Gone but not forgotten: Here’s why and how Ellen, TelkomONE, The Braai Show, Fight Sports and PBO TV all went MIA.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has quietly disappeared from MultiChoice's DStv, the SABC abruptly postponed The Braai Show with AKA, the TelkomONE streaming service failed to start on its promised launch date, e.tv has dropped the Fight Sports channel, and the PBO TV channel is missing from StarSat. Here's what happened to them all: 

Here's what happened to Ellen on DStv:

Last week The Ellen DeGeneres Show abruptly disappeared from DStv without any warning or explanation. 

The 17th season of Ellen ended on Thursday 29 October on VUZU (DStv 116) but the 18th season of Ellen that had already started in America didn't continue seamlessly.

Instead, M-Net (DStv 101) that is broadcasting the new second season of The Kelly Clarkson Show, is now rebroadcasting old episodes of the first season of The Kelly Clarkson Show on VUZU in the timeslot where Ellen used to be.

In the United States, Ellen has been engulfed in a behind-the-scenes production scandal that has seen ratings for the new 18th season plunge to series lows, not just in America, but in various countries, with viewers as far away as Australia saying they've been turned off from Ellen and her talk show.

Ellen and her talk show suffered brand and reputation damage since current and former staffers at the Warner Bros. show came forward with their stories of racism, sexual harassment, mistreatment, and the terrible working conditions behind-the-scenes, and how Ellen DeGeneres is not as "nice" as she claimed to be on TV.

The executive producers were fired. When the 18th season of Ellen started in America, the talk show host apologised on-air and said that she has "learned that things happened here that should never have happened. I take that very seriously and I wanna say I'm so sorry to the people affected."

"I know that I'm in a position of privilege and power and I realise that with that comes responsibility and I take responsibility for what happens at my show."

TVwithThinus asked M-Net what has happened to Ellen on the schedule. 

Nomntu Mngengi, M-Net spokesperson, in response to the media enquiry says that "the license for The Ellen Show is currently being re-negotiated with the studio. The Kelly Clarkson Show season 1 will therefore be scheduled on Vuzu until then".

Here's what happened to The Braai Show on SABC1:

On 26 October SABC1 announced that a new 13-episode series, The Braai Show with AKA would start on Thursday 5 November at 19:30 on the channel.

The Braai Show with Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, would have seen the controversial rapper braai and get a "glance into the lives of Mzansi's most-intriguing and controversial South African personalities".

Yesterday SABC1 abruptly did a schedule change, quietly removing The Braai Show from its schedule without any explanation a day before it was supposed to start.

TVwithThinus asked executive produced David Phume of Cake Media what happened. 

David Phume says "Television stations change schedules for a variety of reasons. At this stage we do not know why SABC1 has made changes to their schedule. As such we eagerly wait to hear from SABC1 about a new time slot for the show."

Phillip Mabitsela, SABC1 publicist was asked why The Braai Show would no longer start on Thursday but in response gave no reason and said a new date will be communicated. On Thursday morning the SABC announced that The Braai Show has been moved to 12 November at 19:30.

Here's what happened to the launch of Telkom's TelkomONE streaming service: 

Wanda Mkhize, Telkom's executive for smart home and content, said that Telkom would launch its new TelkomONE video-on-demand (VOD) streaming service in South Africa on Thursday 5 November 2020.

Thursday arrived and TelkomONE failed to materialise.

On Wednesday night at 22:00, DNA Brand Architects abruptly cancelled a TelkomONE media launch event with the press that was set for Thursday without any explanation.

The SABC that plans to have the public broadcaster's linear TV channels added and be available on TelkomONE, also abruptly cancelled pre-arranged interviews with executives that were set up for Thursday, also without any explanation.

So far there's been no official communication or any explanation as to why TelkomONE failed to launch and what issues caused it.

Hi Fans, today we’re bidding farewell to Fight Sports.

Stay tuned as exciting news is coming your way! pic.twitter.com/ox8wxXpJ3M

— Openview (@openviewforever) October 29, 2020

Here's what happened to the Fight Sports channel on Openview:

e.tv quietly removed The Fight Sports channel after just a year on its free-to-air Openview satellite service last Thursday without any announcement to the media.

On 29 October Openview on its Twitter feed suddenly just said "All good things come to an end. Fight Sports". e.tv added the Fight Sports channel to Openview in November 2019.

Here's what happened to Premium BoxOffice Television on StarSat:

On 30 September China's StarTimes pay-TV service, run under the StarSat brand banner in South Africa, announced that it was adding the Premium BoxOffice Television (PBO TV) channel to StarTimes across sub-Saharan Africa, and to StarSat in South Africa from October.

