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TV BIZ
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Noot vir Noot team Stemmburg Television and Emo Adams take new music game show titled Oppi Noot to kykNET. Singers compete in musical challenges for cash prizes with viewer participation. Audition details to follow.
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29 Nov 2023 10:24
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TV BIZ
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Former MultiChoice and SuperSport Marketing Manager Nomsa Chabeli appointed as new group CEO for SABC. Most recently she was the brand and marketing manager for MTN.
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27 Nov 2023 10:25
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TV BIZ
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Netflix rescues animated series Star Trek: Prodigy by streaming Season 1 from 25 December. It was on Paramount+ and was renewed for Season 2 but Paramount cancelled it before Season 2. Follows a group of young aliens who discover abandoned spaceship Protostar. Netflix picked it up after Trekkies went berserko - they hired a plane to fly over streamer offices in LA with the banner “Save Star Trek Prodigy”.
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14 Nov 2023 15:14
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TV BIZ
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Tinseltown SAG-AFTRA union actors end strike after reaching what they're calling a "tentative agreement" with studios. Also describing it as historic. According to Variety, it includes protection against AI, a streaming participation bonus and increases in pension and health care contributions. This a month after the writer's strike ended.
1 Comment
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09 Nov 2023 10:14
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TV BIZ
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Dr Phil follows in Oprah's footsteps again, launches his own cable channel called Merit Street Media, starring a comeback of his talk show, in primetime instead of daytime. Title: Dr. Phil Primetime, filmed for a live studio audience in Texas. Channel describes itself as “a new cable TV network dedicated to bringing viewers essential news and entertainment.” Launches in the US in early 2024.
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07 Nov 2023 13:05
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TV BIZ
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Prime Video to debut first South African series on 24 November titled In Your Dreams, starring Didintle Khunou, Jesse Suntele and Kiroshan Naidoo. Described as a fantasy, action-adventure. Six eps. Poster and synopsis released >>
1 Comment
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16 Oct 2023 12:46
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TV BIZ
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Disney's releasing a centennial short film on 16 October titled Once Upon a Studio and it's airing on a surprise channel: e.tv - and all e channels on OpenView. Will be on Disney Channel on DStv and Disney+ too - no surprise, but being on e is new. What does it mean? See comments with trailer and times: >>
1 Comment
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13 Oct 2023 14:55
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Kim Cloete speaks up about exploitation of actors by production houses and the silence of actors who are too scared to say anything. Andre Odendaal responds, saying actors are afraid because they'll be blacklisted. South African Guild of Actors launched a petition about the issues the day after this convo. See comments for Kim's post >>
1 Comment
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09 Oct 2023 15:31
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TV BIZ
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Tinseltown writer's strike has ended after an initial vote by the Writers Guild to return to work. A final vote takes place in early October when the terms of the deal between writers and studios will be formerly voted on. The actor strike continues.
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27 Sep 2023 15:06
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TV BIZ
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Writers Guild of America and production studios/streamers reach what's being described as a "tentative deal" to end the five-month long Tinseltown writer's strike. Writer's Guild committee, board and council members must still vote on it. Strike continues until then, but no picketing, while actors are still picketing. >>
1 Comment
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25 Sep 2023 16:09
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TV BIZ
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M-Net partners with multiple studios on another international co-production titled Endangered, based on the book Piranha by crime writer Rudie Van Rensburg. Centres round Montgomery Smith, a wealthy Englishman-in-exile, who runs an illegal, dangerous syndicate smuggling endangered rhino horn, and veteran detective Captain Kassie Kasselman who aggressively pursues him. Six episodes. Production begins in 2024.
