Showing posts with label NBCUniversal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBCUniversal. Show all posts
Where's Waldo (NES)
What Happened To The Hallmark Channel On DStv?
Hallmark Channel was a family based entertainment channel featuring a set of miniseries such as McBride and Mystery Woman, movies alongside reality and acquired series like Walker Texas Ranger, Home Improvement and The Brady Bunch.
The channel hadn't been profitable during the time it was managed by Crown Media Holdings as they made several losses during 1998 to 1999. They recorded a $35.5 million in 1998 on revenue of $23.7 million, and in 1999 it lost $56.7 million on revenue of $31.9 million.
After several years of struggle, the channel made a breakthrough in 2005 recording their highest peak in viewership. It was also the year Hallmark's international operations was put up for sale receiving so many weak offerings they were fortunate to find a buyer.
Out of all the weak offers, Sparrowhawk Media purchased the brand for a total of $242 million which too was weak but the most they've gotten amongst bids. Around that time, NBCUniversal assisted in channel distribution.
In 2007, Sparrowhawk Media was later purchased by NBCUniversal had plans to launch a further set of channels including Universal TV, KidsCo, Diva, Syfy, Studio Universal and 13th Street Universal while as operating 18 Hallmark channels.
In 2011, Universal Networks International's rights to the Hallmark Channel brand ended; the networks were either shut down, or rebranded as one of the channels mentioned above.
Hallmark Channel can only be found in the United States and despite not having much power over the brand. They do own the space once reserved for the brand so Hallmark Channel can't do much globally without NBCUniversal's authorisation.
Universal TV Vs. BBC Brit: The Home Of Premium Entertainment
Universal and BBC Brit are international general entertainment channel respectively owned by US based company NBCUniversal and UK based company BBC Studios. These happen to be one of the few premium entertainment channels left globally as streaming has taken a toll with how content is viewed.
Universal is an action, adventure and crime based channel which is home to cop dramas such as Chicago PD and NCIS: Los Angeles, medical shows like Transplant and Chicago Med and finally mystery and supernatural dramas like Departure and Fantasy Island.
BBC Brit adapts to a similar form as Universal as they too offer dramas such as EastEnders and William Shakespeare. But the channel doesn't consider itself Universal exclusive as there's other content like The Graham Norton Show, Total Wipeout and Top Gear.
One of the things I think most people won't like about Universal is the amount of rehashed content that various local providers air first-hand. I mean I don't mind a little nostalgia every now and then I mean they got Bones and Rizzoli And Isles but these rebroadcasts get a bit annoying.
When it comes to BBC Brit, I'd say a lot of channels need to be done. I mean it's more like Universal on the repetitive side but imagine watching the same season of Top Gear repeatedly on top of that having 3 shows take up most of the schedule.
Not long ago, BBC First was shelved with BBC Brit having to pull the muscle I mean come on 2 hours of primetime with 2 hours of repeats during the day but Top Gear gets more than that on a daily basis.
If you're looking for top notch entertainment head on down to Universal sure you won't get Graham Norton or Planet Earth but you sure won't have a lineup that is as repetitive as a certain kids brand I prefer leaving unnamed.
BBC Brit is a waste but the channel has its own perks that some have to grasp for the time being I mean there's BritBox or BBC iPlayer but to those without these services have to view the bulk of content on this channel which appears as an absolute disaster.
Felix The Cat (GBC)
The player controls Felix the Cat as he sets out to defeat the evil mad Professor who has kidnapped Felix's lovely girlfriend, Kitty. The Game Boy version plays the same as the NES version but features fewer levels.
CNBC To Relaunch In Turkey As CNBC Turkiye By The End Of 2023
According to the statement made by İlbak Holding, CNBC Turkiye will evaluate the global developments in the business world from the perspective of Turkey with its objective and accurate news content. The channel, which will convey the developments in the global financial markets with comprehensive reports and exclusive interviews, will convey the local perspective to the global as well as how global events affect local markets.
