Coronavirus: M-Net and DStv to end Ultimate Love earlier as Nigerian dating reality show will wrap this Sunday because of Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net West-Africa is shuttering its Ultimate Love dating reality show that is ending earlier and that will wrap this Sunday 29 March 2020 because of the growing spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic across Africa.

Similar to Big Brother Germany which only last week revealed to the housemates what has been happening in the outside world, MultiChoice and M-Net have not told the remaining Ultimate Love contestants cloistered in the camera-filled studio house what has been happening in their country and around the world.

Ultimate Love was supposed to end on 5 April but producers have scrambled to bring it to a close a week earlier by this Sunday after M-Net ordered it shut down as soon as possible.

"Due to the growing concerns of the spread of the coronavirus in Nigeria, kindly be informed that the Ultimate Love reality show will now end on Sunday 29 March 2020," said MultiChoice and M-Net in a statement about the show which is seen in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, on the DStv satellite pay-TV service.

"Whilst we know the show has garnered appreciable fans and viewers across Africa, it has become pertinent for us to join the ongoing efforts by the government and global public health officials to flatten the curve against the coronavirus."

"Watch how it unfolds on DStv channel 198 for the concluding part of the show."

The final Ultimate Love voting will open from today, Wednesday 25 March and end on Friday 27 March 2020.

Following after the latest season of Big Brother Naija, and a redress of the same studio space which was used for that show in Lagos, Nigeria, Ultimate Love saw 16 strangers (8 men and 8 women) enter the studio house to live together for 8 weeks.

Ultimate Love that started on 9 February this year saw viewers voting for their favourite couples each week with love-mates with the lowest votes who got evicted from "Aunty’s Love Pad".

In South Africa where a 21-day national lockdown because of the coronavirus is coming into effect on midnight on Thursday 26 March, locally-produced shows and studio complexes which remained open an in-production are now starting to shut down.

M-Net has been asked but not yet said how Covid-19 is impacting the production of in-production reality shows like the second season of The Bachelor SA produced by Rapid Blue and the 8th season of Survivor South Africa produced by Afrokaans for M-Net (DStv 101), or the 16th season of Idols produced by [SIC] Entertainment for Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

Netflix renews Love is Blind and The Circle, gives Marie Kondo a new Sparking Joy spinoff show.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix has renewed its two new reality series, Love is Blind and The Circle both for a second and a third season and has given the home organising guru Marie Kondo a new spin-off series in which she will bring order to an entire American town.

The love reality show Love is Blind, produced by Kinetic Content, as well as the social media catfishing competition show The Circle, produced by Studio Lambert and Motion Content Group, rolled out new episodes weekly instead of all episodes at once and have been a success for Netflix.

Both have been renewed for a second and a third season each. Nick and Vanessa Lachey will return as the hosts of Live is Blind while Michelle Buteau will continue to be the host of The Circle.

The second season of both series will however only debut in 2021 because of the growing Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world in 2020 and making production and filming currently impossible.

Netflix also renewed its music competition show Rhythm + Flow, produced by Gaspin Media, Jesse Collins Entertainment and Get Lifted Film Co., for a second season with Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and Tip "T.I." Harris who will return for the second season.

Meanwhile Marie Kondo who does Tidying Up is getting a new spinoff series, Sparking Joy, produced by Alfred Street Industries, in which she and her team will tackle an entire America town. The town has not been chosen yet.

Both Rhythm + Flow and Sparking Joy will also only become available in 2021.

"It's been incredible to see Netflix members everywhere respond to the raw, authentic stories of real people and real stakes," says Brandon Riegg, Netflix vice president of non-fiction and comedy.

"We pride ourselves on creating a favourite show for any taste, and we're thrilled fans embraced all of these series with such enthusiasm and shared passion. We look forward to sparking more joy for our members."

Coronavirus: SABC2's 7de Laan becomes the first South African weekday soap to shut down production even before the country's 21-day national shutdown as Covid-19 spreads.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster's 7de Laan Afrikaans soap on SABC2 has become the first locally-produced weekday series to shut down production temporarily because of the rapid spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the country and globally.

Other broadcasters and shows remained silent on Tuesday after they were asked what they're doing and if or when they're pulling the shutters down and dimming the studio lights.

On Monday night president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown that will come into effect for 21 days in South Africa to try and curb the spread of the global novel coronavirus pandemic in South Africa.

It will see all of the other weekday soaps on the SABC's SABC1 and SABC2 channels like Uzalo, Generations, Skeem Saam, Muvhango and Lithapo; on e.tv like Rhythm City, Scandal! and Imbewu; M-Net's 1Magic (The River) and Mzansi Magic channels (Isibaya and The Queen), and M-Net's kykNET channel (Getroud met Rugby, Binnelanders, Suidooster) shut down by the latest on Thursday 26 March 2020.

