Former M-Net exec Kaye Ann Williams now heading up Amazon Prime Video South Africa's scripted series and movies division.

by Thinus Ferreira

Kaye Ann Williams who was the head of M-Net's local productions and independent films is now the head of scripted series and movies at Amazon Prime Video in South Africa.

Kaye Ann Williams already exited M-Net in the latter part of 2022, jumping to Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Studios in Cape Town but MultiChoice made no statement at the time, and neither did Amazon Prime Video Africa issue any press announcement about her hiring.

Amazon Prime Video Africa's headhunting of Kaye Ann Williams and subsequent braindrain of MultiChoice is part of an ongoing trend of high-level MultiChoice staffers and executive who continue to jump to streaming services focused on the Africa and South African region - specifically Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Showmax.

The highly respected Kay Ann Williams joined Amazon Prime Video in October 2022 after 7 years at M-Net where she was commissioning editor and for the last five years of her tenure there, head of local productions.

Kaye Ann Williams joins Candice Fangueiro who jumped from MultiChoice's Showmax to Amazon Prime Video where she is now planning and programming senior manager for Africa since October 2022, with Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu as Amazon Prime Video's head of originals for Africa.   

Brendan Gabriel is now Amazon Studios' senior unscripted creative executive in South Africa, with Lala Akindoju who joined as senior movies creative executive, based in Nigeria. 

SHOCKER. Six months after its last increase MultiChoice Uganda does another DStv price hike from April 2023 up to 10.25% as outraged subscribers slam pay-TV operator for 'garbage' content that's 'repeated and super old' .

by Thinus Ferreira

In a shocking move causing consumer outrage, MultiChoice Uganda is hiking DStv prices again from April 2023 seven months after its last DStv price hike in September 2022 in the country, with furious DStv subscribers slamming the pay-TV operator for its "repeated and super old" content.

MultiChoice Uganda blames the "economic outlook in Uganda prior to making this decision" for the increase of up to 10.25% in monthly DStv subscription fees, coming half a year after it hiked DStv prices in September 2022 by up to 7.6%.

MultiChoice Kenya is also hiking DStv prices from April 2023 for DStv subscribers in that East African country by up to 10%.

From April 2023 DStv Uganda subscribers will be paying more in Uganda shilling, with DStv Premium monthly subscriptions hiked from UX255 000 to UX275 000 (R1350) an increase of 7.84%, and DStv Compact Plus rising from UX150 000 to UX160 000, a MultiChoice price hike of 6.66%.

DStv Compact is increasing from UX95 000 to UX104 000 (up 9.47%), DStv Family is increasing from UX59 000 to UX64 000, up 8.47%, while DStv Access subscribers will be paying 10.25% more from UX39 000 to UX43 000 per month.

DStv Lumba subscribers will see their monthly subscription fee increased from UX15 000 to UX16 000, an increase of 6.66%.

The DStv XtraView and PVR Access fee is getting hiked from UX46 000 to UX50 000, an increase of 8.69%

DStv Uganda subscribers are slamming MultiChoice Uganda for the DStv price hike decision, saying DStv's content "are repeated and super old".

Reacting to the DStv price hike, a DStv subscriber in Uganda told MultiChoic that "when you look at your content amid increasing prices, it's hocus pocus. Apart from football, it's just garbage. Same old movies of 1990s. This is not fair at all".

DStv subscriber JonahKirabo told MultiChoice he's cancelling DStv, saying "Come on DStv, you increased prices in September which is just 5 months ago. It's not fair. You can as well come for your dish because I'm not paying this".

Simon Ssembiro remarked that "We are now live streaming Netflix and we have sites for football. After all, that's what most of us watch".

Innocent Ojangole says "You have twice increased prices in the last 6 months. We are tired of this monopoly, with Edward Amanyire, saying "I used to pay DStv Compact Plus. When you increased about 5 months ago, I moved to DStv Compact because that's what my budget allows. With these new rates, I am shifting to DStv Family. Keep increasing. Eventually, I won't afford to pay DStv Access".

Tinash says that "with so many alternative sources of televised entertainment, DStv Uganda has to find ways to retain their clients. Cost of living has increased but income hasn't Internet is now cheaper and streaming is way cheaper".

Ejoku Isaacs said that "this is definitely my last month for DStv subscription".

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Kenya does second DStv price hike of up to 10% from April 2023 just 7 months after last fee increase, angry subscribers say they're cancelling and going to streaming.

Mark Pilgrim dead at 53 after losing battle with stage 4 lung cancer, fiancée Adrienne 'together for his last breath'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The well-known, veteran South African TV and radio presenter Mark Pilgrim died on Sunday morning after losing his battle with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 53.

Mark Pilgrim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in March 2022. In June 2022 he revealed that it had spread to his femur, his spine and his lymphatic system. 