CNBC Turkiye, headquartered in Istanbul, will include finance, economy and business news with live broadcast content of at least 10 hours a day. The channel's broadcast content will be supported by international broadcasts from CNBC offices around the world, including Abu Dhabi, London, New York and Singapore.
CNBC Turkiye, which is scheduled to be launched in October 2023, will offer widespread and easy access to viewers across the country through platforms that offer satellite, cable, terrestrial broadcasting networks, internet broadcasting platforms and broadband services.
John Casey, President and General Manager of CNBC International, who included his assessments on the subject in the statement, stated that as a global brand, they are aware of the importance of delivering business news, insights and analysis at the local level.
"We are very excited to herald CNBC Turkiye together with Ilbak Holding and to bring CNBC's unique and dynamic content back to the audience in Turkey," Casey said.
Murat İlbak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of İlbak Holding, stated that they are happy to bring CNBC back to Turkiye with its Turkish content and made the following evaluations:
"CNBC Turkiye will undoubtedly break new ground in the business markets in our country with the complete, impartial, accurate information and news content we have committed to. Turkey has a vibrant and versatile economy with a population of 85 million and a growing investor base. Our aim is to provide an advanced information flow that will facilitate decision-making processes and to reveal the full potential of the business world and markets in Turkey. CNBC Turkey will help its audience make informed decisions and seize opportunities in an ever-changing global business environment.”
Noting that the TV channel will also play an important role in the development of Turkey, which is among the top 20 economies in the world, İlbak emphasized that this strong partnership with CNBC International will also show the strength and dynamism of the Turkish economy.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park (GBC)
The player controls a hunter, who is sent to investigate the current state of the island, and to prevent the hunting teams from achieving their goal.
Noddy And The Birthday Party (GBC)
Big-Ears has an upcoming birthday party. Levels are selected on an overworld map, where Noddy drives his car to any of various locations in Toyland, the setting of the Noddy universe. In each level, the player must help Noddy find all of a series of seven items (which change throughout each level), which will be useful for the setup of the party. After each level is completed, the player gains sixpences, which add up to an amount of 36 by the end of the game, to contribute to funds for the birthday cake.
The Mummy Returns (GBC)
He Rises Again!
Experience the adventure and excitement of the movie, battle Imhotep and his legions of mummies! Avoid torrents of water and death-defying traps! Go on a wild blimp ride and fight atop a doubledecker bus! Can you survive long enough to face The Scorpion King?
The Mummy (GBC)
Set in Hamunaptra, there are 15 stages. There is also a bonus stage called "Cairo". Rick O'Connell is the main game-user, and the players have to defeat enemies such as Slave Mummies and Scarab Beetles.
Where's Wally? (JAR)
Do you remember Wally, the traveler? He is ready to give you new tasks! In the game you will meet 6 puzzles from books about our character. The game has several modes: problem solving, training and classic mode. A great number of puzzles will not let you get bored and make your brain work!
Sprout Is Dead But Still Lives On Through DreamWorks Junior
Sprout was a preschool channel NBCUniversal acquired from PBS, Sesame Workshop and HiT Entertainment from the period of 2011-2013. Under the new ownership, the channel increased investment toward original programming.
The channel went to experiment with its offering by sourcing more half hours for older preschool audiences with shows like Noddy: Toyland Detective, Floogals, Kipper, LazyTown, The Wiggles, Poppy Cat, Nina's World and Justin Time.
In 2017, it was announced that Sprout would become serve as programming block to Universal Kids a new channel that wanted to aim toward older children with shows like Bajillionaires, Hank Zipzer, Polly Pocket and The Deep.
Universal Kids is not known by a lot of consumers internationally same with Sprout but for several years now the international feed has been known as DreamWorks Channel within the brand there's a preschool block known as DreamWorks Junior.
Unlike Sprout, DreamWorks Jr. doesn't offer much educational content as it follows the likes of Disney Junior and Nick Jr. that gear toward character driven shows or anything remotely similar but tone down to main brands Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.