The problem is that the channel from the Nigerian production company Big Idea Mediaworks that was supposed to go live on StarSat channel 184 as a Nollywood TV channel, broadcasting series, films, sitcoms, music and late-night comedy never materialised as promised.

After adding PBO TV to its website as a channel listing and an announcement, StarSat has now removed all traces of it after subscribers kept asking why it was announced and failed to start.

Luyanda Cele, StarSat publicist, told TVwithThinus in response to a media enquiry that PBO TV "is pending approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) but it has been launched in other countries for StarTimes. Once we have a confirmed date for South Africa we shall communicate and share".

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 17 July 2020.

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


■ Trade Unions Bemawu and CWU ready to start public protest action at the SABC over planned retrenchments.
Claims that skills audit was flawed and says the South African public broadcaster failed to consider alternatives to firing staffers.
- Unions threaten to fight until the very end.

■ The Ghana government says it didn't order the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to shut down channels.
What happened recently is that MultiChoice decided to remove some of the GBC's TV channels from DStv that it didn't want to pay for anymore.

■ Netflix adds 10 million subscribers ...
but warns Covid-19 production shutdowns will begin to hit the video streaming service in 2021.
Ted Sarandos named co-CEO with Reed Hastings.  Forecast for 2020 Q3 third quarter disappoints.
Growth may slow.

■ The SABC's TV offering isn't worth tuning in for.
People who have to watch SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 must be tearing their hair out.

■ 5 ways that MultiChoice's Showmax can improve its experience.

■ How the SABC's outside broadcasting (OB) vans prepared for Covid-19.
"We were caught off-guard. Actually, we were never ready for such a drastic change," says Kagisho Maesela, SABC Television OB's principal technician.

■ "That 'be kind' bullsh*t only happens when the cameras are on. It's all for show."
10 former staff members and 1 current one speak out about how toxic it really is behind-the-scenes at Ellen DeGeneres' Ellen talk show.

■ Eye roll: Netflix is offering an "immortal" 83-year long subscription for the winner of a game.

■ Why time-loop movies resonate in 2020.

American talk shows and late night hosts including Trevor Noah shun studio audiences as coronavirus fears grow.

by Thinus Ferreira

South African and African viewers will soon notice the start of the absence of live studio audiences in several American shows which are doing away with in-studio audiences for an unspecified period as coronavirus cases worldwide and in the United States and fears of in-person transmission increase.

In South Africa, where the number of coronavirus cases is increasing, the TV industry has not yet implemented any changes in terms of in-studio audiences for local talk shows, game shows, youth shows and other programming which are filmed before rows of seats filled with people from across the country.

Producers of The Wendy Williams Show carried on ViacomCBS Networks Africa's BET (DStv 129) is immediately doing away with the New York in-studio audience that Wendy Williams often refers to as her "co-hosts".

"Wendy values her co-hosts and their daily participation but in light of the current health climate, The Wendy Williams Show will not have a live studio audience until further notice. We will continue to produce a daily live talk show and look forward to welcoming the studio audience back when the time is right," the show says in a statement.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show carried on M-Net's VUZU (DStv 116) says that "With the rapidly changing nature of the Covid-19 outbreak and out of concern for our audience attending The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Telepictures will suspend audience attendance during tapings effective Monday 16March," Telepictures says in a statement.

The Real shown on BET - also produced by Warner Bros from the same Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank in Los Angeles as Ellen will however start to screen people before allowing them to sit as in-studio audience members.

"We are asking all guests to confirm that neither they nor any member of their household have traveled within the past 3 weeks to or through a location that has been deemed Level 3 by the Centre for Disease Control, currently China, Italy, Iran and South Korea," says Warner Bros. in a statement.

"These new and temporary precautionary measures have been put in place out of an abundance of caution and out of concern for the health and safety of our guests and staff."

No longer seen in South Africa, Dr. Phil is also axing the in-studio audience for now. "The health of our audience members, staff and crew are the priority," says Carla Pennington, the show's executive producer in a statement

The Late Late Show with James Corden done from Los Angeles and seen on M-Net (DStv 101) will continue with a live in-studio audience. The Talk seen on 1Magic (DStv 103) and done from The CBS Studio Centre in Los Angeles is also still taking audience members during late March and early-April.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah carried on ViacomCBS Networks Africa's Comedy Central (DStv 122) and that records episodes in New York is currently still making tickets available for audience members this week but will get rid of the audience from next week.

"Our top priority is the safety of our guests and staff. Beginning Monday 16 March The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will film without a live, in-studio audience," says Comedy Central in a statement.

"This move is being made out of an abundance of caution and concern regarding the spread of the Covid-19 virus and per guidance from New York City officials to take appropriate actions. There have been no developments at The Daily Show’s studio to cause concern for audience members who have plans to attend the show tonight or tomorrow."

