Joseph Tshabalala biopic Music is My Life is South Africa's 2024 Oscar entry as NFVF once again submits a project after snubbing local filmmakers in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Mpumi "Supa" Mbele-directed biopic Music is My Life about Joseph Tshabalala has been chosen as South Africa's official Oscar entry for 2024's 96th Academy Awards with the NFVF that has once again submitted a film after snubbing the country's filmmakers last year with no entry.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) chose Music is My Life - Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo as South Africa's official entry for the 96th Annual Academy Awards set for 10 March 2024 in Los Angeles.

Last year, for the first time in 15 years, the NFVF's secret selection committee courted controversy and angered South African filmmakers after it decided not to enter any of the submitted films, claiming that none of the films properly depicted their "marginalised communities". 

To date the NFVF has refused to give any of the filmmakers any feedback on what it meant, what was allegedly specifically wrong with their films and how and what to improve. 

This year four films made the shortlist and were evaluated by the group with Music Is My Life - Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo chosen as the official selection.

The biopic which was screened at the 2023 Joburg Film Festival at the start of the year as well as other international film festivals and was broadcast in August on SABC1, tells the story of the late Dr. Joseph Shabalala.

From his humble beginnings in rural KwaZulu-Natal until his death in 2020, Shabalala rose to international acclaim with his iconic band Ladysmith Black Mambazo and contributed to the success of Paul Simon's Graceland album. 

The film was produced by Carolyn Carew over a period of half a decade inspired by an idea of director and filmmaker Mpumi "Supa" Mbele. 

With the help of the Shabalala family archive, the film is an indelible collection of several never-before-seen recordings and frank conversations that help to illustrate Shabalala's illustrious life and career.

"It is always a great and privileged opportunity to have a South African film represent the country at the global industry's foremost awards," says Thobela Mayinje, acting NFVF CEO. "The fact that this particular film tells the authentic South African story of the iconic Dr. Shabalala is even more special".

Paramount cancels 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards over Israel-Gaza crisis: ''This does not feel like a moment for a global celebration'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Global has abruptly cancelled the upcoming 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) that was set for 5 November in Paris, over the growing violence in the Middle East between Israel and the terrorist Hamas in Gaza, noting that "This does not feel like a moment for a global celebration".

The 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards was supposed to take place on 5 November at the Paris Nord Villepinte and would have been seen in more than 150 countries including on Paramount Global Africa's MTV (DStv 130) and MTV Base (DStv 322) TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv.

The 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards just announced its line-up earlier this week on Tuesday, highlighting performances by BTS' Jung Kook, Coi Leray, David Guetta, Manuel Turizo, Ozuna, Sabrina Carpenter, PinkPantheress Rema, Renee Rapp, The Kid Laroi, Thirty Seconds to Mars and others.

Taylor Swift had the most nominations with seven, followed by Olivia Rodrigo and SZA with six nominations each. 

Asake, Burna Boy, Arya Starr, Davido and Rema were the nominees for the brand-new Best Afrobeats category, with Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager for Paramount Africa and lead for BET International who said that 2023 marked a "historic moment for the MTV EMAs" with the introduction of the Best Afrobeats category.

In a statement late on Thursday afternoon, Paramount Global says "Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life".

"The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning."

"We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November 2024."

The MTV EMAs has taken place annually since 1994.

Barry Dubovsky out at Showmax as MultiChoice's streamer loses COO just after CEO exit and before its Comcast's NBCUniversal relaunch: 'The optics look awful'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Barry Dubovsky is out as Showmax chief operating officer (COO) shortly after the abrupt exit of Yolisa Phahle as Showmax CEO a month ago, with Dubovsky's gap now being plugged by Joe Heshu who is now moved to Showmax after he was recently moved to the position of Southern Africa regional director at MultiChoice.

Insiders tell TVwithThinus "the optics look awful" for a video streaming service which is supposed to be relaunched within months with the help of Comcast's NBCUniversal and Britain's Sky, to try and more effectively compete with Netflix on the African continent.