No matter what opinion Sprout fans have over DreamWorks Junior, these type of content get viewers glued not that the offering on Sprout was bad but the world evolves and you still find alternatives like CBeebies and PBS Kids that do have a following.
Some of the content seen on this new version of Sprout includes Noddy: Toyland Detective, VeggieTales In The House, Doug Unplugs, Go Dog Go, Madagascar: A Little Wild and Dragons: Rescue Riders and you even get nostalgic content like Little Charley Bear and Olivia.
Although Universal Kids was said to have destroyed Sprout. DreamWorks Junior actually saved the brand from complete annihilation. I know the content ain't branded as Sprout but think about for a second.
Not a lot of households had access to Sprout and same outcome had fallen onto Universal Kids. If NBCUniversal had kept Sprout would it have survived the linear business especially now that more consumers are binging their favourite shows through their cellular gadgets.
APK: Where Is Waldo Now?
In Where’s Wally Now?, join the world’s most famous striped traveller as he journeys across time and space. Test your observational skills in a series of classic search-and-find levels that explore the Pyramids up to the Future in a game perfectly adapted to short gaming sessions. In each level, play mini-games with Wally’s friends and foes including Woof and Odlaw, and progress through the game to unlock bonus content and earn achievements. Stripe seekers, now is your chance, travel in time and find Wally!
[Missed Opportunity]: Expanding The Reach Of Novela Magic Or Telemundo To DStv Easyview
eExtra was ripped off from the DStv platform for at least a month and was reinstated shortly after alongside eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra on the DStv platform following pending investigation by the Competition Tribunal which will take at least 6 months to resolve.
MultiChoice appears to have moved on although they don't put it in writing recent additions like DreamWorks and Movie Room has led me to believe that the pay-tv company has no plans to keep these channels past 6 months or at least a portion of channels.
As outlined by MultiChoice, eMedia Investments bulk of content doesn't fit into their 5 year content strategy for which the brand had stated consumers are viewing more DStv content than actual original programs although 2 appear to fit that description.
On top of that, they had mentioned that they won't be able to launch as much channels as they used to in the past year due to transponder constraints so whenever a new channel comes it usually has to occupy the space taken away from another channel.
In court, MultiChoice stated 3 SABC channels would accommodate for the 4 e.tv channels in the coming future but that's the thing. If anyone is similar with the SABC then you can already imagine how the content would differ.
Instead of Postman Pat you get Words And Numbers and Die Put is supplemented by past episodes of 90 Plein Street and although some of this content can benefit some audiences it's completely different.
The package I'm targeting for this article had to be Easyview cause as seen by several consumers it's one of the least valuable packages in the market with few exceptions being wrestling on TNT alongside the lifestyle and factual entertainment viewed on Real Time.
On top of that, the package isn't fortunate with additions and at times replacements for whenever a channel is removed from the DStv platform which was the case with eMedia's 4 channels of which the package inherited just 2 channels.
When they were unexpectedly scrapped from the DStv platform. Multichoice rather just add 1 channel to supplement for 2 worse is when the channel doesn't cater to a lot of viewers, PBS Kids.
MultiChoice could have done a lot for the package especially since they lost another notable brand in 2020, SABC Encore which was one of the few watchable channels on the platform and although there's plenty of channels for adults than kids as outlined only a few are worth the value.
Novela Magic or Telemundo would have done better to fill the void MultiChoice left for fans of Kuiertyd. Although, they wouldn't be better Elif, Doodsondes or Stiletto Vendetta these channels have something in common character driven content.
Aside from the content, these channels have a high level of repeats although NBCUniversal doesn't see it the channel has fallen in terms of quantity while as Novela Magic repeats from other M-Net local channels would have given them some outlet to view the bulk of local content.
APK: The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle And Friends
Bullwinkle learns that his ancestor left sums of money for him to collect. Rocky and Bullwinkle need to go through perilous levels that feature their enemies Boris and Natasha, before they could reach the home of the moose's ancestor.
'Days Of Our Lives': Could The Sand In The Hourglass Be Heading To A New Era In South Africa?
