The Afrikaans satellite TV channel's name might be kykNET (DStv 111) but for the execs running the channel its more a case of ''kyk NOT'': it doesn't seem as if anyone making and actually broadcasting the channel is themselves watching the channel - otherwise they would have noticed days ago - just like thousands of viewers who indeed did and alerted me - that ongoing major mess with presenter inserts.
On Friday and Saturday kykNET kept broadcasting - to huge embarrassement - the wrong presenter links for wrong programmes continuously. Firstly it became very transparent to even casual viewers that kykNET record the links and that it's not actually done live. Secondly it became very clear that the final control room and kykNET channel executives are either asleep at the wheel or simply not watching their own channel. Wrong presenter links kept going out on Friday and Saturday and viewers immediately started fuming.
''What the hell is going on?'' asked Madeleine Roberts on Facebook, echoing the sentiment of outraged fans of the channel who channeled their anger towards kykNET on the broadcaster's social media page. ''I'm disappointed in the shows being introduced and then it doesn't happen. I waited for Die Foon but without any success. Ai kykNET, what is going on there with you?'' asked Lizelle Tuck. ''It's crazy and not nice.'' Andre Stugeon had this to say to kykNET ''Wake up! You're messing up.'' Eon Engelbrecht said ''They're sleeping.'' Later he added: ''It's bad that presenters don't do announcements live'' and more to the point: ''KykNET viewers are angry. It's time to fire the control room people.''
''The mess at kykNET is UNACCEPTABLE,'' said Amelia Myburgh. Francois Smit responded with this: ''Who is in control of kykNET? Its busy turning into the worst TV channel ever. The content of the shows is not the problem but you don't even understand your own schedule!! Get someone in charge of the channel who knows what's going on!!''
I have asked kykNET execs for an answer as to the mess, why its happening, what kykNET will be doing to prevent this happening in future and how the channel is responding to this. I can tell you that kykNET is waiting for a report on the matter and promised to tell me what happened. I got a quick response from Karen Meiring, kykNET channel head. ''Everything has been fixed and it shouldn't happen again.''
