Trevor Noah American sitcom project sold to FOX, half hour show will take its inspiration from growing up with parents from different countries.

Legendary TV, the television arm of Legendary Entertainment, and Overbrook Entertainment are teaming up with the South African stand-up comedian Trevor Noah for a new TV sitcom for American television.

Sameer Gardezi will executive produce, with Trevor Noah as a producer of the half hour sitcom which will take its inspiration from Trevor Noah's life growing up with parents from different countries.

Overbrook Entertainment is a joint venture between James Lassiter as well as Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

The as yet untitled Trevor Noah sitcom project is earmarked for FOX.

Maria Bartiromo signs off on CNBC and CNBC Africa on her final day: 'It's very emotional. I've been crying all day.'

Maria Bartiromo signed off on Friday night South African time in her final Closing Bell show on CNBC and CNBC Africa (DStv 410) in a huge loss for the financial news channel as she gets ready to jump to competitor Fox Business News and Fox News Channel (StarSat 405), telling viewers "this is my last day on CNBC. It's very emotional. I've been crying all day".

"I am coming back you know," said Maria Bartiromo. "I'm not going that far. I'm going to be back. Soon."

Business Insider details the insider reasons as to why South African viewers will no longer see the "money Honey" on CNBC and CNBC Africa after 20 years.

According to Business Insider sources its because Maria Bartiromo is getting more money at Fox Business News and Fox News Channel which CNBC wasn't willing to match, because she is getting her own Sunday show on Fox News Channel increasing her visibility, and the chance to again build something at a new financial news channel.

Some of Maria Bartiromo's colleagues at CNBC weighed in at the end of news segments during Closing Bell.

"Maria, I have to say in addition to all the contributions you've made to CNBC, I will most remember everything you've done to improve financial literacy for all ages, for everybody, outside of CNBC on your own time. I know you'll continue to do and I really have to say, it's been such a pleasure to work with you," said Sharon Epperson.

"I just want to say, it has been a privilege and a pleasure to be your colleague," said Bertha Coombs.

"Maria, good luck and we'll miss you," said Courtney Reagan.

"Maria, back to you for the last time, and best wishes," said Kayla Tausche.

CNN International TV special, Witness to Courage, on Saturday will see reporters share their personal stories of covering Typhoon Haiyan.

CNN International (DStv 401) will take viewers behind the scenes this Saturday (with repeats on Sunday and Monday) as reporters for CNN International share their personal stories about covering the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan which devastated the Phillipines in Witness of Courage: The Heartbreak & Hope of Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Witness of Courage: The Heartbreak & Hope of Super Typhoon Haiyan will be shown on CNN International on Saturday 23 November at 07:00 (with repeats at 11:30, 15:30 and 00:30 (all South African times).

The half hour special will be repeated on Sunday 24 November at 05:00, 12:00 and 16:30 as well as on Monday 25 November at 02:00 and 12:00.

In the midst of the tragedy there were stories of heartbreak but also of hope.

In Witness of Courage the team of correspondents who reported live from across the Philippines share their first-hand accounts of what they've experienced and tell the stories of ruin and resilience, as communities start to piece back together their shattered lives.

QUESTION. Why is Top Billing on SABC3 showing a girl's panties as she jumps for the bridal bouquet at a wedding?

Why is Top Billing on SABC3 showing viewers in prime time a girl showing her panties as she jumps up trying to catch the bridal bouquet at a celebrity wedding?

The usually high brow weekly magazine show from Tswelope Productions (which is not a Girls Gone Wild video) showed viewers an insert on Thursday evening covering the wedding of Free State Cheetah's rugby player Robert Ebersohn and bride Mariza.

The programme decided to show female wedding guests jump for the bridal bouquet as it is thrown.

Bizarrely Top Billing decided to deliberately leave in and show viewers how the dress of the girl standing in the front lifts up while she jumps, exposing her polka dot underwear to the whole nation. 

The wedding guest is seen fixing and pulling her dress back down again after the unintended overexposure.

A good laugh while showing some of the good life, or trashy pandering?

Every TV show has an unspoken pact with its audience - the programme makes an offering of what it is, its values, what it stands for and what it will show you, and the viewer has an expectation of what you are going to get, and decide to accept it or not by watching or tuning away.

