C-suite changes at MultiChoice and SuperSport as Nyiko Shiburi moves to head up new tech division, Marc Jury is in as new MultiChoice SA CEO and Rendani Ramovha is groomed as new SuperSport CEO.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice South Africa CEO Nyiko Shiburi is relinquishing the role after three years to head up a newly-created technology division at the Randburg-based pay-TV company with SuperSport CEO Marc Jury becoming the new MultiChoice SA CEO.

Teix Texeira is stepping in as interim SuperSport CEO for a year, while Rendani Ramovha, the head of marketing and commercial for SuperSport, is being groomed for the SuperSport CEO position which he will take over from April 2024 as SuperSport CEO-designate.

In response to media query, MultiChoice told TVwithThinus on Friday afternoon that Nyiko Shiburi is exiting his position as MultiChoice SA CEO and becoming MultiChoice group chief technology officer.

For the past few weeks insiders have also told TVwithThinus about planned C-suite executive changes coming to various countries within the MultiChoice Africa fold - notably Kenya, Angola and MultiChoice's overall team of regional African executives, but MultiChoice didn't confirm any of these changes on Friday.

MultiChoice says that it is garden-walling its broadcast technology division, enterprise business systems, group digital, DStv streaming technology and project management office under one division, with Nyiko Shiburi moving over as MultiChoice chief technology officer.

"We are repositioning our technology area to lead our next growth phase and to deliver on our vision of becoming the technology platform of choice for African households. We have consolidated everything related to technology, engineering, and technical divisions into a technology hub," says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice group CEO.

"Nyiko has extensive leadership experience in the technology space, having grown within the MultiChoice ranks from senior manager for broadcast engineering and group GM for the broadcast technology division."

"His technology background and experience together with his commercial experience from having ran SA and the Southern region places him in good stead to lead this new division and deliver the best technology to achieve our goals."

Nyiko Shiburi's seat is filled by SuperSport CEO Marc Jury as the new MultiChoice SA CEO.

"Marc has a track record of excellence in execution in SuperSport. He has extensive experience in leadership roles across the sports and entertainment sectors in Europe, Africa and the Middle East," says Calvo Mawela.

Prior to being SuperSport CEO, Marc Jury was responsible for the commercial aspects of SuperSport which included managing sports-related programming across the SuperSport channels and marketing the content of these channels.

SuperSport changes

Rendani Ramovha is now SuperSport CEO-designate and will take over a year from now in April 2024.

He is currently head of marketing and commercial, responsible for driving the commercial growth and building partnerships opportunities for SuperSport across the African continent.

Calvo Mawela says "Rendani has driven some of the most exciting innovations within SuperSport, including SuperSport Schools, SuperPicks (the BetKing and SuperSport partnership) and the SA20 Cricket League".

Teix Texeira who be the interim SuperSport CEO for the next 12 months.

Teix has been chief content officer for SuperSport over the past year, having recently re-joined SuperSport from Sky in New Zealand, where he occupied various leadership roles including CEO of Sky Sports. Within SuperSport he has previously held several roles, including head of productions and head of channels.

"We are excited about this new leadership team and believe they will play a key role in our journey to become a technology platform of choice," Calvo Mawela says.

BREAKING. MultiChoice says that after 'updated conversations' with Viacom18 SuperSport will now suddenly show the 16th Indian Premier League from today to DStv subscribers.

by Thinus Ferreira

Following a Mexican stand-off over sports rights in which someone finally blinked, MultiChoice says that after "updated conversations" with Viacom18, SuperSport will now suddenly show the latest 16th Indian Premier League (IPL) that starts today to DStv subscribers.

MultiChoice and SuperSport shocked and angered DStv subscribers late on Thursday afternoon, when, in a terse admission, it revealed that it would no longer be broadcasting the Indian Premier League for the first time since the world's biggest cricket tournament started in 2008.

Viacom18 acquired the IPL rights for Sub-Saharan Africa with MultiChoice and SuperSport that until Thursday failed to reach any agreement.

