BREAKING. M-Net Action the next HD channel coming to MultiChoice in 2011; now considering getting rid of series on its schedule.

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I can exclusively reveal that M-Net Action (DStv 106) will most likely be the next channel getting the high definition (HD) treatment on MultiChoice's DStv Premium bouquet in 2011 as well as this shocker: M-Net execs are mulling getting rid of the series on the channel and turning it over to just movies.

Various sources tell me that M-Net Action will definitely become an HD channel in 2011 (underscoring what I was told by MultiChoice in October RIGHT HERE) - the only thing still to be determined is whether M-Net Action HD will actually be the first HD channel of 2011.

Multiple insiders also confirm to me that talks and discussions are afoot about getting rid of the TV series on M-Net Action. There's now 3 possibilities on the table. One: Dumping the one hour TV shows could co-incide with M-Net Action becoming M-Net Action HD. Two: Moving the TV series of M-Net Action could happen first, and then M-Net Action turns into M-Net Action HD. Three: The TV series stay on M-Net Action, which becomes a high definition channel. ''No final decision on the future of M-Net Action [without series on it],'' has yet been made,'' a reliable source tells me.

''Currently talks surrounding M-Net Action centers around having to decide whether to move the series out of M-Net Action and then make the channel HD after that, or make the channel M-Net Action HD and at the same time get rid of series so that it becomes just a high definition movie channel. There is also the possibility that the series could stay,'' another insider with knowledge of the discussions tells me.

''Most things on M-Net Action - more than on other channels that's not yet HD - are already in the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is why M-Net Action HD is next on the list,'' another source whispers, saying ''so it's much easier turning M-Net Action to HD first in 2011. The thought is now 'the sooner the better''.

When I asked what would happen to the action and science fiction shows currently having a home on M-Net Action should they be removed, I'm told that ''M-Net will find a place for it elsewhere, most probably on a new channel.'' (Not the new M-Net channel, M-Net City awaiting board approval which would specialize in local shows.)

ADVISORY. While the rest of the TV writers and TV critics in South Africa are taking a break I will continue to break news.

While the rest of the TV writers, TV critics and journalists covering television and the TV industry in South Africa are taking a break over this festive season, I want to tell you that I'm not going anywhere and that TV with Thinus will be and continue to, break big news and roll-out exclusives right through the end of the year and early 2011.

Obviously as the South African TV industry is taking a rest, there is less happening, but I've worked on a few things in advance, and as always when news breaks that's pertitent to television, I will try to cover it quickly, accurately, fearlessly and honestly.

BREAKING. Oprah's out! SABC3 expected to delay and push out the launch of Oprah's last season that was set to start in January.

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I'm told by sources that the chance is now ''99,9%'' that SABC3 will be pushing out the planned start of the 25th and final season of The Oprah Winfrey Show that the broadcaster had on the schedule for January 2011.

Oprah that's now in the January schedule will - according to my sources - be moved imminently to possibly February or even March although it will pain SABC3 to do so since the channel wants to catch up with America and ride on the hype of the final season.

I broke the news RIGHT HERE in November that SABC3 is eyeing a January starting date for the ''farewell season'' of Oprah, but now I'm told that the reason why SABC3 is going to move Oprah out of January is because of the Cricket World Cup tournament starting. That's the same reason that the planned relaunch of fellow talker 3Talk with Noeleen has been pushed back. ''Oprah might not launch in January,'' confirms another insider. SABC3 has also not yet been able to find an overall sponsor for the show, but haven't actually had time to look (whoever the sponsor is will definitely get big dividends).

Christmas wishes from Universal Networks International for 2010 that runs The Universal Channel.

I just received this really beautiful Christmas card by courier from Universal Networks International with Christmas wishes for 2010. Universal Networks International runs The Universal Channel (DStv 108) in South Africa.

Maggs on Media on the eNews Channel to debut new episodes right through the festive season.

Maggs on Media, Jeremy Maggs' meta media show on the eNews Channel (DStv 403) will continue with new episodes right through the festive season and the last part of this year.

Viewers can look forward to 3 Maggs on Media special episodes on Sundays at 10:30 on the eNews Channel. ''We'll look back at 25 years of some of South Africa's best known newspapers, there's the 25th anniversary of the country's best known ad agencies and also trend watcher Dion Chang on the death of celebrity culture,'' says Jeremy Maggs.

EXCLUSIVE. SABC3 has still not received those Survivor Gabon video cassettes for the next Survivor season.

ALSO READ: SABC3 can't premiere Survivor Gabon because the video tapes haven't arrived in time because of a snowed-in Europe.
ALSO READ: Video tapes? Really? Why broadcasters still use a system of video cassettes to play out TV shows.

e Africa channel added by e.tv and MultiChoice for 46 countries on the African continent.

e.tv and MultiChoice has added the e Africa channel on channel 144 on DStv to 46 countries across the African continent. e Africa is pan-African version of South Africa's e.tv channel and will include wrestling, local South African soaps like Rhythm City, Scandal and Backstage as well as music magazine shows, kids shows, movies and Afro-centric news.

''e Africa has been received enthusiastically across the continent where e.tv programming is popular,'' says Marcel Golding, e.tv's group CEO who says that the expansion forms part of e.tv's broader strategy to provide entertainment produced on the continent to countries outside of South Africa.

The e Africa channel will broadcast two half hour eNews Africa bulletins daily at 18:00 and 19:00 CAT with a slant on African news.

ALSO READ: Bronwyn Keene-Young, e.tv COO: ''Our ultimate objective is to have a Pan-African footprint.''

BREAKING. e.tv's weather anchor Derek van Dam heading to South America for the Christmas holiday.

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Where will the best-dressed dude on South African television be spending Christmas? Try South America. I ran into e.tv's Derek van Dam earlier this evening in the Cape Town production offices of e.tv just as he was finishing up and as I was ready to talk about TV and the year in review with Jeremy Maggs of News Night on the eNews Channel (DStv 403).

Derek van Dam told me he's getting to jet off to South America for a holiday. Of course he's been to Swaziland and other parts of Africa, Europe and Asia the last few years.

What I can tell you is that Derek van Dam will be visiting numerous South American countries and cities, from Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Buenos Aires and even go as far down as Patagonia. I asked him what country's stamp he doesn't yet have in his passport. He just smiled.

Video tapes? Really? Why broadcasters still use a system of video cassettes to play out TV shows.

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Why is SABC3, or any South African broadcaster, still using video cassettes? Why don't they all just ''beam'' shows in digitally and then broadcast them like what M-Net does from time to time with Desperate Housewives and American Idol?

Shock, but more disbelief and a mix of astounding surprise were the reaction from TV with Thinus readers when I broke the news RIGHT HERE yesterday that SABC3 will have to preempt the premiere broadcast of Survivor Gabon because of the non-delivery of the video cassette due to the snow storms in Europe. Video tapes? Really? Like VHS? Is this the Middle Ages? Yes. Yes. And actually, Betamax.

TV channels in South Africa as well as elsewhere in the world who have, or are switching over to digital delivery, processing, and play out broadcasting systems are still - and will for some time to come - use video tapes for the same reason that we drive petroleum-fuelled vehicles and don't yet live in that much-heralded paperless society. It's because vast interlocking, interdependent and global systems exist regarding programme distribution that's slow to change and who's very existence has been built upon (and has a completely natural self-preserving, self-sustaining interest in maintaining the status quo).

The reasons why broadcasters are still largely making use of video tapes are legio (and even when shows are received digitally through satellite its still first recorded to removal media before play out)and if you click on READ MORE below, I will tell you the ''surprising'' and not often known reasons why.