E! Entertainment fails to bring South African viewers the orange carpet coverage of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013.

In a big fail E! Entertainment (DStv 124) which is supposed to specialise in Hollywood red carpet coverage of award show events will not be bringing South African viewers the red carpet (or in this case orange carpet) coverage of Nickelodeon's 26th Annual Kids' Choice Awards 2013 on MultiChoice's DStv - although E! Entertainment is showing it in America.

Nickelodeon (DStv 305) will be broadcasting the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013 on Wednesday 27 March at 17:45 (South African time) but E! Entertainment will not be having any red carpet coverage - live or otherwise - today or later for South African DStv viewers.

E! Entertainment's Live from the Red Carpet: Nickelodeon 26th Kids' Choice Awards will be shown today in America anchored by Jerrence Jenkins and Khloé Kardashian and E! Entertainment also announced the coverage on E! News on television as seen in South Africa on Friday.

E! Entertainment continues to have a big programming disconnect, with the local channel feed of the entertainment channel as seen and experienced in South Africa on DStv which is marred, distorted and mutilated by heavy censorship in the form of excessive bleeping, blurring,  and strange programming decisions s

E! Entertainment's schizophrenic on-air content craziness becomes ever more blatant through something like not showing Live from the Red Carpet: Nickelodeon 26th Kids' Choice Awards. 

While almost everything gets bleeped, the announcements and interview with Josh Duhamel as host of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013 on E! News and that Terrence Jenkins and Khloé Kardashian will be anchoring wasn't - so South African viewers know that it will happen, but won't be allwed to see it.

E! Entertainment in the United Kingdom from where South Africa's channel feed originates, should then rather have censored and bleeped and cut that portion as well so as to not create some false viewer expectation.

E! also issued a press release about the hour of red carpet coverage which won't be seen in South Africa, telling viewers that "E!'s cameras will be front-and-centre to capture all the arrivals, celebrity interviews and spontaneity" of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013 carpet.

If Nickelodeon as a DStv channel from Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) could add the Kids' Choice Awards the past few years to its kids channel after it wasn't shown before but realized that the content was desired, valuable and important to their brand, certainly the emerging markets division of Universal Networks International responsible for E! Entertainment as seen in South Africa should by now have adapted too to clear their orange carpet coverage of this event because of its perceived importance.

The non-showing of this live red carpet coverage today adds to the perception that E! Entertainment on DStv isn't a TV channel actually getting unique programming attention for South Africa - that's it is simply pumped here without specific thought and care for the South African market and getting botched and limited with random censorship which makes no sense for, and isn't needed, for South African viewers.

Busi Lurayo the presenter of Million Rand Money Drop on M-Net starting on Wednesday 10 April.

Busi Lurayi has been announced as the presenter of the format game show Million Rand Money Drop which will start broadcasting on Wednesday 10 April at 19:30.

Busi Lurayi who've previously appeared on South African television screens in the role of Phumzile in City Ses'la as well as Generations and Sokhulu & Partners as well as international productions such as ER and Wild at Heart is called "the ideal choice" by M-Net as presenter of Million Rand Money Drop.

"When we were looking for a presenter for Million Rand Money Drop, the search was on for someone who could handle the pressure of a series with such high-stakes, while still being able to empathise with contestants, whether they are winning - or losing - large amounts of money," says M-Net in a press statement announcing Busi Lurayi.

Filming of the first season has been completed and Million Rand Money Drop is produced by Endemol South Africa.

"There have only ever been a handful of female presenters of this series internationally, and Busi Lurayi brought the perfect combination of skill, quick-thinking, humour and affability to the role of host ... not to mention her stylish good looks too," says M-Net.

In Million Rand Money Drop pairs of contestants working together as a team has to try and answer 7 questions correctly by placing physical cash on any of a number of possibly right multiple choice answers. The money placed on wrong answers fall through a trap door.

Koowee on DStv getting canned as a TV channel; name will continue to exist as a programming block on a set of DStv channels.

M-Net's Koowee (DStv 307) is getting canned as a kids TV channel on DStv with the M-Net produced channel which will no longer be supplied to MultiChoice's DStv, and DStv which will no longer be having Koowee as a separate TV channel on it's channel line-up.