Locally-produced entertainment magazines shows doing weekly episodes seen on SABC1, SABC2, kykNET, Mzansi Magic and other channels will likely also be forced to shut down, including youth afternoon blocks like YO.TV on SABC1.

SuperSport on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform will also very likely be forced to shut down all of its locally-produced talk and sports magazine discussion shows broadcast on the various SuperSport channels.

In addition, the cinema chain Ster-Kinekor will be forced to close in the way that Nu Metro shut down its movie threatres on Tuesday.

Broadcaster's in-house produced news and current affairs programming on the SABC under the SABC News banner, e.tv, and kykNET under its kykNET Verslag banner will likely continue uninterrupted.

Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101) is likely to roll out new Sunday evening episodes.

Danie Odendaal Productions said on Tuesday evening that it will shut down on Wednesday 25 March 2020 but says enough episodes have been produced and are in post-production to play out until 25 May 2020 on SABC2.

"In compliance with the nationwide lockdown as announced by president Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 March 2020 we wish to inform you that Danie Odendaal Productions will discontinue production of the Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan effective 25 March 2020," the soap tells TVwithThinus.

"As the show is filmed two months ahead of time, we can reassure viewers that 7de Laan has got episodes in production until 25 May 2020".

"While the uncertainty of what the future holds looms, we can only hope that by playing our part, our collective efforts will yield the desired outcome of containing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting those most vulnerable to this pandemic."

"We encourage all citizens to rally behind the president and comply with all restrictions set in place for the greater good of us all," the show says.

 SuperSport referred media enquiries on Tuesday about which of its locally-produced shows will shut down to MultiChoice. MultiChoice haven't responded by the time of publication of this report.

 The SABC responded and said it would have an answer on Wednesday. kykNET said that it would stll respond.

e.tv and M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and 1Magic (DStv 103) channels were also asked on Tuesday what is happening with all of their shows but e.tv and M-Net haven't responded yet.

 Mzansi Magic was asked what is happening with the current season of Idols in production, how the 21-day shutdown of the show will it affect it specifically and what the [SIC] Entertainment produced singing reality show will do during the next 3 weeks but M-Net's publicists responsible for the channel didn't provide any answer about Idols.

Disney launches its Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Western Europe during growing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic ; hopes its video streaming service 'can bring some much-needed moments of respite during these difficult times'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Walt Disney Company rolled out its Disney+ subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service on Tuesday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Disney postponed the launch in France to 7 April 2020 at the request of that country's government because of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.

Disney is silent on when Disney+ might launch in South Africa or anywhere on the African continent, and the possibility of a platform tie-up with a pay-TV operator like MultiChoice's DStv.

Disney+ will make shows like The Mandalorian available when it launches today in the United Kingdom and across Western Europe although much of the excitement already passed and a lot of the content have already been pirated viewed globally by consumers elsewhere in the world who couldn't get access and pay for a Disney+ subscription.

"Launching in 7 markets simultaneously marks a new milestone for Disney+," says Kevin Mayer, chairman of Walt Disney direct-to-consumer and international, in a statement.

"As the streaming home for Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney+ delivers high-quality, optimistic storytelling that fans expect from our brands, now available broadly, conveniently, and permanently on Disney+."

"We humbly hope that this service can bring some much-needed moments of respite for families during these difficult times." 

Disney+ costs £5.99 (€6.99/ R123.48 ) per month, or £59.99 ( €69.99 /R 1236.66 )  for an annual subscription.

Disney+ in the UK and other Western Europe countries will carry 500 films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, 26 exclusive original movies and series, and thousands of television episodes, including 300 episodes of The Simpsons.

Disney partnered with multiple mobile phone operators and pay-TV services to have Disney+ reside on their services.

These include Sky in the UK (bundled with Sky Q) and Ireland as well as O2 (available as an add-on option and a 6-month free trial) in the UK, Canal+ in France, Deutsche Telekom in Germany (3-month to 6-month free trial), Telecom Italia Mobile in Italia (bundled with broadband packages), as well as Telefónica in Spain (bundled with Movistar packages).

Disney+ will launch in mid-2020 in Belgium, the Nordics, and Portugal with no indication or communications about a possible launch frame for Africa or South Africa.

Coronavirus: Cirque du Soleil shutters, let 95% of workers go; plans return in 2021 after Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

The world-famous Cirque du Soleil has shuttered with the world’s largest contemporary circus producer that’s been forced to let 95% of its entire workforce go because of the rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus during the global coronavirus pandemic.