If you watch Big Brother Africa you know the more risque, seedier type of television to expect. If you watch Top Billing you know the type of television to expect.

Showing a wedding guest's panties in Top Billing in a bad moment is not what Top Billing sells itself to the viewer of what it is and the type of show it tries to be, yet that is exactly the lowbrow television is stooped to on Thursday evening.

If this was the wedding of the daughter of a Top Billing producer, ask yourself, would you have seen something like this on television if it happened from that wedding, or would it not make it to broadcast as it did here?

BREAKING. Discovery Channel HD coming to MultiChoice's DStv as Discovery gets upgraded to a high definition channel from 2014.

You're reading it here first.

Discovery Channel (DStv 121) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform is getting upgraded to a high definition (HD) channel as HD Discovery Channel, within Q1 - or the first three months - of 2014.

The current Discovery HD Showcase - the only Discovery Networks International channel which was in HD on DStv and one of the few HD channels besides sport channels which were HD in DStv - will be discontinued as it is effectively replaced by the new HD Discovery Channel.

MultiChoice says it will replace Discovery HD Showcase with something else. Viewers without access to high definition television will see a standard definition (SD) version of the HD Discovery Channel.

The content which was on Discovery HD Showcase will be funneled to DStv subscribers through the DStv Explora decoder which is HD enabled, as DStv on Demand content.

DStv subscribers with DStv Explora access will therefore get more HD content not otherwise available and which wasn't first broadcast on a linear basis.

DStv Premium subscribers will now however be able to watch the factual entertainment Discovery Channel in high definition which means that brand-new programming will become in HD much quicker for South African viewers such as Magician Impossible, Bear Grylls, River Monsters, Wheeler Dealers and Gold Rush Alaska.

A lot of Discovery Channel programming was only viewable in HD during a second run on Discovery HD showcase after its been on the Discovery Channel. Now DStv subscribers will be able to see it originally in HD during its first broadcast.

The Discovery Channel HD version for South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa will be what is known in the trade as a "bespoke" or uniquely packaged and programmed channel similar to what Discovery HD Showcase was.

The Discovery Channel HD feed is specifically tailored and scheduled for DStv subscribers in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

"The launch of the new dedicated HD Discovery Channel is an important milestone for our services in Africa and represents our continued committment to offering DStv viewers the best, high quality programming experience possible," says James Gibbons, the senior vice president for emerging business for Discovery Networks for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"We're sure that our DStv viewers and South African advertisers will relish the chance to watch their favourite Discovery Channel programmes in unbeatable high definition quality. We're also planning more new shows targeted at our DStv viewers starting with the launch of the epic Klondike drama," says James Gibbons.

Mark Rayner, the new chief operating officer (COO) of MultiChoice South Africa says "we want DStv to be our customers' home for great entertainment. Offering the adventurous and life-affirming content on Discovery as HD simulcast to our customers gives DStv Premium customers access to the best HD content in the world."

SHOW THAT VOLUME, GIRL. StarTimes, as the conditioner, adding new volume to ODM's StarSat offering, now at R2.45 per channel.

China's StarTimes is clearly the new conditioner, bringing brand-new volume - although not perhaps necessarily higher quality - to the content provided by On Digital Media's (ODM) new StarSat satellite pay-TV offering in South Africa.

With the support of StarTimes - the media and TV conglomerate which came to On Digital Media's (ODM) rescue with a capital injection for its struggling TopTV service - ODM plans to offer 81 TV channels on its StarSat Super package for R199 per month.

That gives a ratio of R2.45 per TV channel on StarSat per month. StarTimes and ODM is planning to increase the number of TV channels to "over 100" early in 2014 which will better the ratio of cost per channel for a StarSat subscriber even further to under R1.99 per channel.

No TV schedules or new TV channel descriptors or information have been released by ODM and StarTimes for the new StarSat packages yet.

That makes it difficult if not impossible to ascertain the amount of original new content, the repeat ratios on channels and the incidence of programming already seen.

On the face of it though (and yes, there is and will be new and newer content on StarSat channels) the more total hours of programming on StarSat per month means more TV for money for subscribers.

Whether a replacement channel like Star One will prove to be a same-for-same, better, or worse, channel content wise as Top One which it is replacing once the real schedule kicks in remains to be seen.

