SONY MAX LAUNCHES ACROSS AFRICA ON DStv.

A brand-new 24 hour Sony Max action and reality TV channel is the male-skewing channel that will be replacing the defunct Animax on channel 126 on DStv from 1 February at 8pm.and will be available to both Compact,Compact Plus and Premium subscribers.


''We are delighted to launch a new Sony-branded channel for the men of Africa, working closely again with such an established pay TV player as MultiChoice,'' says Eddie Nelson, senior vice president of the Europe,Middle East and Africa region of Sony Pictures Television. ''With our great line up of movies, series and not-to-be-missed action and reality programming, Sony Max offers world class entertainment.''

Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's general manager of content says the pay TV platform is ''excited about the launch of another Sony-branded channel''. ''Sony Max will provide more adrenaline-filled, action programming which our viewers love; with the welcome return of several viewer favourites such as Ninja Warriors and Takeshi's Castle.''
New for African TV viewers on the Sony Max schedule is Mexican wrestling in CMLL Presents: Arena Mexico, and the comedy drama Call me Fitz starring Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Jason Priestly that starts on 8 February at 8pm. In March Sony Max has the 2nd season of the drama The District and I Dare You! The Ultimate Challenge. Sony Max also has the rights to the Video Game Awards 2010 which will be broadcast on Sunday, 13 March at 1:30pm and Tuesday 29 March at 8pm.

Uti and Helen Paul host JARA on AfricaMagic.

Want to go behind the scenes in Nollywood? Want to get the inside scoop on what’s going on in Nigeria’s vibrant film industry? Want to catch up with your favourite Nollywood stars as they chat about their stellar careers? Then tune in to AfricaMagic as the channel puts Nollywood in the spotlight with its first production, JARA.

The flagship new series is packed with fun news and information, direct from the thriving heart of Africa’s busiest film hub. Screening to DStv audiences every Saturday evening in primetime (6:30pm Nigerian Time), JARA is hosted by two of Nigeria’s hottest stars…popular and sociable Big Brother All Stars winner Uti Nwachukwu and sensational entertainment personality Helen Paul.

Speaking about the debut of JARA, M-Net Managing Director Biola Alabi said the series had been in planning and development for some time. “M-Net has created numerous original productions like Tinsel, Studio 53 and Comedy Club, which have been shown on the AfricaMagic channel.  Further to this, we’ve licensed a lot of African series from producers across the continent. Now we felt it was time for AfricaMagic to have its very own original production, something we developed specifically for this very popular channel and its enthusiastic audience. JARA is the result and we’re very pleased to have the chance to really profile Nigeria’s directors, producers, stars – showing them at premieres, galas, awards shows and at work.”

She continues, “This kind of programming is in demand internationally and is very powerful. We are delighted that we can help facilitate a closer relationship between the world of Nollywood celebrities and their fans across Africa – those viewers who just love the movies and those stars that want to share their experiences with these viewers.”

JARA is filmed on location in Lagos and some of its first inserts have included – a focus on the Bon Awards and the Tima Awards, a visit to the Port Harcourt International Film Festival, a countdown of the top female actresses to watch in 2011 and profiles on producers Tunde Kelani and Lonzo Nzekwe. Guests in studio have already included Ini Edo and Omoni Oboli plus JARA has also included an insert on Desmond Elliot on holiday. Also coming up is an interview with Nollywood legend Ramsey Noah (Saturday January 29).

JARA is re-screened on AfricaMagic every Monday at 11am and Wednesday at 10pm

Thanks to Ameyaw of http://www.ameyawdebrah.com for this gist.

M-Net searches for new housemates for Big Brother Africa 6! (UPDATE).

M-Net’s Big Brother Africa is looking for new housemates and the search starts right now!

The house is being transformed. The lights and cameras are getting ready to roll again. The doors are opening…but will it be you to walk through them into the spotlight? M-Net’s Big Brother Africa is looking for new housemates and the search starts right now!

The biggest reality show on the continent, with its impressive USD 200 000 winner cash prize, is back for a ground-breaking 6th season and the call for entries has begun in the 14 participating countries.

Would-be housemates from Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe who fulfil the entry criteria can enter now.

If you are 21 years old or older, fluent in English, have a valid passport and are a citizen of any one of the 14 participating countries, then you too can enter. Simply collect an entry form from the MultiChoice office in your country, complete and return. It’s that easy to enter. Alternatively, you can log on to www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother and complete your entry form online. Or download an entry form from the website, complete and email it back to bba@endemol.co.za. The deadline for all entries to be submitted is 27 February 2011 – so don’t delay.