His latest cancer battle for which he was extremely open and public, detailing his multiple round of chemotherapy, treatments and the effects of it on his body, followed after he survived stage 3 testicular cancer in 1988 that had spread to his lungs and kidneys and which he survived.

In 2021 Mark Pilgrim detailed his fight against Covid-19. 

In September 2022 Mark Pilgrim was open about the setback when he suffered a collapsed lung.

Mark Pilgrim was also very open about the heart attack he had suffered in 2008 whilst in his doctor's office which saved his life but led to 10% permanent heart damage. The heart attack came during the filming and production of M-Net's Power of 10 game show of which he was the host.

"It is with great sadness that I share this news," Lloyd Madurai, HOT 102.7 FM managing director, said in a statement where Mark Pilgrim was a radio DJ.

"Our hero and brother and much-loved radio personality Mark Pilgrim lost his battle with cancer this morning at 10:45."

"He fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancée Adrienne at home. They were together for his last breath."

"The family thank you for being part of his journey. For loving him and for celebrating him and supporting him always. Mark will be greatly missed by all. May his soul rest in peace."

Mark Pilgrim leaves behind his two daughters Tayla-Jean (12) and Alyssa (10) from his previous marriage with ex-wife Nicole Torres which lasted 13 years, and fiancée Adrienne Watkins.

Mark Pilgrim hosted numerous South African TV shows and radio programmes during his decades-long career and was a DJ at 5FM, 94.7, KFM, and HOT919, was a sought-after voice artists for radio and TV commercials, besides being a motivational speaker talking about cancer.

Mark Pilgrim was a well-known M-Net (DStv 101) presenter and hosted seasons of Big Brother South Africa from 2001, the first season of Big Brother Africa in 2003, the M-Net game show Power of 10, Retail Therapy, 2005's Sex Etc., as well as SABC2's Face 2 Face in 2004 and the magazine lifestyle show New Moves on e.tv.

Mark Pilgrim's autobiography, Beyond the Baldness was published in 2015.

The award-winning radio presenter was inducted into the South African Radio Awards Hall of Fame in 2021 for his contribution to the radio industry.

ALSO READ: Mark Pilgrim diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer: 'I'm not Chuck Norris. Yes, I'm scared. I am also strong'. 

e.tv enters traditional pay-TV space with new Openview Ultra service, launches Pride gay bouquet at R75 monthly.

by Thinus Ferreira

e.tv is taking on MultiChoice's DStv and StarSat with its own pay-TV service and will launch its Openview Ultra on 6 March with a gay bouquet of R75 and promising more pay-TV channels will be added.

The move represents South Africa's biggest traditional pay-TV market shake-up in decades with e.tv that also runs its eVOD streaming service, no longer content to be boxed in as a linear pay-TV channel supplier where it's often at the mercy of satellite operators.

For R74.99 per month, existing Openview viewers will be able to access Openview Ultra and its so-called "Pride" bouquet.

The Pride bouquet consists of the OUTtv and FUSE channels, featuring a variety of LGBTQI series like the GoGo for Gold reality series, documentaries, telenovelas, gay romcoms, films, and OUT originals. MultiChoice tested OUTtv that in 2018 as a DStv pop-up channel but eventually decided against it as a permanent addition. 

Besides the gay bouquet, eMedia also plans to add a so-called "Spice" bouquet of two Bollywood channels which won't be available at the launch of Openview Ultra but is being finalised.

eMedia says Openview consumers will be able to do a free 3-day trial of Openview Ultra, after which a monthly fee will apply. Subscribers will have the option of cancelling the subscription at any time.

"The Openview ground-breaking innovation allows viewers to experience exclusive content at their discretion, and opens new worlds of viewing by catering to all audiences," eMedia says.

With Openview Ultra, eMedia is taking on South Africa's duopoly pay-TV market which has been dominated for decades by MultiChoice's DStv and the much smaller StarSat from China's StarTimes.

Openview Ultra as a subscription version of eMedia's existing Openview free-to-air satellite TV decoders, will function through three existing models of the existing Openview set-top box (STB).

By September 2022, Openview - growing by 500 00 activations per year - was already present in over 3 million homes across Southern Africa. 

It means that enabling pay-TV functionality and giving those 3 million users the option to become subscribers, would instantly transform eMedia's Hyde Park-based Openview Ultra into the biggest traditional pay-TV rival in South Africa to the existing Randburg-based MultiChoice.

South Africa's broadcasting regulator Icasa granted e.tv a traditional pay-TV licence 16 years ago in 2007 under the banner e.Sat which it decided never to use.

Instead, it opted to become a TV channel supplier, for instance producing the eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel for MultiChoice since 2008, and offering DStv other general entertainment channels as well.

ALSO READ: e.tv to launch Openview Ultra as a pay-TV service with Bollywood and gay bouquets.

