BREAKING. Sky News scoops Oscar Pistorius blood-filled exclusive images of death scene; CNN International gets exclusive interviews.

Sky News (DStv 402) is the to-tune-to 24-hour news channel of the day today with a massive exclusive: stark blood-filled black-and-white images of the death scene where the paralympic South African Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp earlier this year.

Ironically CNN International (DStv 401) today is a close second as have to-watch news channel - the Oscar

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BREAKING. Hannibal on Sony Entertainment Television renewed for a second season in America.

The horror thriller crime drama Hannibal currently seen in South Africa on Sony Entertainment Television (DStv 127) with episodes following a few weeks after the Unites States broadcasting date has just been officially renewed for a second season.

The Silence of the Lambs TV drama prequel from Bryan Fuller as writer and executive producer and produced by Gaumont International Television

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GATEWAY TO HELL. M-Net plans to show The Hole at 09:30 in the morning on 21 June; watch it with you Chucky doll, kids.

M-Net plans to show The Hole, a horror movie with an age restriction of 13 and containing scenes of violence, "frightening images" and a monster dad amongst other things, at 09:30 in the morning on Friday 21 June.

In The Hole a pair of brothers stumble upon a mysterious hole in their basement which could be the gateway to hell and which leads to the darkest corridors of their fears and

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CNN International closes its news bureau in Baghdad; last American TV news channel to no longer have a permanent bureau in the city.

CNN International (DStv 401) has closed its news bureau in Baghdad, Iraq and no longer has a permanent news bureau there.


TVNewser first reported the closure of the 24-hour news channel's news bureau in the city; the last American TV news channel to have had a real news bureau in Baghdad.



In a statement CNN says "while CNN is departing its current brick-and-mortar location in Baghdad, the

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e.tv's naked breasts 'smutty rubbish': 'Do we really need such content broadcast on national free-to-view television?' complainant asks BCCSA.

e.tv which continues to fill its airwaves with explicit erotic programming such as Playboy Playmates and Bikini Babes on weekends accompanied by advertising for mobile porn, prompted a complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), with the complainant asking: "Do we really need such content being broadcast on national free-to-view television"?

The complaint

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Derek van Dam, e.tv's chief meteorologist to run the Comrades for charity; 'every day represents a new opportunity to touch someone's life'.

Derek van Dam, e.tv's chief meteorologist and weather guy who's veritably omnipresent and third in line just after God and then Oprah when it comes to being everywhere and doing everything, is taking part in Durban's Comrades Marathon this Sunday, running 89km for charity.

Yes. He doesn't just sail, and travel the world, and attend events early in the morning, and attend events late at night,

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BREAKING. M-Net Series talk shows moving from 9 July to the brand-new M-Net Series Reality channel.

The existing talk shows on M-Net Series (DStv 114) will be moving to the brand-new M-Net Series Reality (DStv 115) channel from 9 July when the new M-Net Series Showcase, M-Net Series Reality and M-Net Series Zone channels launch on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

It's part of the big news story I warned yesterday is coming today, and the headline making news story TV with

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FINALLY HATCHED. M-Net Series, M-Net's second channel cluster brand name finally breaks out of its shell; now finally able to grow and soar.

With M-Net Series - once the home of Mary Tyler Moore reruns (we still love you, Mary), The Wonder Years and Little House on the Prairie when it started on MultiChoice's DStv - now finally pecking through its shell in a transformative expansion event, the M-Net Series brand within the realm of subscription television in South Africa and Africa is finally released from its confined existence

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BREAKING. M-Net Series channel finally going HD on MultiChoice's DStv; M-Net Series expanding as a channel subset with Reality and Zone.

You're reading it here first. 

The long-gestating plan to turn the M-Net Series (DStv 114) channel into a high definition (HD) TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform and to expand the M-Net Series brand into an expanded TV channels subset is finally happening with M-Net Series turning into M-Net Series Showcase as an HD channel, and M-Net Series Reality and M-Net Series

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BREAKING. Larry King joins RT with a brand-new talk show from June, Politics with Larry King, and add his other new talk show Larry King Now.

Larry King is joining RT (DStv 405), Russia's 24-hour English language news channel with his new talk show Larry King Now which will be shown on RT four times per week from June, and Larry King also starting a second talk show, Politics with Larry King, which will also be shown on RT.



Both Larry King's new talk shows are recorded from RT America's Washington DC studios and Ora TV's

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OPINION. DStv and M-Net missing the golden window of opportunity to start M-Net Series Sci-Fi as a specific, bundled, genre channel.

MultiChoice and channel provider M-Net are missing the opportunity to start a self-compiled and dedicated science fiction and fantasy TV channel like M-Net Series Sci-Fi or M-Net Series Fantasy - an ongoing and glaring genre channel ommission from the DStv bouquet as the quantity and quality of these very specific shows proliferate.

South African viewers have to scour various TV channels to

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Glambition with Jo-Ann Strauss on e.tv now the 3th most watched TV talk show in South Africa.

Jo-Ann Strauss now fronting her own primetime talk show on e.tv, Glambition on Mondays, is smiling to camera - she's been tele-trained that way. But she's also probably smiling for another less known reason: I can reveal that Glambition as her break-out TV venture is now the 3th most watched TV talk show on South African television.

With virtually no pre-launch publicity support from e.tv and

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Working in a Warzone on the eNCA as a special once-off documentary this week, details TV reporter Yusuf Omar's visit to Syria.

Working in a Warzone is a brand-new and special once-off documentary viewers are able to see this week on the eNCA (DStv 403) in which eNCA reporter Yusuf Omar documents the Syrian conflict through South African eyes.



The 24 year old Yusuf Omar recently travelled across northern Syria, ducking mortar fire and meeting victims of the Syrian war while he shared meals with members of the Free

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Chello Zone grabs all 9 seasons of Hardcore Pawn for CBS Reality starting from 1 July with double bill episodes.

Chello Zone which runs CBS Reality (DStv 132) has acquired all nine seasons of the American reality show Hardcore Pawn for the channel.



I can reveal that the first to the fourth season of Hardcore Pawn will start and run from 1 to the 31 July with double bill episodes on weekdays between 13:00 and 19:00 on CBS Reality.

Hardcore Pawn follows the Gold family as they buy and sell goods in one

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BIG NEWS coming tomorrow, keep checking back whole day Wednesday for news and analysis on a story I've been tracking for over a year.

I will have some exclusive information and rolling coverage of news regarding television you want to know, on Wednesday.

Whether your the South African TV executive who keeps in the now, the TV industry veteran keeping tabs on the latest news, or the TV viewer who likes to read about this mighty medium, keep checking TV with Thinus for perspective, analysis and news tomorrow.