Remember that all entrants must be tolerant of views and lifestyle choices other than their own and must have the social flexibility to live in close proximity with others.

Once all entries have been received, series producers Endemol will begin the process of selection, evaluating entries and shortlisting possible housemates before the audition process proceeds further. If your entry is successful, you will be contacted by the show’s production team who will advise you of the next steps in the audition process.

Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa Managing Director, said that M-Net is looking forward to the new season of the show.

“Last year’s All Star version was a great success and we were extremely pleased with the show’s performance as some of the continent’s favourite Big Brother Africa housemates from previous years were reunited. It was compelling, entertaining and exciting television. This year it’s once again time for fresh faces and new perspectives so we encourage entries from across the 14 countries.

We are always approached by people who want to enter Big Brother so this is their chance. If you are interested, enter as soon as possible and who knows, you could be the next housemate to enter the Big Brother house!”

She goes on to say, “As with previous years, we won’t be divulging too many details about the new season as yet. Our audiences respond favourably to surprises, they look forward to see what will happen next, what the new twists will be and we aim to please. This is a game like no other and with the format remaining highly popular with our audiences, our focus now is on creating something new and innovative while maintaining those aspects, like the strategic nomination sessions and dramatic eviction nights, that are the foundation of this show.”

Meanwhile Sivan Pillay, Managing Director Endemol, is also enthusiastic about the new season. “Big Brother is a television format that continues to enjoy great success around the world, including in countries like Spain and Germany where more than 10 editions of the show have been created. Africa is no exception to this and the format continues to be popular.”

M-Net has also confirmed that the new season of Big Brother Africa begins on Sunday May 1 this year and once more, the dedicated DStv channel 198 will be providing 24/7 live coverage for the 91 day duration of the series.

Since its launch in 2003, five seasons of the show have been created and winners have come from across the continent. In season 1, Zambia’s Cherise Makubale walked off with the big prize, followed in season 2 by Tanzania’s Richard Bezuidenhout. Angola’s Ricco Venancio was the winner in season 3 with Nigeria’s Kevin Pam Chuwang winning season 4 and Uti Nwachukwu, also from Nigeria, taking home USD 200 000 in season 5. Who will be the winner in 2011?

F1 in High Definition this year.

SuperSport has announced that it will be broadcasting the entire Formula One series in High Definition from this season.

This follows Bernie Ecclestone's confirmation that an HD feed will be available to all of the sport's host television broadcasters.

F1 attracts more than 500 million television viewers globally and Bernie's company, FOM, made the decision after extensive research and investment.

SuperSport will now follow suit, adding to its already-extensive HD sports coverage.

Unfortunately, F1 qualifying and practice sessions will continue to be broadcast in normal definition (SD) due to capacity constraints.

SuperSport's head of channels, Tex Teixeira exclaimed: "We're thrilled to be broadcasting F1 in HD. It's what viewers have been waiting for and will reaffirm SuperSport as the continent's leading sports broadcaster."



2011 F1 CALENDAR:

March 13 - Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir

March 27 - Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

April 10 - Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang

April 17 - Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai

May 8 - Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul

May 22 - Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona

May 29 - Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo

June 12 - Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal

June 26 - European Grand Prix, Valencia

July 10 - British Grand Prix, Silverstone

July 24 - German Grand Prix, Nürburgring

July 31 - Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring

August 28 - Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps

September 11 - Italian Grand Prix, Monza

September 25 - Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay

October 9 - Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka

October 16 - Korean Grand Prix, Yeongam

October 30 - Indian Grand Prix, New Delhi

November 13 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina

November 27 - Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos

BBC: Home of the British Royal Wedding (100 Days to go).

BBC World News is the only place to fully experience this truly global event. As well as full, uninterrupted coverage on the day, we will also give unique insight into the arrangements in the run up to the wedding as well as asking what it all means for a modern British monarchy.

Big Brother Africa (2011) is back!