 The Canadian company based in Montreal says it was forced to shut down 44 shows worldwide and had to let 4 679 workers go.

"It is the most difficult day in Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group history. We’re deeply saddened by the dramatic measures taken today, as the temporary layoff includes many hardworking, dedicated people,” says Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, in a statement.

Cirque du Soleil cancelled shows across the United States, Israel, Spain, Germany and in Australia.

"Unfortunately, this decision is our only option as we are forced to position ourselves to weather this storm and prepare for eventual re-openings."

"Consequently, the company was left with no other option but to call for an unprecedented halt in activity until the pandemic is controlled and its performers, employees and audience members are no longer at risk."

The company will keep 259 staffers to maintain basic operations and to continue tour planning for 2021.

"As one of the most trusted brands and successful live entertainment organisations, we are confident that when the day comes when we can reopen our shows, we will be ready to welcome the millions of fans who come to our shows worldwide," says Daniel Lamarre.

Coronavirus: Nu Metro shuts down its movie theatres in South Africa with immediate effect before Covid-19 national lockdown starts; cinemas in Mozambique and Zambia remain open.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Tuesday morning Nu Metro immediately shuttered all of the cinema chain's movie theatres in South Africa because of the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases as the novel coronavirus pandemic spreads in South Africa and globally.

Nu Metro's cinemas in Mozambique and Zambia will remain open.

Competitor Ster-Kinekor's cinema theatres remain open. TVwithThinus asked Ster-Kinekor on Tuesday morning whether it is also closing down but the company said it had no comment for now.

"Nu Metro management has decided to close all of its cinema complexes and accompanying operations in South Africa with immediate effect, following the governmental announcement of the national lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus," Nu Metro told TVwithThinus on Tuesday in a statement.

"The precautionary measures for Nu Metro cinemas announced last week were implemented with full efficacy until the final movie shows in cinemas last night Monday 23 March 2020," the cinema chain said.

"We at Nu Metro consider the health of our customers and staff as top priority and we would again like to encourage all South Africans to follow all health, hygiene and other legal regulations as communicated by the department of health."

Nu Metro says that "Our cinemas will remain closed until the end of the lockdown, or as otherwise directed by the South African government."

Nu Metro says that its cinema operations in Mozambique and Zambia continue to trade with strict precautionary measures "in line with the current governmental directives in place there".

Coronavirus: South Africa's TV and film industry to shutter for 3 weeks as president Cyril Ramaphosa announces a national lockdown for 21 days from 26 March 2020; announces Temporary Employee Relief Scheme to avoid mass retrenchments.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's film and TV industry will shut down from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020 for 3 weeks after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national shutdown for 21 days to try and curb the rapid spread of Covid-19 novel coronavirus cases in the country.

The national shutdown that will last until midnight on Thursday 16 April 2020 will see essential services like pharmacies, doctors, petrol stations, hospitals and supermarkets remain open in South Africa.

"Our country finds itself confronted not only by a virus that has infected more than a quarter of a million people across the globe, but also by the prospects of a very deep economic recession that will cause businesses to close and many people to lose their jobs," Cyril Ramaphosa said.

TV shows like the country's locally-produced soaps done by the SABC, e.tv and M-Net's collection of its channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service will all close down similar to what happens during the Christmas end-of-the-year holiday, as well as the various film studio complexes and the movie theatres of Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro.

The South African public broadcaster will continue to run int in-house produced programming, including SABC News and current affairs across its TV channels and radio stations.

Actuality, news and current affairs programming on e.tv, kykNET (DStv 144) and M-Net (DStv 101) will also continue.

Companies whose staffers are exempt from the shutdown and are expected to still go to work are those responsible for telecommunications services like Telkom, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.

Cyril Ramaphosa called on large businesses to take of their workers.

"We are in consultation on a proposal for a special dispensation for companies that are in distress because of Covid-19. Through this proposal employees will receive wage payment through the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme which will enable companies to pay employees directly during this period and avoid retrenchment."

Cyril Ramaphosa said that "any employee who falls ill through exposure at their workplace will be paid through the Compensation Fund".

"In the event that it becomes necessary we will utilise the reserves within the UIF system to extend support to those workers in small and medium enterprises and other vulnerable firms who are faced with loss of income and whose companies are unable to provide support."

"Using the tax system, we will provide a tax subsidy of up to R500 per month for the next 4 months for those private sector employees earning below R6 500 under the Employment Tax Incentive. This will help over 4 million workers," Cyril Ramaphosa said.

"I want to make it clear that we expect all South Africans to act in the interest of the South African nation and not in their own selfish interest."