You know you won't

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BREAKING. Church demands a public apology from SABC3's Special Assignment; church livid over visuals and 'irresponsible coverage'.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) is demanding a public apology from SABC3 and the  TV channel's weekly investigative and current affairs programme, Special Assignment, after the church says it was "astonished" to see visuals of its churches included in a Special Assignment episode about illegal drug activities.

In this past Thursday's episode entitled "Praise the Drug lord

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DStv subscriber sues MultiChoice for R300 000 and demands an apology after being wrongfully disconnected.

A DStv subscriber in Nigeria
is suing the satellite pay-TV operator MultiChoice for R300 000 (N5 000 000)
and an apology, after being disconnected although his account wasn’t in
arrears.



In a case before the high court in
Abuja, a DStv subscriber is suing DStv over alleged breach of contract,
claiming he was disconnected although his subscription to the pay-TV giant was
fully paid up. As

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DEFINITELY ARTICULATE. Comedy Central has Eddie Izzard and the comedic genius' best stand-up every Thursday in June at 20:55.

The guy 3rd on the list of the 100 Greatest British National Comedians - Eddie Izzard - is not only in South Africa next month to do some of his brilliant stand-up live on stage, he will also be on you're television thanks to Comedy Central (DStv 122).




Calm down, everyone. No need to blow up Death Stars and things like that. All you need to do, is to tune in to Comedy Central every

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BREAKING. Downton Abbey's third season coming to BBC Entertainment from Sunday 11 August at 21:00.

You're reading it here first.

The third season of Downton Abbey will start on BBC Entertainment (DStv 120) on Sunday 11 August at 21:00 almost a year after it was shown in the United Kingdom.

The August starting date means it will almost be a year since the third season of Downton Abbey season was first shown in the United Kingdom where it started in September 2012 and eight months since

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BREAKING. All Access Mzansi 'uncancelled'; Mzansi Magic channel bringing the 'revamped' local magazine show back.

You're reading it here first. 

I can break the news that the cancelled magazine show All Access Mzansi is "uncancelled" and will return to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) after M-Net dumped the weekly glamarama magazine show at the end of last year because according to the channel it had run its course.

M-Net and Mzansi Magic axed All Access Mzansi after just two years on the air on the channel,

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BREAKING. Under the Dome coming to M-Net; new sci fi horror series from Stephen King starting on Friday 26 July at 20:30.

You're reading it here first. 

I can break the news and reveal that M-Net has picked up the new Stephen King science fiction drama Under the Dome and I can reveal that M-Net plans to start showing the new American drama series from Friday 26 July at 20:30 on the M-Net channel DStv 101).

In January 2013 I reported on Under the Dome coming to TV this year as one of a new avalanche of

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Leanna Manas on Vuyo Mbuli's death and Morning Live: 'When I walked on set on Monday morning there was a silence I've never heard.'

"When I walked on set on Monday morning there was a silence I've never heard," Leanne Manas, the co-host on the SABC's flagship breakfast show Morning Live told SABC Television news after the sudden and unexpected death of her co-host Vuyo Mbuli.


"I put on a black suit to come to work. I didn't ever think that the black suit that I'd be putting on was for my co-host. It was devastating. A

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MultiChoice now definitely losing the ESPN Classic channel on DStv; ESPN Classic likely to go dark by end of July.

The ESPN Classic (DStv 231) TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform is set to vanish soon as the channel will no longer be supplied to Africa.


In February TV with Thinus reported that ESPN said it's "not a definite" that ESPN Classic will be removed, but now ESPN's presence on television in South Africa and Africa will definitely be scaled back and decrease as ESPN decided

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James Stephenson appointed as the head of news at BBC World News; says the British 24-hour news channel 'is strongest it has ever been'.

James Stephenson has been appointed as the head of news at BBC World News (TopTV 400 / DStv 400).

"I'm absolutely delighted that James will be leading the next phase of development for our news output," says Richard Porter, the controller of English, BBC Global News. "This is a very big year for BBC World News, with investment in new studios and in our journalism."

"James is ideally suited to

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Worldwide pay-TV subscriber households grow by 8% in 2012; consumer remain 'ready and willing to pay for television'.

Worldwide pay-TV subscriber households incresed by 8% in 2012, according to the latest tracking from the Multimedia Research Group (MRG), helped in part by pay-TV growth in emerging markets such as Africa.

In 2012 pay-TV growth was the fastest in the Asia-Pacific region. The total number of pay-TV subscribers worldwide is now 800 million households.


"Even with the ongoing debate about the

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Liam J. Stratton appointed as the new head writer of SABC3 soap Isidingo, wants to 'recapture the magic' that Isidingo once had.

Liam J. Stratton has been appointed as the new head writer for Isidingo, the weekday soap on SABC3 produced by Endemol South Africa at Sasani Studios in Johannesburg.

The Briton from the United Kingdom says he wants to "recapture the magic" Isidingo once had and build on  the talent "and go back to the days where people rushed home to catch up with what's happening down at Horizon Deep".

Liam

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BREAKING. Last Resort picked up by Sony Entertainment Television; great submarine drama set to start on 23 July at 20:50.

 




You're reading it here first. 



I can exclusively reveal that the excellent Last Resort has been picked up by Sony Entertainment Television (DStv ccc) and break the news that the American submarine island drama will start on SET on Tuesday 23 July at 20:50 for a first season of episodees.



In November 2012 I reported that pay-TV broadcaster M-Net actually picked up the broadcast

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BREAKING. MultiChoice suspends with immediate effect the expanded viewer panel measuring viewership of DStv's high definition TV channels.

MultiChoice is immediately suspending the expanded viewer panel which is used to measure the viewership of the high definition (HD) channels which form a part of its DStv satellite pay-TV bouquet.



After an audit on television audience measurement in South Africa - done in South Africa by Nielsen Media Research under contract from the South African Audience Research Foundation (Saarf)

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Vuyo Mbuli's SABC memorial service: 'Today is an overwhelming day for the SABC family,' says Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO.

You're reading it here first. 



"Today is an overwhelming day for the SABC family," said Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO at the jam-packed, emotional and very moving memorial service in the SABC's Renaissance Centre for Vuyo Mbuli, the co-anchor of the SABC's flagship breakfast show Morning Live on SABC2 who died unexpectedly on Saturday night four days after his 46th birthday.

The SABC's

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BREAKING. Scandal! on e.tv becoming a 5 day a week soap from 5 July; finally adding a 5th episode on Fridays.

e.tv is extending its weekday primetime soap Scandal! to 5 days a week from the current 4 episodes per week, with the first Friday episode going out on the South African free-to-air commercial broadcaster from Friday 5 July.

Despite a complete lack of any kind of communication from e.tv's publicity department to all South Africa's TV writers and critics about upcoming local content changes

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Tech Report on the eNCA on Thursday at 21:30 predicting when you'll die - but also app'ing to add a few years to your life.

Tech Report Thursday 23 May at 21:30 on eNCA (DStv 403) looks the Sony Xperia Z headset, as well as a brand-new app which claims to accurate "predict" when someone might die.