"Measures have been taken to protect everyone who enters and works in the office and studio with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures."

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert shown on e.tv and also recording in New York from inside the Ed Sullivan Theatre is also stopping letting people in.

"Beginning Monday 16 March The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will film without a live, in-studio audience," says CBS in a statement. "This move is being made out of an abundance of caution regarding the spread of the Covid-19 virus and the uncertainty of the situation for future weeks."

"Per guidance from New York City officials, CBS and The Late Show are doing their part to help decrease the potential rate of transmission in our communities. There have not been any specific developments at The Ed Sullivan Theater to cause concern for audiences."

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver seen on M-Net (DStv 101) is also removing the in-studio in New York.

"As of this coming Sunday 15 March Last Week Tonight With John Oliver will film without a live, in-studio audience," says HBO in a statement. "We are taking this precaution in accordance with best practices as outlined by New York City officials. We will continue to monitor the situation."

Ellen DeGeneres slams Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban on her talk show, using Finding Dory: 'When you see someone in need - you help them'.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres used her talk show Ellen and her film Finding Dory to slam American president Donald Trump's misguided new Muslim travel ban which he signed on Friday and caused travel chaos over the weekend and led to worldwide condemnation.

On Ellen, seen weekdays on M-Net (DStv 101) at 17:00, Ellen DeGeneres used Finding Dory to explain why she doesn't agree with the way in which Donald Trump is banning Muslim refugees and immigrants entering America.

Ironically, Donald Trump watched Finding Dory over the weekend in the White House with his family after banning immigrants and refugees from several Muslim countries and nationalities from entering America.

M-Net is now just one day behind America with the current 14th season of Ellen episodes, with South African and African viewers who will be able to see Ellen DeGeneres' speech in Tuesday's episode on Wednesday afternoon.

"If you haven't heard, this is what happened over the weekend. On Friday the president gave an order banning people from seven countries from entering the United States, including people with green cards," said Ellen DeGeneres.

"Then on Saturday, the president screened Finding Dory at the White House. I don't get political, but I will say that I am against one of those two things."

"Finding Dory is about a fish named Dory. Dory lives in Australia and these are her parents, and they live in America. And I don't know what religion they are, but her dad sounds a little Jewish. It doesn't matter."

"Dory arrives in America with her friends Marlin and Nemo. She ends up at the Marine Life Institute behind a large wall. They all have to get over the wall and you won't believe it, but that wall has almost no effect in keeping them out," said Ellen DeGeneres.

"Even though Dory gets into America, she ends up separated from her family, but the other animals help Dory. Animals that don't even need her. Animals that don't have anything in common with her."

"They help her, even though they're completely different colors. Because that's what you do when you see someone in need - you help them. So that is what I hope everyone who's watching Finding Dory has learned."

On Monday Donald Trump fired America's attorney general and career prosecutor Sally Yates because she told the Justice department not to defend Donald Trump's Muslim immigration ban.

Today's interesting TV stories to read from TV with Thinus - 6 January 2016.

Ellen on M-Net (DStv 101) renewed until 2020.
Ellen DeGeneres' weekday talk show renewed.

Meanwhile The Meredith Vieira Show on SABC3 cancelled.
Will end after the current second season ends.

SuperSport pays £296 million to continue showing English Premier League (EPL).
- EPL will continue to be broadcast on SuperSport channels on MultiChoice's DStv in sub-Saharan Africa for the 2016-2019 seasons.
- Could lead to higher subscription costs for soccer lovers since the currencies of South Africa and Nigeria have depreciated between 25% to 35% percent in 2015.

The Royals renewed for a 3rd season.
Meanwhile Universal Networks International's E! Entertainment (DStv 124) on DStv in Africa doesn't have the show and South African viewers haven't even seen the first season yet on any channel.

Kirstie Alley is back with Cheers and Cliff and Norm.
They all pop back into the bar where "everybody knows your name" for Kirstie Alley's new Jenny Craig TV commercial.

Uh-oh. Reviews are bad for MTV's new fantasy drama series, The Shannara Chronicles.
I've asked Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) in 2015 several times whether South African viewers will get to see the drama series but got no response. I asked again yesterday when the show started overseas.
- Meanwhile The Shannara Chronicles reviews are not good. Its "central emptiness" also has bad special effects and bad acting and the cheerfully cheap series is pretty boring.


Netflix's 2016 agenda: Making more money through international expansion.
The global video streaming service will launch in South Africa in 2016.

After ESPN dumped South Africa and Africa in 2013 its image is now worsening in America.
The declining fortune and future of ESPN and some advice for ESPN on how to try and improve its bad image as a TV sports network.

