As an entree I broke the news RIGHT HERE that the best local food reality show on South African televisiont, the critically acclaimed Come Dine With Me South Africa will be back for a second series later this year on BBC Entertainment (DStv 120) and now there's the official main course confirming the news exactly as I reported it, and the news that South Africans can enter immediately.
"BBC Worldwide Channels today announced that it has commissioned a second series of the ratings hit and critically acclaimed ITV Studios format Come Dine With Me South Africa as part of its ongoing commitment to provide high quality original productions for its international audience," says BBC Worldwide in a press release, confirming the news TV with Thinus broke this morning.
"The search for South Africa's ultimate dinner party host will be produced locally once again by Rapid Blue and return to BBC Entertainment for an extended run in South Africa later this year. The series will also air on BBC Worldwide Channels networks across the Middle East, the Nordics and Poland."
Applications to become a contestant on the second series of Come Dine With Me South Africa are open immediately. People can visit www.bbcsouthafrica.com or send email to comedine@rapidblue.com. Applications close at the end of May 2012. According to BBC Worldwide, shooting of the 12 episode series - which I said it would be - will take place in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Come Dine With Me South Africa was the first local commission for BBC Worldwide Channels and in all aspects a brilliant production. Viewership made BBC Entertainment the number one international channel on MultiChoice's DStv during its timeslot.
"The first series brought an entertaining and eclectic mix of characters from all social and cultural background into our viewers' living rooms and generated conversations at home, in the office and online across the region, so I can't wait to hear what they think of the next batch of contestants," says Ian McDonough, the senior vice president and the general manager for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for BBC Worldwide Channels. "Creating local versions of highly successful British formats and investing in original commissions is part of our ongoing committment to our audiences in the region."
"I am thrilled to be able to bring another series of Come Dine With Me South Africa to BBC Entertainment," says Jon Farrar, the vice president for programming EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels. "We at BBC Worldwide are committed to commissioning shows that resonate with our local audience and I look forward to working with the very talented team at Rapid Blue to make more moments of compelling, jaw-dropping TV. I'm really proud of the show and the huge impact it has made, and cannot wait to watch another 12 lively episodes on the channel later this year."
Tobias de Graaff, the director for Global Television Distribution, ITV Studios Global Entertainment says the show is now produced in 36 territories globally. "Come Dine With Me South Africa continues to resonate with new audiences around the world. I'm thrilled to continue celebrating the local food, flair and figures of Come Dine With Me South Africa with the teams at BBC Worldwide and Rapid Blue and look forward to the next spectacular series."
The agreement for more Come Dine With Me South Africa was brokered by Andre Renaud, the senior sales executive for Italy, Benelux and Africa for ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Katie Benbow for BBC Worldwide Channels.