On Friday afternoon MultiChoice suddenly changed its tune after saying it won't have IPL coverage anymore, noting that it has suddenly signed a new commercial agreement to show the cricket tournament from today.

According to MultiChoice, all 74 matches will be on DStv and broadcast live.

"Following updated conversations with the rights holder, DStv can confirm that all Indian Premier League matches in 2023 will be broadcast on SuperSport," the Randburg-based pay-TV company says in a new statement, adding that it had "reached a commercial agreement with the rights holders to broadcast the IPL, starting today".

Marc Jury, SuperSport CEO, says that "We are very happy to have reached an agreement to continue our partnership with the IPL that extends back to the inaugural event in 2008".

The first IPL match is today between the Gujurat Titans and Chennai Super Kings which will be shown live on DStv channel 212 at 16:00.

Livid DStv subscribers slammed MultiChoice and SuperSport from late Thursday when the news became known that it was over and done for further IPL coverage on the pay-TV service - especially since MultiChoice is hiking fees again from April 2023.

From a content acquisition perspective, MultiChoice and SuperSport are trying to contain and reign in costs - especially of international sports content of which the global asking prices for premium events continue to rise faster than inflation.

The IPL would have been the next chunk of content that MultiChoice and SuperSport no longer had for DStv subscribers but on Friday it became clear that someone in the IPL sports rights Mexican stand-off between the two sides who played hardball with each other, finally blinked.

On Thursday MultiChoice still called the IPL negotiations "unsuccessful", only to update it a day later to suddenly having "reached a new commercial agreement".

On Thursday MultiChoice told DStv subscribers that "Sport lovers are in for a treat over the next three months with a feast of major sport from around the world, despite the Indian Premier League not being on the SuperSport schedule".

ALSO READ: MultiChoice says DStv sport subscribers are 'in for a treat' after admitting 16th Indian Premier League is the next sport rights SuperSport has lost and won't be showing.

kykNET shocked that background check failed to find Boer Soek 'n Vrou farmer's criminal record for physical assault and starts investigation: 'Gender-based violence has no place in our society'.

by Thinus Ferreira

kykNET is reacting with shock and surprise that its system of background checks into reality show participants failed to find the criminal record of a Boer Soek 'n Vrou farmer for physical assault of a woman, with kykNET saying an investigation has now started into the serious flaw and that it strongly condemns gender-based violence.

The latest issue of Huisgenoot magazine on Friday reported that the Boer Soek 'n Vrou ostrich farmer in Oudtshoorn, Francois Fourie (51) has a criminal record on the police computer system for physical assault which he didn't reveal to the producers.

Wolflight which produces the Afrikaans Boer Soek 'n Vrou according to the Fremantle format, wasn't aware that Francois Fourie had physically attacked a woman.

Francois Fourie admitted guilt and paid a fine with police records showing he was involved in a case of physical assault in 2013 in which he used his hands to "strike, hit, beat" a woman. 

Fourie couldn't immediately be reached on Friday for comment but admitted to Huisgenoot in a sit-down interview that he was involved in a fight with an unnamed woman and that he "pushed and shoved a little here and there". He says he wasn't aware at the time that he was paying a fine as an admission of guilt of physical assault.  

The failure to pick up the criminal record is raising red flags for M-Net's system of background checks, as well as its so-called duty-of-care policy which sets out guidelines for content makers to keeping contestants and participants in reality shows safe and out of harm's way. 

kykNET on Friday told TVwithThinus that the M-Net channel as well as the production company conduct "thorough background checks on all the participants of each season of our reality-TV shows" and that contestants are also obliged to declare any criminal charges laid against them.

According to kykNET, the correctness of information supplied by all participants - including both the farmers and potential romantic matches - is verified by an independent assessment company which collects and compares information from various platforms, including the database of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Company and Intellectual Property Commission, as well as the department of home affairs.

kykNET says that during the vetting process for Boer Soek ‘n Vrou in 2022 no criminal record or any payment of a fine that would constitute an admission of guilt was found for Francois Fourie and that the channel became aware of the R200 fine over the 2013 assault earlier this month.