NBC’s long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives will be leaving broadcast television after 57 years to stream exclusively on Peacock, the network announced on Wednesday. The change means that fans who previously have been able to watch the show for free on broadcast will now have to pay for a streaming service to learn what happens next in the show’s fictional town of Salem.
“With a large percentage of the Days of Our Lives audience already watching digitally, this move enables us to build the show’s loyal fanbase on streaming while simultaneously bolstering the network daytime offering with an urgent, live programming opportunity for partners and consumers,” Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said in a press release.
Earlier in the year, Days Of Our Lives was swept out of e.tv's primetime offering as eMedia tries to boost their original offering with eMedia Investments expected to invest R100 million in their streaming endeavours which has seen success as the company was able to obtain half a million registrations and record breaking ratings.
Of course, Days Of Our Lives' absence still haunts a lot of consumers as they've been following the soap for half a century when it began on the free-to-air SABC 3 channel which was known at the time as CCV channel and after the SABC's controversial COO at the time Hlaudi Motsoeneng put up a ban for international series forcing the drama to air close to midnight.
As seen earlier in the year, the sand in the hourglass for e.tv has come to an end after almost 5 years of broadcast which has some feeling agitated over an outlet to this ongoing soap opera.
Peacock overseas decided to move Days away from cable as the ratings have been slipping on a year to year basis as direct-to-consumer becomes a top priority for international brands like The Walt Disney Company.
Before this news came into affect, Vodacom's defunct streaming service supplied Bold And The Beautiful another ongoing soap opera and rival to Days Of Our Lives after it was swept out of SABC's lineup due to the corrupt bold man thereafter MultiChoice's DStv as AMC International opt to not supply EVA channel which was the home of Bold on cable.
As it is a lot of long format or in other terms old timers like The Simpsons moved from cable to streaming for consumers in South Africa as The Walt Disney Company retracted the FOX channel as they plan to become a digital exclusive platform like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Now Days Of Our Lives being a digital exclusive doesn't seem far fetched and on Peacock although not available in the region as yet wouldn't be far fetched a stretch as well seeing as Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem which is a spinoff to be the soap can be viewed on the platform.
Peacock on top of being a streaming service is owned by NBCUniversal the same people that own Days Of Our Lives and now the chances of it suffering the franchise getting swept on this platform is close to zero but questions amount to how this service will eventually rollout in South Africa
As it is, Peacock is just another Showmax holds a lot of third party content, limited original content and is not knowledgeable by a lot of consumers as seen with Netflix and Disney+. In some regions, the platform was able to fold under Paramount+ which is expected in Africa by early next year but that doesn't guarantee it will supply Peacock.
Peacock is a very complicated case as outlined there's not much to offer on the table that you would dump a hamburger for a salad while others found comfort on Paramount+ (also known to some as SkyShowcase). Others got it as standalone as seen overseas while others found comfort in a local provider to which I nominate Showmax.
Say what you want about their owners MultiChoice but NBCUniversal has a tight relationship to the company as they supply the only alternative to M-Net on the DStv platform as others were retracted due to content or management changes. On top of that, the movie offering on Studio Universal can come in handy when you're avoiding cartoons.
Prediction: G4 Expands Across The UK, Europe And South Africa Through Ginx Esports TV
G4 is an upcoming gaming brand from NBCUniversal which is scheduled to released by the end of the year in the United States and serves as a rival to SPI International's Gametoons and a spinoff to Sky's Ginx Esports TV.
The revived brand will feature new episodes of past series such as Attack Of The Show!, X-Play, G4TV Esports and Ninja Warrior. They'be even greenlit a new series which stars WWE superstar, Xavier Woods.
Even though, there hasn't been any indicator to a possible rollout it's very likely that it will launch under Ginx Esports TV since Sky is owned by Comcast that also manage NBCUniversal International.
It's also possible that some of the content seen on Ginx Esports TV will be scrapped for 'localised version' of G4's upcoming content seeing as both channels have original content in their respective markets.