Top One was supposed to be TopTV's flagship general entertainment channel, but never managed to achieved that status and failed in local content promises, repeats, and by having too few premium international shows.

Star One is described by StarSat as containing "strong, international and local programming". If it does, subscribers won't complain.

The same example is and will be applicable for all of the other new StarSat channels. FOX Crime which replaces FOX Retro and Top Crime is for instance a much better channel although it's not even a premium channel.

FOX Crime carries first-run international drama series, so this one bird in the hand definitely makes up for the two gonners in the bush as far as TV content goes.

Nat Geo Gold is a good addition, the great Discovery Science channel remains; the solid BET, FOX, JimJam, FX and BabyTV all remain, and the credible Bloomberg Television is added with a few additional news channels.

The addition of 3 out of the 4 new e.tv's channels - eAfrica+, eKasi+ and eMovies+  - is a great development. The channels will grow as e.tv builds those content pipes and StarSat subscribers will benefit.

The amount of Nigerian content on StarSat seems problematic. South African culture is not just on a physical map just a tad too far removed from Nigeria. Kung Fu 1 as a channel seems a bit ... odd.

A pay-TV subscriber will sometimes settle for less channels if its better content-funneling channels. Perhaps two less Nigerian channels for one better other type of channel would make for a better proposition?

With not a lot of new sport besides basketball, pay-TV subscribers will gravitate towards StarSat for its general entertainment offering. How that selection of channels stack up in terms of what content they carry, remains to be seen.

There's definitely more general entertainment and movies channels - which means an increase in volume - but  the big question will be what the content on those channels are and whether South African subscribers will feel it appropriate, like it, and feel compelled to watch it.

The additional add-on StarSat Chinese package which contains 17 TV channels for R149 per month comes across as somewhat of a vanity project pushed by StarTimes.

How many Chinese interested subscribers or Chinese subscribers are available on South Africa who would sign up for this service is doubtful.

The Indian packages on both MultiChoice's DStv and the former TopTV are already niche offerings which don't attract large subscriber numbers. Yet the Indian community in South Africa is much larger than the total Chinese community. Will StarSat Chinese be able to turn profitable as an add-on package?

The StarTimes intervention has added some new shine to TopTV, or now StarSat.

What the true extent of this volumising effect is - both in terms of subscriber satisfaction reaction and content quality - can't yet be determined.

The next test will come when StarSat steps out of the salon after having worked through the new conditioner the past few months in the makeover chair.

REVIEW. The 'old' Nicky Greenwall is back on e.tv in more ways than one with her new movie magazine show, The Big Picture.

The "old" Nicky Greenwall is back on e.tv in terms of style and delivery in her new movie magazine show The Big Picture which comes across as taking a lot of its cues from her erstwhile entertainment magazine show The Showbiz Report which she started in 2005 and ended in 2012.

Viewers will instantly be able to relate to the presentation style, voice and pacing of Nicky Greenwall in her new show which is the familiar Nicky Greenwall as viewers will remember her from The Showbiz Report, but who now - as a mother of two - is building out and focusing a whole half hour show just around movies.

The Big Picture is the next show from Greenwall Productions for e.tv, following The Ten, Behind the Name, The Close-Up and her black backdrop studio talk show, ScreenTime with Nicky Greenwall which will be back for another season on e.tv in 2014.

Splicing in iconic film leaders iconography from the movies' celluloid era as breakers between inserts, together with a throwback film noir opening theme, and clever silent movie end credit title cards, Nicky Greenwall - who now frames herself in black-and white in the show - guides viewers with voice-overs through the week's film news and releases.

Covered in The Big Picture is movie trailers and snippets, red carpet appearances and a countdown of what is showing at the South African box office.

Feeling somewhat forced is the end insert in which Nicky Greenwall takes a look at upcoming films on television by playing those trailers with trivia voice-overs.

In reality this bit only covers movies which will be shown on e.tv, in the way the similar too-quickly-cancelled M-Net Movies Show only covered movies on M-Net's DStv movie channels.

Nicky Greenwall is once again presenter and executive producer, and The Big Picture compares well to what film critic Barry Ronge successfully did with his movie magazine shows Screenplay for SABC3 and Cinemagic for M-Net.