Neither MultiChoice nor Showmax shared the latest management upheaval and changes with the media - similar to the CEO position exit of Yolisa Phahle. Comment will be added here if received.

The Australian Barry Dubovsky was at MultiChoice for 5 years after joining in 2018 - first as group exec of digital for MultiChoice Africa and later moved to the Showmax COO role.

In an internal email, similar to the one issued belatedly to MultiChoice staffers when they were informed that Yolisa Phahle is no longer Showmax CEO, MultiChoice said that Barry Dubovsky played "an integral role in closing the Peacock Platform agreement as part of the Comcast deal".

Similar to Yolisa Phahle who will be providing an "advisory" role to MultiChoice South Africa CEO and acting Showmax CEO Marc Jury until the end of February 2024, Barry Dubovsky will also play an "advisory role" for Showmax until the end of February 2024.

Joe Heshu is now the plug-and-play Showmax COO. 

In November 2021 Joe Heshu was quietly moved from his corporate affairs role in Johannesburg to Lusaka in Zambia to replace Kobus Bezuidenhout as Southern Africa regional director at MultiChoice and who only lasted a few month before also exiting.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice's Showmax CEO Yolisa Phahle resigns - plus other executive changes.

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos promises greater ratings transparency.

by Thinus Ferreira

After releasing its third-quarter results on Wednesday night, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos promised that the video streaming service is working on greater ratings transparency.

Netflix has refused to make specific viewership data available for its content – an approach which was then adopted by other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and MultiChoice's Showmax that touts "record-breaking viewership" in press releases for the debut of shows without supplying the industry or media with any actual numbers or verified metrics.

In Netflix's usual pre-recorded earnings call and analysts' interview which once again followed the publication of its Q3 results, Ted Sarandos claimed that producers and talent feel "pretty trapped" by ratings information.

However, much greater insight and release of ratings and viewership data is one of the big sticking and negotiation points in the protracted actors' strike in America, with the actors' union SAG-AFTRA demanding greater viewership and ratings clarity from streamers since the information influences residual payments to artists.

"It was part of our promise with creators at the time we started creating original programming – our creators felt like they were pretty trapped in this kind of overnight ratings world and weekend box office world defining their success and failures," he explained on Wednesday night.

"And as we all know, a show might have enormous success down the road and it wasn't captured in that opening box office. So part of this was the relationship with talent – not just the business aspects of it. And I do think that, over time, people are much more interested in this."

"We're on the continuum today of, how much data do we publish? I think we've been leading the charge, starting everyone down the path of a Top 10, publishing our Top 10 list and our annual wrap-up list and everything to give a lot of transparency to the viewing and I just expect will be more and more transparent."

Ted Sarandos said "At the beginning, we thought there was a hard kind of apples-and-oranges comparison between ratings and streaming. I think we've gotten to a place where it's mostly based on engagement and it does measure the value of watching".

"Things will become much more transparent the way that TV has always had ratings and music has always had Billboard and theatrical has always had box office. So, it'll be much more common."

Amazon Studios commissions Nigerian travelogue reality series Ebuka Turns Up Africa with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu produced by Rapid Blue.

by Thinus Ferreira

Amazon Studios has commissioned another original African series, Ebuka Turns Up Africa, from Nigeria, as a travelogue reality show which will debut on the video streaming service in 2024.

In Ebuka Turns Up Africa, an Amazon Prime Video Original, the Nigerian Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, together with Timini Egbuson, Zubby Michael, Jimmie Akinsola, Onoja Adole, and Alistair Englebert Preston travel through Africa "uncovering hidden treasures and testing loyalties and friendships".

Ebuka Turns Up Africa is part of Amazon Studios growing slate of content put in production and acquired from the African continent and is produced by South Africa's Rapid Blue Productions Nigeria, an offshoot of Rapid Blue in South Africa, with Ziyanda Ngcaba and Erika Klopper as the co-executive producers.

