The Idols Extra TV channel will start on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform on channel 198 this evening at 19:00.
Idols Extra will go live just after the debut of the first episode of the historic 10th season of Idols on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 17:30.
Idols Extra will run for 24-hours per day until the top 16 contestants are announced on 24 August.
Idols and the Idols Extra TV channel mean that the long running reality talent search show is first out the blocks in a South African television marathon that will very quickly become very crowded as South African TV viewers struggle to keep up with multiple shows where multiple contestants are trying to remain the last one standing.
The first season of The X Factor SA starts on Saturday 6 September on SABC1. A day later SA's Got Talent V starts on Sunday 7 September at 18:05 on e.tv. Throw in Strictly Come Dancing VII on SABC3 for good measure starting on Friday 18 July on SABC3 at 20:30.
TV with Thinus was told that Idols Extra will focus on the regional auditions featured in the specific Sunday night episodes during the first four weeks. As was the case in the past, DStv subscribers will be able to see all the auditions on this channel.
"To make it more entertaining, the auditions have also been packaged thematically. Viewers will be able to see all the Golden Ticket winners one after the other, for example, or all renditions of a particular song, or all the potential Wooden Mic winners, or a section called 'I was on Idols' with more unusual wannabes," says M-Net.
Viewers of Idols Extra will be able to find descriptions of the inserts on DStv's electronic programme guide (EPG). During the dreaded Theatre Round viewers will also be able to see all the full performances of all the contestants.
"This is Idols' historic 10th season and we have created special inserts looking at the show through the years, called 'Then and Now'. It's fascinating to see how the set and fashion have changed, but how Idols judge Randall Abrahams has managed to stay the same," says M-Net
