Trace Sports tracking Oscar Pistorius' fall from grace from hero to murder suspect in Fighting Spirit, Thursday at 22:45.

Trace Sports (DStv 188) is following the fall from grace of Oscar Pistorius who shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentines Day from sports hero to murder accused in Fighting Spirit Thursday night, 20 June at 22:45 (South African time).

The Oscar Pistorius episode of the documentary strand  will be repeated on Trace Sports on Sunday 23 June at 19:30 and again on Wednesday 26 June at 15:15.

Trace Sports says the Fighting Spirit episode helps viewers to "piece the puzzle together to find out what happened that night". "Discover how Oscar Pistorius fell from grace and sank into the depths of hell."

Trace Sports followed Oscar Pistorius when he was still training for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At that time he opened up to Trace Sports about his childhood, his values and his sport.

Is another new local TV channel coming to DStv soon? Times Media Group CEO says the company is planning to start a new TV station.

Bloomberg Businessweek is reporting today that apparently another new local TV channel is coming to MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform soon.

According to the Bloomberg Businessweek article which appeared on Wednesday the new TV channel which is being developed by South Africa's Times Media Group (TMG), the South African publishing company, will "launch soon".

Andrew Bonamour, Times Media Group CEO told Bloomberg Businessweek in an interview that the group will "start a new television station".

"We see our TV side as our growth side, so we're going to be investing and developing new channels because they are profitable," Andrew Bonamour is quoted as saying.

The Home Channel, Ignition, Saffron TV, The Learning Channel and the newly rebranded Business Day TV as TV channels, as well as Ochre Moving Pictures producing Saffron TV and shows such as e.tv's Scandal! are all TV-related entities which fall under the Times Media Group umbrella.

FOX Crime on DStv: Dramas on the move between Fox channels; TopTV subscribers to lose series content they've followed.

The start of the new FOX Crime (DStv 126) channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform at 19:00 on 9 July has Fox International Channels Africa (FIC Africa) now shifting shows between Fox channels - with TopTV subscribers getting hurt in the process as they're set to lose content that is moving to the FOX Crime channel on DStv Premium's bouquet - a channel not available on TopTV.

FIC Africa plans to move the forensic crime series Criminal Minds from FOX, a channel available on both DStv and TopTV, to FOX Crime from 9 July.

The result is that TopTV subscribers will no longer be able to see Criminal Minds, although Fox still has the show. It's taken away from TopTV viewers.

Bones on FX (TopTV 110) is also moving off of that channel, but the drama is - luckily for TopTV subscribers - moving from FX to FOX. That means that TopTV subscribers will at least still be able to follow Bones as a series, although on a different channel from July.

FIC Africa explains in a statement about the moving shows hopping to different Fox channels, that "content will be shifted across channels to ensure that the content is a natural fit for the channel brand".

FIC Africa says its being done because FOX Crime as a new channel "affords Fox International Channels Africa the opportunity to focus programming to specific target audiences".

LazyTown and Sportacus back for a third season on Boomerang with new episodes every weekday at 07:30 and 10:50.

Let's move it, kids: The third season of LazyTown with Sportacus (Magnus Scheving) and Stephanie (new replacement 10-year old actress Chloe Lang) is now on Boomerang (DStv 302) on weekdays at 07:30 with new episodes repeated Mondays to Fridays at 10:50 - and an omnibus on Saturdays at 10:00, starting this Saturday.

Magnus Scheving who created the character and LazyTown remains a rarity on television: a pre-school TV show (centred around a superhero) which doesn't buy into television being used to just getting kids and younger viewers to passive sit still and pass time but to literally mobilise them to exercise and move and be fit.

Filmed in high definition (HD) and with an extremely clever mix of live-action, puppetry and well-done special effects for a kids show, LazyTown motivates young viewers to make healthy lifestyle choices in a fun, entertaining and interesting way.

LazyTown which is also on e.tv revolves around Sportacus and Stephanie who constantly foil the evil Robbie Rotten's plans to make LazyTown the laziest place in the world.

The 10-year old American dancer Chloe Lang has taken over in the role of the all-pink (because she's a girl) Stephanie.

Kids love the puppet characters of Pixel, Ziggy, Trixie and Stingy, and of course there's the Icelandic creator Magnus Scheving jumping all over the place more than ever before with all kinds of gadgets and that awesome-looking airship.

Ed Worster now the head of television at Rapid Blue as the production company is readying a 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing for SABC3.

Ed Worster who was SABC3 acting channel head until his unexpected departure in mid-February this year and which came as a shock to SABC staff, recently joined the South African production company Rapid Blue where he is now the new head of television.

Rapid Blue is for instance producing the new 6th season of the format floor reality show Strictly Come Dancing for SABC3.