Seth Roterham takes a look at Ignite - an iPhone app which might help you add a few years to your life. The weekly magazine show will also look at the digital music revolution.

And finally, take all the superheroes you

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South African government set to legislate exclusive TV rights and secondary TV rights reselling within SA pay-TV industry.

The South African government plans to intervene soon with new regulations in South Africa's lucrative pay-TV industry to basically legislate, through new broadcasting regulator amendmends, pay-TV operator's exclusive TV rights as well as the secondary TV rights reselling of content between broadcasters and between pay-TV operators and broadcasters.

The new regulations will mean that the

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TCM turning 20 years old next year not interested in chasing for viewers through programming; can't show every classic movie ever made.

TCM (DStv 137) which will be turning 20 years old next year is actually not interested in getting and chasing viewership for the channel and is not trying to get a broad audience to tune in to the niche channel, Turner Classic Movies revealed at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles.

In a TCM panel discussion, channel executives revealed that the classic movies channel is not trying to

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Zaziwa, a new 26 episode music talk show, starting this evening on SABC1 at 19:00 with presenter Pearl Modiadie.

Zaziwa, a new 26 episode music talk show starts on SABC1 this evening at 19:00, presented by Pearl Modiadie also known as "Black Pearl".



Zaziwa will aim to give viewers a glimpse into the lives of their favourite celebrities through the music which are shaping their lives. The music talk show will feature one-on-one studio interviews with local stars as they discuss with the help of music

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Chellomedia of Liberty Global is up for sale for $1 billion; provides several pay-TV channels to DStv and TopTV in South Africa.

Chellomedia, the international satellite pay-TV channels unit of Liberty Global, which provides TV channels which can also be seen in South Africa on MultiChoice's DStv platform as well as On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV, is up for sale The Wall Street Journal reports.

Chellomedia provides TV channels such as CBS Reality (a joint venture with CBS Studios International), Food Network (joint

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StarTimes TV channels in Africa suddenly gone, as StarTimes pay-TV subscribers in Kenya experience a loss of channels with no explanation.

StarTimes - the Chinese TV conglom whose bid of millions to bail-out the beleaguered TopTV in South Africa was accepted by shareholders of the struggling satellite pay-TV operator - is experiencing a disappearing TV channels scandal of its own elsewhere in Africa as almost all of the local TV channels were suddenly inexplicable yanked or for some technical reason no longer available.

Similar

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Digital television in South Africa could get rid of cumbersome and artificial, 'mandatory' set-top box control mechanism; plan to be reviewed.

Sanity appears to finally have come to the South African government and the country's protracted and long-delayed digital terrestrial television (DTT) switch-over, with the government which could soon decide to rather get rid of the highly contentious and bitterly contested set-top box (STB) control-mechanism the government unilaterally forced to be built into new digital TVdecoders for

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BREAKING. Halo becoming a TV series from Steven Spielberg produced for Microsoft's XBox.

The hugely successful Halo video game is becoming a live-action TV series executive produced by Steven Spielberg specifically for Microsoft's XBox.

The announcement of Halo The Television Series and the video game franchise being turned into a TV science fiction action drama was just made by Microsoft during the launch and unveiling of Microsoft's new XBox One console taking place in

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BREAKING. Microsoft unveils XBox One as its new console; XBox One aiming to be the new entertainment hub for the living room.

Microsoft has unveiled its new XBox One console which the company is positioning as a device to be the new entertainment hub for the living room.

With the new XBox One announcement comes the announcement that Microsoft and Steven Spielberg are teaming up to make Halo The Television Series based on the highly successful Halo videogame franchise.

The XBox One is the latest in line since

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Vuyo Mbuli's public SABC memorial service Wednesday at 14:00 at the SABC; public very welcome to attend to 'share the life of Vuyo'.

Vuyo Mbuli's public SABC memorial service will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 22 May at 14:00 at the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters and the SABC says members of the public are very welcome to attend the proceedings.

Vuyo Mbuli, co-anchor of the SABC's flagship weekday breakfast show Morning Live on SABC2 died unexpectedly from a heart attack - a pulmonary embolism - on Saturday night.

"We

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SABC plans to pay back the outstanding R220 million of 2009 government bail-out loan by September.

The SABC plans to pay back the outstanding R220 million which the South African public broadcaster owes the South African government by September, Dina Pule, the minister of communications, told parliament.



Dina Pule was reading her budget speech in the National Assembly. In 2009, hovering on the brink of financial collapse, the SABC received a government bail-out of R1,47 billion in the

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Big Brother Africa The Chase to be streamed live for free on the internet across Africa from 26 May.

The 8th season of Big Brother Africa entitled Big Brother Africa The Chase will be streamed live on the internet for free across Africa from Sunday 26 May at 19:00 when the Endemol South Africa produced reality show launches for a new season of 91 days.

Besides being broadcast on channels 197 and 198 on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform viewers across Africa will be able to watch

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Al Jazeera wants to hear direct pitches from South African documentary makers; Al Jazeera Pitching Forum held in Cape Town on 15 June.

Al Jazeera (DStv 406  / TopTV 401) wants to hear from South African filmmakers on Saturday 15 June in Cape Town when two commissioning editors from the 24-hour news channel want to hear and listen to pitches from African filmmakers who will have 5 minutes to pitch their film.

Two commissioning editors from Al Jazeera will be in Cape Town on 15 June at the Protea Breakwater Lodge at the V&A

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'We will go on for Vuyo': The hurt, the sadness - and the concern - behind the scenes at SABC2's Morning Live after Vuyo Mbuli's tragic death.

As news very quickly spread among the production crew and staff of the SABC's flagship weekday breakfast show Morning Live and SABC News personnel that Vuyo Mbuli  had suddenly died, the first feeling amongst many were one of disbelief, followed by "intense concern" for particularly his co-anchor Leanne Manas, several people close to the production told TV with Thinus on Monday.

Several

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BREAKING. The Dr. Oz Show on SABC3 renewed for 4 more years until 2017 in America.

The Dr. Oz Show seen in South Africa on SABC3 on weekdays has been renewed in America until 2017.

The Dr. Oz Show is a co-production in New York between Sony Pictures Television and Harpo Productions and is currently in its 4th season. The further 4 years will take the talk show to what will be at least its 8th season.

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BREAKING. Star Wars Rebels coming to Disney XD in 2014 as a brand-new animation show set in that galaxy far, far away.

This might just be the droids show you were looking for: Star Wars Rebels is a brand-new animation show which will start on Disney XD (Dstv 304) in 2014.

Two months after Star Wars: The Clone Wars on The Cartoon Network was forced to end although some episodes of the next planned season will still be shown somewhere (hologrid? Imperial communication network? R2's holoprojector thingie?),

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SABC CEO Lulama Mokhobo on Vuyo Mbuli's death: 'Today is the most difficult day I've ever had at the SABC.'

Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO, says "today is the most difficult day I've ever had at the SABC."

Lulama Mokhobo appeared and spoke this morning on Morning Live on SABC2, the South African public broadcaster's flagship breakfast TV show following the unexpected and shocking death of Morning Live co-anchor Vuyo Mbuli from a heart attack on Saturday.

A memorial service will meanwhile be held at the

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Leanne Manas on Morning Live remembers Vuyo Mbuli with an empty chair next to her: 'I feel like I've lost my morning husband.'

A highly emotional Leanne Manas, her voice trembling with sadness, spoke to South African viewers on Morning Live today on SABC2, sitting next to Vuyo Mbuli's empty chair and pink flowers honouring his legacy after his unexpected death from a heart attack on Saturday which has plunged the longrunning breakfast show into sorrow.



"Good morning," said Leanne Manas with a sigh although she

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BREAKING. Leanne Manas 'devasted' over Vuyo Mbuli's death; stunned and shocked SABC executives react: 'Vuyo had so much to offer - still."

The stunned SABC is trying to come to grips with the unexpected death after a heart attack yesterday of  Vuyo Mbuli (46) - the co-anchor of SABC2's Morning Live the past 13 years and the SABC's flagship breakfast show - with his co-host Leanne Manas simply saying "I'm devastated".

The SABC is running an on-air, in memoriam tribute card to Vuyo Mbuli on all three of the SABC's TV channels,

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SABC shocked over Vuyo Mbuli's sudden and unexpected death, runs a simple on-air, in memoriam tribute card all day today on all 3 channels.

A shocked SABC mourning and reeling from the unexpected death of Vuyo Mbuli, SABC2's Morning Live co-anchor for the past 13 years, has been running a simple in memoriam tribute card on a black background today across all three of the SABC's TV channels - SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 - and in heavy rotation.

SABC broadcasting executives pulled a litany of promos and ordered the tribute to be played

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BREAKING. Vuyo Mbuli dead after fatal heart attack; SABC2's Morning live presenter death leaves crew 'shocked and saddened'.

Vuyo Mbuli is dead after the co-presenter of SABC2's Morning Live breakfast show suffered a fatal heart attack and died. He was 46.



The Morning Live crew I'm told is shocked and saddened about Vuyo Mbuli's unexpected passing five days after his 46th birthday and who was described as "a healthy man". 



Vuyo Mbuli died in a Bloemfontein hospital yesterday after he collapsed and was

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Eleni Giokos on the eNCA welcomes Richard Quest from CNN to the eNCA studio as they talk shop over South African business.

Eleni Giokos on the eNCA (DStv 403) welcomed Richard Quest from Quest Means Business on CNN International (DStv 401) to the eNCA Hyde Park studios this morning where the two bantered and talked biz - as in business news. And it was clear that both were absolutely in their element.

e.tv and the eNCA as usual did absolutely nothing to alert the South African press or TV critics and editors

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Suna Venter to anchor SABC2's Afrikaans Nuus om 7 from this evening for the first time, as Terrance April goes on long leave.

You're reading it here first. 

Suna Venter will be anchoring SABC2's main Afrikaans TV news bulletin, Nuus om 7, at 19:00 tonight.

It will be Suna Venter's first time behind the news anchor desk of the Afrikaans television news; she will now be standing in for Terrance April who is on long leave and the plan is to

No announcement to the press from SABC2, SABC Television news, or the SABC.

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Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu now hawking new Ariel washing powder; putting her credibility on the line in an ad already fuzzing the truth.

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, the weekday talk show host of Three Talk with Noeleen on SABC3 at 16:35 is now putting her credibility on the line, shilling in TV commercials for the new Ariel washing powder.

There's already a credibility problem right from the beginning of the Ariel TV advert. Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu's first words are: "I came across this flyer. It's from a new washing powder

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Against All Odds from the eNCA replaces and takes the 3rd Degree slot on e.tv on Tuesdays at 21:30 from this Tuesday.

Against All Odds with Mpho Lakaje is taking the timeslot and replacing the abruptly cancelled 3rd Degree on e.tv on Tuesdays at 21:30 starting from this coming Tuesday, 21 May.



3rd Degree ended this week Tuesday after last week's shock announcement about the end of the current affairs investigative magazine show after 13 years.

Against All Odds, originally an eNCA show and currently still

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2013 BET Awards to be shown on BET on TopTV, South African music stars Toya Delazy and Donald both nominated.

The 2013 BET Awards will be shown on BET on TopTV in South Africa although Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) can't yet provide a specific date for the awards ceremony which will take place on 30 June in America.

South Africa's Toya Delazy and Donald are both nominated for a 2013 BET Award in the category for Best International Act: Africa for the 2013 BET Awards which

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SABC3 reprimanded for afternoon sex in All my Children soap with wrong age restriction and no 'S' parental advisory.

You're reading it here first. 

SABC3 was reprimanded by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for the channel's failure to add a correct parental advisory of S for sex and a "13" age restriction for an episode of the American soap All My Children which contained a steamy sex scene.



An upset viewer wrote to the BCCSA and complained saying "it's not the first time"

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FuelTV on TopTV won't be changing its name to Fox Sports 2 'at this point in time' when FuelTV changes in August in the United States.

FuelTV (TopTV 225) on TopTV in South Africa won't be changing the extreme sport channel's name to Fox Sports 2 when FuelTV in America changes to Fox Sports 2 in August.

Although FuelTV in the United States will be getting a massive makeover in August and will be changing to the Fox Sports 2 TV channel, FuelTV as it's shown internationally will remain FuelTV, Fox International Channels (FIC)

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Existing broadcasters and wannabe broadcasters square off over digital television competition in South Africa for when DTT starts.

Existing South African broadcasters saying its madness to licence and introduce new TV broadcasters when digital terrestrial television (DTT) finally one day start in South Africa, are squaring off against wannabe broadcasters and companies who want to start new TV broadcasting channels as well as pay-TV services during the same time.

Some companies like Kagiso Media, MSG Afrika which

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Fasion One Correspondent Search Benelux coming to Fashion One on TopTV from Tuesday 21 May at 22:00.

Fashion One Correspondent Search Benelux is starting on Fashion One (TopTV 179) on Tuesday 21 May at 22:00 (South African time) with a two episode premiere, a new reality show looking for a fashion correspondent for the fashion television network in the Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg region known as the Benelux region.

Adam Child is the presenter of Fashion One Correspondent Search

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Passione coming to FOX from August as a new Brazilian telenovela in 209 episodes set in Brazil and Italy.

You're reading it here first. 

"There's something I must confess. You're son was not a stillborn. I lied! He's alive."

