When did the dub switch happen on Startimes Kungfu Channel in South Africa?

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

For anyone unaware, in 2015/2016 the Chinese dub of original Dragon Ball was aired on Startimes Kungfu in South Africa with English subtitles.

The reason why they opted to air the Chinese dub is unclear, but as StarTimes Group was formed in Beijing in 1988 it is possible they at some point acquired the rights to this dub, maybe even aired it on a channel they owned in China between 1998 and 2000, as I've heard Dragon Ball aired on many channels during that time (suggesting perhaps it was syndicated).

More curiously, as we can hear Stephanie Nadolny's Goku in this promo however it appears at some point the channel aired Funimation's dub.

Moreover, as this promo indicates the channel also aired Dragon Ball Z, which wasn't dubbed in mainland China. Was the switch to English so viewers could get used to hearing the series in that language? Was the Chinese dub of Dragon Ball only aired to test the waters airing the series in Mandarin?

[Dragon ball master]

You know you could just put this on the official dragon ball dub thread, right?

[VegettoEX]

You know you could just put this on the official dragon ball dub thread, right?

I've observed this behavior often where folks seem to think they "claim" a subject and other users are therefore required to post in their specific threads. That's... just not the case. Anyone can post about whatever they want, and the only stipulations made on those posts and categorization are those that the moderation team decides.

If someone wants to ask a question about a specific channel in South Africa, they're entitled to do that in their own newly-created thread -- the thread you created does not hold a monopoly on discussion.

Yes, it would be nice if folks in general on this and other forums would take a cursory look around and see if there are other current/ongoing threads that might be a good place for their question/discussion/point, but that's not relevant here.

[Tian]

Moreover, as this promo indicates the channel also aired Dragon Ball Z, which wasn't dubbed in mainland China. Was the switch to English so viewers could get used to hearing the series in that language? Was the Chinese dub of Dragon Ball only aired to test the waters airing the series in Mandarin?

Startimes probably only licensed the first 57 episodes released on VCD (Kei mentioned that there were more Mandarin dubbed episodes aired on TV but they are currently lost media) and they were forced to switch for episode 58 onwards.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

You know you could just put this on the official dragon ball dub thread, right?

Yes, but why have one thread for something as broad as dubs? As VegettoEX said there's no need. Specific threads are more likely to be found on Google searches. If everything about dubs was covered in one thread it would also be overwhelming for people that don't follow it closely. Look at the Ocean Kai thread. It's overly long and bloated to the point my pal Robo4900 had to write up an infodump for anyone that wants to read all the important bits in one place.

Startimes probably only licensed the first 57 episodes released on VCD (Kei mentioned that there were more Mandarin dubbed episodes aired on TV but they are currently lost media) and they were forced to switch for episode 58 onwards.

Yes, all 153 episodes of original Dragon Ball were dubbed in China and I believe that they are shared in their entirety, at least among native fans. Y2_O3 would be able to help you further if you ask. It is a fair suggestion that only the first 52 episodes were aired in Mandarin though, as having a VCD release would undoubtedly make them easier to come across.

[Tian]

Y2_O3 would be able to help you further if you ask. It is a fair suggestion that only the first 52 episodes were aired in Mandarin though, as having a VCD release would undoubtedly make them easier to come across.

Thanks! I'll try to contact them to find out which company distributed or licensed the dub on VCD.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Y2_O3 would be able to help you further if you ask. It is a fair suggestion that only the first 52 episodes were aired in Mandarin though, as having a VCD release would undoubtedly make them easier to come across.

Thanks! I'll try to contact them to find out which company distributed or licensed the dub on VCD.

Cool, if you find out the name of the home video distributor of the mainland Chinese dub do let me know.

It looks bootleg from kei17's pics, although it's interesting he says the VCD is from 1997, as most Chinese fans I've asked on Reddit and other forums are under the impression it aired on TV in the early 2000s (Y2_O3 has given the earliest broadcast year, which is 1998).

So many untold mysteries about Dragon Ball around the world.

[GhostEmperorX]

Aside general, long-running animosity between Chinese lands & Japan, I wonder if there's any reason that DB in the former didn't quite take off to the same degree as it did in Europe & Latin America (where most everything got a dub, although I'm not sure about movies), if what's been said about it so far is to be believed (particularly regarding incomplete episode dubs & such).
In particular it would be interesting to know of what home video releases people in any of the Chinese parts of Asia have access to, and if they have their own subtitles.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Why are you guys talking about the Chinese dub in the South Africa thread? It's bad enough that people dont know how much South Africa loves Dragon Ball: A LOT. Kai in was the highest rated show for kids in the region and it had huge ratings.


EDIT: OOPS! I saw why. In the first post. Still I think someone should make a South African thread. Not me though.

[GhostEmperorX]

people dont know how much South Africa loves Dragon Ball: A LOT.

Never got a single thing from the franchise aired on their DStv (Multichoice) service in my own country though.

[Cure Dragon 255]

Oh you are from South Africa? AWESOME!




I saw it on Kidscreen. Top 5 kids shows in the region. I would love knowing more about it.

[GhostEmperorX]

Oh you are from South Africa? AWESOME!

No, just from another country in that continent that basically has to depend on their service because we don't have alternatives of our own.