Video streaming service Acorn TV shutting down in South Africa after 4 years without explanation, asks users to cancel their subscriptions.

by Thinus Ferreira

Acorn TV is shutting down in South Africa four years after it became available in the country, as the next video streaming service going dark in South Africa's fiercely contested streaming wars.

Acorn TV, a global video streamer that launched in South Africa in December 2018 and 29 other countries after its launch in 2011 in America and Canada, is now shuttering without explanation, and offered a library carousel of British and international TV series, as well as some new original shows.

When it launched in South Africa, Acorn TV said that it was "excited for global fans of British and international drama and mystery to discover the wonders of Acorn TV with addictive series featuring stellar acting, beautiful settings, and gripping storylines" and that it would offer "a wide assortment of first-rate British and international television".

Acorn TV, owned by AMC Networks' RJL Entertainment, was competition for BritBox SA, jointly run by the BBC and ITV, that launched in South Africa in August 2021 also offering British on-demand television content, as well as for the linear British pay-TV channels available in South Africa like BBC Brit, BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC World News supplied by BBC Studios Africa to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

Acorn TV that billed South African subscribers in rand and has a subscription price of R79 per month and an annual plan of R799 per rand, is now warning South African subscribers in a message on its website that "Acorn TV will no longer be available in South Africa" and that users should cancel their subscriptions.

"We regret to inform you that Acorn TV will shut down in South Africa by the end of 2022. If you signed up online, please cancel your subscription by going to My Acorn TV and then Manage Account", the streamer says.

Executives of AMC Networks didn't respond with answers to a media query made earlier this week seeking comment about why Acorn TV is shutting down in South Africa, its subscriber count over the past four years and what the experience of operating in the country has been like.

The shuttering of Acorn TV comes a week after Telkom got out of the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) business by handing its TelkomONE streamer over to the South African public broadcaster which was rebranded and repurposed as SABC+.

Acorn TV's demise in South Africa leaves TV viewers with video streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, eMedia's eVOD, MultiChoice's Showmax, BritBox SA, VIU, SABC+, TruthTV, WOW Presents Plus, MarqueeTV and Jou Afrikaans (JA).

 

ALSO READ: Video streaming service Acorn TV launches in South Africa and another 29 countries with the best of British telly.

SABC3 showing Hail Satan? as 2-episode documentary about America's Satanic Temple.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC3 has acquired and will show Hail Satan? as a 2-episode documentary on Wednesday 23 November and Wednesday 30 November at 22:00, looking at the rise of this controversial religion in America and the Satanic Temple.

Hail Satan? is a 2019 film from director Penny Lane and producer Gabriel Sedgwick about the Satanic Temple, including its origins and political activism and shows the work of American Satanists.

The documentary had its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

According to SABC3, "When media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organise a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with a little more than a clever idea, mischievous sense of humour and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways".

SABC3 says that Hail Satan? "offers a timely look at a group of often misunderstood outsiders whose unwavering commitment to social and political justice has empowered thousands of people around the world".

Casts of Mzansi Magic's Becoming and SABC1's The Queens of Mzansi canned without warning or being told.

by Thinus Ferreira

The casts of the transgender reality series Becoming on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and reality show The Queens of Mzansi on SABC1 have reportedly been dumped and replaced without them being told by the productions they appear in.

City Press reports that the cast of Becoming, produced by Connect TV's Basetsana Kumalo and Kopano Gelman, had no idea and got no warning that they were being jettisoned and are getting replaced. 

Becoming featured Yaya Mavundla, Gugu Kumalo and Ramazon Ngobese, with two of them who heard the news when the newspaper told them.

Kopano Gelman declined to comment and directed media queries to Mzansi Magic. Mzansi Magic publicist Irvin Pooe asked that questions be emailed to him but didn't respond by the time the City Press report was published.

Meanwhile SABC1 has allegedly decided to can the broadcast of reality show The Queens of Mzansi, after only broadcasting 10 of the 26 episodes which were filmed, although the SABC says it only bought 10 episodes.

The Queens of Mzansi had Paloma "Lolo" Mlunjwana, former Miss SA Teen Lucky Mthembu, Siphelele Petunia Makhaya, Ntombifuthi Mthembu, and Samkelisiwe Mhlongo in the cast.

Cast members told Zimoja the problems with The Queens of Mzansi started in October after they complained about not being paid on time. 

"Our problems began in October when we raised issues with payment. We were not paid on time and when we complained about our payments we became bad people. They were supposed to inform us that they are cancelling than having to just dump us just like that," one of the cast reportedly said.

The SABC in a statement said that The Queens of Mzansi was only commissioned for 10 episodes.