Comcast recently partnered up with ViacomCBS International to rollout a new streaming service across Europe called SkyShowcase which will see the best of Peacock and Paramount+ rollout under one brand.
Read Also:
- Disney+ will be launching in South Africa next year
- Star might be replacing FOX sooner than expected
- Utsav might be replacing the Star Channels in Africa
- TNT Africa might rebrand into Warner TV Africa
- Discovery and WarnerMedia could launch a joint streaming service
- Is a new kids brand on the way through Warner Bros. Discovery?
- tvN working to become a permanent brand in Africa
- Disney Channel and Disney+ greenlit several African animations
- Boomerang might be discontinued
Qubo: Background Information And Why It's Not Successful Despite Having Huge Owners Behind Them
The kids brand has been around since 2006 in the United States as a block and standalone channel and most people there (including other markets) never heard of it.
Most of its shows are forgettable except Veggie Tales and most who knew the brand probably grew up watching something from there at some point.
In May 2006, Ion Media alongside NBCUniversal, Corus Entertainment and Scholastic and Classic Media (now DreamWorks Classics with the old branding being used sometimes) announced that they were launching a new educational brand for kids called Qubo.
The brand would have a programming block on NBC, Telemundo and Ion Television as well as on demand service and seperate TV network.
As stated by Rick Rodriguez (former president of Qubo), the brand would be a bilingual offering content in English and Spanish. The reason they call it Qubo is based on the fact you can use it in both those languages without any changes.
In September 2006, NBC launched the kids block which replaced the Discovery Kids block (owned by Discovery, discontinued it to focus on the kids channel). At launch the lineup consisted of shows such as Jane And The Dragon, 321 Penguins, Veggie Tales and Larryboy.
Now the issue here was all the religious stuff was censored out because they violated the rules of NBC's standards and practices department. Many people including the creator of Veggie Tales hated this so the brand pulled those shows off Qubo in 2009.
Ion Media requested must carry policy from the FC to further expand the brand. A year later, they signed carriage agreements with Advanced Cable Communications and Blue Ridge Communications.
After Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2012, NBC and Telemundo announced that they would be discontinuing the Qubo block. NBC replaced theirs with NBC Kids and Telemundo replaced theirs with Mi Telemundo.
This left Ion Television as the only network as the only channel with the Qubo block.
In October 2013, Ion Media Networks acquired Corus Entertainment, Scholastic and by the time Classic Media's shares of Qubo of course these 3 brands obtained programming redistribution from Qubo.
On January 2015, the block on Ion Television was renamed Qubo Kids Corner because it was moved from Friday mornings to Saturday mornings.
Here's why it hasn't been successful even after having huge brands behind them:
1. Many of Qubo's programming isn't all that great. Most of their shows are throwaway and forgettable pieces of nothing. The ones that aren't existed way before Qubo like Veggie Tales and Babar The Elephant.
2. It doesn't exist everywhere. Qubo is affiliated with 67 stations across 36 states and Washington, DC. Many major areas like Baltimore, Merlin and San Diego California are not in Qubo territory.
Add the fact it has no app and you got an epic fail.
Just as Medora Entertainment speculated the channel would be shutting down:
On January 14, 2021, Scripps announced that it will discontinue Ion Plus, Qubo and Shop Ion effective February 28. The spectrum allocated to the networks on the former Ion Media stations will be repurposed to carry the Katz-owned networks starting March 1. with the initial slate of Ion Television O&Os adding those networks following the expiration of Scripps/Katz's existing contracts with other broadcasting companies the day prior, and other stations following suit as contracts with existing affiliates expire throughout 2021 and 2022; in markets where major network affiliates operated by Scripps already carry a Katz-owned network, some will be offloaded to the Ion stations to free up limited spectrum capacity during the ATSC 3.0 transition..
There are rumours that Qubo with be replaced with Ion Kids regardless I don't any kids channel will gain much recognition in the United States since viewers are opting towards streaming.
Read Also:
- The history of PBS Kids
- Could Cartoon Network shut down in the near future?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
