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For Your Consideration: The Best International Series of 2023

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What do the most-nominated show at the Emmys and Golden Globes (Succession), IMDb’s Most Popular Series of 2023 and Google’s most searched TV show (The Last of Us), and the best-reviewed series of 2023 (Rain Dogs) have in common? They’re all only available in Africa on Showmax.
Explore the best TV series of 2023 below:
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SUCCESSION S4 | First On Showmax | Binge now
As Vulture puts it, “Succession. This is the most boring, unsurprising answer to the question, ‘What was the best TV show of 2023?’ It also happens to be the truth.”
Everyone from Entertainment Weekly to Time agrees, as do the Emmys and Golden Globes, where it’s the most nominated series overall for both.
In Season 4 of HBO’s smash hit series, the sale of Waystar Royco to tech visionary Lukas Matsson (Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgård) is looming ever closer. It’s a prospect that provokes existential angst and familial division among the Roys as they anticipate their diminished cultural and political influence once the deal is completed.
“Just as The Sopranos and The Wire defined one era of HBO, Succession will go down as the best series of its time. If anyone disagrees, it’s best to ignore them: They’re not serious people,” says The Ringer, calling back to Logan Roy putting his children in their place once again.
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THE LAST OF US S1 | Binge now
The most popular series on IMDb this year, The Last of Us is set 20 years after modern civilisation has been destroyed. Joel is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of an oppressive quarantine zone. But what starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal journey as the pair cross the US, depending on each other for survival.
The most searched TV series on Google in 2023, the breakout HBO hit raked in 24 Emmy nominations this year – behind only Succession S4. This includes Best Drama, as well as first-ever Best Actress and Actor nominations for its two stars, Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) and Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian).
Indiewire hails the Playstation adaptation as the Best New Show of 2023, while Variety’s Aramide Tinubu named The Last of Us as her top show overall for the year. As Financial Times put it in their Best TV Shows of 2023 roundup, “Who would have thought a survival series set in a world overrun by mushroom monsters would be one of the year’s most affecting dramas?”
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RAIN DOGS S1 | Binge now
HBO and BBC One collab Rain Dogs is MetaCritic’s best-reviewed show of 2023, with an 88% metascore.
Double-BAFTA winner Daisy May Cooper stars as Costello Jones, a devoted mother, aspiring author, and peepshow dancer, who wants more for her young daughter.
As Time puts it, “Streamers are going broke scrambling to scale up television to fit genre-franchise-multiverse specs, but often the most effective small-screen stories are also the most intimate. Rain Dogs is this year’s most compelling case in point, a portrait of a fascinatingly unconventional family… The perfect balance of darkness, warmth, grit, and scathing British humour.”
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MRS. DAVIS S1 | First on Showmax | Binge now
“Hallucinate” was Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year, so it feels right that a show about defying AI was named the best TV series of 2023 by The Washington Post, who hailed the Peacock Original as “a romp, an epic, a masterpiece.”
Mrs. Davis is the world’s most powerful Artificial Intelligence. Simone (three-time Emmy nominee Betty Gilpin) is the nun devoted to destroying her.
Mrs. Davis is co-created by three-time Emmy winner Damon Lindelof (WatchmenThe Leftovers) and writer Tara Hernandez (The Big Bang TheoryYoung Sheldon). As Vulture puts it, “Turns out sometimes TV can still be intellectually challenging and fun as hell.”
POKER FACE S1 | Binge now
Natasha Lyonne is on the case in Poker Face, from mystery guru Rian Johnson, Oscar-nominated for both Knives Out and Glass Onion.
Lyonne is up for an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award as Charlie Cale, a human lie detector solving a new mystery each episode as she travels across America.
Nominated for Best Comedy at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards and hailed as “the crime show of the year” by Entertainment WeeklyPoker Face’s stacked cast includes Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Oscar nominees Hong Chau, Nick Nolte and Chloë Sevigny, and Emmy winners Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Barkin, and Cherry Jones.
Inverse calls the Peacock Original a “love letter to Columbo and classic murder mystery shows… Stylish, wry and oh-so-satisfying.”
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Other Showmax favourites popping up on all the critics’ lists include:
• Somebody Somewhere S2: “The mere mention of this show’s name puts a smile on my face… Few things on television exude more organic joy than this half-hour slice of Midwest small-town life; it’s a weekly reminder that life, even at its most mundane and frustrating, demands to be embraced.” Vulture
• Barry S4: “Among television’s most brooding and violent shows but still bubbled over with snappy one-liners and zippy satire.” The New York Times 
Other Showmax series featuring prominently include:
• Blue Lights S1: “Trying to make a new cop show without clichés is a bit like attempting to jump into the ocean without getting wet. Massive props, then, to a gripping and cliché-free police drama that started impressively and ended up feeling like it just might grow into Belfast’s answer to The Wire.” TimeOut
 How To With John Wilson S3: “John Wilson’s brilliant, one-of-a-kind series… feels like the kind of thing you’ll tell your grandchildren you were alive to see. Ostensibly the product of Wilson’s free-associative wanderings around New York City, each episode follows a train of thought that takes him to locales as disparate as Burning Man and a convention of vacuum-cleaner collectors. It’s like spending an evening with your smartest, weirdest friend, the kind who tells stories so rambling you can never remember where they started, but it’s always worth holding on till the end.” Slate
• The Righteous Gemstones S3: “One of TV’s funniest and most incisive shows.” Polygon
• Warrior S3: “It’s never been better… Exploring systemic racism and the Chinese immigrant experience with some of the most exhilarating action sequences on television, Warrior continues to pack a punch.” The Ringer
We could keep going: other shows we’ve seen pop up on Best of the Year lists include A Spy Among FriendsBased On A True StoryChucky, and Perry Mason, not to mention 1923, up for Best Drama at the 2024 Golden Globes; Winning Time, up for Best Drama at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards, and Love & Death, up for Best Limited Series at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards.
So take all your leave this year: you won’t run out of great series to watch.
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Radio & TV

