BREAKING. Top 10 Idols contestants to all stay at the very luxurious Northcliff Palms mansion in Johannesburg from today.

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At the end of tonight there will only be a Top 10 Idols contestants left in the M-Net reality show, and I can reveal that after today the top 10 of the 7th season will all be staying in this Idols mansion in Johannesburg - the exact same place used for the 6th season of Idols: the Northcliff Palms.

The boutique-style manor high on the northern slope of Northcliff Hill with a sweeping vista of Johannesburg has a ''music room'' where the top 10 Idols will be able to practise and prepare. Or they would be able to lounge next to the pool at the pool deck, play pool in the one lounge, or take long luxurious baths. Well, maybe not long luxurious baths - there's no time.

I can tell that up until now some of the contestants have been staying at another guest house further up the street and some in Northcliff Palms, but once 5 contestants get cut from the top 15 in tonight's live episode, the remaining 10 will all stay in Northcliff Palms, which I've visited last September during the 6th season of the show.

Ten is the maximum number of guests the Northcliff Palms can accomodate, so some have been staying there for the past two weeks after they've decided who will get the mansion and who will stay in the guest house. Whoever remains after tonight, will all move (or remain) at the Northcliff Palms.

The weary Idols will rest their heads on 100% cotton percale linen in the Northcliff Palms and would be able to look at themselves on large flat screen TV's. The formal lounge even has a fireplace - a sanctuary for the singing stars that's going to have to up their game weekly as their fame quotient increases.

Debby Ryan's own series Jessie gets an increased first season order; Jessie to start in South Africa on The Disney Channel in March 2012.

The Disney Channel (DStv 303) is hoping to turn Debby Ryan (18) from The Suite Life on Deck into the next Miley Cyrus and with production that very recently started on the first season of her own new teen show Jessie, I can reveal that Jessie is scheduled to start in South Africa on The Disney Channel in March of 2012.

The first season order of Jessie was also increased from 13 episodes to 20, which indicates that Disney Channel executives must be very happy with the episodes they're seeing, even before a single episode has yet been broadcast in America.

Disney tells me that ''production has begun in Hollywood on Jessie'' with Debby Ryan playing ''an idealistic teen from rural Texas who moves to New York City and becomes a nanny for a high-profile couple with four kids. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2012 on The Disney Channel in South Africa.''

Jessie was created by Pamela Eels O'Connell responsible for Family Matters, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and The Suite Life on Deck and she's also the executive producer. The series is from It's a Laugh Productions Inc.

OUT OF PLACE. The new ThunderCats and its characters is an anatopistic mistake; won't make sense if you've seen the original.

It's heartbreaking for me to say this but the new ThunderCats is a disappointment because of a major anachronistic, and more specifically a non-sensical anatopistic character flaw.

The re-imagined setting is fine but the characters don't fit. The original characters are back (although only in name and superficial appearance). But here's the thing: they simply shouldn't be, and shouldn't exist within the world where they're placed in the new animation show.

Let me explain.

I just finished watching the first two episodes of the new updated animation show on The Cartoon Network which will most probably be shown on the channel feed for Africa on DStv sometime within next year. A South African broadcasting date still to be determined, although I have asked The Cartoon Network again today about it. Sadly however, in my opinion, the new ThunderCats is not good because its just too ... well, weird.

Whereas, if you've watched Star Wars, you will love Star Wars The Clone Wars since it follows the canon of the established lore and mythology so well and colour in little backstories and details, my guess is that you're (sadly) not going to like the new ThunderCats (if you've watched the classic 80s show).

Here's why. The new 2011 ThunderCats is too Japanese manga-looking (although that's not the big problem). It's other things. The first thing is a big word, and it's called anachronism: things that don't belong in their setting and time (like gunpowder in Egypt or a horse and carriage on a modern-day highway). And while anachronism usually refers to objects out of place and time, in the new ThunderCats its the very characters that don't fit in their time.

It goes even beyond anachronistic - the same characters operate in the future world of the original show - but they're still the same characters. This new ThunderCats - and from now on you'll only understand if you're familiar with the original show - is still taking place in the same setting but the set-up is different. It's very anatopistic.

