M-Net is teasing a massive new reality show for 2015 which the pay-TV broadcaster says will be something everybody will want to enter and take part in, that it will be a South African version of a hit international reality format, and that it will be a first for Africa.
Could it be The Amazing Race South Africa or The Amazing Race Africa?
An audible "whaaa" thundered through the audience on Wednesday night when M-Net director Victor Eckard surprised the crowd of advertisers, TV critics and journalists at the M-Net Showcase event at Urban Tree in Johannesburg by promising a big, brand-new reality show for M-Net (DStv 101) for 2015.
At the event, organised by DStv Media Sales and M-Net, it proved impossible to get the guests to quiet down who all started chattering excitedly as Victor Eckard spoke.
"Specifically to international reality show formats, I can't give the show's name, but one thing is a fact: M-Net will bring you another brand-new reality format to the shores next year."
"It will be exclusive, it will be a first for the continent, it will be a first for South Africa, it will be premium, and you want to be a part of it," said Victor Eckard.
"It will be South African. It will be the first ever in South Africa. It's an international format. I'm not going to say which format it is. It is definitely coming," said Victor Eckard. "We're very excited."
In August TV with Thinus reported that M-Net is in final negotiations for The Voice SA and The Amazing Race SA citing longtime M-Net sources.
In September Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO for South Africa said M-Net did look at acquiring the rights for a version of The Voice but decided against it because the show has been too "exposed" and seen already.
There also already exists versions of The Voice elsewhere on the African continent. That would leave The Amazing Race - unless its a whole new other type of reality show.
A version of The Amazing Race would be incredibly expensive - due to the travelling and extreme logistics involved, but it would make for great and fascinating television - especially one where South Africans have to navigate and race each other as they make their way through several African countries for instance.