I can reveal that Passione is coming to FOX (DStv 125 / TopTV 180) from August when the new 209 episode Brazilian telenovela will start which is set in Brazil and Tuscany in Italy about a long believed dead brother and son who returns to reclaim his inheritance.



The

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SABC3 adds The Bold and the Beautiful Omnibus on Sundays at 14:00 from this Sunday; drops the Sunday film slot as transition starts.

You're reading it here first. 

I can reveal that SABC3 is dropping its Sunday afternoon movie slot and replacing it with an omnibus of The Bold and the Beautiful soap from this coming Sunday at 14:00.



It's a permanent new schedule change as SABC3 and SABC1 slowly move forward with the long-stalled switch of the American soap which the SABC wants to move from SABC1 to SABC3 and has now

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SABC and Eskom to start a 'Power Bulletin' telling viewers not to use Eskom and to switch things off in the house ... but not the television.

Eskom is going to pay the SABC to run what the failing electricity giant is calling "Power Bulletins", telling SABC TV viewers to not use Eskom, while the SABC informs viewers to switch things in the house off - just not the television set.

Both the failing parastatals, mired in overspending, struggling to get their budgets under control and behind on  promises of infrastructure investment

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Winner's Circle coming to Trace Sports from Saturday, showcasing the lifestyles of the world's most famous soccer players and athletes.

Trace Sports (DStv 188) is starting a new weekly programme, Winner's Circle, from Saturday 18 May at 21:30 (South African time) showcasing the lifestyles of some of the world's most famous soccer players and athletes.



The BBC presenter Duane Jones is the presenter of the new half hour show which will have 10 episodes.

In the 10 episodes Duane Jones will visit and interview England's Ashley

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The 2013 Billboard Music Awards shown live on Channel O on Monday 20 May at 02:00, with a rebroadcast at 20:30.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will be broadcast live from America on Channel O (DStv 320) on Monday 20 May at 02:00 (South African time) in the morning from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will be shown between 02:00 and 05:00 and will be repeated on Monday 20 May at 20:30 in primetime on Channel O.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards is hosted by Tracy Morgan

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CNBC Africa adds new health show, 15 Minutes with Longevity, with Gisele Wertheim Aymes on Thursdays at 21:30.

The business news channel CNBC Africa (DStv 410) is adding a new weekly series, 15 Minutes with Longevity, to its schedule starting tomorrow and which will be broadcast on Thursdays at 21:30.






Longevity magazine's Gisele Wertheim Aymes is the presenter and moderator of 15 Minutes with Longevity which will focus on various aspects of health and wellness and highlight issues such as aging

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Public hearings underway as South Africa's broadcasting regulator looks at licensing new pay-TV broadcasters and free TV channels for digital TV.

Public hearings started and is underway today at South Africa's broadcasting regulator about South Africa's digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration future, more television competition and the introduction of more pay-TV players - although the "public" of South Africa and the TV industry got no advance notice.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) announced

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BREAKING. Debora Patta says goodbye as 3rd Degree on e.tv ends after 13 years: 'A challenge and pleasure to have anchored this show'.

You're reading it here first. 

Saying she was honoured to have done 3rd Degree for 13 years for e.tv and for South African TV viewers and warning and reminding South Africans and the media and press of the importance of good investigative journalism and to keep shining a light to change the world, the indomitable TV news woman Debora Patta signed off as the anchor of 3rd Degree and ended

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BREAKING. e.tv pulls 3rd Degree repeats for the coming week off of the schedule without saying why, hours before the final episode.

You're reading it here first. 

It's now becoming very clear that e.tv is not happy with Debora Patta and/or that Debora Patta is not happy with e.tv: Mere hours before the final episode on Tuesday night at 21:30 of the weekly, longrunning investigative magazine show 3rd Degree, e.tv is suddenly pulling the two repeat episodes of 3rd Degree usually scheduled for later in the subsequent week

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Discovery Channel's Jungle Gold quickly leaves after intense government anger inside Ghana over the 'illegal miners'.

The Jungle Gold production, a reality show from Discovery Networks shown on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) filmed in Ghana, has decided to immediately pack up and leave the area.

This development follows controversy which has erupted after the Ghana government said it is now on a manhunt for the show's two stars Scott Lomu and George Wright because of alleged "severe brutalities" that is

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JOLLY GOOD. M-Net's M-Net Movies on-air promo celebrating British themed films (with a cup of tea) is sheer tea-riffic television.

I like effort, I like clever, and clever effort is on full display in the brilliant on-air promo of M-Net for the "Best of British cinema" festival on M-Net Movies.

Because the promo relies on characters with British accents speaking, and talking about tea, the wonderful promo hides the fact that somebody - or possibly a few people - had to sit and watch and watch and watch possibly countless

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FIRST LOOK. Rockville on Mzansi Magic starting on Wednesday 19 June at 19:00 for a first season of 10 episodes.

Connie Ferguson told me last week in Johannesburg that Rockville, the new TV drama produced by her, her real-life husband Shona Ferguson and Bobby Heaney who all worked together on The Wild will start on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Wednesday 19 June at 19:00 for 10 episodes, and Mzansi Magic is now confirming this.

As I've reported last month Rockville was produced by Ferguson Films, Connie

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TV TRAILERS. The hottest new American TV shows from the new upcoming American TV season you can get ready for.

Just like you can't judge a book by it's cover, you can't (and shouldn't) judge a new TV show by its trailer - they're deliberately made to pack as much razzle and dazzle into that 30 seconds or a minute to entice viewers, ad buyers and TV critics as they can.

With that said, some of the new upcoming American TV dramas of the new upcoming TV season is America looks simply amazing. I've looked

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American Idol season 12 two day finale live on M-Net this Thursday and Friday morning at 02:00.

M-Net will be bringing the finale of the 12th season of American Idol to M-Net subscribers and DStv viewers live on Thursday and Friday morning at 02:00 on the M-Net channel (DStv 101) as Candice and Kree battle it out in their final on-stage showdown.

Along with final performances by Candice Glover and Kree Harrison, Thursday's highly anticipated sing-off between the two women will also

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MultiChoice, National Geographic Channel at fault for promoting sex programmes early in the morning.

You're reading it here first. 

MultiChoice and the National Geographic Channel (DStv 181) have been rapped over the knuckles by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for promoting sex programmes on DStv in the morning, without an age restriction, on South African television containing nudity and sexuality and when children are likely to be watching.

The BCCSA in

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Fox assures that it won't be pulling its 5 TV channels from TopTV; has 'no plans to remove channels' while TopTV is in business rescue.

You're reading it here first.

Fox is assuring TopTV subscribers and South African pay-TV viewers, and the South African TV industry that it will not be removing any of its Fox-supplied TV channels from the struggling TopTV's line-up.

Fox has no plans to do what Discovery Networks International (DNI), Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and other channel distributors did by suddenly pulling

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Jungle Gold reality stars on the Discovery Channel to be tracked down and arrested for 'illegal mining; Ghana furious over negative portrayal.

