Exactly as I told you earlier today RIGHT HERE would happen and right after I exposed even more shocking news like SABC3 not having the naming rights to the show, comes SABC3's announcement just now that it's dumping the highly controversial advertiser-funded production (AFP) South Africa's Top Model Search that was supposed to be broadcast in February.
Exactly as I've said would happen, SABC3 just announced that ''South Africa's Top Model Search will no longer be broadcast on SABC3''.
''As a television brand that prides itself in entertainment and integrity, the matter of the registration fee for entering this search comprised the channel's belief in free and universal access,'' SABC3 says in a press release, saying that the channel requested that the producers ''forfeit the fee as this is not in line with SABC's policies''. This now confirms exactly the news I broke RIGHT HERE that SABC3 demanded that the show stops asking a registration fee and that SABC3 execs who were not aware of this until I broke the news, were absolutely livid about it all.
''The show which was to be produced by New Vision Pictures, will no longer be aired on SABC3,'' says the channel, saying that New Vision Pictures has undertaken to refund all the entrants who have already paid a ''registration'' fee. ''Anyone who has paid a registration fee can contact Leon Baasden of New Vision Pictures on 079 532 8798, or e-mail him on support@satmsearch.co.za,'' says the channel.
''SABC3 takes responsibility for its programme offering as the show had been scheduled to start broadcast in mid February. The channel would like to thank all those who showed interest in the programme – this includes the media, viewers and entrants. SABC3 will also like to apologise to all our loyal viewers and media specialists.''
ALSO READ: SABC3 getting ready to dump South Africa's Top Model Search and distance itself from the planned reality show.
ALSO READ: SHOCKER! SABC3 doesn't actually have the naming rights to its growing reality show mess, South Africa's Top Model Search.
ALSO READ: SABC3 demands that South Africa's Top Model Search stop asking contestants for money; give refunds and halt auditions.
ALSO READ: SABC3 unaware of the shameful exploitation of contestants forced to pay a ''registration fee'' to enter South Africa's Top Model Search reality show.
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