Tiso Blackstar Group SE, renamed from Blackstar Group SE from today, has taken over the Times Media Group (TMG) with full ownership of the South African media, publication and TV company.
The full ownership now gives Tiso Blackstar, listen on London's AIM and Johannesburg's Altx market full control over the Times Media Group which includes newspapers like The Sunday Times of South Africa, Sowetan, The Times, Financial Mail and Business Day and some radio stations.
The Times Media Group's (previously Avusa) TV assets include TV channels like Business Day TV (DStv 412) and The Home Channel (DStv 176) on MultiChoice's DStv, production company Ochre Media, various TV stations elsewhere in Africa like Ghana and Kenya, as well as the video-on-demand (VOD) service VIDI which launched in late 2014.
Tiso Blackstar also acquired a 22.9% equity stake in Kagiso Tiso Holdings (KTH), one of South Africa's large black-controlled investment companies.
KTH holds Kagiso Media, which has several radio stations and the Glow TV channel (DStv 167 / OVHD 108) available on DStv and Platco Digital's OpenView HD.
Andrew Bonamour is the CEO of Tiso Blackstar Group.
"Tiso Blackstar brings together many of sub-Saharan Africa's most exciting media businesses into one group," says Andrew Bonamour.
"The digital and mobile opportunities in these markets are only just beginning, and we have the talented people, relationships and experience to make the most of them.
Monday, June 8, 2015
COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE. At 08:37 in the morning M-Net shows viewers a man being tortured with a power drill drilling into his knee.
Later in the episode a character goes to get an abortion. Lovely television for early in the morning.
Is anybody at M-Net in Randburg actually watching what the pay-TV broadcaster is broadcasting?
Either nobody is, or somebody is and just don't care.
In America this episode of Scandal, in South Africa called The Fixer, came with an on-screen "viewer discretion advised" message that the episode contains "adult content" where it is shown at 21:00 (in South Africa it's shown at 19:30).
That should have told M-Net that the episode of the series, shown here in later prime time, should not have early morning repeats - especially since its age restriction is 16 V.
Of course M-Net's standards and practices people are clearly oblivious to the gratuitous torture scenes and just went ahead and repeated the episode.
It's adult content which M-Net apparently has no problem showing not just during the day, but early during the day, and it's wrong and disgusting and likely a contravention of the Broadcasting Code of Conduct.
M-Net says in response to broadcasting this morning's repeat of The Fixer that "M-Net abides by the BCCSA Code of Conduct for subscription broadcasters and every single episode of all programmes are viewed and rated by our Programme Acceptance department before going onto our channels".
"According to these BCCSA rules and guidelines, programmes with a rating of 16V, as is the case with this specific episode of The Fixer, can be broadcast before the watershed, which is 20:00 for pay-TV and 21:00 for free-to-air broadcasters," says M-Net.
"We also have a parental control option available on our decoders that protects children from age-restricted content when set by parents. The episode's rating was communicated to viewers before the show started," says M-Net.
Is some viewer or M-Net subscriber going to lodge a complaint at the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA)? I don't know.
What I do know is that my week started off on a disgusting note due to M-Net, pandering to a new low with showing salacious stuff at a time it shouldn't and not even caring.
I find it revolting and disgusting that M-Net has so little respect not just for its viewers but cares so very little about its own product that nobody at M-Net who watched this episode thought that it shouldn't be repeated and shouldn't be shown again at any time period other than late primetime or later.
What's more sickening than the callous behaviour of utterly irresponsible broadcasters like M-Net showing gratuitous torture television like this in the early morning, is that South African viewers who perhaps don't know better, are just forced to take it - watching what they think is appropriate to be shown, when in fact it's not.
Perhaps it's not torture to an oblivious M-Net, but it's definitely torturous and shocking viewing for me. You don't want to put your television on early on a Monday morning and then be greeted with someone drilling a hole with a power tool into a gagged man's knee cap.
It's not the M-Net I want, it's not the M-Net I like, and it's definitely not the M-Net that M-Net should be.
Friday, June 5, 2015
SABC accused of 'blacklisting' again; 'disinvite' commentator and former SABC anchor Eusebius McKaiser from show after critical column.
Is the SABC back to blacklisting press and commentators? That’s what South Africa's media is wondering yet again after the SABC withdrew an invitation to commentator Eusebius McKaiser to appear on a talk show after a newspaper column of his this week was critical of ANC leaders.
