ensure that we are both reflecting our audience, as well as elevating new diverse creative voices."

"Change requires thorough research, careful planning, and immense care, and we're looking forward to creating impactful, sustainable change through the power of our networks, partnerships, platforms and brands."

Jules Borkent, executive vice president for VCNI Kids & Family, says "Audiences around the world, particularly younger generations and kids, are becoming more and more diverse in composition, outlook and perspectives, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that our content reflects the world in which our audiences live".

"Our research tells us very clearly,  that kids want to see themselves reflected on-screen."

Kerry Taylor, executive vice president for VCNI Youth & Entertainment, says "Diversity, inclusion and equity need to be at the heart of everything we do within our brands and our business".

"We are committed to doing better, to making progress in this area, and using our platforms to shine a light on the talent, voices and stories that need to be seen and heard."

BREAKING. ViacomCBS Networks International to launch its new global video streaming service in early-2021 - South Africa and Africa initially excluded just like Disney+.

by Thinus Ferreira

ViacomCBS will launch its as-yet-unnamed new global video streaming service to compete with Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video and others internationally in early 2021 although South Africa and Africa are not included in the initial launch plans.

Similar to Walt Disney Company's decision to skip South Africa and Africa with the initial roll-out of its Disney+ subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service which isn't available on the continent yet, ViacomCBS will roll out in early-2021 starting in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico), Australia and the Nordic countries first.

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) revealed more in an investors' presentation about its global new video streaming plans on Thursday during its latest quarterly earnings call with investors.

It's CBS All Access streaming service in the United States is already available in Australia - which will relaunch under the new brand, and similarly, Paramount+ is already available in parts of South America and Eastern Europe and will also just switch over.

ViacomCBS Networks International will roll out its streaming services in other international territories over time after it launches in Australia, South America and the Nordics.

New upcoming series like the Halo science-fiction drama based on the video game, will be placed on this new streaming service, similar to what Disney has done with Star Wars The Mandalorian on Disney+.

A clue as to part of the reason why VCNI will not initially launch in South Africa and in sub-Saharan Africa comes from VCNI that said in countries where its streamer will launch, it will honour existing licensing and distribution deals with broadcasters and pay-TV operators.

A drama series like Billions will for instance not be available on the streamer in countries like Australia. Similarly, in South Africa, a lot of content - from Billions and The Good Fight acquired by MultiChoice and M-Net (DStv 101) simply won't be available, which would make for a truncated offering and user experience if such a service were to launch in South Africa.

VCNI says that its global video streamer will target "audiences of all ages with a competitively priced and super-sized selection of 'must-see' exclusives, premieres and box sets from ViacomCBS’ much-loved entertainment brands".

Pierluigi Gazzolo, president, streaming for VCNI, says "With more than 200 million new streaming subscriptions due to come online internationally by 2025, we're very confident we can build a meaningful subscriber base in the next few years".

"ViacomCBS is one of a very small handful of elite content companies with broad enough content pipelines and deep enough content libraries to lead in all segments of the video entertainment market."