In line with the established original ThunderCats story, everything starts off fine. However, imagine time has moved forward an indeterminable amount of time. So the Cats' Lair is still there, on the planet Third Earth, but it's now a palace, surrounded by a sprawling city - a civilization and a population. Nothing wrong so far and actually quite a neat idea because, of course, time has moved on. So the cats have multiplied and conquered evil and all that stuff.

Now the first weird bit. All the characters from the original ThuderCats are present but they're different (and I don't mean drawn differently, that goes without saying). They have the same names and the same characteristics and the same skills, but their back stories are completely different. It's like the original ThunderCats arrived on Third Earth, struggled and won and created a society. Then at a time in the future - their own future - they're all suddenly present again as their characters, with their same names, but different.

Therefore, the new ThunderCats is in essence a sequel, yet takes the original characters, ''brainwashes'' them; changes the socio-links between them (Tygra is now Lion-O's resoonsible brother; Cheetara will be Lion-O's love interest; Jaga is alive) and plops them into a framed future that you're asked to accept - yet here's the very characters who created this future in the first place and now they're still here. It doesn't make sense and doesn't feel right. As a viewer you're asked to accept and believe that one part of the established show has evolved, but then the producers want to completely interject and weirdly change this other part that has not evolved. The mish-mash is too much when it comes to the willing suspension of disbelief.

Think of this. The original Battlestar Galactica from the 1970s got a 2000's remake. The new Battlestar Galactica was a new show with a new Starbuck and new Adama and new stories but it was the same idea and took place in the same time period of the original show. Now imagine that the new Battlestar Galactica of 2000 took place in the future time of the 1970s Battlestar Galactica story time. Nothing wrong with that. (It would be like Robotech New Generation and Robotech Masters following Robotech The Macross Saga). What you simply cannot have though - not even in science fiction - is then the original Starbuck and Adama characters, still being that very Starbuck and Adama but in their ''future'' again as themselves. That is the crazy that is the new ThunderCats - characters placed there, but who don't belong in their own future.

The milieu integration in the new ThunderCats is correct. Sadly the character integration is completely wrong. The new ThunderCats, if it kept the new setting and set-up, should have changed the characters to a ''next or new generation'' - or should have given them different names. Just have new characters. If they had to, the new protagonist could have again been called Lion-O (but what about Lion-E (''lioney?'') or Lion-O2) and would have worked better and have been believable as something like the great grandson who've only heard of his great ancestor (the original Lion-O) but don't know the full tail of how their society has lost sight of the technology and ideals of the original ThunderCats.

Then Lion-O could have met up with other characters that contain vestiges or the traces of other ThunderCats forebearers (instead of weird adaptations of the original ones) and together experience a new adventure and move forward with their own new story as they uncover some of the past original story. Now its just a mess.

Another weird bit, which could be cool, and is plotcentric (and is now not cool because of the character problem) is the exposition that the future setting and the society of the cats has no technology. So basically something happened that the currently superficially happy (although it's clear that the society is no longer utopian and actually oppressing other species on Third Earth) is in a medieval state where technology is scarce. Technology isn't outlawed per se, but science isn't pursued. It's clear that whatever the new Lion-O's quest is going to be, it's also going to be about finding new (lost) technology and why the society lost the knowledge of that.

Sadly I won't be a part of that TV journey. If you've watched the original, and you see the new ThunderCats, you will see exactly what I mean when I say they've messed up the characters. The characters are messed up though in a way where there's nothing really wrong with them - it's just that they shouldn't be able to exist as they are. Oh, if Snarf could talk.

ALSO READ: The first trailer of the new ThunderCats updated cartoon series.
ALSO READ: The first official look at the new new ThunderCats series starting in 2011 on The Cartoon Network.
ALSO READ: The new Lion-O in The Cartoon Network's new ThunderCats animation show.
ALSO READ: Mumm-Ra will NOT be happy. The Cartoon Network is reviving the classic 80s animation series ThunderCats.

BREAKING. SuperSport planning a 24 hour rugby channel for the 2011 Rugby World Cup; plus a new daily special Kia Ora magazine show.

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I cane exclusively reveal that SuperSport and MultiChoice is planning to bring subscribers a 24 hour rugby channel for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand starting on 9 September, as well as a dedicated Rugby World Cup magazine show called Kia Ora on DStv.

SuperSport is planning to bring all 48 games of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in high definition (HD) to South African viewers with English and Afrikaans commentary and Xhosa in ''selected games'' (meaning probably games in which the Springboks play). I'm not sure which channel will serve as the dedicated 24 hour rugby channel, but it will probably be SuperSport 2 (DStv 202).

