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I can exclusively break the news that The Royal Variety Performance is returning to M-Net in December with the pay broadcaster that secured the broadcasting rights for The Royal Variety Performance 2011 after dropping the popular variety end-of-year showstopper last year, then tried to secure the rights with time running out, and The Royal Variety Performance 2010 eventually ending up on BBC Entertainment where it found a new home.
M-Net's ''royal mess'' which has shown The Royal Variety Performance for quite a number of years now, didn't sit well with M-Net and DStv subscribers who were outraged, and the pay broadcaster suddenly discovered just what a dedicated TV audience there is for the end-of-year Brit-stage extravaganza. The Royal Variety Performance on M-Net has quietly turned into a traditional, want-to-watch TV event for South African viewers.
Now I can reveal that the show will be back on M-Net with The Royal Variety Performance 2011 that will be shown on New Year's Eve on M-Net on Saturday 31 December - I don't have a starting time yet.
ITVStudios will produce the variety special this year from the London Palladium with comedians and acrobats, magicians, singers and a range of the best of British and international performers and artists.
ALSO READ: A bumper New Year's Eve awaits as SABC1 slots in the BET Awards and SABC3 gets the classic comedy Dinner For One for 31 December.