Season Two of The HBO Original Drama Series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Debuts June 17th on M-Net and Showmax Express from the US

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House of the Dragon S2 Social KV

The eight-episode second season of HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon debuts in the US on Sunday 16 June – and will be available on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) Express from the US at 1am on Monday 17 June and make its prime-time premiere at 7pm on the same day. The series will also be available on Showmax.

 

Westeros is on the brink of a bloody civil war with the Green and Black Councils fighting for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra, respectively. As each side believes theirs to be the rightful seat on the Iron Throne, the Green and Black trailers reflect those two perspectives in separate yet complementary halves of the same story. For global audiences, “All Must Choose” their side of House Targaryen as the realm fractures in season two.
Logline: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.
Season two returning cast: Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.
Season two new cast: Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.
Season two credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere, Vince Gerardis. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

 

Pick your side of House Targaryen on your DStv or stream it on Showmax, each week from Monday, 17 June 2024. 

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People & Lifestyle

AMVCA: Tune In for a Night of Elegance and Achievement this Saturday on Africa Magic

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The anticipation is palpable as the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, scheduled for 11 May 2024, in Lagos approaches. Viewers are invited to witness the splendour of this prestigious event, broadcasting live on Africa Magic from 3pm on DStv and GOtv.

Reflecting the rich diversity and innovation of African cinema and television, this year’s awards promise some thrilling adjustments with the introduction of exciting new categories such as Best Actor and Best Actress in leading or supporting roles. With a total of 27 categories, including 16 non-voting and 9 audience voting categories, along with two esteemed recognition awards the Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards – there’s ample opportunity to honour exceptional African talent.

Kicking off the festivities with a prime view of the red carpet hosted by celebrity personalities Toke Makinwa and Uti Nwachukwu viewers can watch the continent’s biggest stars strut their stuff in dazzling creations from some of Africa’s most talented fashion designers from 3pm before settling into the prestigious awards at 6pm.

The main award will be hosted by renowned television host and current host of Nigerian Idols IK Osakioduwa and will feature musical performances from Nigeria’s popular performers Seyi Sodimu, Shaffy Bello, Adekunle Gold, KCee, Chike and Congolese soukous singer Awilo Logomba throughout the awards ceremony.

Save the date for this Saturday, 11 May, and tune in for the live broadcast across all Africa Magic Channels on DStv and GOtv. Don’t miss this remarkable celebration of African creativity and achievement!

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Keep your DStv subscription activated to ensure you don’t miss the star-studded event! To upgrade, reconnect or manage your subscription download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com to join in on the excitement and manage your account. You can also catch all the action while on the move. Stream all content on the DStv Stream app by downloading it from the app store. 

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Radio & TV

The Queens of Durban are not Holding Back!

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Real Housewives Of Durban The S4 2024

The Real Housewives of Durban reunion will air on Showmax in two parts on 15 and 22 May 2024, following a dramatic Season 4 finale. It saw the ladies separated into two groups and tea spilt from all directions, with accusations of witchcraft, infidelity, control and alcoholism. 

We chatted with all the ladies to get a sense of how they are feeling about the reunion, which will be hosted by MaBlerh, and facing up to everything that’s happened this season.  Newcomers Ameigh Thompson, Angel Ndlela and Zama Ngcobo are all feeling nervous about their first reunion but that won’t stop them from showing up.

Zama, who has been involved in some of the biggest feuds in the season, says she won’t run away from anything that happened. “I am not a coward,” she says. “What I said on the show is how I feel. People think I won’t show up to the reunion because I am scared. I am not. I am going to go in there and speak my mind. I will not be intimidated by anyone.”