The new Nigerian series follows after the disappointing and little-publicised Gangs of Lagos which finally made its debut earlier this year with very little fanfare or media traction as the first Amazon Original film from Africa.

Amazon Studios is also doing a format version of LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, along with a South African version of LOL with Trevor Noah as host.

In a press release, Amazon Studios says "Ebuka Turns Up Africa is a captivating showcase of camaraderie and adventure, as Ebuka undertakes the journey of a lifetime with his guys", describing the upcoming show as "a compelling series that not only transcends borders but reveals the men behind their celebrity personas".

"As our all-star cast ignites their spirit of exploration, personalities clash and tempers flare in a journey across the continent that isn't always smooth sailing."

"The adventure will take the team of intrepid travellers through a variety of experiences, from exploring Africa's most desirable destinations to delving into daring, high-adrenaline activities. Friendships will be tested, as the guys discover the magic of unity."

The press release about Ebuka Turns Up Africa was shared with Africa's media after it was specifically asked for, and only after the show's existence was announced at a panel at 2023's MIPCOM in Cannes yesterday by Ned Mitchell, the head of originals for Amazon Prime Video for the Africa and Middle East region.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian originals at Amazon Studios, was part of the MIPCOM panel with Ned Mitchell where the Ebuka Turns Up Africa announcement was made.

"This is Ebuka and Africa like you've never seen before!"exclaims Ned Mitchell in the press release.

"It's an invitation for audiences to immerse themselves in the heart and soul of Africa. Ebuka Turns Up Africa is a unique celebration of Africa, brought to life by Ebuka and his top squad."

In a prepared quote, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu states "This journey was not only an exciting exploration of Africa, it was an opportunity for audiences to see a different side of me and the guys. Whilst we had a huge amount of fun and plenty of laughs, there were also some pretty intense conflicts - it was one wild adventure!"

About Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV+ but also Apple TV+'s lack of South African media chemistry.

by Thinus Ferreira

A new American drama series, Lessons in Chemistry, has just made its debut on Apple TV+ with Brie Larson.

Produced by Apple Studios, there's not been anything in terms of publicity from Apple besides the basic press releases, the bulk of which was never actually shared with South African media. 

When it comes to global streaming services available in South Africa, Apple TV+, in terms of publicity and interaction with the local press, sadly ranks right at the bottom of the pile when it's compared to what Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and others do in this territory to promote upcoming content and involving the media. 

I wish it was better since Apple TV+ has some worthwhile programming like The Morning Show and Foundation but South Africa's media and journalists covering television remain firmly locked out when it comes to relevant communication, media opportunities, interviews and roundtables to engage and interact with shows, their producers, directors and casts. 

It looks like Apple TV+'s overseas-based publicity division has either no interest in really promoting its content properly in South Africa, or doesn't understand and know the media and journalists, their needs, what they actually do and why it matters to involve them - or both. 

For the second season of Foundation, earlier this year I really tried to do some original reporting and interviews about this show, for instance with showrunner David S. Goyer.

I asked long before Apple TV+ then had a press event in London and a red carpet, but sadly Apple TV+ publicity couldn't bother with South Africa or to include media from South Africa in any of it. 

After asking several times whether it would be possible to interview David S. Goyer, Susana Voets, Apple TV+ publicist told me that "unfortunately neither David nor the cast is available".

That was a blanket "unavailable" without any dates or times even ever being discussed.

Yet funny enough, David kept doing interviews with other media besides South Africa, and had literally hours available to do interviews with for instance YouTubers and other journalists - after unfortunately being unavailable for South Africa.

With the actors' strike in America still ongoing it is of course not possible to do any interviews with actors, but services like Amazon Prime Video and broadcasters like the BBC have for instance pivoted to making producers and stunt crew and production designers available to South Africa's media who are allowed to talk about projects. 

Apple TV+ has never bothered and still doesn't bother to do anything like that.