Strictly Come Dancing, revived for another season, jumped TV channels from SABC2 to SABC3 and would have started on SABC3 in the latter half of 2012.

The new season was however postponed and the 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing will now start on 10 July on SABC3 at 20:00 as TV with Thinus reported last week.

Rapid Blue is responsible for shows such as Come Dine with Me SA for BBC Worldwide's BBC Entertainment channel in South Africa, SA's Got Talent for e.tv and The Bar-One Manhunt for SABC1 among others.

Ed Worster joined Rapid Blue as the production company is turning 20 years old this year.

2013 BBC Winter upfront: Mr Selfridge to BBC Entertainment, Polar Bears and unsafe sex on BBC Knowledge.

BBC Worldwide Channels which runs BBC Entertainment (DStv 120), BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174), BBC Knowledge (DStv 184) and CBeebies (DStv 306) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform unveiled its upcoming programming across the channels to ad buyers, TV critics and ad sales executives at its 2013 BBC South Africa Winter Upfront which was only done in Johannesburg.

"We know that viewers have a personal relationship with the programmes they love," said Joel Churcher, the  account director for BBC Worldwide Channels for the Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMA) region about the BBC's four channels "each of which is specifically tailored, shaped and fine-tuned to suit South African tastes".

"Our aim is to grow each of our BBC channel brands and we remain committed to bringing the very best of British programming to South Africa to attract a quality audience," said Joel Churcher.

"We're living through a golden age of British creativity," said Jon Farrar, the head of branded services for Western Europe & Global editorial strategy. "British TV is fizzing with brilliant ideas, captivating talent and dizzying ambition and I'm thrilled that we are able to bring the best of this to our channels in South Africa."

BBC Worldwide announced that the new drama Mr Selfridge is coming to BBC Entertainment about a man setting up London's most famous department store a century ago. The Chase is a new gameshow, and on the factual side there is Polar Bear - My Family and Me.

BBC Lifestyle has the United Kingdom's latest food competition Food Glorious Food coming to South African screens and the channel is adding Bill's Kitchen: Notting Hill to the line-up in which Bill Granger cooks his trademarkvibrant flavours in London's most fashionable neighbourhood.

Two further factual entertainment series coming to South Africa include Best in Town and Million Dollar Intern. "They are themed around the workplace, but it's the characters, conflict, and moments of unbelievable drama that will have viewers coming back each week. We're still in production on them, but early cuts are hugely exciting," said Jon Farrar.

"They are packed with the same sort of jaw-dropping moments that made Come Dine with Me SA such a hit." He said Come Dine with Me SA which will return for a third season to BBC Entertainment "is guaranteed to be the biggest topic of conversation on Monday nights from September".


Here's the BBC channels' upcoming programming:

BBC Entertainment
Mr Selfridge, coming soon
An ITVStudios co-production with Masterpiece distributed by BBC Worldwide. Jeremy Piven is Harry Selfridge setting up a department store in London in 1909.

The Chase, starts Thursday 11 July at 21:00
Bradley Walsh is the presenter of this new quiz show game show.

Glastonbury festival, Sunday 30 June at 18:00
Open air and performing arts festival coverage.

Come Dine with Me South Africa III, starts in September
12-part third season of the show in which four strangers take turns to host a dinner evening and all get graded to find a winner during snark filled dinner parties.

Endeavour, coming soon
A gripping prequel drama series to Inspector Morse. Four new mysteries follow Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), whose early days as a detective constable with the Oxford City Police see him risk everything to solve mysteries.

Fool Brittania, coming soon
Dom Joly unleashing pranks, tricks and hidden camera set-ups on the unsuspecting British public.

BBC Lifestyle
Food Glorious Food, started Thursday 6 June at 20:00
A competition for budding cooks.

Marbella Mansions, starts Sunday 14 July at 18:00
An insider's view of the multimillion dollar mansions on the Southern Spanish coast, following estate agents, interior designers and property managers working in the top end of Marbella's housing market.

Bill's Kitchen, coming soon
10-part series in which Bill Granger creates delicious dishes with just a few ingredients.

BBC Knowledge
Top Gear Week, coming soon
A televisual treat for petrolheads everywhere with Top Gear 41, Top Gear Festival, Top Gear: The Worst Car in the History of the World and Top Gear: Top Fails.

Unsafe Sex in the City, starts Wednesday 28 August at 21:00
An honest and unflinching look at the dangers of unprotected sex looking at the sexual health of Britain's youth as seen through an STD treatment clinic in Manchester.

Polar Bear - My Family and Me, coming soon
A BBC/Animal Planet co-production in which wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan gains the trust of a family of polar bears to observe a year in the life of these animals.

