"Idols is our biggest and our best and most highly rated show. For us [Mzansi Magic (DStv 161)] it's an absolutely amazing thing to do this together. We haven't started discussions moving forward, but it's fair to say that we would like to continue," said Yolisa Phahle, channel director for special interest channels in South Africa for M-Net.
Yolisa Phahle's answer was in response to my question at the press conference following the announcement that Khaya Mthethwa has won the 8th season of Idols on M-Net and Mzansi Magic (which is a co-production between the two M-Net channels).
I asked how the show's viewership demographics has changed the past two years because Idols is being seen on both channels, and if someone could address the rumours that Idols is moving away from M-Net to Mzansi Magic.
Industry insiders have, for the better part of two years, been speculating that Idols is transitioning away from the M-Net channel to become a Mzansi Magic channel show only with a focus on the emerging market so as to help grown new subscribers in new viewer demographics.
"Our goal is to help unearth the great new talent which exists in this country, and we're very very happy to be partners in this," said Yolisa Phahle at the press conference.