With all of that said, and because of that, there's not a lot about Lessons in Chemistry that can really be done in terms of original reporting about this Apple TV+ show either by me or any other South African media and who wants to just republish press releases?

Lessons in Chemistry is set in the early 1950 and follows Elizabeth Zott (portrayed by Brie Larson) whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold due to her being a woman in an era where women don't have as much of a voice or agency.

According to Apple TV+, "When she finds herself fired from her lab, she accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show and sets out to teach a nation of overlooked housewives - and the men who are suddenly listening - a lot more than recipes".

The show is based on the book by Bonnie Garmus and also stars Lewis Pullman, Aja Naomi King and Stephanie Koenig, Kevin Sussman and Thomas Mann. 

New episodes of Lessons in Chemistry debut weekly on Apple TV+ until 24 November.

Netflix's Élite cancelled after 8 seasons but get ready for a Spain-SA prep school cross-over with Blood & Water.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has announced that its Spanish private school set drama series Élite has been cancelled after eight seasons but get ready for a cross-over of characters when Élite's Las Encitas in Madrid and Blood & Water's Parkhurst College in Cape Town do a student-exchange programme.

According to Netflix, Fikile in Blood & Water, portrayed by Khosi Ngema, will arrive and show up in the 7th season of Élite produced by Zeta Studios which is released on Netflix on Friday 20 October. 

In turn, Ivan, portrayed by Andre Lamoglia, will arrive and show up in the 4th season of Blood & Water produced by Gambit Films which will be released on Netflix in 2024.

Netflix previously newed Élite for a 7th and 8th seasons but has now announced that the Spanish private school set series will end after its 8th season which is currently in production. 

Netflix previously said that Mina el Hammani, who played Nadia during Élite's first three seasons, will return for the final season. Omar Ayuso who portrayed her troubled brother Omar during the first five seasons, will be back for a new story arc in the 7th season.

Carlos Montero, Élite creator, who spoke at a press conference in Madrid ahead of Élite's 7th season debut, said that he, along with co-showrunner Jaime Vaca and Netflix, had decided to end the series but that it has been "several incredible years in which I've met wonderful actors, we've worked with all the directors we wanted to work with".

"We are shooting the eighth season which will be the last season of Élite," Montero said, noting that "Élite changed everyone's life".

"There are actors who started with us and it has been their springboard to be now world stars, it is happening to this cast and it is a pride to have contributed to that and to know that they have seen us all over the world and liked it."

eMedia drops Openview TV sport rights case against MultiChoice and SuperSport, will now pay wasted court costs.

by Thinus Ferreira

eMedia has suddenly dropped its Openview TV sport rights case it brought against MultiChoice and SuperSport and will now pay MultiChoice's court costs.

Last week eMedia lost in court when the Gauteng High Court scrapped its urgent application from the roll after eMedia took MultiChoice and SuperSport to court demanding that its Openview satellite service get access to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

eMedia told MultiChoice it's withdrawing its court case and will pay "the wasted costs of the respondents", in this case MultiChoice.

eMedia didn't approach the Rugby World Cup organisers in Dublin, Ireland directly in 2018 when the rights became available for sale like SuperSport which bought the rights five years ago, and didn't approach SuperSport for a sublicensing agreement like the SABC which did sublicense the right last month from SuperSport to show 16 matches.

eMedia argued that since it carries SABC2 which shows the 2023 Rugby World Cup Matches it should get the content for free since there shouldn't be one version of SABC2 as a digital terrestrial television (DTT) TV channel and on DStv and StarSat showing matches, and a SABC2 version for Openview showing filler content.

MultiChoice South Africa CEO Marc Jury slammed eMedia's case as a "classic example of free-riding" and accused the Hyde Park-based broadcaster of trying to profit from content it didn't pay for.