The reality stars of Jungle Gold on the Discovery Channel (DStv 121) face fines, arrest and even possible imprisonment over charges of alleged brutality and illegal mining in Ghana, with the Ghanaian government which now wants to see Scott Lomu and George Wright apprehended and arrested.

The new reality show Jungle Gold started broadcasting across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv from the

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FOX grabs Monday Mornings; medical drama series coming to FOX in high definition from July.

You're reading it here first. 

I can reveal that FOX (DStv 125 / TopTV 180) has grabbed the American medical drama series Monday Mornings which will start in July and in high definition (HD) on the channel in South Africa as a region premiere.

Fox International Channels (FIC) picked up the broadcasting rights to Monday Mornings which is set at the fictional Chelsea General Hospital in

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THEN & NOW. Shahan Ramkissoon of the eNCA cleans up nicely - looks much prettier in pink 5 years later.

Shahan Ramkissoon, reporter and news anchor on the eNCA (DStv 403) has cleaned up quite nicely - from the hair to the dress sense he has moved forward with his fashion sense the past 5 years.

On the left - Shahan Ramkissoon 5 years ago in 2008 filing a story for eNews Prime Time dressed in a pink shirt.

On the right - Shahan Ramkissoon last week behind the eNCA anchor desk at Hyde Park

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Lynette Francis has stepped in as Afrikaans news reader on SABC2's Afrikaans news bulletin, Nuus om 7.

You're reading it here first. 

Lynette Francis has been added to the roster of the alternating Afrikaans news readers and anchors of Nuus om 7 on SABC2 although there's been no official announcement from SABC2, the SABC Television News division, or the SABC.

Lynette Francis has been the presenter of the Afrikaans current affairs show Fokus on SABC2 since January 2010 and has now been seen

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Hannibal on Sony Entertainment Television pulled in America because of its 'extensive graphic nature'.

The new macabre TV drama Hannibal seen on Sony Entertainment Television (DStv 127) in South Africa has been pulled in America due to its "extensive graphic nature".

The American TV station KSL TV which is part of the NBC TV network which shows the new crime drama, has decided to no longer show Hannibal at 21:00.

In a statement KSL TV says "this decision was made due to the extensive graphic

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Playing with Fire is starting on E! Entertainment on 9 June at 21:30 as New York's culinary connoisseurs battles the food scene.

You're reading it here first. 

Playing with Fire, the reality show revolving around New York's culinary glitterati will start on E! Entertainment (DStv 124) as seen in South Africa on Sunday 9 June at 21:30 (South African time).

Playing with Fire was announced by E! Entertainment in January this year and follows Anna Boiardi, the granddaughter of the niece of the founders of the Chef

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Sony Entertainment Television grabs Sony Pictures Television dramas Drop Dead Diva and Cashmere Mafia.

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Sony Pictures Television International is bringing both the female-centric TV drama series Drop Dead Diva and Cashmere Mafia to Sony Entertainment Television (DStv 127).

Drop Dead Diva will be starting from the first season on SET on Monday 27 May at 20:50 and Cashmere Mafia will be starting on Monday 3 June at 20:00 on SET.

South African viewers already saw

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Once Upon a Time in Wonderland ordered as a new limited drama series spin-off from Once Upon a Time.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland has been ordered as a limited drama series spin-off from the drama series Once Upon a Time (M-Net Series) which finished its second season last night in America and which has been renewed for a third season.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland will be set in Victorian England revolving around Alice (Sophie Lowe) who ends in an a strange new "wonderland" once she

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Barbara Walters announces her retirement in 2014, says 'a year from now I plan to retire from appearing on television at all'.

Barbara Walters, the American news woman which South African viewers saw on SABC3 as one of the presenters on the female talk show The View she created as one of the executive producers, told viewers that she is retiring in 2014 exactly a year from now.

"I have been on television, continuously, for over 50 years," Barbara Walters just said on The View in America. "A year from now I plan to

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Zuku adds a self-compiled sports TV channel in HD as part of 11 new TV channels on its East African pay-TV service.

The successful East African satellite pay-TV operator Wananchi is adding 11 new TV channels and doing what South Africa's beleaguered TopTV operator couldn't: successfully adding TV channels and growing its bouquet and even creating a sports channel - and in high definition (HD) - which TopTV failed to accomplish.

Wananchi which operates the Zuku pay-TV platform operating in Kenya, Uganda and

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Kiefer Sutherland returning to 24 with 12 episode, 24: Live Another Day, after Touch on M-Net is cancelled.

With Touch seen in South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) cancelled, the Fox TV network in America is resurrecting the action drama series 24 with Kiefer Sutherland with a limited-run 12 episode season entitled 24: Live Another Day which will be shown in 2014.

"The 12-hour version will keep the real-time nature of the original 24 series, skipping some hours in the 24-hour period it covers," says Fox.

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RENEWED. The Carrie Diaries, Revenge, Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, Grey's Anatomy and several others renewed for further seasons.

Several American TV shows shown on the broadcast TV networks were announced as picked up for further seasons on Friday, with a lot of them shown in South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net Series (DStv 114).


The following shows were announced as renewed for further seasons:



The Carrie Diaries (M-Net Series), Defiance (M-Net Series), Revenge (M-Net), Nikita (M-Net and SABC3), Modern

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CANCELLED. The axe coming down on CSI: New York, Touch, Smash and a large number of American shows seen on M-Net in South Africa.

Several American TV shows seen in South Africa got the axe from American broadcast television networks which means a big hit for M-Net.

M-Net and sister channel M-Net Series are almost exclusively the home of all of these shows in South Africa.

A major number of American TV shows were cancelled on Friday. Shows which won't see further seasons include:

Smash (M-Net Series), Malibu County (

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Anna Botting back on Sky News after maternity leave and giving birth to her baby girl, Gracie.

Anna Botting, the Sky News presenter, is back after maternity leave during which she gave birth to her baby.

Anna Botting left on maternity leave in May 2012 and had her baby girl Gracie.

Anna Botting joined Sky News in 1995 before moving behind the anchor desk.

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Big Brother Africa's 8th season subtitled 'The Chase'; will start on 26 May on DStv channels 197 and 198 with IK Osakiodukwa back as host.

The 8th season of the continental reality show Big Brother Africa starting on 26 May on Big Brother Africa channels 197 and 198 on DStv will be subtitled "The Chase".



IK Osakioduwa will once again be the presenter of the AfricaMagic reality show produced by Endemol South Africa and which will start on 26 May for 91 days and a 24 hour daily video feed as 28 contestants from 14 African

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SABC to bill Nyota TV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after failure to provide the past weekend's soccer match feed as agreed.

The SABC will be charging the local broadcaster Nyota TV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the feed of the CAF Champions League soccer match which the SABC beamed to the DRC on 18 April after the SABC received no similar feed-share from the DRC this past weekend from Lubumbashi.