The channel "immediately conducted an investigation into this matter".

kykNET tells TVwithThinus that the independent company which conducts background checks on its reality TV shows is in the process of conducting an investigation to determine why Francois Fourie's criminal record wasn't detected last year "to ensure that this does not happen again in the future".

"kykNET advocates for the safety of not only the public and our viewers but also our co-workers, which includes all the participants in our TV programmes. Gender-based violence has no place in our society and we condemn any acts of violence in the strongest terms," the channel says.

BBC News channel removes 'World' but will still cover it as the BBC plans to cut back 1000 hours of TV programming on 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Monday the BBC's global BBC World News channel will change its name to just BBC News when it merges its domestic UK channel with its global TV news channel and combine the roster of anchors in a dramatic cost-cutting move, with the broadcaster also announcing that it plans to cut at least 1 000 hours of original programming this year across its channels to save money.

A year in the making, BBC World News will delete the word "World" on Monday and just become BBC News - also changing its logo from white and red to black and red, as part of a massive cost-cutting drive merging the two channels into one and resulting in retrenchment.

Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim, Christian Fraser, Lucy Hockings, Maryam Moshiri and Sumi Somaskanda are becoming the new main anchors on BBC News.

Naja Nielsen, BBC News digital director, says that "Our aim is to create the best live and breaking news on both TV and on digital platforms, where more and more audiences are getting their news. We need to modernise the way we deliver the news – while addressing the financial challenges we face."

"The channel will be a single operation with two different feeds, just as now, so viewers in the UK and internationally will sometimes see the same content, sometimes different."

Naja Nielsen says "First, people should not expect any kind of ‘big bang’ at the beginning of April – we’re bringing in the changes gradually, in a phased roll-out, so things will continue to alter over the coming months. We want to keep the best of what we do at the moment, while introducing better ways of reporting what matters. Viewers will notice some differences from the beginning of next week."

"There will be more updates and live reporting from journalists across the UK and around the world, using modern mobile equipment to give audiences the latest information about what’s happening, where it’s happening – as well as information from reporters in the BBC newsroom."

"We will be putting the spotlight on our journalism, from our chief presenters to the newest reporters. Viewers in North America and anyone watching overnight) will see a new look from Washington DC, and we will be also broadcasting live from Singapore outside core UK hours."

The BBC tells TVwithThinus that BBC News (DStv 400) will continue to cover news around the world and will "move around the world from Singapore to the United States to London over every 24-hour period".

A BBC spokesperson said in response to a media query that "From 3 April our international TV channel will be called BBC News".

"It will – as today – have some output targeted at both global and United Kingdom audiences, alongside bespoke programming for global audiences."

"The anchoring of BBC News will move around the world from Singapore to the United States to London over every 24-hour period. The channel will carry the best of the BBC's journalism from our expert teams across our unique global footprint."

"It will offer enhanced coverage of breaking news and big live events reflecting the way in which audiences across all markets are increasingly coming together and seeking out trustworthy reporting and coverage during big shared moments such as the invasion of Ukraine, the fall of the Boris Johnson government, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the protests in Iran."

Hours cut

Meanwhile, in its latest annual corporate plan it released on Thursday, the BBC revealed that it will cut back at least 1 000 hours of TV programming this year as part of its cost-cutting drive, with half of the 1 000 hours coming from sport which the BBC will no longer be showing. 

The 1 000 hours programming cuts don't extend to news but the BBC notes that it is busy with "an annual reduction of 1 000 hours in content commissions across our portfolio". The BBC wants to try and focus more on producing "unique, high-impact content".

Tim Davie, BBC director-general, notes that the Coronation of King Charles and Eurovision 2023 are two of the global highlights that the BBC will be broadcasting this year.