Eusebius McKaiser said he was "uninvited" on Tuesday as a guest on the SABC's AM Live show, after he wrote a column critical of President Jacob Zuma, police minister Nkosinathi Nhleko and other senior ANC leaders. He blasted them for not speaking out about the ongoing Nkandlagate scandal.
Eusebius McKaiser's newspaper column appeared on Monday in the Independent Media group's The Star newspaper.
According to Eusebius McKaiser - who once anchored the weekly actuality magazine show Interface on SABC television - “"a producer of AM Live's debate slot after 08:00 called me to uninvite me because he was instructed from higher up that my criticism of senior ANC leaders remaining silent about Nkandlagate should not be discussed on Sakina Kamwendo's show".
Eusebius McKaiser said Sakina Kamwendo's integrity remained intact but that people should "spare a thought for her and others doing daily battle at the SABC to have the space to be honest professionals".
"What irks me is that the SABC belongs to South Africa. It's not commercial media and so has a greater duty to be a public broadcaster and certainly not a state broadcaster".
"We need to push back against these rotting tendencies," wrote Eusebius McKaiser on his Facebook page.
Blacklisting ‘alarming’
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago didn't respond to requests for comment about the apparent "disinviting" of Eusebius McKaiser.
The independent public pressure group SOS Coalition, made up of a spectrum of civil society stakeholders committed to free, fair and quality public broadcasting in South Africa, described the incident as "alarming".
"We all remember what the blacklisting scandal of 2006 did to the public's confidence in the SABC. Are we really reliving this again and so soon?" asks Sekoetlane Phamodi, SOS Coalition spokesperson.
"The SOS Coalition has repeatedly warned the public about the direction the SABC is going with its de facto 70% good news policy," says Sekoetlane Phamodi.
"It's alarming, although unsurprising, that commentators are claiming they are being blacklisted from the national public broadcaster because they hold views which do not suit the state and government."
"The SABC's editorial policies were reviewed 11 years ago and are, by law, now 6 years out of date, but remain specific about balanced reporting and commentary."
"Once again, the SABC higher-ups have interpreted this to restrict reporting that suits their own political agenda, giving the impression that the SABC is under the firm control of Luthuli House," says Sekoetlane Phamodi.
Public broadcasting expert and media researcher Kate Skinner tells TV with Thinus that "since the blacklisting crisis there has been a steady stream of censorship cases and these are often linked to critical political moments – for instance around the ANC's Mangaung conference and then around the May 2014 elections, which saw the banning of opposition adverts and the censorship of the booing of President Zuma".
In November 2012, the SABC admitted to blacklisting commentators and agreed that this was not in line with its code of conduct and that it contravened its licensing conditions in respect of news and current affairs. The SABC claimed to have adopted guidelines on the use of commentators, experts and analysts.
MTV Base's 2015 MAMAs looking for 4 hard-working, clever kids to work at the music awards show on 18 July in Durban.
You don't need a mop to work for mama. The 2015 MAMAs taking place on 18 July in Durban is looking for a dancer, a photographer, a social media journalist and a videographer - talented young people who just need that one chance to prove themselves to South Africa's showbiz world.
The 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards, or 2015 MAMAs which will be shown on MTV Base (DStv 322) on 18 July as well as sister channels Comedy Central Africa (DStv 122) and MTV (DStv 130) will be giving four young people the chance to shine at the Durban International Convention Centre.
The dancer will get the chance to appear on stage, while the other three will be working behind-the-scenes and alongside the red carpet in the pressure cooker entertainment biz environment of a live awards show and made-for-TV event.
As usual the MAMAs will be filled with celebrities and entourages, producers, TV and music executives, and the person who has to run with a mobile hairdryer in front of a vain star or two to make their new weave look as if it's naturally blowing in a soft breeze.
It's at the same time very hard work, very surreal but also very entertaining and rewarding.
Viacom International Media Networks International Africa (VIMN Africa) is looking for a twerking Miley type dancer with the moves and charisma to light up the stage, a photographer with a knack for capturing the perfect moment, a social media journalist who can hashtag Face Insta Whatsapp tweet like a Kim K, and a videographer who's a walking talking steadicam.
"This is the chance for keen young creatives to prove themselves at Africa's biggest event," says Tim Horwood, MTV Base channel director.