"The SABC can confirm that Kinsman Redeemer Productions was contracted for the licence of 10 episodes of The Queens of Mzansi. The SABC is not in anyway involved in the talent acquisition process of licensed programmes."

"The SABC can further confirm that all 10 episodes of The Queens of Mzansi were broadcast and the contract therefore reached its full term."

Uzalo actors Nompilo Maphumulo and Menzi Biyela to exit SABC1 soap with season 9's debut in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

Actors Menzi Biyela and Nompilo Maphumulo, known for their characters of Pastor Gwala and Nosipho have been let go by Stained Glass TV and their characters will exit Uzalo with the debut of the ninth season of the SABC1 soap in early 2023.

The Stained Glass TV production and SABC1 say the actors have been let go from the series and that their characters will exit the soap when season 9 starts next year. 

"We want to take our hats off to the stellar performances of Nompilo and Menzi over the years," says Thuli Nhlapo, SABC1 acting channel head. "Their portrayal of the characters, Nosipho and Pastor Gwala, will forever be embedded in the hearts and minds of our viewers."

King David Mukwevho, Uzalo series producer, says "We are incredibly honoured to have worked with such talents".

"Nompilo has been an integral part of Uzalo since season one, she has brought us a remarkable rendition of Nosipho that the fans will never forget, and Menzi's portrayal of Pastor Gwala has been nothing short of exemplary. Our viewers love them, and so do we. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours."

Filming starts on Afrikaans romcom film adaptation of Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak set to debut at kykNET's 2023 Silwerskerm Film Festival.

by Thinus Ferreira

Filming has started on the Afrikaans romcom adaptation of the novel Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak, shooting in South Africa's West Coast.

Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak will have its debut at kykNET's 2023 Silwerskerm Film Festival in Cape Town next year, and will then be available on MultiChoice's DStv BoxOffice service.

Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak, filming on location in Cape Town, Velddrif, Laaiplek and St. Helena Bay, stars Carla Smith as Pamina and Christiaan Schoombie as rock star Wolf de Jager. 

The cast also includes Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Lee-Ann van Rooi, Albert Pretorius, Duane Williams, Hélène Truter, Rolanda Marais, André Roothman and Armand Aucamp.

The story, a film adaptation of the 2018 novel by Annie Klopper, revolves around an out-of-work journalist and a rock star, licking his wounds after his fiancé cheated on him.

Wolf de Jager is in the West Coast town of Witwaterbaai – a place Pamina swore never to return to after a disastrous event 11 years ago. Wolf is hiding there after he found out his fiancé, the actress Daniella du Toit, is cheating on him. 

Die Tragiese Saak van Pamina Vermaak has Kabous Meiring as director, with Go2 Content producing in collaboration with The Film Factory. The production team is headed by Kabous Meiring, Jaco Nothnagel and Danie Bester.

Elanie Rupping wrote the first draft of the script which was then further developed by Bibi Slippers, Kabous, Jaco, Danie, Tina Kruger and Annie Klopper.

"I think every person's contribution, big or small, made this script unique and very honest," says Jaco Nothnagel. "To hear the words come out of the mouths of the actors, and with Kabous in her element as director, is the cherry on the cake."

"We are keeping our fingers crossed that the wind won't blow us into the sea, and we're buying suntan lotion in bulk, but we fell in love with the charm of these towns and the breath-taking sunsets," he says.

"This is the third production Go2 Content is shooting outside Cape Town, and, once again, I was touched by the support and hospitality of the local communities."

MultiChoice and kykNET will bring the Afrikaans film pop-up channel fliekNET to DStv from 16 December for a month.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice and kykNET are bringing the Afrikaans film pop-up channel fliekNET to DStv from 16 December, for a month, with the channel that will be available to DStv Premium subscribers on DStv channel 149.

Earlier this year MultiChoice and kykNET decided that running fliekNET - which started out as a DStv pop-up channel - as a permanent DStv channel was unsustainable, and changed it back to being a film pop-up channel.

fliekNET was originally launched as a holiday film DStv pop-up channel in 2014, that would "pop up" in years after that as a kykNET channel brand extension, before it morphed into a permanent DStv addition in mid-2020.

Now fliekNET will be a DStv pop-up channel again, this year from 16 December 2022 until 15 January 2023 for DStv Premium subscribers.

Some of the feature films on the fliekNET schedule include recent hits like Barakat, Toorbos, Kaalgat Karel and Klein Karoo and Klein Karoo II. 

kykNET's series of hour-long made-for-TV movies known as Storiefilms is also part of the schedule with titles like Magda Louw, Die lang, langnaweek and Dija wil ’n baby hê, as well as classic Afrikaans films like Boetie gaan border toe, Tant Ralie se losieshuis, Lokval in Venesië and Lord Oom Piet.