MultiChoice says DStv sport subscribers are 'in for a treat' after admitting 16th Indian Premier League is the next sport rights SuperSport has lost and won't be showing.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice on Thursday afternoon admitted that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the next TV sport rights that SuperSport have lost with the 16th Indian Premier League which won't be shown on DStv - but adding that DStv subscribers "are in for a treat over the next three months with a feat of major sport from around the world".

DStv subscribers and SuperSport viewers are furious after the Randburg-based pay-TV operator told them for the first time on late Thursday afternoon that it is wickets on DStv for the 2023 Indian Premier League - the most popular cricket league in the world that MultiChoice has shown to DStv subscribers since its first edition in 2008.

MultiChoice is hiking DStv subscription fees from April, with DStv subscribers asking why they're forced to pay more but have content taken away - especially for a sport tournament SuperSport has been showing to DStv subscribers since it started.

The IPL sport rights are the next chunk of content that MultiChoice and SuperSport no longer has for DStv as the company cuts cost and face increasing competition from global video streaming companies that are bidding for the same content and also not making their own studios' content available through international distribution.

On Thursday SuperSport didn't bother to issue a press statement email to the media about losing the Sub-Saharan TV rights to the Indian Premier League to Viacom18. Around 15 South African cricket players are taking part in the tournament.

MultiChoice told DStv subscribers in a late Thursday email that "SuperSport previously held broadcast rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following unsuccessful commercial discussions with the rights holder, we will therefore not broadcast the IPL as of this year's edition".

MultiChoice told DStv subscribers that "Sport lovers are in for a treat over the next three months with a feast of major sport from around the world, despite the Indian Premier League not being on the SuperSport schedule. Your world of Champions still has loads of exciting live sports coming your way! Don’t miss out on any of the action!"

The first match of the 16th Indian Premier League and that DStv subscribers now won't see on DStv or anywhere on SuperSport, is on Friday between the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings.

AKA and Sjava lead nominees list for 2023’s 17th Metro FM Awards on SABC1.

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC has revealed the nominees for the 17th Metro FM Awards with the murdered rapper AKA who could bag up to 6 awards post-humously when the awards show returns after an absence of half a decade as a live broadcast on 6 May on SABC1.

The nominees for the 17th Metro FM Awards were chosen out of 900 entries with rap artists AKA (Kiernan Forbes) who could win in up to six categories after he clinched nominations in multiple categories for his Lemons song, ranging from Song of the year, Artist of the year, Best collaboration, Best hip hop artist, Best male artist, and Best music video.

The slain artist jointly leads the nominees list with rapper Sjava who also bagged six nominations for his songs Isoka and Isubuko.

Winners will be announced across 18 categories at 2023's 17th Metro FM Awards ceremony which is set for the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on 6 May, with the SABC saying it has been working hard to ensure proper "compliance".

The Metro FM Awards got tarnished with multiple serious allegations of corruption, vote rigging and "buying of awards" that, combined with the South African public broadcaster's precarious financial situation, led to its cancellation following the last time it took place in 2017 in Durban.

"We are excited to have reached the second stage of the road to the Metro FM Awards," says Kina Nhlengethwa, Metro FM business manager.

"We congratulate all the nominees, as this signifies that their hard work and impact in the industry does not go unnoticed”.

"The station went an extra mile to ensure that there are measures in place to screen properly all entries received, for compliance with the relevant rules of the awards. The rules, regulations and submission checklist were all published on Metro FM platforms. As the awards are based on the public voting for their favourite artists in the respective categories, we urge the nominees to go out hard and campaign to their fans!."