The SABC had a feed-share agreement and contract with Nyota TV which was brokered three weeks ago.

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eNCA coverage today of the 2013 World Economic Forum in Africa continuing with live crossings all day to Eleni Giokos in Cape Town.

The eNCA (DStv 403) will continue today with rolling live and comprehensive coverage of the 2013 World Economic Forum in Africa with Eleni Giokos in Cape Town from the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Here is the latest eNCA planned WEF in Africa live cross-overs to Cape Today for Thursday, 9 May:



08:00: Eleni Giokos live-cross-over
09:00: Peter Attard Montalto, director,

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BREAKING. The Young and the Restless' iconic soap star Jeanne Cooper dead at age 84, 'her light finally gave into the wind'.

Jeanne Cooper, from the American daytime soap The Young and the Restless, known to millions of fans around the world as Katherine Chancellor, has died. She was 94.

The Young and the Restless is shown in South Africa on e.tv.

Jeanne Cooper was hospitalised in April for unknown reasons after an undisclosed illness. Jeanne Cooper's oldest son, the actor Corbin Bernsen, announced the death of

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BREAKING. Debora Patta leaving e.tv; 3rd Degree abruptly ending; Debora Patta resigns to pursue freelance opportunities.

You're reading it here first. 

Debora Patta and e.tv is parting ways with e.tv's longrunning weekly investigative and current affairs show, 3rd Degree, anchored by Debora Patta, with 3rd Degree which will suddenly be ending next Tuesday 14 May after Debora Patta leaves e.tv.

So shocking and sudden is Debora Patta's departure that 3rd Degree is ending too.

There appears to be indications

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eNCA and CNBC Africa covering the 23rd World Economic Forum on Africa from Wednesday with debates, interviews and live coverage.

The eNCA (DStv 403) and CNBC Africa (DStv 410) will both be covering the World Economic Forum on Africa from Wednesday 8 May with viewers who can tune in to both of these channels on MultiChoice's DStv platform for news, debates, interviews and live coverage.

(Other TV channels might be covering the WEF on Africa too; no other ones such as the SABC and others with possible coverage could be

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Discovery Networks International has a high-gloss, vibrant, amazing, terrific, functional brand book. Oh, you can also add the word Beautiful.

Discovery Networks International is ahead by miles compared to any of South Africa's broadcasters such as the SABC, M-Net or e.tv in the game of talking and showing about its various channels and what's on it.

One of the ways in which Discovery towers above the M-Net, the SABC and e.tv (besides of course the annual upfront which remains the best TV talk-and-tell showcase of any outfit running

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BREAKING. Triple play coming to M-Net Series as the channel on DStv plans to burn through seasons with two and three episodes per airing.

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As part of a new "internal scheduling strategy" M-Net Series (DStv 114), the M-Net supplied channel to MultiChoice's DStv platform, is planning to burn through seasons of shows from June, with up to three episodes directly after each other on one night.

While shows such as Golden Boy (above), Don't Trust that B-, The Hour, One Tree Hill, Do No Harm and

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DANCING QUEEN. Abba fan anchor Pauline Chiou of CNN International declares her love of Abba; leaves Charles Hodson perplexed.

Pauline Chiou, the Hong Hong anchor of World Business Today on CNN International (DStv 401) declared her love for ABBA leaving her co-anchor Charles Hodson stunned, bewildered, looking perplexed and somewhat speechless, and unable to compete with her ABBA witticisms in the closing moment's of this morning's show.

It followed after a story from the new museum in Stockholm which has now opened

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Third season of Step Up or Step Out on e.tv is stepping out and stepping up the drama in front of - and behind - the judges' table.

The third season of the reality dance competition Step Up or Step Up on e.tv and produced by Endemol South Africa is stepping out and stepping up the drama in front of and behind the judges' table for the show which is currently busy with nationwide auditions.

When Step Up or Step Out starts on Sunday 23 June on e.tv at 18:05 viewers will see an even more heightened sense of drama and

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SABC forced to reinstate Lorraine Francois as chief audit executive after the CMMA finds SABC's actions 'substantively unfair'.

The struggling South African public broadcaster has been forced to reinstate Lorraine Francois as the SABC's chief audit executive after she was suspended in November 2012 with the CCMA saying Lorraine Francois' suspension due to alleged misconduct was "procedurally and substantively unfair".

The SABC failed to prove any allegations of misconduct against Lorraine Francois after she challenged

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7th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola set to start on Wednesday 8 May at 21:30 on the eNCA.

As usual there's not a single word, press release, programming note or announcement from e.tv's lethargic publicity department about it but the 7th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola is set to start on eNCA (DStv 403) on Wednesday 8 May at 21:30.

For the 6th season of Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola e.tv did zero publicity for the programme when the excellent satirical faux news show

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Special Investigating Unit (SIU) hands its reports on the SABC to president Jacob Zuma; high-profile former SABC executives could face charges.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has handed its report on the South African public broadcaster to president Jacob Zuma.

The SIU investigated the beleaguered SABC, looking at allegations of corruption, mismanagement, fraudulent deals and contracts and irregular expenditure.

Six former SABC high-profile executives at the struggling public broadcaster could face criminal charges and civil

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Universal Channel '100% characters' rebrand: Shows will be character-centric, schedule not changing much, want to excite audience.

The brand-new logo and look of the Universal Channel with the slogan "100% characters" which came into effect on Friday on MultiChoice's DStv channel 117, will place an ever bigger emphasis on shows with strong character-centric personalities, as the Universal Channel tries to broaden its reach as already the number one international entertainment channel on DStv in South Africa.

"The

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BREAKING. Femi Oki is the new presenter of the social media current affairs TV show, The Stream, on Al Jazeera.

Femi Oke, the well known presenter from CNN International has joined Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / TopTV 401) as the new presenter of The Stream.

Femi Oke who've worked for 9 years for CNN and was the presenter of Inside Africa which she helped launch is now the presenter for the social media and online connectivity current affairs show from today.

"I've been watching The Stream since it first

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Why no Syfy? MultiChoice explains the 6 criteria it looks at when the pay-TV platform looks at possibly adding a new TV channel to the bouquet.

MultiChoice doesn't have any plans to add the Syfy channel from Universal Networks International (UNI) to its DStv satellite pay-TV platform, and is explaining the criteria it looks at when considering the possibility of adding a third-party channel to its channel line-up.

Viewers are constantly clamouring for the Syfy channel but MultiChoice has never brought Syfy back since The Sci-Fi

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ASTV says it will remain on TopTV as a TV channel; doesn't want to say if - or how much - money the Afrikaans channel is owed by TopTV.

ASTV (TopTV 177) says it will remain on On Digital Media's (ODM) struggling South African satellite pay-TV platform.