How Discovery is trying to return to what made it great.
Inside Discovery Networks' plan to move from junk TV back to highbrow programming and documentaries.

Game of Thrones seen on M-Net toning it down a bit for the 6th season.
Creators toning the fantasy drama series' explicitness down a notch after the controversial sexual assault depicted in the 5th season that had viewers saying the show has finally gone too far.

The Cream Pies make it onto Ellen's talk show on M-Net Series Reality after she notices their funny song about her.

The Cream Pies, the hilarious American quartet who concocted a funny song about and for Ellen DeGeneres in the hope of appearing on Ellen which went viral just over a week ago, was successful.

Ellen is seen in South Africa on M-Net Series Reality (DStv 114) on weekdays at 18:30.

Just over a week ago The Cream Pies made a hilarious singing plea to appear on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show. She and her producers noticed them and now The Cream Pies are getting their moment on international television.

Here's the clip of then making it onto Ellen (who has special T-shirts for them):

Talk show Ellen on M-Net Series renewed for 2 more seasons in America until 2016.

Ellen, the weekday talk show of Ellen Degeneres, seen in South Africa on M-Net Series (DStv 114) has been renewed for a further two seasons in America which will take the show from 2014 to at least the 2016/2017 season.

Ellen is currently in its 10th season and will soon be mimicking Oprah by going to Australia with fans.

"Ellen is quite simply the best," says Ken Werner, the president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution in a press statement announcing the further Ellen seasons. "Day in and day out she and her team produce a unique and compelling hour of entertainment which is appointment television for legions of women."

''Ellen is having its best season ever during the 10th anniversary of the show," says Hilary Estey McLoughlin, the president of Telepictures Productions in the same statement.

 "It's a testament to Ellen's brilliance as a talent and our extraordinary production team. We are so proud of the show and grateful for all the support."

Programming note: The 10th season of Ellen on M-Net Series will start next Monday, 17 September, with episodes now just a week after America.

The 10th season of talk show Ellen with Ellen DeGeneres starting today in America, will start on M-Net Series (DStv 110) next Monday, 17 September at 18:30.

The popular weekday talk show will therefore shorten its lead time between episodes airing in America and being shown in South Africa to just a week.

That means the shortest gap for the decade old talk show yet after M-Net Series worked hard the past two years with a concerted effort to catch up.

M-Net Series is meanwhile reducing Jerry Springer to just two episodes per week and to only one by the end of the month as the trash talk show is being rinsed out of the M-Net Series schedule.

The American talk show to beat still remains Wendy Williams on BET (TopTV 190) of which the new season is also starting today - and therefore starting in South Africa. TopTV and BET manages to show the same episode of Wendy Williams in South Africa on the same day as what it's being shown in America.

SABC2 is a season behind with Dr. Phil, SABC3 is a season behind with Dr. Oz, M-Net is behind but in the current season of The Talk, and e.tv no longer has any America talk shows on its schedule.

BREAKING. The 9th season of Ellen on M-Net Series not starting today; new season of the talk show postponed for unknown reason.

No word to the press but the 9th season of Ellen that was supposed to start today on M-Net Series (DStv 110) will not be happening, I can reveal.

M-Net Series have not yet said why the new season of the talk show (weekdays, 18:30) isn't starting today - which it was supposed to - or when the new starting date will be. Ellen fans will apparently have to wait a bit longer while the show remains in repeats for now.

UPDATE Wednesday 5 October 09:00 - A response now from M-Net Series 2 days after this news. ''Due to unforeseen curcumstances, M-Net Series was unable to broadcast the new season of Ellen on Monday 3 October as was previously communicated. Confirmation of a new starting date is still pending and we will update you as soon as possible.''

BREAKING. Ellen to go into repeats very soon on M-Net Series after the TV channel is now less than a month behind America.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively reveal that the 6th season of Ellen that's currently on M-Net Series (DStv 110) is set to go into full-time repeat mode soon since M-Net Series has managed to catch up very quickly with the available episode running order in America.

I hear Ellen, weekdays at 18:30 on M-Net Series, will very soon go into full-time repeat mode, after M-Net Series worked very hard to catch up with the 6th season of Ellen Degeneres' daily talk show in America by increasing the show's local broadcasting number to five days a week in South Africa last year.

I asked a M-Net Series channel executive in person about what is going to happen with Ellen since M-Net Series is now so close to the American broadcast date of the daily chat fest. ''Yes, we'll have to go into repeats soon,'' she told me. ''M-Net Series has caught up Ellen which is actually where we want to be as a channel. But we need just a little bit more of a buffer, so we're going to go into repeats to maintain a healthy number of new episodes that we can broadcast,'' she told me.