MultiChoice to relaunch its Showmax video streamer with different content and new pricing after partnering with NBCUniversal's Peacock technology and UK's Sky.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will relaunch its Showmax video streaming service in Africa, including a possible name change, after partnering up with Comcast's NBCUniversal running the Peacock streamer and Sky in the United Kingdom.

Facing increasing competition after the influx of global streamers like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video and others in South Africa and across the African territory, MultiChoice now plans to relaunch its Showmax service powered by NBCUniversal's Peacock technology, as a new service, with the content and pricing which is yet to be announced.

MultiChoice is selling a 30% stake in Showmax to NBCUniversal, keeping 70% through Earth UK Holdings Limited (EarthCo), a new UK-registered company which will now be trading as "Showmax". 

EarthCo's senior leadership team will be based in its Dubai branch where MultiChoice has an office, and the UK, with so-called operational teams in South Africa and Nigeria. In Nigeria, NBCUniversal will hold an indirect 23.7% stake in the local Showmax subsidiary.

MultiChoice will now funnel content from NBCUniversal and Sky into Showmax. MultiChoice recently added the Universal+ service to DStv, raising questions over whether Universal+ will continue as a stand-alone content hub after the new Showmax deal.

MultiChoice says it will now use NBCUniversal's Peacock technology for Showmax to bring African pay-TV audiences "the best of local and international programming".

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO, in a prepared statement, says "We launched Showmax as the first African streaming service in 2015 and are extremely proud of its success to date".

"This agreement represents a great opportunity for our Showmax team to scale even greater heights by working with a leading global player in Comcast and its subsidiaries".

"The new business venture deepens an already strong relationship and builds on the Sky Glass technology partnership that we announced in September last year. We believe we are extremely well positioned to create a winning platform going forward."

Dana Strong, Sky CEO, in the statement says "This new collaboration in streaming and content with MultiChoice, NBCUniversal, and Sky takes our partnership to the next level in one of the world's most vibrant, fastest growing markets".

"Last year, we announced MultiChoice as a customer of the Sky Glass platform and now we are excited to help innovate its Showmax streaming service."

Matt Strauss, NBCUniversal chairman of direct-to-consumer & international, in the statement says "This partnership is an incredible opportunity to further scale the global presence of Peacock's world-class streaming technology, as well as to introduce millions of new customers to extensive premium content from NBCUniversal and Sky’s stellar entertainment brands".

Fired Jub Jub takes Moja Love to court for R100 million after his R510 000 monthly payment ends and his debit orders bounce.

by Thinus Ferreira

After Siyaya TV axed Molemo Maarohanye known as Jub Jub over alleged unprofessional and offensive behaviour and ended his R510 000 monthly payment causing his debit orders to bounce, the controversial presenter is now taking Moja Love to court demanding almost R100 million.

Moja Love (DStv 157) effectively fired Jub Jub who has been the presenter of its tabloid trash cheaters reality show Uyajola 9/9 which has been a hit on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service, surging in the ratings to become the second-most-watched show on subscription television some months.

The City Press newspaper first reported about Moja Love's axing of Jub Jub after he allegedly damaged the brand of Moja Love and the image and relationship of Moja Love's biggest funder, the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela tribal community when he allegedly caused the implosion and cancellation of the Moses Kotane Arts Festival in December 2022.

Moja Love decided to terminate their working relationship with Jub Jub, who this week went to court, demanding millions of rand from Moja Love.

On Monday Jub Jub filed an application in the Johannesburg High Court against Moja Love CEO Aubrey Tau and Siyaya TV after he had sent a letter of demand for his monthly payment of R510 000 from Moja Love.

"It is obligatory and in terms of the contract that my salary is deposited directly into my bank account on a monthly basis. To my surprise, I learnt that at the end of January to even up to 2 February 2023, I had not received my salary," the court filing states.

"All attempts to call the second respondent (Aubrey Tau) and the legal adviser of the channel never yielded any results."

"At his point in time, debit orders were being returned unpaid. I did not know the reasons for this conduct of the first respondent (Moja Love) through the second respondent." 

In addition, Jub Jub wants R2 million in damages from Moja Love for the "expected renewal" of his contract, arguing that Uyajola 9/9 is extremely popular and has high ratings on DStv, leading to the conclusion that the show would continue with him as presenter.

Jub Jub also alleges that his contract stipulated that he should be paid a performance bonus of at least R20 000, overdue for 2021 and 2022, amounting to R50 000 in total.

Furthermore, Jub Jub wants R72 million from Moja Love for using his song as the channel's soundtrack in Uthando Noxolo, the show he originally presented on Moja Love.

"I have not been compensated in a form of goodwill nor as royalties for my song, notwithstanding various agreements to do so on various occasions," Jub Jub claims.