The 17th Metro FM Awards nominees are:

1. Song Of The Year

K.O for Sete

AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)

Konke & Musa Keys for Kancane

Aymos for Fatela

Big Nuz for Ngeke

Kabza De Small for Khusela

Betusile Mcinga for Ngena Noah

Gaba Cannal for Healer Ntliziyo Yam

Sjava for Isoka

Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane

2. Best Afrosoul-Pop

Sjava for Isibuko

Zuko SA for Andikalibali

Brenda Mtambo for Enza Kwenzeke

Inkabi Nation for Voicemail

Mlindo The Vocalist for Lindokuhle

3. Best Amapiano Song

Deep London for Hamba Wena

Gaba Cannal for Healer Ntliziyo Yam

Kabza De Small for Khusela

Daliwonga for Abo Mvelo

Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane

4. Artist Of The Year

K.O for Sete

Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane

AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)

Nomfundo Moh for Izibusiso

Sjava for Isoka

5. Best Jazz Album

Linda Sikhakhane for Isambulo

Nduduzo Makhathini for In The Spirits of Ntu

Spartz for Awake

6. Best New Age R&B Artist

Manana for Patiently

MOE for Me Ever After

ThandoNje for Our Story: Untold

Venom & Shishiliza for uThando

Zādok for Othanda Mina

7. Best Collaboration Song

AKA feat. NastyC for Lemons (Lemonade)

K.O feat. Young Stunna & Blxckie for Sete

Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini for Asanda

Aymos feat. Ami Faku for Fatela

Sjava feat. Q Twinz & Mzukulu for Isoka

8. Best Duo or Group

Mafikizolo for Kwanele

Big Nuz for Ngeke

Mellow & Sleazy for Wenza Kanjani

Kwesta and Kabza De Small for Mrholo Wayizolo

Inkabi Nation for Voice Mail

9. Best Female Artist

Nomfundo Moh for Izibusiso

Makhadzi African for Queen 2.0

Simmy for Hlelo

Brenda Mtambo for Enza Kwenzeke

HLE for You're The Worthy One

10. Best Gospel Album

Dumi Mkokstad for The Over Flow

Soweto Gospel Choir for Hope

Khaya Mthethwa for Art & Worship

Kingdmusic for Perfect Love

Pastor Lungi Ndala for Victorious Praise

11. Best Hip Hop Artist

AKA for Mass Country

K.O for SR3

Nasty Cfor  Ivyson Army Tour Mixtape

Blxckie for The4Mula

Maglera Doe Boy for Diaspora

12. Best House Song

Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini for Asanda

Mthandazo Gatya ft. Nhlonipho for Sizobambana

Karyendasoul ft. Ami Faku for Umthandazo

Caiiro ft. Pixie L for Lwandle

Skye Wanda for Amazwi

13. Best Kwaito/Gqom Song

Big Nuz for Ngeke

Dj Tira for Sikilidi

Kwesta and Kabza De Small for Mrholo Wayizolo

Spikiri for Tana La

Professor for Ezangakini

14. Best Male Artist

AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)

K.O for Sete

Kabza De Small for Khusela

Sjava for Isoka

Mthandazo Gatya for Sizobambana

15. New Artist

Oufadafada for I can't give up

CocoSA for I never thought

Group Chat for Mama

Mayten for Wait on Me

Tee Tee for Andizenzi

16. Styled Artist

Mafikizolo

Musa Keys

Sjava

Daliwonga

Sino Msolo

17. Best Music Video

K.O for Sete

AKA for Lemons (Lemonade)

Dj Tira for Sikilidi

Wanitwa Mos for Sofa Silahlane

Costa Titch for Big Flexa Remix

18. Best Viral Challenge

Deep London feat Boohle for Hamba Wena

DJ Maphorisa & Visca for Ba Straata

Felo Le Tee & Toss for Manca

Myztro feat Focalistic, Daliwonga, Shaunmusiq and Ftears for Tobetsa

K.O. feat Young Stunna and Blxckie for Sete

ALSO READ: SABC revives Metro FM Awards in 2023 set for live awards show on SABC1 on 29 April in Mbombela.

