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I can exclusively reveal that the brand-new Top Billing Presenter Search that was just launched will in fact be a full reality show on SABC3 which will replace the usual weekly Top Billing magazine show on the channel for 6 weeks from July with a massive live finale in August.
I can reveal that The Top Billing Presenter Search will replace Top Billing for 6 weeks as Tswelopele Productions and SABC3 plans to bring viewers the My Top Billing Dream reality show in which contestants will be put through their paces in similar fashion as the Top Billing Presenter Search in 2010 in which Simba Mhere won.
In 2010 the Top Billing Presenter Search featured only as an insert on the main show, with two separate TV specials. The elaborate search that ended in an dramatic island final face-off as contestants struggled through challenges, boasted exceptionally high production values and made for gripping viewing.
The televised search connected with viewers helped by tough judges and the show's stars showing a slightly different side to their usually airbrushed personalities, daunting physical and "to camera" challenges and contestant break-downs and tears. All of it took place against backdrops ranging from high cooling towers to mansions and exotic locales. The inserts and search and an eventual Top Billing magazine cover shoot generated high buzz.
Now the search insert becomes its own hour long spin-off show with even more additional TV specials and a live TV finale as South Africans will vie in My Top Billing Dream to join the existing glamarama group of Janez Vermeiren, Jeannie D, Ursula Chikane, Jo-Anne Strauss, Michael Mol, Dhiveja Sundrum, Aiden Bennetts and Lorna Maseko.
The longrunning Top Billing is SABC3's strongest aspirational programming brand since the end of Oprah and is overall the longest running TV show in South Africa. Top Billing remains - despite numerous day and timeslot changes - the number one rated local weekly show on the channel, drawing an average of 2 million viewers per week.
My Top Billing Dream will start on 3 July and finish with a live finale on 7 August at the studios of Expresso in Cape Town, the weekday morning show Tswelopele Productions also produce for SABC3.
In addition My Top Billing Dream will have 3 Saturday afternoon 2 hour TV specials starting on 16 June. Viewers will see how entrants from around the country are whittled down to a top 10 through a gruelling process. Contestants will be tested on their presenting skills, thinking on their feet, adapting to various production problems and on-set challenges and how they are able to take varied surprises and unexpected events in their stride.
"The final 10 will start with the presenter search challenges in the first My Top Billing Dream replacing the normalshow on 3 July," Patience Stevens, Top Billing's executive producer tells me. "The final 3 contestants will battle it out on 7 August for the overall winner in a live finale."
The Top Billing Presenter Search is taking place on these dates and places below and contestants have to bring a completed entry form, a copy of their ID, and a photo. Contestants also have to prepare a possible presenter's "link" or "introduction" to a TV segment.
13 - 14 May, 09:00 - 17:00
Bloemfontein: Protea Hotel Willow Lake
18 - 19 May, 09:00 - 17:00
Durban: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge
24 - 25 May, 09:00 - 17:00
Port Elizabeth: 09:00 - 17:00
28 May, 09:00 - 17:00
Polokwane: Venue still to be confirmed
1 - 3 June, 09:00 - 17:00
Cape Town: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice
8 - 11 June, 09:00 - 17:00
Johannesburg: Venue still to be confirmed