It’s time to enter Big Brother Africa, before you go any further please remember you have to be 21 years or older and applications close on 27th February 2011

Step 1: Download the BBA 2011 application form.
Step 2: Please read carefully the”Information for Applicants” section on the BBA 2011 Application Form.
Step 3: Please complete the application form and attach your photographs.
Step 4: Email the completed application form to BBA@endemol.co.za or drop it off at the following Multichoice offices:
Angola-Luanda, Botswana-Gabarone, Ethiopia–Addis Ababa, Ghana-Accra, Kenya-Nairobi, Malawi-Blantyre, Mozambique-Maputo, Namibia-Windhoek, Nigeria-Lagos, South Africa-Johannesburg, Tanzania-Dar es Salaam, Uganda-Kampala, Zambia-Lusaka, Zimbabwe-Harare


NB. Please contact your local Multichoice office for additional drop off points


Download the application form HERE:- http://go.dstv.com/BBA/BBA_Entry_Application_Form.pdf (file size 2.9 MB)

The Listener comes to Africa.

A great show is coming to Fox Entertainment (HiTV Channel 15) when The Listener with Craig Olejnik as Toby Logan debuts on Saturday, 22 January at 7:15pm

This supernatural show with 13 episodes in its first season (it second season will start next month in Canada), is about a 25 year old Toby who can hear people's thoughts. Mysteriously, this telepatic paramedic in Toronto grew up without knowing his father, and bounced from foster home to foster home.

Now he cruises the street of Toronto in an ambulance with his partner Osman ''Oz'' Bey, helping people while he can hear everyone's most intimate thoughts - while piecing together his strange past with the help of detective Charlie Marks and his on-again, off again girlfriend Olivia Fawcett.

Many cool surprises are waiting in The Listener, but I won't spoil any of it. Different names, all kinds of clues, cool stories. If you like Kyle XY you'll love this show. Okay. . . I'll spoil one thing. Toby actually had to be protected and so had to be hidden away - by orders of his mother because he's special and because some people simply cannot be allowed to find . . . but I've said too much.

GLEE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SHINE AT THE GLOBES.

There was plenty of Glee in Hollywood where the TV show about a song-filled high school walked away with all the TV comedy awards at the Golden Globes – the first major awards ceremony of the year.

The British comedian and creator of The Office, Ricky Gervais, hosted an evening of glitz and glamour for a second successive year, opening with a nod to the increasing number of 3D films, and suggesting that the only film of the past year without 3D characters was The Tourist. This raised the question of how the film got three nominations – was it because the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association just wanted to spend the evening with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. It certainly couldn’t be the fabled bribes, he suggested, because who would see tickets to a Cher concert as a bribe. “It’s not 1975,” he quipped.

Accepting the Golden Globe for BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL for “Glee” (FOX) is producer Ryan Murphy, at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, January 16, 2011.

After a digging his comedic claws into more of Hollywood’s favorites, the evening launched with Christian Bale taking the Best Supporting Actor trophy for playing the drug-addicted brother of boxing champion Micky Ward in The Fighter. The film also picked up the prize for best supporting actress: Melissa Leo played the mother of the pair.

The top acting prizes went to Colin Firth for playing King George VI in the drama, The King’s Speech, Natalie Portman for the ballet drama Black Swan, Paul Giamatti for the comedy Barney’s Version and Annette Bening for the lesbian comedy The Kids Are All Right, which also took the prize for best comedy. Best Drama went to The Social Network, which also took the prizes for best director, for David Fincher. Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay for the same film also won him a Golden Globe.

The HFPA’s annual awards ceremony also honors the best achievement in television, where, as in the film categories, the main prizes are handed separately to dramas and comedies. Katey Segal’s performance in Sons of Anarchy earned her the best actress award for drama. Steve Buscemi took the best acting award for Boardwalk Empire, which also won best TV drama. Glee took the prize for Best Comedy series, as well as best supporting actor in a comedy, for Chris Colfer, and Jane Lynch was the best supporting actress for the same show.

The best actress in a comedy series was Laura Linney, the star of The Big C. And Jim Parsons, from Big Bang Theory, was awarded the Golden Globe for best actor in a TV comedy.

Bridging the gap between television and films are categories for miniseries and TV movies. Olivier Assayas’ biopic of the terrorist Carlos the Jackal, Carlos, won the main prize in this category, with Al Pacino taking the Golden Globe for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for playing another real-life character, the euthanasia doctor Jack Kevorkian, in the TV movie You Don’t Know Jack. The best actress in this category went to Claire Danes for her portrayal of another real person, the Autistic Author-scientist Temple Grandin.

