Magazine show All Access Mzansi is returning to Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) - but it won't be the same show and it will be done by a new production company.
With Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) and NBCUniversal Networks International all getting into the local gossip and entertainment magazine show scene with BET BUZZ and the E! Specials on E! Entertainment, Mzansi Magic is reviving All Access Mzansi.
First a brief history: M-Net commissioned All Access as its Top Billing from Homebrew Films - then sadly abruptly cancelled it after two years.
Mzansi Magic then picked up All Access but modified it as a pay-TV type Selimathunzi, renaming it All Access Mzansi ,with new presenters.
Then Mzansi Magic cancelled All Access Mzansi after two years.
Then Mzansi Magic brought back All Access Mzansi - cutting the presenters and replacing them. Then All Access Mzansi got cancelled again, for a second time.
Now All Access Mzansi will return to Mzansi Magic ... for a third time. Again with new presenters ... for the third time. And now done by a new production company.
From what I understand and was told, All Access Mzansi will retain elements of the previous two versions but will be looking different yet again but still cover glamorous local events and gossip news and do celebrity profile interviews - the stock and trade of this programming genre.
All Access Mzansi will be back from Friday 25 September at 18:30 on Mzansi Magic and this time it will be produced by Burnt Onion Productions.
"The show's magazine type of content has rich, broad appeal - the entertaining, yet lighthearted viewing that our family audiences really enjoy," M-Net tells me in response to why the show is revived for a third time.
No word yet on the new round of All Access Mzansi presenters.