by Thinus Ferreira
As global lockdowns in several countries including South Africa continue and have seen TV industries shutter M-Net (DStv 101) has now also taken the decision to indefinitely postpone production and filming of the 8th season of Survivor South Africa.
After initially taking a wait-and-see approach when the global pandemic first started spreading worldwide in January, the Afrokaans production company and M-Net have now decided that it's virtually impossible to continue filming a new season with the majority of the world in lockdown.
With airports closed, airlines grounded and countries having closed their borders logistically it's impossible to move films crews and contestants out of South Africa - even more so to remote islands which under normal circumstances is a tricky and hugely intricate process.
Castaways who are part of the jury needs to be away for up to 50 days for the 8th season, with the in-play show that has been mapped to run for 39 days again.
Filming of M-Net's latest 8th season of Survivor South Africa entitled Survivor SA: Immunity Island was supposed to start around April with a new set of castaways for broadcast around August or September but production on the season with Nico Panagio as host has now been postponed indefinitely.
"M-Net confirms that production of the 8th season of Survivor South Africa has been postponed indefinitely amid the latest global Covid-19 developments," the channel tells TVwithThinus.
"As Survivor SA: Immunity Island was earmarked to hit our screens in August 2020, M-Net and production company Afrokaans have been re-assessing the production and broadcast timelines and filming logistics since the outbreak of the global pandemic. The safety of the crew, cast and suppliers was the key consideration throughout the detailed assessment and decision-making process," M-Net says.
"While Survivor SA fans are waiting for the popular series to return, M-Net will not only continue to entertain viewers with compelling series and movies, but also add special treats to its offering."
"M-Net Binge: The Home of HBO – a channel for series connoisseurs – and the kid-friendly Animania movies on M-Net Movies Smile, Action Plus and Zone were the first of these delightful M-Net additions. M-Net will be making announcements soon about more exciting, not-to-be-missed essential viewing items coming your way on DStv Premium".