"With the help of talented newcomers with a fresh perspective, we can make the best show in Africa even better, while simultaneously offering them the opportunity to gain real-life experience and add weight and depth to their CVs," says Tim Horwood.
MTV Base will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the four people across the weekend of 18 July.
How to enter
People who want to enter to be a dancer must upload a 15 second clip to Instagram showing MTV Base the kind of moves the producers of the 2015 MAMAs can expect and should hashtag the video with #MAMAdancer and tag @MTVBreaks.
The awards show is also on the hunt for a talented camera person to work with the MTV Base production team to capture the content for the What Went Down MAMAs 2015 documentary. People who want to enter need to upload a 15 second clip to Instagram that best showcases their camera skills with the hashtag #MAMAcamera and tag it @MTVBreaks.
For the chance to work as a photographer and represent MTV Base on the red carpet, snapping the images to be used for MTV and MTV Base's digital platforms across Africa, photographers must capture an awesome action shot and upload it to Instagram using the hashtag @MAMAphotographer and tag it @MTVBreaks.
To be the social media voice of MTV and MTV Base across their social media platforms during the 2015 MAMAs, anyone can tweet a commentary to their favourite MTV music video or MTV show. People should send at least 5 tweets so the producers can get a taste of the person's creative style and must hashtag every twee #MTVBreaks and #SM.
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 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".
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Business show travelogue, The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future coming to CNN International from 19 June as new 9-part monthly series.
A new 9-part monthly series, The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future is coming to CNN International (DStv 401) starting Thursday 18 June at 10:30 (South African time).
The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future will explore different countries along the Silk Road and uncover how the cultural traditions and commercial trading along this iconic route between the East and the West are changing and the innovations and developments happening at various places alongside this route.
Every month CNN International correspondent Sumnima Udas will visit a different country with the first episode of the 9-part series which will visit the very start of the Silk Road: China.
The half hour episodes of The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future will look at stories of culture, business and innovation and combine the modern world with intelligent historical context that brings the region alive with colour, culture and a history of doing business.
In the first episode on 18 June, Sumnima Udas will explore modern-day silk production in the Hangzhou province, speak to China's largest e-commerce company Ali Baba about being the internet's newest "Silk Road", and see how the city of Xi'an is renovating Silk Road sites to help boost tourism along the ancient route.
In July, the second episode will focus on Kazakhstan as the series covers the Silk Road to eventually complete the journey in Northern Italy.
"The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future is where rich, historic cultural context meets modern business and trading against the backdrop of visually stunning landscapes and destinations," says Ellana Lee, the senior vice president of CNN International.
"This is an exploration of how the Silk Road remains a route to international business in the 21st century, combining centuries' old traditions with the dynamic business models of our globalised world. Part business show, part travelogue, this series will be an important part of CNN International's output."
Besides the TV show, CNN.com will also have a dedicated microsite for The Silk Road: Past, Present, Future.with additional special content.
MultiChoice adds 18 SABC radio channels to DStv's audio package, several regional SABC radio stations available nationally for the first time.
MultiChoice today added 18 of the SABC's radio stations to DStv's audio package which makes these several of these regional radio stations available nationally across South Africa for the first time.
The SABC radio stations, ranging from 5FM, SAfm, Ukhozi Fm, Umhlobo Wenene, Lesedi FM, Lotus FM and Good Hope FM will now be accessible to DStv Premium, DStv Extra, DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access and DStv EasyView subscribers.
The full list of SABC radio stations and their channel numbers added to DStv are:
Metro FM (901)
Channel Africa (902)
Good Hope FM (903)
Ikwekwezi (904)
5FM (905)
Lesedi FM (906)
Ligwalagwala (907)
Lotus FM (908)
Motsweding FM (909)
Munghana Lonene FM (910)
Phalaphala FM (911)
Radio 2000 (912)
RSG (913)
SAfm (914)
Thobela FM (915)
Tru FM (916)
Ukhozi FM (917)
Umhlobo Wenene FM (918)
X-K FM (919)
K2 coming to kykNET: K2 Twins Alex and Charlie Kotze to present reset Oulap se Rooi on kykNET; viewers can enter rooms for makeovers.
While 2K television in South Africa is still a few years away, K2 is definitely coming to South African television - the studly K2 Twins Alex and Charlie Kotze in their own TV show Oulap se Rooi starting on kykNET (DStv 144) on 2 July at 17:30.