Other awards included Toy Story 3 for Best Animated Feature, the Danish film In A Better World took the Best Foreign Language Film, Cher’s song You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me was the Best Song, for Burlesque, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score for The Social Network also earned them a Golden Globe.

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony is the biggest and most glamorous event in Hollywood calendar. The awards are considered by the industry as the best indicators for next month’s Oscars.

In their speeches, tonight’s winners expressed their gratitude, to their collaborator, but mainly to Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for recognizing their work and their talent.

The Golden Globe awards are voted for by the 83 HFPA members, who also organize the ceremony and co produce the show with The Dick Clark Productions. More than 19 million viewers tuned in to watch the show last year on NBC, and many expect this number to be even higher this year.

Earlier, more than 200 stars from Hollywood and beyond marched along the red carpet, dressed in their finest gowns and dripping with diamond and other jewelery, as they were showered by cameras flashes and their names were shouted by the screaming fans.

Surrounded by so many of their peers, the stars seemed to be at ease, loitering around the ballroom or sipping drinks in the outdoor bar and chatting with colleagues and friends. In fact, the Golden Globe ceremony is one of those rare events where one would bumps into stars more than into mortals. You become so used to it that I didn’t raise an eyebrow when Robert De Niro walked in the restroom with us.

Right after the ceremony, six parties, held by different studios, kick off in different venues inside the Beverly Hilton hotel, honoring their nominees and tonight’s winners.

The ceremony is over but the party has just started. The Golden Globe event is indeed the best party in town.

Just in case you missed it, here is the Golden Globes winner’s list (2011)

Best Motion Picture, Drama
The Social Network

Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
The Kids Are All Right

Best Director – Motion Picture
David Fincher – The Social Network

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Colin Firth – The King’s Speech

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Natalie Portman – Black Swan

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy
Paul Giamatti – Barney’s Version

Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy
Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Christian Bale – The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Melissa Leo – The Fighter

Best Animated Feature Film
Toy Story 3

Best Foreign Language Film
In A Better World (Denmark)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Aaron Sorkin – The Social Network

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Social Network

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me” – Burlesque

Best Television Series – Drama
Boardwalk Empire

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama
Katey Sagal – Sons Of Anarchy

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama
Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire

Best Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Glee

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Laura Linney – The Big C

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Comedy Or Musical
Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Claire Danes – Temple Grandin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Chris Colfer – Glee

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jane Lynch – Glee

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Al Pacino – You Don’t Know Jack

What did you think of the Golden Globes winner’s list (2011)? Were you caught off guard by any of them?

TRACE ADOPTS A NEW VISUAL IDENTITY.

As of January 31st, TRACE adopts a new visual identity. On this occasion, TRACE, the urban channel becomes TRACE Urban and adopts a new logo.

New TRACE Urban Logo

TRACE, the leading brand and urban media group, commissioned the Award winning agency “360 Creative” with a very clear brief: reinforce TRACE brand and make each TRACE branded media and service instantly identifiable,clearly positioned and meaningful for viewers, listeners, subscribers and partner.

As a matter of fact, after launching TRACE Mobile and TRACE FM in 2005, TRACE Digital Radio and TRACE Tropicalchannel in 2009, the TRACE family will continue growing in 2011 with the launch of a new global channel, TRACESPORTS HD, proposing lifestyle and factual entertainment content related to the sports celebrities (05 2011).TRACE will also launch several HD versions of its musical channels and a new version of its website www.TRACE.tv.

New TRACE Tropical logo

360 Creative has therefore rethought the global brand and visual identity of the TRACE group and media. In January 2011, all TRACE branded properties will adopt new logos. TRACE, the « original » urban channel, will be renamed “TRACE Urban”. The addition of the identifier « Urban» further asserts the channel’s existing position as a leader in the area of urban music and culture. The 3 TRACE channels will propose new baselines.

M-Net snags the BAFTA Awards .

M-Net has snagged the broadcasting rights for Africa to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) Awards and will broadcast the British ceremony honouring the best in British film and television in high definition (HD) on M-Net Movies 1 HD (DStv 175).

The 2011 Bafta Awards will be shown on both M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103) and M-Net Movies 1 HD (DStv 175) on Monday, 14 February at 2am. Two weeks after this M-Net Movies 1 HD will broadcast the Oscars live and in HD on 28 February also at 2am.

New set shown and more upcoming guests announced for Piers Morgan Tonight .

