14 November 2018
Turner and Showmax deal brings top US millennial channel to local shores
[Johannesburg, SA]: The #1 US cable destination for millennials, Adult Swim is set to make waves with its African premiere this month, in a new distribution deal between Turner and African OTT Subscription Video on Demand platform Showmax, owned by the MultiChoice group.
With its epic mix of animation, stop-motion and live action comedy, audiences in South Africa will have access to an extensive catalogue of Adult Swim’s weirdly wonderful, eclectic, surprising, quirky and surreal content for the first time. This includes multi-award-winning animated series Samurai Jack, Robot Chicken, and Rick and Morty, along with fan favourites Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Jellies, and live action comedies Black Jesus and Eagleheart.
Having proven its zeal for innovation and authentic engagement in the US, Adult Swim now claims 5 of the 10 best comedies launched this year amongst US males 18-34 and 3 of the 10 best comedies amongst all adults. The brand is set to spread this energy throughout South Africa, where the comedy genre already sees great success.
“Adult Swim does television like no one else and we are excited to bring this cutting-edge programming to young African adults who are on the go. Now available exclusively on Showmax, we are creating a disruptive entertainment experience in a new segment for us in Africa: Millennials. This is a great opportunity to capitalise on the huge success of the brand in the US and engage a new group of fans in South Africa with Adult Swim’s distinctive and visually powerful content,” says Guillaume Coffin, VP Head of Commercial and Business Development, Turner France & Africa.
The Adult Swim Collection, only on Showmax
Rick and Morty
The Emmy-winning, half-hour animated hit comedy series on Adult Swim that follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick Sanchez is living with his daughter Beth’s family and constantly bringing her, his son-in-law Jerry, granddaughter Summer, and grandson Morty into intergalactic escapades. Can the family survive Rick’s insanity and all the chaos the universe throws at them? Watch now »
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
The misadventures of the milkshake, an order of fries, a meatball, and their retired next-door neighbour in the suburbs of New Jersey. The show is now on its 11th season, with 137 episodes. Watch now »
The Jellies
The show follows a family of jellyfish and their 16-year-old son Cornell. When the boy learns he was adopted at birth, he is shocked, and subsequently spirals out of control in an attempt to “find himself.” As a result, he and his family and friends wind up in what the network bills as “uncanny situations.” Watch now »
Samurai Jack
After 12 years, Jack is back! Original creator and executive producer Genndy Tartakovsky continues the epic story of Samurai Jack with a new season of half-hour episodes, where a samurai sent through time fights to return home and save the world. The show was awarded with four Primetime Emmys between 2003 and 2017. Watch now »
Robot Chicken
From creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, Robot Chicken is stop-motion pop-culture parodies in fast-paced succession spanning TV, movies, music and celebrity. The award-winning series uses stop-motion animation to bring pop-culture parodies to life in a modern take on the variety/sketch show format. Robot Chicken began airing in February 2005 and remains among the top-rated original series on Adult Swim. Watch now »
NTSF:SD:SUV
Never forget? Terrorism hasn’t, and neither will the NTSF:SD:SUV, aka the National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle. In a world where threatening danger looms large, and Homeland Security won’t secure itself, San Diego’s citizens can’t afford not to trust in the NTSF. Watch now »
Eagleheart
In this parody on cop shows, a mad-dog US Marshal, bent on justice, battles crime his way and has only two less than perfect partners … and a stodgy boss to rely on. Watch now »
Black Dynamite
The Black Dynamite animated series further chronicles the exploits of the central character, Black Dynamite, and his crew. Action comedy-spoof that follows ex-CIA Agent and full-time ladies’ man Black Dynamite, who’s out to avenge the death of his brother against kung-fu masters, drug-dealing pimps and The Man. Watch now »
Black Jesus
Live-action scripted comedy series, featuring a street-smart Jesus, who is living in present-day Compton, CA and is on a mission to spread love and kindness throughout the crime-ridden LA neighbourhood, with his small but loyal group of downtrodden followers. Watch now »
About Turner International
Turner International is an entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. It operates versions of core Turner brands, including CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM Turner Classic Movies, as well as country- and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. It manages the business of Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services, and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures; it teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage WarnerMedia’s global reach. Turner International operates 180 channels showcasing 47 brands in 34 languages in over 200 countries. Turner International is a WarnerMedia company.
About Adult Swim
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 94 million U.S. homes.
About Showmax
Showmax is an internet TV service. For a single monthly fee, get all-you-can-eat access to a huge online catalogue of TV shows, movies, kids’ shows and documentaries. Start and stop when you want. No ads. Cancel anytime – there’s no contract.
Stream Showmax using apps for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players and gaming consoles. Showmax also works with Chromecast and AirPlay. Manage data consumption using the bandwidth capping feature. No internet? No problem – download up to 25 shows to smartphones and tablets to watch later offline.
Showmax was born in 2015 and is currently available in more than 70 countries. For a free, no-risk trial, visit https://www.showmax.com.
Original African stories by local talent
Spooksoeker S1
When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream on Showmax from 5 December.
4Play
4Play follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Die Tollie & Manila Show
A bold talk show where SA celebs join drag queens Tollie Parton and Manila von Teez for an evening of conversation and games… in drag. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday.
The Station Strangler
The Station Strangler is a true-crime documentary investigating the serial killer who is believed to have killed 21 young boys and one adult from the late 80s to the mid-90s on the Cape Flats. Now available to stream.
Black & Blue S1
Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, now streaming, with new episode every Wednesday.
Ubuthe Uzobuya
Ubuthe Uzobuya delves into the lives of couples torn apart when one partner abruptly disappears without explanation. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Princess on a Hill
Princess on a Hill is a compelling drama series that explores themes of power, ambition, and the cost of success. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Brasse Vannie Kaap
Brasse Vannie Kaap is a documentary about the iconic, game-changing 90s group who helped make hip hop South African. Stream now on Showmax.
Youngins S2, now streaming
Soft Life, coming to Showmax
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