SuperSport tells me it's working on a special dedicated daily magazine show called Kia Ora for the duration of the 2011 Rugby World Cup but isn't saying anything more. ''Kia Ora'' according to Wikipedia is a traditional, informal Maori greeting meaning ''stay well/be healthy'' similar to ''good day''.

In a TV promo in which SuperSport mentions that the rugby magazine show will be coming as well as hyping its 2011 Rugby World Cup coverage - which prompted my enquiries - SuperSport says it will have international in-studio guests and experts helping out for the duration of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. SuperSport also says it will have ''live cross-overs to New Zealand'' besides the matches that will be shown.

SABC's dumped former group CEO Robin Nicholson is suing the SABC for R2,8 million; SABC board told beforehand there will be 'hostility'.

While a majority of SABC board members voted to extend the contract of the SABC's now inexplicably axed former acting group CEO, Robin Nicholson - plunging the beleaguered South African public broadcaster into another public scandal - the SABC board still got rid of him overnight a month ago knowing full well that there will be ''animosity'' and that it will be ''difficult to convince Robin Nicholson to assist with the transitional handover'' to Phil Molefe.

ALSO READ: The dumped Robin Nicholson ready to sue the SABC for millions of rands after the latest massive upheaval at the public broadcaster.

Robin Nicholson has issued a summons against the SABC and demands R2,8 million as well as interest and legal fees.

Justice Ndaba, the SABC's acting group head of human capital services told the SABC board - nine of which voted to extend Robin Nicholson's contract and two who voted against it - that a proper handover from Robin Nicholson to Phil Molefe is going to be ''difficult'' because of the way in which the SABC board is handling the situation.

''Since Robin Nicholson's contract is ending today, June 30, and given the hostility that would be displayed by Robin Nicholson, noting the decision by the board that his contract would not be renewed, as well as the potential for external animosity from certain quarters, possibilities of legal battles etc., it will be difficult for us to convince Robin Nicholson to assist with the transitional handover,'' Justice Ndaba wrote to the SABC board.

The SABC board offered a contract extension to Robin Nicholson while he was on holiday, and suddenly took back the offer while the SABC chairperson dr Ben Ngubane was away. Robin Nicholson has a copy of the 6 month contract extension the SABC board gave to him on 27 June and which has already been signed by dr Ben Ngubane before he left for Japan. All that was left to do was for Robin Nicholson to sign it, when the SABC board suddenly decided to bring in Phil Molefe and blindsided Robin Nicholson.

Justice Ndaba recommended to the SABC board that Robin Nicholson might have a legitimate claim against the SABC and that the broadcaster should pay Robin Nicholson the contractual amount for the 6 month contract extension offered, since the SABC has created a legitimate expectation with the signed contract by dr Ben Ngubane that Robin Nicholson is getting to stay on.

The SABC has not responded to media enquiries made.

BREAKING. Oprah aint going anywhere. 'The Best of Oprah' episodes to continue at 17:30 on SABC3 into December.

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The 25th and final ''Farewell Season'' of The Oprah Winfrey might be finishing soon on SABC3 but the talk show isn't going anywhere - I can reveal that Oprah will stay put in the weekday 17:30 timeslot right into December on SABC3 that will start running ''The Best of Oprah'' episodes from the current season.

The late night repeat slot of 00:50 on SABC3 of the day's Oprah episode will also remain for several more months. The 17:30 timeslot on SABC3 will remain Oprah territory for at least another five months.

Wardah Hartley returns to eNews and joins the eNews Channel as sports anchor in the afternoons.

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Wardah Hartley is back with e.tv and back on-air, this time on the eNews Channel (DStv 403) as a sports anchor.

For any television channel what you see, is what it's brand is, its identity. And The eNews Channel (DStv 403) should be taking more pride in its on-air talent and appointments, although it sadly doesn't seem to. The eNews Channel made no announcement (just like it made no effort to tell the press about the series of special reports on globilization starting on 1 August) about Wardah Hartley's return to the broadcaster and its 24 hour news channel operation.

The terrific Wardah Hartley started her career with eNews back in 2001 as a sports reporter and remained with eNews until 2005 when she left. She recently moved to Johannesburg and now she's back with eNews and anchoring sports coverage for the eNews Channel during the afternoons since 1 July.