New Piers Morgan Tonight set

This is how the set will look of Piers Morgan Tonight that starts on Tuesday, 18 January at 9pm on CNN International (DStv 401) and will be replacing Larry King Live on weekdays on the international news channel. Jonathan Wald will be the executive producer.


I also have some more Piers Morgan Tonight broadcasting times. CNN International now reveals that besides the 9pm weekday timeslot, Piers Morgan Tonight will also be shown live at 3am (Nigerian time) Mondays to Fridays, and at 1pm on weekday afternoons.
In addition to the Piers Morgan Tonight premiere guest Oprah Winfrey that was announced at last weeks Television Critics Association week the rest of the first week's guest roster include Howard Stern, Condoleezza Rice, Ricky Gervais and George Clooney. In a new press release CNN says guests confirmed in following weeks include Rudy Giuliani, Rod Stewart, Kim Kardashian and Donald Trump.

HiTV launches Star Gold to replace Zee Cinema.

HiTV begins 2011 on a bright note with the launch of STAR Gold Indian Movie Channel. Billed to kick off on Monday 10th January, STAR Gold will replace Zee Cinema. Though the latter has over the years gained huge followership, they are not in doubt that STAR Gold will do even better. STAR Gold is from the stables of STAR India, a leading media and entertainment company which is available in over 65 countries across the globe.

Movies spanning various genres such as comedy, drama and romance will be shown on the channel. This month’s offerings already hold a lot of promise and i can’t wait….

For more information, kindly visit www.startv.com or www.hitv.com.ng

The Oscars:The 83rd Annual Academy Awards live and in HD.

I can be first to reveal exactly how and on what channels African TV viewers will be able to watch this year's Oscars - with several choices available to watch the 83rd Annual Academy Awards across various M-Net channels either live; in high definition (HD); live and in HD; or in HD.

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards with James Franco and Anne Hathaway as the hosts this year will go out live on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 103) on Monday, 28 February at 2am (Nigerian time) as well as live and in high definition (HD) on M-Net Movies 1 HD (DStv 175) on the same date and 2am starting time.

Besides these 2 live broadcasts, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards will go out later on Monday, 28 February on M-Net East and West(DStv 101 and 102 ) at 8:30pm, and in high definition (HD) on the same date and 8:30pm starting time on M-Net Africa HD (DStv 170).

BREAKING:- World One on CNN International moves to 11pm time slot weeknights.

With the launch of Piers Morgan Tonight, the new weekday talk show of Piers Morgan that starts on 18 January in Nigeria on CNN International (DStv 401) and now with the confirmed time of 9pm on the schedule it indeed means changes for CNN International's primetime line-up.

I've heard back from CNN International that confirms that World One with Fionnuala Sweeney will disappear from its 9pm timeslot on CNN International's schedule from 18 January. World One had its debut in September 2009, but CNN International has now decided to move the Piers Morgan talk show into the timeslot that World One has occupied for almost the past year and a half.

A new hour long World One broadcast at 11pm (Nigerian time) will debut at the end of the day on 17 January, which will be anchored by Zain Verjee and Monita Rajpal from London. Meanwhile World Sport and one of CNN International's regular feature shows will be moved to the new open 12noon timeslot where Larry King Live used to be.

Piers Morgan Tonight will go out in the new primetime slot on CNN International.

CNN International (DStv 401) just confirmed the time of the new talk show Piers Morgan Tonight which will debut on 18 January in Nigeria with Oprah Winfrey as his first guest, but it won't be in the 11:00am timeslot where Larry King Live used to be. Instead Piers Morgan Tonight will get a daily primetime slot of 9pm (Nigerian time) on weekdays.

With Piers Morgan Tonight moving to 9pm on weekdays on CNN International, where does that leave the current World One with Fionnuala Sweeney? CNN International isn't saying yet whether World One will be moving to another timeslot, or will be ending.

Oprah Winfrey will be the first guest of Piers Morgan Tonight .

The first guest of Piers Morgan Tonight, the new weekday talk show replacing Larry King Live on CNN International (DStv 401) this month will be talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.

The former British tabloid editor made the announcement at the Television Critics Association winter press tour who said that he interviewed Oprah Winfrey this past week in California. Although the time on the schedule for Piers Morgan Tonight has not yet been confirmed, it will most probably fill the 11:00am slot in which Larry King Live was seen (Nigerian time).