2 Comments
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19 Sep 2023 16:22
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TV BIZ
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Drew Barrymore backtracks on decision to resume her talk show amidst the Tinseltown strike. This after a backlash to her previous announcement that the show would return without writers. And this four weeks after she tackled tabloids in a scrum of huge specs. See comments for vid >>
1 Comment
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18 Sep 2023 13:31
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TV BIZ
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Netflix signs multi-title partnerships with South African producers Black Brain Pictures, Jayan Moodley (The Kandasamys franchise), Donovan March (iNumber Number), Gambit Films (Blood & Water, Unseen), Akin Omotoso, Ochre Media and Uzalo creators Stained Glass TV who'll produce multi-book adaptations across genres. Streamer announced the news at TV trade show MIP Africa, happening in Cape Town this week.
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05 Sep 2023 11:35
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TV BIZ
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American actors officially join writers on strike after unions and studios failed to reach an agreement this week. Main points of contention involve two key demands: increased base pay and residuals for writers and actors from streaming services, and an assurance that their work won't be replaced by artificial intelligence.
1 Comment
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14 Jul 2023 13:43
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MultiChoice uses Shaka iLembe to upsell subscribers from Access and Family to Compact. Episode 1 will air on Mzansi Wethu on Wednesday 21 June at 21h30, with a repeat on Friday 23 June at 20h30. Behind the Veil moves to 22h30 on Wednesday. Friday's shift-around unclear.
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20 Jun 2023 15:46
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TV BIZ
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Irrelevant Golden Globe Awards sold in a complicated deal that sounds like a Waystar Royco plot line in Succession. Simply put: the Hollywood Foreign Press journalists will be employed by a new entity to judge the next awards. Each paid $75,000 (R1.4-million) annually for five years. >>
1 Comment
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13 Jun 2023 14:46
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TV BIZ
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HBO Max officially changed name to Max on 23 May after the merge between HBO Max and Discovery Plus by parent company Warner Bros. Discovery.
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24 May 2023 17:06
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TV BIZ
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Multiple American TV shows shut down or postponed as a result of the writer's strike. Impacted productions include Abbott Elementary 3, Billions 7, Hacks 3, P-Valley 3, Severance 2, Stranger Things 5, Cobra Kai 6 and Yellowjackets 3.
1 Comment
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11 May 2023 19:00
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The chopping and changing of TV network mergers and acquisitions continues... this time with a new name for streamer HBO Max which becomes Max in May. Why? HBO Max and Discovery Plus have been merged by parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. News was announced in a global event this week, except it doesn't apply globally. Still not available in South Africa. Might launch in 2024, but no confirm.
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13 Apr 2023 13:58
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Who yo' daddy? Us. We hit the nail on the head when we predicted that Openview's new Spice bouquet will be Indian-themed. Launches on the Ultraview Pay TV service on 6 April. Features Hindi shows and movies on Star Select and Zee Family, with English subtitles. Cost: R119,99 per month. Free from 6 April at 18h30 until midnight on 10 April. Star Life and Zee One remain free. >>
1 Comment
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03 Apr 2023 16:39
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TV BIZ
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According to BritBox International, the streamer reached 3-million subscribers at the end of February 2023, across the eight countries in which it streams: South Africa, U.S., Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
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07 Mar 2023 13:07
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TV BIZ
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M-Net and Quizzical Pictures start production on another international co-production with Fremantle in early March, titled White Lies. Stars Natalie Dormer and Brendon Daniels as investigative journalist Edie Hansen and Detective Forty Bell who lock horns when Edie's estranged brother gets murdered at his luxury home in Bishopscourt, Cape Town. >>
3 Comments
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02 Mar 2023 15:38
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TV BIZ
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kykNET Channels Director Waldimar Pelser promoted to M-Net channels directorship too. He takes over from Jan du Plessis who's retiring after 28 years at M-Net. Waldimar will now oversee both the kykNET and M-Net channels as head of DStv's Premium management team. >>
1 Comment
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03 Feb 2023 12:34
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Disney+ app now available on Playstation 5 consoles.