The 6 Real Housewives van die Wynlande socialites on kykNET range from beauty queens to a botox doc.

by Thinus Ferreira

The six women of Die Real Housewives van die Wynlande, ranging from beauty queens to a botox doc, includes socialites Candice Bester, Amy Kleinhans-Curd, Anita Lloyd, Karen Schwendtke, Mariska Thorpe and Michelle van Zyl who will showcase their gossipping and grandiose lifestyles in the reality show from 20 April on kykNET.

Die Real Housewives van die Wynlande is the second Afrikaans version of the NBCUniversal Formats reality show following Die Real Housewives van Pretoria, the 5th South African version and the 9th African version. 

Besides Pretoria, South Africa already has localised English versions with different circles of women including The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, The Real Housewives of Cape Town, The Real Housewives of Durban currently in its third season, and The Real Housewives of Gqeberha currently in its first season.

The cast of Die Real Housewives van die Wynlande, filmed the past few months in and around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and Somerset West, with the series that is being produced by Red Pepper Productions.

The women include former beauty queens, entrepreneurs, a fitness model and an aesthetic doctor. kykNET has now released mini-biographies of the women:

Candice Bester (37)

She lives in the Aan de Weber Estate in Stellenbosch.

She is the mother of Emma and is married to Werner. Candice is an experienced professional singer, but she left the stage for the corporate world where she made her mark as marketing manager of Quench which was acquired by the TFG group. Candice, however, still dreams of a future as a songbird. 

She likes to play golf, has a big collection of whiskies, and facilitates a monthly quiz night. Candice and Werner are in the process of opening a restaurant.

Amy Kleinhans-Curd (54)

This former Miss South Africa is married to New Zealand businessman Leighton Curd.

Amy is a mother of four, lives in Franschhoek and is the director of various companies, including the homework hotline, Dial-A-Teacher, which was founded in 2000 in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Fund. 

Their farms in Franschhoek, Swellendam and in the Cradle of Humankind are but a few of the things that keep Amy very busy indeed. 

She will soon launch her own Cap Classique sparkling wine as well as a skincare range called Amelia (her birthname). She is a committed mom and organises a swimming festival, among other things, for the school her children attend.

Anita Lloyd (55)

She lives outside Paarl in a beautiful valley.

She and her husband, Boyce, are high school sweethearts, and she gave up her profession as teacher to support him in his career. 

For 10 years, they lived across the world for Boyce's work before finally returning to South Africa. Boyce has been the chief executive of KWV since 2016. Anita has a master's degree in linguistics, and she loves the study of languages. Besides her husband and her cats, Anita's biggest priorities are her house, art and travel.

Karen Schwendtke (48)

She lives in the Val de Vie Estate between Paarl and Franschhoek.

She is a successful businesswoman who holds a degree in BCom Accounting from UP, an MBL from Unisa and a degree in Visual Basic Programming from Harvard in America. 

Despite long working hours, she always makes time for charity projects. 

In times of national need, she helped with the supply of water and cattle feed. Children are dear to her heart, and she is involved with fundraising for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation SA). She is the mother of two daughters, Saskia and Arabella.

 

Mariska Thorpe (39)

She has worked as wealth manager for several years and lives with her husband, Quintus, and their daughter, Ocean, in the same estate in Franschhoek as Amy and her family.

Mariska does not like to sit still and she and Quintus are stock traders, but she also runs a business that upcycles second-hand clothes. 

Mariska and her husband are avid trail runners, and she is a perfectionist in everything she does.
 
  

Michelle van Zyl (40)

She is a medical doctor.

She specialised in trauma and later had a successful general medical practice.

Nowadays, she is an aesthetic doctor who focuses on treatments like Botox. She and her husband, Dr André Olivier, live in the Boskloof Eco Estate in Somerset West. They are the parents of Hanno and Heidi. André also has two sons from a previous marriage who live in Namibia. 

Michelle enjoys hosting and dreams of having her own TV talk show.

ALSO READ: kykNET to debut Die Real Housewives van die Wynlande in April.

