Big Brother Mzansi produced by Endemol South Africa for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel is coming to viewers in January 2014 as the reality format is given another South African season by the pay-TV broadcaster.
With Big Brother Africa The Chase currently taking place as the latest pan-African season of the show in which Africans from across the continent are under 24 hour camera surveillance in Johannesburg, South Africa, M-Net has commissioned another version of the show for South Africa, saying a Big Brother season for the Mzansi Magic channel is "a logical next step".
South African viewers got their first taste of Big Brother in 2001, after the show transitioned to a continental Africa version set in Johannesburg with contestants from across Africa.
"The multiple requests over the years for another local version of this supernova show, together with the overwhelming viewer response to Big Brother Africa, signaled that it will be a surefire hit in our market," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's director of local interest channels.
"Adding Big Brother to our varied, increasing portfolio of general entertainment productions - ranging from telenovelas, soaps, lifestyle shows, comedies to reality and drama - consolidates Mzansi Magic's commitment to bringing the biggest and the best local shows to our viewers."
"The format is perfectly aligned to our vision which is to produce the most compelling content for audiences when they want it and where they want it," says Yolisa Phahle.
Big Brother The Chase shown on AfricaMagic across DStv in Africa and used as a driver for DStv pay-TV growth across Africa, has already lured just under 1 million unique website visitors since it started two weeks ago with 1,5 million online video views and 30 million page views online. The show has received over 1 million messages from viewers to the TV show.
"We are extremely proud of all the Big Brother editions," says Sivan Pillay, Endemol SA managing director. "The brand just keeps on growing and each season has had its own charm. We value our longstanding relationship with M-Net as a company and look forward to collaborating with another channel in its family of brands."
No specifics such as the presenter, the prize, the theme or what South Africans would be allowed to enter has been announced.