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08 Dec 2022 16:41
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Of course BBC's being hush hush about why the sudden switch from Openview to DStv for BBC UKTV. This is all they'll say: "We are disappointed that BBC UKTV did not launch on Openview as planned. We are not in a position provide any more information at this time in relation to Openview specifically, but are keen going forward that BBC UKTV reaches as many viewers as possible."
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07 Dec 2022 16:56
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TV BIZ
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SABC+ launches pop-up channel for the festive featuring music and comedy. Line-up includes The Pop Profiles series, music festivals, Comedy Central Roasts, Top 20 music chart shows and repeats of Live Amp. Goes live at 18h00 on 1 December. Available 'til 8 January 2023. >>
1 Comment
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01 Dec 2022 16:24
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TV BIZ
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We suspected something beefy happened behind-the-scenes at Giyani when Season 2 suddenly disappeared in May and now it seems even more likely because 19 episodes of the season remain. They're airing in February 2023, before the start of the 105-episode Season 3. Would have made much more sense for them to have aired in May and June, suggesting there was more to the "production break" than meets the eye.
1 Comment
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23 Nov 2022 10:12
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TV BIZ
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Streamer Paramount+ coming to SA soon. Website has gone live on www.paramountplus.com, with updates via e-mail. It launched in the US in 2014 as CBS All Access, featuring CBS series, and then changed name in 2021 after CBS re-merged with Viacom. Also features Showtime series.
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15 Nov 2022 23:57
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TV BIZ
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The SABC now brands itself as SABC Video Entertainment to reflect that its content doesn't only air on TV but also on phones, computers etc.
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09 Nov 2022 13:23
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TV BIZ
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The SABC scraps the concept of a set time frame window for unsolicited proposals for new shows. Anyone can now submit ideas at any time of the year, on the SABC website under "Commissioning".
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09 Nov 2022 12:32
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TV BIZ
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Disney+ becomes the exclusive home for new seasons of Doctor Who outside the UK and Ireland. BBC maintains the rights in those countries and Disney holds the rights everywhere else. New eps only arriving in November 2023, for the show's 60th anniversary. David Tennant will play the 14th Doctor for three specials and Ncuti Gatwa plays the 15th Doctor over the festive. >>
1 Comment
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27 Oct 2022 12:31
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MultiChoice held their 2022 upfronts at a media showcase on Thursday 22 September, with news from across their channels and business. You'll find takeaways from it below.
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26 Sep 2022 16:49
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TV BIZ
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Eventually! MultiChoice does the right thing and cuts the price of its streaming-only service for those who access DStv via online only. Premium drops from R839 to R699, Compact Plus from R549 to R469, Compact from R429 to R369, Family from R309 to R269 and Access from R120 to R99. It's ridiculous that they weren't cheaper from the start.
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26 Sep 2022 15:06
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TV BIZ
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Chartered accountant Odirile Mekwa buys into Quizzical Pictures and becomes Managing Director, replacing Harriet Gavshon who's run the production house for 28 years. She takes on a new role of Creative Director. >>
1 Comment
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20 Sep 2022 10:55
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TV BIZ
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According to eMedia, 3-million Openview decoders have been sold and activated in South Africa.
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15 Sep 2022 12:24
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TV BIZ
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eMedia picks up singing competish Die Kontrak for Season 2, four years after Demi Lee Moore won Season 1 on VIA. Judges are Karlien van Jaarsveld, Tarryn Lamb, Refentse and Monique Steyn. Premieres on eExtra on Sunday 21 August at 18h30, with a repeat on e.tv from 27 August.
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14 Aug 2022 15:04
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TV BIZ
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There's no Season 3 of The Estate on VIU. They have Seasons 1 and 2 but according to the SABC, VIU hasn't licensed the new season and may take it as a box set but will only confirm this at a later date. It's still streaming on TelkomONE who've been taking too long to upload the latest episodes.
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28 Jul 2022 14:52
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TV BIZ
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HBO orders miniseries Palace, starring and executively produced by Kate Winslet. Tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel. Metaphoric meaning: enough of the royals! Is this what the series will try to convey? Should it be?