Koowee as an M-Net kids channel targeting preschool kids with both an Afrikaans and Zulu sound track will be gone by 9 April.

"Koowee will no longer exist as a separate channel on DStv from 9 April onwards," said MultiChoice at the end of the press statement which announced earlier this week that FOX (DStv 125) and kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) are added as new TV channels to DStv.

No reason for the discontinuation of Koowee was given and why Koowee as a channel is getting closed down.

Koowee becomes the second kids TV channel which was compiled by M-Net for DStv which is ending, after DStv and M-Net ended K All Day (originally called KTV World, then K-World) on 31 March 2009.

Now Koowee as a TV channel is ending after 4 years - it was launched on 6 April 2009. It has since simulcast programming blocks on other channels like two daily blocks which was added on kykNET (DStv 144).

Koowee will now be folded into some other channels where the brand-name will exist only as a programming block.

M-Net didn't made specific mention of Koowee closing down but alluded to it in the pay-TV broadcaster's own announcement about the new kykNET & kie (DStv 145) TV channel.

"As from Tuesday 9 April the current Afrikaans children's shows on Koowee will move onto Koowee blocks on kykNET and kykNET & kie, with the latter having longer slots."

"In the mornings, the little ones can enjoy the antics of the cuddly Koowee characters on kykNET & kie between 07:30 and 09:30, with more to follow between 17:00 and 18:00 in the early evening. While Koowee personalities like Tjiff and Tjaff and Pikin will be regulars on the channel, moms should be glad to hear that familiar faces from their own childhood like Heidi will join in the fun too."

Besides the existing programming block on kykNET, Koowee will be available on kykNET & kie as a programming block, and will also be on Magic World (DStv 162) as a programming block with Zulu and Tswana language options.

Sky News sheds a 'tear' over the new British budget; but Joey Jones wasn't really crying.

The dangers of live reporting: It looked as if Sky News' Joey Jones was shedding a tear about the new depressing British budget which was announced - but it was actually just a raindrop which fell just so, under his eye and rolled down his left cheek as viewers saw it - all very visible on live television.

The professional he is, Joey Jones just kept talking with reaction about the 2013 budget, although viewers might have thought that he's looking sad or getting a tad emotional reporting live from Westminster.

Meanwhile Joey Jones wasn't crying or getting misty-eyed at all. The sparkly spot of water wasn't from his eye.

Phakamile Hlubi on the eNCA does a Glenda Kemp; pats a python around her neck as part of a missing snake story.

Phakamile Hlubi on the eNCA (DStv 403) has done a Glenda Kemp for her sensational reporting on the "runaway" black mamba at the Pretoria zoo - getting in on the act by draping a yellow Burmese Python around her body.

Gimmicky reporting - from running in a red speedo to riding an elephant is nothing new for the eNCA and its coterie of correspondents - but has it become too much?

While one of the world's most deadliest snakes has escaped its enclosure at the Pretoria Zoo, the eNCA's Phakamile Hlubi thought it well to lovingly stroke a snake around her neck to enhance her on-air reporting.

The danger of course is that the reporter risks becoming the story instead of reporting on it.

TV news reporters just like print journalists do have to immerse themselves in the stories, environments, events and the lives of those they cover, but they shouldn't become a part of it.

Testing or evaluating a service or product or experience - such as a story on advanced driving technique classes just before a holiday period as Iman Rapetti and Jeremy Maggs did at the end of 2012, or test-driving a solar-powered experimental vehicle is full-on real and proper reporting.

In such cases the reporter is qualitatively involved to be "the Johnny" - the guinea pig or model to relay experiential coverage to the viewer.

On the other hand draping a snake around your neck tot pop your story makes you part of the act - you become part of the circus sideshow instead of objectively telling about it.

Remember that this isn't Thabang Thabong mid-morning educational show-and-tell kindergarden television, a place where something like this ("let's learn about the zoo; let's learn about snakes") would be fine - it's (supposedly) a news story which has now been cheapened by begging for "ooh watch me" legitimacy.

That's why Phakamile stroking a python is lazy, opportunistic (and slightly exploitative) reporting by the eNCA.

Hot in Cleveland renewed for a 5th season; comedy now seen in 190 countries worldwide.