Coronavirus: TV presenter Zororo Makamba (30) dead as Zimbabwe's second Covid-19 case.

by Thinus Ferreira

The TV presenter Zororo Makamba has died as Zimbabwe's second positive Covid-19 case as the novel coronavirus pandemic spreads globally including in South Africa and across Southern Africa.

According to AFP, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) announced that Zororo Makamba has died in the capital of Harare.

Zororo Makamba is the first person in Zimbabwe to officially die from Covid-19 and was treated in isolation in the Wilkins hospital in Harare.

"The minister of health and child care, Dr Obadiah Moyo has confirmed the death of Zororo Makamba, who was the second person to test positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe," the ZBC reported.

Zororo Makamba, the son of businessman and co-owner of Telecel Zimbabwe, James Makamba, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.

He had travelled to New York late last month where he stayed for 20 days and returned to Zimbabwe on 9 March, transiting through Johannesburg to Zimbabwe.

According to Zimbabwe's government Zororo Makamba began to show mild flu-like symptoms on 12 March that progressively worsened. His family said he was also treated for flu-like symptoms in New York. He consulted a doctor in Zimbabwe and was instructed to self-quarantine. He became worse and was hospitalised.

Zororo Makamba had a tumour removed from just under his left lung in November 2019 and was still recovering from this surgery that would take 18 months.

The Wilkins hospital had no ventilators, no plugs for ventilators, no medication, no oxygen and no water according to his family members.

The family says minister Obadiah Moyo blatantly lied to them and the country of Zimbabwe and that the hospital wanted the family to pay US$120 000 for a ventilator and monitor which it wanted to be "donated" and given to the Wilkins hospital for free after it was used for Zororo Makamba.

"People need to know that the Zimbabwe government is ill-prepared for Covid-19 and is not ready to deal with this virus," according to a report in Daily News.

Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe's minister of information publicity and broadcasting services, in a statement says "I have received the news of the passing on of Zororo Makamba with great shock, extreme sadness and a deep sense of shock. He is a victim of the worldwide pandemic that is Covid-19".

"I constantly and continuously worked with Zororo Makamba on his much-watched and greatly appreciated State of the Nation programme on Zimbabwe television."

"He was a young intelligent and dynamic man that infused talent and passion for his work with intense patriotic pride. He always exuded that confidence in the face of daunting challenges. He communicated with promise and hope in the economic prospects of his beloved Zimbabwe."

Zororo Makamba was the host and executive producer of the late night show Tonight with Zororo on the Zambezi Magic channel run by M-Net on MultiChoice Africa's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

He was also the host and executive producer of Point of View with Zororo Makamba, a weekly web based political opinion on YouTube and was one of the judges on the entrepreneur reality show My Own Boss.

Zororo Makamba started his media career at ZiFM Stereo, Zimbabwe's first private radio station where he was the presenter of several current affairs programmes. From radio he made the jump to television with Tonight with Zororo which won the award for Outstanding Screen Production (Television) at the National Arts Merits Awards.

He's also worked in telecoms as the publicist for Telecel Zimbabwe and was a news and broadcasting assistant at United Talent Agency (UTA) in New York.

At the time of his death Zororo Makamba was the director and co-founder of Eleven Dogs Inc., a digital media and broadcasting company.

He had a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Producing (Honours) from the New York Film Academy.

Coronavirus: Cape Town filmmaker Dan Mace says he tested positive for Covid-19 virus as South Africa's 67th case.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Cape Town film director Dan Mace (30) says he has tested positive in South Africa for the Covid-19 novel coronavirus that is rapidly spreading through the country.

Dan Mace received his results on Saturday in Cape Town and is now in self-isolation with his fiance in their home in Cape Town.

Over the weekend Dan Mace in his latest YouTube video revealed that he has Covid-19 and tested himself after he attended the Bazique music festival in Paarl last Sunday.

He is the 67th confirmed case of Covid-19 in South Africa after he flew back with Emirates airlines from LA through Dubai to South Africa.

The vegan Cannes-award winning filmmaker says he started feeling ill on 19 February while he was in Los Angeles. Doctors in LA asked him if he had visited China and after he said no they suggested that he likely just had some other illness.

In his video he describes the symptoms he had for several days.

"On 21 March, the day that I was supposed to get married, which obviously was postponed and for the best reasons possible - but on that afternoon my doctor phoned me and told me that I have tested positive".

"I have not shown any symptoms since being ill in the States other than of course the loss of taste and smell," he says.

"I'm just hoping that my story can somehow help others out there and in the meantime I'm in isolation in house in Cape Town for the next 14 days with Gaby and with Joey (dog)".