M-Net's Idols gets a gravitas boost to its judging panel as Randall Abrahams becomes a record label executive at Universal Music SA.

M-Net's Idols reality show currently at the beginning of its 8th season on the pay TV broadcaster Sundays at 17:30 once again has a record label representative on the judging panel with Idols judge Randall Abrahams who has been appointed as the managing director of Universal Music South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Universal Music South Africa is the sponsor of the record deal for the winner of Idols on M-Net, giving the judging panel more clout for the first time since the former Idols judge Dave Thompson suddenly left South Africa and emigrated two Idols' seasons ago.

Randall Abrahams is well-respected within South Africa's entertainment, music and TV industry (and by the great unwashed masses of Idols contestants, perhaps also feared).

Randall Abrahams' appointment as managing director of Universal Music South Africa gives him, in his role as an Idols judge even more gravitas, an insider told me today.

This year Randall Abrahams righted the insipidly sinking Sama Awards as the new CEO which was fast becoming a disorganised and discredited mess; last week in The Close Up on e.tv Top Billing presenter Jeannie D called Randall Abrahams pivotal in her career success with his constructive criticism and help while he was the head of radio at the SABC.

Randall Abrahams replaces Harry Voerman, who is retiring after more than two decades in charge of Universal Music South Africa.