Hot in Cleveland, currently seen in 190 countries around the world including M-Net in South Africa, has been renewed for a 5th season of 24 episodes in America.

The comedy stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White and the renewal for a 5th season will take the comedy past the 100 episode mark.

"This is an incredible milestone for the show," says Larry W. Jones, the president of the TV Land channel in America which shows Hot in Cleveland, in a statement.

"We have a brilliant creative team both in front of and behind the camera. We are so proud to be on this exciting ride with them."

Veteran forensic crime drama CSI renewed for a 14th season; Ted Danson and rest of cast will return next season.

The veteran forensic crime drama CSI seen in South Africa on M-Net and SABC3 has been renewed in America for a 14th season.

The CBS network in America showing CSI announced in a press statement "a new contract extension for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation star Ted Danson and that the US and global hit series has been renewed for the 2013/2014 season."

"In addidtion Elisabeth Shue, original cast members George Eads, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Paul Guilfoyle and Robert David Hall along with Wallace Langhan, Elisabeth Harnois, David Berman and Jon Wellner will also return next season."

"The writers and producers have done an amazing job evolving CSI, reinventing the show around an incredible leading man in Ted Danson, the acclaimed Elisabeth Shue and our beloved and talented core of original cast members," says the statement.

"CSI is one of the top global franchises and is seen in almost every country in the world," says David Stapf, the president of CBS Television Studios which produces CSI, in the press statement.

"It defined feature television and its whodunnit storytelling captured audiences since the day it premiered. We are fortunate to have had Carol Mendelsohn's creative vision at the helm since the inception, as well as the talents of her partner Don McGill. The addition of Ted Danson has infused new energy into the series and we couldn't be more thrilled with its continued worldwide success."

TOLDJA! Special Oscar Pistorius 'What Really Happened?' documentary coming to Discovery Channel this Sunday 24 March.

You're reading it here first. 

It's the sensational case transfixing not just South Africa but the world, and now the quick-turnaround special hour long documentary Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? is coming to South Africa and will be shown this Sunday 24 March on The Discovery Channel (DStv 121) at 20:55 (South African time).

On Friday I wrote that Discovery Networks International had acquired the broadcasting rights to the special investigative British documentary Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? which was just shown in the United Kingdom to record ratings and was also just sold to Discovery in America where it will be shown as Blade Runner: The Untold Story.

The hour long special documentary from Passion Distribution which is sure to make a massive viewership splash when it's shown in South Africa on Sunday, was quickly filmed and managed to get rare access to several people and places connected to Oscar Pistorius and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp who he shot and killed. 

Oscar Pistorius has been charged with premeditated murder in a case which has gripped the world's attention. Oscar Pistorius has pleaded not guilty, claiming the shooting was a terrible accident, but the extraordinary case has left many people asking many questions.

The superb documentary produced by Mentorn Media with Rick Edwards as the presenter will give South African viewers the chance to delve deeper into the tragic Valentines Day shooting case which has propelled model and reality star Reeva Steenkamp and the paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius to front page news in a story which has rocked the world.

Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? was filmed in South Africa and digs deeper into this unprecedented case by bringing viewers new interviews, fresh information and exclusive insights from some of the friends and family of Reeva Steenkamp and Oscar Pistorius - as well as those close to the case.

Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? will take viewers inside Reeva Steenkamp's bedroom by her best friend Gina Meyers, who speaks movingly of their friendship. 

The documentary also interviews Reeva Steenkamp's ex-boyfriend who met her for coffee the day before the was shot and killed, and speaks to close friends of Oscar Pistorius as well who all share stories about the athlete they knew and his current state since he was released on bail.

"Since news broke of this tragic event, the entire world has been speculating about what actually happened that Valentine's morning. The appetite for further knowledge about the case is incredibly strong - especially in South Africa where the story is still headline news," says Lee Hobbs, the channel director for emerging business for Discovery Networks' Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region.

"Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? will give Discovery Channel viewers more information about the case and the national hero's dramatic reversal of fortune."

Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened? is on Sunday, 24 March on Discovery Channel (DStv 121) at 20:55.

SABC IN CHAOS & CRISIS: Complete lack of transparency as names of new SABC interim board is bulldozed through parliament.

