After an error on the iTV application of MultiChoice's DStv, the current 10th season of M-Net's Idols will have a Top 11 so as to not jeopardise Vincent Verhoog or Ivan Roux who had their photos and voting details erroneously switched.
The iTV application is what DStv subscribers see when they prss the "OK" button on their remote controls and navigate to the Idols page created for this season of the show.
Due to the technical error which has now been rectified, auditors Deloitte & Touche determined on Wednesday that the mistake could have affected the votes for both candidates and therefore the composition of the Idols Top 10.
The votes so far placed the two contestants in fourth and fifth position in the first group, meaning that after the second group were added, that one of them would have gone home. Secondly the difference was less than 1%.
"It would only be fair to both contestants and their fans to allow both of them to proceed to the next round," says M-Net, with both Vincent Verhoog and Ivan Roux who will definitely be in the Top 11 due to the mistake.
The second group of Top 16 contestants will perform this coming Sunday on M-Net and Mzansi Magic to earn their place in the Top 16. The names of the final Top 11 will be announced on Sunday 14 September.
"The decision illustrates M-Net's commitment to being a responsible and transparent broadcaster," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net's CEO for South Africa, saying that the pay-TV broadcaster will do "whatever it takes to ensure that no contestant is negatively impacted".
"Viewers should also take note that there have been no issues with our voting mechanisms or platforms. This was a communication error only and we will make sure that it doesn't happen again".