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27 Jul 2022 15:37
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TV BIZ
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Relebogile Mabotja to produce 2022 Miss South Africa pageant under her production house Black Swan Media, which produced The Single Wives SA. Pageant airs live from Pretoria on M-Net and Mzansi Magic on Saturday 13 August at 18h30.
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27 Jul 2022 15:26
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TV BIZ
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Netflix to release first Afrikaans series titled Ludik, described as a "skop-skiet-en-donder". Arnold Vosloo stars as Daan Ludik, a member of the underworld who styles himself as a salt-of-the-earth "oke", family man and furniture salesman. Other headliners include Rob van Vuuren, Zane Meas and former 7de Laan darling Diaan Lawrenson. Produced by Rose and Oaks Media aka Anele Mdoda, Paul Buys and Frankie Du Toit. Loads 26 August. >>
3 Comments
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20 Jul 2022 16:17
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TV BIZ
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Season 2 of uBettina Wethu launched quietly on VIU's premium service recently, with new faces in starring roles, suggesting there's been a lot of hoohah behind the scenes. Rhythm City actress Kamogelo Molatlhoe replaces Farieda Metsileng as Betty and Lunga Shabalala replaces Zweli Dube as Dingaan. The season's supposed to start on SABC1 soon but things have gone silent - neither the producers nor SABC are responding to queries about it.
1 Comment
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27 Jun 2022 11:45
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TV BIZ
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The movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness loads on Disney+ on 22 June, a month and three weeks after its cinema release.
1 Comment
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03 Jun 2022 13:03
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TV BIZ
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MultiChoice completes the installation of a Dolby Atmos-enabled production suite at their broadcast centre in Randburg. The surround sound technology will be used to enhance local series and movies, for viewers and international markets that want Dolby-ready content. Lead engineers are Kabelo Lebajoa and Palesa Selepe. >>
1 Comment
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01 Jun 2022 10:15
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TV BIZ
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Lala Tuku leaves Clive Morris Productions to become Head of Local Content at the SABC. Lala was the producer of The Estate and Isono, the MD of Clive Morris and has also had roles on various shows including Scandal! (Paris Zondi), Isidingo (Warona) and Ga Re Dumele (Matshele).
1 Comment
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16 May 2022 15:27
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TV BIZ
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Disney+ to hold virtual Upfronts for South African media on Thursday 5 May in the build-up to their launch on 18 May. TVSA will be there.
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04 May 2022 16:35
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Netflix investors freaked out after the news that the streamer lost subscribers for the first time in over 10 years. Netflix stock plunged by 35.1% in a day and the company shed a whopping $54.4 billion in market value. Both are the biggest declines in its history.
1 Comment
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22 Apr 2022 12:14
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TV BIZ
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Netflix loses subscribers for the first time in over 10 years, shrinking by 200,000 in the first quarter of 2022. Reasons cited by the streamer include increased subscriber prices in the UK, US and Canada, password sharing and pulling out of Russia. Rapidly increasing competition another key factor obvs.
1 Comment
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20 Apr 2022 10:34
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TV BIZ
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Disney+ enters the competitive world of streaming in South Africa with a pre-order offer for sign-ups ahead of its launch on 18 May. Those who register before midnight on 17 May 2022 can get a 12-month subscription for R950 instead of R1,190. On www.disneyplus.com
1 Comment
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19 Apr 2022 09:29
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TV BIZ
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Streamer Disney+ to launch in South Africa on Wednesday 18 May. Pricing: R119 per month or R1,190 for an annual subscription. Line-up includes TV shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and general entertainment from Star.
1 Comment
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29 Mar 2022 09:30
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TV BIZ
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Disney+ streamer to launch in 42 additional countries in June/July, including South Africa.
2 Comments
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26 Jan 2022 11:07
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