Amazon Studios teaming up with Trevor Noah for LOL: Last One Laughing SA produced by Rapid Blue as the first Amazon South African Original series.

by Thinus Ferreira

Amazon Studios has roped in Trevor Noah for Amazon Prime Video's first South African Amazon Original series, with the comedian who will pit 10 comedians and entertainers against one another to see who wins R1 million for charity in LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa.

The first season of LOL: Last One Laughing SA will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in early 2024 with the video streaming service adapting its own LOL franchise for a South African version. 

Different versions already exist in more than 20 countries, including Nigeria which started production on the first season of LOL: Last One Laughing Nigeria last year with comedian Basketmouth as host.

LOL: Last One Laughing South Africa will be Amazon Studios' first South African Amazon Original series, greenlit as the streaming service continues to staff up its TV maker ranks in Cape Town with experienced executives who will eventually be responsible for commissioning an expanding slate of South African series and movies for a global audience.

Trevor Noah will record the six LOL: Last One Laughing episodes of 30 minutes each in South Africa, produced by South Africa's Rapid Blue which is well-versed in South African adaptations of format shows, in conjunction with his own Day Zero Productions.

The former host of The Daily Show on Paramount Global's Comedy Central has previously done stand-up specials for MultiChoice's Showmax streamer, as well as his Trevor Noah presents NationWild in 2018 for M-Net and Showmax in which he served as the host and showcased new upcoming South African comedians.

Trevor Noah has also done three comedy stand-up specials for Netflix so far: Son of Patricia, Afraid of the Dark and last year's I Wish I Would.

In LOL: Last One Laughing, Trevor Noah will pit 10 well-known South African comedians and entertainers against one another to see who can keep a straight face while simultaneously trying to make their opponents laugh. Anyone who laughs, loses. The grand prize is R1 million which will go to the first season winner's South African charity of choice.

"I'm excited to be back home to host Amazon Prime Video's first South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing, and to have a chance to connect with my home audience," says Trevor Noah in a statement.

"I am equally delighted for the opportunity to be working alongside my fellow home-grown comedy stars on a show that not only entertains but gives back to the South African production and charity communities."

Ned Mitchell, Amazon Prime Video head of Africa and Middle East Originals, says "We are delighted to be announcing Trevor's momentous return home to South Africa as the host of Amazon Prime Video's first South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing".

"Comedy, in all its forms, shines among South Africa's most valuable treasures. Together with an A-list roster of this country's incredible home-grown comedic talent competing for a great charitable cause, Trevor and Amazon Prime Video are demonstrating the depth of our shared ambition to invest and elevate the very best of South Africa for audiences locally and around the world."

M-Net: Carte Blanche to continue amidst retrenchments as DStv's longrunning current affairs show axes last of its internal producers.

by Thinus Ferreira 

M-Net's venerable Carte Blanche on Sunday nights will continue on DStv amidst retrenchments which are seeing the show do away with the last of the investigative magazine show's remaining internal producers, as well as a few other staff.

John Webb, Carte Blanche executive producer, in response to a media query from TVwithThinus, confirmed that Combined Artists, the production company responsible for the long-running Sunday night magazine show had taken "a very difficult decision to restructure".

TVwithThinus understands that Carte Blanche is doing away with its last three internal producers whose names are shown weekly on the end-credit roll, as well as cleaning staff and handling social media activities.

"As part of this process, it is considering making several roles redundant impacting the internal research/production and social media teams, as well as two positions among our support staff.  In total, six members of our team will be affected," John Webb says.

"This decision was not arrived at lightly nor without due consideration of alternatives.  Difficult as it is, we believe this process is both necessary and correct."

According to the show "Most of our inserts will continue to be produced by our external team of freelancers.  We are encouraging the three affected members of our internal research/production team to pivot into freelance roles – a process we intend facilitating."

Nadine Moonsamy, M-Net spokesperson, says Carte Blanche will continue in its Sunday night timeslot as usual. 

The iconic current affairs magazine show which made its debut in 1988 on M-Net will reach its 35th year on the air in September 2023.