The Box: Netflix announces new korean drama 'scandals' and acquires 'yo no Soy Mendoza'
Africa: MultiChoice Ghana is raising DStv and GOtv prices by over 18% starting in April 2025. This follows two previous hikes in 2024 as they are rolling out across Africa, with Nigeria and Malawi facing over 22% jumps, while Zambia sees rises above 18%.
The Pretoria High Court halted the government's plan to turn off analog signals this month, sparing broadcasters like SABC and e.tv in addition to millions of households still relying on old TVs. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and signal distributor Sentech were barred from cutting service in the four largest provinces. The shutdown, originally set for December 2024, then delayed to March 2025, marks another setback in a 15-year digital migration struggle.
Colin Asiimwe is coming back to MultiChoice Uganda, resuming his former role as head of marketing after a three-year absence. He takes over from Lois Aber Kwikiriza, who succeeded him in 2022. Asiimwe will oversee marketing for DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and M-Net’s Pearl Magic TV channels in Uganda. Initially joining MultiChoice in 2019, he departed in 2022 and now returns from Kigali, Rwanda.
Son Ye-jin - The Chosunilbo JNS
Asia: PCCW Media and SK Global, producers of Crazy Rich Asians and Delhi Crime, have partnered for The Season, a high-budget drama set in Hong Kong’s elite circles. Created by Yalun Tu (NCIS: Hawaii, Wu Assassins), the series is directed by Marialy Rivas (The Jetty). The star-studded cast includes Jessie Mei Li, Karena Lam, Justin Chien, Yvonne Chapman, Celina Jade, Toby Stephens, Kōki, Lee Jae-yoon, Anson Lo, Marf Yau, Lyman Heung, Thor Lok, and Mishy Lee. Streaming on Viu in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa, with wider distribution plans to be announced.
Netflix announced the production of a new Korean drama, Scandals (working title), starring Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing on You), Ji Chang-wook (Welcome to Samdal-ri), and Nana (Mask Girl). The series is an adaptation of the 2003 film Untold Scandal, which is inspired by the French novel Dangerous Liaisons. Directed by Jung Ji-woo (Somebody, A Muse), the series is set in Korea’s Joseon era and follows a group of aristocrats defying social norms through a dangerous game of seduction and deception. Son Ye-jin plays Lady Cho, a brilliant but restricted noblewoman who enters a risky love wager. Ji Chang-wook is Cho Won, a charming rogue who pursues pleasure over duty—and becomes obsessed with winning her over. Meanwhile, Nana portrays Hui-yeon, a widow torn between her vow of chastity and her growing desire for Cho Won.
Fremantle's Asia and Latin America CEO, Ganesh Rajaram, announced that he is stepping down. The Singapore-based executive, a longtime leader at the company, is leaving to take a career break. Fremantle has confirmed it won't be filling his position. Rajaram gave a statement saying;
“After 20 amazing years at Fremantle, it is now the right time for me to take a step back from my career to focus on my family, I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank Jen, the GLT, the Asian and Lat Am production teams and my FMI colleagues. It has been a great ride and there have been too many wonderful moments over two decades to mention them all. More than anything, what I will miss most about Fremantle are the people and priceless relationships – something hard to find any place else. I wish you all the very best and look forward to seeing Fremantle’s continued success – albeit from a beach with my wife and son.”
telemundo
Latin America: Javier Pons has been elevated to Chief Content Officer & Head of Telemundo Studios at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. Pons joined the company last year and will now report to NBCU Telemundo Chairman Luis Fernandez. His new role includes managing the network’s entertainment division, overseeing scripted/unscripted content, daily shows, and live specials. Previously, Pons co-produced films such as Official Competition (Competencia Oficial), featuring Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz, and served as a delegate producer on The Good Boss (El Buen Patrón), starring Javier Bardem.
Netflix has acquired Yo No Soy Mendoza for Latin America, a dark comedy drama from Fernando Gaitán, creator of Yo Soy Betty, La Fea. Produced by Sony, the series follows Julián García, a debt collector forced to impersonate a wealthy man with a dangerous past after being kidnapped. Set in Mexico City, the story thrusts Julián into a life of luxury, deadly enemies, and a fake marriage to Laura Santander. Vadhir Derbez plays two characters, Julián and the man he replaces, while Laura Londoño stars as Laura. Sony Pictures Television produced the series and secured the Netflix deal, which will bring the series to viewers across Latin America.