Angel says she’s looking forward to the reunion. “I am glad that I will have the chance to tell my side of the story, while providing clarity where need be,” she says. “Watching the show, I learned a lot of things about myself. It was an amazing experience.” 

Ameigh feels like the show has made her stronger and more resolute in her decisions. “Watching myself has been very interesting,” she says. “The journey has made me realise that I am the person I have always known I am. I have been through a lot as a person and a mom, and I hope that my story has helped other women who are in similar situations. There is a light at the end of every tunnel.”

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For the OG’s who have done this from the beginning, they understand better than anyone that reunions are a game-changer. Nonku Williams is very clear on what needs to be said and done. “I have been doing this for so long,” she says. “The reason why I am still here is because I understand the assignment. Some people come here, and they want to be what they are not and that is why it does not land. I will always be me and that is my superpower.”

Sorisha Naidoo is done trying to make peace where there is none. “I know what my boundaries are, especially when it comes to friendships,” she says. “I know who my friends are and I know the people who I want to move forward with. And that takes the load off me because I don’t have to please everyone.”

JoJo Robinson, who joined the show in Season 2, says this season has been her calmest yet. “Season 4 has been very relaxed for me,” she says. “I had a very intense Season 3 but just like that, things changed. I’m glad I came back.” Maria Valaskatzis and Slee Ndlovu, who both joined the show in Season 3, have been at the centre of some of the biggest conflicts this season. 

“My game plan for this reunion is just to speak the truth,” says Maria. “I am not going to tiptoe around anything and anyone.” Slee feels like she wants to get to the bottom of things that were said about her. “My biggest thing for this reunion is the witchcraft accusations,” she says. “I need the people who accused me of that to tell me what they mean by that, because I am confused and offended.”

Re-watch S4 ahead of the reunion: 

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https://www.showmax.com/za/stream/shows/the-real-housewives-of-durban/4ef50893-f8ed-3698-9cb5-683c8c06ae15

The second season of The Real Housewives of Nairobi premieres on Showmax on 10 May 2024, with new episodes every Friday. The Real Housewives of Nairobi follows the lives of the most stylish, opulent and hardworking women in Kenya as they navigate their relationships and careers. Season 2 features returning cast members Dr Catherine Masitsa, Minne Kariuki and Vera Sidika, who will be joined by newcomers Farah Esmail, Reja Keji Ladu and Zena Nyambu.

Enhance your streaming entertainment experience by adding Showmax to your DStv subscription at a discounted rate. Download the MyDStv App or visit the DStv website to sign up.

Join the conversation: 

#RHODurban

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Radio & TV

2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to air LIVE on DStv

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2024 MTV VMAs Logo

MTV has announced the 2024 “VMAs” will make its return to New York on Tuesday, September 10th at the UBS Arena. Airing LIVE on MTV, DStv Channel 130 on Wednesday, 11 September at 1:00am WAT and 2:00am CAT around the world in more than 150 countries. This year’s global fan-filled phenomenon will celebrate the best music videos of the past year with supersized performances, epic tributes, and unforgettable appearances from the world’s biggest celebrities.

“We’re excited to bring this year’s VMAs to UBS Arena, one of the country’s newest and most cutting edge venues,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “Celebrating one of music’s biggest nights with the incredible, robust New York area fans is something we’ve been looking forward to since the moment last year’s show ended.”

“It’s an honor to host MTV and the VMAs at UBS Arena,” said Mark Shulman, Senior Vice President of Programming, UBS Arena. “This is the culmination of bringing a world class event to a venue that offers state of the art capabilities and the best in fan amenities. We look forward to welcoming this year’s top artists, fans, and viewers worldwide to experience our arena and campus at Belmont Park.”

“We are excited to welcome back the MTV Video Music Awards to New York State,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “From its origins at Radio City Music Hall in 1984 to this September’s event at the UBS Arena, the VMAs continue to captivate millions, showcasing the very best in music video artistry. As we prepare to host this 40th anniversary event, let’s embrace the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our state’s cultural landscape.”

The “VMAs” will air across MTV’s global footprint of linear and digital platforms in more than 150 countries and territories, reaching over 319 million households.

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Additional details will be announced closer to the show. Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.

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Radio & TV

Who is the Real “Kitchen Mama”??? Bolanle Omotayo of Schneider Electric and Yemisi Obe of Grandios Pap Compete in a fierce Pasta Battle on Episode 3 of Cooking With GameChangers

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CWG Ep 3

It’s a battle for the best on the new episode of Cooking With Game Changers!

On this episode, Bolanle Omotayo, Marketing & Communications Manager at Schneider Electric, Anglophone West Africa, and Yemisi Obe, Founder of Grandios Pap, slug it out for the Ultimate GameChanger title by preparing their unique versions of pasta.

