Congratulations are in order to both M-Net as well as Fox International Channels (FIC) Africa and for what they're doing with channeling TV content to MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV - both are further dramatically closing the window gap between the start of (new) American TV shows in the United States and shows being broadcast in South Africa.
Starting this month and spilling into November, South African TV viewers are seeing the most brand-new TV shows starting within a hair's breadth of their starting dates in America - the most new shows starting concurrently, and starting with the shortest delay and closest window ... ever.
Besides M-Net dramatically shrinking the waiting time to the smallest its ever been for the largest number of new shows - in itself a record and a new achievement - is also the courageous fact that M-Net is suddenly bringing these shows to viewers with the broadcaster not knowing itself whether any of these shows will be hits or not and be suddenly cancelled.
It makes a quite amazing departure for the pay TV broadcaster in South Africa which has clearly decided to just give the content, and give it quickly to viewers; no longer "guardian" over it and following a wait-and-see approach, but trusting that viewers will be intelligent enough to deal with possible sudden schedule changes due to episode or season running order interruptions, possible cancellations, mid-season breaks or postponements.
Although M-Net isn't commenting, the large number of new shows starting within days or weeks in South Africa after they start in America is clearly indicative of a new approach and hard work behind the scenes at M-Net to fast-track American TV series to this country and to get premium American TV shows on the air in Southern Africa as fast as possible.
South African viewers - especially pay TV viewers who pay for the privilege - have complained for years about the long wait to see American TV shows months or even as long as a year after America. With the rise of social media, fast-tracking shows means that South African viewers can better join in cyber conversations regarding shows and storylines being seen concurrently. Spoilers are also lessened since the chance is decreased that fans of shows are going to read about potential storylines online.
Will this fast-tracking of a suit of brand-new programmes become the new standard practice for M-Net (as well as FIC Africa which has The Walking Dead and Copper on Fox Entertainment and FX) following extremely closely after the American airdates? Are pay TV providers realizing that part of the premium pay TV experience is not just premium TV shows but also a premium limited time-lag effect?
M-Net has The Good Wife, season 4 starting 22 October (started USA: 30 September) less than a month after America. The second season of Homeland started 10 October (started USA: 30 September) 10 days after America. The new hot Revolution on M-Net Series (DStv 114) started 27 September in South Africa - just 10 days after it started in America. Partners started on 5 October on M-Net after it started on 24 September in America.
The latest (second for us, third for Britain) season of Strike Back which only started filming in January of Strike Back and just started in America and the UK starts on M-Net on 26 October. The red hot Arrow which started last night in America is starting here next week on 19 October on M-Net. The second season of The X-Factor USA just started on M-Net and follows just a few episodes behind America.
Episodes of the 10th season of Ellen on M-Net Series follows exactly a week behind America now - the first time ever any M-Net talk show has this narrow window. The second season of Touch would have started on 5 November in M-Net, very close after the American starting date, until FOX last week moved the show's starting date suddenly to January (but at least M-Net tried).
Chicago Fire is starting on 6 November on M-Net which started last night in America. The new 6th season of Dexter is starting on 6 November on M-Net hot on the heels of America.
On M-Net Series the second season of Franklin & Bash is showing which follows very closely after America, the new 4th season of White Collar is just mere episodes behind America, and the 4th season of The Vampire Diaries will be starting on 20 October on M-Net Series, which means that with its 8 October starting date in America South African viewers will only be 12 days behind the United States.
The second season of American Horror Story will start on M-Net Series on 26 October, meaning that with its US starting date on 17 October, South Africa is only 9 days behind. The second season of Hart of Dixie starts on 30 November on M-Net Series and the show is at episode two of the second season in America, making it yet another show that was fast-tracked by M-Net to show within weeks in South Africa.