Jub Jub further demands R10 million for the use of his image on Moja Love billboards across South Africa, and another R18 million from Moja Love from the belief that his contract would have been extended for another 5 years.

"I shall further seek relief for payment for being co-producer of the show, Uyajola 9/9. By virtue of the oral agreement between myself and the second respondent, such amount is due and payable immediately,” the filed court papers state.

Jub Jub couldn't be reached for comment.

Bokani Moyo, head of Moja Love channels, told TVwithThinus in response to a media query that "Jub Jub is an independent contractor and therefore cannot be dismissed as he is not a permanent employee of the channel".

"Moja Love is also not at liberty to discuss the contents of his contract as it is confidential and of a privileged nature."

Katlego Maboe to host Deal or No Deal SA revival on SABC1 from 6 March.

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC3's Expresso presenter Katlego Maboe has been selected to become the host of the revival of the Deal or No Deal SA gameshow on SABC1 from 6 March.

Katlego Maboe recently returned to Expresso's presenter emsemble following his relationship cheating scandal. He will now host Deal or No Deal SA that Anele Mdoda's Rose and Oaks Media production company is producing for SABC1.

SABC1 will strip the half-hour Dealor No Deal SA episodes in which contestants get to choose which of 20 boxes to open to win possible cash prizes ranging from R1 to R250 000, on weekdays at 19:30. Repeats will run on weekdays on SABC3 at 17:30.

Primedia decided to revive the game show which lasted for two seasons on M-Net (DStv 101) in 2007, together with a version for Southern African countries which was carried by MultiChoice for DStv subscribers outside of South Africa. 

"We are delighted to offer this exhilarating, upbeat show to our audiences," says Lala Tuku, SABC head of local content.

"While we will be using the winning format that has seen Deal or No Deal become a global broadcasting phenomenon, the show will feature new innovations and be distinctively South African. Every day, a contestant will have an opportunity to win up to R250 000. With an electric energy that makes dreams come true in an instant, this is television entertainment at its best."

About choosing Katlego Maboe as the show's host, Lala Tuku says "We needed an all-rounded host for this very special show, and we are convinced that he has the requisite flair and finesse, and the generosity of spirit to ensure that Deal or No Deal becomes an essential, not to be missed, part of the daily life of South Africans across the nation".

"His charisma and compassion will ensure that each episode of Deal or No Deal is an emotive, highly charged journey for both contestant and viewers."

Lindile Xoko, Primedia Broadcasting CEO, says "Deal or No Deal is a result of collaborative work and we are very fortunate to be in a position to leverage our relationships with our advertisers".

"It was through a synergetic partnership approach that we have successfully identified a suitable sponsor for the show and to indeed make it a reality. Deal or No Deal, an uplifting show which can make the dreams of ordinary South Africans come true, is a definite winner and it is a much-needed antidote for the people of Mzansi".

ALSO READ: South Africa's Primedia ties up rights to The Masked Singer SA with Anele Mdoda to produce for unnamed TV channel, plans to revive Deal or No Deal SA.

Tracey Lange exits celeb magazine show Bravo! on kykNET after 11 years: 'It's time to dream again'.

by Thinus Ferreira

TV and radio presenter Tracey Lange has exited the weekly Afrikaans celebrity magazine show Bravo! on kykNET (DStv 144) after 11 years, saying that "it's time to dream again".

Her final interview was in January with the singer Jean du Plessis, known as Jan Bloukaas, battling brain cancer.

"It blows my mind that it's been 11 years since starting this journey on TV that allowed me in the homes and hearts of so many in South Africa," Tracey Lange says who was also a co-host on M-Net's Dancing with the Stars SA, a panellist on the Afrikaans female talk show Tussen Ons on kykNET, and hosted the talk show Studio 3 on kykNET & Kie.

Tracey Lange says Bravo! was "11 years of countless flights, some of the best hotels, early mornings and very late nights" and "chilling with people I'd only ever seen on TV".

She says that since 2022 she felt that "God had ticked off everything on my bucket list where South African TV is concerned" and that for her, it is now "time to dream again" and the reason for exiting Bravo!.

"I will never forget the people, the events, the spectacular dresses and most importantly, the lessons I'd learnt in this 11 years." She thanks "everyone for allowing me into their homes every week and for every kind word on the street or social media".

MultiChoice partners with Vumatel to deliver digital DStv service and uncapped fibre internet packages.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has entered into a partnership with Vumatel to bundle its pay-TV service in South Africa with a series of stand-alone fibre internet packages.

These MultiChoice and Vumatel fibre services will be available to consumers who have Vumatel coverage in their area.

According to MultiChoice, through the Vumatel partnership DStv subscribers will get access to uncapped internet line speeds and would also be able to bundle digital television subscriptions of DStv, as well as uncapped fibre with a starting price of R699 per month.