A day in the life of these GameChangers is explored after which they battle in the kitchen for the title of “Ultimate GameChanger” even as our Judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy and Captain Toba determine who wears the crown. Daniel Etim-Effiong, the show host, makes their time on Cooking with GameChangers extremely delightful.

Who will win this episode? Watch now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ1HXGwBXNw

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Watch a day in the life of Bolanle Omotayo of Schneider Electrics- https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=icbYqpz2i4Q&t=0s

Watch a day in the life of Yemisi Obe of Grandios Pap – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVgAYza1JIg&t=0s

You can watch previous episodes of Cooking with GameChangers here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH_-OcY4pX3GoR_WSsKTwzbP7WRcHJc_O&si=FsK-NiFhrfzSZiXY

Cooking with GameChangers follows a-day–in-the-life of a top corporate executive and entrepreneur who ends up in the Cooking with GameChangers kitchen for a cook-off supervised/judged by celebrity host, Daniel Etim-Effiong and judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy, and Captain Toba.

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Cooking with GameChangers is a spinoff of Nigeria’s most syndicated talk show, “Binging With GameChangers” which garners over 60 million monthly viewers and airs on TV stations nationwide.

Watch the latest episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ1HXGwBXNw

Subscribe to YouTube Channel: @B2GNetwork

Watch the show every weekend on TV stations nationwide:

SATURDAYS:
NTA Network: Saturdays at 10.30 AM
Silverbird: Saturdays at 1.30 PM
Views Channel: Saturday 6:30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 9:30 PM; Wednesdays at 9 PM

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SUNDAYS:
Africa Magic Family: Sundays at 3.30 PM: Repeat: Wednesdays at 1.30 PM
TVC: Sundays at 5.30 PM
NTA2: Sundays at 5.30 PM
Wazobia Max: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat Mondays at 7 PM
Wazobia TV: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 7 PM

Follow the show across social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwithgamechangers/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/cookingwithgame
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@cookingwithgamechangers
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cookingwithga...
LinkedIn: @CookingwithGameChangers

Cooking with GameChangers is proudly supported by Power Oil, 2Sure and Aquafina.

Media Partners: BellaNaija, Pulse.ng and Ameyaw Debrah.

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Radio & TV

Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio this Friday with Ruger & BNXN

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This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Ruger and Bnxn, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Nandi Madida’s Favourite Track of the Week!

Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida this Friday, April 19th 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Cover Star Interview
Nigerian Afropop artists Ruger and Bnxn join Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about their latest single, “Ilashe.” They also discuss their first collaborative album, ‘RnB,’ what inspired them to work together, and how they use their lyrics to unpack deep topics.

The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Joeboy feat. Qing Madi, ODUMODUBLVCK & Blaqbonez feat. Lekaa Beats, Ricky Tyler, Filah Lah Lah, and CKay feat. Olamide.

Africa Rising
South African amapiano duo Shakes & Les are the latest artist featured from Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features their singles, the Leemckrazy collab “Funk 99” and the DBN Gogo & Zee Nxumalo collab “Funk 55 (feat. Ceeka RSA & Chley).”  Listen HERE.

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Nandi’s Song of the Week
Each week, Nandi Madida chooses her favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week she spotlights South African amapiano DJ and producer KMAT and her track, “MKK (feat. CowBoii, diygubzin.live & Ranger),” from Apple Music’s Amapiano Lifestyle playlist. Listen HERE.

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, April 19th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

***
Ruger and Bnxn tell Apple Music about their Joint Album, ‘RnB’

Bnxn: This project shows synergy at its finest.
Ruger: 100.
Bnxn: It shows quality, it shows the real essence of collaboration – how to bounce off each other, how to learn from each other, how to pick this and flow off what this person [did]. It’s like a relay race—
Ruger: 100!
Bnxn: —but we’re only coming first, you feel me. You gotta understand from the beginning to the end of every record, it’s a crazy collaborative process, from the artists to the producers, so I am beyond proud of this project. It’s why the last song we said “Not Done,” because hopefully…
Ruger: Hopefully we’re not done!

Ruger tells Apple Music why He and Bnxn Work Well Together

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You know most Afrobeats artists, they’re always about gyration, enjoyment – let’s make songs people will party to, let’s talk about enjoyment and money and that. We’re talking about everything! Go back to our projects, we talk about everything, we talk about relationships. Most artists in Naija don’t talk about relationships like that, they talk about ‘your body’s banging, you’re fine, you’re this’ but we’re saying the deeper things. As much as the whole world is appreciating that part, I think Nigerians have to actually appreciate that about us, because when we go outside the country that’s what they love about us. “That guy is speaking to me!”

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