The Vredendal farm boys turned models and fitness stars will become the new presenters of the revived kykNET show which saw three seasons on the Afrikaans language channel on DStv 12 years ago - and this time viewers can enter to have the handsome twosome give their homes a good do-over.
The K2 Twins, who also have their own YouTube channel, get two days to give a chosen room in someone house's a makeover on a limited budget.
People can enter online HERE between 5 June and 14 June for Alex and Charlie Kotze to come to their house across South Africa and
Although there's two of them, viewers can only enter one room for a makeover, and will have to be willing to appear on TV (without payment) between 22 June and 31 August - the period during which the new season of Oulap se Rooi will be filmed.
The twins who love the outdoors, active lifestyles, sports and going on camping and hunting trips with their friends love DIY.
"DIY is a natural part of farm work so what I'll be doing in Oulap se Rooi isn't strange to me," says Alex Kotze. "I enjoy lending a hand and fixing things. Farm work requires physical work and helps to keep one's body and muscles strong".
'The SABC is not in crisis,' says minister of communications, Faith Muthabi; promises a new SABC CEO 'any time now'.
The SABC is not in crisis.
So says Faith Muthambi, South Africa's minister of communications about the beleaguered South African public broadcaster, promising that a new CEO for the position which has been vacant for months will happen "any time now".
Faith Muthambi was one of the panelists, together with the SABC's controversial and famously matricless chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng, at the latest breakfast briefing of The New Age newspaper held in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Faith Muthambi denied that she was the one who fired SABC board members Hope Zinde, Rachel Kalidass and Ronnie Lubisi in March.
"Can I say upfront I didn't dismiss any SABC board member. I don't have the power to do that. That was a decision of the board of the SABC to do that. And then they've done that, empowered by the provision of section 71 of the Companies Act.
"There's no crisis," said Faith Muthambi. She denied that the gutted SABC board which has no permanent chairperson and which lost several members since last year, no longer has a quorum. "They quorate. They are still quorating. They still form a quorum."
On when the SABC will see a new permanent CEO - something she promised would happen by September 2014 - Faith Muthambi said "the matter has been finalised. We're still dealing with the due diligence part of it. Any time from now."
"The CEO will be appointed. You know need to do all those due diligence issues that you need because you don't want a situation where someone comes in, that person is not vetted, then you have problems," said Faith Muthambi.
Like Eskom and South African Airways, the SABC has been lurching from crisis to crisis, constantly battered by a barrage of bad press.
Since Lulama Mokhobo abruptly quit in February 2014 after just 14 months into her 5 year contract without any explanation, the SABC has been without a CEO for a year and three months now.
In February the Public Protector, in a scathing report, found that the famously matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng was "dishonest", lied about having a matric which he admitted to in a recorded interview, and committed fraud by making up symbols for a matric certificate he knew he couldn't produce.
The Public Protector also found Hlaudi Motsoeneng irregularly and rapidly increased the salaries of various SABC staff members and that his own salary also increased three times in one year with 63% to R2.4 million.
The Public Protector found that Hlaudi Motsoeneng was directly involved in purging all the SABC staff who testified against him in an earlier disciplinary hearing, and that the "dysfunctional" SABC board is part of "pathological corporate governance deficiencies at the SABC".
The Public Protector said that Hlaudi Motsoeneng should be suspended; instead the SABC responded by permanently appointing him as chief operating officer (COO). After the Western Cape High Court twice ordered that he be suspended, the case is now moving to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in September.
The unstable SABC board has been without a chairperson for months after the lying chairwoman Ellen Tshabalala resigned in December following the highly embarrassing, highly publicised scandal of faking her tertiary qualifications. She initially also went to court.
SABC board member Bongani Khumalo abruptly resigned in January and Hope Zinde was purged from the SABC board in March together with Rachel Kalidass and Ronnie Lubisi.
The SABC's most watched TV show and biggest TV revenue earner, Generations, abruptly disappeared for months from the airwaves at the end of 2014 due to a talent strike which SABC executives failed to resolve and which saw the cast abruptly being fired and replaced.
The SABC's suspended TV boss Leo Manne resigned and left at the end of April, leaving the position of general manager for TV channels vacant.
In April ongoing concern was raised in parliament over the SABC's audience share which is flat at 53%.
The SABC wasted R3.39 billion on irregular spending in three years according to the Auditor General (AG) and the public broadcaster has so far received 4 consecutive annual qualified audits from the AG.
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