Strangely e.tv started and slotted The Big Picture in on the e.tv schedule to start on Tuesday, although the new show will instantly be taking a break and be gone from the e.tv line-up next Tuesday, 26 November, when it gets pre-empted for soccer coverage.

Why e.tv channel bosses didn't just postpone The Big Picture to start on 3 December isn't clear.

Communication minister Yunus Carrim want to update parliament on corruption and criminal investigations at the SABC in a closed briefing.

Communication minister Yunus Carrim wants to update parliament's portfolio committee on communications on the corruption uncovered at the SABC and what has happened with criminal investigations and prosecutions related to the SABC in a secret briefing behind closed doors.

Yunis Carrim wants to keep the briefing confidential.

Opposition parties are demanding that it be an open briefing so that the public can hear about the SABC's R19,5 million criminal investigation into the South African public broadcaster's own behaviour.

Earlier this year, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) submitted a report to president Jacob Zuma on multitude allegations of corruption at the SABC which allegedly took place between 2005 and 2009.

The report which has not been handed to parliament, could see former and current SABC employees be charged with criminal charges as well as civil claims.

"Our legal advice is that the information that is asked is by its nature confidential and may not be disclosed," said Yunus Carrim.

Opposition parties say they will boycott any briefing if its held behind closed door and if its done in secret.

"Minister Yunus Carrim should be as frank as possible on the years-long investigation without infringing on the legal rights of those not yet criminally charged," says the DA in a statement.

"Anything else will be deemed to be a cover-up or lethargy on the part of the SIU and the SABC to adequately deal with the wide-ranging corruption that brought the SABC to its knees four years ago."

"In order to root out corruption at the public broadcaster, it is necessary that the appropriate action is taken against any and all employees guilty of corrupt activities. A frank discussion in an open committee is the surest way to go."

ASTOUNDING. With the first episode of The Big Debate now on eNCA it is suddenly crystal clear why the SABC canned the show.

It's astounding in its revealing, truthful, straight talk and debating, and with its first episode it instantly became clear why The Big Debate on eNCA (DStv 403) with Siki Mgabadeli was censored and yanked off of the SABC by the famously matricless and acting chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

Three new episodes of the fifth season of The Big Debate was already produced, although none yet shown, when the SABC dumped The Big Debate off the SABC2 schedule.

The SABC gave a convoluted, confusing reason why The Big Debate has been pulled and wasn't willing to elaborate or explain in detail what exactly happened, other than to say that The Big Debate was "incorrectly commissioned and compromised the editorial oversight of the SABC newsroom".

Siki Mgabadeli was simply brilliant in the first episode of The Big Debate on eNCA on Tuesday night, the first of a 10 episode season which centred around the theme of "workers' rights".

Perhaps the SABC pulled The Big Debate off SABC2 because the show dared to mention and use the words "Marikana Massacre" repeatedly during the show and in voice-overs. In November 2012 the SABC banned the words "Marikana Massacre".

Perhaps the SABC pulled The Big Debate off SABC2 because victims and bereaved family members of the Marikana Massacre were bussed in for the first episode of the town hall style debating show, sharing their emotional stories.

Perhaps the SABC pulled The Big Debate off SABC2 because the ruling party, the ANC, received multiple rebukes from a cross-section of debating panel members across the spectrum which included trade union representatives and ordinary South African citizens.

Perhaps the SABC pulled The Big Debate off SABC2 because in the audience spoke a women, Primrose Sonti from the Wonderkop Marikana community with her red EFF party beret.

So emotionally and with so much conviction, she talked about an entire widowed community left without husbands and men and any form of income. (The SABC has allegedly placed a limit on coverage of Julius Malema.)

The Big Debate episode touched on goverment institutions and parastatals who are all a failure.

The Big Debate touched on the high levels of poverty in South Africa, the high jobless rate and unemployment and the people who are suffering because of what happened at the Marikana Massacre.

The Big Debate also gave screen time to Dali Mpofu (the Marikana miners' lawyer and the SABC's former CEO who got R13,4 million in August 2009 when he took the SABC to court following his suspension and subsequent firing.)

It was perhaps too much of a stretch to think that a show such as The Big Debate with critical and thought-provoking debate could still be seen on South Africa's public broadcaster given the level of top-down political interference and ongoing cadre deployment at the SABC.