After abandoning its high court case and now having to pay costs, eMedia has now again lodged a case with the Competition Commission where another case of e.tv against MultiChoice is winding its way through the system after MultiChoice over a year ago decided it no longer wanted to carry the set of e.tv-packaged TV channels on DStv.

eMedia's second case at the Competition Commission now centres around MultiChoice's sport rights acquisition process and allegations that it locks out other broadcasters like e.tv through imposed restrictions. The SABC has lodged a similar long-winding complaint with the Competition Commission which is still being heard.

"Almost immediately after filing an application before the Competition Tribunal, eMedia has now formally abandoned its high court litigation and will have to pay MultiChoice's legal costs," MultiChoice told TVwithThinus in a statement after eMedia withdrew its court case.

"This confirms our view that eMedia litigation was entirely without merit," the Randburg-based pay-TV operator said.

MultiChoice said "This is the third attempt by eMedia to launch urgent proceedings in the last two weeks with the first two attempts being rightly rejected by the High Court. eMedia decided not to acquire the broadcasting rights in any form. It cannot now use the judicial system to free-ride on the investments made by MultiChoice. MultiChoice considers the latest application to be entirely without merit and will oppose it vigorously."

In response to a media query, Philippa Rafferty, eMedia group executive for legal and business affairs said "Due to the court striking the matter from the roll for urgency, we have decided to withdraw the high court matter for now while we proceed with our complaint to the Competition Commission and application to the Competition Tribunal for interim relief".

"We will reconsider the high court matter in due time. We are still confident of the merits of the case."

ALSO READ: eMedia takes sports rights fight with MultiChoice to Competition Commission.

ALSO READ: Court sides with MultiChoice in 'free-riding' e.tv TV rights fight over 2023 Rugby World Cup.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice slams Openview over 2023 Rugby World Cup TV rights legal action: 'A classic example of free-riding'.

ALSO READ: e.tv takes SuperSport to court over SABC's sublicensed Rugby World Cup TV rights.

ALSO READ: eMedia's e.tv channels to stay on MultiChoice's DStv for another few months after latest Competition Appeal Court decision.

National Geographic goes Top Gun with reality doc series following student pilots in fighter jet training programme.

by Thinus Ferreira

Following the success of Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick last year, National Geographic has commissioned a new reality documentary series, Top Gun: The Next Generation, which will follow a group of student pilots to see who make it through the American navy's gruelling fighter jet training programme.

With the working title Top Gun: The Next Generation, National Geographic (DStv 181 / StarSat 220) will venture inside the United States Navy's challenging training and selection programme for fighter jet pilots, following the rigorous tests and students trying to pass the Advanced Flight Training Programme.

 According to National Geographic, the group of student pilots will "embark on some of the most challenging flight tests, including landing on an aircraft carrier at sea. The elite nature of the course means that only a minority – the very best – will make it to the top to fly the world's most advanced jet – the F-35C Lightning II".

"This first-time access will allow the series to follow the prospective naval aviators every step of the way – in the air, in the classroom, off-base and at home – as we discover who's got what it takes to make it to the F-35C."

Top Gun: The Next Generation will feature aerial sequences as well as intimate moments with the pilots that reveal their emotions about the experience and the immense pressure they face, with showrunner Karen Edwards, directed by Lana Salah and executive produced by Zinc Television managing director Tanya Shaw.

"The intimate access we have gained to the characters and the emotional character-led story arcs that run through the series will paint a vivid, compelling narrative around the young men and women embarking on this highly stressful process," Tanya Shaw says in the announcement statement.

"That narrative will elevate the series beyond the noise and spectacle of fighter jets to tell the tense, nuanced and poignant human stories behind the public-facing bravado. This is a unique project and we are thrilled to be bringing it to viewers."

Tom McDonald, National Geographic's executive vice president of global factual and unscripted content, says "With so many millions of fans of the film Top Gun around the world, I was immediately drawn to this series – these elite jet pilots are not only extremely accomplished and impressive, but all have very different stories to tell".

"With Nat Geo's exclusive unprecedented inside access, this series promises to be an exhilarating, visually jaw-dropping and fascinating journey into the intensely competitive world of elite flying."