Penguins - Spy in the Huddle, coming soon
A BBC and Discovery Channel production in which animatronic cameras disguised as penguins infiltrate a colony of emperor penguins in Antarctica.

CBeebies
Old Jack's Boat, starts Monday 5 August at 17:50
Sarah & Duck, coming soon

Nicky Greenwall gave birth to second child, Riley Fryer, as South African television finds itself in a veritable baby boom.

Talk about a multi-tasking mother: e.tv's blond telenality Nicky Greenwall with multiple TV projects in the works has given birth to her second child, Riley Fryer as South African television finds itself in the throes of a veritable baby boom bonanza.

Nicky Greenwall gave birth last Wednesday 12 June to her son Riley Fryer, her second child with her longtime partner, Robin Fryer, the 20 Model Management owner. The couple's daughter Georgina Fryer will be two years old in September.

Nicky Greenwall celebrity profile show The Close Up is set to return to e.tv from Tuesday 9 July at 21:30, to be followed with another brand-new TV production from Greenwall Productions, The Big Picture in November covering the movie scene, also for e.tv. 

Besides changing nappies Nicky Greenwall is also readying another season of ScreenTime with Nicky Greenwall which will start on e.tv in early 2014.

Nicky Greenwall's new family addition is just the start of a baby boom for well-known South African television faces. 

Carte Blanche's investigative TV reporter Chantal Rutter Dros on M-Net's highly-rated magazine show is with child, and e.tv's Sunrise morning breakfast show news anchor Marc Chase will soon also be a proud pappa - his wife Melissa is expecting their first child after they got married in September last year.

Meanwhile Nege Maande ("Nine Months") is a new local reality TV show kicking off on Thursday 11 July at 20:00 on kykNET (DStv 144) which will be following nine different pregnancies over the course of nine months.

UPDATE: This story has been corrected 30 minutes after it was published, correcting one incorrect piece of information stated in this article as fact. In the original story I wrote that Nicky Greenwall gave birth today (Wednesday 19 June). In fact she gave birth a week ago on Wednesday 12 June. Leave it to PR people to only send out a notification exactly a week later, and a journalist who then fails to double check the date.

BREAKING. The Disney Channel orders new sitcom, I Didn't Do It, with twins and Logan Watson starting high school.

The Disney Channel (DStv 303) has ordered another new sitcom, I Didn't Do It, following twins Lindy (Olivia Holt) and Logan Watson (Austin North) as they start high school, with the new show set to start on The Disney Channel in 2014.

The Disney Channel's order for another new sitcom comes days after it ordered Girls Meets World as a new sitcom for 2014.

Episodes of I Didn't Do It will start with a "What just happened?" moment with each twin giving their side and interpretation of a situation which occured. Then, through flashbacks, each episode will show the events really leading up to some calamity and fill out the story.

Production on I Didn't Do It will start later this year in Los Angeles, similar to Girl Meets World, and episodes will start showing on The Disney Channel in 2014.

"We are looking forward to presenting our viewers with the humour, friendship and unexpected plot twists this unique sitcom offers by beginning every episode with the end of the story," says Adam Bonnett, the executive vice president for original programming at Disney Channels Worldwide in a statement.

"We have assembled a top-notch creative team and cast of talented young actors with incredible comedic chemistry who already feel like they have been close friends since childhood."

The Business Day TV breakfast launch broadcast on DStv is mostly white men sitting in white chairs on a white stage.

Pravin Gordham, the minister of finance, seated second from the left, is holding up his hand looking out into the breakfast tabled audience - is he maybe looking to find black men or black women? Why, any women for that matter would do.

The staged panel for the television launch breakfast briefing of Business Day TV (DStv 412) - the rebranded Summit TV on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service now with stripped daily content blocks from Bloomberg Television - oddly only featured men, no women. And mostly white men. Even Bloomberg Television's moderator this morning was a white man - Guy Johnson.

During the broadcast of the event which took place on Wednesday morning, Business Day TV also inexplicably placed a red "R" for repeat in the screen corner. But it wasn't a rebroadcast. It was a live event.

In television image is (almost) everything. It's strange why Business Day TV with the brands of Bloomberg and DStv seen on the white backdrop, didn't have a more representative panel in terms of Africa or South Africa's economically empowered demographics on the white stage and in the white chairs, especially since Business Day TV purports to cover South African and African financial and economic news.

As a media outlet you want to look a bit like what you cover, especially in something like a relaunch or launch event broadcast. You want to reflect your audience and subject matter, and African and South African  business isn't a predominantly white business executive affair.

Or maybe it is exactly reflective of part of the problematic challenge still facing South Africa - that what is shown, ironically, on the Business Day TV white stage is what the upper echelons of South African business in this country, almost 20 years since 1994, still largely is.