The SABC in chaos & crisis: As the names of a new interim SABC board was blatantly bulldozed through parliament today without any public consultation or transparency to replace the decimated, then dissolved SABC board, parliament did nothing to investigate the underlaying causes of the massive meltdown and ongoing destruction of South Africa's public broadcaster.

Parliament's portfolio committee on communications tasked with oversight of the SABC refused to listen to the public pressure group, Support Public Broadcasting (SOS Coalition) today or give the civil society group representing vast interest groupings within South Africa's broadcasting and public broadcasting sphere a change to talk or do a prepared, insightful presentation.

Instead parliament's portfolio committee on communications dissolved the SABC board which self-destructed and which left the rudderless and embattled SABC without a corporate governance body and bulldozed through the committee and then through the National Asembly the pre-arranged names of the new five person interim SABC board.

Ordinary South Africans who are required to pay a TV license because it's "the right thing to do" are not getting the right thing done by government or parliament with unilateral decisions being made, and no oversight and thorough investigation being made into the massive malaise and crippling problems which is causing the growing collapse of the SABC.

"Many South Africans who wanted to contribute to the formation of a vibrant, world-class public broadcaster are now scarred and embittered people," said Marian Shinn, the Democratic Alliance's communications spokesperson today.

Marian Shinn said many of the SABC board members from the SABC board which was dissolved today, resigned "in disgust" due to political interference in the SABC board's functioning.

"Those that I spoke to yesterday said that until the laws are changed to prevent political interference, nothing would change to save the corporation from the destructive path it is on. The appointment of this interim board must be seen for what it is: a rushed, non-transparent, and inadequate affair," said Marian Shinn.

"There has not been good governance in the corporation. It has been an open play pen for corruption. You never know who to trust anymore. It has become a nightmare to work and to find out which is the best way to get it back on track."

"The SABC is almost broken because the people of calibre and ability who have been through the SABC in the past decade, trying to put it right, who have been severely wounded in the process and are unlikely to come back put it right," said Marian Shinn.

"Cope wishes to register its serious discomfort with the process followed and the undue haste to dissolve the SABC board with less than 24-hours notice," said Congress of the People member of parliament Juli Killian today.

Liezel van der Merwe, Inkatha Freedom Party member of parliament, said her party could not approve the new 5 person interim SABC board because they never even saw CV's of the nominees.

The Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) today welcomed the resignation of the SABC board members. "We believe that the former board members have done an honourable thing to step down with dignity and allow a new search for an interim board that will serve in a manner that is in line with corporate governance," the CWUSA says in a press statement.

"We wish all of them the best in their relative roles as they go back into their different areas of expertise and spheres of national development and growth."

The SOS Coalition has called on parliament to urgently investigate the underlying problems afflicting the SABC before appointing an interim SABC board.

The Media Workers' Association of South Africa (Mwasa) says its "utterly disheartened and disappointed following the rushed hatchet job of imposing an interim board at the SABC."

"The SABC must be free from political interference. Mwasa calls on the presidency not to endorse the process followed in imposing the interim board and to indeed insist on an inclusive, consultative engagement above expediency."

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) says a new SABC board should bring stability at the public broadcaster. "The SABC is a contested arena, and we hope the new board will provide the needed stability," says Thabo Mogalane, general secretary. He says the new board should play an oversight role and not interfere with the running of the SABC.

"We want a board that is transparent, independent and provides oversight." He said the union was confident the interim board would provide the stability needed to improve the morale of workers at the SABC.

"Where there is no stability, workers are affected negatively."

ALSO READ: SABC in chaos & crisis - Who are the 5 of the new interim SABC board who will now lead the beleaguered broadcaster?
ALSO READ: SABC in chaos & crisis - New interim SABC board forced through parliament with zero transparency.
ALSO READ: SABC in chaos & crisis - Dina Pule accused of creating chaos and fuelling the SABC crisis by interfering in the SABC board's functioning.
ALSO READ: SABC in chaos & crisis - Dina Pule, the minister of communications, attacks the SABC board in parliament; says board members who talked out made the SABC lose viewers.
ALSO READ: SABC in chaos & crisis - Two more SABC board members quit, leaving only ONE: Claire O'Neil as the lone remaining SABC board member.