''I love the fact that I'm back home,'' says Wardah Hartley who clearly knows what she's talking about when it comes to sports coverage. ''I'm on at different times, as we are circulated on different shifts.

SPECIAL REPORT. How Discovery is increasingly willing and able to deliver fast produced high-quality, topical documentaries on world events.

Discovery is working on a new TV documentary special Norway Massacre: The Killer's Mind (produced by ITN) after this past weekend's horrific terror incident in Norway, which Discovery Networks International tells me will definitely be shown in South Africa on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) soon.

Discovery Networks International that has multiple channels on MultiChoice's DStv as well as on On Digital Media's TopTV, tells TV with Thinus that it prides itself on providing viewers ''high quality and topical current affairs programming''.

After the news very early this week that Discovery has immediately greenlit a Norway TV special (with unnerving speed), I asked Discovery Networks International how the global factual network and programmer - that's not even in the breaking news business - is adapting, realigning and able to now move so incredibly swiftly to greenlit productions almost instantaneously after global news events.

Discovery will be bringing Norway Massacre: The Killer's Mind to South African viewers as the latest must-see TV special but it will only be the latest in an eye-popping string of special documentaries in recent months on Discovery ranging from the gunman at Discovery headquarters, the Chilean miners, Wikileaks, the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the death of Osama bin Laden - and coming early in August, even a must-seen all-access documentary about the final space mission of the space shuttle Atlantis.

This wonderful Discovery programming trend to cover breaking news events worldwide extremely quickly and in an scientific-entertaining approach with ample perspective, is amazing. The sheer speed with which Discovery Networks International can confirm these specials and right after unexpected events take place, should give established news organisations reason to ponder.

It's also not something Discovery has to do (its focus is solid factual series programming that it excels at). However, these above-and-beyond, additional once-off TV specials are clearly indicative of an executive mindset shift at Discovery and Discovery Networks International that's taken a jump to a whole next level. Discovery is clearly realizing that there's opportunity and value that can be unlocked by putting in the effort and time and money into immediately covering big global news events in documentary style and to present the human drama with the scientific facts to viewers from a factual perspective.

It's therefore no wonder that its seemingly now only M-Net that outperforms Discovery when it comes to time-shifted viewing in South Africa when you look at just PVR viewing which is crossing the threshold and starting to become significant to advertisers and media planners.

It means that viewers value the quality and the kind of programming on Discovery so much that they want to record Discovery shows more than almost anything else on other channels. Discovery ranks extremely high when it comes to having programming that South African viewers might not be able to watch immediately, but value enough or are interested in enough to want to watch. (Discovery rate the highest together with M-Net, SuperSport, Disney, M-Net Series and the M-Net movie channels.)

Discovery Networks International says its moving fast with Norway Massacre: The Killer's Mind although its unable to confirm an exact broadcast date. ''Whereas viewers will switch on the news to determine 'what' is happening, our aim at Discovery is to provide context about the 'how and why' which enables the viewer to shape their own views and perceptions of events that take place in the world around us,'' says Discovery.

''This year we have been able to broadcast a number of specials, such as The Death of bin Laden, Wikileaks, Chilean Miners and the Japanese Tsunami and it's an approach that is working because each have rated well and we have received positive feedback directly from viewers. We are equally committed to firm favourites such as Ultimate Survival, Cake Boss and others and we have some factual entertainment shows in the pipeline that we will reveal later in the year,'' says Discovery.

''Our local programming teams have a very clear idea of what our viewers want to see and are able to make quick decisions about which shows we put on air,'' says Discovery. ''This combines with the creation of an International Production and Development Unit headed by Luis Silberwasser which is responsible for producing programmes across our international operation. This team plus increased investment into our content means that we are uniquely placed to quickly deliver high-quality, topical, documentaries on world events.''

BREAKING. M-Met Movies 2 changing its on-air look on Monday to look identical to M-Net Movies 1 from August.

I've just been told by M-Net Movies 2 (DStv 104) that the movie channel is getting an on-air revamp for its look coming into effect on Monday 1 August.

M-Met Movies 2 is changing to become in terms of its look identical to the look of M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103). The on-air revamp includes bumpers, idents, PG advisories and next up boards. The Oscar statuette (and the accompanying music will be a thing of the past.