Short films that were made as part of kykNET's Silwerskerm film festival are also part of the schedule, including documentary series like Impressario, Oppi Kassie and Daar Doer in die Fliek about the history of the film and TV industry in South Africa.

SABC2 gives third and final season to Xitsonga telenovela Giyani from Tshedza Pictures.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC2 has commissioned a third and final season of the Xitsonga telenovela Giyani: Land of Blood produced by Tshedza Pictures which will introduce a new family to the cast.

While the first two seasons revolved around themes of land ownership and who the rightful owners are amidst the squabbles of two warring families and a forbidden love story, the third season of Giyani will "embark on the show's final odyssey" according to SABC2.

The third season will bring viewers into "a world that has expanded and changed – the banana plantation has been replaced by the game lodge, which Manoko continues to pillage, while the villagers remain marginalised and living in poverty on their supposed own land".

The third season of Giyani will introduce the Khoza family with Lesley Musina joining the cast as Solani Khoza, a successful lawyer, and the patriarch of the Khoza family. 

Lesley's wife Pele (Bokang Phelane) is an ex-promo-girl turn club manager, while Gigi Ndlovu joins in the role of Dzovo, Solani's son. 

Dzovo is Khensani's new love interest and business partner. Mambeku (Nsuku Baloyi) is the matriarch of the Khoza family. Mixo (Nkateko Mabunda) and Zuri are the two daughters.  Mudau will now be played by Mahlatsi Mokoena.  

"SABC2 is elated to see the return of this layered offering. In an effort of diversifying our drama slate, Giyani remains a strong property on our platforms," says Jacqui Hlongwane, SABC2 head of programming.

"In keeping with our family entertainment proposition, our viewers are immersed in the intriguing storyline that outlines themes which our audiences can identify with."

Trevor Noah explains the how and why of his Daily Show exit: Didn't want to stay until people said they're glad 'that dick is out of the building'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African stand-up comedian Trevor Noah (38) who will be back in the country in December after stepping away from his 7-year run as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central is explaining his shocking decision in his own words for the first time, saying he didn't want to wait until people got tired of him and said something like they're glad "that dick is out of the building".

In a new cover story for The Hollywood Reporter, it becomes clear that Trevor Noah told nobody that he was going to announce his exit from The Daily Show desk on 29 September this year to gasps from the in-studio audience.

Jen Flanz, The Daily Show showrunner was sitting at the producers' desk when Trevor Noah made his shocking announcement. She turned to Zhubin Parang, supervising producer and show writer and said: "What is he doing?" She asked: "Did you know?" with Zhubin Parang who replied with, "Does it look like I knew?".

In the interview, Trevor Noah explains that "Part of the reason I did it that way is because I didn't want anybody to be the person who then tells somebody else, who then tells somebody else, who then tells somebody else".

The final episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah will be on Comedy Central (DStv 122) on 8 December.

In the article, Trevor Noah mentions that he is selling his New York apartment which is currently on the market for $12.95 million and that he doesn't know if he will buy another property again in New York. 

He explains that his decision to leave was motivated by a feeling of exiting while people still want you and like you: "I'd rather people be sad than people be happy, like 'Good riddance, that dick is out of the building".

Trevor Noah says "I wish someone had told me what a grind it was. You're also running the show, so everything from HR to designing the set, you're a part of, and it doesn't stop when you leave the building. There's no moment when breaking news happens where I go, 'Oh, wow, I don't care.' No, I have to care; being informed is part of my job".

Disney's new Strange World animation film kept away from Africa's homophobic countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda over gay content.

by Thinus Ferreira

In another keep-the-gay-away, The Walt Disney Company won't be distributing its new animation film Strange World in West Africa's homophobic Nigeria or Ghana or East Africa's homophobic countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda where these countries will likely impose censorship and edits on the Want Disney Animation Studios film, or ban it outright.

In Strange World the character of Ethan, voiced by Jaboukie Young-White has a romantic crush on another boy.

The Walt Disney Company is now keeping Strange World away from 20 countries and markets, including homophobic African countries like Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, as well as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa. Strange World is being released in South Africa.

Other countries where Disney isn't distributing Strange World include the entire Middle East region, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam, the Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and Russia.

The Walt Disney Company in a statement about keeping Strange World away from certain countries, says "In countries where we operate, we seek to share our stories in their original form as we and the artists involved have created them".

"If we make edits, because of legal or other considerations, they will be as narrow as possible. We will not make an edit where we believe it would impact the storytelling. In that circumstance, we will not distribute the content in that market."