ASTV, the Afrikaans TV channel, saying it will remain as a content provider, comes amidst a growing number of content distributors who've pulled their TV channels from TopTV due to mounting debt and outstanding payment.

After Manchester United Television (MUTV) pulled its

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BREAKING. Valiant Swart and Denvor Phokaners the new presenters of the new Mooiloop travelogue show on SABC2 from 26 June.

You're reading it here first.

Valiant Swart and Denvor Phokaners will be the two new presenters of the new travelogue show Mooiloop on SABC2 set to start on the channel on 26 June, replacing Pasella which will no longer be an ongoing, year-long weekly magazine show on SABC2.

Valiant Swart is known as a local Afrikaans musician who've also acted in the drama series Song vir Katryn, and in

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INTERVIEW. Malik Yoba of Alphas on the Universal Channel talks sci-fi, South Africa, heroes and what he thinks of TV diversity.

I flew to Johannesburg and sat down to have a simply great conversation with the wonderfully open, hilarious and great actor Malik Yoba who can be seen as Bill Henson in the second season of Alphas on the Universal Channel (DStv 117) on Sundays at 20:00.

Malik Yoba talked to me about who he considers heroes, what he thinks of the state of science fiction television, what's waiting for his

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BREAKING. SABC sports production team arrested, kicked out of sports stadium and detained in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

A SABC Sports production team of four trying to cover a pre-arranged soccer match was kicked out of a sports stadium in Lubumbashi the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arrested and detained.

After entering a contractual agreement to cover the soccer match between Orlando Pirates and TP Mazembe in a CAF Champions League and to receive a feed of the game, the SABC send a technical team

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Discovery Networks CEEMEA resumes its carriage agreement with TopTV and returns its 3 Discovery channels after a massive public embarrassement.

Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region restored its carriage agreement with the struggling On Digital Media (ODM) today to resume carrying its three Discovery channels - TLC (TopTV 453), Discovery Science (TopTV 302) and ID: Investigation (TopTV 303) - on its TopTV satellite pay-TV platform in South Africa after a massive

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Shocking lack of communication from TopTV and Discovery Networks International CEEMEA after 3 Discovery channels just disappear.

Neither On Digital Media (ODM) and it's TopTV pay-TV service, nor Discovery Networks International for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) region is bothering to talk to, or to do any communication to pay-TV subscribers who've suddenly - with no word, warning or advisory -lost the three Discovery channels - Discovery Science, ID: Investigation Discovery and TLC -

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The Big Picture coming to e.tv from October, as Nicky Greenwall reworks The Showbiz Report to now just focus on movies.

Nicky Greenwall, pregnant with her second child, is reheating her first solo TV venture, the longrunning The Showbiz Report on e.tv in a new guise entitled The Big Picture which will start on e.tv on Monday 7 October at 20:30.



As TV with Thinus reported last month, Nicky Greenwall's celeb studio talker ScreenTime with Nicky Greenwall produced by Greenwall Productions has been renewed for a

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BREAKING. Discovery's 3 TV channels on TopTV all go blank; TopTV 'trying to get the problem sorted out' with missing Discovery Science, TLC and ID.

You're reading it here first. 

Discovery's three TV channels on On Digital Media (ODM) struggling pay-TV service TopTV suddenly went completely dark today without warning and with no notice or announcement to TopTV subscribers, as the satellite pay-TV operator is scrambling to fix the problem of the missing Discovery Science (TopTV 302), TLC (TopTV 453) and ID: Investigation Discovery (

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Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown on CNN International renewed for a second season set to start in September.

Anthony Bourdain's Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown which just started on CNN International (DStv 401) on Saturdays at 21:00 (repeats Fridays at 17:00) will be back for a second season in September.

In the ongoing first season of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown which South African viewers will still see, the travelogue visits the cultures of Quebec, Tangier, Libya, Peru and the Congo.

The

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Dallas seen on M-Net, renewed for a 3rd season in America, 'has many stories left to tell' and will continue to honour JR's memory.

Dallas, which will conclude its second season on M-Net in South Africa on Tuesdays at 20:30 with a two hour finale, has been renewed for a third season in America.

The third season of Dallas produced by Warner Horizon Television will have 15 episodes and is set to start early in 2014.

"Dallas has built a passionately loyal following with its expertly woven storylines, clever twists and turns

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Producer J.J. Abrams to receive the Founders Awards from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

J.J. Abrams the prolific TV creator and producer who is not only in charge of the big screen Star Trek and Star Wars reboots but also behind the TV shows Person of Interest, Fringe and Revolution will receive the 2013 Founders Award from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

J.J. Abrams will receive his Founders Award at the 41st International Emmy Awards gala which will be

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SABC Sport looking for a new sports presenter in a new talent search reality show with Minnie Dlamini set to start on 2 June on SABC1.

SABC Sport is looking for a new sports presenter to join the public broadcaster's sports division and will look for new on-air talent in the form of a TV reality show presented by Minnie Dlamini.

The as-yet-untitled reality show from SABC Sport currently only referenced as Talent Search Show which will start on Sunday 2 June on SABC1, will whittle away the sport presenter wannabe's from the

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Maria Shriver returns to NBC News, will appear on MSNBC, CNBC Africa and NBC Nightly News.

Maria Shriver is returning to NBC News.

Maria Shriver used to be a TV correspondent for NBC News in America, and is the wife of, but is currently separated from, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

South African viewers will soon start to Maria Shriver again on NBC News with Brian Williams (seen on CNBC Africa, DStv 410, daily at 00:30), the 24-hour business news TV channel CNBC which means CNBC Africa (

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SABC2 talk show Motswako with Penny Lebyane moving much earlier on Wednesdays from 8 May in a dramatic timeslot change to 18:00.

The local SABC2 talk show Motswako with Penny Lebyane is moving much earlier from next Wednesday, 8 May in a dramatic timeslot change to 18:00 on Wednesdays.

The radical adjustment from 21:30 of previous seasons to 18:00 will likely lift Motswako's viewership since the pool of overall potential South African viewers on public television available are bigger during early primetime than late

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MultiChoice collaborates with the ANC political party to digitise the ANC archives.

The South African pay-TV giant MultiChoice has been working with the ANC political party to digitise the ANC archives.

MultiChoice is the sponsor of the digital equipment used by the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape to convert the original ANC archives - which consist out of video and audio tapes, paper and printed photographs - to digital formats.

The digital ANC archive -

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TopTV workers very scared of the Chinese; with StarTimes bail-out workers fear job losses and bad Chinese TV content.

Happy Workers' Day - but not for those working at TopTV: TopTV workers at the beleaguered South African pay-TV service are very scared of the Chinese and fear lay-offs, job losses and bad Chinese TV content now that China's StarTimes pay-TV operator has been given approval to implement its business rescue plan by TopTV's shareholders and pump millions into the loss-making operation.

TopTV's

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